Halloween Fun!...

Our class party was a huge success!! The kids had a blast making their craft, eating caramel apples and playing lots of games! One little girl came up to me at the end and said it was the best Halloween she'd ever had! (I don't know why that is, but it made me feel good!)
Here's my son and a classmate working on their felt patches:

After school, it was costume time! Nathaniel went as a Gladiator and Caroline went as Elizabeth from "Pirates of the Carribean"!

Ellie tried to get in on the festivities too!

Trick-or-treating was so much fun... we joined friends and went around the neighborhood, seeing lots of neighbors and people we know from school. One neighbor has a party every year in their front lawn: hot chocolate, roasted weiners, snacks and adult beverages! It's the place to meet every year! Loads of fun and we went away a little jollier than we came! Joan and I even got a refill of our "adult beverage" at a few houses down the street! Did I mention we were jolly??!

Hope you had a good night tonight. It's always fun to see all the kids in their creative costumes and the neighbors all out enjoying each other's company so much. It brings back memories of my childhood and faith in the friendships of good neighbors!

Happy Halloween!!!

I am planning on taking more photos today... but I wanted to quickly show you the little felt patch I made this morning for our goody bags. If you remember, I previously posted about things we were doing in Nathaniel's class today for their Fall Party. The owl is very bright but I thought that would appeal more to the Fourth Graders than things I would typically make:

Hope you're having a fun day!

Stroll...

Cousins

I was looking at the photos I took on Friday and this one reminded me of how much fun cousins are! Caroline and Elizabeth are only 6 months apart and they have so many similiar interests. Caroline loves seeing all of her cousins, but especially the girls because she has no sisters and they are the closest she'll have to experiencing that.


When I was growing up, I was very close to my cousins too and it is very hard to live so far from everyone. I was second in the line of girls, all the way down to our youngest cousin John. Poor guy... all those girls and we never gave him a break! This photo is from 2 years ago when we visited after he just returned from serving in Iraq for a year. That was a terrible year!

My oldest cousin Lisa was always a role model for me, especially because I didn't have any older siblings. She was a great student and popular. She was also good at art so I admired everything she did! Susan was only 10 months younger and was my best friend. We'd sleep over at each others houses and wrote letters frequently. She was so much fun! Lots of laughing and playing at all the family get-togethers (which in the Middleton family occured at any and every possible occasion!). She lives in Minnesota now. My sisters were next in line, then Terrill, who is an only child, so I've pretty much adopted her as a sister! She looks a lot like my sister Jane...they are both beautiful. She is the English teacher and I never get to spend enough time with her. So creative and so funny! I used to hold her when she was a baby and pretend she was my daughter!! Now I adore her daughter and miss them so much too! They live in Illinois. Then there's Becky! She definately is like a sister, as I used to babysit for her and John every summer! Becky is the life of the party and always is smiling...I always think of joy when I think of her! She is getting married in the spring so hopefully we will see everyone there! Becky is the lawyer and brain of the clan, though I always worried about her... seems she tended to get into too many "situations" that I questionned sometimes. Phew! She's beautiful too. (I am so biased!). Then there's John. I taught him to ride a bike, took him swimming in the summers (though he sometimes despised it) and generally was the bossy cousin who he forgives now!!! He was my tennis partner in Cincinnati when I was a teacher and he was in high school. He is in NYC now and I'm hoping he meets someone really special so we can get the last one married off and see little ones soon (hopefully he didn't read that!).

I'm looking forward to the holidays and seeing family again. It's hard now with everyone grown and in all different areas, but each one of them is always in my heart!

Little trip...

The kids and I took a two hour trip today (in the rain!!!) to my sister's house because my mom was in town. She wasn't there but I got to see all my nieces and nephew! My sister is amazing-- she's always had the decorating talent. She could turn the ugliest little college apartment into the coziest, prettiest space! And she always does it so creatively, making what she can or finding wonderful bargains. I should hire her to do my house!! She and her husband bought an old farmhouse that had been in his family for years and have been slowly fixing it up. It is spectacular now! They are just finishing the kitchen and the dining area. They also added a lower family room and upper family room. She is so good with colors and picking out everything. I took a few photos, but they are kind of dark because of all the rain we had today:

She has a beautiful Wolf oven with red knobs...love that!

