Mess

Lisa at Wright Brain Stuff has started a new book group, using a new book by Keri Smith.

"Mess"

invites us to make a mess and have fun. It looks to be another great adventure in fun and comradeship. Please join in the fun!

I just received my book yesterday and had my first intro to the book with a page from the middle - make a collage using a stack of cut-out shapes from a magazine. I enjoyed it.

I am so looking forward to this new art journey of making messes!

Shadow |Shot Sunday

A beautiful, sunny day produced lovely shadows! One I couldn't resist was the dandelion right outside the front door!

I also had to include one of Fluffy. (Next month she will be 20!)

As well, here's one from the garden - love the stark shadows.

Be sure to visit SS2 for great shadows around the world.

Wishcasting Wednesday

Once again Jamie of Jamie Ridler Studiios, asks another penetrating question.

What do you wish to experience?

This year I chose "Carpe Diem" as my word of the year. I turned 60 in January and felt I needed that phrase to ensure that I experienced as much as possible all year. I have been slow to embrace it though, at least on a daily basis.

I want to experience many new experiences this year, to relish in new firsts. I want to embrace life and experience as much as possible, using all my senses to savour each experience.

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." So true!

It's \monday! Whart are you Reading?

It has been a few weeks since I have shared some of what I have been reading. With all the picture books read at school and fun reading during the March Break, I have a number of books to share.

Read Alouds from School:

Picture Books:

"A Chance to Shine" by Steve Seskin and Allen Shamblin

By far my favourite, it is by the authors of "Don't Laugh at Me", both a book and video.

"Fancy Nancy" by Jane O'Connor

"Kate and the Sunflowers" by James Mayhew

Lovely romp through art of the impressionists. If only e could step into paintings!

"Sorry" by Trudy Ludwig

YA Novels:

"The Worst Name in 3rd Grade" by Debbie Dadey

How would you like a name like Bridgett Butt? The class enjoyed it.

"Mean, Mean, Maureen Green" by Judy Cox

Solving problems and facing up to fears and bullies.

Adult Fiction:

I have thoroughly enjoyed all the novels I have read this past month.

I finally read the last 2 books (of the ones I needed to finish all of the books in the series) of the mystery series on Gamache, by Louise Penny:

"The Murder Stone"

"The Brutal Telling"

Here next book comes out in August - can't wait!

I finally finished "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett and loved it.

Also read:

"Remarkable Creatures" by Tracy Chevalier (about real women fossil hunters of the 1800s)

"Mercy" by Jodi Picoult

"Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safron Faer

"The Fiction Class" by Susan Breen"

I am currently reading:

"Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers (for our social justice book club) Very interesting, about a real life Muslim family caught up in Katrina)

So many books to read! I am enjoying the challenges I am involved in and making headway.

Sunday Weekly Wrap-Up

It has been a few weeks since I did a weekly wrap-up - partly as I have not been creating much and partly I needed a break.

But, I decided that with a new month and season, I would challenge myself to create more and focus on health as well.

This past week I lost 3 pounds and worked on just cutting back. This week I want to add dance. Nothing better than cranking up the music (Lady Gaga is great for this) and just dance!)

I have been visiting so many sites lately. So much inspiration. particular inspired me with an art challenge for the month. Michelle Ward of GPP, had as her last crusade, a minimalist approach and it has inspired me with an art challenge for this month. I hope to create a collage a day for April, using paper scraps, stamps, bits and pieces of everyday life, etc - whatever appeals to me each day.

April 1

I will be getting back to creating ATCs as well this week as I have several to finish this week

Photography

Even with some cold weather and a bit of snow this week, some of our spring flowers have popped up.

More Mexican Shadows

Shadows abounded in the lush tropical paradise we visited a few weeks ago. Thought I would share a few more.

(I am seeking some help to be able to link directly to SS2 - I have a new computer and I can no longer highlight and insert a link. Any ideas???)

Back once again, after an absence!

March Break brought not only a needed rest and much relaxation, but a longer break from blogging. I did not really appreciate how tired I have been and how much I needed to just take each day at a much slower pace, with few commitments.

But after a couple of weeks away, i am ready and eager to get back to creating again and blogging. I have missed both.

We had a wonderful week away in Neuvo Vallarta. We rested by the pools, read, drank margaritas and swam a bit. A lovely way to rest and restore.

I had such fun snapping shots of the animals, birds and flowers, not to mention the water! Here are my favourite shots:

Shadow Shot Sunday

I am returning to this fun photo challenge after a few weeks. I took lots of photos in Mexico - and of course many were of shadows! With the bright sun and the green foliage, shadows were abundant.