I'm popular these days!



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At the beach

Last weekend we took the kids to the Oregon Coast for a long weekend. It's really the first time Lil D got to explore the beach - last time she was only 6 months old! We spent some time at the Evergreen Air and Space Museum on the way down there, which was way cool. Hubby geeked out on all the planes and rockets, and the kids loved all the little flying games and demos everywhere. We had lunch there, and pushed on to the central coast.


We spent our next day just bumming around. The weather was too cold to go down to the beach first thing, so we did a little shopping. By the time we had lunch, it had cleared off and gotten warm and we spent the rest of the day on the sand.

Another lovely colection on Artfire.com - this one is water themed!

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Artfire Collections are a great way to pull together some favorite items. Imagine my surprise and delight to find I was featured in the "Pansy" collection with this photo:


See the full collection HERE

Summertime....

It has been forever since I have posted, and for that, I am truly sorry. Life, as happens, attacked.


It's been a good summer here, if a little cooler than I want. I've been spending time in my garden, which is a rich and rewarding thing. Harvesting my dinner is so fulfilling, and the kids are loving it, too.


We're growing Brussels Sprouts, onions, garlic, salad fixings, beans, brocolli, zucchini, tomatoes, and sunflowers.





Oh, and I got another tattoo... I think it's adorable :)

Paper

I am addicted to paper. And stickers. And glitter. It's a weakness. Nothing makes me happier than rifling through my stash, looking for the perfect piece, and combining things to make little pieces of art which I know will make someone smile.

For a while last fall, I taught an origami class to a group of 3rd and 4th graders at my son's school. It was a blast, and very fulfilling to bring to them an art form which I have loved since my days as a fourth grader.

There is something so peacful, so quieting about sitting down with my supplies and creating. It helps me to get my mind in order, to calm myself, and to find peace.

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Well, we made it to and from the coast. That's my fella there. He's a good fella. We've been travelling together for some time now. The surprising thing is how much we still enjoy each other's company.

It was good to get out without the kids. We did a lot of walking, and chatting, and looking at shops, and taking pictures, and eating rich and fattening food. It was a wonderful weekend.

In our wanderings, I came to a realization. I think I know why macro photography holds such fascination over me. I think people don't spend enough time. They don't pause, like a child would, to enjoy the little surprises hiding in everyday life. Somewhere in the journey from child to adult we lose the ability to wonder. This world we have been given is a gift. It is time to slow down and enjoy it. Look at leaves and puddles and bubbles. Smell the ocean air. Have a long conversation with someone you love. Eat some new foods. Thank God every morning that you are awake and alive and all is well.

Thank you for taking the time to look. Be blessed this week.