The Olympics

Ok, I am a bit of a sap, but the opening ceremony of the Olympics always brings tears to my eyes. This year, more than ever. Disregarding politics and focusing on sport bring us - the world together, for me, I see hope. I see past the required fake smiles on the people in the audience and I see wonder in their eyes and a dream for the future. Every single athlete is there because they have worked tirelessly to be there. Every person there represents a kid who had a dream and has made it. They are all an inspiration to us all to work toward our own dreams and goals, and also to take a moment here and there to celebrate our successes - whether big or small.

Change is in the Air...

Portfolios - mine are always evolving. Right now I feel the urge to do a pile of new work, while I have a few weeks between projects and have realized a few things about my work - which I won;t post here for any art directors who are looking, BUT i have lit the proverbial candle, I have my eye on a few clients I WANT to work with, thus, an idea of what I need to do. Is that clear?

I ALSO have determined that although I am perpetually observing, now that my son is ALMOST three and my hands are free much of the time unless I have become a crane or a bulldozer for a moment, that I can truly begin sketching again. This has been lacking in my very busy day to day - and I have been missing very useful things.

Mowat is so interested in what I am drawing and is constantly telling me I should draw this digger, or tractor or bumblebee. It is great fun. Then we do big pictures together - which is even more fun.

Last night we ate carrots and cucumbers out of the garden, they were small and delicious. I've also noticed the leaves turning a bit already - maybe because it has been so wet? I thought that happened when it was really dry. Well, with a fall wedding 1.5 months away, i would LOVE for the leaves to be golden and red.

Change is good.

Edible Garden

I love this time of year - especially when we have had piles of rain. Things are so lush and green, the zucchini are already monstrous, tomatoes are turning a gorgeous shade of red, carrots are getting there and I've already had a fresh cob of corn right out of the garden. You can bet next year we are planting a whole lot more of that.

Starting to figure out what I need to do to start promoting my book, not sure yet where my publisher will go with it, or what I need to do. Looking for a location to have a show/launch etc. I'm not good at all that stuff so I end getting tongue tied and sweaty... and over-explain too fast and I fear come across less than professionally. But I do like visiting with kids, I am okay with them : )

Also trying to get together a new mailing, and finding some new clients. I've been so focussed on my books, that I kind of dropped out of the race for a bit and I think I am paying for it now!

So, off I go - work, work and work some more!

Awesome Trip!

Well, on Saturday the weather held out for us and I got my next book in my series almost written. In the Forest! Writing comes so easily when you watch a curious little person explore the world around them. I feel refreshed and ready to take on anything.

Weekend!

Going to go camping this weekend - finally. This summer has been one of very rainy/stormy weekends, fine when it was just the two of us, but having a sopping wet shivering toddler makes me feel like an irresponsible momma - so no can do. We are supposed to get rain, but we will be prepared. Watching the forecast though - final decision to come on Saturday am.

Exciting news on the illustration front, my project with Dr. Jay Gordon is moving forward - I was afraid that it was a no go, but it seems we've bot been busy doing other things. So off we go. Also working on my 2nd book 'In the Snow' due out fall 2009. Fun stuff, some covers... looking for more magazine work as my long time work with Daughters is over now since they are sadly no more. They were a great publication for parents, and a great bunch of people to work for.

Wedding plans are in full swing, though, trying to find someone to do the deed is rather daunting... hopefully that little glitch will be ironed out soon. Dress is being made, ran into a fellow baker from my windmills restaurant days who will be doing our cake (she is awesome), have a fantastic friend/chef cooking for us, musical friends playing for us... and a beautiful spot. So excited - after 11 years it is nice to finally be doing all of this. So looking forward to having all of our friends and family in one place. It is turning into a full weekend event - which is what we were hoping would happen!

Ok, keep you fingers crossed for nice weather.
Peace.

Hey Hey Summer is here...

and with it camping, buggies and rain : ) We love it all.
Work is picking up - finally, and I feel ready to take it all on.
It is funny, I worked on my garden book through the winter, and will be working on my winter book through the summer. Have to get in the mood.

The garden is is full bloom, we are eating peas, onions, lettuce in all colours, strawberries, raspberries and almost have a full grown pepper. The zucchini and tomatoes are coming along nicely and our wall of sunflowers is getting nice and tall. And the corn, the corn is just cool. I wish we had planted more.

It is very cool seeing mo do all the things from the book, but now I feel like there is so much more I could have put in. Oh well... still exciting!

Thank Goodness for Daddies!

I love my dad.
I love my son's dad.
I really like my friends kids dads.
In fact, I am surrounded by so many great dads that it floors me.
These dads are involved with their kids, change diapers, sing lullabies, cuddle and snuggle.
Many of these guys did NOT have shining examples to live up to, they are carving their own paths as dads and they may stumble and not think they are doing a good job - but they are.
These are the days of awesome poppas.
Hooray for you guys.