Hope you enjoyed the little tour... maybe I'll post a couple more later. Have a great weekend!

T.G.I.F.!

Is it Friday already??? The last time I posted was Tuesday... this week is a blur! I took a photo of the little class project I was working on: little flannel draw string bags (23 of them!) that the kids will decorate with their own felt applique patch that they design and put together. It actually only took under 2 hours to sew all of the bags. After they are done, we will put candy in them to take home. I wanted to call them "Little Woodland Sprite Bags" because they're smaller than I intended and they'll have an autumn theme, but Nathaniel rolled his eyes at that!! Oh well. We're off to see my Mom at my sister's house a couple hours away today. The kids are off of school. My Mom lives in Ohio and it's both of our birthdays next weekend. I was born on hers...she missed her own birthday party because of me! But she always said I was the best birthday present she ever got :)
Have a great weekend! I might pop in and see what you're all up to in the next couple days....
xoxo Bethany

Farmyard Play Mat/Bag

Lesley posted about this great playmat from Soozs' Blog today and I had to show you:

Isn't this clever?! Sooz has instructions on her blog for how to make one. My kids would've loved this when they were younger. Actually, I could still imagine that they might like it today (they just wouldn't admit it to anyone!!). So, if anyone does decide to make one, let me know! I would love to see it! Could be a great little Christmas present for a special little person ;)

Teaching...

I posted earlier that I had news I was going to share with you. I have decided to leave my teaching position with the Cyber School as soon as they find a replacement (which could be a while). Although I love working with the kids, the lessons were not where my talent lies, nor as creative as I like to be (if I'm not having fun, the kids aren't having fun!!!). My family wants me to stop, so last night I sent my resignation letter. It was too many hours too-- I've always said that I can't do a great job at being a mom if I'm trying to do a great job at another position at the same time. And I only have about 9 more years of having them home with me!!

I love to teach art so maybe with all this experience at setting up a site location, organizing a program, managing students and parents, and writing curriculum, I can put it to use in developping my own art program in the nearer future. And after doing some portfolio diving lately, I realized how much I missed doing real art work! I have loved getting back into creative crafts at home and doing little sketches. And all of you inspire me every week with all the wonderful things you are doing!

The picture above came from a book that Beth sent me: Art Stories, that was published in 1935 as an art textbook for the classroom...very cool! Art Education has changed a lot since then, but the joy of creating has never changed.

Lastly, pop in at Karla's Cottage and say "hi" because she's celebrating her 200th post! She is the biggest sweetheart and is constantly in a creative zone. I've never known anyone who works as much as she does at her art and design. Her enthusiasm is infectious! Also, go over to see Willow's photos of the Santa Ana Winds in Southern California right now-- I've been worried about her and her family. We just don't experience anything like that on the eastern side of the states. And Julie reminded us all that it's only about 8 more weeks until Christmas...yikes!

Hope you're all having a good week!

xoxo Bethany

Don't take anyone for granted...

It was a really sad morning this morning, as just before I was to teach my class at Church, the D.R.E. pulled me aside to tell me that Nathaniel's teacher from last year suddenly died yesterday after an emergency bypass surgery. She and her husband taught together and I would see them frequently during the week also at Church. She was sweet and though they were retired, they gave some time every week to the children. So I had to wipe away tears and try to focus on the day. We made Jared boxes for children at Hershey Medical Center. To find out how you might do this too, you can go to their website: http://www.thejaredbox.com/. The kids donated fun items that a child can play with and keep when they are in the hospital, either admitted or just there for hours of tests. It was good to focus on giving during a time when someone very lovely and giving herself was taken from us.
Don't take special people in your life for granted. You just never know how long you have with them.

Calling all room mothers...

