God is the master of perfect

It started with a pot lid. No Captain America shield on hand?  No problem. Use what you have at the ready and transform everyday, ordinary items into whatever you need them to be.  This is how Gavin handled the challenge of the Avenger's shield.  His fanciful imagination filled in for the item he didn't have.

The pot lid may have been where this play-date started but I couldn't leave it there.  Gavin's resourcefulness triggered my own ideas about shields, protection, magic and how to use materials I have on hand to create a shield of Gavin's very own.  Couldn't think of a better way to spend time with my Captain America.

The photos from this project speak for themselves.  Using some very basic materials pulled from the recycle bin (plastic oatmeal lid and hummus container) and a couple of brads, we were off and running.  Next, a bunch of colored card stock cut and layered for the emblem. We were just in time for 'saving the world' and doing battle with our enemies.  After putting it all together, I decided to laminate the paper layers so that it would stand up to any water hazards. 

Funny little story while Gavin and I were copying the design of Captain America's shield (found on the internet). We had cut all the circles and at the end I traced and cut a white star.  As Gavin and I were gluing the layers of paper together, I noticed that my star was not the same size in relation to the circles as the original design I was copying from and I said, "Darn! The star is supposed to fit inside the blue circle."  And Gavin said, "I'm fine with that."  And then he said, "God is the master of perfect."  Out of the mouths of babes.

This project was something Gavin and I did together over four months ago.  Since then, Gavin has turned six, Jeff has finished hiking the Appalachian Trail, I spent over a month in Idaho visiting family and friends (patiently awaiting this inconvenient stress fracture in my foot to heal)  and now we arrive at autumn, October and catapult to the end of another year.  Gavin spent the night here at the house last night. We've moved beyond pot lid shields to playing with large sticks (found in the yard) fashioned into swords.  Here's to many more years of creative imagining.  I'm in!

Gavin's 6th Birthday Celebration!!

Today you are you!

That is truer than true!

There is no one alive

who is you-er than you!

Dr. Seuss

Click HERE to view video on YouTube and share the link!

Bird Feeder Ornament

It was such a good project in theory.  What's not to love about making a bird feeder mobile to hang outdoors in winter?  Gavin was up for it and I had all the supplies at the ready last Saturday morning. 

Needing sustenance for brain and body, we had breakfast first and logged about an hour of Tom and Jerry cartoons, one of Gavin's current favorites.  Gavin changed out of his pajamas while I gathered together everything we would need to assemble these birdie treats.  We were ready and excited to get started.

Just a side note here having nothing to do with this nature craft project.  But did you notice how I said "Gavin got changed out of his pajamas?"  Well, this is a big deal.  He's been dressing himself for awhile now, but I still marvel at how we've moved from 'dressing Gavin,' to "helping Gavin get dressed," to "Gavin getting himself dressed.  I hear Life's clock ticking in my head as I write.

I'd never seen a sweet gum tree pod until I moved to Fort Campbell, KY.  Fascinated by them, I went around our neighborhood, gathering them up for some unknown future project. Ended up using them like 'shipping popcorn' in all my Christmas boxes that year. My friend, LJ, calls them 'alien pine cones.' Since that time I've seen many a sweet gum tree.  My neighbor here on 101st Place has one, right across the street and so I was able to gather some for this project.  Peanut Butter is always on hand and black sunflower seeds, too.  Check! 

I was the designated 'peanut butter spreader onner.'  Gavin was the official 'pod dipper' and then back to me for tying onto the hanger.  Mine was most definitely the messier of the steps.  Gavin shot some video footage of me and asked some very astute questions as the interviewer. 

    

  

It was a very cold day and Gavin was happy to stay indoors. I donned my boots and went outside to hang our new feeder in the maple tree.  

I was so excited when only minutes after Gavin was picked up by his Mom, a male and female cardinal dropped in to check out the 'thing-a-ma-bob-doo-hickie' hanging in their tree.. Check it out was all they did, never attempting to alight on the pods or hang from the twine to get at the seed. Turns out you can lead a bird to the seed but you can't make them eat.

A week has passed and the pods are still hanging in the tree, a little more worse for the wear. This bird feeder may not have resulted in what we hoped for initially but in the end I got what I wanted. Time well-spent with Gavin.  I'm thinking this is the most desirable outcome.

Such a fun sleep-over

We never have to look hard for things to do together.  Gavin loves working on new projects. Sometimes we finish up things we began the last time he was at the castle house.  Other times, I'll have a plan for a new activity before Gavin comes over and that plan will morph into a completely different adventure.  And sometimes we even have projects we've talked about doing like hand sewing a burlap pirate booty pouch or whipping up some home made pasta, a la Great Aunt Jessica, but just haven't gotten around to it yet.

