Lilac Window

here is another little study for the devotion series. I guess I could call it “community devotion”, or “children’s neighborhood prayers”, or something like that. But I admit, it doesnt sound all that catchy.

I included text in this one, and went for the directly illustration thing. Im having fun feeling my way around. The whole idea of houses in the background sorta came out of this one. I need to take another photo of it though, because I think its out of focus in some parts.

Some other stuff mark and I have been doing includes web design. He is learning to code, and well, I design, so it sort of goes together. We just finished our first project, for a designer friend that I went to school with. The website is here: www.thedesignhaus.ca. I will vouch for her, she is a fabulous designer, if you need a reno done. I mean, I’d hire her… and I’m almost an architect! Also it was fun working with my husband. Its so good when you can giggle about staying up late working on a project, just because it means you actually get to spend time with your spouse… alone! (Although, when its late, he does start singing 80’s pop-rock, and throwing the head around – while waiting for the jpeg to upload. … hang on a minute – I just remembered… that’s one of the reasons I married him! – my bad.)

Anyways, all is well in paint, poop and html. We really like all our new board games. LOOT is becoming a family favorite. Mark is so totally going to be into me, now that I linked to “board game geek.com” I am sooooo exposed right now.

its so warm. I opened the windows. I can hear BIRDS!! I get feeling all nostalgic. I try to soak it in and let the excitement and emotion permeate. I think you have to have moments like this in winter, or you wont make it through the year. Perhaps you don’t know what I am talking about. But, lets just put it this way. I’m feeling all “arty”, and “dreamy”, and even “angsty”. True.

Warm January days, made me wonder what I was doing this time last year. Thank goodness I keep a blog. I just poked on back to mammacomic, and found out we were sick with the flu, traveling to Vancouver, and prepping for some major February hiking trips. I was dealing with a teething babe, and painting up a storm.

Now, this blog has become a little detached from my family life. But I want to stay ever present in it, so I can come back and feel connected to who I am at different times.That picture above is from the day after Marcel’s birthday when we made pasta from his new pasta maker. That’s something I don’t want to forget.

I have a constant list of things that are on my mind. I thought I’d share it, as a sort of funny experiment. Its sort of personal, what ends up on these lists, but I am sure you have many common items, and perhaps its is telling as to what on my mind at this time in my life… I’d love to now whats on your list…

1. Take out recycling (come-on that’s on your list too – isn’t it?)
2. Take bags of clothes etc to the thrift store (ditto)
3. make soup for dinner (see I told you we have a lot in common)
4. Go to the Child Subsidy Department in Kensington to get Stay-at-home mom subsidy. (well, you may not have this on your list, but something like it… and if you are in Alberta, and a stay-at home mom, maybe it should be on your list!)
5. do some architectural design work (we all have to work…)
6. Take Emery to the park (Oh, to be a mom…)
7. put up shelves and paintings in kids room (how I would love to put some energy into that space… its needs a face lift)
8. shelves in kitchen for my recipe books (OK, I admit, there is a shelf theme)
9. Find a bin to store all our Holy-Day celebration things in. (I know, simple bin finding, has made its way onto my list…)
10. take down white gauze from living room that has been up since “Birth of the Bab” celebration in October (like Christmas decorations, sometimes they stay up way too long)
11. Email my art students. (sorry, boring list item, but necessary)
12. make a “what I do in the morning” poster for Marcel (on-going comic project in my head that may or may not be manifested in reality.)
13. Finish the book I am illustrating (please, just finish it!)
14. sort coats, books, bags and shoes in front hall (OK, now that’s definitely on your list!)
15. Choose moving and profound readings for tonight’s community devotional meeting. (now that’s maybe not on your list – but don’t you wish it was!)

That was fun. I hope I get a kick out of reading this next year!

It was 8 degrees today. In January. Now that’s awesome! This little painting was done by an 8 year old girl.

I am looking forward to the water color workshop coming up.

I am doing a lot of house cleaning. Maybe its the warmer weather that gets me all domestic. I obsessing about putting shelves up all over the house. I need places for all my recipe books, for the kids doo-dads, and board games!

We got Marcel this book for his birthday. Its one I don’t mind reading as many times as he wants. We all love it.

cute, cute, cute.

First off, this painting was completed this winter by an adult student, who came to classes last semester. The dark shadows and moody washes create a real sense of mystery… don’t you think?

So. Our family got out cross country skiing yesterday.

