Labour of Love

FIGHT FOR THE FUTURE~Internet goes on strike!

2012-01-18T06:38:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

2012-01-03T05:16:00.000-08:00

This ecard generated with Smilebox

Thought of the day...

2011-11-08T07:10:00.000-08:00

"Life is short, and it is up to you to make it sweet." ~ Sarah Louise Delany

Belated Bonne anniversaire to my sweet French sister, Rhonda, hoping you had the most sweetest birthday ever yesterday.

Since, I'm feeling quite French today, hop on over to another sweet friend of mine, Dionne's blog: City of Dionne...

where she talks about one of my favourite movies, Amelie and hosted a sweet Amelie Party...you will just love all the sweet details she created for her party...

I'm pretty sure you'll be inspired with all the beauty she put into this gorgeous party!

Well, It's raining cats+dogs today but seeing this photo I took with my sis, Mary Ann,

is really making my day a whole lot sweeter...

Hope you have a wonderful Tuesday...

bon temps...xoxox

right time, right place, right love...

2011-11-05T07:03:00.000-07:00

...it's fate... {photos found on internet}

"Life is the most spectacular show on earth."~Sara Gruen, Water for Elephants

Just saw this beautiful love story...it reminded me of my own lovestory...one day I'll write about it...but I know about how deep love can go...I was there with my true love...
right time, right place, right love...it's fate...

{photo courtesy of labour of love-taken at Lake Winagra}

You had me at " when two people are meant to be together, they'll be together. It's fate."
~Sara Gruen, Water for Elephants.
go see this movie...read the book...you're going to love it!
♥♥♥ this inspirational love story

happy Saturday...

xoxox

Welcome November...always bring your own sunshine...

2011-11-03T20:02:00.000-07:00

Photo taken by Labour of Love. Taken at UW Arboretum.

Today's weather was far from being the beautiful day as depicted in the above photo.
It was cold, dreary, wet and just plain miserable.
But if we could treat each day like it was something maginificent, wow...where would we be? More importantly, where would I be?!
I love quotes. I'm so happy to have stumbled upon the following quotes...they are truly words of inspiration and motivate me to accomplish much + have a great day! I hope you do too...

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year."
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine." ~Anthony J. DiAngelo

November’s sky is chill and drear... November’s leaf is red and sear.
~Sir Walter Scott

Now Autumn’s fire burns slowly along the woods. ~William Allingham

Good news, I finally mailed off my Pay it Forward package to a sweetheart on the West Coast.
Once things settle, I'll be able to post some pics of her lil' package and our Halloween soirees!
Whatever you do today, just remember to 'always bring your own sunshine...'

bonne nuit
xoxo

Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile...

2011-10-13T21:19:00.000-07:00

{photo taken by Labour of Love}

Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all. - Stanley Horowitz

Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile. -William Cullen Bryant

October's poplars are flaming torches lighting the way to winter.-Nova Bair

Here is my October 2011 Desktop Calendar. Autumn is one of our favourite season...we love when the leaves change into their vibrant + glorious colours. For a couple of weeks it hit 80 degrees...but today it has been raining like cats+dogs all day...

This shot was taken nearby UM-Wisconsin Arboretum. Two canoers just started their journey on Lake Winagra. I wanted to capture the Fall beauty...I truly love seeing all the different colours through my camera lens. It was a perfect shot!

What are you planning for this weekend?!

In the meantime, enjoy the rest of the beautiful Fall weather! Until next time...

au revoir xoxo

Flygirl...

2011-10-12T19:21:00.000-07:00

lately this month, i've been watching a lot of superhero type of movies with my munchkins: Thor, Dare Devil, Electra, Transformers, Aeonflux, Indiana Jones, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Hornet, Harry Potter, heck, even Charlie's Angels. it's very fitting for this month as Halloween is just around the corner. don't you wish you could just have superpowers and get everything you wanted done?! sometimes having superpowers can help you ward off evil mojo + bad karma that negative people try to displace onto unexpecting souls. hmmm...what superhero would i be? what power would i want? well...

a few days ago, a friend on fb tagged me to do this fun meme:
1 - Go to wikipedia and hit random. The first random wikipedia article you get is the name of your band. 2 - Go to quotationspage.com and hit random. The last four or five words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album. 3 - Go to flickr and click on “explore the last seven days”. Third picture no matter what it is, will be your album cover. 4 - Use photoshop or other similar free online photo editors to put it all together. 5 - Post it with this text in the "caption" and TAG the friends you want to join in...

i did everything, except #3 had me thinking about copyright laws and the owners of those pictures on Explore/Flickr. i found a cool picture (that was the third picture of Explore) of a woman in a long, white gown. her hair was wrapped around her face and her arms were wrapped around herself. it was gorgeous. i believe the photographer's name is Vanessa Ho. i added text to the picture and it looked great. but i didn't feel right using that photo without the expressed consent of the owner. so i deleted it. but i loved the title of my band: Flygirl and i loved the title of my first album: No bird soars too high, if (s)he soars with her (i added the word 'her') own wings (quote from William Blake). it got my creative juices flowing and i edited a photo of myself by using the pencil sketch option via photoshop and added the text and viola, a great poster/album cover was born (see photo above)...

so, i guess the universe is telling me that if i were to be a superhero, i would be 'FLYGIRL' with supermagnificent and unbelievable speed, intelligence, power , strength and of course the natural ability to FLY.

with that being said, this one superhero (ha~moi!) has been a busy lil' beaver...we've decorated our lil' house with neat + stylish Halloween decos (will take some shots soon)...we're going to be making our lil' mummy cups (see this post for mummy goody cups + more Halloween ideas) for their treats to give out to their lil' buddies at school and i've been scouting our town for our next family portrait photoshoot location. i'm also preparing to send my 1st 52 week mail out of town + a long-awaited package to someone special. whew...i'm just exhausted reading all the things i have to get done.

well... i hate to talk and run, but duty calls...until next time! mwah~Flygirl ;)

52 Weeks of Mail Love...

2011-10-10T20:37:00.000-07:00

A sweet friend, Anastasia, wrote about this special event in FB. She is a beautiful artist and also loves letter writing and receiving mail from all over.
I instantly fell in love with this idea!

I love letter writing, receiving letters from pen-pals and just checking the mailbox for any sweet surprises from special hearts across the world. Call me old-fashioned. But whatever happened to sending mail through the postal service? In this fast, high-tech world, I think people have forgotten how to be civil to one another. I think the Etsy Creators have got a great idea.
Bringing people closer together by a simple surprise in the mail. I like it.
I'm participating in this event and I'm starting with a person that has been waiting for something from me for 3 whole years. I don't know where those years have gone. All I know is that LIFE got in the way (esp. with my Hubby deployed to the Middle East-life was hectic for sometime.) So, to get back into the groove, I'm preparing a lil' package to this special heart. They should receive it before Halloween. I'm determined to mail it this week. I'm getting everything ready and I'll post a quick picture of it before the week is out.

Check out 52 Weeks of Mail here for more info and check out the other FBers looking for pen-pals. Great way to connect!

Also, through FB, here is another Artist, Jenny, (The Modest Peacock) who writes a great post about how and why she's participating. She also gives out fab links to other places to connect with and find some great pen-pals!

If anyone would like to send me their snail addy (mail address), I would be happy to send mail from my lil' world to you. Just let me know your snail addy by sending me a quick e-mail at labourof_love at hotmail dot com or you could send me your blog link and I could contact you through your blog.
(Please no weird, stranger-danger types.
Just real, wholesome+good hearts, PLEASE!)

Looking forward to sending my lil' something to that special heart soon...
Hope you will join in the fun too!

Until next time... bonne nuit!

xoxo

once in awhile...

2011-09-24T19:47:00.001-07:00

is it already the last weekend of September... where does the time go?

there's already a chill in the air...leaves are falling...warmer jackets are being put on...

what a weekend...fall clean-up, packing summer stuff up and getting into the fall groove...

looking forward to creating something special for someone who deserves a
lil' surprise~i haven't forgotten...just wishing time was on my side...this surprise will hopefully make it in time for one of our favourite holidays...Halloween!

In the meantime, the munchkins, dear hubby + i had a sweet family dessert date...what a nice way to mark the end of summer...
Do you have any traditions to mark the end of Summer and welcome Fall?
Here's to a delicious end to summer...
au revoir hot sun, bonjour crisp, fall air!

xoxo

what love can build...

2011-09-16T18:38:00.000-07:00

16 years ago...you and i exchanged vows in my childhood church...

you're my best friend. you're my one and only.

look what we've built together...we've gone through so much together.
we have so much history together...i look forward to sharing many more years with you
and our lil' munchkins...i love you for eternity...
mahal kita...Happy 16th anniversary mahal!
je t'aime
xoxo

blueberry love...

2011-09-12T05:51:00.000-07:00

hoping you're having a good monday...

love blueberries, don't you...

these are sugarfree mini bluecakes i made for my lil' guy...

have to run but will post recipe soon.

happy september!

xoxo

Those Special Hearts...

2011-09-11T20:22:00.000-07:00

{image found on internet, I inserted words + heart banner}

{created by me: labour of love}

10 years...

I remember it like it was yesterday. It was early morning, I was downtown at work in Chicago, when a colleague had his tv on in his office and said something weird was happening...World Trade Center was on fire...then we all saw the second plane hit the second tower...burst of flames, black smoke, we were dumbfounded, and utterly scared for those trapped in the buildings and the horrible thought that something terrible has gone on...then my hubby called me and said something I will never forget...
"Terrorists hit NYC and America is in danger"...I thought I was in the twilight zone...
he then told me to get out of work and meet him on the train to go home...

That day changed the world forever.

I will never ever forget the many hearts that were taken. Life cut short for so many innocent people. Lives lost in a second. Families torn. The world in chaos. The kind hearts that helped. The very meaning of unconditional love pouring out to so many...

Today, I will always remember all those special hearts...our Heros...

September 11, 2001 will never be forgotten.

