in the kitchen

February 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment

I have a huge pot of turkey soup simmering on the stove.

Oh, my!  Can you smell it?

…and the fresh whole wheat bread that just came out of the oven?

I’m getting ready to add the turkey and some homemade egg noodles, my mom’s recipe.

I cooked this turkey yesterday because I just happened to have a couple of them in my freezer.

I missed out on turkey dinner this year for Thanksgiving so I made up for it last night.

It makes me chuckle a little that every time I cook a turkey I feel ‘grown up’.

Is there something that you do or make that makes you feel grown up?  :)

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Filed Under: Blog, her Kitchen

a boho valentine experience

February 18, 2012 By 5 Comments

It’s already been one week since this very fun and very special day.

Some of you have anxiously been waiting to see the pictures that were taken by Sandra…here they are.

She beautifully captured the day.

Each time I plan a retreat or workshop my hopes are that something somewhat magical will take place throughout the day.  I love to see women light up as they set their imaginations to work [and play] and create, create, create.

Spending the day with like-minded women is also on my list of favorites.

It’s a JOY!

Eighteen of us gathered to create a LOVEly canvas, have tea and glorious food and celebrate life and friendship.

Can we do it again soon, ladies?

My next event will be a weekend retreat, April 13-15…also October 18-20 and I have an idea rattling around for a

A Midsummer Day, Picnic in the Valley…possibly June 23rd…

I would love it if you too could join in some day.

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Filed Under: Blog, her Art Retreats, her Workshops

little valentines

February 17, 2012 By 2 Comments

On Valentine’s Day I had a party at my house with 8 special girls.

This is the fourth year that we have done this together.  Over the years we’ve added a few girls but I feel pretty good about the number 8 and think that we’ll stay with that.  :)

Girls are so fun and easy to please.

They love sparkles, fizz, sprinkles, pink frosting, hearts, sugar, friends and looking CUTE.

I’m not so sure the list changes much when we’re talking about big girls.

My two nieces are a part of this group and the reason why I have this party.  It’s rewarding to see these girls grow and mature.  They took their time this year with each craft that we worked on and they also took more time enjoying lunch and sipping tea.  A definite sign of maturity!

Sweet Blessings!

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:valentines:

February 12, 2012 By 3 Comments

Yesterday morning I was feeling so prepared and ready to go with great intentions of sharing a few shots with you before the day began.  I think a whirlwind must have swept me away because it was about 9pm when it came to mind again and I was simply just too tired.

::sigh::

The Valentine Tea/Boho Workshop was a splendid affair.

18 beautifully, creative ladies

sharing together in the fullness of crafting and fun

and the blessing of an amazing tea luncheon

my heart is full

♥

 [the ever-so-lovely]  Sandra Wiggins Photography captured the day for me and I simply can’t wait to share it with you

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prepped and ready…well, almost ready

February 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment

I recently picked up a very large bag of these wooden rings thinking that they could surely be used for something grand. Painted and distressed they will be worked into the place~cards for tomorrow's tea table.

This week has been full of fun preparations for tomorrow’s Boho Workshop and Valentine Tea.

There is so much festivity and fun going on here.  My mom has been helping out and Mr T has put in many, many hours as well.

It’s a rather disfunctional thought but I love living in a crazy disarray of crafting loveliness::ruffles, glues, glitter, paint, papers, furniture pushed here and there:::and my Mr. graciously allows it for short spells!  :)

I can’t wait until the women start driving in my driveway tomorrow morning.  One gal is coming today with her Mr. and they will be spending the weekend in one of our cabins.  What a fun get-a-way!

I’m looking forward to a perfect day!

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Filed Under: Blog, Home~Crafts

Valentine Central

February 4, 2012 By 1 Comment

Valentine funIt feels a bit like Valentine Central around here.

Valentine funFebruary ♥ is a month that I look forward to each year.

By this time I have fully recovered from the holidays, gardening and spring chores are still in the not-t00-distant future and I plan a couple of parties that motivate me to make it look and feel festive.

party. #.one::Valentine Tea & Boho Workshop – February 11th – and it’s a full class

I do have two spots still open for the weekend retreat in April

party.#.two::Valentines, Sprinkles, Glitter & Girls – February 14th a Valentine tea [plus so much more] that I do for my nieces and several of their friends.  This will be year #4 for this and it’s amazing how much these girls have changed.

Valentine funside note::

I try to NOT be into the latest ‘fashion’ for crafting tools but I have picked up a few that I am in love with.

The first year that I went to The Creative Connection Event I had a chance to use a Sizzix Big Shot [used for the flowers in this post] and it made me want one [isn't that why they do that?]…so I bought one.  The next year I came home with a Cricut and I don’t know how I lived without it.  Last year for Christmas [w/double motivation] my sister and I bought my mom The Cinch.  I have used it, loved it and now have bought my own so we can use it for the Boho Retreats this year.

Other than that I keep my crafting fairly simple and inexpensive.  I love shopping 2nd~Hand and I buy anything that I think I might ever possibly be able to put to use [get the picture?] and I can make just about anything I want w/o making a trip to the store.  Just one of the joys of living rural…the excuse to have it all right here!

Valentine funside note #2::

My friend, Michele, gifted me a whole bunch [24, I think] of these white, glass candle holders.  Since, she will be coming to the Valentine Tea/Workshop this month I decided that I should put some of them to use for decorations.  I’m so glad I did.  They are really, really fun and the soft glow of a candle makes them radiant!  thx. Michele

Valentine fun

 

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family tree

February 3, 2012 By 2 Comments

family treeI love my family.

I would do just about anything for family.