Here's some ideas for those autumn classroom parties (non-Halloween) that you may have in another week:
Scarecrow Relay: Bring in overalls, flannel shirts, straw hats and boots. Divide the kids into two teams and have each member dress as a scarecrow and undress, then pass to the next team member on down the line. First team to finish wins! (If you're outside, then you can stuff straw in the shirt and under the hat!
Pumpkin Seed Toss: Keep those seeds from carving the pumpkin and roast them prior to the party. Have a line on the ground to stand behind and a basket to toss seeds into. Again, divide the kids into two teams and evenly distribute the seeds. Have them take turns tossing them in and whichever team has the most in, wins!
Pumpkin Relay: Mark two lines about 6 yards apart and put half the team members behind one line and half behind the other. Have them push a smaller pumpkin with their feet (no kicking!) to the other line and relay back and forth. First team done, wins!
Musical Gourds: Sit in a circle and pass the gourd to music. Whoever has the gourd when the music stops is out! And they keep the gourd! Everyone will get one to take home by the end of the game! (Like Hot Potato!)
Fall Goody Bag Craft: Cut out 3 inch pieces of felt in fall colors. Make up 3" diameter circles for the number of students you have. Sew up simple fabric draw string bags about 5" x 6". Have kids sketch a simple fall animal or symbol, showing examples like owls, squirrels, scarecrow face, acorns, leaves, etc. Have them create their symbol out of felt on the circle to make a patch. Glue together. You can use googly eyes if you want. Have them glue it to their draw string bags and fill with candy at the end of the party!
Fall Snack Station: Put apples on a stick and have the kids put caramel spread on them. Let them dip them in sprinkles, chocolate chips, peanuts (check for nut allergies first), broken pretzels, or candy to decorate. Then eat them!!
Leaf Prints: Gather lots of green leaves (still moist, not dry). Use paint brush and tempera paint to paint one side of the leaves and then press them down onto paper to create leaf prints. This may be done on a cloth napkin or tea towel also, with fabric paint. Mushrooms can be used too and create an interesting pattern if the underside is used!

Hope this helps someone... enjoy!

Mr. Skeleton

Go here to sewing stars to print out a free skeleton for Halloween!

My Candidate...

Nation, as many of you know, Stephen Colbert announced his run for the presidential nomination in the State of South Carolina on Tuesday evening! I thought I wasn't going to be voting in the 2008 election for the main reason of disgust with the whole political system. But then a ray of hope came through! Now Stephen is running as the Favorite Son of South Carolina, as a Democrat and Republican, and injecting humor into it all! What you don't know is that I lived in Greenville, South Carolina for a brief but formative time in my youth (Kindergarten to be exact), so maybe they'll let me vote there (?). What you also don't know is that I get my news through Colbert Report and Jon Stewart's Daily Show about every day (a day late because we tivo them!). It's the humor at the end of my day which I usually need! So "VOTE COLBERT!! and be American!"

Portfolio Day 2

I wanted to find this old self portrait because I haven't seen it in quite a while. It was from my freshman year at college-- Design Drawing class which all the graphic designers, architects, interior designers, industrial designers and maybe the fashion designers had to take (basically everyone in design!). I LOVED that class and though it was more mechanical and precise, it really honed my observation of form, shape and line. This self portrait was chosen by the professors as the best of that freshman class (ignore the fact that I had a perm...ugh...I'm anti-perms!!):

Here is one of my buddy Kevin that I always liked. We were both in Graphic Design together but we both transferred to a different major after the first year. He went off to an Ivy League school to major in English and I have no idea what happened to him! :

Just let me be self-indulgent with this one... you know how it is when you're young and very thin and well, you know, hot. I'm turning 41 soon and I just needed to see me when I was that! Although I look like I should be in that "Addicted to Love" video in the 80's!!!

This is a silkscreen self portrait for an art education class:

Oh, it's not YET!

I am one of those weird people who loves her birthday! But it's not until November...
actually 18 more days...yeah! And I have big plans again with some special people ;)

This one Dad...

That's all I want for my birthday!!! :))

Portfolio Day 1...

When I got into the closet and found those old barn drawings, I also flipped through a couple old portfolios. I tend to forget what I've done and sometimes it's nice to look back... and sometimes I even impress myself a bit (which is almost impossible!!!). When I left my art teacher position and moved to Columbus, Ohio after I got engaged to Craig, I also wanted to pursue my illustration professionally. We got our first computer after we were married and I was just playing around with it, seeing what I could do. Here's the drawing I did:

I was and am a huge lover of architecture. I don't know why I didn't consider it except that I have a fear of math and knew all the engineering involved. I tend to worship architects.

