black, white, red, giraffe

At the moment I have a lot of black, white, and red happening in my house. 

I think my favorite thing from the garden this year are those twin-cherry tomatoes, so perfectly colored and shaped. Little gifts from a poorly tended garden. 

I almost didn't eat them they were so cute... but I did eat them. 

They were tasty.

This is a commissioned tea cozy, meant to be finished late last week. I'm struggling with the flowers. Not with the making, but with the size, the placement, the kind... it'll all come and fit together like it wants to be, but in the meantime I'll fuss... and then set it aside. Rearrange... then put away.  I know the moment will come, when I'll put it together and it will all be right... perfectionist? Nah. I like to think of it as art.

Speaking of art...

As a family we are working on a project this year that will require each of us to keep a composition book.

I've never liked composition books because they are so drab looking... so I've decided a little decoupage is in order... but first I needed to get the cover looking like I wanted it to.

Have you ever used Graphite paper? Its one of my very favorite crafting supplies (you can find it in the drawing and painting sections of craft stores.)

I used scrapbook paper to make my numbers and background, then I found my favorite computer font for the written word 'thanks'.

Then I placed the 'thanks' where I wanted it on the cover with the graphite (black side down) in between. 

 I traced over the letters with a pencil, checking twice that I'd gone over all the lines, its impossible to place in the same spot once you remove the graphite.

The graphite leaves a faint line.  I traced over the line with my favorite permanent marker (the one I hide in my office where no one can find it... I'm not even kidding.)

Then I used a glue stick to place the cover over the composition book. After I've given it a little time to dry I will Mod-Podge the cover so it all stays in place.

As a non-black/white/red side note:

You can also use graphite paper to trace onto canvas.

I am not the only one in this house that L-O-V-E-S graphite paper. The Girl is a big fan too. 

She is painting in the kitchen as I type.
I offered to put the easel on the floor so she could sit in the chair.
She declined.
Artists.

Last year a friend recommended the Color-Me-Online website. They have all sorts of printable animal drawings and famous masterpieces geared toward teaching your kids about art (and its free!) It is really a great website, good for artists of every age.

The Girl's first project was to print out  this black and white giraffe. 

I helped her transfer the giraffe with graphite paper and she set to work painting.

Isn't that fun?

Happy Tuesday!

Making, Doing, and Thinking: A Rambling Post

My apologies to those who visit the blog because I make things.

I know you have been sorely disappointed.

I've been so busy, you know. Laying around at the pool and chatting with girl-friends is seriously hard work.

Actually, this summer has been busy, but its been wonderful.  Its been a time to lay aside the fabrics and yarns to sit face-to-face with people I love. To pour tea, to laugh, to listen... to reconnect, heart-to-heart and enjoy the making and keeping of friends.

I have also enjoyed time to be with my kids... as their mom, apart from the role of educator. Its the same (after all ALL moms are their child's first and primary teacher in life!), and yet, so very different. I sometimes miss it during the school-year.

As a family we've had  a lot of cooking-out...

and eating al fresca... on the deck, yet in the Ring of Fire.

We have five citronella candles on the deck that we light. Its a win-win: they add ambiance, and the bugs stay away.

I do have a few projects on-the-hook. I'm in the middle of a Tea Cozy like this one...only in black/red/white. I'll be sure to post pics when its finished (its hard to photograph black yarn.)

I  had need of some color last night, so I took a black-yarn break and started this real quick before I went to bed....

I'm not sure what this will be, nor what I will do with it... but playing with my favorite colors makes me happy.

I've also been baking: banana bread, carrot-cake cookies, and bread.

I tried my hand at some Five Minute Artisan Bread...mine didn't turn out quite as pretty. But The Mister, said, "This is delicious, did you make it? It tastes like its from the bakery!" Which, as you can imagine, made me very happy...  Hopefully the next batch will look like it was from the bakery too.

My poor neglected garden is so sad. The rabbits ate all my cucumber, and my bell peppers have been poorly from the get-go.  But the tomatoes love this North Carolina heat. I picked three red ripe 'mater's yesterday, and ate them before I could take their picture.

I also had two green ones fall to the ground before their time. If I was a bettin' gal, I would say I see Fried Green Tomatoes in my future. (Can you believe I've lived in the south for nearly 15 years and have never had a fried green tomato?) Anybody got a good recipe?

