GOOD. RANDOM. FUN. {WEEK 16}

 Posting with Tamar at RANDOM-OSITY...

JPE made his Gorgonzola Sauce for our pasta Saturday night. AND, it was tasty Sunday night! Why is it that leftovers taste so great the second time around? Is it because you don't have to start a meal from scratch {my opinion}? or the flavors have blended together {JPE's opinion}. Anyway... it was taaaa....ssstttteee! Yummy GOOD.

On Thursday, we had tea at Kreuzberg's on Higuera in SLO. The tables on their front patio have such interesting graphics. We had this RANDOM guy - doesn't he look a little like someone from the Simpson's? 

If you follow my blog, you saw the bottom part of this sculpture last week. I love taking pictures of it! There are so many details, angles to capture, and cartoon-ish faces & bodies. Perhaps I'm drawn to this FUN sculpture because it reminds me of the characters who mime.

Well, if you ever visit San Luis Obispo, let me know & I'll share some of my favorite spots to take pictures.

SONG-OGRAPHY + SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY 4.20.14

taken 4.19.14

finally.... I managed to pull my camera out. I guess I needed Spring Break to get me over the "BITTER SADNESS"

Posting with Kathy @ You'll Shoot Your Eye Out.

You're probably wondering why I posted a picture of the cat? it's the neighbor's cat... {I spied their cat napping in the patio yesterday!} and we're sad they are moving next week. It's a young couple with a 3-year-old, and another one on the way! they needed space for their growing family to run, ride bikes and roll in the grass! so, once again, we'll be hearing THE SOUNDS OF SILENCE!!!

Oh my! My FIT-BIT is screaming at me! that number is a far cry from 10,000 steps a day!! I hadn't worn it for 10 days... so I had to charge it and the recorded number that emerged was 36 steps {which was the number of steps I walked during the night from the bed to the bathroom}. I do have an excuse... I can't wear my "tennies" {foot is healing from some minor surgery}? my new magazines arrived? and, ummm, Lydia was visiting?! I know, poor excuses, huh? I'm so NEGLECTFUL...

The "hummers" {hummingbirds are prolific} are enjoying the blooming honeysuckle! JPE's sister sent this assortment of herbs to plant... he's officially resigned from one of his jobs, so in addition to teaching his college courses, he'll have more time to garden & cook {hence, the retirement GIFT of "starters"}. Both are definitely SIGNS OF SPRING.

I DON'T wear dresses! in fact, I had to buy a dress for Steph & Mazen's wedding last November! but, JPE is officiating a wedding in mid-May so, I found this lovely, inexpensive dress {from Macy's}... just arrived in the mail on Friday!

BUT, my last PURCHASE(S) have been paperbacks! I finished the bottom three; am currently reading the one on the top {which is the sequel to The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philip Sendker}; & still to read, People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks & The Wedding Bees by Sarah-Kate Lynch.

Afternoon light casting a SHADOW across the bedroom wall. Allie gave me the adorable laser-cut alphabet last Christmas. She found it at bookhou.com...

I put a few Spring/Easter decorations out at the beginning of March. When Stephanie moved to Washington DC, I believe she left this glasswear behind? I added some shredded paper, a German paper egg & added three additional eggs to this display. Who knew one of the SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY items to photograph would be FOUR THINGS???

Speaking of SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY... I haven't participated in quite a few weeks. So, I'm behind the camera again! There are some adorable SPRING-LIKE photos being posted at Ashley's blog, Rambling & Photos. Stop by and say HI!

You'll never guess what I did??? I just "hunted" for the words for April 13th. Oh my goodness! Well, I'm still posting --- but, the actual words for this week are: TRICK, SELECTIVE COLOR, CLOSE-UP, MIRROR or EASTER & BRIGHT COLORS. Just pretend my pictures fit this week's words.

Tomorrow, I'm driving with JPE to Palo Alto... while he's teaching, I'll help Allie with her kinders!! Looking forward to dinner with she & Brian...  BUT, I've already written my post for Monday, so, be sure and come back tomorrow.

 

GOODBYE & HELLO...

pic taken 4.16.14

 GOOD-BYE, LYDIA... see you again in June!

Yesterday, JPE, Lydia & Natasha met in Summerland for breakfast, so Lydia could be home for Easter!

pic taken 4.17.14

This guy has been "sleuthing" around the front door!

we just want him to stay away from the backyard flowers!

pic taken 4.19.14

In addition to yellow irises, we now have gorgeous purple ones blooming!

GARDEN BOUNTY...

the roses are prolific for this time of the year!

it was nice coming home from WORK today to such fragrant smells!

Thanks, JPE!

CELEBRATING...

HOW ARE YOU CELEBRATING??

this is National Library Week (April 13-19th)...

This sculpture is located outside the former SLO County Library... 

the newer library sits a block away, but I have found memories of taking my girls
to "this library" when they were toddlers! 

{at the time, our city HAD NOT built the South County Library}

Today's plans, included getting JPE's i-Phone fixed, eating lunch at Urbane Cafe
& catching a movie at the Palm Theater {local indie theater}...
the final showing of Ernest & Celestine was showing at 4:15 today!

