my week

the view one foggy morning

The weather in Portland the last couple of weeks has been kinda crazy.  High winds, snow, sunny and clear, fog, and, of course, rain . . . and lots of it.  You know it's bad when water is coming up through the cracks of your basement floor.  Just when we had the flooding under control, we discovered a drip from the kitchen ceiling.  It's amazing how unwanted water in the home can take you over the edge.



Looking back a year ago in this post, it was the same scenario.

The toy of choice in our household is Playmobil.  And, for the last few days, it has looked like a Playmobil convention in our home.  I have found little figurines on our dining room table, on our mantle, lined up in front of our media cabinet, even in a shoe storage rack.  My tolerance for toys strewn in high traffic areas is usually about two days, or until an adult steps on a pointy plastic part - barefoot, of course.  Sadly, I'm realizing more and more that all this playing with Playmobil isn't going to last for very much longer.  Soon, the girls will want to move onto high tech toys, and make-believe land will become a thing of the past. Sigh.

This pair of Opening Ceremony oxfords has been hiding out in my closet for the winter.  I bought the suede lattice shoes on ebay a few months ago, just when the rainy season began.  It's still raining, but I decided to bust them out for a day.  

I'm entering my last week of 30 works in 30 days.  And I'm learning that when a strict production schedule is involved, there is little time for self-critique.  You have to take more risks with what you put out there.  On several days, I have been hesitant to post a new piece, because I felt that it was maybe too different from the landscapes I usually paint, like Creation (above, middle).  A few of these works have sold, so that's a great affirmation that I just need to trust my instincts more as an artist. 



To see what's currently available in my Etsy shop, go here.  Three of my works [Emerald Mountains, Lone Peak, and Twilight] are going to The Feather's Edge Finery in Bend, Oregon.  I first wrote about this wonderful little shop here. 

Want To Buy: MFW my father's World curriculum

I have been working on my follow up post on the rest of the "10 new superfoods for 2012" but as a busy homeschool mama of 4 little ones I am tired and want to finish that when I can really do a good job so in the meantime I am looking for some curriculums from My Father's World.  I thought I would post a request here in case any of you Jesus and mission loving homeschool mamas have any of the My Father's World Curriculums you are no longer using and want to sell.  I have 4 kids on a tiny budget so I am looking for a good deal on some used materials if you have them.

Most interested in 
MFW 1st grade.
and 
"Adventures in My Father's World"
However please let me know if you have any of them for sale.  Thanks!  I figure with all you homeschool mamas that read my blog somebody might have some for sale.
Rod and Staff Spelling by sound and structure year 2 would be good too, as well as primary language lessons if anyone has that.


I also have some Abeka homeschool things for sale or swap.  All with no markings.  Mostly year 6 books with LOTS of teachers manuals. Some other grade level books as well to sell by Abeka and I have some 8th grade materials for Abeka as well.  Various odds and ends for sale or swap  in case you want to inquire about something particular.
If you homeschool and love a fun, Biblical, missions minded curriculum you will love this one.  Check it out at
http://www.mfwbooks.com/

I am tired and beat so I am headed to bed but hope you all have a great look around their site.  If any of you have used their curriculum I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas.  I have a soon to be 5 year old who will be using the 1st grade curriculum next year and a second grader (7) now that will be in 3rd when we start Exploring Cultures and Countries.  I also have a 1 and 2 year old who both have birthdays in April.  I am curious about how to get them all on the same cycle or at least trying to get only 2 curriculums going at once as opposed to 4 in the coming years.  Any advice with experience in My Father's World as far as the cycles go?

Cows Can't Quack by Dave Reisman

Stars: *****

Jumping Cow Press

This book is exactly like it's cousin Cows Can't Jump except it's about animal sounds instead of what animals can do.

Cows Can't Quack starts off with:

"Cows Can't Quack...but they can moo" and then gives another animal and says:

"Moose can't moo... but they can grunt" and so on.

It's very simple but that is what makes it so great. Toddlers like repetition, it's how they learn. This book is easy to read again and again and it includes repetition in the story itself by keeping similar words in the storyline.

See the preview.

 *Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided.

Chicken, Pig, Cow and the Class Pet by Ruth Ohi

Stars: ****

Annick Press (2011)

Summary: In the newest Chicken, Pig, Cow book by Ruth Ohi, the barn is taken to school for show and tell!

If you aren't new to this blog you should know that I adore this series of books because I've reviewed them many times before.

I just love the soft illustrations and the imagination. If you aren't familiar with the series, chicken, pig and cow are made of clay and live inside a popsicle stick barn made by girl. In a later installment, they met dog who is now their friend. In this one, they are brought for show and tell and have a small adventure with the class pet.  Very cute. 