My three little miracles were created 2 months after this tragedy...and I am truly grateful to God. He brought us hope among the darkest day...and I will continue to keep those special hearts in my prayers...
as the loves of my life keep burning bright lights for the future...

xoxo

Stormy Tuesday...Anyway...

2011-08-23T14:03:00.000-07:00

Today is Tuesday. Today is stormy. Today is all about "Anyway..."

I stumbled on to one of my friends' facebook status and this is what it said:
Words to live by: If u r honest, people may cheat u. Be honest anyway. If u find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good u do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. For you see, it is between u and God. It was never between u and them anyway. (attributed to Mother Teresa, based on Dr. Kent M. Keith...borrowed from my friend, Kristie...)

1. This version was found written on the wall in Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta:

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

-this version is credited to Mother Teresa (*) The verses above was reportedly written on the wall of Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta, India, and are widely attributed to her. And some sources say that the words were written on the wall in Mother Teresa's own room. However, these words are based on a composition originally by Kent Keith, but much of the second half has been re-written in a more spiritual way.

2. Here is the Original Version:
The Paradoxical Commandments by Dr. Kent M. Keith:
People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.Love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.Do good anyway.
If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies.Succeed anyway.
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.Do good anyway.
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.Be honest and frank anyway.
The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.Think big anyway.
People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.Build anyway.
People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.Help people anyway.
Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.Give the world the best you have anyway.

© 1968, 2001 Kent M. Keith"The Paradoxical Commandments" were written by Kent M. Keith in 1968 as part of a booklet for student leaders.

This was perfect for today. I needed this to remind me of who I am...
What I am all about...Honesty, Integrity, Goodness.

Thank you, God. Thank you, Mother Teresa. Thank you, Dr. Keith. Thank you, Sweet Kristie.

Merci Beaucoup xoxo

Tuesday Tip of the Day...Natural Beauties

2011-08-16T07:00:00.000-07:00

Tip of the Day:

When someone says, "Oh, you don't have to get me anything. Especially flowers. They're too expensive and they'll just die in a day anyway!" Don't believe them. Flowers will always put a smile on someone's face. Especially if they came from someone you care about. Flowers are God's natural wonders of beauty. From a small seed, beauty erupts at the right time and will display such amazing + vibrant colours and shapes.

For longer lasting flowers, just take care of your flowers when you receive them. Cut bottom stems at an angle. Remove some of the leaves from the flower bunch. Put them in water, add flower medicine (or crushed tylenol). Remember to keep your flowers away from air conditioners or heat registers. Change the water everyday and cut the ends off on an angle.

Now, go ahead and surround yourself with these natural beauties and enjoy every moment!

oui, oui!
jo xoxo

a shining example to the human race...Merci Beaucoup Mondays

2011-08-15T21:04:00.000-07:00

VIRGIN MARY and baby Jesus at the Courtyard of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, L'Erable, Illinois
photo by labour of love

For many Christians, especially the Roman Catholics, Eastern Catholic Churches, Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy and parts of the Anglican Communion and Continuing Anglicanism, today is The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary~August 15 . (information from Loyola Press here and Wikipedia over here .)

Mary, the mother of Jesus, who was born without sin, was taken, body and soul, into the glory of heaven on this day. Because of Mary's role in God's plan of salvation, she does not suffer from the effects of sin, which are death and decay. Mary is the first to receive the fullness of the redemption that her son has won for all of humanity. The Church, therefore, recognizes Mary as the sign of the salvation promised to all.

Mary's faith enabled her to recognize the work of God in her people's history and in her own life. Her openness to God allowed God to work through her so that salvation might come to all. Mary is a model and symbol of the Church. May we be like Mary, open and cooperative in God's plan of salvation.

A Catholic Theologian, Ludwig Ott, viewed Mary as having completed her life as a shining example to the human race, with the perspective that the gift of assumption is offered to the whole human race. (information from Wikipedia here )

Merci Beaucoup, Sweet, Blessed Virgin Mary for having faith in God and happily accepting God's plan. I pray that I can continue to have Faith and continue to do God's will, just as you had.

until next time
bonne nuit,

jo;) xoxo

Hello August!

2011-08-08T14:16:00.000-07:00

This summer surely is going by so fast! Maybe because the munchkins and I are absolutely busy every single day. Not one day goes by where we aren't doing something or going somewhere. I guess that's good in a way. It keeps us hopping. But it prevents me from updating my social media outlets big time...July went by like a flash. I do have photos to prove it but I just haven't had the chance to upload them. Soon...I know I sound like a broken record, but I promise myself that I will post soon.

Last month we went on a mini-vacation to Michigan, with my very creative sis, Mary Ann (whom we lovingly call Reya). We stayed at my sis' good friend's, Joanne's sweet B&B and went to another of my sis' good friend, Angela's BBQ&Pool Party. It was beautiful. Their homes were absolutely divine!!! A much needed getaway! Sooooooo very, very, very...Hoooooooooooooot but very beautiful! Joanne and Angela surely made us feel so welcomed. Thank you so very much ladies for sharing your homes, your weekend + your hearts with us. The munchkins and I loved every minute!!! I met some wonderful + Creative Soules...so much inspiration going on...(again, I took some great pics of our trip...and will post soon...)

We also had the chance to visit the Sketchbook Project when it came to Chi-Town. We met so many wonderful artists that I can't wait to share some great photos of their work and photos of the artists themselves! We met this mother-daughter duo from Indiana. Ann + Kelly . They are the sweetest duo ever!!!! Their journals were so beautiful and inspirational. Please check Kelly's post to see more of their fabulous visit to Chi-Town over here... (I will hopefully post my pics soon of these amazing women and our visits)

I hope you are all enjoying these dog days of summer and having a blast with your loved ones. In the meantime, please enjoy the above desktop calendars for August (sweet french vanilla angel cuppies & lazy summer days=sunflower) (and sorry about my late July photos~delicious blueberry puffs w/ blueberry lemon tea~yum!)

until next time... au revoir...

xoxo jo

Parades, Fireworks, Stars+Stripes...oh my!

2011-07-01T12:54:00.000-07:00

cheerleading camp. done!
my lil' gal is one jumpin, flyin' cheerleader to be...she loves all her flip-flops. all those gymnastic classes sure has helped her physically and mentally.

So proud of you, sweetie! until next year...GOOoooooooooo Shioban!

now, in a couple of hours, it'll be parade time over here. the munchkins are excited!

we're decorating their bikes with red, white + blue...this year they'll be able to enjoy some sparklers + snap poppers. my lil' guys are so cute.
they read the boxes of these lil' firecrackers and said:

i+s: "Guess what Mommy?"

j: "What is it munchkins?"

i+s: "It says not good for kids under 9. And guess what...we're the big 9!!!! Whoo-hoo! We get to touch these mini sparklers + poppin' thing-a-ma-jigs!"

j: "Rah-Roh...me thinks I created 2 monsters..."

well, better get our sparklers on...we're heading to some friends house for some birthday celebration + early 4th of July partying!

i'll post photos of our weekend soon.
in the meantime...hope you have the best + safe 4th of July weekend!
xoxo

merci beaucoup...

2011-06-30T22:01:00.000-07:00

can't believe June's ending...like i've been saying all year long...where does the time go?!

this summer is flying...loads of stuff being done everyday!

so much has happened this June but running around with munchkins in tow to all of their summer activities, really leaves me no time to update this lil' blog of mine.

when i get the chance, i'm going to share some photos of some of the
neat things we've been doing this June.

first, the kiddos celebrated their 9th b-day in memory of our sweet Angel Sinead.

this year's theme was "Fear Factor." they (we) had a blast!
then, we ended the school year on June 13th-yay!
now, everyday, the kiddos and i have been busy with science enrichment programs, get-fit camps for kids, gymnastics, cheer tumbling, cheerleading camp, pom-poms, hip-hop, guitar, youth club commission, swimming, parties, playdates, zumba (thxs kristie for discovering this!), bootcamp (thxs coach luch for the serious, motivational+energetic program) , walking track (thxs cath/jen for the inspirational walks/talks)...and more...
the month of june had so many birthdays, including mine + my sweetheart. it was very low-key celebrations. those special peeps of mine who remembered and sent sweetness our way will always be treasured in our hearts. thank you very much for making us feel so special!

oh, yes... in the midst of all the chaos...new friendships have been formed.
it's good to know that there are still nice+sweet peeps out there.
i'm just lucky to have this opportunity to share some great times with them.
i want to thank these special hearts for taking the time to wish me well.

hoping you are all enjoying these beautiful days of summer...until next time!
bonne nuit
xoxo

Summertime...

2011-06-05T08:57:00.000-07:00

summer has come early this year...record highs in the 90's for early June...but that's ok...it's a nice welcome after a long winter. it's also been such a stormy spring but i like the rain~just not tornados or hurricanes...with all the natural disasters going on in our world today, i think it's been affecting how people act in society. i mean, lots of stuff has been happening around my neck of the woods. kids almost done with school. it's been one rocky school year. no, not about their grades but about their social well-being. people can be strange. we've been dealing with crazy stuff this year. i don't like to bring negative karma to this lil' ol blog of mine but sometimes letting off steam can be a good thing.

just a simple question: why in the world can people be so weird?!

our lil' family is doing our best to maintain happiness amongst all the bs. no one can take our happiness away. here's a message to the negative person that's been bothering our family:

"hey you...yea you... the one that has been stalking and sending negative karma our way...it's NOT WORKING!"
we're still here in this world and we're as happy as can be... here's to you my sweet lil' family...thank you for being you and being great troopers...i love you my sweet family...here's to a great summer to come...exciting things will be happening for my munchkins...will post pics soon...until next time...enjoy the sweetness of SUMMER!

xoxo

June...sweetness

2011-06-01T09:19:00.000-07:00

enjoy all that summer has to offer!

xoxo

In Memory...

2011-05-27T17:06:00.000-07:00

Memorial Day 2011

thank you for all you do and for touching our lives...

with love,

xoxo

2nd attempt to post: Easter, Bunnies, Eggs...oh my...

