tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67294220211215378882024-03-06T12:03:29.460-08:00Chasing Domestic Blisssimple living, nature loving, artist of lifeUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger502125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6729422021121537888.post-58935422237910240362016-12-20T10:08:00.001-08:002016-12-20T10:08:48.782-08:00On HiatusI have decided to put this blog on hiatus for the time being. It holds 8 years of not only my life but that of my family as well. Time constraints and a lack of desire to share our personal story in a world that has become full of<i> everyone's</i> personal stories have led to this decision. <br />
Hiatus seems the best way to let this stand as a testament to the past and also leave it open if I choose to share more some day.<br />
I will continue to blog on my website: <a href="http://www.jenniejohnston.com/">www.jenniejohnston.com</a> regarding my art and life as they entwine in that regard.<br />
I thank all who have read over the years and still click through now and then.<br />
I am mostly on Instagram now where you can find me as <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jmj1177/" target="_blank">jmj1177</a>.<br />
And my Etsy shop has my artwork for sale: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/JennieJohnstonArt?ref=hdr_shop_menu" target="_blank">Jennie Johnston Art</a>.<br />
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Cheers!<br />
JennieUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6729422021121537888.post-51389058765824594172016-08-02T10:02:00.000-07:002016-08-02T10:03:45.180-07:00Side Trips in Southern France #1During the weekdays in southern France we stayed in our chosen towns and explored. Each weekend brought the opportunity to explore a little further afield.<br />
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Our first free weekend day we spent the morning in Aigues-Mortes.<br />
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A three hour boat tour leaving from <a href="http://www.creme-de-languedoc.com/Languedoc/sightseeing/aigues-mortes.php" target="_blank">Aigues-Mortes</a>, a riverside walled city, took us around the <a href="http://about-france.com/tourism/camargue.htm" target="_blank">Camargue</a>. The Camargue is a series of salt water marshland canals that house a variety of wildlife, farms and connect to fishing villages. </div>
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The tour stops at a bull farm where you learn about the bull racing sport that is popular in the area. The bulls are not harmed but have some ribbons attached to their backs that young men race around and try to pull off while avoiding the bull's significant horns. There are weekday tours that allow you to see the wild horses of the area being moved about by ranchers, but you can see herds of them during the weekend tours from afar.</div>
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There are many birds unique to this area, and some more known ones like herons and pink flamingos. The flamingos get their colour from eating shrimp from the pink water. Sea salt is also harvested here. The piles are turned over periodically and left to dry in the sun before being packaged and sold.</div>
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Inside the walled city it is very tourist focused with lots of little shops and restaurants. After the very hot boat tour (a mechanical issue out of our control made our tour last 30 minutes longer than usual) we sat down for lunch at a family owned and operated restaurant which was right off the main square of the village. </div>
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If I would have been in different company (ie: not with three guys who detest shopping) I would have browsed the shops a bit more. We were also keen to get to Arles in the afternoon, and it was very hot so we didn't explore the village. But this area is quaint and could easily take a day to explore along with the boat tour.</div>
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More to come about the other towns we visited soon.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6729422021121537888.post-75302719355217956892016-07-01T00:59:00.001-07:002016-07-01T00:59:23.797-07:002 Weeks in Montpellier<div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Today is our last day in the capital city of the Herault department in the Languedoc-Roussillon-Midi-Pyrenees region of southern France. After one jet-lagged night in Paris we took a train south and worked out the next few days of kinks here in an apartment we found on VRBO. </span></div>
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I chose this city after lots of research into the region, looking for a place where Dave could work weekdays and the boys and I would have plenty to do to keep busy. <br />
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We visited three other city/towns on the weekend in the region and nearby and both Dave and I are happy that Montpellier was our choice for a home base. We stayed in the city proper which meant we walked everywhere. There is an extensive transit system here and we used it to visit the beach at Palavas-les-Flots twice.<br />
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On the weekend we rented a car and visited Arles, Nimes and Aigues-Mortes (the Camargue). I plan to document the side trips in a separate post at a later date. </div>
