Birthday in the Park

IMG_8495

Fun and games with the birthday boy turning double digits.  Games, play, costumes, searching for gems, pulled pork sliders and picnic food.  What fun!

IMG_9069

The birthday boy and his “crew” prepare for battle.

CBDM4902

First game of Kid Kubb goes to the little ones.

IMG_9029

“Wind” blows

IMG_9083

The “Shadow” knows

IMG_9023

“Fire” crackles

IMG_9045

“Death” ….scary

IMG_8500

Mom and Dad still have the energy to smile after hosting such a full energy bash.

IMG_9036

The birthday boy dabs out.

A Bicycle Built for Two by Creatfuldodger

“Hurray, road trip!” she exclaimed, “I’ve got the map, I shoddy the front seat”. “Hold on,” he replied “curb your enthusiasm, so we get there in one piece” as he applied the breaks. Inspired by a recent holiday with the mister. This is how it goes down for us. The ephemera : Ledger page for 1901; […]

via A bicycle built for two — creartfuldodger

The Weather Vane

hahn-1445637_640 (1)

I remember a time when I could juggle countless activities with the agility of a pro.  No matter how (or from where) the wind blew, I could face the new challenge.

The harder the wind would whip the weather vane, the more creative I became.

Over time the wind stilled and the weather vane stopped its movement.

That’s what I thought at first.  But flying scarves, dancing leaves, and the sound of wind chimes told a different story.  It was not the wind, but the weather vane that had changed.  Broken? Rusty? Bent?  Something was wrong.

In the last few months, I have focused so much in one direction that my weather vane had frozen.  Creativity slowed…connections unraveled.

My task at hand is to take a clear look at the weather vane and bit by bit fix its frozen parts.  Oil for rust, hammer for true calibration, and polish for beauty.  This is the job before me.  I prepare myself for the wind and accept the challenge.

 

Christmas Pleasures

fullsizerender

A few years back, my husband decided to challenge himself by creating a beautiful pastel using angels and things around the house and yard.  He brought in boughs and rose cones from our backyard cedar.   I collected some angels, candles, and ornaments and organized the still life.  It took him days (weeks?) to do the pastel, but once framed, takes center stage over the mantle each Christmas.

As we unpack the angels, my favorite task is to dress the mantle.  I like to place the three angels used in the still life near his art piece.

ornaments

I remember sharing last year’s mantel in this blog. (Added it below)  It is about the same….little changes.  But still I keep the three angels nestled around the pastel my husband lovingly created for our home.

IMG_8004

A year at the coast (not really)

img_6603

Dreams and goals are a funny lot.  They change or intensify as other things either move out of the way, take their place, or come true.

I once had a dream to live on the coast.  I didn’t have to live there forever….just one year.  I wanted to see all the seasons, storms and all.  My life changed and without regret, I put that dream in my back pocket.

It’s years later, and I dusted off that dream and looked at it in a different way.  What if hubs and I stayed 3 days and 2 nights at the coast each month for an entire year. That would do it!

Last month was our Ocean family reunion  Fox Fun

November, hubs and I stayed at a favorite spot in Lincoln City “The Sandcastle.”  The weather was nippy, indeed, but I saw several rainbows over the ocean.  What a hopeful image.  We also watched a seal travel north to south, popping its head up every once in a while.  Our eyes were glued to the waves when one or the other of us would call out….”there it is”……….. “there it is”…….. “there it is.”

We took some time out of our ocean watching to pop in and out of the quirky little shops downtown. Unhurried, we were able to chat with some of the store owners.  Being November, downtown looked like a ghost town.  But hubs and I were content. Some of that had to do with his favorite pizza place, Tie-Dye Pizza, being open.

img_6618

In the middle of the night I crept to the curtains and peeked out. The tide was out and above, clouds had parted enough for me to gaze at the stars.  On our last morning we saw patches of glorious blue sky.  While this picture does not show it, what looks like a speck in the center of the photo is really a half moon.

On our way home we saw that someone with time and a sense of humor had grown a smiley face on the side of a hill.  From our view it looked a little like “The Grinch that Stole Christmas” but I am sure the intent was a smiley face.

img_6632

A lovely weekend.  Goodbye ocean…..see you next month.

Back to school…

IMG_6075

It’s September and I’m pulled by the whisper “back to school, back to school.”

Most consider New Years Eve/Day the start of a new year. (I mean, it’s in the name.)  But for me, that’s just another party.  The REAL new year starts in September.

When I was young September meant fresh lined paper, big orange erasers, pencils and glue. Ooooo and that crayon box.  As I grew older it meant seeing my friends again, new clothes, spiral notebooks and pens. College life was packed with new adventures but still had the same rhythms.

As I transitioned from student to instructor many of my supplies were purchased by the University or college.  Yet there were always special items here or there purchased for the pure joy of a new year (I’m looking at you, multi-colored post-it notes).

I’m retired now. Education was my calling.  It was hard and exhausting, joyful and exhilarating in equal parts. While it was never EVER easy, I still felt lucky to be able to earn a living by doing something I loved. Early retirement was a choice I don’t regret. As much as I loved teaching, it was time for me to pass the baton to others with the passion to teach.

Still, it’s September and I hear the whisper “back to school.”

Kelly Rae Roberts – Featured Artist

 

IMG_5569

“Explore” by Kelly Rae Roberts

Around my house you would see many home made art pieces.  I’m lucky to be surrounded by artists.  I also dabble in a variety of art styles myself; the walls and curio cabinets display art explorations created by my husband and myself.

Yet, beyond our own art, you will notice quite a few pieces of art (from calendars to bookmarks) created from the fertile and upbeat imagination of Kelly Rae Roberts.  During the season of Thanksgiving, you will more often than not see her work above the mantle, bearing words of gratitude.

Her website and blog are both uplifting.  Enjoy her story as well as how she builds a business on hard work, imagination, and joy.

Dive in and enjoy Kelly Rae’s blog and website.