Hot air balloons

A little known secret of mine is I have a thing for hot air balloons. Now, just to be clear, I don't yearn for a ride in a hot air balloon - I just love the idea of them. To go someplace like New Mexico where they gather and all take off together would be a wonderful experience. Imagine the pictures I could get! I like to sprinkle them around in my artwork too, just to remind myself that they are uplifting, silent, looking down on the countryside. They are a kind of symbol of peace and contentment to me.

So, today when I was at Goodwill, I spotted this bowl from quite a ways away. Its big, maybe a fruit bowl, it has images of fruit around the edge. Then, as I got closer I saw it had those primitive houses and country scenery that I like too...when I picked it up and saw it had hot air balloons flying over the rooftops, I could not resist it! Then, the icing on the cake (sort of) was today was Senior Day and I got 10% off as well!

Today is the first day of Spring, and although its cold and wet and feels more like winter, I have seen bright yellow skunk cabbage in bloom on the side of the road, the pink plum blossoms are showing themselves, I see yellow daffodils and purple heather in bloom and Camellia bushes showing their pink flowers. At my house the Lenten Roses (hellebore) have been blooming for weeks. I'm looking forward to sketching hikes (and Phil thought my taking photos slowed him down!).

Collecting

Collecting things...

I love cigar boxes...I can't resist when I see one I like! When I was in Minnesota, Carissa gave me two of these - the third one I bought at a thrift store. heh heh...now I have other people collecting for me too.

I love the fascinating designs...

The cedar-y smell,

The stamps that look like money! The details are endlessly fascinating to me.

Also collecting baby smiles! Little Wyatt has been sick, but now he's feeling better.

Having fun playing with his toys...

chortling and singing...

...making his grandma feel special.

What do you collect?

October 12, 2009

Here is my collection of cigar boxes: I have things in them like special envelopes, art pens, special stickers, tags, etc. On the shelf below, those pretty boxes hold decks of cards, alphabet stickers, postage stamps (for art purposes) and cards I have already made. The books in between are for (gasp) cutting up and using in art!

We went on a little outing today to Tacoma. We had a nice lunch in a Mexican Restaurant. (I was too shy to take photos, but it was really cute-ly decorated - dark red walls and lots of paintings, flowers, etc. all over) But I wasn't too shy to take this photo of this gigantic be-jeweled fish!

Its gotten pretty cold here, so we have a nice fire in the wood stove. I made an easy quiche for dinner and our kitty is actually sitting on Phil's lap!

Sunday, October 4

Today is Phil's birthday and we celebrated in several ways, but one thing we decided to do was go to the Nisqually Bird Refuge and go for a hike. You know me, I am always trying to get myself into my photos, and I think this is about the best shot yet! It was such a beautiful day, sunny and relatively warm (62 degrees). We did not see many birds - except hundreds of geese! It was still a fun walk and a good chance to get outside on a nice day. All around the Bird Refuge there were these painted plywood fish, painted by children and stuck along the roads and sidewalks everywhere. I think there were as many fish as geese! They were cute and I got a shot of these few.

We also took a side trip to Borders and came home to make a Mexican dinner. We had a great telephone visit with Walker this morning too. He sounds great and is enjoying school, both socially and academically. I made pumpkin pies for Phil's birthday instead of cake (his request!). His birthday always kicks off our Fall to New Years events and parties: Phil's birthday, my birthday, lots of other birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and then we can start looking forward to spring!

I Seem to have brassieres on my mind! Yesterday I went to Goodwill looking for a certain size picture frame (didn't find one) and while I was there Vicki called me on my cell phone and we chatted for a few minutes. When she heard I was in Goodwill, she asked me to do her a favor and see how much their bras were, as her daughter (in college) is looking for some bras for an activity for the girls in her dorm (at CWU) to decorate and maybe wear outside their clothing for breast cancer awareness month! These are what I found for her. They were both surprised (stunned?) to find I had just decorated a purple bra myself! However, I won't be wearing mine under or over anything! Here are some other treasures from my shopping expedition: Anne of Green Gables doll - I was inspired by Tirzah's before and after doll makeover and have been looking for one to do myself! This is a very sweet faced vinyl doll with a cloth body. Her hair is pretty good and she has her boots, socks, bloomers, and dress. I didn't know her name, I just liked the doll, but noticed a name after I got home. I also found two cigar boxes. I like to use them for storing things in my craft room. One wooden one (a real treasure) and one that looks like cardboard, but it is wood underneath the paper. The doll was $2.99! Ooops, you can see a little bit of my messy messy room in the background!

Isn't this an interesting image?

This is the top of the other cigar box. I've never seen cigar boxes at Goodwill before. I also bought a home made pottery cup, to put on my studio windowsill with "somethings" in it.

September 9, 2009

Purchases at Thrift stores: Seashell basket for my downstairs bathroom, and this cute plate for inspiration in my craft room.

Today is 9-9-09. I didn't know it was a "special" day until a friend sent me an e-mail with a link to the big deal people are making over it.