During that time my old boss from Reporter Typographics called and said they wanted to do promo postcards and asked if I would do their illustrations? I put myself through half of my college working as a layout artist and typesetter. It's amazing I did as well as I did in my college classes...I'd go straight from class to work until 9pm, go home and eat dinner, then do all my homework and projects. Ah, to be young again and have that much energy!! But I learned so much from working there and my freshman foundation courses in Graphic Design (I was one of only 33 to be accepted to the program...so was Caroline!), that it helped me get my first professional full time job in advertising! (I always tell my kids that hard work pays off... I got a 4.0 in High School just because of hard work!)

To make extra money while looking for an illustration position, I worked temporary jobs and one of those was as a receptionist for BSB/Leff & Squicciarini Advertising and Public Relations!!! Try saying that fast every time the phone rings!!! Of course it didn't take long for them to know that I was looking for illustration work (after they offered me the receptionist job and I turned it down). One of the senior designers asked to see my portfolio and ended up showing it to Larry Squicciarini, the Creative Director, who liked what he saw. That's when I got the brilliant idea to ask them if I could work for them for two weeks for free, just to see what advertising was all about. Larry is far from stupid and immediately said yes. I was to get his recommendation when I left and went other places. Well, no one there knew I was working for free because they did use freelancers all the time. One night while working on something for a Wendy's account, which is always a bear, I mentionned that I was just doing this as a kind of intern position without pay and Alan couldn't believe they'd been working me to death for free! By the end of the two weeks they made me a job offer and that was one of the most fun jobs I've ever had but also the most demanding. I was newly married but working nights and weekends. I knew it wasn't forever but I learned so much and Larry got a pretty inexpensive illustrator on board! Larry liked to be our "Dad". A lot of us were young and starting out in life. He married later in life and never had children. He would take us all out to lunch and drive by big expensive homes and tell us to look in the windows as we passed. No furniture. He warned us of being house poor which in the early 90's we saw a lot of. He was a very interesting man who really wanted to be a painter. He once took a photography tour of Scotland and his photos were fabulous. I bought one for mom for her birthday. But he came back and complained about all the rain!!! Ha! I used to laugh at him all the time. I do miss him and wonder what he's doing today. Their agency had been bought out by Bates Advertising out of NYC before I started working there and was shifting more that way as they went global and then I left, with Craig, for Pennsylvania.

Here's a couple things I illustrated during that time:

An ad for the state of Ohio...

Lots and lots of Wendy's Advertising!! Dublin, Ohio is Wendy's headquarters and we were their ad agency. I would even design signage in Japanese!! (and no, I don't know Japanese).


So that's just a little bit of my past. It's fun to think of all the different people I've met along the way and the things I've seen.

*******

This has been a really hard day-- we are dealing with some big decisions at home and it was nice to turn my attention to a little bit of happy stuff. Hopefully life is about to get a little easier...I'll tell you soon.

xoxo Bethany

You and I

has been playing on my CD player today. Me and Michael Buble... I'm having a hopelessly romantic day. I really love this one too: Everything. That pretty much describes it. I am a hopeless romantic.
Everything on You Tube
Home on You Tube

Kids...

I had the privelage of helping in Caroline's class on Friday for their Japanese Tea Ceremony! She has an exceptionally good teacher this year who teaches beyond what the average curriculum requires, injecting art and culture in whenever possible. Of course I love that!
She is wearing my kimono that my friend Marion (from college) brought back from Kyoto for me...



This morning Craig's parents came in to town to see Nathaniel play soccer! It was only in the 50's at 9 am this morning on the field!! He's the bundled up goalie:

And here's our bundled up group!:

His team is still undefeated after another win today!!!

Lititz is having their Autumn Festival and we had to stop and get Wilbur's Chocolates for Craig's Dad. Now we're just enjoying a quiet evening at home.

xoxo Beth

Found...