2011-05-16T08:51:00.000-07:00

blogger had issues last week. they made a general statement of apology + promised restoration of lost data. however, my posts/comments/pics haven't been recovered. i haven't heard from blogger and rather than waiting for my prayers to be answered, i will try to remember what i posted and do my best restoring my 5/12/11 post (i apologize in advance for being redunant in posting my Easter happenings...please bear with me...):

After Easter Sunday Mass, my lil' munchkins were ready to get down and gritty for the Egg Hunting...but of course, i had to get my annual Easter outfit pics...here are my lil' princess+prince:

such a pretty lil' princess! i wish designers can create a lil' number like this one in my size...love the classic look + the robin egg blue colour is stunning... (this lil' number came from TJ MAXX)

oops...i think my lil' prince is growing like a weed...i've got to let out the jacket + pants...you're growing too tall, sweetie...
but you sure look handsome!

my beautiful mom + her grandkiddos...such a sweet pic!

i really love this gorgeous headband from Ulta. Fit for a princess...worth every penny for her an early b-day present.

here's my lovely family...sweet Angel Sinead is smiling down on us...miss you, sweetpea!

been busy designing my lil' sis' new bakery website. Gail, is quite the avid baker. One day she'd like to own her own brick+morter shoppe...but in the meantime, she's made 1000's of cuppies+baked goodies. i've been capturing a bunch of her work on film + love capturing her delectable treats + styling them for photo shoots...i love still-shots + graphic design...wish i could turn back time + majored in that in college...

now, off to our Egg Hunting Festivities:
here's Shioban enjoying some of the cute things she found in her Easter Basket...

Ian just couldn't wait to get out of that suit...
here they are with their loot:

my Pop+Mom came over to have Easter Brunch with us. My Pop made his delicious Pork Butt Roast and scrumptious Chicken Wings. i attempted to make this ham with pineapples, cherries and cloves. it looked gorgeous but i wasn't impressed with the taste. the family liked it but i like it to be more juicy with loads of carmelized flavour...

here's Ian teaching Shioban how to use their new "Twistable Crayolas," my lil' artists-to-be!

both the kiddos are such hams! Shioban looked at me and said, "Hey, Mommy...did you get us these baskets or did the Easter Bunny give these to us..." ruh-roh...me thinks this is the last year of them believing in the Easter Bunnies, tooth fairies, Leprechuans, Santa...you name it...well it was a good 9 year run, huh?

the Easter Egg Hunt was a blast! they never get tired of finding treasures, that's for sure!

i think counting their loot is the best part of the hunt.i made these Easter Peep wreaths...i wanted to hang them on our 2 front doors but the doors have a southern exposure and the sun would just have a field day with all that marshmellow and then the ants would start marching on in...
we also made Easter Eggs...we forgot a few in the colour wash and when we took them out, they turned out to be absolutely darling! isn't it cool that a mistake can be so neat?

amazing colour, huh?! sometimes mistakes are a good thing!

well, that was our fun-filled Easter Weekend. hope it was 'hopping' for you too!

(let's hope this post sticks around awhile...)

bon temps!
xoxo

Lost~where did it go?!

2011-05-13T21:33:00.000-07:00

this is what i've been asking myself all day today...where did my Post of May 12, 2011 go to?
One day, it was here. Then the next, gone!
I understand that Blogger had some malfunctions the last couple of days but why did my post (and i found out others have lost their posts/pictures/even some of their blogs too)
disappear?
i know that some bloggers know what i mean when i say that blogging takes time. uploading pictures take time. finding the right words take time. typing takes time. so then why in the world would a post go missing?
i wrote to Blogger asking them to restore my post+pics of that missing day.
does anyone even read those inquiries? will anyone listen and restore lost information?
so frustrating. so time-consuming. is it worth uploading the many photos that took forever to get on that post? can i remember what i actually said on each picture?

that's Friday the 13th for you...well, i'm too tired to redo everything Blogger...
thanks for adding more frustrations in our lives this weekend...
will catch some zzzzs and see if i could remember what i wrote that day...
have a good one...
bonne nuit
xoxo

{May 14, 2011:
ok, now some of my comments from other posts have disappeared...i.e. May 2, 2011...i used to have 9 comments...now it's down to 7......are all my posts, comments, pictures slowly disappearing? is this a sign to CHANGE back to WORDPRESS or start a TYPEPAD account?????????? am i in the twilight zone?!!!!!}

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-08T09:46:00.000-07:00

To my ever dearest Mom...Thank you for giving me life, for sacrificing so much for your family, for having the courage to come to a different country in order to give your family a better life, for never giving up and having a strong determination to complete your education, become a registered nurse and pursue your Master's Degree.

You've taught me so much...but most of all~ how to be a loving and kind woman.
I thank you for breathing life into me.

I hope you're enjoying your much deserved vacation in our home country.

Please know how much we miss you and hope you and Pop are safe and enjoying
every minute in Paradise.
Love you so very much for eternity, Sweet Mom...your 2nd born, Tim, Ian, Shioban and Angel Sinead xoxoxoxo

"Funget" (funjet)...good thing?

2011-05-02T06:41:00.000-07:00

May 1, 2011

The last part of March and all of April have been truly tough. My family has been undergoing some rough patches. We're slowly picking up the pieces.

With so many things going on in the world, it's really hard to keep up.

Gas prices have soared over here. With that in mind, so has everything else on the market. Food, clothes, supplies...you name it. Time, Money + my Life have been really tight.

There's so much I'd like to pursue but with these tough times, it's a bit difficult to keep afloat. So for the rest of this year, my family will be watching our pennies. I'm looking at this as a good thing. I wanted to take a few classes to enhance my creativity esp. w/ photography (Creativity Boot Camp), + some art + dance classes but it looks as though I will have to miss it this year. This is ok since that money will be put to good use on my lil' munchkins so they'll be able to enjoy their summer activities.

On a happier note, I still have my camera, my heart+soule. Somehow, I'm going to make the best out of this. I will venture out with my camera, heart+soule and find ways to grow creatively without spending too many pennies...how about you? any ideas on having a "funget" (word I made up, pronounced like funjet- fun+budget) summer?

bontemps
xoxo

April showers...

2011-04-30T23:36:00.000-07:00

bring May flowers!

What a month April has been...

loads of things have happened this month.
we've been experiencing some rough spots over here.
but it hasn't stopped us from enjoying some of the simple pleasures of life.

will upload some pics of the last two months as soon as i get a free moment...

hope you've been enjoying life!

bonne nuit
xoxo

March Madness

2011-03-31T19:40:00.000-07:00

What a month March proved to be. It started off sweetly but somehow ended up with devastation + saddness.

This year, I think the beginning of March came in like a lamb and roared out like a lion in the end.

Don't get me wrong. There have been days filled with much happiness but there also have been some very dark days...

Here is a chronicle of March 2011+ how life can change in a blink of an eye:

03.01.11 March Calendars

03.03.11 Paper Fortune Cookie Tutorial

03.08.11 Fat Tuesday + Lucky Days 03.11.11 Devastating Tsunami + 9.0 Earthquake hits Northern Japan (go here for more information on this terrible tragedy)

{photo found on internet} {photo courtesy of indiansnaps.com }

please go here to see more compelling photos of this terrible diaster.

My family watched in horror as parts of Japan was being destroyed by mother nature. My heart aches for the people, their country and the daunting responsibilities of rebuilding their world.

We are praying for all of those touched by this horrific disaster.

03.13.11

celebrating my Sweet Mom's birthday with dear family + friends.

03.17.11 Celebrated our 1st Annual St. Patrick's Day Dinner with my sweet sister and her dear family.

03.18.11 Bloggers around the world respectfully held a day of silence for Japan.

I missed joining in on this event. Please go to this site For Japan with LOVE to find out more about so many beautiful hearts making a difference!

this is my little contribution that i'll be sending with any packages, presents or homemade goodies that i'll be making this year. 4 different tags that i created called "with love."

these lil' hearts on boats represent all the love+thoughts my family and i will be sending across the ocean to Japan...

03.21-25.11 SPRING BREAK

my sis, Gail, is an avid baker. she wants to have her own lil' bake shoppe one day. she found this cupcakery on wheels. they also have a facebook page. it was fun trying to track them down. they also are on twitter @flirtycupcakes. really cute+tasty cuppies.

but i think my sis' cuppies are one of the best...hurry up and set up shoppe.
we love your cupcakes!

dear maddy: you're a true friend. i'm so lucky that we've found each other.
especially since the bad stuff going on.
thank you for being brave+protecting me. i love being in gymnastics with you. flip-flops are my fav. you are my fav. i'm one lucky girl!

love, xoxo, shioban

{photo courtesy of uk.ibtimes.com }

Elizabeth Taylor=one more classic star added to the sky

March 30, 2011

Mail Love.

Thank you Angela of Three Buttons for Peppermint + Arthouse for the 2011 Sketchbook Poster=love them! xoxox

whew...now that was one busy March!

xoxo

Ready for some Creative Spring Training?

2011-03-10T08:06:00.000-08:00

{photo courtesy of maegan beishline}

{photo by me~ labour of love~day 7 last year's submission}

then save those dates for some Creativity Boot Camp Spring Training!

Maegan Beishline, creator of this fantastic Boot Camp is opening a new session May 15-28, 2011. it's a two week intensive e-course designed to take your creativity to the next level. i participated last year {go here to see my work} and it really opened my eyes in how i can capture even more beauty in my creative life. i primarily chose to improve on my photography skills but you can choose your type of medium. on top of this amazing + upcoming Boot Camp, Maegan has created an e-workbook on last year's course with new prompts and the best thing is you can do it according to your own pace.

i'm really looking forward to this e-course and hope you'll check it out too!

let's get ready to rumble!!!

yay...the sun's out...happy Thursday!

xoxo

Happy Fat Tuesday~Mardi Gras...Biegnets, Peppermint Mag+642 Things to Draw!

2011-03-08T08:19:00.000-08:00

(photo courtesy of Southern Living )

Happy Mardi Gras~Happy Fat Tuesday!

