Transormation

M.C. Escher was a Dutch artist born in 1898. He was known for his tesselations~~"one shape or object turning into something completely different".

Just look at this image. It started with one simple triangle and then "turned into" a complex drawing.

We are the same image. We start as a barely perceptible image on a sonogram and then turn into a complex image of humanity. Every detail is in place on the sonogram~~but less magnified.

The final image?? Hopefully, the Image of Christ. Fully reflecting that which is good, honorable, peace loving and forgiving.

Spring Cleaning

Searching for that missing sock we happen upon a drawing from a child, tucked away...too precious to discard, yet buried in a drawer. Is it time for Spring cleaning?? Out go the mismatched socks~~that's easy. How about those prayer cards from funerals, the dried flowers from--(now which picnic was that?)

It is so easy to shed mismatched Tupperware, old address labels, sermon notes (sorry Pastor)...

How about a Spring Cleaning of the heart?? Can you let go of old hurts? What about the thank you that you should have received? Oh that comment that was meant to be a "joke" yet, cut to the heart. Can you discard that with the rest of the refuse? What about that burden you have carried for years and is just so heavy that you are bent over from carrying it? Can you finally set it aside and walk upright?

Ahh, Spring Cleaning...Let's Begin Today

Emily's Visit

Thank You, Emily, for bringing a fresh perspective into our home this weekend! We love your energy and sense of humor!
It was such a pleasure to bring you a glass of wine as you read a book in our guest room. I wish I had the foresight to bring a camera to capture the image of you reading in the overstuffed chair.

You are a creative, innovative soul...just as your brothers and sisters are. We are so blessed!

Back to "normal"

The eclipse is finished. We have an image of the moon between the branches of the tree in our front yard. We had to turn off all extra lights to capture this picture. So beautiful :-)

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's Off To Work...

Al is going back to work tomorrow after four months of unemployment. We are so grateful for a job opportunity at a time when jobs are scarce. We know that this opportunity is a gift from God. His job will be a part time position at first but we are hoping for full time in the near future. Thank you, everyone, for your prayers. If you are wondering which Disney character is Al~~he is the 5th one from the head of the line. You know~~the one who is always smiling; happy to be going to work!

That's Entertainment

The lights are ready...
The table is set...
The cake is made...

All is ready for Connie's baby shower!

B R E A T H E

Ahh...just relax~~everything is done...

Enjoy!!

Showers (baby & otherwise)

We had a shower today for Mr. and Mrs. Sombs. (Mrs. Sombs is Tyler's teacher) The parents provided all the food--sandwiches, chips, soda, and cupcakes.
Here is the happy expectant couple. Hey, who's eating the pickle?
The students took turns bringing presents to Mrs. Sombs.
Just look at this adorbable Renaissance Hat that "Baby Sombs" can wear to The Renaissance Faire this year. Mrs. Madison knit this hat with love!

Will You Be My Valentine?

We had our Valentine Banquet at church tonight. After a delicious dinner we were treated to "live entertainment"
These ladies are part of the musical group

"The Beaudettes"
They are kinda like June Cleaver with attitude!
No attitude here, just humble praise.

Red Cross Field Trip

We went on a field trip today with our after school kids. We visited the Red Cross Headquarters for Lake County. The students learned what the Red Cross provides our county in case of emergencies such as fire, flood or "tormadoes". House fires occur more often than the other emergencies. We have yet to have a tornado but our last flood was in 1995. The Red Cross provides food, shelter and vouchers for clothing and exists entirely from donations!

While we are on the subject...Do you have a Disaster Plan for your family? Where will you go? Do you have an Emergency Kit packed? This would include water, non-perishable food, extra clothing, etc. If you would like a complete list just let me know.

I have a great group picture taken in front of the Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) that I will post in the school office but for the sake of our students' privacy, I am just showing their backs.