My print by Mandy finally came in the mail! The British Post has been on strike so I was being patient here. I told you before that I loved her drawings! This is the second print; the first being "Lost". It reminded me of my own children and how sweet that can be to each other. And it just reminds me of love. I can't think of a better thing in the world than finding someone to love!

Thanks for putting up with my soul-searching posts lately. I feel better today and I think a restful weekend is just the thing to refocus and be the same old me.

A shout-out to my friend Debbie from high school, who turned 40 yesterday!! I love you Debbie!! Happy Birthday!!! She is the sweetest person in the whole world, I'm sure! And Becky (I love you too) decided to post a picture yesterday of Debbie and I during Drill Team. (How embarassing!) But it brought back all those good memories of the people I really loved in high school. I was so lucky to go to a wonderful school and be with all these people. They are all part of who I am today. Greenhills High School doesn't even exist anymore, but it did produce a lot of good people who are making this world a better place today ;)

Autumn morning

This morning was one of those moments when you know that summer said it's good-byes last evening as it was tucked in, and the autumn chill crept over the land into our little neighborhood. After the family was on their way, I took Ellie and went back to the walking path. The temperature dropped to chilly and instead of putting on layers, I wore my shorts and a light jacket because I wanted to feel the chill--it had been a long time. The air stung my legs, making them all pink and I could take deep breaths like when you drink ice water and it clears your thoughts and makes you wake up completely. There was a sort of grey fog hovering around the trees and the pretty Queen Anne's lace was still standing, smiling at me in places, but some were curled up, brown. Congregating in masses in the fields they take on a burgundy color, hinting at the holidays that are about to come upon us. The goldfinches and their beautiful purple thistle have disappeared, at least the hundreds that we used to see daily. Ellie is in her bliss in this weather. Her coat is getting fuller and her tail is held higher as she sniffs autumn.

We made it around the half-way point and then I felt an icy drop hit my face. I could feel the rain coming. I knew we'd be alone this morning as most people don't like to be out in it. Then it started to come down in bigger drops and instead of covering up, I just let them hit me in the face and on my hair. It's that kind of feeling you had when you were little, and playing in the rain was a bit magical,... at least something to embrace instead of run inside from. Ellie kept flinching when it would hit her in the eye. The rain reminded me of gentle tears and I felt really alone, like I was the only person who existed right now. I didn't know if it was just how I've been feeling the past few days. I have a lot of friends who I love dearly and of course, my family. But sometimes I think that there is no one to share in understanding exactly how I view the world and the feelings I have inside. My mom used to tell me I was "unique" and I took that as a compliment. It also meant that I felt like it was impossible to share me completely with someone else. They would never understand. They wouldn't have the same worries about the troubles in the world that I worried about at an early age. They wouldn't sense things like a slight change in weather and hear nature "talk" to them like it does to me. They couldn't understand what it's like to draw something and look at it as if it was taking on life itself and love life into it. To understand just what I meant in that picture without needing the words to express it. To see someone and instinctually know if there was goodness in that person's heart and to just love people with such a deepness to it that it hurts. To pray to God and then feel Him comfort you when your parents are fighting and there's no one to turn to. To feel like your soul is so old but so naive and young at the same time. Maybe this is the way other artists feel. But I don't know. It is the loneliness in me that creates the art I suppose, to speak your personal truths out and find it mirrored out there somewhere. I haven't released it in a long, long time. There hasn't been a recipient. And maybe there really will never be. It was much too much for one walk to think about and I've been unable to eat or sleep properly now for several days. The loneliness settled in the pit of my stomach. I clutched the leash harder and was glad for the silent company of Ellie. She is happy. That makes me happy in that moment. That's what my cats always did for me too when I'd bury my face in their fur. Dogs live in the moment.

Then it just let loose and came down harder and we picked up the pace to a run. It was a good soaking rain and I took the leash off Ellie so she could run home faster. But she would run and then stop, making sure her "sheep" was still coming! I saw the Scottish herder in her as she ran and I could tell nothing could make her more happy. Running freely in the rain, letting it chill you down to the bone and get dripping wet was as good as jumping into a swimming pool in the muggy summer heat. By the time we reached the back porch, we were both soaked through. I covered her in a towel and tried to get the dampness out of her coat. I stripped off my clothes right there, as no one else would be as crazy as me to go running in this rain and be outside! We came into the warm house, and are still trying to get the chill off of our toes. It is quiet, just the Adagio from Serenade #10 in B Major playing in the background and a bird calling in the yard. People are yelling for me from my email...too many. They didn't have or take the time to run in the rain this morning. They are oblivious to what is there right now...the peace and the plants who are preparing for a good winter sleep. I just want to curl up and find that perfect sleep too.

