karenika

Stories of Twenty-Fifteen – Week 21

Here’s this week’s story:

Title: Planting Vegetables
Story:
Last year when Jake’s mom was visiting, I asked her if she’s be willing to put some vegetable beds in the backyard. I wasn’t sure if anything can grow in our yard considering how little sun we get and I also didn’t want to ruin any of the grass. But I still loved the idea of the boys spending time nurturing and eating food we grew ourselves.

My mother in law not only rose to the challenge but was thrilled to tackle this project with the boys. So when they came to visit us in March, while Jake and I took our trip to Cayucos, they began their project of creating some planters in the backyard. The boys and she discussed the items at length and ended up with lettuce, peas, radishes, carrots, micro greens, tomatoes pole beans, and bush beans. A nice, wide range of wonderful vegetables.

They bought the beds, the soil, the seeds and spent their weekend putting the whole thing together. And the boys are now tasked with watering the plants every day. They take so much pride in telling me what they chose and how to water everything just the right amount.

I know that for most serious gardeners, this is a tiny step that might not even be worth mentioning, but, for us, this is exactly the right size for a project. We are not usually great at growing things and I love that it’s a small step we can take to try doing something new. It’s manageable by the children so they can fully own the process and take pleasure and pride in the outcome.

Some of the plants have already begun sprouting and it’s so wonderful to watch the kids’ delight in seeing their work come to fruition. It’s so magical to see food growing in our yard. It gives me incredible joy.

Thank you so much, Marilyn, for making my dream come true. For doing it in such a simple, elegant, and kid-centered way. We are all so very lucky to have you and we are so grateful for this lovely new project. It’s the gift that keeps giving again and again. We love you so very much!!

Stories of Twenty Fifteen is a project for 2015. You can read more about it here.

You Choose – Week 20

This week’s pick is about being serene again. Reading always wins, hands down. Nothing like quieting the mind when I am reading.

a look at the shiny:

You Choose is a project for 2015. You can read more about it here.

A Book a Week – we are all completely besides ourselves

I read We are all Completely Besides Ourselves because it was long listed for the Man Booker and I’d already shelved it to be read. And I really wanted to like this one. It was a different story, had an interesting surprise element and felt like it would be good.

But I didn’t love it.

The twist here, too, felt a bit gimmicky to me. The books is so much more than its gimmick that she could have just started with it and I feel like it would have made the book so much better because you wouldn’t be hung up on the gimmicky part.

Maybe I just don’t like any weird twists in books 🙂

Fifty-Two Stamps – Week 17

This week’s stamp is a little zen leaf. It makes me serene to just look at it. And I love that I can use it in my mixed media pages. I love that it’s simple, elegant and beautiful.

Fifty-two stamps is a project for 2015. You can read more about it here.

Note to Self – Week 22

This week’s page was another Life Book lesson. One by Juliet Crane which was about making an owl. I’ve always loved her owls so it was such a privilege to get to make one.

Message says: Let your light shine.

Note to self: what makes you who you are is what’s magical about you. Don’t dim that light. don’t be worried about others seeing it. let it shine out with all your might.

Note to Self is a project for 2015. You can read more about it here.

Everyday Brave – Week 19

Here’s this week’s layout, a little food and some clothes.

The left side here is an assignment for a class where I drew my cakepop as I ate it 🙂

And the right side is just a dress I liked and a belt. I was running out of ideas on what to draw.

And there we are. Here’s another week of practicing courage.

Fifty-two stamps is a project for 2015. You can read more about it here.

David and Nathaniel’s Books of Happy Memories – Week 20

Here’s this week’s offering from David:

A thank you card from one of David’s favorite teachers.

And one from Nathaniel:

Some valentines for Nathaniel.

David and Nathaniel’s Books of Happy Memories is a two projects I’m doing with my kids for 2015. You can read more about it here.

Stories of Twenty-Fifteen – Week 20

Here’s this week’s story :

Title: Losing His First Tooth
Story:
The boys went to the dentist with their dad last week. It was supposed to be a regular cleaning appointment but as it turned out, Nathaniel needed a follow up so they could pull one of his bottom teeth. Poor little boy.

So today was the day they went back to the dentist and the little boy lost his first tooth. It ended up that it was a really good decision to pull his tooth because its root was so big that the new tooth coming below it would never been able to push it out. He was brave and didn’t make a fuss about any of it (he never does!)

I can’t believe this little boy is already old enough to be losing teeth already. He was supposed to be our baby and now he’s becoming a big boy, too. No more babies in this house.

This little tooth, even though it didn’t fall of it’s own accord, is just the beginning of many milestones he will have on his way to becoming a big boy. I look at this cute face and wish I could hold on to these years just a little bit longer. I wish we could cuddle a bit tighter and laugh and giggle and snuggle together.

One of my focuses this year has been spending more time together. Savoring these precious moments. Letting Nathaniel run around the playground a little longer. Encouraging his silliness. Laughing at his shenanigans. Remembering that these moments will slip away before I know it.

Next thing I know, this little boy will be a teenager. He will be a college boy. He will be married and then a father himself. I deeply hope all these things happen for him. I hope he walks through life’s journey as smoothly and joyfully as possible.

But I also don’t want to rush these days. I want to remember every one of his hugs. Each of his smiles. The way his cuddles feel. His soft hands. His sweet smiles. His shining eyes. His bouncy step.

Most of all, I want to remember his magic. I love you madly, Nathaniel.

Stories of Twenty Fifteen is a project for 2015. You can read more about it here.

You Choose – Week 19

This week’s pick is about giving. It says “i stop and celebrate small victories.” To receive everything, one must open one’s hands and give. I wanted to have much fun with paint on this one. I love all the colors on it. I want to remember to give. To be open. To have a sense of abundance. I feel that abundance in my core.

some sweet shimmers on this one:

You Choose is a project for 2015. You can read more about it here.

A Book a Week – the testing series

I read The Testing Series just for fun when I was on vacation. I read all of them in a row and was interested the whole time. It was, of course, similar to other novels I read but I still found it interesting and fun. I can’t remember much of it now, which speaks to how durable the story is but I didn’t feel like it was a waste of time, at the time.

It’s sort of sad when that’s the best I can say about a book. But don’t let me deter you if this is your type of book. Clearly I liked it well enough to read all three.

Fifty-Two Stamps – Week 16

This week’s stamp is another cute little one without much purpose. Just makes me happy. I am hoping that’s a good enough reason…

Fifty-two stamps is a project for 2015. You can read more about it here.

Note to Self – Week 21

This week’s page was another Life Book lesson. One by Tam and her class was a bit different but I did my own version with my own happy colors. Each of the hearts holds something that feels good to me.

Note to self: life is full of magic moments and opportunities. there are a lot of things i love to do. when the tougher times come, it’s good for me to remember those things. they are what make me happy. and they are always here, no matter what.

Note to Self is a project for 2015. You can read more about it here.

Stories of Twenty-Fifteen – Week 21

You Choose – Week 20

A Book a Week – we are all completely besides ourselves

Fifty-Two Stamps – Week 17

Note to Self – Week 22

Everyday Brave – Week 19

David and Nathaniel’s Books of Happy Memories – Week 20

Stories of Twenty-Fifteen – Week 20

You Choose – Week 19

A Book a Week – the testing series

Fifty-Two Stamps – Week 16

Note to Self – Week 21

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