With our extra time, we slipped into the local bookstore {at Lydia's request}... one of the displays featured John Green's "The Fault in our Stars" which I mentioned I had just finished reading. Lydia said, "oh I flipped through the book... you DO KNOW they are making a movie about the book??" I realized then, I need to read more young-adult novels if I want to stay connected with the kids in our family.
{BTW, I loved this book & can understand the attraction for young readers}

between two worlds - technology & print

Lydia selected a new book --- one I never imagined she would ever "blink an eye at"
but, as long as she's reading, we'll buy her books!
I did ask if I could read the book after she was done!

Ernest & Celestine was originally produced in French. This animated movie was based on a beautifully written book {of the same name}, and features charming watercolor illustrations. 

via

 it's adorable with a feel-good ending --- if you get a chance, see it!
as we were leaving the theater, Lydia said, "that movie reminded me of a book I saw at the library" --- it gave us another chance to chat about books that are made into movies.

I imagine Lydia has labeled us "different" because we don't watch TV or play video games.
BUT! she knows --- we READ!  {and go to movies}

reading w/grandpa {l-r}
by the campfire - Big Sur {2009}; our house {2006}; using headlamps - camping in Big Sur {2007}

So, what are you currently reading?
what young-adult novel have you read?

LYDIA'S SEWING PROJECT...

On Monday, Lydia & I stopped in the local fabric.

She selected these three fabrics for her FIRST sewing project.

First, Lydia learned to sew straight lines & manage the speed of the machine.

Lydia wanted Grandma's help in feeding the fabric!

building confidence!!

I can DO this!

 some of the steps Lydia mastered!

learning to turn fabric inside out!

MAGIC - all the raw edges are hidden inside...

Lydia sharing her completed project!

INCREDIBLE! job Lydia!!!

we're all proud of her for trying something new!

nice job on your FIRST sewing project!

TREASURE HUNT-DAY 3...

Treasure Hunt - Day 3

JPE spent some time this morning working in the garden. On Mondays, he travels (3.5 hour drive each way) to Palo Alto, CA to teach at Sofia University (leaving at 7am & getting home at 9:30pm). So, his garden provides opportunities to relax.

photos taken 4.15.14

Natasha, Lydia & Jack "GIFTED" JPE this gathering basket to commemorate his retirement. He's already using it...

via

TREASURE HUNT-Day 3: Your mission today is to notice the color at your feet. Set the camera on the ground. Click the shutter. Post what you see!

We're off to the movies - this afternoon...

the THE LEGO MOVIE! see you tomorrow!

GOOD. RANDOM. FUN. {WEEK 15}

Lydia is spending a week of her Spring Break with us. As a almost 11 year old, she loves her technology... but, she indulged me by going to complete some errands in San Luis Obispo. Of course, we did some indulging for her! a bit of G.O.O.D. ice cream to give us energy to complete our tasks. 

JPE made Cincinnati Chili for dinner Sunday... Lydia & I determined leftovers (Monday lunch) were even better than our dinner feast. A R.A.N.D.O.M. fact: Lydia's mommy, popi (dad) and grandpa (JPE) were all born & raised in Cincinnati.

I'm having a blast playing with WATERLOGUE. JPE cut these yellow irises & so I was showing Natasha & Lydia how my watercolor lessons are progressing (really, they haven't been started yet --- but, watching a photo being changed to a watercolor gives you an idea how watercolorists paint). Oh, so much F.U.N. Do give it a try!

Sharing these pics with Tamar @ RANDOM-OSITY. 

Do give her blog a visit... loads of cute photos from other bloggers!

A TREASURE HUNT-DAY 2...

via

I'm participating in a COLOR TREASURE HUNT with hostess, Andrea Scher @ SuperHero Life. I've followed her blog for five years, but hesitated taking one of her online courses.
Springtime brings "BURSTS of COLOR" so I'll be intentionally looking for COLOR... {and hopefully be improving my creative eye}

This course started days ago, so I'll be sharing some random posts to document my hunt. 

Day 2 - Andrea's prompt was: Today, I want you to step outside your door and find a flower that makes you gasp with wonder.

posies in a planter
the neighbor has much better soil in their planter than we do!
we have CLAY! which is deadly for getting something to grow.

blue + yellow = AMAZING
JPE gave me this gorgeous blue BLENKO vase the first year
 of our relationship. At that time in my life,
my home decor was pretty cottage-y!
A few days ago, he cut YELLOW irises to honor SPRING-TIME.

THE BITTER END?

You may have noticed I haven't posted on my blog lately!

I'm sad... emotionally detached, actually... 
BUT, mostly bitter
about a work situation...

and frustrated that the people I've admired for years,
have closed their eyes to a situation
that many feel will reflect poorly on our organization.

I found a quote that really
resonates with me today!

"A BOSS creates fear, a LEADER confidence.

A BOSS fixes blames, a LEADER corrects mistakes.

A BOSS knows all, a LEADER asks questions.

A BOSS makes work drudgery, a LEADER makes it interesting.

A BOSS is interested in herself (or himself),
a LEADER is interested in the group."

:: Russell H. Ewing, British journalist

JPE, don't forget the number of people who
admire your calm demeanor;

your passion for students in crisis &
your ability to work with their individual attributes;

your love of nature & wanting to share
that experience with students;

your ability to facilitate meetings
& encouraging others to speak and feel valued;

your attention to details & the ability
to explain the data that impacts our students & programs;

your passion and advocacy for marginalized youth populations;

your sensitivity in seeing others as they are,
NOT as something to be changed;

 AND, most of all your kindness & professionalism.

I'm truly sorry for the way you've been treated
 after a tremendously successful career!

"1-4-3"
JPE