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It is probably a cliche that all North Americans wax poetic when traveling in Europe about how old everything is here. Montpellier is a University town where Nostradamus studied and certainly has a fascinating history. But it is also a very modern feeling city. Street art, outdoor festivals, organic food stores, microbreweries, diversity, it is all here. <br />
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My only draw back about the city is that there is very little green space. As a spoiled Vancouverite that is a hard pill for me in terms of thinking of living somewhere. But the colours here: bright blue sky, pale stones and washed out greens were a lovely change of palate for an extended visit. <br />
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As for bringing kids here I think it's a family friendly city. There were several "kid" attractions we did not get to or chose not to see since we are on a long trip and need to conserve our budget. This town is not just for the young adult crowd, although I'm sure that when school is in session full time the night life may be livelier than it has been these last two weeks.<br />
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I will be posting some specific art related thoughts about the city at <a href="http://www.jenniejohnston.com/">www.jenniejohnston.com</a> in a few days, so please check that out if you are interested in the art scene here. Tomorrow we head to Bandol by train for a more small town experience.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6729422021121537888.post-67863673211028564462016-06-16T21:23:00.001-07:002016-06-16T21:25:11.170-07:00Crafting before we go....<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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We head out early tomorrow morning for a full day of travel. I thought it would be fun to share two travel accessories that I made for our trip. First, is eye masks for myself and Kyan. (the other two Rees family members did not want one :) They are lined with a soft green fabric and I followed <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2014/07/sewing-a-travel-eye-mask/" target="_blank">this free Craftsy tutorial</a> with some tweaks. (No quilt batting as I preferred a less bulky feel) I have my fingers crossed that this will improve my ability to sleep on the plane....</div>
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And this passport holder was a hack of <a href="http://oneshabbychick.typepad.com/one_shabby_chick/2012/07/family-passport-wallet-pattern.html" target="_blank">this pattern</a>. The outside (pictured below) has a pocket for your boarding passes so all can be kept together. I think following an actual pattern would have made the overall structure slightly more refined but I'm happy with the end result and I'm sure it will be an improvement over my rubber band method from last year.</div>
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Next time I'm in this space I'll be writing from France. Au revoir!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6729422021121537888.post-45231163791161194962016-06-10T10:21:00.000-07:002016-06-10T10:21:37.684-07:00France Books We are a week out from leaving for France. My furious reading schedule is still in full swing with two books waiting for me at the library. I'm not sure if I'll get them thoroughly read, I may have to skim them but here is what I've read and what I'm taking with me to read in France.<br />
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I read two non-fiction books that were my favourites so far. <br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17586508-paris-letters" target="_blank">Paris Letters by Janice MacLeod</a> is a modern day story of a woman dissatisfied with her corporate L.A life who makes a plan and heads to Paris. And what happens to her there? Well she finds the love of her life of course. It is a light read, not too heady and I would recommend it as a fun summer story. Perfect for the beach or a Paris street side cafe.<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38835.The_Olive_Farm" target="_blank">The Olive Farm by Carol Drinkwater</a> was captivating. Along the lines of <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40189.A_Year_in_Provence" target="_blank">A Year in Provence</a> but written from the perspective of a woman and with way more ups and downs, this is a story of a couple buying a farm near Cannes in the south of France and all the trials and tribulations it holds. Something about Drinkwater's perspective was addictive to me and she has written 3 or 4 follow-ups which I am excited to read. My library has all of them so I may wait and read them when we return but if I can't wait I will buy a Kindle copy of the second book while in France.</div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8683812-the-paris-wife" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">The Paris Wife by Paula McLain</a><span style="text-align: left;"> was the novel that I have enjoyed the most so far. I love historical fiction and McLain made Ernest Hemmingway's first wife Hadley a sympathetic and well rounded character. The only downside to reading it was that I have avoided other stories from the same period. And I hesitate to read <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4631.A_Moveable_Feast" target="_blank">A Moveable Feast</a> Ernest Hemmingway's memoir from his time in Paris because I didn't want to get stuck in one era's perspective of the city.</span></div>
