LILACS, SWEET PEAS, ANEMONES, OH MY!

This morning I took a flower class, taught by Frolic!'s Chelsea Fuss, to learn how to make a french hand-tied bouquet. I learned about basic flower design, fun flower tidbits and now I want to plant a cutting garden so I can make loads of bouquets!

HAND DELIVERED FROM EUROPE,

these adorable Pac-Man cookie cutters have made our taste buds sing.We've been making sugar cookies and they are mmmmm, mmmmm, good.

HERE AND THERE (DAY 30 OF 30)

{Flashlight}

Here: Flashlight
There: Torch

MY SISTER

has returned from Scotland and surprised my man clan this morning.
I felt our 'sister powers' reactivate.

WELCOME HOME STEPH!

HAVE A COZY WEEKEND

IT'S A WONDERFUL DAY TO

celebrate Kim's birthday. Kim is incredibly talented, kind, loving, beautiful inside and out, thoughtful, interesting, interested, is so much fun, has the best sense of humor and if she was in a contest for remembering one-liners and movie quotes she'd win it, hands down.

PS - Do you remember when we found out we were cousins?

HERE AND THERE (DAY 29 OF 30)

{Juice Concentrate}

Here: The juice concentrate that I purchase is frozen and makes a half gallon.

There: The concentrate that Steph purchases can make as little or as much as she wants. Single servings? Love that!

A COLORING PAGE

of the birthday boy kept my man clan busy this afternoon with creativity and giggles. I think we just might have a new birthday tradition.
For the step-by-step to make your own, click here.

IT'S A WONDERFUL DAY TO

celebrate Steve's birthday.
Steve is the awesome-est uncle around, computer g.e.n.i.u.s., super funny, loves to tease, is kind, loving, thoughtful, interesting and interested, likes to be called The Steve, knows Santa personally (he used to babysit the reindeer), is talented and is lovingly known by my man clan as Stevie-Poo.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEVE!
WE LOVE YOU!!

HERE AND THERE (DAY 28 OF 30)

{Water}

Here: If you live within city limits and use city water, there has fluoride.

There: No fluoride is in their water.

ART CLASSES - WEEK 4

I had a really hard time with this week in painting class. We were supposed to bring a photo that means something to us. I brought one of my favorite photos I took when we were in Fiji.I'm not happy with it at all and will be definitely be painting over this canvas. I'm not pleased with how I have him standing and I feel with me trying to add "texture" to the background, I made it look like it was somewhere cold. It was a really hard photograph to paint. This one is actually my third try. Maybe fourth time will be the charm.

In drawing class we learned about drawing perspective and used a lot of examples by Raphael.

My art classes are over and I'm sad. I have really enjoyed tapping into that part of my brain. I will be definitely signing up for more classes.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

to my parents. These lovebirds have been married 43 years.
I love you mom and dad!

HERE AND THERE (DAY 27 OF 30)

{Classes}

Here: While Steph has been gone, I have taken a beginner's painting class, beginning drawing class and quilting 101.

There: Stephanie has taken a jewelry class and hat making class. I've seen some of her work when we Skype and they are amazing!!

MY LAPTOP

got a fun accessory. I love this computer vinyl from Photojojo, even though I put it on upside down. (I closed it and applied it where I sat, not thinking about what it would look like when it was opened - grrr.)
You know me well if you know it will drive me crazy and I'll be ordering another one!

HERE AND THERE (DAY 26 OF 30)

{Parks}

Here: We have a lot of parks that consist of grass, trees and a play structure or two. A few have fun water devices the children can play in during the summer.

There: Steph said that the parks can have awesome play structures for the whole family, some have old estates or castles, and Strathclyde Park has roman bath ruins. All the parks she has been to have awesome hiking trails.

HERE AND THERE (DAY 25 OF 30)

{Travel Radius}

Here: 4 hour drive to Seattle.

There: 2 1/2 hour plane ride to Berlin, Germany.

HAPPY EASTER SUNDAY

Painting by Simon Dewey

HERE AND THERE (DAY 24 OF 30)

{Personal Mailbox}

Here: Mine is outside on the street amongst my neighbor's mailboxes.

There: Steph's is dropped inside her door.

WE HAD A LITTLE PARTY

for our Steve. His birthday isn't until next week, but he will be celebrating in Alaska. We went up to Washington and had a super fun afternoon.I'm so glad Steve's within driving distance for us! We love you Stevie-Poo!

HERE AND THERE (DAY 23 OF 30)

{Mailbox around town}

Here: Blue and a little R2D2-ish.

There: Tall, red and slender.

ZOMBIES AND LONGBOARDLARRY

have something in common. I'll tell you about it soon.
I'll give you three hints - school, twilight, glee.

HAVE A SWINGIN' WEEKEND

HERE AND THERE (DAY 22 OF 30)

{Postage}

Here: The majority of our letters are sent through the United States Postal Service.

There: The letters are sent through the Royal Mail.

LOSER LAURA HAS STRUCK AGAIN

The wee ones were invited to an Easter Egg Hunt this morning. We arrived with baskets, excitement and enthusiasm and guess what? The egg hunt was over - we were an hour late!
The handsome, very nice, little host shared some of his loot with the boys, which I thought was so sweet.
I bought the wee ones the Gulliver's Travels DVD to try to buy their love.

HERE AND THERE (DAY 21 OF 30)

{Shoreline}

Here: We have gorgeous beaches about an hour away. Sandy, sunny, rainy, rocky, secluded, windy kite wonderlands - take your pick. We offer everything but crystal clear, warm water.

There: Largs is one of the seaside towns. When you look out at the ocean you see the islands that are part of Scotland and you can take ferries to them.

ART CLASSES - WEEK 3

This week, the art classes were on landscapes and the technique of layering.
The first painting we did, our teacher had us use a plastic spoon, knife and fork, a sponge and 2 brushes to paint with.
The second one was a sea scape again, but she had us layer differently than we did the first time.
And an animal - yes, I know Lily is a little cartoony. I was going to start over and use a some different techniques, but my teacher recommended that I keep this one for the wee ones. I have a feeling there might be quite a few Lily paintings before I get it right. She's going to be a tough one to paint with me being a newbie.

In drawing class we had to sketch a landscape super quick. This one we had to use pen and a water color pencil to enhance.
This one, we had to be uber quick. She was teaching us the sketching technique of getting the idea down fast so we could draw or paint it later. I need to work on being looser with my pencil.
And, here is my first animal.