Fun at the park

I've been thinking a lot about Little Miss Thisorthat and how much she loves the park!  It doesn't even matter what kind of park it is or how long we stay, she is thrilled to go.  She loves the slides and the swings, playing with balls and running through the grass.  She loves it all!  I've missed seeing her beautiful face light up when she realizes the park is in her near future.  I'm planning to take her to the park next week and I can't tell you how excited I am.  I'm sure it's much more excited than she would be if I told her.  If I haven't said it before, being a grandparent is the greatest thing and it's all because of those adorably wonderful little people we call grand kids.  Do you have someone special in your life like I do???  Tell me.......

Yay its 2012!!!!

I always love starting off the new year.  Besides having to remember to change the year on my checks (which I will do wrong for the next three months), it always feels like the new year has something wonderful and exciting just waiting to show itself.  Of course it's never anything that I think it might be, but none the less that's what makes things interesting.  The other day in the mail I received the most fabulous surprise ever!  It was a book that just had pictures of Little Miss Thisorthat - from the cover to the last page.  We had her pictures done a couple of months ago and my very good friend had this treasure made for me.  I will hold it dear to my heart forever!!!  Those are the kinds of wonderful little surprises that you just can't plan for.  Who knows what will come next.  For now I'll tangle and stay devoted to what I love!  What kinds of things are you looking forward to in this new year????

Finally found it!

I have been so so busy the past couple of weeks that I haven't had much time to draw.  Since it was my January pledge to myself to post a tangle a day I have been struggling to keep that promise to myself.  I forgot that I had done this one Monday night and was panicking a little bit.  Now I guess I know what I'll be doing tonight!  :)  It might be hard since Little Miss Thisorthat will be here but she's always a great helper when it comes to ideas.  I hope you're having an awesome day are getting lots done.  I know I will be!!!

Birthdays are fun!

Yesterday was Mr. Thisorthat's birthday!  The house was full of kids (our grown ones but they're still kids), girlfriends, wives, our princess granddaughter, and a surprise out of town guest - my brother-in-law who is also hubbys very best friend in the world (next to me of course).  We spent the day at home except for the occasional trip to the store.  He wanted to have carrot cake so I used my moms long time favorite recipe.  Half-way through the baking process I had to call my mom and ask her why the cake wasn't rising and felt like oatmeal - then it dawned on me I FORGOT TO ADD THE BAKING SODA - who woulda thought (I guess I  just gave up that I usually open a box and add eggs and oil)!!!  So off to the store to buy more ingredients!!!!  It must have turned ok because Little Miss Thisorthat kept sticking her fingers in the frosting saying she LOVED it, but she didn't like carrots and she didn't want any cake.  When her piece was cut she changed her mind.  Of course I think anything is great covered with cream cheese frosting!!!   How can you go wrong there???  We had a wonderful day it's looking like another busy day today.  Enjoy your day and do something that brings you tons of joy!!!

I'm so excited its Friday!!!  Today Little Miss Thisorthat and I get to have some wonderful "girl time" after she gets back from school.  Somes our little girl is very outgoing and is totally full of herself, but I'm finding the older she gets (and the more aware of her surroundings) sometimes she's a little shy.  At first I was a little worried about it but then I realized that we're all like that.  There are times when I am more outgoing than others and sometimes I just want to be left alone.  It's no wonder that the little people in our lives are the same way. Sometimes we forget they're not only little versions of ourself but little sponges absorbing everything life is throwing at them.  It's a wonder we grew up normal (ha ha whatever that is!) when we're such emotional people!  Whether you're having a save the world day or a sit back and enjoy the sunshine day, enjoy it only like you can!!

Perception

Interpretation is a funny thing.  That's part of what makes Zentangles so appealing.   You draw patterns, end up with something, someone else looks at it, sees something completely different - its great!!!  I guess that's what art really is anyway right?  Everything is subject to our perception.   I was really enjoying all the different patterns in this piece, when Little Miss Thisorthat and Mr. Thisorthat said this looked like something you would see in a bowl of fruit salad.  I still didn't see it, but after they shared their ideas we all laughed.  Laughter is wonderful and if you can do that with those you care the most about, then life is pretty great!!  I hope today you can find laughter in something you do.  Enjoy the day!!

Holding On

With the look of the "netting" being held down, I thought of how many times throughout the day we have to hold on or hold down things in our lives.  Sometimes it's things other people say to us or the way they treat us.  Other times it's the results of decisions we've made and have to work through them.  Then there are the things that just "happen" and have to be addressed.  For me this week, its being sick.  It started while on vacation, the day of a surprise party, missed seeing family I hadn't seen in years, rode cross country (well half way) mostly in silence snuggled under a blanket, missed seeing Little Miss Thisorthat for the second week in row, and haven't done much of anything but drink and sleep all week.  After a blanket of 4" of new snow I think we have something new to hold on and get through.  Enjoy your weekend!

Its a Puzzle!

Last week Little Miss Thissorthat was over and wanted to draw.  Since she's only 4 and doesn't have great control over her motor skills yet, she asked me to help her make a tangle (like grandmas').  So as she gave direction, I drew.  When it was all said and done she said, "its a guy filled with puzzles grandma".  I know, she's so smart!!!!  We tried to choose different patterns but she has a fancy for certain ones.  I know we didn't start out with a plan to make a guy but we added a little here and a little there and before we knew it - there he was!  It's always fun to spend time with her and when we can do something creative she gets SO into it.  Her mom says she's inherited my crafty-ness.  I hope that's true.  I know she does crafts with a lot of people so I'm hoping this is something that stays with her. I hope you have time for your favorite craft today.  Do it just for you!

Three Little Mice

Sometimes when I spend time with Little Miss Thisorthat I am amazed at her perspective on life.  She is so smart and can see through so much and cut to what's real to her.  And you know what, she makes more sense than some adults that I know.  When she saw this tangle she said, "grandma this looks like the carriage that took Cinderella to the ball - you know the one with the pumpkins and the mice?"  Of course I remembered because all my boys watched Cinderella over and over when they were little (even though they probably wouldn't admit it at this point in their lives).  I'm just surprised at the things she remembers - I know she my granddaughter so I think EVERYTHING she says and does is remarkable.  But how can you fault a grandma for adoring her grand kids???  Fairy tales are just that, food for your imagination and isn't that something that we should NEVER outgrow?  I guess that's why even now we draw little patterns on pictures and are so proud of them.  It's our way of staying in touch with our inner self (even though sometimes we don't think it's as important as it really is).  Feed yourself something like a fairy tale and enjoy your day!!