hellooooo! is anyone home?

I can just imagine Pooh sticking his head into Rabbit's hole or maybe even Christopher Robin"s front door and asking, "Is anyone home?" GIGGLES

Well, this bloggie cottage has been vacant for awhile. But, I've decided to move back in for a short stay and share a few photos and an update. Facebook has really put the old blog out of business since it is so quick and easy to share artwork or other happenings when I am so short on time. Still, its not the same as being able to share a bit of myself through my words and photos.

This autumn finds me knee-deep in school - both work, and my own. With every course I'm getting closer to my goal. It's exciting and intimidating at the same time. Just after the new year I will be preparing to take the state board exams and this time next year will be preparing to student teach. Still, I'm trying to take it one step at a time. Doing what I can to gain valuable experience and thinking about my options if I am unable to get my own classroom right away. In the meantime, I've had a few adventures. One that involved the Golden Girls - if you follow me on Facebook you know I'm not referring to the 70's sitcom! And another that took me into the woods for fifth grade camp. This was a great experience on many levels. It was a gorgeous drive every morning and I loved being outdoors.

I was also fortunate enough to see these beauties up close.

In family news, we are all well and continue to roll with the punches. Brady is as tall as Cam now and I hope to get some photos over the holidays. Time passes much too quickly. This is a great time of year to take stock and think about what the year has been and what will be in the one to come. I look forward to lots of family time in the next couple of months!

For today, I'm relishing the sunshine, savoring a nap, and snuggling up with a good book after finishing some homework.

Take care and I hope to drop by again soon!

I thought it best I begin titling my posts by season since the likelihood of getting back here to post on even a semi-regular basis is slim. School has kept me incredibly busy even this summer. I have about 3 more weeks left of my two online courses and then I'll have a bit of a break until classes resume in late August. At least I hope it's late. I could use a break!

In fact, I had been dreaming of going to Lake Michigan this summer ever since stumbling upon these two sister's blogs HERE and HERE. Their photos of beautiful wildflowers, farm stands and lakeshore made me long to walk along the dunes gathering driftwood and playing in the surf. Fat chance of that.

Inspired by another blogger and artist I recently discovered, I decided to paint my own little piece of shoreline to have right here at home. I had never attempted anything as large before and was a bit concerned it would be too cartoon-y, but I love how it turned out and surrounded by shells and other weathered things I can almost imagine the sand and the water.

The summer is flying by. Aside from classes and a little crafting and shopping here and there, I don't have much to show for it. But it's not over yet! I hope to continue my 30 bags in 30 days decluttering challenge, get my teaching supplies organized, finish up the laundry room project I started before school was out, and attempt to make a slipcover inspired by yet another blog favorite. Time's a-wastin'!

I hope this finds you enjoying summer just the way you like it!

Day 14: en l'honneur de l'amour

Day 12 & 13: en l'honneur de l'amour

"Above all else, hold unfailing your love for one another."

--I Peter 4:8

Day 11: en l'honneur de l'amour

Day 10: en l'honneur de l'amour

Day 9: en l'honneur de l'amour

"A kiss is a pleasant reminder that two heads are

better than one."--author unknown