Gavin and I usually make regular runs up to the studio to get art supplies. We typically bring everything downstairs and work at the dining room table. Sometimes Hempi joins in the fun, like the last two times Gavin was here and we all worked on origami.  Usually, we make at least five to ten 'studio runs' in the course of a weekend. And I always ask, "Gavin, would you like to run up to the studio with me to get more 'stuff?'  Most of the time, Gavin is out of the chair before I finish the question. Each time we're upstairs, I show Gavin another art tool or gadget.  Gavin is getting familiar with where I keep my treasures.

This last weekend, we ended up in the studio for one of our projects.  Only right that it was a 'drawing activity.' Such a lovely turn of events, too.  It started innocently enough.  I invited Gavin to come up to the studio to see a surprise.  The surprise was a desk.  The desk his Mom and Dad gave me after they decided they no longer had a use for it.  And now, the same desk Gavin was used to seeing in his house, was in the "Castle House" studio.

When Gavin saw it, his face lit up.  The next thing he did was ask for some paper and colored marking pens.  Arranging them on the desk just so, he took a seat and began making the place his own.  Gavin said, 'this drawing is going to be for you, Ba'ka.'  

Together, we spent the next hour, drawing and working at our separate desks.  Time spent in the studio is usually good for me. But this was a first for Gavin and I.  Staying in the studio to work on something together and apart.  Each in our own creative space.

The next morning, we went back into the studio, this time because Gavin asked me to make a copy of his original work of art.  I love mixing art and technology! And especially when I can share my knowledge with this 5-year-old.  Little does he know that in another 5 to 10 years, his tech-savvy abilities will far surpass all of mine and I will never catch up.  We proceeded to scan and copy Gavin's artwork, do another drawing, more scanning, convert art into note card art and then write notes in the new cards for special people in our lives.

Gavin 's Art Note Card

Learning to draw using the Wacom tablet.

I love Gavin Quotes.  This was one of my favorites:  Gavin: "I'm going to need a lot more paper."  I smiled and replied, "Well, that's easy. I have a lot of paper."  And Gavin, making my whole weekend said, "You are the master."  *heartfelt sigh

South Tulsa Living Magazine

                            

Eleven-Mile Reservoir

Such a thrill to see my photos and copy in print.  In a real magazine.  My head doth swell.  Now I can understand better why Jeff continues to be the editor of Errorscope magazine (way to go, honey! CONECA is lucky to have you as their editor and wordsmith).  It's an amazing feeling to see our own words 'in print' where others will get to read them.  Heady stuff for this newbie columnist.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.  I have been asked to join South Tulsa Living (a social newsletter for our area neighborhoods) writing staff. The folks who work at the magazine thought my "Living Green" stuff would be a good addition.  I'm honored and happy to provide a monthly 'tip, challenge, recipe' on a multi-layered subject about living a greener life.  Not an expert, by any stretch, but a more enthusiastic practitioner you would be hard-pressed to find.   My first "Living Green...one change at a time" column will appear in April's issue.  Not yet written, the bits and threads of ideas are already flowing.  Home-made laundry detergent, anyone? 

So, what is this head swelling escapade I spoke of at the beginning of this post? My first column hasn't even been written yet.  Candy Trenary, (Area Director/Publisher of South Tulsa Living) saw a few photos I posted on FaceBook.  She asked if I would be willing to submit and write a short piece about our recent trip to Colorado.   I was willing. Those photos and my few paragraphs of text  appeared in this month's issue of the magazine.  This is what makes me so high on myself today.

Cooler heads will prevail eventually.  But I am going to ride this air current of loveliness for as long as I can. In the meantime, thank you, Candy, for inviting me to join you guys.  Thank you, Terri (Terri Jeffers, Editor, South Tulsa Living). 

You want it when?

Click here to read the text portion of the Colorado Road Trip, submitted to the magazine.

Breckenridge Ski Resort, CO

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat...

Jeff and I packed up the household goods and set out for our first military duty station in the summer of 1988.  El Paso, Texas, or bust!  It was difficult leaving our family and friends.  But this was to be our new adventure and we were up for the challenge.  I never realized when we left Idaho, just how much about our lives would change.

Over the years, we created our very own holiday traditions, best suited to our nomadic ways.  We didn't have a lot of extra money for traveling, so we stayed close to home for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  These habits have shaped our current traditions and now are at the heart of how we celebrate the season.

Now, with our children grown and a grandchild in our midst, we gladly leave behind some of our old ways to make room for new traditions. One of my favorite new traditions is inviting grandson, Gavin, over to the 'castle house' so he can help decorate the tree.  We make hot chocolate, start a fire in the hearth, play selections from John Denver and the Muppets Christmas songs and adorn the tree with our memorable collection of ornaments. 