I think I'll have a Chicken, Pig, Cow reading marathon with my girls. I wonder what the next book will be about?

Read more at Annick Press.


 *Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided.

Red is Best by Kathy Stinson (Board Book) (New Year New Reads Sponsor)

Stars: *****

Annick Press
Ages 2-4

Red is Best is a old favourite, originally published in 1982 and reprinted by Annick Press in 2006. Red is Best is now available as a lap size board book, perfect to share with your little one.

If you aren't familiar with Red is Best, it's a delightful story of a young girl (toddler age) who has decided that red is the best colour, no matter what. As anyone who has or has had a toddler knows, toddlers have definite opinions about things and this little girl is no different. There is no reasoning with a toddler who has made a decision about something.

No matter how much her mom tries to encourage her to use something that is not read (for different reasons), the girl is adamant that she must use red because Red Is Best. 

Also see other reviews I've done of books by Kathy Stinson.

*Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided.

things i'm fond of today

The Obliteration Room.  Installation by Yuki Nakano.  Visitors help "obliterate" a white room by adhering colored dots on walls and furniture.  The top photo was taken on day one.  The bottom photo is seven weeks later.  The Obliteration Room is currently at the Gallery of Modern Art in Queensland, Australia. 

Furniture by Los Angeles-based designer Tanya Aguiniga.  Shown are Felt Chairs, Birch Bench, and Zinacantan (steel and wool yarn).

Cendrine Rovini.  I've been following Cendrine's art for awhile now.  This particular piece, La récolte d'oraisons, is one I'm particularly fond of.    It's part of her current solo exhibition "Liquid Vermeil" at the Da-End Gallery in Paris.  Cendrine talks about her latest works in this video.

Bags and slippers (linen and leather) by Tarco Nakazato.  I love the color combinations and graphic elements.

Cal Lane.  Lane describes her art as "pullling together industrial and domestic life." Above are two of my favorite works of hers: Plasma cut steel wheelbarrow (2007) and Dirt Lace installation at Purchase Collage, New York (2004).

  

new print: it was just a dream

I tend to have very vivid dreams.  Sometimes I'll spend the first waking moments recounting the stirring details of my dreams to my husband, who, in turn, does a remarkable job pretending to be interested.



My dreams play out like a chase sequence in Bourne Identity or an elaborate storyline from an epic film.  And then there's the perpetual teacher's nightmare- standing in front of a classroom without a lesson plan.  Not sure why I still have this dream seeing that I left teaching many years ago. 



Sometimes the most evocative moment happens before the REM cycle.  While falling asleep and with my eyes closed, there are times when I can see an electrifying display of colors.  The colors are bright and captivating, and before I can think too much about it, I am fast asleep.  Yesterday, I was reminded of this nocturnal chromatic phenomenon when I started working on my latest print design, It was just a dream. 



I find beautiful dreams are the hardest to remember, or, at least, retain.  With my new work,  I wanted to capture just a split moment of tranquility and bliss found in a beautiful dream.



To create the soft, blurred effects of this piece, I used pastels.  I haven't used pastels (particularly oil pastels) as much as I would have liked to the past year, because I've been focusing on acrylics.  If you've been following my 30 works in 30 days project, you may have noticed that I like to work with a variety of art materials.  I'm realizing from this personal endeavor that I am ready to explore further the use of different mediums, like pastels, in my art.

The first 5 of 10 NEW superfoods for 2012 & FREE $10 coupon to buy them with! (the first half)!

I have now updated this list to include all 10 at my more recent post HERE 


Now that January is well underway and everyone is talking and resolving to get healthier you have probably heard of a zillion diets by now.  Lets take a break from that and quit talking about what we shouldn't eat and talk about what we should eat!  Who wants to sit around hungry trying to be more healthy?  I do not! Let's talk superfoods!  No not supersize foods from your favorite fast food joint we are talking superfoods.  "Superfoods" is just a term used to describe SUPER nutritious whole foods (unprocessed) foods that have multiple health benefits and go above and beyond other foods in their medicinal and nutritional value.

 Last years superfoods list included such healthy favorites as

• Broccoli, 
• garlic, 
• spinach, 
• green tea, 
• beans, 
• walnuts, 
• blueberries, 
• soy, 
• oats
• tomatoes 

These foods have incredible healing powers on the body and are responsible for helping to prevent and in some cases reverse the signs of aging and related illness, as well as proving to be potent immune boosters.  They contain extremely high amounts of antioxidants that prevent free radicals from damaging the body leading to signs of aging and illness.  One of my favorite things about superfoods is that for those looking to loose weight they offer a solution as to what to eat as opposed to just what not to eat and are very effective in helping to maintain a healthy weight!

