...um, maybe?

We're *thinking* about applying.... here: Renegade Craft Fair

random's the word!

I love random.  It is a funny little word that has become such a part of modern vocabulary.  Randomly, out of the blue, one of my many.... it is fun to blog on random things.  Plus, then I don't have to have like some major point to focus a few paragraphs on.  So, maybe it is actually a little cheater-blog, sort of like when I just post a photo or two.  But, whatever the case... random is for today.  So, a few random things.... (not 25 like the thing going on facebook, though...uh....)

I am loving rainbows right now.  Not in a cheesy sense, or in a gay-rights sense.  In fact, I am still tumbling over some design ideas in my head.... for a cute representation of the colors (yes, colors again!!) and meaning of the rainbow.  We'll see what falls from the sky into these little hands.... hmmm.  That would be cute!!

And LOST is back!  Just had to mention it.

And there was another thing... Oh, yes.  Salsa!  Spicy hot new Costco salsa that is SOooo good.  As long as it is WITH something or else it is just too spicy for me.

And a funny story:  Yesterday I had some leftover pizza sitting on a plate on the counter.  Evie- yes, Evie- climbed up on a stool and grabbed it, then came RUNNing into Todd's office, where I was- and started SHOVELing it into her mouth as fast as she could!!  I think she knew I'd take it from her... but she was pretty proud of herself, too.  Since she displayed such effort, I let her keep it!

And... that's all for now!

...back again.

Now that the kids are back to school and life is getting a little settled again... I may be blogging again.  MAYbe is key!  HOPEfully, anyway.

We had a great break.  We have an entire month for Winter Break here, so it is a very long mid-year break.  I'm not sure the teachers love it, but we loved it!  It was so great to all be together again for an extended time of no school, sleeping in and not-too-much structure.  It almost... ALmost made me think about homeschooling again.  Their attitudes were nicer, they were less tired and therefore less emotional... and they got along so well.  The idea of Back-to-School was not a happy thought in any of our minds!  

...So, I wasn't prepared for the joy I felt when I dropped them off at school the first day back.  They closed the door, walked up the path greeted by their teachers and friends.  And I wasn't prepared for the smile, the excitement I felt.  For them.  For the things they get to be a part of at school and the friends they have made... And for me and the other girls.  We've been hanging out the past few days and I realized they need this time too.  We need this time together!  So I am excited.

And the older girls, even though they had been DREADing going back are once again loving school.  Abs is learning about Chinese New Year and saying it in Chinese and using chopsticks for every meal.  Bella is back to making up stories and writing and telling all about her friends at school and their funny adventures.  Em is happy that I get to spend time with her as the focus.  And Todd is happy to have lots of clean laundry!!  So it's good all around!!!  :)

a candle

Since everybody has been asking, here is one of my latest drawings.  I really can't take too much credit for it, since I am following some really step by step instructions from a great book I got at Michael's.  I love books, don't you?  So much to learn...

But seriously.  I have been doing some little mini-lessons from a book called "Painting Light with Colored Pencil" and I love it.  The artist uses bright, opaque colors in her realistic images.  They are amazing! So this candle is one of hers which she teaches the world to copy, at least those of us who purchase her book.

I am excited to soon attempt something of my own- taking the things I have learned about color, shading and blending.  Everywhere I go I am looking- seeing light and shadow, and color in a new way again.  I love it.  And even though Todd thinks I am a little crazy when I say something like "Oh my gosh!  Look at how those shadows fall across the road!!"  or "Wow, I never would have thought to use orange in that, but look!! It's orange!"   I think it might be rubbing off on him a little, too.

andrew wyeth

"Christina's World" by Andrew Wyeth

I read today that this painter died in his sleep last night.  Andrew Wyeth.  I think he was actually one of my favorite painters, I love the realism and the faded-like colors in his paintings.  They seem aged and still.  Peaceful, yet full of something coming.  Like an unseen hope.  

I read today that in the past, he was given poor reviews by the critics: he is not an artist, they said- just an illustrator.  I don't think they were accurate.  I can see  more than just a simple illustration in his work.  But I love realism, so maybe it's just me. And he used tempra paint because it dries matte instead of oil which dries glossy... which, to me is just great.

I remember that my Aunt had this print above her sofa in her house on the hill.  As a kid, I used to stare at that painting and get lost in it.  I'd study the blades of grass and the bend of the road.  I'd make up stories about the girl and try to imagine what the inside of the house looked like. It was one of my favorite memories of Christmas-s and Thanksgivings... and when I was in college, doing in-classroom art lessons, the kids did the same.  And now I have the print hanging in my bedroom, and my kids ask me all about her.  And it is a part of me.

