kids in a box . . . 30 years later

 I have wanted to recreate this photo for years.  The original was taken I believe in 1989 . . . 

It has always been one of my favorite photos of the four of them.

We had gotten a new tv . . . and of course being kids, they were more excited about playing in the box than watching the tv.

We finally did it!  Richard pieced together a bunch of cardboard . . . the kids recreated their clothes.  They were good sports doing this for me.  I laughed so hard when Sarah walked out in her pink sweats and black patent leather shoes.  Then I laughed again at Jacob's expression when he saw her. 

30 years . . .

They have grown up . . . most of them have become parents themselves.  I have watched them become adults . . . but they will always be my kids.   

Skeleton & Elf . . .

 

Skeleton & Elf 2020

I was not sure if I was going to do my "Skeleton & Elf " this.  In fact, I still have really decided.

But I just couldn't resist putting masks on them.  

"Laughing is and always will be, 

the best form of therapy."

Undead Bluefish . . .

I have to share pictures of the zombie doll that I received in this year's Zombie Doll Swap.

This year's theme was Dr. Seuss zombies.  I gave my swap partner the choice of any character from 

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.

I read that book so often to my kids when they were little - I still can recite much of it.  My partner chose the "Blue Fish".

Undead Bluefish is AMAZING!

My swap partner Shelly did such a great job.  It looks like he is made out of paper-mache . . . he shimmers with glitter and sequins . . . and makes me smile. 

Today was good. Today was fun. 

Tomorrow is another one.

~ Dr. Seuss

Daisy-Head Mayzie as a zombie . . .

 My swap partner received her package . . . so I am able to share pictures of the zombie doll I made for this year's Zombie Doll Swap.  Thank you as always Valerie for hosting this fun swap!  I look forward to this swap every year!

For this swap we had to create a zombie doll of a Dr. Seuss character.  One of the character choices that my swap partner gave me was Daisy-Head Mayzie.  I either had never read this Dr. Seuss book, or if I had, I had forgotten.  How could I resist making a zombie doll with a daisy growing out of her head.  

So . . . my version of Daisy-Head Mayzie as a zombie and my version of her story . . . 

You may know the story of Daisy McGrew.

A story so outrageous you may ask, “Is it true?”

A real live daisy grew out of her head.

A real live daisy . . . or so it is said.

 

There is more to this story than a flower in her head.

They say she now walks . . . among the undead.

How did this happen?  We do not know.

Maybe it was how the daisy began to grow.

 

Out of her head and into her brain.

No wonder this daisy became such a pain.

The other kids asked Daisy, “Now what will you do?”

“I guess,” Daisy answered, “I will get used to this too.

zombie doll in the making . . .

 

peace out . . .

If you know me, you know I like Halloween . . . and skeletons.  

This was gifted to me the other day . . . a perfect Clarehelen gift and I just wanted to share it.

Peace ~ Love ~ Skeletons

 

chalk and doodles . . .

Life is busy.  Finding time to be creative is not always easy for me.

So for today . . . at least there is chalk and doodles.  

crazy, lazy summer days . . .

With temperatures of over 100 . . . this is what we do.

Happy Wednesday!

junk journals . . .

 I decided to take some of the paper "stuff" I keep and make some simple Junk Journals.

What do I keep . . . old calendar pages, my grandkids artwork, bags, cards, envelopes, doodles, bits and an pieces of this and that . . . JUNK!

Using washi tape and duct tape I just make a simple journal that I can write in and add to later.

love . . .

Their reactions to the simple fireworks that we had were priceless. 

 I have one video of them that I keep watching over and over . . . it makes me laugh every time.

They danced and laughed and attempted to turn cartwheels.  

By the end of the day (well past their normal bedtime) . . . they were tired and smelled like chlorine, sunscreen, and root beer floats.  

Hugging them goodbye I hugged each of them a little tighter than usual . . . because next year they will be a year older.

peace ~ love ~ summer

I am not quite ready to post pictures of the fort we are building for the grandkids . . . but almost.

Just wanted to share the hanging of the peace sign.  

Peace . . . Love . . . Summer

today . . .

paint and doodles . . .

 We made a little more progress . . . primer on the front fence and the roof is started.

I have a lot of painting still to do . . . but I am happy to have it started. 

Avery loves to paint . . . I have a bunch of small canvases and lately she wants to use them.

She paints with the freedom of a child. 

 I love watching her . . . and I love how everyone of her paintings turns out.  (It's a grandma thing.)

 I decided to do something with her latest painting . . . just for fun.

Avery's painting and Amma's calendar doodles.  

"And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world

around you because the greatest secrets are always

hidden in the most unlikely places.  Those who

don't believe in magic will never find it."

                                                   ~ Roald Dahl

Special Delivery . . . zombie package

 I received my zombie package in the mail!  

Thank you Yarnigras for hosting this fun swap. 

Zombies in May . . . I suppose it is too early to hang up the cute beaded

Halloween garland that Kerry included in her zombie package? 

Let's see if I can grow some Brain Flowers ???

I am curious to see what happens with these.

Also included in the package was a fun skeleton journal and beaded garland.

Avery was visiting when the zombie package arrived.  She was excited as I was to open it and see what was inside.  

I don't know which face I enjoyed more . . . 

The look on Avery's  face when she opened up the zombie doll . . . or the look on Richard's face when he handed me the package with a zombie sticker on it.  He knows how much fun I have looking forward to receiving my "zombie package". 

Avery is only three years old, but she gets me.  She once told me that I was kinda weird,

but she doesn't seem to mind.

Happy Friday!

little jenny zombie . . .

Little Jenny Zombie

Sitting in the sand . . .

She doesn’t even realize

She’s part of Zombieland

She’s not quite sure what happened

But what she would like to ask . . .

Is what happened to her vacation . . .

And why is she wearing a mask?

Little Jenny Zombie

Wandering dune to dune . . .

Wants to go back to normal

She hopes that happens soon

* * * * * 

The zombie doll that I made for Yarnigras' Zombie Swap is shipped and on it's way.

This swap is always fun . . . and even more so having an extra swap this year.  

These weird little dolls just make me laugh . . . 

Richard got the railings around the front of the fort.

I will take some more pictures soon.  Next a roof . . . then siding . . . then paint . . .

So far they have come up with the name Fort Awesome,

but the kids may decide on something else.  

GOOD THINGS TODAY . . . 

This picture of my brother and Jacob . . . It makes me smile (and tear up)

My "Cancer Sucks" coffee mug

Avery putting on purple lipstick . . . then checking herself out in the mirror
. . . Avery then having to call her daddy and show him the lipstick

Sitting outside with my coffee . . . enjoying the quiet

Rain . . . my garden and sunflowers are happy . . . and growing
Getting a zombie doll in the mail today!!!  I will post pictures soon!

Cousins . . .

This makes me smile!

progress on the fort . . .

It is fun watching the project progress.

Today we are staining and sealing the floor/deck of our fort.

We have a ways to go . . . stay tuned for more pictures.

lil monster . . .

I love this little monster body.  Now . . . what to do with him . . . or her next?

GOOD THINGS TODAY . . . 

Getting my walk in before the sun was up

Planting tomatoes and zucchini with Lily and Avery

Sunflower seeds have sprouted

Ideas for this little monster doll

Avery looking at her "Ampa" . . . and telling him, "You're a little weird."

A husband who cooks when I don't want to -  (delicious pork chops with bleu cheese last night)

Laughing

good things today . . .

GOOD THINGS TODAY . . . 

A beautiful sleeping baby (she is a sweet one)

Progress on the fort we are building

Starting a new doll

A FaceTime visit with Avery Rose (so I could see her walk on her balance beam)

Not letting my grey hair bother me . . . the time has come to just go with the grey!  (It will take some time, but I am really excited about this change.  It just feels like it is time.)

A new llama pool float 

Squirt guns

Living Simple . . . 

Finding my JOY . . .