My bee-lady (aka - local honey supplier - who is also my fresh chicken egg's lady) brought me a dozen yesterday.

I know they are just eggs... but look at how beautiful they are! You can't tell from the picture, but the white ones in the back row are actually blue. They are so fresh there is still a feather on one. Can you see it?

I haven't been as creative in the office this summer, but there has been more room to stretch, to think deeply, to ponder, to read.

This week I have been pondering this old hymn. The words are just so beautiful. So True.

May the mind of Christ my Savior

Live in me from day to day,

By His love and pow'r controlling

All I do and say.

May the Word of Christ dwell richly

In my heart from hour to hour,

So that all may see I triumph

Only through His pow'r.

May the peace of Christ my Savior,

Rule my life in everything,

That I may be calm to comfort

Sick and sorrowing.

May the love of Jesus fill me,

As the waters fill the sea;

Him exalting, self abasing, 

This is victory.

May I run the race before me, 

Strong and brave to face the foe, 

looking only unto Jesus

As I onward go.

The fourth verse is my favorite...

Summer... you are more than half-way through. Onward I go...making, doing, thinking.... stretching.  It all makes me happy.

For the Birds

Good mornin'!

I'm feeling a bit giddy this morning. Not sure if its the end of the second (18 oz) cup of coffee, or if its the copious amounts of decongestants I am currently taking....either way, I'm certain this post is about to be wide open and a bit unpredictable.

For instance, my chest is on fire.

Not literally on fire, but I have this horrible cough that has worsened each day. I sound like I've been smoking since I was 10. (And, please mom and dad, lets not go into that story when I tried smoking when I was 10 - the boys made me do it.)

Actually, I was more like 15 and I totally blamed my brothers. But here's the deal, they were 10 and 13 years old, and not smart enough to hide the evidence, so they got caught. Knowing they might rat me out, I confessed.

Plus, I didn't really smoke anyway. I didn't inhale.

I have cancelled all outings for today in an attempt to get well.

I should have done that yesterday, but I had to get the kids Easter clothes.

I love having both a girl and boy. Shopping for clothes is a comedy routine in action. The Girl is going from rack to rack, mixing and matching every combination of skirt and tops. She wonders if she should choose something more dressy, or go with something more spring-like so she can wear it more often.

The Boy walks over to two racks within arms reach of each other. He chooses a pair of cargo pants with one hand and a polo with another. Neither one match, nor are in his size, but he throws it in the cart and says, "This'll work, cuz i can ride my bike in these and not get too hot."

At this point The Girl walks up, her hands filled with 18 items of clothing and begins to let her brother know that those shorts, (although grey in color) has a "green tinge to it and simply won't work with that shirt."

This is where eye rolling commences.

I was dying with laughter, and my hackers cough.

We managed to get The Boy sorted out and purchased everything we needed. I am certain they will both look very nice for Easter Sunday.

Whelp, this post is kind of getting long, but I just have to share with you this new App my friend told me about last weekend: Chirp! Lite

Its a bird calling app and I can't be certain, but I think I may now be in a relationship with an Eastern Townee (or E.T.) He looks a lot like this:

(Photo by PIWO)

I do know that this sweet bird and I are on speaking terms because for the last four mornings I have taken my breakfast outside and used the app to call to E.T., and he flies to the tree in front of our home, and talks back!

I will admit, it feels a little scandalous to be talking with birds during the season of twitterpation (what movie does that word come from?) but the birds really do talk back.

Another free app I am really enjoying (and its also a website) is MyFitnessPal. Y'all know that I have struggled in the past with body image and food issues, but the truth is that I have put on a few pounds and my clothes are snug. It was time to find some accountability and get back into shape.

My friend (and accountability partner!) told me about MyFitness Pal and I have been keeping track for the last week or so and I LOVE it. My goal is to loose 1/2 - 1 pound per week. This is very slow, but I don't want to make myself crazy I just want to get back on track. If you happen to be a MFP user, my account name is: LVCG.

All righty, its time for some oatmeal and to hang out with E.T.

Happy Wednesday!

Random Thoughts from Kellie's Brain: Ancient History

In 20 minutes I'm going to be teaching on Ancient Greece to a handful of bright grammar students.

I really should have listened to Mrs. Rod when I she taught on Ancient History in the eighth grade.