If you have been following my blog since last year, you will know that winter is not my favorite season. Especially with kids. Especially living in suburbia. So, last winter I vowed to do everything in my power to make the most of it. We visited MEC (our favorite outdoor activity store) and got geared up. We did day hikes, all around Calgary. We used a little hiker’s stove to make hot chocolate, and make it special. We even rented snowshoes and hiked around West Bragg Creek a few times.

For those of you who live around here and love winter sports, this all may not be anything of a revelation, but for us who are new to it, it is an amazing discovery. This time round, we decided to rent skis. We rented them from MEC, and headed out to the Canmore Nordic Center. I cant tell you how awesome this is. The fact that there is a day lodge, and you can go inside with little kids, and still see everyone outside is so convenient. You pay a small fee for this, but after some freezing hiking experiences, with nowhere to warm cold toes, I can tell you, its worth it. We rented a tobogan for little Em, but are not good enough skiers to make it really worth while. Marcel loved his skis though, well worth renting at the Nordic Center.

OK, so that’s that. We had so much fun out there, I hope we do more of it soon. Apparently there is a day lodge at Kananaskis too, and we want to explore places to ski in the city. Maybe even a lesson or two!!

I hope you are all out there finding ways to enjoy this beautiful and exciting season. Warm wishes to you all.

We had a big day here yesterday. Oldest child turned four. Very exciting. For all of us.

The day was so sweet. We went sledding, ate cake, played new board and card games, and laughed a lot. The big surprise was a puppet theater that Mark and I made out of two card board boxes. We had a curtain, and a light inside to add drama. Then I made four shadow puppets from the story “where the wild things are”. I simply traced them from images I blew up and printed, then cut them from black paper. The bottle neck in making these though, was laminating them.  When I was a kid in New Zealand we all had to cover our text books in what we called “sticky-back”. Transparent plastic thats sticky on one side and comes in a huge roll. I cant seem to find it any where. I found something similar in a small roll, that is very expensive, but would love it if some one can help me locate more of this stuff. Maybe I should import it from NZ.

Anyways, the puppet show was far more dramatic and lovely at night, and I imagine many evenings spent telling stories.

Everyone takes turns behind the scenes. I think we will start selling tickets for a season premier soon.

And here is number 2 of the combo. We masked two letters in the corners as signatures which looks great, and sort of solves the problem of kids not being able to write yet. I am busy stretching canvas for tomorrows workshop. And well, surfing the net. I have this lovely routine when Emery falls asleep I put him in the wrap, play some folksy tunes I like, and surf. Its really “Me” time, that also serves the purpose of putting a baby to bed. Soooooo much better than other methods we have tried!

Anyways, all this surfing, and blog reading has resulted in lots of inspirational ideas. I like to read some architecture blogs and get inspired about that “dream house”. I do design for other people, and its also nice to find one’s own identity amongst it all. I know I LOVE wood. I can’t help it. Even after four years of Architecture school, I couldnt find a real heart to heart connection with concrete. I try. I really want to. Martha, likes it, and its so hip, but hey…one cant deny ones inner callings. I’ll admit it.  Wood done well, is so my cup of tea.

I did a project in school where I designed a quonset hut into a performing arts center. So its not surprising I am drooling over this barn converted into a house. I ADORE the huge doors that make the kids space indoors and out. GAWD! Now, I wonder what they do in December..at minus thirty… even without the windchill? Maybe I just gotta move south too. But that’s another post.

Have a wonderful, stress free, pre-christmas weekend! We’ll be heading over to Heritage Park to celebrate the warmth and the season.

So this post may seem sort of out of the blue, but I have been meaning to write it for a while. I just realized I have a $30.00 overdue fine at the library, and it got me thinking about how many books I could have bought for that, and could be reading over and over. Well, its not that simple really, when we go to the library, I like to get MANY books, and see which ones we cherish, and wish tht we had months later. Its those ones that I mean to buy, and keep and re-read many,  many times. Its just, thus far, the list has remained a list in my head, and I think its time to get organized and write it down.

Also since I have been nurturing a love for illustration, some of these books are just because the pictures are inspirational to me.

the Snow Day (I love the paintings in this book, and the feeling of calm stillness)

Froggy gets Dressed (Marcel could read this book a thousand times in a row. And it rings so true on these cold days!)