So, Andrew Wyeth has passed on and I wonder if he will be more appreciated in history as most artist are.  Peace to his family... comfort and peace.

to the snow.

My friend just told me it has been like summer around here.  Some 85 degree weather and must-go-to-the-beach feelings goin' around.  But we wouldn't know because we went to the snow!  We headed up to the Sequoia National Monument for a few days stay at the lovely Wuksachi Lodge in the heart of the Sequoia Park.  We had a great time!!  We went sledding, we hiked through the snowy mountains (and I even found coyote prints!), we visited the Giant Forest and the General Sherman Tree- which is the largest thing on earth.  We stayed in the lodge and had a really fun time in our room, which they upgraded for us for free!  The girls called it our 'apartment' the whole time.  We had some really great and much needed family alone time- the girls didn't want to come home.  This is all we need!  they said.... each other!! They are pretty precious!!

Evie and I at Wolverton, Sequoia Park watching the girls sled...

This is us visiting the Museum at the Park.  There is an amazing history of the trees, an illustration of how hard it is for one tiny seed to survive & grow- and the history of how man has interfered with this process and damaged it.... and how now the forest is carefully being restored.  It was really, really interesting...

Wow!  Look at that tree!!  That is the largest living thing on earth, the General Sherman.  

OK, so we found these giant balls of snow already made... a cheater snowman!  We just piled them on top of each other to make this guy.  The girls loved him, especially Bella!!

Emma had a GREAT time sledding down the hill.  Here's Abs and Em carrying the tube up, up, up.

another abi joke

Knock, knock.

Who's there?

Abi.

Abi who?

A bee stung my nose.

Hee hee.

The sweet potatoes were good, but the girls thought they were too spicy.

birthdays and starbucks

Today I went to Starbucks.  All by myself, thanks to a friend.  I sat down at a table, pulled out the iPod touch, and played.  Drank a cup of coffee, ate a biscotti.  Watched a couple of moms fumble with their fussy babies.  When I'm there (with kids) and I see someone like (me, today), I wonder what kind of life they must lead- that they have the time to sit at Starbucks and play with their iPod.  But today, that person was me.  The one with no kids, and plenty of time to sit and do nothing.  At least for 20 minutes or so.  It was pretty fun.  

And tonight I am trying a new recipe, thanks of course, to allrecipes.com.  Sweet and spicy sweet potatoes.  They're seasoned with brown sugar, chili powder, paprika, cumin and cinnamon.  Sounds... interesting?

And Happy Birthday to Grandpa Moore!  

And tomorrow, Abs turns 6.  Six!!  So, here's a joke we're telling just for her:  

Knock, Knock.

Who's there?

Abi.

Abi who?

H-ABI Birthday!!

Chuckle, chuckle. 

The Bright Colors!

I have so much to say about my new pencils, about color and about the new year.  I am excited.  And that is a great thing.  But the kids are crazy, wanting me to play dollhouse or Chinese jump rope... and I have to go and feed Eva's ducks.  Life is calling.  But let me just say- I love my new pencils Todd got me for Christmas!! And I will leave you with the new song in my heart, at least for today.  I love music, don't you? Especially the songs we learn in kindergarten!  Um... we learned it in Spanish, but here is the English version ;)

De Colores,

bright  with colors the mountains and valleys

dress up in the Springtime.

De Colores,

bright with colors all the little birds

fill the skies in the daytime.

De Colores,

bright with color the rainbow brings joy

with the glory of Spring.

And a bright love with colors has found us

with peace all around us

that makes our hearts sing.

tagged.

I have been tagged by my high school friend and college roommate Kirsten!  So here goes...

Q. five names you go by:

Ann

Annie

Annie-Bananie

Mamma

Mommy

Q. three things you are wearing right now:

My black "Don't Waste Your Life" shirt

Some jeans

amen hairpin made by Eva

Q. two things you want very badly at the moment:

For Evie to stop going "Eh eh eh eh eh eh... Waaaahhhaahhhh" 

To go read my new art book and experiment with some sketching.

Q. two things you did last night:

Helped take down Christmas at the church
Played a little Wii Animal Crossing

Q. two things you ate today:

Delicious breakfast made by Todd including some yummy chicken apple sausage
...hmm.... I guess it's almost time for lunch!

Q. two people you last talked to on the phone:

My mom
Amber

Q. two things you are going to do tomorrow:

Go to church
Do some drawings, I hope.

Q. two longest car rides:

Florida as a kid

Crossing the country on our move to Cali

Q. two of your favorite beverages:

Grande three pump white chocolate mocha

Anything for Starbucks, really.

Q. the people you’d like tag for their very own

mandi

abby

carol

amber

shannon

lalena

eva