Introspect

I recently stumbled upon an online opportunity that I couldn't pass up. I was blog surfing and I saw where someone ( I wish I could remember the blog so I could give proper credit) posted a link to expressiveartworkshops.com. I discovered a workshop called Self Discovery through Collage. The idea is to make a mini collage every day for about 10 days. The first couple of days I was asked to choose images (from pix and magazines) that appeal to me and put them into a mini 5x7ish collage. You may add text or draw other images...it's up to you. The goal here is to allow your inner creativity have a chance to speak. It's been fun reflecting later on why I chose certain images.

Today I was encouraged to choose images that I reject. VERY interesting. The reflection that followes...even more interesting. I highly recommend the course! Very cool so far!

Here are my images in order...day 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Sunday evenings are so nice in the summertime. No one is stressed about going back to school the next morning. No need to feel rushed. No worries.

Tonight, Finn and Stella and I all played with bubbles on the back deck. As I watched the bubbles float up and up and up, I thought about many things.

1. I wondered what it would be like to feel weightless and free. That is always a nice thought.
I have always envied anything that can fly. When I was very young, I got to travel a lot. I
loved being in an airplane. My Daddy used to say, "You are doing something up here that no
one down there can do." Flying was sooo much fun when I was a child. I still love it, I just
don't have the chance very often anymore.

2. I then thought about the shape of the bubbles. I love circles. Perfectly round. Never ending.
Cycle of life. I then made a mental list of circles I love: bubbles,eyes, m&ms, coins, buttons, beads,
clocks, perfect little scoops of ice cream, tea cups, fine china, sunflowers, daisies, and round
kissy lips.

3. My thoughts drifted on and I started to think about how far a bubble can travel before it pops. I wonder if a bubble has ever floated a mile or more. I tried to pick a bubble in each batch to follow until it popped. Some of them vanished so far up in the sky that I couldn't tell if they popped or if they were still there but just out of sight.


A busy weekend, but a great Sunday night.
A wonderful end to a wonderful week. So far, 40 looks very promising!

Picnic Pix!!

My four little loves. Having a peaceful moment.
Stella and my other lovebug.
I have always loved Gerber Daisies. Red ones are fantastic!
Here was my Vegan Happy Meal! Corn&Edamame-Sesame Salad, hummus, pita chips, lentil salad (that was a new recipe and very yummolicious), and watermelon. All really good!
My little fella. Giving me a flower. Doesn't get much better than that!!

Thank you Kendalee, for inspiring me to have not only a virtual midsummer picnic, but also a REAL live family/friend picnic. What a great day!

PEACE PICNIC IN PROGRESS....

PLEASE STAY TUNED FOR OUR PEACE PARTY PICNIC PIX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our Peace Picnic is in full swing...here is a preview....MORE images will be here shortly!!!!!

Thank you Kendalee!!! This is so much fun!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is a summer rose for our lovely occasion! And here is one of my favorite recipes right now......yummy picnic food on a summer day.....

CORN AND EDAMAME-SESAME SALAD

Dressing:
2 tbs toasted sesame oil
1 tbs rice vinegar
2 tsps tamari or soy sauce

Salad:
2 cups frozen shelled edamame
1 cup fresh corn or partially frozen corn
2 tbs toasted sesame seeds
Generous pinch of salt

Bring big pot of water to a boil. Meanwhile, whisk all the dressing ingredients in a med size mixing bowl.

Boil the edamame for 3 min. Add the corn and boil for another 2 min. Drain into a colander and run under cold water until cool enough to touch. Add the edamame and corn to the dressnig and toss to combine. Add the sesame seeds and toss again. Salt to taste. Cover and chill for at least 15 minutes!

I like to use bib lettuce and make little lettuce wraps with this yummy goodness.


Recipe can be found (along with other yummy stuff) in VEGANOMICON The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook

Here is what I have been working on. This is Hailey...and for some reason, it took me a really long time to finish. I think it was a timing issue because I started it when school was in full swing. Then the end of the year madness barged it's way into my life...and there was just no time. Now that I am finally off of the school schedule, I was able to focus and finish last night.

I still have a lot to learn but Hailey is happy with it. And that's what counts for me!

Art Love

I feel in love with an artist a while ago. Her name is Wyanne Thompson and there is just something about her work that makes me feel calm and dreamy. She creates these "mixed media girls" using various techniques...and they all have such charm and personality!

She offers online art courses so I took one back in the winter. She's great at explaining things...but the best part is her voice! She has this creamy caramel southern voice that could easily put you to sleep if she were reading a bedtime story. However, I was too interested to fall asleep so I just sat there...on my couch...laptop on lap in sort of a trance-like state. It was kind of hilarious.

Anyway, she continually creates beautiful things. And she just seems to get better and better.

Here is one of my favorites. I bought this print a while back. (and when you purchase something, from her etsy store, she sends little extras like postcards and stuff)

Peace Party Picnic!

I have been inspired by Kendalee to join her virtual midsummer picnic! This picnic was great timing for me because my 40th birthday is Friday. I am going to start celebrating early!

If you want to see the rules for her virtual picnic click here! Look for the invitation on her blog.