****************************

This charcoal drawing was done in a drawing class in 1988...my word to respond to was "lonely". It is a self-portrait which I drew from life. I had mirrors propped above me and at my side and my drawing paper next to me too. There was an undercurrent of loneliness during those years when my parents were newly divorced and dealing with their own pain, the boy I loved went thousands of miles away to college at Rice U. in Texas. He was my best friend but we ended up growing apart over all that time away from each other. And all my girlfriends were also at different universities around the country. I stayed at U.C. which was close to home. At least I met Caroline my sophmore year and immediately knew she was someone very special. Unique.

Old and New

A friend reminded me recently that though my drawing subjects are usually people, I did go through a few years of doing some of buildings. During my first couple years of teaching and living on my own, to make some extra money I did some commissioned drawings of different people's farms. These two are from a series of four. The funny thing is that at the time I was still a city girl and not too familiar with the farms of Pennsylvania! I scanned in these photos from my old portfolio:

[*** You can click on these to see them better!]

Yesterday I also got a package from Alice at Raspberry in England. She had posted this tote bag and when I saw the one with red and brown leaves, I just knew it would be perfect for me! It's even more beautiful in person and the cloth is a beautiful linen. She sent all these fun little treats along, which I promised to the kids (after the photo!):

And my biggest news: Amy Butler's new book "Midwest Modern" has finally been published! I preordered it, and honestly forgot that I did, but it showed up yesterday and I can't wait to dive into it and get lost in all the beautiful photos! She has such a great philosophy about her work and about "style" in general as it changes so much, it's not something she is particularly watching. She designs to please herself. I think that's what makes a trendsetter, isn't it?

Dear Miss Maggie,

Here is a special picture just for you! I fear that I didn't do you justice... you are so cute! And your beautiful hair is much more so in real life. Just remember that I am a cat lover who just recently owned her first dog and therefore am still learning the finer qualities of the canine breed and how to render them. So I apologize if you truly do not find your likeness here.
Sincerely,
The artist.

[The Real Miss Maggie can be found at Daisy Cottage.]

Ignorance is Bliss

I was thinking about this last night. It was one of those funny quotes that I first repeated in an Aesthetics class to Caroline. I'm sure she remembers. I was kidding but as I was thinking about this last night, I find it to be true. It is easy to be happy when you don't realize what more there is out there. Hopefully instead of being frustrated by it, you can move onto making changes or be content with what you can't change. After reading blogs by people like Anna Maria Horner who is raising five children (wonderfully) and producing her designs like crazy, I was inspired to start trying new things here. Elena at French Toast Girl posted a drawing every day for a whole month, something that I never thought of doing until she did. I guess my ignorance was thinking that motherhood meant putting aside my art (though Caroline Hofmann never did and continued to ask what I had created lately!!). I have begun to change that.

Then there are those things that you discover, that you never knew you were missing. And they aren't the things you can change. So the only way to not live with regret or wish for it... is to decide to be content with the life that you chose. I know we get wiser as we get older and maybe some decisions were made when I was young without realizing. One of my teachers in high school once told me that he made decisions in college that maybe weren't what he would do today. He got married early and had wanted to do more academically. He did later. He also told me that I should try medical illustration, worrying that I wouldn't be able to support myself in an art career. He didn't understand that all I've ever wanted to do was be an artist since before I could write words! (I did illustrate a medical booklet for an orthopedic surgeon at Ohio State...and didn't like it at all!). What I learned from him was that I didn't want to live with regrets. But truths can sneak up on you and before you know it, you're not ignorant anymore. I recently found myself with a regret I didn't know I had. So now I have to find my bliss again. I will. As far as my art goes, just know that you have been a big reason that I am happy creating again!

