whatever

Mason received his Eagle Award back in June {he actually finished it months earlier, but it took some time to go through all the channels}- They actually gave him the award the same Sunday that Denver reported about his Mission- June 22, 2008. Which was very special because most of our family was there to see him receive it. Mason  also received the Melchizedek Priesthood that day. { Awesome day!}

They were unable to schedule a Eagle court of Honor, due to Mason leaving this month and trying to fit it into the Branch schedule, which is fine.  Mason was just as happy not to have one.  Doesn't make it any less important- we are so pleased with his accomplishment.  {Friday he also was preparing to leave.}

Denver left Friday for School- BYU-I {yes, one by one they leave :} Thought I would share a couple pictures of the day he left- { July 19, will forever be know as the mass exit day.}

I'm excited for both of them-

The Essence of Tuscany

Each morning as I enter my garden  I dream of Italy, mainly because of these sunflowers- Oh, to be in  Italy with its  peaceful hillside villages, olives, sunflowers and vineyards, which to me are the Essence of Tuscany.  Oh, my Summer Dream.

There would be nothing more romantic than being surrounded by stunning views, rolling hills and sunflowers.

I may be daydreaming but, sounds like where I live :}

Enjoy your weekend.

Documented

Part of the reason I have this blog is to document our story what we do and how we do it. Then at the end of the year I plan to make a blurb book using my blog.

  Last year Shannon made the most fabulous "History" book for me using my blog.  This blog has been a  way for me to keep in touch with my family and friends and to write my Family History.  That's why sometime you may have had to put up with silly or mundane things I may post about.

I wanted to document what the yard and home looked like in mid summer as to have a record of it in our History- so today, you get a little of the mundane, sorry.

Pepsi follows me where ever I go- Our property looks so different in the summer, where it once was lush green, it now is golden brown.

Last year you could see all of "Le shed" from this position. It's amazing how fast things grow.

Fire-pit- by next year it will be totally private, the California Redwoods have really taken off this year.

Pepsi thinks we had the large step made just for her, little does she know it was made to give the grand-babies a fun place to play.

Thanks for putting up with me- Now it's Documented.

Bubble Room

I have a secret room hidden beneath the stairs, that only children dare enter- Call the "Bubble Room."

When the door is closed, all those that past by will surly think there's nothing fun behind it- it's just a coat closet.  But open the door and the party begins-

If children grew up according to early indications, we should have nothing but geniuses.  ~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Every child is an artist.  The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.  ~Pablo Picasso

It's tradition when the Grand kids visit, they mark their height on this wall. It's always a blast to see how much they have grown, and the reactions on their faces. If you've been very, very good, the children, whom make all the rules in the "Bubble Room" may invite you to breakfast and lunch there-  and I have, and it was, oh so Delightful.

 

Grown-ups never understand anything for themselves, and it is tiresome for children to be always and forever explaining things to them.  ~Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince, 1943

I wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then.- Bob Seger "Against the Wind."

It is never too late to have a happy Childhood- Tom Robbins-

Now go find your "Bubble Room" and have a fun day.

Empty Nest

Empty Nest Syndrome? Not me, not really, well maybe a twinge of the syndrome.  I'm a bit anxious, not for me but for the ones leaving the nest. I know the anticipation of their departure is far worse than the reality.  In Pig Latin you would say "emptyay estnay"  just thought you might like to know that.

This is what an empty nest looks like.  Look empty to you?  I see my nest just filled with a array of ever changing possibilities, which is some ways has me anxiously wondering what's on the horizon.  I'm sad sometimes at the thought of not being "on a day to day basis" totally clued into their lives, that will take some getting use to. I look at it as just another step in my life- kind of like the feeling I had the first day of High School, or the Day I got Married.   I was anxious on those days too, wondering what the future was to hold.  But hey, I survived.  I will survive this too- not only will I survive but I plan to Thrive!  {I don't think a person who's children are independent productive and happy can be too far off the deep end, right? :}

I will Thrive because I have a plan- I thought I would share it with you.  So if you see some downward slipping {kids} you can kick me or something like that.

