STRESSED?!?#? NOT ME...

image found here

HAVE YOU JOINED THE "COLORING CRAZE"

It's a real stress-buster... well... ONCE, you get over the idea that you are "wasting time" that would be better spent doing laundry, vacuuming the car (mine needs it), cleaning the garage (urrghhh! I promise to get to this JPE) or running errands.

Allie & Brian gave me some art supplies as a retirement gift, and I've been "sneaking" some time to just COLOR. I say JUST because I'm guilty of multi-tasking... watching HGTV & reading blogs with a pile of folded laundry beside me & another in the dryer. I've found that if I COLOR at my workspace, I get in the zone! I don't have the other distractions calling to me... this feeling continues to be problematic, I still feel like I'm "wasting time"... urgghhh.

So, my question is: how do you get over the idea that you are "wasting time"? please share.

I mentioned minimal supplies are needed. I've used felt tip pens & COLORED pencils... a child could use crayons (I like fine points, so I'll leave crayons to other projects). Just experiment with what you have on hand.

I have several adult COLORING books, but, a search on GOOGLE brought up several websites that allow you to print them from your own printer.

Easy Peasy & Fun http://www.easypeasyandfun.com - check out their holiday COLORING pages (under Printables)

Trail of Color http://trailofcolors.com/ - offers a variety of COLORING sheets for adults and children.

The design I'm COLORING I downloaded from Jenean Morrison (http://jeneanmorrison.net/) - an artist with many COLORING books on the market, including four that were recently published in France. Click on this link to see several unique ways to COLOR in the spaces (scroll to the bottom of the post).  

Reminder... if you DO download COLORING sheets, please remember these generally have a copyright & are for public use only.

I was searching for COLORBOOKS on Amazon, and found TWO COLORING books with drawings that were created by Mary Engelbreit. They appeared on the cover but were credited to the person who is selling the book as their own work. SO, I wrote Mary (I still have all her magazines - being the magazine hoarder I am) to alert her to what I found! I received a PERSONAL message from Mary (& one from her marketing representative) thanking me for having "eagle eyes".... BTW, Mary has her own COLORBOOK which can be found HERE!

Ah, such is the life of a creative, huh?!!

WEDNESDAY WANDERINGS...

a bit of "COLOR" on a foggy day {JPE's roses ~ 7.9.14}

yesterday's DR visit confirmed my speculation(s)

my healing is "on track"

she'll see me in another 4 weeks

traveling would be uncomfortable, SO

WHAT I SEE

more rest is a hidden gift of time

to read, take photos, craft, sew

Did you SEE the yellow rose?

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.

 

WHAT'S RED, JUICY & SWEET?

it's STRAWBERRY time...

first basket of strawberries from Okui's

oh my goodness!

sweetness, juicy & addicting!

this is a watercolor of the same strawberries

NO, I haven't taken watercolor classes YET!

{on my bucket list for retirement}

My blog friend, Deanna @ Snippets from Springdale

had posted several watercolors of her photos
using a new i-Pad / i-Phone app called Waterlogue.

Oh my gosh! it's so much fun. 
you can watch a picture change from the photo to a watercolor.
Amazing!

worth the $2.99 price tag!!

{I wasn't compensated for this review of the strawberries nor the app}

SONG-OGRAPHY + SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY 1.12.14

mannequin head - seen at Apple Farm Gift Shop

Posting for SONG-OGRAPHY, hosted by

Kathy @ Don't Shoot Your Eye Out

a song I've never heard!

{but that's not unusual since I don't listen to the radio much anymore}

the lyrics of this song makes me think of

B.U.L.L.Y.I.N.G.

and speaking with the intent of hurting someone.

I don't make New Year's resolutions, but,

this is certainly something to be more conscience of... 

and now for SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY...

This is HAPPENS EVERYDAY!

Just like JPE meditates each morning,

I write in my journal and take my vitamins.

I think putting together a puzzle is one task

that can be accomplished UPSIDE DOWN!

A wooden vase with a "burl"

this NATURAL wood vase has a

tiny glass test-tube to hold the water for a flower

UMM... these GIRL-MADE

{as opposed to MAN-MADE}

ceramics pieces were created by Allie...

the "rattle" has tiny, little clay balls that make delicate ping-ing noises

when you "shake it up baby"

Orange is one of Allie's favorite colors... I'm surprised she hasn't asked for this "pucker-ing kiss" fish to live at her house?