The Reading Pillow is Done!

Here is that "wip" I started to tell you about before. I used Meg's pattern and in the process, I learned how to do piping around the edge and to use my "zipper foot" on my sewing machine!! I am pretty much self-taught with the sewing, so there was a couple seam-ripping incidents. I always feel a huge sense of accomplishment when I complete little things like this though and I can't wait to start another project! I am beginning to think that actually having someone teach me something would be a lot less painful than deciphering new terms and figuring out how to use new materials. The mental challenge of reading patterns is comparable to other people's love of mountain climbing, I suppose! I figure if someone out there did it before me, then certainly I can get to the end! Now to tackle the huge box of fabric I got from Purl... and start my quilt mountain!!!

Happy...

200th Post! Thank you for all the kind comments and becoming my friend, here on my blog! Some of you are long-time friends and some I've gotten to know through reading your blogs and email. I believe that this community of people shows that there are truly very nice people out there, all over the world, who are kind and very creative. It's too bad more people don't join us... I think that we could solve the world's problems over coffee and a little knitting!!!

I wanted to do something special for you to commemorate this post-- I thought of a give-away but then only one of you would get something. I wanted to send all of you Wilbur's Chocolates, but then half of you live in Europe and sending food is not possible. I wanted to make something but I can't do as many as I'd like to (I don't even have anything I sell yet). So.... my gift to you is my continual support of your creativity and I promise that I'm going to start pushing myself to make more art... and then eventually I will have something special to send to you!!

Thank You So Much!

xoxo Bethany

It's all worth it, isn't it?

I just tried to post a photo of my teaching partner's new baby boy but it wouldn't upload. Just know that he is adorable!!! He came into the world on Tuesday evening, 3 days early, but everyone is doing well and is healthy. His name is Nathaniel, just like my son's, so we were particularly happy about that! Nathaniel thinks he's his namesake and we let him believe that-- he feels some obligation now to be a good role model!

So after my belly-aching and crying to some of you that I didn't know how I was going to teach K-8 by myself this morning without Terri-- somehow it did all work out. (I ran into the hospital, got the teaching materials, held the baby, and then after being stuck for an hour in traffic as President Bush was visiting our town and going through my neighborhood, got busy to organizing everything, while Craig made dinner for everyone and helped the kids with homework!) I apologize for being whiney because in the end, this beautiful child is starting out life and I couldn't imagine anything more important! And my supervisor did drive in from over an hour away to help with the lower grades. We all got busy, in the heat--no air conditioning and we're having record highs today!-- started our letters to people we admire and just enjoyed getting to know everyone a little bit better!

Now my kids are coming home early from school and we're off to Caroline's riding lesson. This is one of those nights that calls for a good glass of pinot noir and some snuggling with Craig!

*** I just realized that this post is number 199! I totally missed celebrating my 100th post, so now I have to come up with something really great for 200... stay tuned!!!

Fall goodies and a wip!

Last weekend we bought a bunch of mums and some gourds to decorate the house...



I love the colors of cabbage plants, which replaced some summer flowers...

Little pumpkins leading up to the door....

Then a little spider came to make his home from Felicia at Fluffy Flowers, bringing along a little card to send out to someone special....

Crossing the ocean at the same time, I received a little cupcake from Laura at Cupcakes for Clara. It now goes with me everywhere on my keychain!...

Just in time for October, some Halloween-y stuff arrived from Karla at Karla's cottage! Now I have to jump in and make some fun things...

And last but not least, here's what we've been busy with around this house (besides teaching, which went well today!)... My wip-- which I'm trying to set a world's record as the longest time it takes one person to sew a reading pillow!!! I'm loving making it, but I just have so much else that keeps me from doing more than one step every few days! It is a pattern I got from Meg at Montessori by Hand.

Here is the really cute Japanese fabric I got for it:

Meanwhile, Caroline has been busy learning to needle felt and she's super fast! She made the little penguin in one day!! And no band-aids yet! (note: Lesley)

Nathaniel has a school project to begin, but nothing to show yet... except his new trumpet which he will start learning to play in another week at school. We are going to have our own tiny orchestra here!!!