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There is an extensive list <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2556852?shelf=france-list" target="_blank">here</a> of titles I have read and the 50 plus books I have complied. So far I am bringing <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58363.Paris_France?ac=1&from_search=true" target="_blank">Paris, France by Gertrude Stein</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18143977-all-the-light-we-cannot-see" target="_blank">All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doer</a> and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49726.Camille_Claudel" target="_blank">Camille Claudel: A Life by Odile Ayral-Clause</a>. Two of these I will read on my iPad, the Stein book is very slim so it will travel well. Luckily I can access my library remotely and so can download ebooks in France if I need more material. I usually prefer hard copies but for larger books or travelling ebooks are so convenient. The lovely thing about travelling to France is that book lovers can find almost any type of book to enhance their experience before going there or while travelling there. What an inspiring country!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6729422021121537888.post-34382772465116252072016-06-02T08:00:00.000-07:002016-06-02T08:00:28.196-07:00Paris France Books for KidsFinding great books to read the boys in preparation for our trip to France this summer has been more challenging than it was to find books about London England last year. Perhaps literature is lost in translation here but we have had some hits and misses. Picture books have been more of a hit than the literature we have tried.<br />
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Our favourite so far has been: <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18142385-a-walk-in-paris" target="_blank">A Walk in Paris</a></i> by Salvatore Rubbino.<br />
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It was current and the illustrations are detailed. There is a great sense of the city conveyed in terms of culture and scale.</div>
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<i><a href="http://www.miroslavsasek.com/books/thisis/paris.html" target="_blank">This is Paris</a></i> by Miroslav Sasek was published in 1959 and the book has a quaint and retro vibe. It presents the city as it was in the 50's (with a few asterisks with updates at the back in the new version) so it may mislead kids slightly but that can help them to understand the effects of time on a place.</div>
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We read this adaptation of the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2893250-the-hunchback-of-notre-dame" target="_blank"><i>Humpback of Notre Dame</i></a> which was not great. I have not read Victor Hugo's full version but I can't say that I am interested in reading it after the adaptation. My 8 year old found the story boring and it was way over my 5 year old's head. I found little to grasp on to myself as the story is too brutal and fatalistic by far.</div>
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And we are a few chapters into and adaptation of <a href="http://www.bretthelquist.com/3Muskateers1.html" target="_blank"><i>The Three Musketeers</i> by Alexandre Dumas</a>. I'm enjoying this one more but the language is lofty for the younger set. I think it may be more suitable for pre-teens and teens.</div>
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We are travelling to Normandy and visiting the Canadian D-Day beach during our northern leg of the trip. <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/556683.D_Day_Landings" target="_blank">D-Day Landings: The Story of the Allied Invasion</a></i> by Richard Platt is an introduction for the boys, helping them to understand the role of the soldiers and the planners of the allied invasion. I hesitate to talk about war to them, but history has many sides. One of their great grandfathers landed on Juno beach so it is part of our familial history as well.</div>
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We read <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2390983.The_Magical_Garden_of_Claude_Monet" target="_blank">The Magical Garden of Claude Monet</a></i> by Laurence Anholt in the past and will be visiting Giverny and I recommend it for anyone wanting to impart the magic of his garden. The story sets up a wonderful contrast between metropolitan Paris and Monet's rural oasis.</div>
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I will share another post with some adult book recommendations before we leave. I am currently reading at a break neck pace with no end in sight. As novels and non-fiction about France and Paris are abundant. My <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2556852-jen?shelf=france-list" target="_blank">Goodreads list</a> only scratches the surface of what is available.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6729422021121537888.post-21195145688042655372016-05-16T11:05:00.000-07:002016-05-16T11:05:13.169-07:00No Siren's Call<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have a rather unusual confession today, the garden is not calling this spring. For the first time since I've had a home to call my own my garden is not the place I want to create in. Usually the urge to plant, weed and grow overwhelms me at this time of year. <br />
Our weather is unseasonably dry and warm, perfect time to get out and plant, even if it means being more vigilant with watering than is usual in May.<br />