Another example of Allie's creative talents...

due to it's fragile structure,

I've always kept this sunshine on a shelf,

table runner, or somewhere I don't have to worry about it

getting knocked to the floor!

LOOKING DOWN on this face each morning

is a positive way to start my day!

P52 {WEEK 52}

My last post of 2013!

Linking to Tamar's blog at Random-osity.

 Thanks, TAMAR for hosting P52. 

Although I missed a few weeks, I loved being able to connect to her blog. She'll be starting a new MONDAY "muse" entitled, 

 Hope to see you there!

We had a Christmas celebration at the Big Bear cabin... it had snowed the night before we drove up, but the warmer, sunny weather melted most of the snow before we left. Seems odd to have snow & kayaks in one picture! but here they are... in all their fair weather glory...

The orange cupcake looks realistic... I expected to be able to get a dab of icing on my finger, but, the ornament was spongy to the touch & squeezable!

Love the natural decor! although it wouldn't work in my house (I decorate our tree with my SANTA collection), I love the re-cycled, simplistic nature of houses that use loads of white, beige and cream in their decor.

One of my favorite bloggers is leaving the blog-world... Chez Larsson...  (her all-white decor is refreshing) of course I'm sad, but understanding how difficult it can be to write posts 2-4 times a week! it's something I expected! Benita will still post photos on Instagram.

CHRISTMAS DAY cookie decorating is becoming our "new" tradition! When my grandniece, Katie, and grandnephews, Matthew & Derek, were younger, I would bring the cookies fully decorated... as they gotten older, I'm s-l-o-w-l-y passing on the JOY of the Christmas cookie decorating!

This is the second year of asking them to decorate cookies. It's a blast... they eat (way too many cookies during the afternoon... more than their mom knows!!!) and decorate to their heart's content. Of course, the adults get caught up in the action also.

On our way home... we stopped at Snapper Jack's for fish tacos! yummy!! Arrived home to Lola sneaking a nap in front of the fireplace (Allie & Brian were watching a movie)... But, OH NO, our succulents got frost-bitten while we were gone! 

Today we're going to a matinee, to see the Hunger Games! then, dine on lentil-potato soup + cornbread! taste a bit of sparkling cider & "watch the ball drop" (three hours ahead of time-East Coast time)... we have a puzzle on the table... ENJOYING the quiet after a whirlwind November & December!

See you in 2014! (LOVE even-numbered years)... with my annual recap of the year, Memories, Dreams & Reflections ... here are my 2012 & 2011 posts.

H.A.P.P.I.N.E.S.S

"bleeding hearts" @ Big Bear (7.2.13)

FINALLY...

the last two nights, I've slept without

having weird dreams...
perhaps my overactive mind has settled into "summer mode"??

Instead of feeling like I "needed"

to be doing something, I actually just puttered!

CRUISED

the internet! YEP... checked blogs this am (no guilt)

TEXTED 

my family, encouraging them to watch this touching & powerful VIDEO

BAKED

loaves of banana nut bread & apricot bread

OBSERVED
a spider climbing his web...

TIDIED

the kitchen - washed & dried the dishes by hand

LISTENED

to Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor 

 & (soon) Evening Blues hosted by Neil Losey
KCBX - SLO (NPR)

total HAPPINESS!

Tomorrow morning we're having some friends
for brunch, so I'll whip
cream cheese & homemade apricot jam
to spread on our tea breads...
& cut up a fruit salad... 
JPE is making Rosemary Cheddar biscuits & 
whipping up an egg scramble with bacon + peppers + cheese..
we're set for a leisurely visit to start our Sunday.

What makes you HAPPY?

SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY 1.13.13

MY PAST WEEK ~ SWIRLING & TOO MUCH CAFFEINE

WELCOME to 

SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY...

This morning, I almost decided to skip SHS - BUT, I just couldn't start

 the NEW YEAR with any excuses!

this has been the week from H--L...

We survived our federal program audit... barely!

I'm recovering from the "FPM-Hang-Over" and this week,

our office will go into "Fix-It Mode."

So, this week's SHS words are:

OUTSIDE, BACKSIDE, LITTLE THINGS,

A CUP OF... & REFLECT

OUTSIDE

By Friday, I was finally able to get OUTSIDE the office before darkness fell. This love-ly mermaid is mounted OUTSIDE the tattoo parlor, next to the hair salon where I get my haircut. This section of the street has a hair salon, tattoo artist, hydroponic gardening supply store & a scrapbooking store (with space to take classes). Are you trying to imagine the "characters" going in & out of these shops? 

