America now...

In my background noise...I am listening to stories about Americans struggling with a variety of financial woes.  As a woman making many changes myself... I can understand the humiliation and anxiety these families are enduring.  The courage to keep moving forward...and know there are many families walking difficult paths.  Ken has a holiday reprieve from radiation  on Monday...Labor day and I can honestly share this respite is welcomed by both of us.  We are both tired...and a small time out is a gift.  I realize as I pack up my kitchen...plan and wash for the bedroom set ups ... the arranging of a very small kitchen...and even more scary is the fact that the house is carpeted with white carpet.  Yes... I know this is going to be a challenge...life takes a dancing turn for the future.  But with a coat of paint...and taking one day at a time...we will add out own sense of colors and warmth.

This morning I worked with my artists.... down at Dawes Arboretum in the Learning garden.  They were enjoying collecting flower petals to add to their handmade papers ...plus harvest the mixed greens...and delicious tomatoes...for a lunch salad.  Laura had made zucchini muffins with one of their harvested vegetables...and they were so moist and delicious.  We made new handmade papers...pressed out flower petals...and next week we will add them to their paper.  The temperatures were close to the 90 's and the humidity made it a bit uncomfortable ...but the laughter continues as we all work together.  The gifts ...from special hearts... looking into their trusting eyes and an occasional hug renewed my tired heart.  I came home and had an ear of sweet corn and fell asleep for over 2 hours.  Thank you Ken...I know it is a combination of things pulling my energies ... but tomorrow we will work here and make do with the energies we have to share in preparation.

Yesterday Ken and I took care of the three grands while Mom and Dad attended the Fall Open house for Cole and Morgan.  It was a pizza night ...then time to sketch and draw on the kitchen table.  Cole and Morgan were delighted to just draw their own kitten subject... with water color crayons...then adding sketch texture marks with layers of crayons.  We were enjoying our quiet time together and quiet talks about all of the changes that would be coming.  Looking into the eyes of my beloved children... eases the moments of change.  I think you can see in the photographs...the loving trust and soft breathing and giggles...we celebrated with some homemade raspberry pie and vanilla ice cream.  Life could not get any better!  Peace.

first we sat down and played with with art materials....

 I amnot sure what I was saying...

 Morgan began gently adding her design elements while Cole studied where the position of the eyes and nose might be on our kitten...

 Cole is deep into the sketch...and learning how to make his fur look soft and fluffy....

 we all were using Underwent watercolor crayons..sketch first...then with a magic touch...of water...the painting becomes alive...

 I demonstrated the sketchy approach to my outline...and I confessed that drawing kittens was not an easy thing to do....

 Mr. Lyndon sat quietly playing his Minion game on his I Pad...he had chose a book to read with Grandpa...Never Let a Pigeon Drive the Bus....

 I think Morgan is pleased with her paintings...

 I enjoy the freedom and abandonment a child possesses when they really enjoy their sketching...

 Cole is working on his tree...the first changes of Fall are becoming evident...

 By jove...I think Cole has got it!

 He added legs and a story to his sketch...and enjoyed his tree representation...

 Now the young ones ...are busy teaching me about I Pads.........

 Cole and I returned to our sketches....

 we employed the crayon carousel and markers....

 I think my kitten looks very puppy like...........

 a green folder to protect his sketches......

 Cole wants to show his Dad his newest works.......

 we are using our imagination ...bright colors  can make it well just exciting.......

 This young man is changing the world...

 then Cole decided to research more animals for us to sketch....

 a bedtime story...or two...or three...

Super heroes are still popular!  Sweet dreams little ones. 

I hope you have shared your passion with a young heart...it is never about perfection as much as embracing time and process. together.   Imagine and Live in Peace,  Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

a great day...with great finds....great deals...and finally a haircut....

I met with another artist this morning...she is downsizing her in-laws condominium after a death in the family.I found two extra long twin beds and a bedside table and chest of drawers ...so she threw in a wicker chair that I will be painting in the near future...for free.  The mattresses are firm and should be inviting as the artist come to retreat here in my cabin...Whispers and Echoes Studio.  I have some exciting news...but it is still in the dream stage ...but it would be a dream come true to bring in some of the artists I have connected with through my blog posts. 