Whenever I think of 'Mardi Gras~Fat Tuesday', I think of New Orleans. The first thing I think of are not those 'beads or the carnival atmosphere' but those delectable, scrumptiously, delicate yet puffy Beignets...with a delicious cup of hot earl grey tea or cafe' au lait or even a sweet cappuccino...I loved New Orleans and when we visited there several years ago, we made sure to stop in the famous Cafe' Du Monde. We bought several boxes of these irresistable sweets. But it didn't last long! You can buy them at Cafe' Du Monde's shoppe over here

(photo courtesy of Cafe' Du Monde )

or you can try to make them on your own. How about trying Southern Living's recipe
Go to their site + follow their 4 step slideshow...hmm...well, I might just have to try that out...

How do you celebrate your Fat Tueday?

Any exciting plans for Big Fat Tuesday? Do tell!

Well on to some good news, so far, March is really one Lucky month for me...

(photo courtesy of Three Buttons + Self Indulgent Exhibitionism + Chronicle Books )

yup...that's right...I am a lucky winner in 2 giveaways!

One was from a Sweetheart from Australia~Angela's Three Buttons
YAY!!! I won one of her magazines called Peppermint Magazine. It's one of Australia's newest and upcoming, eco mag showcasing handmade designs from Australia + the world. Topics ranging from good designs about fashion, lifestyle, art + bringing a whole lot of creativity while being environmentally friendly! Go GREEN!
Her blog is quite inspirational and she finds the neatest blogs+showcases such lovely eye-candies to drool over! I absolutely LOVE her blog...you must check her world out...
she has fab ideas + a cool shoppe too!
I'm truly amazed with Australian women. They really know how to take it up a few notches with their sweet Soirees or their unique creations.
Thank you so very much, Angela! You made my day even SWEETER!!!

The second prize I won was from another sweetheart: Summer Woodham's Self Indulgent Exhibitionism giveaway.

I wrote all about it in this post. I look forward to seeing Summer and the other artist illustrate their creative ideas from this book...I still can't believe I won...YAY!!! The book arrived safely and it's beautiful! I really can't bear to draw in it as I love to keep it as an inspirational book. Thank you so very much Summer + Pattie (from Chronicle Books) for sending this magical book my way...the possibilities are endless and it truly is inspiring me to think of creative ways to draw simple objects. Plus it will help me grow confidently in my drawing techniques, as I'm self-taught...+ this experience will help me believe more in myself...
I've promised myself that I'll draw something weekly and post the drawings here on my blog.

Here is the first object: a rolling pin :

I was inspired by a recipe/rolling pin favour I received from a wedding shower years ago. I thought about how happy my marriage has been over the years (17 to be exact!) and how cute the recipe was. I just added the phrase on the last line "Decorate with Life!"

click on picture for larger image + see a close up of the "Recipe for a Happy Marriage"

Well, I'm off to try out that Southern Living Beignet recipe...
let's see if some Beignets will make my marriage even more HAPPIER today...

bon temps!

xoxo

let's make some...

2011-03-03T04:52:00.000-08:00

as promised here's my picture tutorial:

easy as 1, 2, 3...

you can use whatever paper you'd like. how about those old newspapers, ads, scratch paper...with newspapers, mag pages or thin paper, i mount them on circles of leftover cardboard boxes or cardstock paper. i used one of my cooking bowls. i wanted my cookies to be about 3/4"w x 3" L. i think it's just about the perfect size, like a real fortune cookie but you can use whatever size you want. all depends on how big you want your cookies.

reuse. recycle. go green...gotta love that!

i used leftover valentine chocolates but use whatever treasures you find...

{these lil' hands are my Shioban's cute lil' paws...she's a better hand model than i could ever be...lol}

now the fun part:

i made my own

take out boxes from using an old one as a template. i also had a template i bought from Michaels but i liked the pink boxes' template the best!

ENJOY!

have a LUCKY month!

xoxo

jo;)

March...Lucky all month long...

2011-03-01T19:49:00.000-08:00

Wow!

Did i really only blog 2 posts in February?

That's really sad.

Well, it was a very short month + as usual it's hectic around these parts of the woods.

February was a busy month. I've been making sweet lil' things for my munchkins' Valentine's Day treats. To be exact about 40 or so little items. I didn't get a chance to take pics before handing them out to the kidlets but I had a bunch leftover and will be using them again for

St. Patrick's Day-YAY!

{i'm in the process of preparing a picture tutorial so you can make them too!}

Everyone wants to make neat things that's easy, quick + with stuff you already have, right?

Well these beauties really did the trick!

They really are easy to make. you'll see when i get my picture tutorial up, how really easy it is.

I found that you just have to do some good prep work inorder

for the assembly line to go smoothly.

Basically, you can use any type of paper you'd like. Cut them in rounds. Do a quick fold (this can be a lil' bit tricky), glue the middle and stick sweet treasures inside!

For my lil' fortune i wrote 'Lucky' and collaged 4 lil' hearts together to make a cute shamrock.

I had leftover Valentine heart chocolates and covered them in orange crepe paper then glued them onto strips of index cards-it was that easy!

(for Valentine's Day: i stamped cute heart, robot, 'bee mine' designs on strips of index cards, then glued a red chocolate heart to it. then stuffed it into the cookie-viola!)
In a couple of days, I'll have that tutorial up. in the meantime, I'm continuing on with my 'Monthly Calendar Project'.

Please enjoy March's Calendar. Couldn't decide on one photograph so, I've included a variety for you to enjoy. Here's wishing you a whole month of 'Luck!':

bonne nuit

xoxo

642 Things to Draw...

2011-02-06T09:53:00.000-08:00

(image from internet~i just added text+arrow)

What a nice thing to wake up to this morning: Chronicle Books Blog Art+Design: The 642 Things to Draw Book Challenge

How cool is this? I can totally relate to one of the featured artist , Summer Woodham . She's using this book to challenge herself on her blog. I really loved what she said, "When you don’t have an outside job, the guilt of engaging in a hobby is really intense because there is always something else you should be doing and it seems terribly selfish to take any time away from those chores because after all you’re not bringing any money in. Stopping to take time for yourself feels like you’re not contributing, but I really think it’s important to find things that are just for you. I think it makes you a better parent and a better partner to carve out that space for yourself."

This is so true for me. I commented back to her on her blog by saying this: "I'm also blessed to be a SAHM who's trying to find my passion + totally understand where you're coming from about the guilty pleasures/meaningful contributions...it's a constant battle over here in my world to find a balance between raising a family + finding time to create. I recently participated with my family on the SketchBook Project 2011 with arthousecoop.com. It was a challenge but we managed to work like a team to complete 4 books just in time for the deadline. I honestly don't know how artists with families do it. Manage a website, blog, shoppe, publish books, magazines, create, travel etc...I wish there was more time in the day to do all that I want. "

{As a sidenote: I think that staying home to raise a family does contribute a whole lot to this world. Some may not think that SAHMs financially contribute a penny but I beg to differ. We are the ones who are staying home + taking care of the children. We're managing the household, the groceries, making home-cooked meals, the endless laundrying+cleaning the homestead, managing the bills, the schoolwork, teacher conferences, mending the sick munchkins, playing+counseling the lil' ones, running around with all the extra-curriculars, etc. We're saving on child-care costs, travel expenses and other miscellaneous expenses associated with outside childcare. I really think I'm raising healthy, happy + good children that will hopefully grow up into healthy, happy + good adults. My munchkins are our future and I think SAHMs oftentimes get categorized as non-contributors to society. When you have a family with lil' ones, I really think it takes two (or if you're a single parent-support systems are vital!) to make the world go round + successfully contribute to society.

With that in mind, we SAHMs sometimes do not have co-workers to take over when we need a break or are sick. Sometimes, we SAHMs don't have vacation time. Our job is 24/7. I used to be a full-time corporate career mom. And somehow, I managed to have a scheduled workout time, break and vacation time. Life seemed a bit more easier than staying home. Now that I'm home, I really don't have time for myself. I have to remember to schedule some time for myself. So, when I'm discovering creative soules on-line, when I'm reading inspirational literature, listening to beautiful music, capturing beauty with my camera or when I sneak away to create...YES... I feel guilty. But I have to stop and remember that I DO so much and I deserve a break and to be MYSELF...it's a constant battle everyday for me. But there's really no one to back me up, except for myself. }

This book, 642 Things to Draw, sounds like another wonderful stepping stone for me in my search to find my passions...Go visit Summer here and enter her sweet giveaway (until 2/6/11 11:59 pm eastern standard time) for a chance to win your very own copy of this exciting new book! Also, check out Chronicle Books' blog and read up on their review of this book and meet other wonderful artists. Plus Chronicle Books truly have the coolest books + neatest stuff around!

picture days...

2011-02-02T22:24:00.000-08:00

confession #1: i'm a closet wanna-be photographer... i really love still life. one day when i grow up, i'd love to be a professional photographer, stylist, graphic designer, illustrator, artist. i do not have any formal training in the fine arts department or photography. but i do love to capture beauty in different ways...create something sweet + there's something about France+ the Eiffel Tower that tugs at my heart...that's when something clicked and i started making these paper eiffels+i wanted to capture their beauty by taking pics of them...i also love drawing them...maybe one day i'll be able to set foot inside my beloved Eiffel but for now, taking pics+drawing them fill my heart with glee.

confession #2: i'm always asking what day it is or i'm always looking for a calendar to see what i need to be doing...and of course, i never can find one...i always divert back to my yahoo page...which isn't very pretty...

ok, so now why the confessionals? well, put those 2 together and what do you have? pictures+days...this is a new project i'm working on~monthly calendars of my photos to share with all of you...every month i'll put up a new photo/collage of mine...feel free to use them...i'm hoping you'll enjoy them... this will give me a chance to spark up some new inspiration for myself, improve my photography skills, think out of the box + finally know what day it really is...hahhhh!

bonne nuit

xoxo

change is good!