 

BACKSIDE

Book spines must qualify as BACKSIDE(s)! Can't wait to open these books (my Christmas presents) & actually be able to read the contents (& comprehend what I'm reading). JPE & I are going into hibernation next weekend - it's a "three day-er" (Martin Luther King holiday is Monday). Yippee!

LITTLE THINGS

This is one of the LITTLE THINGS that sits on our etagere (French, for open bookcase)... a Peruvian man playing the flute. A tiny ornament that reminds us of our summer excursion to Peru - Machu Picchu (to see the Incan ruins), the Sacred Valley, the Amazon River and Lima. 

A CUP OF...

In the UK (United Kingdom), people get A CUP-PA... TEA each afternoon. On the weekends, JPE & I take time to slow down (???  me, slow-down  ???) & enjoy A CUP-PA tea or coffee. Given the stressfulness of this past week & the lack of restful sleep, I consumed  w.a.y.  t.o.o.  m.u.c.h.  COFFEE.  
A bit about this picture... Imagine trying to use the "milk frother" with one hand & take a picture with my point-&-shoot in the other hand. AMAZING, huh? I didn't even froth the coffee over the edge of the cup.

REFLECT

A bit of REFLECTION on last week... I was pulled in A-LOT of directions --- by the audit team & wanting to resolve as many issues of compliance as possible. My team of colleagues (Debi, Pam, Katy, Paige, JPE) were incredible! Just when my energy would be waning, I would hear someone's voice offering another document or volunteering information... it was such a collaborative effort that I cannot take credit for the success of the outcome. Although the office has some issues to address, I feel LUCKY to have such caring colleagues to continue this journey!

So, that wraps another SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY. Don't forget to check in with Ashley & other SHS bloggers & leave comments. I'm glad I got my camera out this morning to capture the final four of the five SHS words (the only picture I had taken since last Sunday evening, was the mermaid). 

Next week's words: BASKET, PARK, AUTO, RECYCLE & PEOPLE WATCHING. 

See you tomorrow for

P52 with TAMAR & GINA.

SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY 10.21.12

pic taken 10.20.12

Working has been getting in the way of playing!

But, I HAD TO participate in SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY!
How about you?

This week's words are such fun... 

ORANGE or PINK

(representing Breast Cancer Awareness Month),

FACELESS PORTRAIT, VIEW FROM THE TOP, 

COZY & STACKED.

ORANGE or PINK

There's a new candy store in SLO! with every flavor of taffy imaginable. Salt Water Taffy was one of my Dad's favorite... I'm sorry I don't remember the flavor of this ORANGE-PINK taffy? JPE & I looked through all the bins... Bit O' Honey, Big Hunk, Abba Zaba, Look, Dots are familiar to both of us. But, I had never tasted a Cherry Mash or Buckeyes Candy... do you think it's because he grew up in Ohio & I grew up in California? 

FACELESS PORTRAIT

Now you didn't think I'd post a shot of my face, did you?  Today was "girls day" with Susan. Breakfast at Honeymoon Cafe (Pismo Beach), then off to Remnants of the Past (at the Madonna Expo Center in SLO). Cute FACELESS PORTRAIT, eh? adorable hat...

VIEW FROM THE TOP

Couldn't pass this typewriter with out taking a picture. I love anything that involves lettering, type or fonts, with one of my favorite blogs being, I Love Typography. Taking in the VIEW FROM THE TOP, you'll be able to compare your keyboard to this typewriter. Quite a lot has changed... if you want to learn more about Blickensderfer's check HERE. BTW, this typewriter was introduced at the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893.

COZY

Looks COZY, huh? after checking out all the vendors indoors, we moved to the outside vendors. This pillow caught my eye! Adorable... love the ripples... something I'd like to try making. I'd look for a fabric that is softer (this one was wool)... wonder if heavy-weight flannel will work? 

STACKED

I took several pictures of items that were STACKED... but, this one was the best... after eliminating the blurred images! the ones with the visible price tags! & others with the busy background! I'm not even sure what these rolled tubes of paper were... maps? wrapping paper? pictures?

With the exception of the first photo, I took these photos at Remnants of the Past Vintage Show... you can see more about this event HERE.

Next week's SHS words? check in with ASHLEY...