As our kids were growing up and not very interesting in loving and respecting one another, I would tell them over and over [and OVER AGAIN]…”Your brother/sister will be in your life forever and some day you might even be best friends…work on your relationship…don’t work on destroying it.”  Then I would go on to say, “I know it’s hard to believe but ‘chances are’ your friends will NOT be in your life forever!”

I would share that last portion so carefully because I knew that they absolutely DID NOT believe a word of it but I had to say it because I knew it to be true.

One of my great joys is to see my kids interact in a fun, positive way.  In a month I will no longer have any teenagers.  Although they still have an occasional bump in their relationship with one another, it’s wonderful to see them genuinely love each other and see the value in working through the tough spots.

family tree

our parents - together they represent well over 100 years of marriage

I grew up in a home where family was everything.  We spent so much time with grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc….and I loved every bit of it.

I come from good people.  I hope it doesn’t sound like I’m boasting.  I’m not!  I have just learned over the years what a gift and a blessing it has been to me.

family tree

taken at Seattle Center when we were dating

Another huge blessing is that on both sides of our family, couples for generations have known the value of commitment to one another.   They said, “I do!” and they have been committed to their vows through the good times and bad.

Such great examples to so many!

family tree

my favorite face

This family tree is an idea that has been ‘brewing’ for some time now.

My daughter made this tree in a high school metal shop class and it’s been sitting in her room for a couple of years.

It’s big and, made with ¼” aluminum, it’s heavy.

her dad likes to say that some kids put their artwork on the fridge while other’s artwork is the size of a fridge

She brought home three beautiful, heavy pieces from that class.  HERE is another one.

family treeMr T hung it for me yesterday and we have fun talking about ways to change it up and make it more fun.

family treeDaily!…celebrate the loved ones in your life!

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Filed Under: Blog, her Family, Home~Crafts

good day~

January 28, 2012 By 3 Comments

Happy Saturday, you little cuties!

What is your favorite thing about the weekend?

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Filed Under: Blog, her Kitchen

Boho 2012

January 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Introducing::βσhσ Art Retreats 2012

people ask me why I chose Bσhσ- it came to me out of a play on words- I liked the touch of Bohemian- for the unconventional, artistic journey that it portrays

attending a Bσhσ Art Retreat is a very relaxed, do-it-your-way-[if-you-want] experience

gals who attend are taken care of ~ well taken care of

I seem to get more and more excited with each new retreat and I feel a bit blown away by how lucky I am to interact with these great, creative ladies.    I find that as I plan and prepare throughout the months to offer…

•a fun variety of workshops

•a beautiful country setting and accommodations

•healthy, tasty, home-cooked meals

•a nurturing of heart and spirit

•and lots and lots and lots of beautiful German glass glitter

…it’s the ladies who attend who truly make each event grand.

The art retreats for 2012 are scheduled for:

April 13-15 [fri-sun] and  October 18-20 [thur-sat]

These retreats are small and intimate and limited to 8-10 gals.

$380 includes all meals, lodging and workshops.  $100 will hold a spot for you! ~with the balance paid two weeks prior to the event

I live about 1 hour and 15 minutes north of Spokane, Washington.

this link will show you a variety of posts written on the retreats and workshops offered in 2010 & 2011

Here are some pictures of the workshops for 2012. The focus will be on soldering, collage and mixed media…

1)

This soldered charm will be easy for first-timers and will be a fun refresher for those who have soldered before.

2)

After we have mastered some of the basics of soldering, we’ll create this fun [not functional] time piece.

3)

I had a lot of fun designing this chalkboard.  The top of it can be embellished in a variety of fun ways.  I created a collage, put a 2×8 beveled glass over it and soldered the edges then drove nails through rings that were also soldered on.  The glass will be available for anyone who chooses to do it this way.

4)

Mixed media is a delightful experience for gals who like to get their fingers a little dirty and their artistic juices flowing.  The possibilities for adding texture and color seem endless.

5)

This banner is an ‘extra’ workshop that I’m adding by special request.  These are fun, fun creations with another outlet for so many possibilities.

I utilize a few options for accommodations.   All are nice, clean, very close and include towels, sheets and other basics.

Won’t you climb in your own gypsy wagon of creativity and venture into this territory…where spirit, enthusiasm and creative whimsy embrace avant~garde?

You can reserve your own spot HERE/April or HERE/October and a supply list can be found HERE.

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Filed Under: Blog, her Art Retreats

marching on~

January 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment

It’s been a week of waiting, firsts and hopeful new beginnings.

It’s been a week full of love, laughter and high points but I have completely and totally lacked creative inspiration.

who's driving? don't do this!

I have a 3-way lamp.  The brightness changes just by touching it.  I used it on low in my guest room as I was keeping my little grandson for the weekend and it gave just the right amount of dim light.

Do you ever feel like a 3-way light bulb?  Sometimes a little too ‘brilliant’ that you may be hard to be around, other times wonderfully clear-headed and bright and yet at other times slightly dim, barely even shedding light on the world around you?

At times, during the course of a conversation, I’ll hear people refer to ‘happy pills’.  Possibly they’re talking in jest or maybe they’re serious, that they do indeed take a pill that makes them ‘happy’.  I’m sure that there are many varieties of such things available for the asking.

When I go through a time where I feel like all possible hopes of being artful and creative ever again are all lost [being a little dramatic] it’s a wonderful feeling when I begin to feel the artistic juices begin to flow.  There is a subtle welling-up that takes place inside of me…a joyful welling up!

I’m certain that it’s better than any happy pill could ever make me feel.

I feel renewed, revived and inspired.

So, I shall take advantage of ‘the feeling’ and force myself to get pictures up of the workshops that will be available at my just-around-the-corner Bσhσ Retreat.

I’m working on it.  It’s always so much more difficult that I imagine it will be.

This is good for me and I’m feeling a new surge of excitement as I march on!

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Filed Under: Blog, her Life
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