art show

Caroline was in her school art show this past weekend which included the Middle School and High School. The High School Guitar Ensemble played which was really wonderful...

Here is Caroline walking and avoiding having her picture taken!...

The ceramics were very impressive. There were pieces in the show that I would purchase if they had been for sale...

Caroline and I both loved the batiks. I used to teach this to my Middle School art students and these were exceptional, given their age...

I also liked some of the oil paintings. It's rare to see students in public schools using oils in the classroom...

It was a nice afternoon on Saturday. I wish I had taken some photos of some big wooden sculptures that were out in the courtyard of the art room. They weren't finished yet, but they were of insects: grasshoppers and such, and they were really impressive! I might have to sneak up there this week and see if they are still out there!

he made it

barkingbirdart

Nathaniel found out yesterday that he's going to be on the Travel Team for U13 starting this fall! He has become a really good goalie and I'm proud of his focus and dedication!

after

Finally! Nathaniel got a real haircut, inspired by this guy. I took some quick photos of him while he was quickly eating before soccer practice. It's so lovely to see his face again!

(See "before" photos below in the previous post!)

happy mother's day!

I hope you had a wonderful day, whether you were remembering mom, spending it with your children or family, or going to a beautiful place like Longwood Gardens outside of Philadelphia! This is the second year in a row that I've spent the day with my family at Longwood and I always enjoy it. It was a very cold day, with wind and 50 degree temps. There were flowers blooming and this year I found myself attracted more to the blues than the pinks like I usually am...

These forget-me-nots were just so pretty and delicate. I want to grow some at my home!

The periwinkle blues of the Columbine flowers and the textures were almost surreal.

Here's my wonderful family! The kids are getting so tall. Nathaniel gets a haircut Thursday (thank goodness!!!).

We actually found some paths that we've never been on before and some with ferns and flowers (ideas for all the shade in our backyard!).

We always have to take our picture under this pavilion.

This fountain reminds me of something from Italy.

A couple years ago there were several huge tree houses built for a special show and they were so popular that they've remained as permanent exhibits. It's always the kids' favorite thing to see. I realized that I didn't take any photos inside the conservatory. They had gorgeous giant headed pink hydrangea. The Scent exhibit is going on too so everything that smelled good was labeled. We are planning on going back this summer for their fireworks.

I have to add that my kids made me a beautiful card too and got me a pretty tablecloth from here, along with a metal colander so I can steam my rice! They know me well! There were also some drink mixes for adult beverages but I figured someone else (Craig) picked those out!! ;) It was a really nice, beautiful, relaxing day and I wouldn't trade being a mom for anything!

meaningful work

Sorry for the blurry photo but I'm right in the middle of baking brownies with Nathaniel. I was opening my mail and my beautiful ceramic herb markers came from Amy at JustPotters on etsy! I hadn't paid close attention to what that was but it is part of a wonderful program in British Columbia, Canada called JUSTWORK which helps people who have physical disabilities, mental illness, addictions and might be homeless. In JUSTPOTTERS they are artists who benefit not only financially but creatively from each purchase. The card above says,

"I'm building confidence as I teach others how to make a certain piece.

I can be creative and gain an income.

There is a positive environment with a good support structure.

I'm getting better at what I'm doing.

This is helping me with more things than pottery. I'm not just waiting on pills to handle my depression.

The work itself is good and it is good to have work."

I suppose these are different quotes by people who lead and participate in this program. Other branches of the program are JUSTGARDEN, JUSTCATERING, and JUSTREPAIRS. I was so touched by the idea of this. I wondered if there was something similar in our area.

Back to brownie baking!

Happy Cinco de Mayo! (We commemorate the sinking of the Mayo on the Titanic on this day)

extraordinary papercuts

I found an amazing papercutting artist on etsy, papercutdiecut who sells her work out of Toronto. The pieces are so intricate. She says in her bio that she's been doing this since she was 4 or 5 years old and that she learned it from her grandparents. Wouldn't it be great if everyone could learn such an amazing craft from their own grandparents?

I noticed that lots of people buy these numbers to use for their wedding reception tables.

All of it is gorgeous and she has a lot more on etsy!

winning video- owl city's "vanilla twilight"

link (because the picture is cut off!)

my first square foot garden...

I planned out each square of my four foot square garden and my seeds came this week! Today I'm getting the soil ingredients and making the lattice to divide the square so I can plant the seeds. For the onions, tomatoes, and peppers that have to be started indoors, I thought I'd try the method of starting them in just wet paper towels in plastic bags in a warm space, just until they sprout and then putting them into the garden soil. With SFG, you don't need manure (thank goodness), just peat moss, vermiculite and compost (which I've been making in our composter all winter!) plus some from the store. I have to find some tomato trellises or ladders and I know Gardener's Supply has them via mail order but I'm looking for some locally. There was a study done that red ladders promote more growth in tomatoes than green ladders. I'm not sure if that is really true but I'm not worried... tomatoes always grow faster than you can eat them! We're having gorgeous weather here this weekend, all while the midwest and the Kentucky Derby are experiencing lots of rain... they should all move here for the weekend!

Happy May everyone!

~ b.