Now that you are getting the hang of adding those foods into your diet on a regular basis let me introduce
10 new superfoods to you that you may not be as familiar with. Ok only 5 today as you will get the other 5 in the next half next week.

• Broccoli Sprouts - We already knew that broccoli was a potent nutritional powerhouse but now we find out we can get the nutritional benefit of 3 Lbs. of broccoli in only one ounce of broccoli sprouts! These are great on salads, in sandwiches and wraps and anywhere else you add greens.   



Photo from nutridesk.com          

• Quinoa - pronounced Keen-wa.  This grain is quickly gaining popularity as it is easy to use and cooks up quickly.  You would use it like you would rice, and it tastes deliciously nutty.  This grain packs 8 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber in just one cup.  Not to mention all the vitamins and minerals it contains.  Not many other grains can make that claim.  This is an easy nutritious addition to your health conscious pantry.

Photo from rv goddess

• Nutritional Yeast - (aka Brewers Yeast)- is a tasty supplement that is loaded with protein, minerals, vitamins and dietary fiber.  It is the one of the only reliable vegan food sources of  Vitamin B-12 ( a feel good vitamin essential to your body). It is so full of  B Vitamins in fact just one Tablespoon a day gives you 100% of your recommended daily allowance and a whopping 9 grams of protein! It is also a great flavor enhancer for foods with it's nutty cheesy flavor.  It is great on popcorn, in stir fries and pasta dishes in a way that aged cheese would be.

Photo from bend bulletin

• Kefir - is a sour yogurt like drink that is a healthy concoction of  beneficial bacteria and yeasts in protein, lipids and sugars that is made from fermenting kefir grains in milk.  It work to improve your immune system in a number of ways.  It is FULL of probiotics, antioxidants and is 5 times healthier than regular yogurt because of the incredibly large number (some are in the billions!!) of friendly bacteria as opposed to plain yogurt.  It is credited with a huge boost in digestive health and immunity. I will have to do a longer post on this as it is so fascinating.  In the meantime if you are not fully convinced you should do some research online to see how adding this to your diet can profoundly affect your health.

• Chia Seeds - Yes I am talking about the very same seeds used in the old school Chia pets!  I have a much better use for them though, as these are my new favorite super food.  They are known as the running food a very high energy endurance food, because the soluble fiber creates a gel that  slows the conversion of carbs into sugars giving you increased endurance and helping diabetics. They are growing in popularity, especially with endurance athletes, because of their well documented use by the Aztec warriors and the Indians of the Southwest and Mexico that are well known for their amazing running ability.  These Indians would take only a spoonful to fuel their 24 hour runs!  It is also great for endurance athletes because of it's ability to absorb up to 12 times it's weight in water to prolong hydration in an unheard of way and balance electrolytes!  I could write a huge post on this but I will try to limit it for now.  This food is not only for athletes as these seeds are chock full of omega 3's, calcium, protein and fiber.  In fact one tablespoon of the seeds eaten has all the fiber of one cup of oatmeal, more antioxidants than blueberries, more omega 3's than salmon, more fiber than bran flakes, more calcium than 2% milk, and more protein fiber and calcium than flax seed! You can add them to smoothies, oatmeal, cookies, any in anything else you would add nuts or seeds to.  You can also just eat them raw for a quick pick me up or to help satisfy you and avoid cravings.  I LOVE THEM!!!! I will stop myself now as I could go on forever about these.

Photo from nuts.com

Hope that was enough to get you started on adding some new superfoods to your diet.  The next 5 will come next week.  

In the meantime start shopping on vitacost to pick up some of these!  I buy on vitacost just because I can find what I need (hard to do in my small town) and because it is such a good deal and I get free shipping after $49! Here is a link to get you started with a FREE $10 coupon at Vitacost! That will pay for you chia seeds and more!

This week: not eating paint chips yet

I can see how artists can go mad working on their art day and night for long stretches of time.  At one point this week, my husband said to me, you really need to get out of the house.  That was code for, when did you take a shower last?


Yup, it's easy to neglect even basic hygiene while hyper focused on some kind of intense cerebral output.  Just think of Einstein.  He came up with the theory of general relativity, but I don't think he brushed his hair for decades. 



Thankfully, my fanatical art run is only for 30 days.  Then I'll be back to my old self, which is still pretty reclusive, but a little bit more in touch with the real world. . . and with brushed hair. 