I know she taught us all about the war of Marathon and about a guy named Xerxes; I am sure we read about conflict between the Greeks and Persians, but for the life of me, I cannot remember.

So, I'm learning all over again.

What I DO remember is going to retreat many, many years ago when my kids were babies. The speaker was the wife of a professor from Dallas Seminary. She had been married for many decades and was enjoying the retired years.

I have no idea what her theme was that weekend but I remember two things: That in her house, when she was raising kids and set boundaries that were of the utmost of importance, she told them they were bound by the "Law of the Medes and Persians," which meant that that rule could not, under any circumstances, be broken. Or else.

After studying ancient history this week, I finally I understand what she was talking about.

The second thing I took home from that weekend is probably the BEST piece of marital advice I have ever received: Feed your man.

She said that if you ever needed to tell him something important, or ask for something, or generally need him to be attentive...the best way to do that was to make sure his belly was full.

She was absolutely right.

That bit of advice will never be ancient history.

And that is this months installment of Random Thoughts from Kellie's Brain.

Grumbler or Lamenter

I've always been an optimist.

But lately....

I've found my heart being pulled by cynicism in times when contentment should reign.

I don't want to be a grumbler...but often when I experience a single hardship or inconvenience, or my life feels less than easy, I'm quick to grumble.

I do not want to allow grumbling to become a part of who I am. 

Why?

Because life can be genuinely hard. It's messy. In this world we will have trouble.

David, Job and Jeremiah saw trouble in their day.  What did they do?

They lamented.

I've been reading Helpful Truths in Past Places by Mark Deckard. He gives a great comparison between the Grumbler and the Lamenter that I thought I would share with you. 

I pray that on that day when real trouble comes I'm practiced in art of lamenting; That I wouldn't allow grumbling to be the catalyst which allows my suffering to be wasted. Grumbles are just empty words on the wind, but when I come to the Giver of all good things with my laments, I allow room for growth and strength, to the Glory of God. 

Happy Monday....

A Lot of Nothin'

Mark this day on your calendar.

I have nothing to say...

I think today may be an excellent day for Random Thoughts from Kellie's Brain.

1. I didn't clean my pantry yesterday. I did this instead....

(details to come)

2. Whenever I walk out of Costco my kids roll their eyes at me.


Why?

Glad you asked! When you push your cart full of super-sized bulk items to that nice lady who scribbles on your receipt, you'll pass some kiosk-like displays for tires, trips and flooring. You will see this picture:

When I lived in Texas I went to church and did ministry with the gal in this picture. She is in every Costco I have ever been in - Michigan, Arizona, Texas and North Carolina, just to name a few.  Every time we pass the picture I'll look at my kids and say, "Say hello to Sami!"* and the eyes start rolling.

So if you see her (picture), say hello... May those around you roll their eyes.

*Names have changed to protect those who don't know I am writing about them.

3. I'm trying a new recipe this week for Turkey burgers. It calls for pureed roasted eggplant. I'm not going to tell my peeps.

Of course, The Mister may read this before the burgers are served. In that case, I love you honey. And I'll serve a nice cold beer with the burger and you'll never know the difference...I hope.

4. Kona the Wonder-mutt is getting on my last nerve these days.  Not only did she steal an entire stick of butter off the counter (that was softening for a zuchinni bread recipe)yesterday, but she also took a peanut butter sandwich off of the table while we weren't looking and happily gobbled it up.  I assumed that she would have bathroom issues after all that grease and fat. But she's been fine. I had no idea when I rescued her eight years ago from the perils of the pound that I was adopting a goat.

5. I'm shivering. Its 125 bagillion degrees outside (with 200% humidity) and I am sitting here shivering?

All right, I'm done being random.

Now its your turn, tell me something random about you, and if you're a lurker, I'd love to hear from you!

How's that for random?

Random thoughts from Kellie's Brain...(5th ed. with links)

In the last 24 hours I have been to our local library eight times.

Since Monday I have been there fourteen times.

Just thought you might want to know. (How's that for random?)

Last week I said I would make my Friday posts short and sweet, and start linking up to other blogs or articles I have found interesting. So here they are:

#1 - For my peanut butter/chocolate fans I give you this exciting bit o' news. I am already wondering what wonderful Christmas morsels will be made with these babies...of course, when I find them I will certainly test them, for blogging purposes of course.