Frog and Toad are Friends (A wonderful bed-time story – We fell in love with this one at Rivendell)

the Noisy Farm (I love the pictures, and the simple, sweet story)

the Divali Rose (totally random, but lovely story about cultures meeting, and overcoming fears, made me cry.)

the Dot (every art teacher needs this. me included)

Charlie Harper Alphabet Book (just amazing pictures. Marcel knows his alphabet now, so he reads it to Emery. That’s about as good as it gets. Also its a great reference for colour mixing!)

Snow comes to the Farm (I love this book. the pictures, the story… so sweet)

How do you sleep? (Marcel memorized this book in two nights of reading…)

Caps for sale (you just cant have a library without it)

In retrospect, most of them are pretty seasonal too. figures. I am sure there are more, but this what we remember now…

(And the painting? Yes. Another gifted two year old.)

I meant to introduce you to a new artist now. But I haven’t got it together. eek.

Today, felt like I couldn’t get much together. It was really insane. Picture this: Around 5:00. baby at my ankles, food, recycling, and Betsy-knows-what all over the floor, a demanding three year old, and me, with hot oil, trying to find my iphone buried under the trimmings from the onion – so I can read what comes next in the Jamie Oliver recipe app. Not pretty, and slightly dangerous.

Emery has figured a few key things out. One of them is opening the fridge. Which is lead to his discovery of myriads of “balls” which he likes to throw all over the house. Apples only bruise, but eggs break. Upon going to the dining room to set the table I find he has also discovered the tomatoes, and has spread half eaten, wet, seedy-bits, into the carpet. I wouldn’t mind so much, but they are the organic ones, that are for tomorrows dinner. And well, I’m practicing being detached!

So. I think tonight is time for some guilty pleasures. I have my chocolate. From this shop. Its getting me through a lot these days. I’m telling you, I think with this stuff in hand, I could get through WW3. wow. Upon the discovery of the health benefits of chocolate, I have decided to eat it. a lot. I consider it my daily dose of medicine. If you live near, you absolutely must go to this shop. Buy a lot. you don’t have to thank me, but if you were so inclined I wouldn’t refuse the butter-cream truffles.

Another guilty pleasure is well, not so guilty. I have been taking time for myself during the day. When all is nutso, and I realize I need a break, because patience is getting thin, its time for my daily prayer and meditation. I know not everyone prays, but I think we all need a practice of slowing down, listening to ourselves, and getting in touch with our core values. That’s what praying is for me. Anyways, the crazy thing is, I have been doing it with the kids in the room. I just tell them, “I am going to say my prayers now”, and I do it in the play-room, with them. Now, its not always so easy or quiet, but after a few days they are starting to get it. I mostly ignore them, as long as its not dangerous, or they are sounding desperate, in which case I take a quiet moment with them, reassure them I am almost done, and then go back to my thing – till I am done. I can’t tell you how freeing this is for me. Up to now I was thinking I had to wake up earlier, or use some of my precious work time, or cut into  something that just isn’t expendable, to take this 15 mins out. But now you can find me, reciting prayers aloud, babies crawling all over me,  in a quiet state of bliss. HA! But seriously, this had had some truly happy repercussions throughout my day.

The last little guilty pleasure is inspired by my grandmother, who was just here. She had such sweet conversations with my three year old, and found such joy in the babies cuteness. It was inspiring and reminded me that the best reward for the trials of parenting is the fact that you get to be with your kids! How great they are and to just revel in their sweetness. A couple moments like that in a crazy day can be enough to keep it up!

I know I got more vices but these little bits seem to be what I want to share right now.

Yeah. So we have been busy. Lots of stuff going on. I am trying to figure out how to build a baby gate on the back porch so Em doesnt run away when I am not looking. He does a lot when I am not looking. Like climb onto the top bunk bed, and then down again. Without a ladder. Did I mention hes 14 months?? So, we need a gate. None of the commercial ones fit because the they are not wide enough. And I am trying to make it without having to go to the store. I’ll let you know what I come up with.

In the meantime, here is a little doo-dad we did the other morning. Inspired by this little book from the library – “Monsoon Afternoon” by Kashmira Sheth Illustrated by Yishiko Jaeggi, we decided to figure out how to make paper boats that would float.  I found this website, which has the best instructions I have found – they are animated which makes it so much easier. I consider myself pretty strong in the direction-reading, and paper-folding department, and still I find many things impossible to make due to shear lack of clear instruction. So. These ones are a little challenging, requiring a double base and inward folds. But they floated well, and were super cute. Next time I’ll try wax paper, as they did get waterlogged rather quick.

In other news. We are starting a new food program, combining SPUD and Jamie Oliver’s new iphone app. Should be interesting…