I have seven areas I plan to work on or build upon:

{Just messing with you.  You really didn't think I was going to take up snowboarding? That would be Denver's choice of fun, I'm not ready to die yet.}

1. Attend the Temple More Often
2. Collect/organize family history
3. Fulfill My church callings
4. Stay/get physically fit- find a new active sport to do with Dan
5. Render more Christlike Service
6. Do things that awakens a since of fun and learning.
7. Continue to be a mystery to my husband.

I plan to do as President Hinckley said to do- 

“In the process of educating your minds, stir within yourselves a greater sensitivity to the beautiful, the artistic, and the cultivation of the talent you possess, be it large or small.”

I think part of the reason we have "empty nest" syndrome, is because our identity is being challenged. After years and years of being  the caregiver, the confidante, the Mommy. One day they up and change all that- How dare they!  Luckily I figured out some time ago, {maybe after the second one left home, I'm on number five now} I have an identity separate from my job as a Mommy. {but still feel heart aches as each leaves, and every time they visit and then leave again. That's just me and always will be, sorry kids}

I think if I just remind myself of these three things:

• Identity
• Priority
• and Blessings

I will survive and Thrive my "emptyay estnay."

( and it always helps to have lots of Grand-baby and kid visits, just a little hint there.  :}

Shades of Inspiration

Pink & Green -

Pink and Green is the first paired assignment.

The Garden Gate-

 

Snack Time-

Bride's Bouquet

The Pig Party

 Green and Pink Birthday Party

Tied in Pink with a green tag-

In the Details...

What are the details of your day- If you could use only pictures to describe your day, what would it look like?  I decided to "detail" Dan's day at work- {maybe sometime later I will also include our home life in that detailed word-less recollection.}

typographic inspiration

How do you like your typography?  It's a style thing for me- not very good at it- but I love to visit sites that have that creative way with typographic design.

"Arranging a familiar set of shapes to make words, sentences, and paragraphs."

 

Found this in France, bought it just for it's typography- Not sure what it even says- something to do with a trial and the police-  Even 200 years ago they used different typeface to communicate-

When ever I start a post a lot of these questions go through my mind-

• what font should I use
• size of font
• do I use color
• design- Adding pictures
• do I create contrast or keep it simple

Now mind you those thoughts may cross my mind, but usually I go with the tried and true.  With so many of us communicating via typefaces- I wish I had a better handle on how to use "typographic" design.  I admire how someone can take a simple white page and turn it into a piece of typographic Art-  It's like we all have our own little "typographic Language."

Your blogs that I visit are uniquely yours- because of the way you choose to use typography. They inspire me- I have links on my blog to most of the ones I enjoy, all for different reasons. Some for the pictures, and some for the stories. All because they are creative-  like these.{click on picture for link.}

 

Now if one of you out there with tons of typography talent would just post simple step by step instructions to better blog typography- that would be fabulous! I can think of a couple of you right now that would be prefect for the job. :}

With all this talk of blog typography- thought I might as well leave you with some "Interior typography" {I think I used the word typography way too much in this post- sorry-}

 

There you have it, all the typographic inspiration I could muster up.

 

Burst Forth

Burst forth into or as if into flower;

What a difference a day makes- This Year I decided to plant something a little bit different then I usually do- Sunflowers- Giant ones at that. Yesterday I was looking at this guys all folded up and not very impressive- well today is a whole other story.

This guy is over 8 feet tall- and the first one of the bunch to "Burst Forth." I hope the others follow suit soon- I would love to get a picture of all my "sunflower soldiers" standing proud bursting forth.

Also thought I would share a few more pictures from the garden this morning-

 

From Les Miserables by Hugo Victor-

"Once excited, he burst forth a sort of gaiety characterized his enthusiasm, and he was at once laughing and lyric."

{Happy Birthday little Preston-we love you}

The Kayak story is in! Check it out- over at Shannon's.