I have noticed the desire to dig in the dirt lessening in the last few years but I'm a bit shocked to feel it dwindle down so much this year.<br />
My herb pots and my tiny front plot care for themselves and I think I will head out and get some colourful annuals very soon. I have smelled lilacs and the new pink roses blooming nearby with pleasure. Not surprisingly I feel called to plant pots of bright red geraniums....like some I'll certainly see adorning window boxes on our trip to France.<br />
Though I love to work in the soil and grow things that desire is lacking this year, I have faith it will return someday. April used to be the month where my hands started to twitch to hold plants, and I'd take out my gardening journal and check my notes, but these things can not be forced.<br />
So the siren song of playing with nature is not where my hands are called to be this spring. But here is to the rest of you and your glorious gardening time.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6729422021121537888.post-26991907434090641802016-04-29T14:28:00.001-07:002016-04-29T14:28:50.997-07:00Big like Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As the light has been increasing in minutes each day I have felt more topsy turvy than usual. Does one become more sensitive to change as one ages? I seem to remember feeling much more focused at this time of year in the past. I guess it can be attributed to a different season of family life. A time when each of the four members of our family need our own time. I no longer steal moments for myself but rather schedule dedicated time. I can link the increasing light to my own increase in personal priority which often feels wrong. Mothers are notoriously bad at taking time for themselves without guilt. I honestly don't understand why but feel it just the same.<br />
In January I began to meet with some wonderful women to venerate the full moon. Marking this time for myself has been a balm to the soul. Learning has blossomed; acceptance, peace, trust. Meeting others where they stand and just being, such a gift. It could not have been at another stage of parenting, not with this level of maturity. I am grateful to have this companionship and right now it encompasses most of my spiritual life.<br />
Last week Elliott lost his first tooth. I can compare the feeling of children growing to standing inside a tornado. You are in the calm middle watching as the winds rush around you. It is impossible to stop them, they offer you brief moments of beauty, pain, laughter, fear...but there is no stopping the movement. <br />
The emotional challenge of right now leaves me feeling overwhelmed but I just keep going. There is no other option. I hope that some clarity will come, a path will open up and be less unknown or covered in brambles. Other parents seem to have things aligned better but I know that really we all struggle. We all work hard to put one foot in front of the other and chart the unknown journey of our own life. To carry the weight of our own desire while balancing the day-to-day and do all this without maps. It feels big right now. Big like Spring in the growing light.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6729422021121537888.post-42803181250915897702016-04-02T10:08:00.001-07:002016-06-10T09:35:49.294-07:00Books and Travel, travel and books...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last year at this time I was researching travelling in London and the Channel island of Jersey in what would be the biggest trip our family of four had taken together. I think it is safe to say the trip was a success. We had planned a more modest road trip down the west coast to California this year but life stepped in as it tends to do. So I am now in the midst of planning a 5 week extended holiday/work experience in France.<br />
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We plan to live in the south of France for a month and travel for ten days afterwards in June & July. I can not believe it really. In the span of two years I will have been in two of the cities I have dreamed of visiting for most of my life. London and now, Paris! Each time I realize this I am overcome. And so besides brushing up on my French I am reading, reading, and researching. Pouring over the map of France and tracing train routes, working out dates and looking for rental apartments.<br />
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I was hoping to find some kids books about Paris like the <a href="http://chasingdomesticbliss.blogspot.ca/2015/05/london-calling.html" target="_blank">London ones I found last year</a> but so far I've had no luck. Once I have read some more I'll do a book post similar to the London book one. There are so many memoirs about living in Paris and fiction about France. I will have to be very selective about what to read before and during the trip.<br />
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Speaking of reading I have dusted off my Goodreads account. I found it tedious years ago when I began recording what I was reading. But recently I have been trying to recall certain books that I have read and at times it is a struggle because I can remember a feeling about a book rather than a title. So my Goodreads account will take care of this, along with my completed book shelf at my local library's website. If you are interested in following me there my account is: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2556852-jen">https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2556852-jen</a>.<br />