I decide that my picnic should have a theme. Since my older girls are loving peace signs lately, I decided to have a Peace Party Picnic. I invited some of my favorite locals and I hope they are all able to make it!

Here are the "rules" for my peaceful picnic!

Bring a flower, or wear one in your hair.
Wear something lovely or something you love.
When planning your meal, please remember the 3Rs (reduce reuse recycle) and bring something healthy!
Bring some sort of peace "parafanalia". (peace sign, etc.)
Have fun!

Can't wait to have the picnic and can't wait to see other blogger's picnic pix!
I REALLY LOVE SUMMER!

Sleepover

Maddy has been asking to have a sleepover in my room for quite some time. Last night we finally did it! We cuddlebugged and talked and laughed AND we even watched part of GREASE on VH1!

In the morning, I had to leave to run some errands and I left my little angel sleeping. I left her a note to let her know when I'd be back...and Stella left her doll to keep her company.:0)

It's finally starting to feel like summer! I have been to school to work and clean so many days during my "vacation" that I didn't really feel like I was on summer break until this week. My first somewhat lazy day! (Minus taking H to gym and taking M to get an xray of her wrist. Not broken thank goodness.)

This morning I got to watch the rain for a while. I wrote before about my relationship with rain. When the rains fall in the winter, I feel those tiny droplets use their icy little fingers to dig deep down into my bones. Then they seem to take root and spread until my whole body feels cold and damp. For this reason, I only like rain in the summer.

For three seasons out of the year I could live without it all together but for some reason, in the summer, the rain feels clean and refreshing. It settles the pollen a little and gives the green a nice little drink. In the summer I say...let the rain dance on the pavement and cool this place down! Let's sleep late and stay in our pjs until noon.

Grandma's Graveyard

Helen Elizabeth Moore
November 29, 1910-June 13, 2009

Rest in peace Grandma. I love you.

the safety of souls

As I mentioned before, we are celebrating many endings this year. Here is Maddy (far left) celebrating after her 5th grade graduation. Oh how that child has transformed this year. At the beginning of the year she refused to wear girl's clothes. By the end, she was asking for a dress for her 5th grade celebration.

I took her to a pool party right after school...so that she could party with all of the other graduates. The party was held at the home of one of her friends (who happens to be a boy) and she was one of the few girls in attendance. When the party ended and I went to retrieve her, I saw something that made me laugh. Hard. As I wheeled into the driveway I noticed this little girl in a bikini running around with a basketball. She "juked" a few boys and managed to do a layup... and make it...while a mass of dark hair flooded the air. I thought it was soo cute and funny and then the kid turned as I got closer. And of course, it was Maddy! There she was smacking high fives with two girls who were watching through hysterical fits of laughter. I had a pretty good laugh too.

Then I thought...thank God. She's still here. She may be sporting a cute girly bikini these days but she can still beat the boys at basketball!!!

Later that day I noticed that she was wrecklessly gnawing on a water balloon! (Not unMaddylike at all) I said, "Mad, that is NOT safe. Get that water balloon out of your mouth!" And her response???

"MOM! I am safe. I'm safe in my soul!!!" Followed by a look of frustration. And then a huge smile.

And she meant it. She put the water balloon down and danced off down the hall.
And my soul felt safe too. I really like that kid. I hope she always finds a way to feel safe in her soul. Cause it doesn't get much better than that!

Beginnings.

And now, I'm a little excited about starting a new life chapter with a long summer break. I hope to have a summer filled with slow mornings and lazy afternoons! I hope to enjoy the sun and NOT complain about the heat. I hope to enjoy this time with my children! And I hope to find rainbows everywhere I go!!! Here's to a colorful summer!!! Yippee!!!

Endings.

We are reading our final chapters in several of our favorite novels these days. Hailey is "graduating" from the 8th grade and moving on to high school (I can't possibly be that old and neither can she), Maddy is "graduating" from the 5th grade and moving on to middle school (I really don't feel ready for that either), and Finn just finished a fantastic year of 1st grade where he was able to play the lead role in his first grade play (Max in Where the Wild Things Are).

As we read the final words, I am forced to remember that everything is a cycle. And I guess we wouldn't properly appreciate the beginnings without a few sad endings.


photos on the side....Hailey's 8th grade Social, Maddy learning new tricks...when did she turn into a skate chick that wears pink????, and Finn as Max. Good times this year.....good times. Grow sweet babies, grow.

Last Day of School....Summer Begins...

Gratitude Wednesday

Here is a picture of a gift I received today. I love it. I got this little lovely from the parent of one of my students. Her description of the painting was so sweet. She said she just decided to "free paint" and this is what developed! The light represents her son growing and developing...in my class...after coming from a darker place...at his old school. Her son was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome last year and he apparently had teachers that didn't really understand him at all. I am so happy I was able to get to know Grey this year. (He has a beautiful light Lynn!!!--shine on sweet boy!)

I am grateful for my new piece of art!
I am sooo happy to be a teacher today...(It's easy to say that when there are only 1.5 days left..haha)
I am thankful for the old African Proverb ...It takes a village. I don't think I would be able to work full time and raise 4 children without tons of support. My family at home and my family at school are so supportive.
I feel very fortunate to be awake and aware right now...there are beautiful things to see these days!