Sky Watch Friday

In honour of Canada Day July 1st and Independence Day July 4, I had to show fireworks from our nation's capital, Ottawa. Prince William and his wife are in Ottawa for Canada Day - what a zoo that will be. I'll watch on TV thank you!

Happy Canada Day!

Happy Independence Day!

Be sure to visit the participants of SWF here.

Wishcasting Wednesday

At Wishcasting Wednesday, Jamie Ridler asks another probing question:

What do you wish to a break from?

As the school year comes to an end, I am so glad to be coming to the end of alarm clocks, paperwork, annoying parents, misbehaving kids, making bagged lunches.

I will be taking a break from school routines and will be looking forward to solidifying healthy ones.

I will be taking a break from daily stresses as well.

I wish I could take a break from daily physical pain - it is always with me. I hope to seek alternatives and be more active.

As Jamie says:

"You can be a maker of magic and a tender of wishes. It’s easy. Answer the wish prompt above on your blog. Support wishes by visiting other participants. It’s that simple. There is great power in wishing together."

Summer of Colour - Pink

This past week has gone quickly and busily. Last full week of school! Now only 4 more days to go!

I worked a bit on the "Summer of colour" challenge this weekend - pink was the week's colour. I do love this colour but was a bit surprised that I did not have many pinks in acrylic paints.

I did my usual - colour collage of different pieces cut from magazines and then playing with paint. (the colours are off - these really are meant to be pink!)

(adding white paint a bit at a time to the strips at the right)

(with acrylic paints and an old credit card)

(this was with watercolours - and it really was pink!)

Be sure to check out the others at "Twinkle Twinkle" for their responses to the pink challenge.

The postal strike is still on and so I have not been working on ATCs. I seem to need that deadline!

The gov't, in their infinite wisdom, passed a bill on Saturday ordering the postal union back to work, but with conditions that are less than were offered by Canada Post. The unions in this country will not be pleased at this blatant attack on unions. Harper has his majority - he is determined to steamroll what he wants through parliament. (Sorry! This is a bit of a rant! - I have been writing several letters to the editor this week!)


Photography

I have been out with my camera - the flowers are gorgeous right now as are the skies. I love the drama of clouds and there have been plenty!

(Flowers from our gardens)

Artist's Way Contract

It is time to commit to the Artist's Way. I have started several times - I want to finish it now!

Paula of "HappySnappy" has started a blog read of "The Artist's Way" (by Julia Cameron).

The first step is to sign the contract and commit to an intensive journey through the 12 chapters of the book.

The Introduction had us begin the habit of writing morning papers and having an artist date each week. I haven't achieved the 3 pages a day yet (I fit in some writing whenever I can), but as school finishes this week, I aim to faithfully do those pages each morning. The artist's dates have been finding a bigger chunk of time to create art.

The contract can be found on page 23.

At 12:58 a.m. Sunday, I signed the contract - ready to begin this adventure!

Chapter 1 starts Monday June 27. If you want to join, there will be lots of support here.

Shadow Shot Sunday

Pursuing shadows has been a most enjoyable adventure. You never know when you will find shadows, especially when the sun is not cooperative! I set out to photograph more lovely flowers this past week and found shadows> So here are a few flowers and shadows to enjoy:

Be sure to check out "Hey Harriet", the home of Shadow Shot Sunday for great shadow-chasers!

Thanks Tracy for such a fun meme!

Getting toknow - Me

Even though I am a teacher, mention education and have that word in my heading, I have not actively pursued teaching blogs until recently. The new blog- read coming up on "The Book Whisperer" intrigues me and I am looking forward to joining in.

At "The Thinking of Teaching" blog, there was an interesting interview with Donalyn Miller (author of the Book Whisperer). & questions were asked of her. Then it was turned around, asking readers to respond to the questions as well. So here goes:

1) What is your favourite book (or series) from childhood?

One of my favourite books from childhood was Anne of Green Gables. I always sought a "Kindred spirit" after that. I read most of her other books as well. I loved "Elsie Dinsmore" as well.

2) What is your favourite book (or series) now?

I have read all of the books by Sue Grafton and eagerly await the next in the series. I enjoy a number of series: Kathy Reichs, Diana Gabaldon, JK Rowling, and Jodi Piccoult. But every book I read becomes a new favourite. There are so many great authors and books to read.

3) What is your opinion of e-readers?