//// To see the availability of any of the works shown above, just visit my Etsy shop here. 

more sites to add to your blogroll

via Jill Bliss

Cabin Porn.  It's basically crack for cabin addicts like me.  Thanks, Jill, for getting me hooked.

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via minieco

Handmade Ryan Gosling.  If you're crafty and taken, then both of you will get a good laugh out of this tumblr.  This post in particular hit home . . . um, sorry again, honey, for leaving that pin in the sofa cushion!

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Annekata.  After a five month hiatus, Kathrin is back with more creative and thought-provoking posts.  Truly one of my very favorite blogs.

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In the Make.  Studio visits are up there with cabin porn.  Thankfully I can get my fix every Monday when photographer Klea McKenna and writer Nikki Grattan post their latest interview with a San Francisco-based artist.

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Things Organized Neatly.  Not sure why I like household objects neatly arranged in rows, but I do.  It actually is very pleasing.  Too bad my desk doesn't look anything like this.  (Thanks to reader Falco for the tip!) 

DIY BEAUTIFUL silverware jewelery on a dime...literally!!

Now are these not the COOLEST thing you have ever seen?  You have to go check out Kirsten Erickson's blog to see the full directions (very necessary to save you some frustration) , but it looks amazing.  I hope to try this soon!  I just need some real silver-ware.  The creator of these beautiful rings said she paid .10 each for her silverware ( I promised you could do this on a dime!), and she warns it does not work with stainless steel .  Real silver silverware has a "900" or a "925" on the back and you can use plated silver as well.  Read down through her comment section too if you still have questions as she answers a lot of common questions down there. Yeah on my way to the thrift store tomorrow! 

How about some awesome bracelets to go with your new beautiful ring...

If you can master the ring the bracelet should be doable.  Then again the non crafty yet stylish girls can just go buy these ones below on etsy and support a crafter.

both of these available  from etsy shop Marchello Art

I love this unique an creative bracelet I found on pinterest as well.

This is available on green products and gifts if you choose not to try and make it.

How about a beautiful pendant?  This one looks fun to try!

from here in the waiting place

What are you waiting for?  Go find some silver silverware and give it a try!  If it works out for you send me some! Ok, just kidding, but I have a small wrist and small finger if you needed to know that for any reason ;) ;)

Dogs Don't Eat Jam and Other Things Big Kid Know by Sarah Tsiang

Stars: *****

Annick Press (2011)
Ages 4-6

Summary: New babies have a lot to learn; lucky for them, the older sibling in this delightful picture book is here to tell them everything they have to remember … and look forward to. - Annick Press

This is the BEST book for older siblings about a new baby I have ever seen and I've read quite a few of them. Most take the position of assuming the child will feel less important and going over how its hard because babies need a lot but mom and dad still love you. Don't Don't Eat Jam takes a whole other perspective.

The story is narrated by the older sister to her baby brother. She tells of what it was like when she was a baby and how there are some things he will have to learn but that he can do it since she was able to. It's really cute. She tells him he'll have to learn to eat baby food, get rid of his soother, crawl and walk as well as things such as dogs don't eat jam (with an illustration of the girl as a baby spoonfeeding jam to the dog.)

My girls absolutely LOVE this book and it worked well for us as my older ones are girls and the baby is a boy but even if the circumstances are different for you, this is the perfect book if your new older sister or brother is over age 4.

The illustrations by Qin Leng are ADORABLE. I love soft colours in a picture book that is about love and family. It just feels right.

Next time someone asks me for a rebook commendation for a new older sibling, this will be it!

Links of Interest: The Book @ Annick Press,

Other Reviews: Foreword Reviews, Waking Brain Cells,

You have the opportunity to win this book and others in my NYNR giveaway but hurry, it ends Jan 23!

*Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided.

Wellness Wednesday Guess what this is...

So we all know we aren't supposed to eat junk food or fast food, but here is a little inspiration for that goal.
I have never been a fast food person but if you still have cravings for it this should help you out!  Believe me it is worse than it looks.

When you hear how they leave the eyeballs, tendons, tissue etc all attached and throw it into a machine that mashes it all up and then pushes it through a sieve till you get this gummy pink mess you will probably not be so tempted in the future!  Because it is so full of bacteria they wash it in (yes I said wash!) tons of ammonia then add artificial color to make it look normal and a bunch of artificial flavor because it tastes so bad due to the contents and the ammonia! Now you do NOT want to eat that.  Even if any company assures you that they no longer use mechanically separated chicken keep in mind they thought it was perfectly fine to serve till they started loosing business from it.  They are NOT interested in offering high quality nutritive food so you should not be interested in feeding their interests with your check book.

Unfortunately mechanically separated chicken is not only in obvious food and I just realized that it is the main ingredient in the chicken stock/bouillon I used to buy! YIKES!! I am convinced it is worth the money to buy a higher quality bouillon or broth.  Glad to be reminded.

Lest you burger eaters are feeling happy with your meat choice let me just show you a picture of what your burger came from.

To make this nice mush they cram animal parts (again any random left over bit makes it in here) into a machine, send it out through a sieve and cover it in ammonia to kill of all the nasty bacteria.  That is what makes up your bologna, hot dogs, tv dinners, and any other unidentified meats!  YUCK! If you are going to eat meat at least eat a real piece of meat that was from one animal (not pieces of many animals) and was cut from it RECENTLY and is identifiable.

Now go eat some delicious veggies to wash this nasty business from your taste buds, but keep it in mind next time your kids ask you for fast food!

Working on it...

Since Saturday I have been working on a great post of some NEW superfoods for you to try in the coming year.  I know most of you are familiar with the common ones you have heard so much about, but this is a new list of some EXTREMELY healthy (and YUMMY) foods you most likely have not heard too much about.  However I had internet problems this weekend while posting and have lost the post 4 times!! So needless to say  it has been very time consuming, but it is coming along and it should be worth the wait! I have half of it done now but being as it is almost midnight and I am exhausted I will have to finish it another time (soon).  A day of homeschool and 5 young kids ( I babysit for a friend) awaits me early tomorrow!

Photo courtesy of men womens health article

Here is a teaser to keep you busy in the meantime...
See if you can unscramble the names of these 10 new superfoods that I will explain in great detail in  my later post.  Better yet give them to your homeschooler to figure out. :)

1. rekfi
2. labrey
3. aich deses
4. locolbir rpstsuo
5. majici
6. Klacb racgli
7. ase sveabesgetl 
8. aoqiun
9. ebe enlopl
10. turitnlanio ayets  

Let me know your best guess!

Courtesy Bootcamp by Anthonette Klinkerman

Back and Front Cover

Stars: ***

Anthonette Klinkerman considers herself the mobile etiquette school. She does courses on etiquette now she has a book. The book is only available through her website currently.

The book is a quick read at 56 pages but this makes it easy to look up a certain section for a quick reminder of what it says.

I'm sure we all think we know the rules of etiquette but sometimes we forget the basics as our life gets busy and we cut corners to get things done.

There are 21 chapters in this 56 page book covering everything such as: Attire & Grooming, Cell Phones & Electronics, Driving, Job Interviews, Gum Chewing, Table Manners, Netiquette, Thank You notes, profanity, Responding to invites, at the movies and more!


You have a chance to win this book in the NYNR giveaway at Callista's Ramblings until Jan 23.

*Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided.

30 works in 30 days

Zenith, a new mixed media painting on maple wood panel

My friends think I'm crazy.  I'm calling it a test in self-discipline.  Since January 7, I've been creating a new original work of art every day for my Etsy shop.  Today marks Day 10 of the challenge. 

I've been focusing on smaller, affordable pieces of art, which has been refreshing after a stint of working on larger wood panel paintings.  Working small allows me to experiment more with different ideas and materials, like the mini canvas panels and watercolor markers purchased a couple of months ago.  

I also found a line of maple wood panels out of New York that I'm trying out.  Due to the closing of a Portland art store in October, I lost my local source of smaller, uncradled wood panels.  The maple wood panels are quite a bit pricier (nearly double), but the material is nicer and the panels come with slots in the back for easy hanging.  

New pieces that have sold.

The 30 day project has made me sit at my art desk every day, which is one of my favorite places to be.  The challenge comes in finding enough time in the day to finish a work of art [that I like!], take pictures of it while there's decent light, and then upload it into my Etsy shop.  The schedule this past weekend was a little hairy, but I managed to get it all done.  

There is no master list or inspiration board to work from.  When I sit down at my desk, I decide at that point which substrate to use, and then I go from there.  I'm actually a little surprised that my works don't look more alike than they do.  Maybe a mini-series of art will surface in the second half of the project. 

twilight, 10 x 10 in. mixed media painting

Five pieces have sold so far, which is so encouraging.  This month, I'm trying to create a number of original works of art that are truly affordable for anyone.  I love the idea that a person can have in their home a one-of-kind art work for $40.  I realize that I may be underpricing my art, considering the time and detail I put into the smaller works.  But it brings me joy to know that people who love my art can afford to own an original.  And just so you know, I pack each one of the little works of art with as much love and care as I do the larger pieces. 

Twilight (above) and the works below are currently available.  You can keep checking back every day for new originals in my Etsy shop, or you can subscribe to the shop's feed here.