Library Day

The highlight of my week when I was in 5th grade was Library Day. I lived and breathed books at that age. Nancy Drew?? She was my best friend! Rumer Godden? She was a distant relative who sent beautiful Japanese dolls to me. Miss Happiness and Miss Flower were household words in my 5th grade year. I even made a Japanese doll house for my little sister's dolls that year.
The Littles found their way into our everyday imagination. Nancy Drew not only solved mysteries but she dated Ned in a very chaste way!
One of our teachers, Mrs. Madison, fills a basket of books for her 2nd/3rd grade class. I remember such a basket in the entry way of our house in Alameda. We had a beautiful stained glass window that just seemed to welcome all to read...

Big Kids Just Wanna Have Fun

"Live entertainment" provided by Chris on the guitar. Notice Elmo in the background wide eyed and ready to cheer!
Just look at these men in their "party mode"! They look so manly next to the pink streamers on the stairs.
Now here is someone who knows how to have fun!

Kiah's Birthday

We all got together today to celebrate Kiah's 2nd Birthday! Kiah is coming down with a cold so she didn't feel much like celebrating :-(

Dora the Explorer was the theme of her party so everything was bright and colorful.
In spite of her cold, Kiah had a great time! She opened her presents all by herself and shared her toys with her friends. She is such a little sweetie :-)

Love

My Jenny is the creative force behind my blog. She takes my feelings and translates them into the perfect picture of where I am. This month, she has taken my love for red toile and created a backdrop for love. This isn't an ordinary love, but the Love of God for mankind. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son..."

May this love be yours this Valentines Day.

Eloise Wilkin

Golden Books~~ Eloise Wilkin~~"We Help Mommy"...These are among my very favorite themes of literature for children. The illustrations just seem to capture a simpler time. Take your day with your children and "paint it in watercolor". What you would see is the essence of your day. The good and the bad would blend into a picture of what really was. That is the beauty of Eloise Wilkin and her stories. Baking with two-year-olds, preparing for Grandma's visit, helping Mommy with her daily tasks...this is the stuff of life.

Pay a visit to your local library or bookstore and look up the titles of Eloise Wilkin. You will not be disappointed.

Spring Fever...In February?

I went to Ukiah today to do some shopping that just can't be done in Lake County. When I stepped out of the car I was pleasantly suprised by warm weather! Every store I went into had Spring clothing, decorations and crafts for sale. My last stop was Walmart and they had beautiful pansies for sale. When I arrived home, Al had pulled up all the weeds and cleared the beds for spring planting. We know better than to plant right now. We remember the year it snowed in March! Regardless, it was a nice break from the rain, freezing temps and occasional snow we had in January :-)

Olivia The Pig

I just love doing story book quilts. I like to take images from books and transfer them to fabric. Now, they are not exact replicas of the illustrations but, images from what I glean from the stories. I have done several and enjoyed the entire process. I am planning a quilt of Olivia the Pig. Olivia has a mind of her own. She is creative, innovative and free spirited. Everything I love in a child (pig). I already have some great fabric picked out. I just have to get down to the creative process of designing quilt blocks. You might just see some of your child's (children's) attributes in the quilt. I hope you do because I am aiming to capture the creative essence of all children. Is your child free spirited?? Great, you will see them in my quilt! A little creative in their view of life?? Wow, you will definitely see them in my quilt! How about sweet, loving, friendly? Yes, of course, they will be there!!

This is a labor intensive process so who knows when it will be done. The joy, however, is in the making. :-)

To Everything...

Churn, Churn, Churn

We made homemade butter with the 2nd and 3rd grade class today. First we put some heavy cream into a glass jar with a tight fitting lid. Then we shook it and shook it until small curds formed. We poured off the buttermilk, added salt and shook it some more until a ball of butter formed. Their teacher, Mrs. Madison brought homemade cinnamon bread for them to spread their butter on. Yummo! Mrs. Grossner brought popcorn balls to symbolize the importance of corn to the early settlers. The students made American flags to hang from the ceiling. George Washington would have approved :-) A caveat to those with heart disease...please use Promise or I Can't Believe It's Not Butter. We want to keep you around for a long, long, time!