2011-01-28T12:25:00.000-08:00

No. 1- 'Enjoy the little things'

it's been 3 years
(of blogging-well, i really haven't been a very good blogger. more like 'when i have time' blogger...).

i think a change is needed.

this is one of my lil' gals i sketched for the Sketchbook Project 2011 + here (coming soon... i still have to post my work on my profile).

i love this quote from Robert Brault, "Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the BIG things."

it's so true. i know that it's easy to take things for granted, esp. in our world today.

but, i'm going to really work harder this year to make things count.

to take more risks. to make things happen. to do more things. to enjoy life more.

you know...so much of my life really is filled with those 'little things' + to me those 'little things' end up being those very 'BIG THINGS' in my life.

1st. step, changing my header. i know it seems so minor. but to me, it's a step closer to one of my goals. this is allowing me to move in the right direction. to change something, do something differently. this is a start...now for the hard part...following through. how about you? are you doing what you want? is there something that you want to change? i say...go for it...what do you have to lose but those wasted days...start something today and start ENJOYING!

hmmm... let's see what's in store for this year...ok. DEAL! until next time...have a sweet weekend!

au revoir xoxo

make a wish...

2011-01-27T06:47:00.001-08:00

today is your 'other' birthday.

happiest day to you, Pop. enjoy another sweet day...

love you...

Happiest 70th +14th Birthdays to Papa + Isabel!

2011-01-22T20:17:00.000-08:00

01.24.11 Happiest Birthday to my Poppy. You're 70 today. You actually have

2 b-days.

The next one will be this Thursday 01.27.11. You'll be 69.

Crazy, huh?

It's a long story and it all had to do with the mix-up when you first came to this country.
If it weren't for you and Mom, where would I be?

Where would all of your 5 kids be?

You and Mom sacrificed everything and came to this country with nothing.

You knew no one, you had nothing.

Now, look at you. 5 kids. 9 grandkids and

A whole lot of living...

Thank you for working so hard.

Thank you for never giving up.
Thank you for all you do for us.

Thank you for loving us.

We are so very proud of you...My munchkins, Tim + I adore you.
You deserve the best in life...

Wishing you a lifetime of happiness and more birthdays to come!

WE LOVE YOU!!!

mahal kita, your 2nd born...

01.22.11

Slideshow created with Smilebox

January~a new beginning...

2011-01-20T12:17:00.000-08:00

*Package of Love to Dionne~ PIF + Bday gifts

Happy New Year!

Hoping everyone enjoyed all of the sweet Holiday Season in 2010.

A lot has happened since my last post.

I'll try to post some pics soon.

2011 has already been hopping with events:

1/1-brought in the new year @ home (pics to come)
1/3-sent a kindred spirit (Dionne) an overdue package of love* (see above pic)
1/3-spent time w/ my sweet family @ Chicago's History Museum (pics to come)
1/7-wow...celebrated 17 beautiful years of wedded bliss with my sweetheart (actually we'll be going somewhere nice 1/29~more later)
1/8-my dear folks celebrated 45 years of wedded bliss (pics to come)
1/1-1/14-my family + I fevorishly worked on our Sketchbook Project journals
1/15-hosted a brunch @ my house for my niece+nephew's 1st Holy Communion (pics to come)
1/22-hosting another brunch @ my folks house for my Pop's 70th + sweet niece's 14th birthday
1/29-attending a Winter Whirl event downtown...to celebrate my Pop's 70th and me + my sweetheart's 17th wedding anniversary...
working on decluttering studio + home
working on upcoming art projects
working on self-improvement projects

This is a brand new year and I'd like to update this journal of mine a little bit more often. I'd like to discover new artists/blogs and continue to become inspired. I'd like to continue to improve myself. I'd like to enjoy more of life. I'd like to capture more beauty in different ways. I'd like to start something exciting...this is a new year, a new beginning...

Welcome January...here I come, ready or not...

Happy Birthday, Anthony!

2010-12-31T11:03:00.000-08:00

This free digital greeting card generated with Smilebox

October in a Flash~Labour of Love...halloween

2010-11-28T12:18:00.000-08:00

for all my USA hearts...i'm hoping you enjoyed your Thanksgiving Holiday!

it was a wonderful time with my family. blessed to have such a beautiful family. blessed for all the good things the good Lord has so kindly provided for us...i love this time of the year...
relaxing by the fire and enjoying good food and great company.

bec. my hubby finally came home, we stayed close to home and enjoyed a feast fit for a king!

i will post pics of our fab time, our table, simple decorations etc...soon (i hope!) but first things first...

this Fall had me hopping. so many things to do, so little time to do it.

i know, i know...October came and went...we did so much this past October...i captured some really sweet images and would love to share them with you. our mini-getaway to the Mad City (Madison, WI), a secret place south of my home, our Thanksgiving Feast will have to be posted at a different time...

i'm really sorry for just getting these pics posted now but i'm afraid if i don't clean out my camera's or computer's memories out, i might have to deal with quite an explosion, lol...so again, this post is really about playing catch-up to what's been going on with me + my world... if you don't like long posts or loads of pics, you might want to book it outta here, um...like now...hee-hee...

here is

a little photo book about my world during one of our Favourite Seasons:

let the baking season begin...

cookies...who doesn't love cookies?

special pals: Lou-Lou + Bon-Bon...bakers in the making!

(click picture to enlarge and see how i made my 'Boo' wreath)

i like simple decorations.

better yet, i like when it doesn't cost too much. i have 2 front doors and i was so happy to find the spider wreaths at Deals for a buck or two. i saw a raven in a magazine on wood and thought, wouldn't it be cool if i could draw a raven out of paper and stick it onto the wreaths? perfect!

i really, really, really like (ok i really, really, really LOVE) Emily Martin's (the black apple) illustrations...so whimsical yet, adorably fantastic for any holiday (Emily has the sweetest blog-you will never want to leave!)...i have about 1/2 dozen of her prints of her magical people... that owl was a cool find @ clearance rack of Cracker Barrel (love that place-yum!) the boo ghosts were finds from a cute shoppe by my in-laws farm down south. the tree was a lucky find from Dominicks grocery store on clearance and of course Sweet Martha's
poison favour boxes...

i made this gorgeous banner a couple of years ago by downloading these awesome letters from this sweet artist, Jenny B. Harris allsorts (free downloads-Halloweenie Freebie-Jenny has the neatest blog, fab ideas and just a delight to visit). i bought the white pumpkins (big ones) from Michaels on clearance a couple of years ago as well as the 'Cast-a-Spell' plaque and kitty pumpkins from clearance at Target years ago...

more of Emily Martin's magical gals + white antiquey shelves + my mummy cuppies

the fireplace waiting to be lit...

my lil' mummy goody cups for the munchkins and their classmates... (click to enlarge for instuctions)

i love reusing stuff. i had leftover plastic white tumblers from an old party last year. i had leftover googly eyes. and who doesn't have paper towels? i just used a permanent black sharpie to draw a simple mouth, et voila...
a cute mummy cup to last for years!
plastic white tumblers are the best bec. the white paper towel strips glue nicely on them (i used modpodge for the glue). these cups are durable and could fit a nice handful of goodies inside. plus these lil' darlings
can be used year after year....i love to make these lil' guys...so easy.

i really like simple halloween decorations, don't you?

my sis, Mary Ann, sent me some Halloween characters. i thought they were adorable. but she only sent one of each...but we all love diy projects, right? i hand-made 31 one of those cutie-pies...drew them, cut them, etc. bec. i didn't want to waste our colour printer's ink...it took a lil' bit longer than expected but i saved on printer ink costs...cool!

the banner is of course from the Great Martha Stewart Collection...not on sale unfortunately but a great investment for years to come...

one day, my other younger sis said to me, "um, what's wrong with just sticking stuff into plastic zippies and call it a day?!" meaning, why go through all the trouble?

well, bec. my munchkins enjoy getting special treats like these and wanted to share this experience with their other buddies... plus, i just wanted to make them feel special, is that a crime? if i'm willing to do the time, it shouldn't matter much to anyone else...right?

school halloween parade+trick o' treating (check it out...don't you just dig the lil' kiss rocker and the Barbie in the box costumes?!)

here are my lil' sweeties: g.i. ian meets bride of frankenshioban...

i like bw photos...sorta like in the olden times...takes you back...

sweet shioban as bride of frankenshioban...

ok, strike a pose... um. you look like a robot...

now, that's much better...do you feel her now?

hooray...i think she's got it!

yep, we created a monster, alright!...

the next set of pics were taken during our trip to the Children's Farm...our annual pumpkin patch event.

such a peaceful place...

no wonder nature+wildlife lovers dig it here...it's such a pretty setting and serene...

just being here, one can truly get inspired!

i wish i had a place like this down by the country away from the city's rat race to find

inspiration...

it was such a perfect, warm day...wish we had this kind of weather all year long...imagine the happiness people would experience everyday? i'm finding out that when the cold hits some people, they just do not have warm hearts...sad, but true...i just try to keep my heart sunny everyday...maybe it might brighten someone's cloudy day, right?

simply breathtaking views on this bridge...i'm going to make it to the top one day and try to capture all the beauty surrounding this place...

Here we go...welcome the the Children's Farm...all aboard!

trying to find the perfect pumpkins can be really tough...but this year, i found one right away! (it's the big one infront of Shioban-yay!) we usually get 3 but pumpkins were expensive this year...46 cents a pound and the big one was about 30 pounds-um, 3 pumpkins for $50 bucks...yikes!!!!!!! as my hubby would say, 'hecks no!'

