it’s christmas decoration time. if you aren’t a classroom teacher you may not be aware that a project like this involves many steps spread over a few days. like anything in life worth experiencing, there is a steep uphill climb at the outset followed by a few obstacles that cause frustration, and finally a rollicking glide downhill. once everyone’s in the using-white-gel-pens-to-add-snowflakes part of the journey you better believe spirits are flying high.
one kid said, “look, i’m making a blizzard!”
soon i’ll make the 500 mile drive straight up through the center of my beloved california. heading north to spend time along the forested coast.
image of caspar headlands courtesy of marinas.com
how good it is to be alive and yearning for the natural world. water trees fog sand. amen.
from your comments i understand that at present you are not in direct danger…. I hope you can stay safe! (and your friend Pam?)……….although far away I think of the people going through an enormous ordeal….praying.
thanks anja. i’m safe and sound but very sad for so many people who lost their homes. the fires are epic
I just had a thought as I was looking again at your student’s art work. How about a mini tutorial for your followers so that we can replicate that class art project? What beautiful Christmas cards they would make for special friends and family members. (Yet another task for you to do before you flee Southern California)
PS Yesterday I received my copy of Cipe Pineles’ Leave Me Alone with the Recipes. Her work from 1945 makes me want to juice up my gouache palette! Do you know her name and work?
oh you wonderful enabler! i just ordered it. thanks for telling me!!!!!!
branches were painted in gouache on black cardstock, then gone over with a bit of oil pastels. ornaments were drawn on watercolor paper, painted, cut out, and pasted onto black card stock under the branches. hooks were drawn with oil pastels, and finally snow was added with white gel pens. how’s that?
You made me smile real big this morning. Thanks for your response and have a great weekend.
O ms Mam! Please stay safe on drive north .. Those Fires!!! Have had 2 families evac’d already and staying glued to Twitter for updates. Sleepless nights for now.
Prayers.
Omg!,,, seeing your succulents happily rambling around in all that Free space gave me an instant light bulb moment. The reason my pot bound suckles all died was they were too tight in the pots ( as I had been advised by the farmers market employee). :(((((( since I can’t leave them in the ground for the winter here in NY, the least I can do is provide them big pots that I can bring indoors in winter..
Thanks for giving me a head thumping!!!
Your grounds are lovely!!!!!!!!!!
Peace to you and Merry Christmas,
Sass
let me know how they overwinter inside!
I just LOVE those festive Christmas pics the kids created. Utterly charming. You have to be the most fun teacher EVER. Lucky kids!
Have a fabulous vacay in that glorious place. Just wow! Looking forward to dispatches from there.
I am so so sad about those horrendous fires in CA. Those poor people and animals. Just devastating.
Nothing fun going on here. Lots of extreme dental work, as well as cataract surgery on one eye and laser surgery on both eyes due to glaucoma. Appointments well into next year. My warranty on body parts has expired. Also trying to find yet another healthcare plan as I have once again been dropped. See? No fun! Such is life. Trying to find my joy outside of the drudgery of daily life, and being successful here and there. Ever the optimist.
oh the drudgery and joy of daily life!
Right on, MAM, and a hearty “Hi-Yo, Silver!” As a child, I wished we could have church outdoors. Isn’t that where the Divine placed all of creation? I liked the Latin and the incense, but my child heart wondered why we should be in a manmade place, when all that good stuff was outside? Yes, in touch with the Divine within and all around when in the natural world. I always like to conclude thoughts of adventure with “And it turned out even better than I could have imagined!” Amen.
“and it turned out even better than i could have imagined”
beautiful donna!
Enjoy and share your adventures. We loved the Little River area just below Mendocino. Sorry we missed the Casper Headlands. Have a restful and regenerating vacation.
you bet i will!
I’ve spent many weeks along that glorious part of the California coast. I’ve even spent a few nights dancing at Casper Inn!!
Have a fabulous break!!
i will investigate the caspar inn!
I just checked out Caspar Inn’s website and was so sad to see that it has closed!
Sigh
Have a great trip. Be safe I see devastating fire news between you and north. Fingers crossed. Happy Holidays.
i will sail through in my fireproof vessel!
Ooh, how lovely to have something so wonderful to look forward to. Can’t wait to see the pics from that adventure.
I myself am counting the days until halfway January when I will retreat to our smallest Dutch (inhabited) island for two weeks and just immerse myself in books and walking and journaling. I know this place very well and that’s exactly what I need right now. Some vacations I like to explore new places, some I just like to spend relaxing in a beautiful environment that’s familiar and pleasant.
I’m currently in the midst of a huge project at my job where I’m still climbing those hills and going slightly insane by the many unexpected obstacles along the way and the limited influence I have on them. Art, nature and books keep me grounded and I know a point will come when it will be over and get better, but it’s still exhausting and I need a reprieve. Luckily I’ll also have a week off around the holidays to catch my breath. Your posts remind me to keep looking to the good stuff in life, thank you.
walking your tiny island, being surrounded by books and water. sounds divine caatje…
Hi Mary Ann,
Looking way forward to reading all about this next adventure ~ Enjoy!
Mary
Drive safe. I am looking forward to your journey.. wondering what you will be listening to on your long car ride? Johnny Cash perhaps..
Amen!