art camp

This week, we did art camp at Belmont. And it was lovely. We made sun prints and handmade paper - which was so much fun. And, of course, all I want to do now is make sun prints and handmade paper. So far, I am refraining.

But, truly, what was the most pleasant part about this two-day adventure was the fabulous people. Parents, instructors, children, grandparents - the mix of personalities and ages was lovely and the result was a really mellow and kind-hearted art camp. A true delight.

I am grateful we got to be a part of this.

sun prints drying

a bit of paper-making instruction



all ears

This takes care of #2.

pony penning

Friends, I've been to Pony Penning Days. The event may sound familiar if you're a fan of Marguerite Henry's "Misty of Chincoteague."

I told myself and others that I was going because I really wanted my daughter to see the wild ponies. And that's true. But if you want something closer to the honest-to-goodness, authentic, turn the lights off and I'll tell you the truth, it's this: I've wanted to go watch the wild ponies swim and parade and do everything that I'd read in that book since I was a kid. A little, powerless kid.

The feeling, the thrill, the internal (and external) smile that the whole day was - even though it was a boiling 100 degrees outside - that is something that doesn't happen very often, I'm afraid.

I felt fulfilled.

Happy.

As I peered through the binoculars at the ponies plunging through the water and as they came so near as they paraded by, it felt right. Like, here's this piece that you didn't even know was missing and ta-da! it fits. And more importantly, it's really important that you have this piece.



watching the pony parade



ponies relaxing at the corral on the carnival grounds

 My pictures are less than fabulous. If you want to see fabulous photographs, check this out.

This takes care of #14.

right now

• preparing to participate in A Week in the Life
• rewriting a manuscript now that I've got my editor's brilliant comments and ideas in hand
• drooling over the prints at Quercus Design. I discovered this woman's work during my visit to Maine. The postcards stopped me in my tracks and danced around my mind for weeks. OK, her collections are still dancing in my head. And I like it.
• crossing off #21 on The List
• making notepads by stapling stacks of my scrap paper together
• loving the produce at the farmer's market: fingerling potatoes, beans, watermelon, cantaloupe, corn, artichokes, cherry tomatoes.
• reading these books: Great Expectations by Charles Dickens (again), One Man's Meat by E.B. White, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell, Water Paper Paint by Heather Smith Jones (her last name cracks me up, I assume Smith is her maiden name and when she got married she added Jones, you  know to spice things up)
• yearning for a nap
• rejoicing for this cloudy day
• using our toddler crayons (line a muffin pan with parchment paper, fill with broken crayons that have been peeled, heat in an oven heated to 250 degrees until sort of melted, this took about 30 minutes for us) these  crayons are brilliant: I no longer have to deal with crayons snapping in my hands as I color, I just put one of these beasts in my hand and go crazy on the paper. SO SATISFYING!
• listening to some Dan Zanes

words to ponder

This was written by Erma Bombeck near the end of her life...

"If I had my life to live over, I would have talked less and listened more. I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded. I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace. I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth. I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed. I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage. I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains. I would have cried and laughed less while watching television - and more while watching life. I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband. I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day. I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime. Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle. When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner." There would have been more "I love you's".. More "I'm sorrys" ... But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute... look at it and really see it ... live it...and never give it back."

doing the heavy lifting

"You are not going to find the meaning of life hidden under a rock written by someone else. You'll find it by giving meaning to life from inside yourself." ~ Dr. Robert Firestone

gem

I stumbled upon this blog a month ago and have to share it with you.

So far, it's inspired me to write a family mission statement (along with the help of the family), put together a Home Management Notebook and to start seeing myself as a professional mom.

I hope it's helpful and inspirational to you as well.

flump

We have been: driving! hiking! exploring! seeing! thinking! eating new food! getting overloaded (with ideas)! trying to process those ideas! drinking coffee! reading! doing laundry! sorting! making! creating! reading! vacuuming! hustling! reading! hustling! fixing! preparing! going! going! going!

And I need some deep breathing and a quiet moment.

And then I'll be back, really.