I still love to hold a book, physically turn the pages, hold it. I like to mark special passages, and write in the date read. An e-reader just seems too impersonal. I can't imagine curling up on the couch with an e-reader.

4) Finish this sentence: "On Sundays I like to..."

On Sundays I like to read, visit friends, but mostly, relax.

5) Describe yourself in 5 words!

Teacher - reader - artist - caring - patient

6) Hardcover or paperback? Why?

If it is a fast read or holiday read, then a pocketbook. But If I know I will keep it, and savour it, then a hardcover.

7) Coffee or Tea?

Tea for sure. I don't drink coffee at all! A cup of tea at the start of the day and after supper relaxes me.

If you would like to answer the questions, pick them up here and then post your response there as well.

Sky Watch Friday

With the awesome clouds this week, I had to take part in Sky Watch this week. It has been so hectic the past few weeks, and I've missed playing. But I am still taking sky shots!

(5:00 pm today)



(8 am this morning)

Be sure to check out the wondrous skies at Sky Watch Friday!

Wishcasting Wednesday

Once again Jamie of Jamie Ridler Studios asks us a question for "Wishcasting Wednesday":

What do you wish for this summer?

This past month I began a 100 day renewal - good health practices, more creativity, decluttering. For this summer, I want this to be my focus as I get on track for better health. My wish for this summer as well is to be wide awake to every opportunity for experiencing new things and to meet new and old friends.

A Jamie says:

"You can be a maker of magic and a tender of wishes. It’s easy. Answer the wish prompt above on your blog. Support wishes by visiting other participants. It’s that simple. There is great power in wishing together."

Sunday Wrap-UP and Summer of Colour

(From our garden this week)

This has been a week of not much art. As the school year comes to an end, final marking and report cards have been consuming my time. I am almost done!

I haven't even been creating ATCs, as Canada Post is on strike - so mail won't be going anywhere!

I was also able to play with some paint this afternoon as I waited for my husband's children and grandchildren to arrive for a Father's Day barbecue.

This week we were working on green for "Summer of Colour" at "Twinkle Twinkle". As I did last week, I did a colour collage with magazine cutouts and changing colour values.

Then I played with different green acrylic paints. I will be using these for backgrounds for ATC s and other projects.

It will be interesting to see what everyone does this week.

One of my passions has been to take photos - two of my favourite subjects are skies and flowers. Here are a few shots from this past week.

Shadow Shot Sunday

I almost didn't post for SSS - I've been working on report cards since 10 this morning, with just a couple of snack breaks. But at 4 I needed more than that. The outdoors was calling- it is warm and sunny out. So I walked around the gardens, with my camera of course. And lo and behold, but what should I see? Shadows of course! And, of course, I had to share them.

Be sure to visit the awesome shadow-chasers at Hey Harriet, the fun meme created by Tracy!

Wishcasting Wednesday

Today at Jamie Ridler Studios, Jamie asks another of her penetrating, thought-provoking questions:

What delights do you wish for?

Perfect timing for this question as the school year comes to a close and summer holidays begin.

I hope to delight in:

Long days of doing what I choose to do, when I choose to do it

Enjoying a leisurely cup of tea in the morning with a good book

Hours of creating and photographing

Long visits with my daughter and friends

Having no time-clock to govern my schedule

Enjoying the beauty of the garden while I read and catch a few rays

Enjoying a cooler with a barbecue meal more often

Daily swims at the local pool with my hubby

Visits to the open-air markets on a regular basis and enjoying the fresh produce daily

Taking weekly day trips with my hubby to enjoy what our area has to offer

It comes down to really using all my senses to enjoy this freedom of 2 months and to experience as much as possible.

As Jamie says:

"You can be a maker of magic and a tender of wishes. It’s easy. Answer the wish prompt above on your blog. Support wishes by visiting other participants. It’s that simple. There is great power in wishing together."

ABC Wednesday - V is for Vancouver and Victoria - of course!

V is our focus this week at ABC Wednesday - that fun meme that romps through the alphabet each week.

V is most definitely for:

Vancouver, Vancouver Island and Victoria - all in beautiful British Columbia. If you have never been, they are all must sees. I visited all three 2 years ago and I can't wait to go back! Here are a few photos from that trip.

(Vancouver)

(Stanley Park, Vancouver)


(View from Granville Island, Vancouver)

(On the way to Vancouver Island by ferry)

(Victoria, Vancouver Island)

Be sure to visit the wonderful participants of ABC Wednesday!