Tim found that really ridiculous one infront of him...um, kinda looks grody...if you know what i mean...i didn't want that on our dinner table, woa..it was funny to look at though...how do they grow wierdo stems? must've been the water, huh? eeewwwww! (Tim's touching the one i found...and we took that baby home with us!)

we had a blast, though...tractors, hay-rides, pumpkin patch and our picnic lunch (packed lil' wiener dogs, chips, apples, carrots/celery, mini-chocolates and sodas/water)...it was totally worth the $13.00 buckeroonies or so that we spent on that pumpkin... we're gonna make this trip annually, but next year, we'll be pickin' pumpkins at Aldi's supermarket (great sale of $3.99 a pumpkin-no matter what size...now that's a pumpkin sale!) i remember taking the kids to this touristy farm and spent over $200 there (parking, admission, rides, pumpkins, cider, corn, etc)...it was ridiculous...times are tough but you can still find sweet things to do with your family on a budget...

so beautiful!

scary pumpkin on the right...eeeewwww...nice one, Tim! lol

truly loved our picnic...we were just goofin' around...love it!

oh, you betcha...one day...one day!

wish my backyard looked this good!

it was another perfect fall day...moments like these are simply amazing...memories to last a lifetime!

i have a few more pics to share about our trip to Mad City (Madison, WI), a cute photoshoot in the the middle of chinatown w/ tart heart's sweet Jasmine, a secret place just south of our home, and our Thanksgiving Celebration...taking a break to play with the munchkins then it's off to empty my camera...so hopefully before the real snowfall arrives, i will post these fabulous Autumn treasures soon...

in the mean time, here's something i just thought about to sum up what kind of year we've had:

cry a little, live a lot and love forever!

bonne nuit

xoxo

Perfect Fall Day...

2010-11-22T14:33:00.003-08:00

the perfect fall day

Univeristy of Madison Arboretum

October 2010

our 'mini-holiday getaway'

To our Heroes...THANK YOU

2010-11-11T01:28:00.000-08:00

Thank you to all of our men and women who have volunteered their time + life to protect our freedom. Without you where would we be? Your dedication, bravery and service is very much appreciated!!!

Today is a day to Honor all of you for being our HEROES!

Thank you especially to my dear husband for his excellent service and for having the courage to defend our Country along with his other brave Soldiers + Colleagues.

Today you will be honored by our Jr. High. How sweet was it when your 13 year old niece asked if you could have breakfast with their school and have her choir sing to you and your other brave Soldiers in all of your honor. Looking forward to being there for you.

Hopefully, I'll be able to capture some of those moments and share them with all of you...until then,

Happy Veteran's Day and don't forget to honor our Brave men and women!!!

xoxo

Countdown...Arthouse.com~Sketchbook Project 2011

2010-11-10T10:05:00.000-08:00

found out about this cool project this past spring...ordered 4 journals for my family to do as a fun summer project but didn't actually get the 4 journals til end of summer (problems with arthouse.com mix-up...one of the creators, Steven Peterman, finally mailed my journals himself and apologized for the mix-up...that was nice, huh? but i'm still waiting for my poster that i paid in the spring...i haven't been inspired lately...

not feeling it yet...wonder why?!)

...maybe 'cuz so busy with many other projects on the board in the last several months...

haven't been able to get to it...

but

shioban finally started getting her materials ready for her journal this past weekend...

that's when a lightbulb went on and said,

'hey...we better start getting motivated 'cuz it's gonna be due in 2 months...yikes!'

so, okay...we're going to try to create a page a day for the next 30 days...i think we'll be starting this weekend... we're just getting our ideas flowing...

how 'bout you, are you ready for the challenge?

go here to find out more. you still have until 11/15/10 to join...

this will force me to get those juices flowing...i hope!

bonne chance!

xoxo

Gratefulness...

2010-10-18T09:07:00.000-07:00

(all photos by @Labour of Love 2010. Click on pictures for larger view and to read message)
I am utterly grateful to the Warrior Watch Riders (Glen DeVries, Matter and all the Riders), our family, friends, neighbors, our Village, local Fire & Police Departments and Media for making my Hero's homecoming EXTRA SPECIAL!

You are ALL unbelievable!!!

I am so very proud of my dear Husband and also proud to be an AMERICAN...

Thank you so very much for taking the time out of your busy schedules

to welcome my hubby home from his tour of duty.

What a memorable event to treasure for eternity!!!

(please go here to visit Warrior Watch Riders and read all about their amazing organization and the love they are spreading all over this country http://www.warriorswatch.org/ and their beautiful article dedicated to All Military Spouses http://www.warriorswatch.org/?p=2992

Also, visit the SouthTown Star to read more about my Hero's Welcome Home http://www.southtownstar.com/news/2745752,092610soldierhome.article)

xoxo

Jo, Tim, Ian, Shioban and Angel Sinead

WELCOME HOME HERO!!!!!!

2010-09-21T11:35:00.000-07:00

love you for eternity

4, 3, 2, 1~love deeply...

2010-09-21T09:21:00.000-07:00

it's been 8 long months since we've seen each other, been together, hugged each other.

what an experience.

we all grew from this experience.

life was truly hard without you.

birthdays, holy communion, holidays, anniversaries, volleyball, soccer, gymnastics, dance, cheerleading,
1st day of 3rd grade, doctor visits, movie theaters, mini-vacations up North in the special house, sleepless nights, Sunday masses, house mishaps, family dramas, heavy storms, crashing trees,
new adventures...

longing for your letters...a surprise phone call, a welcomed e-mail...

were ways to keep our hearts going...

somehow we managed to live each day with a smile on our face.

praying for your safety,

hoping you'd come home~alive+well...

thank you God and Angel Sinead for keeping Daddy safe.

thank you Daddy and your fellow soldiers for keeping our Country free + safe.

we are so very proud of you!!!

thank you for safely coming home to us...

WELCOME HOME!

we can't wait until we can endlessly hug you, have non-stop kisses galore and...
start our new adventures~TOGETHER...

you are our COURAGEOUS HERO.

i am utterly and deeply in LOVE with you

and

we truly have FOUND A WAY...

love you for eternity...

xoxo

forever+for always no matter what...

2010-09-16T21:16:00.000-07:00

16 years ago...

a fine, red-headed irishman + a sweet, tropical island gal+ a hundred year old church...

16 years later...

a red little house+3 little miracles+ a whole lot of lovin'...

happy anniversary, my love...

forever and for always...no matter what...

mahalkita

xoxo

9-5...

2010-09-11T09:11:00.000-07:00

{location of picture: home of Thomas Jefferson, our trip to Montecello, Virginia}

thank you, God...for answering our prayers...
heard your voice really clear today.
cooler air+fluffy mattresses=happy camper!
we tend to take things for granted...
i'm gonna make sure we try our best over here!

one door, one step, one chapter is closed.

but that's ok since another door has

opened for each of us.

i love this quote by Alexander Graham Bell:

'when one door closes, another opens...'

so poignantly stated!

looking forward to the next few months...

can't wait to open a few more doors

a long-awaited hug+kiss

and just being...it won't be long...

bonne nuit

xoxo

09.11.01-09.11.10...we will NEVER FORGET...

2010-09-11T08:22:00.000-07:00

‎09.11.10

To all our HEROES of 09.11.01:

To all those soules who have left this earth, who lent a hand, a kind heart, warm words, a hug, a smile or even a thought on 09.11.01

via the attacks in NYC, Pennsylvania and Washington D.C. ...

you are ALL our HEROES...

we will NEVER FORGET 09.11.01...

this will always be a day we will NEVER FORGET and

will forever always be in our heart + soule.

{this is a repost of my September 11, 2008 entry}

(photos found on internet images by www.legallyarmed.com, coffin- www.flickr.com/photos/coffin911/2172917610/ )

15-10

2010-09-07T09:07:00.000-07:00

happy tuesday!

hope your labour day weekend was fun...

had such a fab weekend!

spent time up north with my sis, Mary Ann and my adorable munchkins.

great cool weather.

it was so relaxing and serene.

went to an awesome farmer's market + had the chance to go see their version of

'taste of chicago' called 'taste of madison.'

it was packed with all sorts of vendors...

lots of fresh veggies/fruits, flowers, asian, smoothies, cheese + bakery booth galore.

the only weird thing was that it was a one-way walking traffic...

it really felt like lemmings to the sea...

try walking against traffic...it was like getting a death wish...or

like fighting to swim up stream (or even worse, getting brutal glares of

death from an angry mob...that was scary...)

{will post pics of our excursion soon...had to borrow my sissy's camera as i was such in a rush to get on the road,
i totally forgot my sweet camera, auggh!}

sis made a delicious mango salsa...wish i took pics of that but forgot my camera.

it was simply delectable!

my lil' mini trip with the kids was really nice.

nice hangin' with my sis+bro-in-law~an early wedding anniversary celebration for them-

8 beautiful years of wedded bliss...

{bonne anniversaire, sweet reya and big joe!}

good company, good rest...recharging the batteries to start working on many upcoming projects,

now that's a good thing.

very nice weekend...sad to end summer but will treasure those tiny but incredible moments...

moments of time...

lifetime of memories...

bons temps

xoxo

wedded bliss...

2010-09-07T07:07:00.000-07:00

to my sweet sis, Mary Ann + darling hubby, Joe...

happy 8 years of wedded bliss!
enjoy your perfect day...

je'taime
xoxo

16...

2010-09-03T09:04:00.000-07:00

ever meet someone who thinks they know it ALL?

and gloats because they know it all?

unfortunately, those types of people are all around us.

they bring such knowledge to the table but their personalities are

not something to write home about.

i try to stay away from those types.

i tend to gravitate towards people who are practical

and wise beyond their years.

these are the hearts that are able to share their wealth of information with

unconditional and genuine kindness.

i took this picture of this dandelion.

your typical wildflower.

there aren't any vivid colours on this flower.

however, the beauty it possesses is quite incredible.

the softness+fuzziness of its petals, the irregularities of its shape and

the way it bends with the wind.

this dandelion is beautiful in its own way.

does it boast vivid colours?

is it ever entered into a contest for the best-prized dandelion in the world?

does it ever get chosen first in a bouquet of flowers?

no.

but...

its beauty speaks beyond words.

to me it reminds me of being able to be humble.

being humble is a great quality to have.

not everyone has it.

but...

everyone can do their best to become one.

this is something i'd like my lil' ones to remember which

reminds me of what our priest said in church last week:

"some who are last will be first, and some who are first will be last..."

N'est pas maintenant que la vérité!

{now, isn't that the truth?}
xoxo

happy weekend!

a new month...a new seed...

