For Mother’s Day USA style (UK Mother’s Day was in March and yes, my Mum gets both!), my boys got to do the choosing. They had free run of my beads and chose a lovely, colorful pile. My part was to make a double wrap bracelet out of the selection. The result was a daughter grandson collaboration! Mother’s Day bracelet
I got dragged down to the woods this morning by Bodhi to go on an adventure. Wellies on and we were on a mission to find the ‘cabin’ otherwise known as the ‘creepy cabin’ at the side of the creek. We paddled a short way down the rather stinky creek and there it was….the creepy cabin, complete with a brown and crispy Christmas wreath. The Cabin in the woods The Creeeeepy Cabin in the woods Boots are way too big, but waterproof! ‘Chicken Mushroom’ – edible, but not eaten, well not by us anyway Blueberry Scones But, before all of the adventuring, I made some scones! Blueberry Scones 3/4 cup heavy cream …
Sometimes getting children to school is what I would think herding cats is like. They know where they are going, but one will run off ahead just as I turn to check behind me. The other is engrossed in a squashed something, or gathering a very interesting stick downed by the last storm to lighten the trees en route. It wouldn’t surprise me to find one ‘cat’ up a tree while the other is chasing a ball of string. They do invariably get to school and I assume into the correct classroom. Which must make me a very successful cat herder. Once I had delivered the cats to school I hopped off to the gym, then up to the library to collect Wallace and Gromit (World of Invention – can’t wait to watch it!) and to return Lana (Del Ray) and Madonna. Back to Brentwood on the Metrolink where I took my Hipstamatic Daily photo under the title ‘Inspiration’ We Me Whee (!) Once I found ‘We’ I just couldn’t stop myself! Inspiration in the …
Another boiler in the weather department yesterday. Water balloons were all been filled and thrown, the boys were soaking wet all day and the washing line was full of rotating wet swim shorts and t shirts. In the afternoon we went to the ‘Antiques Mall’ which is always an adventure. I learnt that old Mason jars are expensive, and I am glad I pick mine up from yard sales! Bodhi got a bag full of little cars (not sure of their antique-ness) and I took some photos of treasures I could only admire from afar. China Doll’s heads China tea set fit for a Teddy Bear’s Party Little bit creepy…china heads in a jar Lovely pattern on an old baking pan Pattern on a giant tin Lovely big jar of marbles
I am a super proud jewellery designer to have my jewels at http://www.screamingmimistl.com. The store is on Sutton Blvd in Maplewood and it is a positive trove of treasures! All hand made and local fabulousness. I mean, just look at this amazing window display ‘Creativity Hatching’. ‘Creativity Hatching’ by Screaming Mimi Brand new cocktail rings by catseatdogs at Screaming Mimi I can’t just drop off jewels at this place, I have to wander around the small but perfectly formed shop to see what is new and who is willing to pose for a photo, look who I found…. Unicorn A birdy checking out vintage playing cards Gargoyle style heads by Hannah Montford
My first job today was to plant lots of these windmills all around the paths at school for field day. I snapped this one before they got a good washing from the rain and storms which were coming. Windmill before the rain The day well and truly started with a bang, a thunder clap actually! Followed by another and another… We waited out the big black, party pooping storm and resumed in the afternoon. By which time it was nice and steamy outside. Ideal for running around a giant parachute with lots of small energetic children! Parachute fun The kids ran races, threw baseballs for all they were worth, jumped long and high. Ribbons were won and faces were red and everyone had a grand old time! ‘We are Family’ Probably the only shirt which is worn to be drawn and written on! Field day and all of it’s celebration, in a cardboard box
May 2 2012 Hipsta Challenge something I adore This is Pickle having a photo shoot on the porch, as it is his favourite place when it is hot. No air conditioning for this feline, he likes it hot!
Happy May Day! Remember dancing round the Maypole, skipping along, avoiding the boys and trying not to tie anyone in a Maypole knot? May is my favourite month, usually warm but not evil and everything is growing and blooming. Counting down to the end of the school year, always seems like a fun thing until about 5 minutes into the first day of the summer! Another of my favourite things is iPhone photo apps and iPhonography. I have a page of photo apps on my phone and love them! From Halftone comic effects to the Snapseed filters. The ones I use most are Instagram because of the on the spot filters and Hipstamatic for its heady array of films and lens options to play with. I am a mite late as it is already May, but I stumbled across ‘Hipstaday’ today. It gives you a theme or a film/lens combo to create your ‘photo of the day’. Fun! So, here is today’s picture…. Wacky
Our whole street looks like the trees up and down it exploded. There are leaves everywhere, each grey roof has an even covering of downed leaves. Storms came racing through, tornado sirens yelled at us to head to the basement and we still got a pizza delivered! Poor guy looked horrified as it was pitch black and hailing when he arrived. It was only 6pm and should really have been daylight, even fading daylight would have been acceptable. Pizza was successfully delivered and he scuttled back to his car with the pizza bag for shelter! The hail sounded as if it was determined to break any windows in it’s path. No windows broken but it left lots of piles of icy pebbles. Hail is amazing stuff, takes ages to thaw and has wonderful patterns to each little vicious round piece. Some clear, opaque, translucent and some all of the above in one rock hard, ice stone. I wish I could make beads like the hail, each different but a collective brilliance. Wonderous Hail I want these …
Bargains to be had at the Mid County Y this morning at their garage sale. We came away with a box of ‘house building’ Lego with a few random mini toy animals thrown in there! Lego is a rarity at yard or garage sales so I handed over my $5 and snaffled the goods. We now have a higgledy piggledy Lego house with garden and picket fence on the dining table. Onto the opening of ‘Five Below’ to get some ‘series 7’ Lego mini figures. Max has been eyeing them through the soon to be open store window for a week or so now. Today was the day to park ourselves in front of the shelf stuffed with all manner of ‘mystery’ bags of Lego, Playmobil and Squinkies to name but a few. All of which are waiting to disappoint and infuriate as your kid gets the one he absolutely doesn’t want! I am highly trained in the vague but essential art of feeling the itsy bitsy bags of bricks and accessories. Decide which figure …
Clare Davis Etheridge 