sneak peak

So the spring summer issue of Segullah is off at the printer--it will be mailing the end of May. It has 12 of my paintings in it. And here is a peak at the cover (painting is Emerging Eden). While the issues are posted online the art features are not- so the only way to see it is to get the magazine.

On other fronts- I have an article discussion at Segullah today (childhood follies) as always you are welcome to join in.

I promised a return, but my prodigal ways have become a habit. The arrival of spring, the return of sun and warmth has lured me outside. Neighborhood walks with the boys gathering rocks, watering the garden and the new fruit trees, finding my sweet spot playing basketball with the new hoop in the driveway, and just sitting on the front steps eating Ben & Jerry's. I promise next up pictures to prove it!

1. plants 2. being outside 3. trips

Boston Marathon 2009

One of the best spring things is the Boston marathon. It's so fun to go and watch and cheer. This year was the best because my best friend Shelah was running. I can't even imagine looking so jubilant and vivacious at mile 19. We had a great spot staked out thanks to my friend Ellen!

1.accomplishments 2.late night talking 3. best friends

attempts

1. clearance easter candy 2. a surprise tomato plant 3. ikea ODDA beds

improving

I have never been good at portraits. My family can attest that whenever I attempt one I whine, rant, fume, and become generally disagreeable-- a result of sheer frustration. Despite many hours labor, I never like the end result. So my solution (or probably to spare my family from my ill tempered self), give up trying. Trouble is I really would like to be better at portraits and figures. So this week, I decided enough of my sissiness. So what if they aren't perfect, not trying will certainly not make me any better. Life is about getting better at things, it's about improving ourselves in lots of ways. So Friday night, I decided to do a colored pencil portrait (My first one since I was 15!) I decided to work on my boys seeing as I have an ample supply of images. So here is my first attempt in 17 yrs- my #3 son.

1. the hope of Easter 2. shared delicious Easter treats 3. Easter pictures and wordsearches created by #1

picture that

A picture is worth a thousand words... and so is a picture of kids looking at a picture.
As you can see my camera is back- (cue angelic choirs) and I had to leave you with this shot of ss#3 I love my baby because he knows a good thing when he sees it- he's cleaning up the remains of the third piece of coconut cream pie I ate during a session of conference. That's my kind of pie loving baby.

You can join me at segullah today where I am talking about Outsourcing--in our homes
1.no homework 2.the painting quiz at free rice 3. jennifer t's coconut cream pie recipe

Gardening at 11 feet

I attempt gardening but, I am not a gardener. In my childhood I remember helping my parents in our gardens. Picking tomatoes, zucchinis, and peas. Gardening in New England is not for the novice gardener. See you can't plant things till May here- (even then it's still cold, hence the very short growing season). Like last year my purple peppers finally yielded 2 smallish peppers in mid-October! I will also attest to being a less than faithful gardener- oh how the summer months lure me away on vacations- resulting in my garden abandonment!

So the recommendation is to start your seeds indoors a few weeks ahead and then transfer then to the garden. I have tried this in the past but without a lot of success. Given my 1 yr old's propensity for climbing and my 3 yr old's propensity towards mischief I wracked my brain to find a suitable, sunny seed starting location for the required 4 weeks of baby plant growing.
I found the perfect spot--while I have always cursed the builder of this house for creating a great and spacious 2 story entry way (I would so prefer another bedroom upstairs). I have decided this floorplan must have been inspired to enable me to follow the "plant a garden": counsel- So here you can see my excellent, sunny warm seed starting location- 10+ feet in the air! I like to think of it as a "green roof" for my coat closet. Yes I have to climb a couple foot tall stool to get them down for watering- but at least they are safe from curious fingers and thriving- so much so that I had to transplant them form the peat pellet starters (those things are amazing!) to full peat pots.

I am actually thinking I should keep a small herb garden up there year round for cooking? I know, I know- it's all fun and games until smart mama falls of the stool showering the entryway in dirt, pots, and broken plants!

1.gardening at 11 feet 2. conference 3. pie plate licking baby