2010-09-01T11:25:00.000-07:00

happy september!

a new month.

a new seed.

so many projects coming up.

excited for a HUGE package to arrive in a few weeks...

trying to start accomplishing some rusty ol' goals that have been put

on the back burner...

looking forward to autumn breezes, warm sweaters, crisp leaves...

the past 3 months have been such hot, sticky+whirlwind living.

loved those lazy, sunny, hot crazy days...but

to tell you the truth, i welcome some changing weather

to cooler breezes~

that would be such a refreshing pace.

as we welcome this change of seasons,

i'm hoping you'll find those seeds

you've planted or beginning to plant

harvesting into a bountiful feast!

plant a seed and watch it grow...

bons temps!

xoxo

22-17...

2010-08-28T12:17:00.000-07:00

wow.

i can't believe it's the end of august.

summer is winding down and the munchkins are back to school...

tomorrow is the start of football season in my village.

my lil' 8 year old peanut is so excited to CHEER her first game.

never thought anyone in my family would be a cheerleader...
{hmmm. maybe secretly, i wished i was a cheerleader?!!}

it is really fun watching her cheer. practicing her dance routine.
it's also hilarious watching my lil' guy {also 8 years old} cheer right on with her.

he knows all the cheers...he's actually one hell of a cheerleader-wanna-be...
{despite his left vocal chord paralysis...he's actually clearer and louder than peanut. go figure?}

my lil' guy said to me, "hey, i'd like to be a cheerleader, too!"
that makes 2 of us lil' guy...woot-woot!

i love my lil' bugs' imaginative + creative sides...so inspiring to be with them...

oooooh....

in the next few weeks we will be expecting a HUGE package...we CAN NOT wait!!!

we're also trying to get our creative juices flowing bec.

we'll be joining thousands of artistic peeps around the world creating

lil' masterpieces... {more on this project soon...}

i thought this week's countdown collage spoke creativiness to me...

face-painting is such a creative way to express one's self.

the artist who created these facial wonders was an older woman
{during this past April's Earth Day Celebration in our Village}
...could be a grandmama-type.
i was impressed with her focus, her fingers on the paintbrushes and
the vision she had when each child told her what image they'd like painted on their body.

i love how ian's snake wraps around his eyes+his nose then onto his mouth to have the snake's tongue be
right on his mouth...how clever!
how pretty is shioban's butterfly fluttering over her eye...such a fairy-like face...

glitter, colours, oh my!

so fantasy-like.

the artist could have just put a simple snake on ian's arm or a plain butterfly on shioban's cheek.

but WOW!
...did she take it a couple of notches or what???!

that's why i heart albert einstein's mind. i think he would have understood what that
face-painter artist was trying to achieve.

"logic {can} get you from a to b..."
but it really takes imagination to get you even further!

how inspiring is that?

that's what this collage is for me...firing up my creative juices and

building my imagination to take me places...

that's what i'm hoping to do this week.

trying to wake up my imagination...thinking out of the box so i could get some projects started...

hope your week will spark your imagination and send you soaring futher than you could ever imagine!

bons temps

xoxo

30-23...

2010-08-24T12:04:00.001-07:00

life is full of surprises.

each day is a blessing.

enjoy every minute.

because life is too short.

really loving our new market that opened in our neighborhood.

Pete's Market.

everything is fresh.

the munchkins especially love the bakery...taking this picture reminded me about

special occasions...

everyday should be a special occasion.

sometimes we might take each day for granted.

need to remember how special each day can be.

that's why i love this quote from Amanda Bradley:

"...make everyday a holiday and celebrate just living!"

hey, now that's a great idea, don't you think?!

Célébrer de bons temps!

xoxo

33-31...

2010-08-20T10:31:00.000-07:00

how many times do you say to yourself that you just can't do it?

seeing my lil' ones explore their inner 'superheros' is quite inspirational.

my lil' guy took that picture of his ironman toy.

he just picked up my camera, pointed and shoot.

the outcome: a sweet lil' picture of one awesome superhero.

look how he's trying to make a basket. he's doing his best.

wow.

my peanut is doing a straight cartwheel on a beam.

from being 1.5 oz premie bebes, this is one obstacle i never dreamed my lil' ones would accomplish.

that's hope and faith for you.

each day my munchkins are trying out new things.

we're so fortunate that my sweet courageous husband is working so hard to provide for us.

that's what we'd like to give our children~opportunities.

chances to do things.

chances to find out what they love.

who they'll want to become.

my folks started this for me by coming to the US to start a new life.

and i am truly grateful.

but, there just wasn't enough $+time to really explore my passions back then.

at least i'm doing my best now.

that's what we're doing right now for our kids.

another step in the right direction.

these are my heros.

ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

a good reminder for me to keep on...

have a fantabulous + sweet weekend!!!

bons temps

xoxo

38-34...

2010-08-19T21:38:00.000-07:00

bonjour!

been away too long...life had me tied down for the week.

school, kiddos, house, yard, car, activities etc...

i wish there were more time in the day, to do all that i can...

my countdown for the last week has to be a shorten version...

i chose a few images that depict some of the special things

that were happening this year...

i think what coco chanel said is so wise:
"it's not the houses i loved...
it's the life i lived in them"
no matter how many homes you've lived in, no matter where your home has been,

no matter how big or small,

how grand or plain...

it's how you lived in them, that counts...that truly matters.

it's how you brought life to it.

it's how you share your life with your loved ones in it.

it's the memories...

to me that is home...

home is where your heart is.

that's where part of my heart is...

thank you for sharing your life with us...

mahal kita...xoxo

39...

2010-08-13T08:12:00.000-07:00

yesterday was one scorcher of a day.

people were cranky. continuous unpleasantry was going full force.

but one flash of the past, reminded me about another scorcher of a day, 8 years ago.

August 12, 2002.

that was my "due date."

things happened beyond our control.

a window was opened (metaphorically).

my sweet husband + i were blessed with 3 little miracles.

1 had to go back home to heaven and became our very own sweet angel.

2 became angels on earth.

those 2 lil' ones came home on their due date...August 12th, 2002,

it was like a desert outside...that one scorcher of a day.

but that (metaphorically speaking) window opening...

gave us so much possibility for EVERYTHING.

hmmm..what a very good reminder...thank you God for blessing us...

i'm going to hug+kiss my munchkins ever so tightly right now...

wow. i'm so sorry lil' ones for all the lil' things i got upset about...do you forgive me?

how 'bout you? do you remember why?
maybe saying sorry might be a good idea right about now, huh?...

bons temps

xoxo

40...

2010-08-12T11:40:00.000-07:00

bonne nuit

xoxo

41...

2010-08-11T23:41:00.000-07:00

bonne nuit

xoxo

42...

2010-08-10T22:42:00.000-07:00

* {based on "What lies ahead...Possibilities" by BJ Gallagher Women's Work Is Never Done~Celebrating Everything Women Do}

Note: last spring i promised 3 special people random acts of kindness...its been quite a whirlwind the last several months that i can't really talk about right now. as soon as i put out some fires in my life...i will tend to those special hearts. i do apologize for the extreme tardiness of my delivery of these random acts of kindness.

Please forgive me...

bonne nuit

xoxo

43...

2010-08-09T22:43:00.001-07:00

photos courtesy of labour of love 2010

countdown begins...

{side note: i'm trying something new in my journaling...it'll be like fitting pieces into a puzzle or like lil' tidbits to a story...i'll be posting a few collages that will lead into a very special surprise for my family...i'm not at liberty to say at this time...but remember, pictures are worth a 1000 words...when you look at these images...what do you see...feel? at the very end of my lil' experiement, i'm hoping it'll tell a story...hope you enjoy the ride...}

bonne nuit

xoxo

Lucky

2010-07-29T07:22:00.000-07:00

video courtesy of http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yI2_k-StRYo

i'm feeling it.
are you?
lucky that is...
woke up feeling lucky.
lucky to be in love with my best friend.
lucky to be the mother of my 3 lil' miracles.
lucky to be here~enjoying another sweet day so freely given to us.
i'm going to make it count. it's already proving to be a busy morning.
but, y'know what, i'm making a promise to my munchkins that i'm
totally going to make time for them even in the midst of chaos.

how 'bout you...feeling lucky today?

ps. totally dig jason mraz + colbie calliat. i know what they mean about being
'lucky to be in love with my best friend...my world is spinnin'...' because of
YOU...yeah, you...
i think you know who you are...

bonne chance...
xoxo

the way i am...ingrid michaelson...

2010-07-28T10:17:00.000-07:00

photos courtesy of ingrid michaelson http://www.ingridmichaelson.com/photos/ and http://www.thechicagotheatre.com/events/keane-710.html

didn't sleep well lastnight.
saw something unpleasant @ 3am and couldn't get back to sleep.
but...woke up to ingrid michaelson on wgn channel 9 @ 8:56am.
i ♥ ingrid's music.
she starts her summer tour with Keane over here...

wish i could see her.
for now, i'll just enjoy this...

video courtesy of http://www.youtube.com/user/Zaahirah

or go here for a cool previously recorded live jam with this sweetheart.

hoping that put a smile on your face, like it did for me...

bons temps
xoxo

bonne anniversaire, Reya!

2010-07-27T20:34:00.001-07:00

happy sweet birthday, sis...Mary Ann...hope it was a beautiful one!

bonne nuit

xoxo

Romantic Story Telling...Feria Cinematic Imagery+Krystal Mann+Cedarwoods=Perfection

2010-07-22T14:45:00.000-07:00

photos courtesy of Krystal Mann Photographer http://krystalmann.com/ and http://www.stylemepretty.com/gallery/gallery/1842

{i'm having trouble embedding the film's code...go here to see it!}

now that is a gorgeous COUNTRY WEDDING...

thank you Style Me Pretty (go here for their raving review)
for showcasing this one-of-a-kind wedding film...

this is the kind of lovestory, i would have loved for my wedding...

dreamy, simple, sweet, magical...ultra romantic...

from the vintagey music, the country oasis (go here), the stunning photography, the sleek videography...every angle, every detail...=
PERFECTION.

if you want a true lovestory captured on film...go here to see more loveliness that this stylish+sweet film company creates...
and if you want a lifetime of sweet memories captured on paper...go here...
go check it out...
FERIA CINEMATIC and KRYSTAL MANN

you're going to be swept off your feet!

bons temps!
xoxo

hot days...

