things i'm fond of today

un cuadro by gabi piserchia

natural wonders.

left: annular solar eclipse by hiromitsu t.okra

right: eastern oregon by david ewald

handmade dolls by ryoko ishii

vintage bedspread hand-dyed by liane tyrell of enhabiten



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musical marriage proposal in portland:

Handpainted push pins are back!

Between shopping for a used car,  rebuilding a major rock wall in our yard, and finishing six paintings for an online show, I haven't had much time lately to just "play" at my art desk.  Two nights ago, when I should've been working on my final painting, I picked up a small bowl of old bingo markers instead.



I counted enough wood markers to create three sets. So, I grabbed a skinny brush and started painting some new designs.  Not surprisingly, I ended up with a mountain theme.



The handpainted push pins are now in my shop here.  I may create additional sets, but, only after I see some progress on that darn rock wall . . . oy, my back!

Bring On Summer! Keep The Boredom at Bay and Get It All In!

Bring on summer!!  We just came back from my daughters kindergarten graduation and that means summer is officially here!!  Watching them sing and seeing them stand up there was the sweetest thing  If Bella wasn't going next year I would be crying at the loss of these amazing teachers.  We started off our summer with 90 degree weather, a clean full turtle pool, the girlies in bathing suites, homemade popsicles, and napping in the shade!

 Hoping for more of the same!  I have been giving our summer some thought.  With 4 kids and one more on the way we need some kind of a plan to accomplish what we want, keep the learning going in a fun way, skip the boredom and still get all our chores done while having a blast!  Tall order... so I have been reading different ideas on pinterest.  These are some of the things on our summer to do list!

 Ride horses with Grandpa up at his house

 (just a few miles away).

Hit the zoo again with the grandparents!

As far as new ideas for how to plan our summer..
First I wanted to start a new end of the school year tradition I read about in THRIVE magazine (by Focus on the Family).  The author picks her kids up on their last day of school and takes them all to a pancake house to celebrate a year well done, talk about highlights, and set up a fun summer fun bucket list off all the fun things they want to do by summers end.  That sounds awesome to me!  However we had just eaten at a kindergarten graduation and we have no pancake house.  I do want to go out thought to celebrate the official start of our summer break and make a bucket list with the kids of all the fun things we have to do this summer!

Some other ideas for giving summer a little structure include these...
A light schedule that designates each day of the week with a theme...
Masterpiece Monday- a day to work on art, go see art, or create!
Time to cook Tuesday- a day that you plan ahead for so you and your kids can cook up some fun!
Wet Wednesday- A day for the pool, splash park, or other water activity
Thinking Thursday- fun educational day, field trip, library discovery trip, research a fun child chosen theme like dinosaurs, etc..
Family flick Friday- homemade pizza, and a good family flick for Friday night!

Other ideas  I read about include creating a daily list (with rewards) of what everyone must do 5 days a week like...
30 min reading, their chores, something physical (bike riding), practice a skill for 20 min (piano, typing, drawing, etc..).  Each to do item has a monetary value that when all completed every day (5 days a week) adds up to the amount needed for a family fun outing like the admission price to a theme park.  You can read more about that here at "Do it yourself summer camp".

How about a looser schedule like before breakfast we make beds, get dressed, pick up rooms.  By lunch we read 30 minutes, finish chores, and play with a sibling.  Afternoons can follow a theme like dinosaurs for a week.  So every afternoon we explore the topic with library trips, science experiments, field trips, and research and book reading.  The themes would all be kid picked and slotted in ahead of time.  Thinking art, the wild west, wild animals, science, and trains would all be fun themes.  The morning part of the routine would have a reward system as well meted out every weekend for a fully completed week.  For example a trip to the pool, a trip to dairy queen, etc..

 I do not plan on shuffling kids here there and everywhere to every learning opportunity as I do not have the energy or the desire to spend the summer just driving my kids around.  With that being said I am looking forward to the local VBS program, and the local "college for kids" program on Fridays for my oldest.  Even those will not be an every week evernt.  We will pick the ones he is excited about and take it easy on the others.

What are your ideas for keeping boredom at bay, continuing and fostering a love for learning, and getting all the fun in?  Love some new ideas!

Delicious Quick and Healthy Broccoli Salad

I love a good broccoli salad with crunchy nuts, crisp broccoli, and a hint of sweetness in the dressing.  Unfortunately most of them are doused in mayonnaise, sprinkled with bacon and coated in sugar.  Neither mayo, bacon, nor sugar are things I want to be eating much of so I created my own version after looking at a lot of different recipes..

photo courtesy of all recipes  

Broccoli Salad

1 head of fresh broccoli (1 1/2 lbs.)

1 small red onion thinly sliced

1/2  cup raisins (grapes would be a good substitute)

1/2 cup toasted walnuts, sunflower seeds or any other nut

1/2 cup plain yogurt

1 Tbs white whine vinegar

1 tsp sugar

New print: In the deep dark woods

From time to time, I'm asked if I sell prints of my original paintings for sale in my online shop.  The answer has always been 'no' for a variety of reasons.  For one, my paintings are usually on wood panel.  And since my art prints are made in my home studio, it is either too difficult or just not possible (due to size) to scan my paintings.

After going back and forth on the idea of using a specialty shop, I finally decided to give it a go this week.   I had just one of my paintings professionally scanned since digital imaging services are not cheap.  Although it'll take a few sales to cover the cost of that one scan, I have to admit that I'm extremely impressed with its sharpness and color matching.  And, when running a test print, I couldn't be more pleased with the results!

I'm excited to say that the new print of In the deep dark woods is now available in my shop. And, for the next week, the art print will be listed at $20 (versus the original price of $25).  To see the listing, go here.

10 Healthy Make Ahead Snacks TO GO & the Snack Station!

This time of year there is so much going on that it is harder to make something healthy every time you or one of the kiddos is hungry.   I am finding we don't have much to eat on the go sometimes when we are busy because I won't buy processed crackers, cookies, granola bars etc... and I don't have time to make it right then.  It is also so much more economical to make snacks yourself as opposed to buying them, ans so much healthier as we all know.  I am trying to stock my fridge and pantry with healthy ready to go snack foods that we can grab before a trip to the park or the kids can grab for themselves while I am busy with one of the other 4 kiddos.  I like the idea of prepackaging my own healthy foods, because it is so helpful to have something to grab.  I I  have started trying to have one food chore day a week where I prep snacks, granola, dips etc so we are ready for the week. Here is what I have come up with for myself so we can eat well no matter how busy we are.

Hard boiled eggs 

Photo from fotostock

I know it is simple but farm fresh eggs are a great snack for the kids. It is easy to boil up a whole pot full at a time and store right back in their original egg carton marked "hard boiled eggs".  They are full of protein and taste great as well as being conveniently in their own packaging!  To make them put uncooked eggs in a pot of cold water.  Now add a tsp of baking powder and salt to make them easy to peel.  Bring the pot to a boil for about 1 minute, then take them off the heat and let them sit 10-12 minutes.

Celery filled with peanut butter

Photo from fotostock

Who doesn't like this classic snack.  I like that I can make a whole plateful to keep in the fridge and have them ready to go for hungry kiddos.  Do not plan on stacking them as that just gets too messy.  A single layer works best.  Some like the addition of raisins.  We get plenty of sugar elsewhere so we skip that part.

Fruit Skewers

Photo from fotostock

These are great fresh or frozen!  Just skewer grapes, strawberries, all kinds of melons, kiwi, mint leaves, bananas, apple and orange chunks or whatever you have on hand.  Then store in the fridge or freezer.  These are great with or without yogurt dip.  For the yogurt just sweeten plain yogurt with honey or stevia and dip.  They make a great Popsicle alternative with tons more fiber and all around nutrition!

Homemade yogurt

Photo from fotostock

I have a great recipe for homemade organic thick and creamy yogurt that you make in the crock pot.  I use my large crockpot and make a gallon at a time!  If you sweeten half of what you make with stevia or honey you can keep it in your fridge in ready to go jars.  Then when you need a quick snack it is already sweetened, served, and easy enough for kids to get for themselves.  I love a handful of homemade granola (recipe here) mixed into this.

Homemade granola bars

Photo from Whole Foods market

These are easy, yummy, healthy and great to throw in a bag and go.  Just wrap each one individually in cellophane and when you need it you are ready.  You can find several recipes HERE.

Ready to go veggie cups with homemade ranch or hummus

Photo from Pinterest no credit

I make my own ranch (recipe here) and humus (recipes here).  Just portion some out into small reusable plastic cups and add the long strips of cut up veggies.  Now just grab and go!  Make a weeks worth for your family and you will find it so much easier to be getting all your veggies in!

Frozen Homemade Burritos
(Bean or Breakfast)

Recipe and photo from Talia Christine's blog You can make these ahead of time with my homemade whole wheat tortilla recipe.  To store them wrap them in cellophane and store in an airtight container in the freezer. You can also change up the filling and use eggs, cheese and soy sausage for breakfast burritos too.   When you want one just reheat.

Homemade Snack Bags

Photo from Joy Bauer

We mix cheerios, or other whole grain cereal, almonds, sunflower seeds, chopped up apricots (less sugar than other dried fruit), whole grain crackers or pretzels, and mix it all up.  You can make these ahead of time and package in the snack size zip lock bags so you have a ready made snack. 

Yogurt pops

Find the recipe from these pops at the Gracious Pantry

Use your popsicle molds for yogurt pops.  Use plain unsweetened yogurt and add your own natural sweeteners like stevia or xyilitol etc (Still not sure what to use?  See my previous post on natural sweeteners here.)  then add frozen fruit chunks or puree it all in the blender.  For the blended option throw yogurt and fruit or fruits of choice in the blender with a small amount of juice.  Just enough juice to make the blending easier and then pour into molds. For more healthy "popsicle style" treat recipes look HERE.

Brewers Yeast Popcorn in snack bags 

photo from 123rf stock photos

.Pop up some popcorn on your stove with a little olive oil, then thow on some brewers yeast ans sea salt before throwing into small zipper seal snack bags ready to grab for the week.  The brewers yeast adds a parmesiany flavor and a ton of B vitamins.  The popcorn stays nice and crisp for days.

