The Marathon

It is finally here... the big day my Sweet has be training for - RACE DAY... Yep, today is the Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon. And my sweet hubbie is running his bootie off right now. Yep, he is running and running and running and we have cheered him at the launch and are now at home and cozily drinking tea and eating pumpkin bread... seems unfair, huh!
Being at the Start line and being a part of this race and this day has just been amazing. I am so very proud of my Josh. And its not just because he is running his first marathon... its so many things... for having the discipline and dedication to train for such a feat day in and day out... to run even when it is freezing cold or blazing hot... to run even if you feel guilty for it... to run even though you might be intimidated or nervous... and to have found something you love to do. It is for all these things and so much more that I am proud... so very proud of my husband.
It's funny watching some one take on something like this is not what you would think it would be... I thought it might be like watching some sort of painful masochism, but it hasn't been like that at all. I mean, yes, there have been the hard things... the blisters, the injuries, the sweat... but mostly, being a witness to training like this just inspiring. Watching Josh train for this marathon just makes me think he can do anything... anything at all he sets his mind to... and maybe, just maybe, I might too.

Way to go, Sweets! So immeasurably proud to be at your side...

Crinkling Leaves

Today we took a nice hike in the park.. it was gorgeous out... there was a crispness in the air and the sun was trickling through the golden forest leaves.
I think there are just those moments when you look about yourself and realize that there is a perfection right there in that moment. A time when not a negative thought could flitter through your mind and suddenly you see the simple beauty that is present in our world all the time, but I guess we are mostly too busy and distracted to notice it. And even now, as I work away in the studio I still find myself thinking about the sound of crinkling leaves beneath my feet and little Autumn voice asking me to go faster.... "Fasser, Mom! Fasser!"

Life is good... actually even better.

Faufer

Faufer is the name by which Lavender now goes by, thanks to her sweet little sis... who is constantly trying to say Laughfer. Yes, I know that it is incredibly funny that our littlest has given big sis another nickname because she cannot say the original nickname.

On another note, Miss Lavender totally pulled out all this stops today and about made me crack up into a million pieces! See, we have been going to church on Wed. nights and they conduct a children's class. In this class they learn the "God Basics" (or that is what I call them).... like 'What did God make" etc. etc. - So, tonight Lavender brings home her drawings and class papers and we are looking through them. I noticed that there is this one of a big playground scene depicting kids on slides, swings, running and all sorts of stuff. And some of these kids are playing nicely together, sharing toy trucks and stuff while others are like hitting other kids with sticks and stuff... (I know, right... ) Anyway, at the top of the page it says something like, "point to the children are doing things that please God" and "point to the children who are not". So, I ask Laughfer this stuff and of course, she goes right through the motions pointing to the "correct" kids like the good little child robot. And then I see one more question at the top of the page... So I ask Laughfer "Which children do you want to be like?"

To which she immediately points to the girl who is pushing this other kid to the ground.

Nice, right???

And a little tidbit from our car ride to church for your reading pleasure....

L: Awww, Man! Did you see that bank?

Me: Huh?

L: You know the one with the furniture...You get gas in it...

Me: uhhh

L: You know that one

Me: Yep???

L: Did you see what happened to it?

Me: nope

L: The sky broke off!

Me: It did... huh?

L: Yeah... It's a bummer, man. I don't know where it is... It just, like, broke right off.

Maybe a tree fell on it - Yep... a tree.

What this means I will never know.

Clothesline 09

So Clothesline has come to a close this fall and now that the dust has settled and all my post it note to do lists have made their way to the trash bin, I look back on all that it was this go around.
I know that there has been a lot of buzz about the show, but I could not resist putting a few pics up and adding my little ol' 2 cents.

I gotta say that this Clothesline really was a success...
There was quite a big turn out for the event both at the opening reception as well as Saturday afternoon and we all have quite a bit to be thankful for with our sales.
But ya know, the thing I always find myself dwelling in around this time of year, is the fact that there is just no other art show quite like this one. There is no other art event I have ever attended that has felt this warm... this welcoming. There is no other art event I have ever been involved in that truly extends hospitality. I just think that there is something so lovely about a beautiful home, like the Krichbaum house, opening its doors to the public and allowing them the freedom to sit down, relax and take in the work for as long as you need. It is just so very different from your typical white walled art gallery and so very refreshing.

I guess I just love Clothesline for all that it is... and all that it isn't.

Thank you all for coming out to support the women of Clothesline. It has been a privilege to share our lives and work with you!
I have placed the works that have not yet found new homes in my online shop... Check it out! www.tumbleweed240.etsy.com

Ljosio

Ólafur Arnalds - Ljósið (Official Music Video) from Erased Tapes on Vimeo.

The coolest person I know showed this to me and I found myself entranced, even though I am in the middle of full tilt art show prep... amazing!

Summeryness

So I know its been like ten years since my last ye ol' posty... but, I finally made it back to this little ol' portal into cyber land... that is sounding a heck of a lot more than "little" in my mind right now. And I find myself pouring over the insane amount of things I have neglected to share with you guys... I seem to be a person who gets totally addicted to the technology world or who absolutely rejects even the thought of sitting down in front of the computer screen. It is either one or the other with this girl... I am either updating my silly Facebook status every few hours or I don't even go into our office for days. It is like absolute obsession or complete neglect...Are you guys like this too? I hope so.

I am amazed that it is already Sept. and in my neighborhood I am already seeing the signs that summer is showering us with her last lingering rays and that Mother Fall is right upon her heels. I hear her calling to me at dusk... reminding me of the brilliance of color that will grace her leaves and fall down all around us... teasing me with promises of ripe apples and big beautiful pumpkins! Oh, I do love Fall and I am excited to see her, even if it means that my long summer days that stretch into bright evenings will soon be over.

Oh... I guess I was supposed to be telling you about what has happened, not what will hopefully be, right???
Oh well... I will just say that this last bit of lovely summeryness has been celebrated and joyed in with the onset of our sunflowers blooming, the excitement of little girls enjoying miniature tea time with real porcelain, long wonderous naps, many hours spent in the pool and a very over due and soul filling camping trip with my constant outdoor companion... my dad.

I know I could live on a farm

this past weekend we found ourselves at Crabtree Farms once again... there seems to be a magnet for this family that pulls us to those pretty fields... picking strawberries, buying Nasturtiums and seeing what's ripe. I have to say that this is by far my most favorite family outing.... the wholesomeness is unbeatable! It's like there should be some sort of soundtrack it is so harmonious! There is just something about being out and about soaking in the sunshine and seeing the wonders of the world of horticulture. And at this age, it really is so brilliant to see the girls learning about the plant world and enjoying it to its fullest... in fact, I think little Autumn Marie weighed a whopping 3 xtra pounds by the time we drove out of the gate! What can I say, the girl has good taste!

The 4th baba!

 

So our 4th o July was pretty fun and bustling with activities. Here are the things of our 4th:

Symphony Americana music

Inflatable jumping apparatuses filled to the brim with mobs of kids

one kid peeing in line

the girls first fireworks display

one cinged eyeball from the ashes overhead

free popcicles

Lavender's critique of port o potty facilities

neighbors with lots of fireworks

one yellowjackets nest

one hand swollen to the size of a baseball mit (totally not even jokin' dude!)

one perfect temperature pool

2 patriotic deserts (of course, there were 2!)

Lots of good friends

Amazing food cooked by one loving Mimi

one bean bag toss

one game o golf

a big time badmitten schoolin' for Joshers! yes!

one souveneir American flag made in China

Church 

and lots of family time

Lavender serenading me with the Ramones

not too shabby, eh?