2010-07-16T10:59:00.001-07:00

munchkins and i really don't want to do much today...

i'm doing bills and they're learning their multiplications...fun stuff, huh?

a few weeks ago, my sis and her little ones (okay one big 13 year old, 9 year old + 4 month old) and my lil' munchkins took a nice walk to our walking path in our Village...

the flowers were gorgeous and my camera was loving the walk.

i never noticed this one evergreen tree and a huge sign that said,

"Caution. Aggressive bird with nest in tree, be aware when walking."

hmmm...never saw that bird. what would it do?

that got me thinking about life and people...

how life/people can just come out of nowhere and strike out at you while you're trying to

take a nice stroll through life...bam...something hits you in the face. But y'know what...

you have to take the bad with the good.

Adversity strengthens you. Just be ready, be cautious.

Sometimes, you'll be lucky and

not meet up with an 'Aggressive bird' and enjoy life as it was meant to be...

that day our walk was simply nice...no 'Aggressive bird' lurking...

just a bunch of sweet hearts enjoying lifes' wonders...

hoping the rest of these hot days will be like that...

got any other cooooooool ideas to beat the heat this summer?
bons temps!

xoxo

new do...i heart Anthony+Veronica...

2010-07-12T23:20:00.000-07:00

during the summer months, my hair tends to get neglected.

it's thick, it's dark, it's long...it's hard to manage during these heat waves.

usually it is up in a bun or a ponytail...

y'know...i've had long hair for a long time.

i did venture out and cut my hair short a few times but...

my face doesn't do well with short hair...so, i tend to keep it long.

i wish i had the right face to carry short hair...i really like pixie cuts and very short to the scalp hair with wavy top/bangs...but alas...it just doesn't suit me...

i went to see my favorite+only hairstylist, Anthony.

and boy does he do wonders...it's like he can bring me back from the dead...lol...

i often tease him and ask if i could pack him up and take him home with me...

i recently watched 'rumor has it' with Jennifer Aniston. Her hair was gorgeous in that movie...layers...long layers...i asked Anthony if he can give me layers like that...

i think he did!

i never can get my hair just like he does...wish i had edward scissorhands...

well, at least my hair behaves 1 day out of the 2 months until i can see him again...

merci beaucoup, Anthony...you're a lifesaver!

while at the salon, i met Veronica...she's a 'brow specialist'...i know...kinda strange, huh?

there's a 'brow bar' and she fixes brows...my brows are now in 'training'...i know, i can't believe i'm writing about my hair and brows...but i should've taken a before shot of what i looked like...a total mess/nightmare...i guess, going to the salon can boost anyone's confidence, huh?

with this new cut+my training brows (ha!)...

i feel like i can start something fresh...creatively.

my art has slowed down these past few weeks...busy with the munchkins and daily routines

but i hope to start something new in a couple of weeks and document it here.

ever since my b-day passed 2 wks ago, i'm feeling the crunch that life is getting shorter as i

get older...there's just so much to do...

maybe i'll make a list of stuff that i'd like to accomplish before my time ends...

but getting this haircut+brow therapy really is helping me make

some new steps to a fresh start...

it's the little things that can get you motivated, huh?

what little things get you going to brave the new day?

bonne nuit

xoxo

Happy Fourth of July

2010-07-03T19:59:00.000-07:00

Happy Fourth!

We're off to parades and picnics...can't believe it's already July...

Where has this summer gone?

Will post pics of our galavantings soon...

In the mean time, these are the treats we made for our outings.

Rice Crispy Treats...Sweet Kielbasa...Strawberry Trifle (my sis, Gail, whipped up the awesome creme from Paula Dean's recipe...it's a killer...)

The best part of our cooking excursion was that we had everything in the fridge or pantry...

Gotta love not having to run to the store to get this or that...

Anyway, hope your 4th was fabulous...

Did you do anything fun+exciting?!
au revoir...

xoxo

Happy Father's Day...my LOVE...

2010-06-20T22:08:00.000-07:00

hoping it was a good one...

xoxo

Happy Birthday Sweet Stuff...

2010-06-19T22:04:00.000-07:00

xoxo

Day 13 Smile

2010-06-18T23:49:00.000-07:00

(my beautiful sweetie pie, Shioban)

Day 13 (click here to see more interpretations) Smile

Today's the last day of Boot Camp...
what an amazing journey the last couple of weeks have been.

Finding Maegan and her Creative Blog was just what the doctor ordered.
Going through this Boot Camp has made my start of the Summer quite an inspiring one.

Maegan asks that we make these simple promises as we continue our
creative journey...I hope to keep them...and maybe a few of you may venture out and do the same...whatever you do, whatever you decide...do it for yourself and keep on creating!

Here are the promises:

I promise to spend _____minutes each day creating. {let it be five…at least promise yourself some time}

I promise to talk about my creativity with others.

I promise to continue to challenge myself creatively because that is how I get better.

I promise to be kind to my creative spirit.I promise to applaud my achievements.

I promise to cultivate relationships with people who share my creative interests.

I promise to call myself an artist. {this one is something I have to continue working on...still not there yet...}

SIGNED: Jo June 18, 2010

As I work through these promises, please enjoy my last assignment as I interpret the last daily prompt: Smile...

(my handsome lil', Ian)

(my cute lil' niece, Hannah)

(sweetness...)

(to be a kid again...)

Thank you so much, Maegan, for opening my eyes to see more creative vision

and for cracking that door even wider for me...

bonne nuit

xoxo jo;)

Day 12 Smooth

2010-06-17T23:46:00.000-07:00

Day 12

"SMOOTH" go here for more interpretations.

Do you dream?

I know I do. I've got a few that have already come true.

But...

Why can't my other ones come true? What's holding me back?

Today, we're supposed to think about what 'small baby steps' can we take

to 'clear those paths' to reach those impossible dreams...

hmmm....I'm still thinking...

Until I can put my fingers on those 'small baby steps' here's my

'Smooth' interpretations...

"smooth dreams"

"smooth hand"

"smooth stepping stones"

bonne nuit
xoxo

Day 11 Hush

2010-06-16T23:37:00.000-07:00

Day 11

"HUSH" go here for more "Hush" intrepretations

Today we are supposed to draw a time line of our life in our journals.

This map is supposed to show you that whatever roads you've taken...it should have led you to where you are meant to be..."everything in life has a purpose..." (our host, Maegen Beishline states it so beautifully in Day 11:

"...I’m not the most religious person you’ll ever meet, but I am a deeply spiritual person. And I believe without a doubt that everything in our lives contributes to the person we are ultimately meant to be. I believe that everything in life has a purpose. I also believe that we are all creative beings and that all of life’s twist and turns take part in forming our own personal creativity. With that in mind, I can look back at my life in timeline fashion and see how each turn, point, stumble, hurdle, back step, and milestone has led me to this exact point in my life...." )

I agree...

my life is here and I'm blessed to have what I have...

here is my interpretation of "HUSH"

bonne nuit

xoxo

Day 10 Full Bodied...

2010-06-15T23:09:00.000-07:00

Day 10

"Full Bodied" (check out more Full Bodied interpretations here)

Today we have to "Dial up our senses."

Art is everywhere. Everywhere you look, feel, smell, touch can be considered art.

But does everyone take the time to take all the "Art" in?

It's a bit hard when you have so many responsibilities but if you really take the time to "smell the roses," you might be pleasantly surprised.

That's what I did today...I had to take my sweet lil' Peanut to the Hospital for some testings regarding her bone development.

Who would've thought that you'd find a sweet oasis like this by a Hospital?

"Full Bodied" original photograph

"Full Bodied Garden of Life" digitally 'craqueled'

"Full Bodied Clouds" original photo

"Full Bodied Clouds" digitally altered

"Vintage Full Bodied Peony" digitally altered

"Faded Full Bodied Peony" digitally altered

"Full Bodied Peony" original photography

"Full Bodied Bunny Love Clouds" digitally altered

"Full Bodied Clouds" original photo

Art is everywhere. Ever since I've been taking this on-line class, I've noticed that I've been carrying my camera around with me everywhere I go.

I'm taking a lot more pictures of things I see everyday.

I'm noticing more. I'm creating more. I'm grateful for this class.

That's a good thing.

bonne nuit

xoxo

Day 9 Drizzle

2010-06-14T23:24:00.000-07:00

Day 9

"Drizzle"

Today is trying to understand how it all started...how art came into my life.

Getting back to the basics.

I loved magazines. I loved looking at all the gorgeous photographs. The design,

the layouts, the typography. The colours, the objects, the dreams.

As a kid, it didn't occur to me that I loved photography.

I think it was until I became older, I realized how much I loved photography.

I was so busy creating a living and not living to create.

Everything was buried deep down inside of me until I had my beautiful children and it was

essential that I stay home and raise my beautiful family.

I think that was the defining moment when my creativity was unleashed.

I participated in several of my artist sister, Mary Ann's art swaps and wouldn't you

know that my hidden passions were evolving...

Today's prompt word is "Drizzle."

This was a hard one for me to get into.

I thought about the drizzling affect on food but I wanted something different.

I LOVE typography and how words can push you to do things...then I was

thinking about how words "Drizzle" all over my life...all over your life...all over everyone's lives...

that's when I came up with the above art word play:

"Words Drizzle, Radiate Ideas, Zeal, Zest, Life and Energy"~ jo

This sprinkling water pond "Drizzles" many droplets of water. That's how I feel "Words" can do: "Drizzle" out many meanings to life.

Today we are suppossed to do something different. I created the word art play, doodled and had my sweet daughter colour one of the pictures. We had a blast! Hope you did to!

bonne nuit
xoxo