The Snack Station

For me the whole point of this was to find snacks that my kids could help themselves to (besides fruit), and snacks that I could grab and head to the park with.  Enter the "snack station".  I will be making one for the fridge and one for pantry items that do not need refrigeration.  That way if I am busy with homeschool, or something else they can help themselves to mommy approved choices.  

Photo from Stuff I like

What are your healthy ideas for homemade snacks to go?

i heart portland

Portland has its share of nicknames.  There's City of Roses, PDX, Rip City, Stumptown, and P-Town, which is the most commonly used name by locals.  You may also hear Portland referred to as Bridgetown due to the cluster of bridges in the center of town.  There are a total of eight bridges within walking distance from downtown.



Most of the bridges are quite historical, dating before 1926.  The oldest is Hawthorne Bridge (1910), which is my favorite.  It also happens to be the oldest vertical-lift bridge in the United States that is still in use.  One of my first Habit of Art blog posts was on a simple embroidery piece I had done of the Hawthorne Bridge.

Hawthorne Bridge

Here are a few more photos I snapped over the years of Hawthorne Bridge and other Portland bridges.

Stalled on Hawthorne Bridge due to the lift.

Broadway Bridge

Burnside Bridge

St. Johns Bridge

My nine year-old daughter is currently learning about Portland bridges in her class.  For a class project, she chose to paint the Sellwood Bridge.  She worked hard on the painting, and I love how it turned out!

Here is what is coming up soon!

Working on a great post with some make ahead TO GO snacks!  I have been really sick so I am sorry it has been a little while since my last post.  Just wanted to let you know to check back soon as I will try to get this done tonight.  Thanks for your patience.

pottery habit

I don't condone hoarding unless it involves beautiful pottery. . . a rule I established in my household just today.  And it certainly doesn't help my pack rat instincts when lovely ceramicware can be snatched up for a few dollars apiece.  This weekend, Multnomah Arts Center in SW Portland is having an art sale on pottery and other handmade goodies.  Here are some of the things I brought home with me.

a wood-fired vessel, perfect for coarse salt

unique pencil or brush holder that I had to have

I actually got this wonderfully textured bowl a couple weeks ago from the "sale" corner.   This is where items are donated by students or teachers in the ceramics department, and all profits go right back to the arts center.  The bowl was just $5.  What a deal!

The art event at Multnomah Arts Center is just today and tomorrow.  If you do end up stopping by, don't forget to look under the tables! There are boxes full of pottery, and they don't mind if you rummage through them. 

While we're on the topic of pottery, I thought I'd share with you my latest experiment with a Pebeo Porcelaine Outliner.  The two cups were made by my uncle who's a potter.  Tea for two, anyone?

DIY flip flop makeover just in time for Mother's day!

With mother's day coming up I thought this would make a great quick mother's day present that your mom would love and use all summer long!  Obviously your mom would probably not love the princess motif shown below as much as the little girls I made them for did so you will have to pick out something a little more appropriate.

I first came up with these when I needed a quick, original birthday present for a friend's daughter.  She loved them!  Cute, customized flip flops.  My little girls LOVED them so of course I had to make them each a few pairs.

Let's get started.  You need just a few basic crafting supplies plus the correct sized flip flops.
Gather your supplies:

 Flip flops in the right size. I got mine from the dollar store.
Ribbon, fabric, trim, buttons and any other accessories you might want to add to the front.
Fusible interfacing that is large enough to cover the sole of the flip flops.
Glue.  You can use e-6000 craft glue or other strong adhesive.  Glue gun will eventually come off the straps if you are gluing directly to the plastic straps.

The first step is to remove the straps by using small needle nose pliers as shown below.

 Next you will need to trace the shape of the flip flop onto the fusible interfacing and onto the fabric so that you can cut out the exact size needed. Please note that theblack marker was a bad idea.  Use a pencil or something lighter!

 Take your fusible interfacing and your fabric and lay them on your flip flop so that you can iron them to your flip flop sole.  Make sure to not miss any spots and be extra careful to get all the edges really well.  This is important to make sure that the fabric sole lasts as long as the shoes do.

Pierce the fabric where the flip flop strap originally went through.  Do this from top to bottom so that the fabric pokes down into the hole.

 Now before we attach the straps you need to wrap the straps in fabric.  Use your glue as you go around the strap to secure the fabric as you wrap.

 To add the flower in front you need to cut the stem off the flower.

 Adhere it with your craft glue to the fabric covered strap.

Now reattach the strap to the flip flop paying close attention to make sure that bottom of the straps wrap in like normal.

That is it! You are done!  Well unless you are like me and have multiples left to make for the little girlies in your house.  Below is a simple ribbon version.

Start by attaching ribbon to the flip flop straps with your craft glue.

 Now make a figure 8 bow and then glue each side in like the photos above and below.

Now create a center piece for your flip flop with a button and ribbon by weaving the ribbon through the button and gluing the ribbon to the button so that it creates a bow shape.

 That's it!  Enjoy!  The possibilities are endless, and inexpensive too!