I then went to pick up a bit of this and bit of that at Hobby Lobby.  I love shopping their Clearance wall in the back of the store.... so many possibilities and options to play with and not have to spend a lot of moo la!  I found a wonderful paint brush for pennies... I can hardly wait to use it on my painting for the FUR Ball auction in September.  I spoke to the coordinator tonight and we will connect after 9/10/13.  Ken called me to let me know our closing is going back to next Friday 9/6/13.... the previous owner is still on her honeymoon in Europe.  I was so ready to get back into the house this Friday...but this gives me time to continue my selections for the new small "Grandma" house that is only minutes away from the grand children.

I then met with my hair stylist...at Walmart...so fancy!  She does an amazing job and I told her I really missed her when she was on vacation.  I came very close...scarily close to whacking my hair off to a boyish bob hair cut...the humidity today was extremely high and my head was very HOT! 

I then made my "senior citizen" rounds to Goodwill and St. Vincent 's Thrift store and found some very exciting buys for 25% off their prices. Then at TJ MAXX I found pillow shams in bright colors down to $3.00 from $36.00....some Ralph Lauren napkins  in a summer white ...4 for $3.00.  And all summer I have lusted for a pair of comfortable Born sandals that were originally $65.00 ...and today I bought them for $10.00.  This is a great day...a haircut...and bargains for the new house.  They are now packed in the big plastic bins and ready to move!

I am going to share a few of the birthday boy on his special third birthday on Monday!  Lyndon Allen just makes me smile...the innocence of a three year old....pure childhood optimism and LOVE. 

This is a serious 2 person job...icing and lots of sprinkles.....

 Nana is having dinner with us because Papa is in Cincinnati....

 I think the little man did a very nice job.....

 Big brother Cole is home from school and ready to assist in this project......

Now the beautiful sister Morgan Elizabeth stops by to get in on the FUN......

 Hey Grandpa found a watermelon that looks like a football!!!!!!!!!!!

 Yummy yummy yummy!  Do you think we have enough sprinkles???

 the excitement is building....

 then the I pads CAME OUT... and the Minions were Kings of the house.....

 Grandpa is slicing the football...no I mean the watermelon we got at the farmers market......

 Look at the wonderful birthday LOOT Nana found for Lyndon...candy candy candy.... and Bubble GUM!  She is the best Nana!

 Morgan is working on her Math pages...and Momma Erin is checking to see if Dad will be able to get home in time for dinner....working at the hospital is unpredictable for residents......

 Cole enjoys some quiet time with his I pad!

 Guess who got home in time for the Birthday???   Super Dad!!!!!

 Look at that fork he picked out...I do wonder what he is thinking?

 Now can I blow the candles out??? 

 We have to sing Happy Birthday first......

 Delicious cupcakes and ice cream..........

Well it is the icing that Lyndon Loves the very most.......

 Dr. Dad helps Miss Morgan with her atomizers .... the excitement was just too much FUN!

 I had to sneak this one in....blurry but I love these kids........

 Thomas the Train wrapping paper......

 Nana helps to open the container of...bubble gum for the new bubble gum machine...every time he uses the potty...he gets a penny...and for a top job he gets two pennies!

 Grandpa wrapped up a baggie of pennies to get him started with his bubble gums......look at his little hands...when can I put a penny in???

 Now everyone gets to put a penny in............

 Happiness is chomping chomping chomping on bubble gum...........

Oh yes there is more in the birthday card...his very own gift card for Toys R Us  from Nana!!!!

 Nana found a card that turns into an airplane!  Yippee!!!!!!

 more gum please????

 and a brand new carousel of markers.........

 Now Grandpa you need to help me color.............look at the wad of bubble gum inside his mouth.........

 the Buddy Boys make a pretty picture.......

 It is hard for me to believe that the little man is three years old already...I better hold on while I can..........

 The airplane art works continue...everyone here likes to color together.....

 Remember when a fishing pole...a gum ball machine that works on a penny....a Cowboy birthday card... and Now Lyndon has his very own name plate for his bedroom...

dad finally gets to  eat dinner...well sort of.  The little ones love sharing with their Dad! 



Remember to celebrate the heart moments in your life while you can!  Imagine and Live in Peace. 
Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart