birthday card journal . . .

 A card from my Aunt Hess usually includes a rooster stamp . . . I love these colors!

Every year I take my birthday cards and turn them into a journal.  This year I included some Valentine cards as well.  I used washi tape and simply taped the cards together.  It isn't the sturdiest thing, but makes a cute journal and this way I get to enjoy the cards again.

I also received this great journal with wonderful family photos from Brent, Ashley, and the boys.  Ashley ordered it through Shutterfly.
 I LOVE IT!  I can't wait to fill up the pages!

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God;

I will strengthen you , I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous hand. 

~ Isaiah 41:10

peace ~ love ~ create

“Every child is an artist, 

the problem is staying an artist when you grow up” 

– Pablo Picasso 

 I do believe this little girl loves to be creative.
She constantly delights and inspires me with her curiosity and her spirit.
 "Grandma, can we paint? . . . Grandma, how does this work? . . . Grandma, I want to do this! . . . Grandma, can I help?"  

Charlotte's taking photos . . . 

. . . and her dad is sketching giraffes.
(I like the eyes . . . and the eyelashes.)
He has this great idea for a comic/cartoon that he is working on
 that involves a very wise giraffe, a little girl, and a cat.

As for me . . .
my little voodoo doll needed a mouth . . . and a black heart.
No black magic here - just a quirky little doll for fun!

photo challenge 1/3/16 . . . blue

"What if the blue I see

is not the same color blue

you see?"  ~ Neo Shamon

I had fun with this one . . . looking for blue. 

I had to go with more than one picture . . . 

a few new ones and a few old ones.

photo challenge 1/1/16 . . . Resolution

A good laugh and a long sleep

are the two best cures for anything.

~ Irish Proverb

I do not usually make New Year's resolutions, but for some reason this year I have made a few . . . most of them very simple.  One of my resolutions is to get enough sleep.  I have always enjoyed staying up late, or maybe it is just the way I am.  As a child I remember having trouble falling to sleep at night.  Most of my adult life I have stayed up way past midnight working on projects or reading.  I set out to go to bed early . . . then get busy doing something and then a glance at the clock reminds me that I missed the chance for a full night's sleep.  As much as I hate to give up those few hours every night of doing what I want to do . . . my body is telling me that I do need the extra hours of sleep.  I am not going to like it . . . but I am sure I will benefit from it.

EAT . . . SLEEP . . . BE HAPPY . . . REPEAT!

Look Up . . . weekend clouds and a photo challenge

"Clouds suit my mood just fine."

~ Marie Lu, Champion

I decided today that I needed to do a March Photo Challenge.  I really don't need another thing to keep up with daily, but it just feels like something I want to do.  Here is the list of prompts for my March photo challenge . . . join me if you like.

Today, March 1 . . . Look Up

1. Look Up
2. Spring
3. Home
4. Morning Coffee
5. Polka Dots
6. Bag Check
7. Handmade
8. Sunglasses
9. Mail
10. Glitter
11. Good Morning
12. Throw Back Thursday
13. Superstition
14. Pi Day
15. Lucky
16. Green
17. 3 Things
18. Easter Eggs
19. Sunshine
20. Vintage
21. Flowers
22. Books
23. 5:00 PM
24. Pink
25. Healthy
26. Shoes
27. Graffiti
28. Incomplete
29. Hanging
30. Favorite Moment of the Month
31. Self . . . 

for today . . .

Outside my window . . . early morning . . .  cool, but starting to warm up already.  It's going to get hot today.

I am thinking . . . that I could have used a little more sleep. 
I am thankful for . . . my time off during the summer.
From the kitchen . . .  coffee

I am wearing . . . cut off sweats and a zombie t-shirt

I am creating . . . playing in my art journal and working on some dolls.

I am going . . . to meet some friends for lunch at Michelangelo's today.

I am reading . . . Duma Key – by Stephen King

I am hoping . . . that I get to see Charlotte today . . . I miss her when I don't see her for a few days.  She is simply a joy for me.

I am hearing . . . Jason Mraz

Around the house . . . paper cranes and a jigsaw puzzle.

One of my favorite things . . . the "quote of the day" app on my phone.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . no real plans . . . I guess that is one of the good things about being on vacation!

From my picture journal . . .

yesterday . . . simply a good day!

 

I like trying new beers . . . and even better when the beer is actually served in a glass that advertises the beer and brewery that I am drinking.  Now this is a unique beer glass!  That little glass pig on the bottom is great!

Yesterday, I had an appointment with my oncologist regarding some enlarged lymph nodes and a scan that I had done.  Everything came back fine, which is always a relief.  Even though I feel fine . . . having had melanoma - when my doctor is concerned about something - I tend to worry.  It seems like there have been too my doctor appointments lately . . . and they always lead to another appointment or another scan.  I have to say I am sort of tired of the whole thing.  

 On a much lighter note, I found my Ipod.  I love to walk no matter what, but what a difference the music makes.  I just kept walking and running . . . and put in 5 miles.  I was going to go another mile or two, but did not have water with me and didn't think it was such a good idea in the heat.  

(Today . . . I will take water.)  

Richard had to work late last night . . . so I went in with him and spent some time roaming around the library where he works.  I love being there when the building in nearly empty of people.  I took the time to put some of my cranes out.  I reached the 500 mark - half way through my 1000 paper crane project.  Richard was glad to get done when he did . . . I was hoping we would be there until after dark.  He promised to take me back late one night . . . for some reason that sounds like fun.

I haven't read anything by Stephen King in years.  When I was young - I think I read everything he wrote.  Luke has been telling me to read Duma Key ever since he finished it.  It has grabbed my interest.  Who knows . . . I may find a renewed interest in reading Stephen King.

Walking, good news from the doctor, reading, paper cranes, wandering around the library, and a cold beer in a fun glass - I would consider yesterday a good day!

A squirrel, tennis, and paper cranes . . .

I didn't get my doll finished last night.  My husband had to go in and pick up something from work, so we decided while we were there we would play some tennis.  As much as I wanted to spend sometime in my craft room . . . it also gave me a chance to take some pictures and drop some of my paper cranes on campus.   Peace ~ Love ~ Cranes . . . I am hoping to get some feedback on the paper crane that I stuck in a book that will be delivered to another library . . . I guess we will see.

I would have loved to get closer to the squirrel in the top photo - he wasn't really to worried about me, but when I took one more step he ran off.  I wish I would have had my other camera - then I could have gotten a closer shot.  Squirrels always remind me of my dad . . . and thinking about him - although it makes me sad . . . the memories also make me smile. 

rainy day picture walk . . .

 

 

 

 

I spent my lunch hour taking a walk today.  I was hoping it would be raining - so I could just listen to the rain and enjoy, but the rain had let up.  As always when I go for a walk . . . I see what I can see.  Something usually catches my eye.  I had to smile when right before I got back to work I saw the chalk on the block wall . . . what could be better than

Peace ~ Love ~ Happiness.