On Christmas Eve we will join Tarajean, Paul and Gavin over at Ann and Joe's for a lovely dinner. On Christmas morning, Jeff and I will enjoy coffee and raise our cups in a toast to our loved ones and those who cannot be with us on this blessed day. Then we'll head over to the Warren family home to exchange gifts, partake in a tasty brunch, and be a part of their family Christmas tradition. 

Happy Birthday, Tarajean! ENCORE

Posted this one again after I changed the final image in the slide show.  :-)  I love you, my beautiful girl.  So glad you had a lovely birthday weekend!  xoxo Mommy

Happy Birthday, Tarajean!

Gavin Lee Warren's 5th BDay 2014

Where is it written that I can't have two slide shows celebrating the same little guy and the same 5th birthday?  Is it a rule?  If so, I'm breakin' it!  Whoo Hoo!  Good Times at the Tulsa Zoo with my beautiful daughter and grandson.

Gavin Lee Warren's 5th BDay 2014

Where is it written that I can't have two slide shows celebrating the same little guy and the same 5th birthday?  Is it a rule?  If so, I'm breakin' it!  Whoo Hoo!  Good Times at the Tulsa Zoo with my beautiful daughter and grandson.

Gavin Lee Warren 5th Birthday Party

True Story

True Story: Tarajean and Gavin pulled in the driveway for a quick chat last night. While Tarajean and I caught up on this week's events, Gavin asked if he could watch Star Wars on the DVD in the vehicle. But, funny thing? He asked his Mom to go straight to his favorite good part. The End. And when I say the end, I mean, the very end....the credits. And Gavin hums along with a zest and vigor to John Williams's theme song score. He watched and listened and hummed along to this part several times while Tj and I were chatting. Made me smile. AND reminded me to give a listen to this amazing composer again! Great way to start any Friday!  Enjoy!

day!

There's no place like home...

I think it's the coolest thing ever to pack up the car, fill the tank with gas, program the GPS and begin driving. Road trips are the best. And I cannot think of a better way to experience America. (Jeff might beg differ but this is a road trip, after all, not an Appalachian Trail trip.) This time I logged 2,750 miles and seven states.  Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Louisiana.

Of course, it's always nice to have a destination in mind and people waiting for me to arrive on the other end of the journey. Family. Friends.  

Jan and James.  Thanks for always having a room ready for me.  Our visits are always a balm for this girl's heart.  See you again in the fall!   Jessica.  What a great week we had, heh?  Working at the deli together, seeing Mandy in Concert, making several batches of tofu, walking to Indian Beach to see the sunset, hanging out on Lido Key, meeting new friends, entertaining and cooking for good friends.  Thank you.  And Christopher and Leigh.  What a perfect way to round out the trip.  Thanks for making it so easy to drop in, stay a couple nights, hang out, rest up and then finish out the rest of my journey back home. 

Home.  It really is where the heart is.  

Happy 26th Anniversary, Jeff!

Peppermint Squishy Goo

This project started out as a fun "SLIME" making activity while we had Gavin over for a long weekend.  I   made it once, years before, with Abram.  I don't remember it coming together this easily or with this same wonderful consistency.  So glad we came across this better, more refined recipe on the internet.  

I liked the feel of the slime so much and found playing with it so relaxing, I had to make another batch.  This time I wanted to figure out the recipe for a smaller, 1-cup batch, using a different color and while whipping it up, wondering aloud, would it work with a drop or two of essential oils? or mess up the science of the reaction between Glue and Borax?  Had to give it a try.

The results worked out so well, I published a ScanGuide with my step-by-step directions, for future reference.   A new name, new purpose, new color and SCENTED.  YAY!  Way YAY!

Check it out!

A day in the life...

One of the reasons we moved to Tulsa, was to be close to Tarajean, Paul and Gavin.  This is a blessing every day.  Even on the days when we are not in touch, we are close enough to be 'in touch.'  Such a difference this knowing makes.

Living close gives us the opportunity to spend quality time with Gavin.  This weekend, for example.  Tj and Paul are celebrating their anniversary and Jeff and I are on Babka and Hempi detail.  We love these times.  Sleeping in the 'big bed' or camping out on the floor in front of the fire, making SLIME or scented play dough, creating Valentine's for Gavin's classmates, fixing and eating meals together, watching PBS's Dinosaur Train  or Disney's Planes.  These are just a few of the many adventures we will share with Gavin.

Only a few months shy of five-years-old, we will squeeze as many experiences into this adorable four-year-old's life.  Today's adventures will become tomorrows' memories.

