Pointing out the clouds...

I've found myself pointing out the clouds to the Bubs a lot lately. From the white, puffy cottonball kind to the dark and rain-filled...they've all been pointed out and discussed.

My mom used to, at random moments, point out the clouds to us. She'd ooh and ahh over the purple and orange stained ones in a stunning sunset or laugh at the kind that were so big and fluffy we couldn't help but look for silly shapes in them.

I remember thinking, on more than one occasion, "Momma, you're so silly."

Honey, I now know that Momma was anything but silly. Whenever she pointed out those cloud-strewn skies, we'd all lift our heads from our indiviual pursuits (some worries, too) and take in something wonderous together. Precious moments, those.

That's why I point out the clouds...even if the Bubs thinks I'm a little silly.

Ten Years~

Ten years of marriage.

120 months

*

521 weeks

*

3,650 days

*

87, 658 hours

*

5,259,487 minutes

Ten years of marriage to a man who is your best friend.

Shared laughter & tears

*

Misunderstandings & makeups

*

Holding hands & holding babies

No matter what comes our way, I never lose sight of the fact that I am a blessed woman...

I married you.

Happy Anniversary, My Love.

Sweet Shot Tuesday

We spent our Sunday afternoon at a couple of our favorite parks. We laughed, we chased, we took in some sights and, as usual, the camera captured it all....well, when I wasn't laughing and chasing after my guys!

Thanks for stopping by...and come back anytime!

New Art~

No, I haven't lost my calendar. I'm just excited about some of the mini-paintings that I've done for Christmas and I couldn't wait to share one with y'all! Some will have their own mini-easel while others, with the addition of a ribbon hanger will become ornaments. I'm pretty sure that a couple of these might make their way onto our tree...or in a wreath...or-- Well, you get the idea!

The crown has been finding its way onto my doodle pads and paintings, lately. Every year I'm drawn to a particular object or symbol when I'm thinking about Christmas decorating. Snowflakes, the Moravian star, etc. Sometimes I'm in sync with the trends of the season but, more often than not, I'm on a different page dancin' to the beat of a different drummer.

Well, thank you for letting me interrupt your regularly scheduled Summer program for a Christmas special!

Sweet Shot Tuesday~

This Summer, for me, will always be known as "The Museum Summer". With the heat being so intense the last few weeks, we've made frequent use of museums of all kinds. Of course, the local (and not so local) children's museums were the boys' faves. Everything was interactive and geared towards kids of all ages and development levels. The boys loved playing and we loved that we very rarely had to say no. It was a freeing experience for the Hubs and me (Poppi, too)!

I absolutely loved the studio area in the latest children's museum. Lots of beautiful sunshine streamed in the windows, children's creations were hanging everywhere and art supplies were stuffed in every nook and cranny just waiting for little hands to use them. Very old exposed brick made up one wall...I just ran my hand across it, fascinated with the texture.

As enthralled as I was with that inspiring space our little E-man captured my full attention when he grabbed a crayon and, after his Daddy gave him a piece of paper, started to draw. For the first time. Most definitely a sweet moment...

Thanks for stopping by!

The Other Side of the Camera...

Taking pictures is so much fun as long as I'm not on the other side of the camera. Two babies, a dysfunctional relationship with the gym, and a few dozen hang ups don't make it easy for me to get in front of a camera these days. I am more than happy to be behind one. Of course, my Mom was much the same way and now that she's gone we don't have very many pictures of her....my Dad reminds me of this a lot. *sigh*

Anyway , I wanted to try and get a new headshot for my blog and business and these were some of the results. The first two, I did try to edit a bit but I'm not sure how "correct" they are.



This was one of the first I took. I was feeling pretty silly standing there taking pics of myself in the bathroom. What?! I needed the extra light!



By the time this one was taken, I think the Hubs had me laughing at something.....


You just had to know that there were outtakes, right? Here's just one of them. Lovely.

Which one do you like? Should I keep trying? Suggestions?

Of Journals, Lists and Doodles

Yes. I have a journal. I know...I have a blog so it may seem a little silly to have a journal, too. There is something so deliciously tactile about putting pen or pencil to paper. Maybe it's the artist in me. Maybe it's my love of lists (list love?). Making lists, mind you, not having them handed to me!

My journal is another place where I go to take a deep breath of inspiration, jot down an idea, doodle or even scribble about a hidden hurt. Some thoughts are random while others are cohesive and threaded together in a stream of words that come pouring out in moments of creativity or clarity.




The very first page is my "title page" where I wrote - Inspirations, Dreams, Creative Bents & Other Things. I don't write in it every single day but I keep it close at hand, ready for me to scribble away. It comes in handy on days when I have so many things flying around my head that I need a way to keep them straight. Out comes the journal and pen and suddenly I can think straight again...or straight-ish, anyway.

Putting pen to paper - even in a world of blogging, texting, and tweeting - is still a wonderful thing!