#2 - What are you doing for Father's Day? I am going to make my husband grill his own supper (he thinks fire and meat is the perfect holiday), while I set the table using these. I figure that eating hamburgers and potato chips will seem so fancy with fun folded napkins.

#3 What? Are there people out there who don't brush their teeth twice a day?

#3 - For three years I have said that I will make these Tote-able Towels. This may just be the year....

#4 - In five years of blogging, I had a "first" today. I was "recognized" at the gym by another mom. "Recognized" might be stretching it a bit because when we lived here the first time, her girls attended the school where I taught music. I had never met her before, but I did remember her sweet baby (who is a big girl now!)

She let me know that she had recently read my blog (she found it through a mutual friend on Facebook). She told me that she had been encouraged by a recent post. I was so glad she told me... and I have been thinking about it all day.

Why?

Well, because in my haste to get ready to go this morning I had accidently grabbed an old pair of yoga pants that have shrunk through too many washings (to say I looked ready for a flood would be an understatement.)

I hadn't showered and my eyebrows haven't been waxed in forever. Having just finished a very sweaty Zumba class, I was headed into another weight lifting class looking, well, sweaty.

In the grand scheme of things, I was not at my best.

Or was I?

It is my greatest desire to keep things real here. To be an encourager to those who walk the same road as a mother, a wife, a friend... a woman.

Every blogger hopes that that day will come when some "stranger" tells you they read your blog. You hope that it doesn't happen when you are in grocery store screaming at your kids, or when you've just walked out of the doctors office after a pap smear.

But those things are authentic, they're real. At least they are in my life.

I'm grateful that I could experience that moment in authenticity, because at the end of the day, its not about me.

So if you are a reader, and you happen to see me screaming at my kids in the frozen food isle, come on over and say "Hi!"

You'll totally make my day.

While I Can

~I woke up this morning to a very early thunderstorm...and a ten year old Girl in my bed.

She wasn't really afraid.

She just likes any opportunity to climb in bed with me.

There will be a day when she won't do that anymore.

So I'll take it when I can.

~ The Boy ran errands with me last week.

While walking through the parking lot that twelve year old took my hand.

He wasn't worried about being seen by his peers, or feeling that weird pre-teen ambivalence.

There'll be a day when he won't do that anymore.

So I'll take it when I can.

~ The Girl asked her Daddy if she would push her on the swing.

He was tired and it was muggy outside. The mosquitos were in full force.

But he looked at me and said, "There'll come a day when she won't want me to push her.

So I'll take it when I can."

~ I spent so much time looking forward to the day when they would walk, and talk, and play, and learn, and love.

Its here.

And its not enough.

So I'll laugh, and listen, and linger.

I'll pray...pray I don't let too many opportunities to spend time with them pass me by.

Cuz there will be a day when we can't do that as easily anymore...

...so I'll take it when I can.

The secret to happiness is not in having what you want,

but in wanting what you have.

~Barclay Goldmsith

People Who Need People

My heart has been full over the past few weeks and its been hard to put words to the feelings...but I'm going to try.

I have been keenly aware of the impact of "people" in my life. People that I feel so grateful to know.

Many of them would never even know the impact they have, or have had, upon my heart. They would have no clue as to the profound ways they have encouraged me to persevere, to think differently, or to try new things. They don't know how they have been a catalyst in the molding and shaping of the woman I am, and the woman I am becoming.

I spent time tonight going back through the archives of the blog, and I realized that many of the posts I've written have been influenced by those who walk(ed) through life beside me.

Then I read some of the comments you and others have written in response to these posts. Those comments have encouraged me, enabled me, and gave me something to laugh about when I needed it. You have shared your struggles and your joy. You have commiserated and cheered, and I am just so glad to know you through this crazy community we call the "net".

I am not certain why I felt like I needed to write this except that often times we don't get the opportunity to say thank you to people who influence us.

It's been said that it takes a village to raise a child. I am so grateful that while I was growing up, and now as I raise children of my own, I have had my fair share of strong, brave, smart and beautiful women who have, and still do, influence my life (both in this community and in my "real-life" community), and I am exceedingly grateful.

~~~

I'd love to hear about someone who has influenced you. Was it a teacher, a neighbor, a friend in college?