Artsy Schmartsy

Happy New Year!!  2014 has a particularly nice ring to it.  Here's to all of us;  to good health, prosperity and happiness.  Why not? 

I promised myself, like all good new years' resolutionists do, to finish up a couple of projects before diving into a bunch of NEW ones.  So, here's the first project finished.

This slide show began months ago.  I didn't have anyone waiting for it or anyone's birthday or anniversary to hurry it up for.  It was for me.  Ergo, no hurry.  Funny how that happens.  It also took an inordinate amount of time to cull through my digital files (ahhhh, I hear another project calling my name).  But it is wonderful to have these images all in one place.  Much like a photo album...but better because music sets a mood.

Speaking of music, this music turned out to be prophetic.  As mentioned before, I started this project months ago, to include the selection of music.  I have to have the music in mind prior to starting.  Both songs are from Sunday in the Park with George, a Stephen Sondheim fave of mine (thanks, Skippy, for giving me the album waaaaaay back in the day, for my 28th birthday--and I only remember this because I lived in that little place on 7th street, just off Harrison, for one year). 

The first song is from the original cast album of Sunday in the Park, featuring Mandy Patinkin and the chorus.  The second song is Barbra Streisand's version of "Putting it Together," from the same show.  

Fast forward to several nights ago.  My sister, Jessica, calls me and asks, "What are you doing on April 1st?"  I laughed.  Does anybody really know (what time it is) what they'll be doing four months out on a specific day?  Well, I sure don't but I went along for the fun of it.....'what am I going to be doing on April 1st?"  Turns out, Jessica bought us tickets to go see the amazing Mandy Patinkin at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota, Florida.

"White. A blank page or canvas...so many possibilities." - S. Sondheim, Sunday in the Park with George.

Merry Christmas!

Riverfield Museum Field Trip

Happy Birthday, Abram!

Happy Birthday, dear sister, Jessica!

My road trip last December, was a celebratory one.  I visited friends in Ozark, Alabama, was shown immense hospitality by Jan and Lames Lisenby, and traveled down to Navarre, Florida, to kibitz with my brother, Christopher, too.  Then, made the trek south and east to Sarasota to spend a few days with Jessica.  Between the two of us, we snapped lots of fun photos and the weather was the epitome of cooperation for beach time and the Selby Botanical Gardens, too.  I mean, December, really?  Divine on all levels.

The music selection for this was a bit problematic.  We are musical fools, our family, and love our 'tunes.'  So many, it was hard to choose.  For the longest time, I always felt I would use The Young Rascals It's a Beautiful Morning.  This is a song we use to listen to and sing while growing up at 'the farm.'.  But when I sat down to feel my way through the photos, it didn't make the cut.  Maybe another time, another slide show.  It's a gem and the words always fit my mood.  

Here's to us, Jessica...and the fun times we shared!  Happy Birthday to you, my dear....and many more!

Gratitude Mantra in a nutshell:

Love my Life....my Family...Blessed beyond measure...thinking World Peace!

Gavin & Babka Adventures

Adventures of Gavin & Babka

Gavin at the Tulsa Zoo

Just when the caterpillar thought her world was over...

...I love this!

Merry Christmas

 "Christmas Time is Here"
-from a Charlie Brown Christmas Soundtrack

Christmas time is here
Happiness and cheer
Fun for all that children call
Their favorite time of the year

Snowflakes in the air
Carols everywhere
Olden times and ancient rhymes
Of love and dreams to share

Sleigh bells in the air
Beauty everywhere
Yuletide by the fireside
And joyful memories there

Christmas time is here
We'll be drawing near
Oh, that we could always see
Such spirit through the year
Oh, that we could always see
Such spirit through the year...

Love this quote:

"One good wish changes nothing...

one good decision changes everything."

-Anonymous

Special Birthdays

For these very special people in my life

born on November 15th

Mom

 

Skip

and Leigh

Hope you all enjoy a glorious day and celebrate in the fashion that is your due.  I'm raising my cup to you all and toasting to your good health and prosperity!  Cheers!

Here's to us! 

Mammogram Day

Love these words:  "Everything looks good.  You're free to go!"  Everyone I've come into contact with at St. Francis is warm, courteous and professional.  I will return to my parking spot on the roof of the Natalie Building next week and follow up with Dr. Johnson.  As much as I like Dr. Johnson, I'm hoping our relationship is coming to a close.  These follow ups are growing fewer and fewer and I am so glad.

I'm wearing Tarajean Warren today.  Orange top and stretchy blue jeans given to me the last time I was over at Tj's house.  Got some other cute items:  tops, corduroys and a couple pair of skinny jeans, too. Thanks, Tarajean...your hand-me-downs are the best thing ever!