for somebunny special...

One of the things on my list of things to make for Easter was a bunny finger puppet. Well, several actually...for a few of the little people in my family. So yesterday I got the first one made, and this is him getting some attention from Grace. I cut it out of glitter felt, using my favorite scallop scissors, and just stitched it up. The boys will get ones with blue stitching instead of pink. Really easy, but I think it's cute. Plus it makes a nice break from other work, without taking up too much time.

green with contentment...

Ahh, the smell of fresh paint and flooring! My office is now a lovely shade of green. I nearly chose a green that seemed nice, but I discovered that the name was "La Fonda Grassy Knoll." The last thing I wanted was to look at my walls and think of Napoleon Dynamite. Instead I settled on a shade called "Moss 4", which sounds like a planet or space ship from Star Wars. The color reminds me of a green tea kind of color, or perhaps bamboo leaves. Which brings me to...

...the bamboo on my floor. I gotta tell you, I love it. Some years ago, I heard about bamboo flooring, and now that it's more easy to find (and less expensive), it's the floor in my office. It's unique, smells great, and works well with the Craftsman/Japanese look I'm going for.

I'm content knowing that the work is coming along. That, and the creamy color of my ceiling (and the almost all of the other rooms in the new addition) are called "Contentment."

drawing up a list...

I decided that I would try drawing my list of things that I need to work on in the next two weeks. You know, things like treats for when a friend visits and Easter, little goodies to give to brothers and sisters, and some new little illustrations that I'd like to make into fun stuff. I thought that seeing doodles of the "work" I have ahead would make it fun and friendly. And it did.



The only thing is, a few things now fills a whole page. And that doesn't include the real work I have to do. Like cleaning, getting things back into pre-construction placement, and yes, I'm STILL painting.

radio...my style...

My friend just told me about a website called Pandora. They create customized radio stations for you, based on an artist or song that you like. Just type in the artist or song, and they start playing things that have a similar sound. If it matches well and you like it, give it a thumbs up. If it just doesn't work for you, give it a thumbs down. It uses that info to make the station match up even more with your tastes.

Some artists that we tried, like The Shins, didn't work as well...they have such a unique sound. But others, like Jack Johnson or Iron & Wine, were practically perfect! I'll be doing a lot of Pandora listening for two reasons: First, I know that it will fit my style, and Second, it's a great way to find new artists that you may not have found otherwise. Give it a try!

seeing the future...

Among the attic findings, we found this little book that goes along with "Tell Your Fortune Tea." The booklet gives suggestions to get started, such as "give your imagination free play," and putting yourself into a "child-like" frame of mind." It then goes on to list many images that may be seen in the tea leaves and what each means. The last few pages list different kinds of Ming teas that the Stephen Leeman company made. Here's a few symbols and their fortunes:

Fan: You are soon to be showered with attentions.

Dove: The person who will most influence your life will be a Quaker.

Faces: A photographer is on his way to you.

I'm not really into fortune telling, or anything like it (I'll admit that as a child I had a fascination with fortune telling fish), but I love this little book. And here I thought it was gross when there was "stuff" in the bottom of my coconut chai tea!

worth a thousand words...

While going through things from the attic, we found many old photos that we inherited. Even though I/we don't know who everyone is in these pictures, I treasure them. Some offer inspiration, and I'll be trying to recreate the pattern of wallpaper I spotted in the background of a snapshot. Others are little bits of history. My history.

The posed pictures are adorable, often with people sitting or standing in a yard, as that gentleman is. The little women in these just amuse me. So does the molded food on the table. And the top picture appears to my mom and I, to be from a boat trip to Sweden. The woman in the middle is my great grandmother, Mollie.

questions...

I must be on a Jack Johnson kick. As I've been painting, I've been listening. And the song "Questions" got me thinking.

Questions, I've got some questions
I want to know you
But what if I could ask you only one thing
Only this one time, what would you tell me?
Well maybe you could give me a suggestion
So I could know you, what would you tell me?
Maybe you could tell me what to ask you
Because then I'd know you, what would you tell me?

This is interesting, because if someone could tell you what one thing to ask them, it would tell as much about the person as the answer to the question. What would I tell someone to ask me? I'm still pondering.

If I could ask you only one thing, what should I ask you?

he makes me smile...

Jack Johnson.

Need I say more?

visions of green baked goods...

I was thinking that it would be fun to make Pot O' Mold cookies, but the idea of eating something with mold in the title wasn't too appealing. Instead I make traditional shamrocks, but with smiles.



Also, with the leftover frosting, that was just too yummy to throw out, I frosted some "Contented Cupcakes." Isn't it funny how everything looks cuter with a little face on it?



Must...resist...eating...them...all...

painting...

...and not creatively. In fact, I can't remember the last time I pulled out my watercolors. Hmm, I think I should do that.

No. I've been painting plain old white primer on, what seems like, many walls, ceilings and closets. It can be hard work, but there's something almost relaxing about it. Being alone, listening to music and making everything white...I'm enjoying it. Plus, I know that some color will go on soon. Followed by a bit more creativity.

a meditation...

"Could there be a period of dryness in our life? Tirelessly, God is seeking us. And we discover him as if for the first time. Even when he is rejected, he never refuses to remain alongside us. And like the almond tree that begins to blossom in the light of springtime, he makes even the deserts of our soul burst into flower."

From the book:
Peace of Heart in All Things
by Brother Roger of Taizé

This isn't the kind of thing that I normally post here, but this meditation from the Taize website really hit me. Lately this has been a period of blossoming faith for me, yet I am always so encouraged by this idea, that God is always, always there alongside me. Alongside everyone, just waiting for them.