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Dave plans to write a blog about our summer experience in France which I will be sure to write about once he gets it going. I will write here as much as I can, as travel blogs are really handy and interesting for anyone planning a trip. À la prochane.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6729422021121537888.post-60977128065515431052016-03-02T11:06:00.000-08:002016-03-02T11:06:35.768-08:00Lessons in Letting GoOne aspect of this life stage (childrearing, late 30's) that never ceases to catch me off guard is the radical push that your sense of comfort gets. Whether it is waking at all hours of the night, freezing on the sidelines of a rainy soccer game, or dealing with a gut wrenching emotional struggle that your 2nd grader is facing there are minutes, hours and days of discomfort. <br />
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One such event for me has been my boy's foray into the snowboarding world. Other than a handful of skiing and snowboarding afternoons I have never really felt a call to hurtle myself down mountains on slippery, stylishly decorated wood & fibreglass boards. My husband loves it. My boys declared this fall that they wanted to try it. And so lessons were set up and next week is the last of 5 weeks worth.<br />
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Kyan now loves it too. Which surprised me. I was full of discomfort on the first day, watching him pull the snowboard with one foot, a determined look of struggle on his face. Every part of me wanted to tell him to unstrap his foot and forget about it. I expressed this only to Dave who kindly told me Kyan was doing great. As for our 4 year old, perhaps he was too young to start. That determination was not in him for this activity yet. But in a few years we will revisit it and see if he will join in the fun with Dad and big brother or hang out with mama doing something else.<br />
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The lesson that has become more apparent to me as the boys have worked on lifting their toes up and getting off the chair lift, is that I must endure the discomfort. I must stand there with my hands in fists at my side and not comment. There are so many things that my kids do that other parents may cringe at if their kids were doing. I don't get that feeling about: playing in mud, swinging sticks around, walking a bit too far ahead on the trail....no problem. They'll be fine. Strapping a board on your feet and heading down a steep incline covered in snow.....Oh, my.....<br />
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But as I watched Kyan last week I felt a small sense of peace. His slow and methodical personality shone through as he descended the run. And I knew that he was ok. The tension in my body relaxed slightly and I remembered again to let go. Does the mama bird feel that apprehension when her young-ling flies off for the first attempt in the air? Parenting is a never-ending series of letting go and holding close. Certainly it's not recommended for the faint of heart.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6729422021121537888.post-2289874681586366762016-02-04T14:18:00.000-08:002016-02-04T14:19:32.339-08:00Growing up with Art<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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The past few years has seen a decline in the amount that I blog about my kids. I've noticed this happening on quite a few blogs as the genre has evolved over the past ten years. As your children get older it seems a bit off to relay their day to day life. It's as if the details are no longer yours to share but rather belong to the child. Who knows if, as they age they will want every little detail of their childhood posted for the world to see. So if I'm going to post something now, I think long and hard about it and I hope that when I do talk about our lives the boys will one day enjoy looking it over and not feel that I over-shared.</div>
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An opportunity presented itself last fall for the Garden Club of our school to participate in a public art project. A new Whole Foods Market opened in our city and we painted the metal "birds" pictured here to be on permanent display in the Whole Foods Cafe. Kyan has always loved making art and we were able to paint these two birds together. He decided on the design of white with a grey circle and grey with a white circle. I loved his graphic choice and simply helped him paint them. </div>
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The influence of parents onto their kid's interests manifests itself in many different ways. I look back on my own upbringing and see my mother's craft & design pursuits and my father's participation in community to have been influences on my personality. I see art as part of my influence. The boys have been to my art show openings, they see me sewing all the time. We draw together, we see art exhibits together and they both state to who ever may ask them what I do that I am not only their mother but also an artist. I have no idea how this will manifest later in their lives; if they will be art supporters, makers or enthusiasts, but I feel grateful that I can share my passion with them and that it is a part of our family life every day.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6729422021121537888.post-36671567045947109372015-12-28T09:33:00.000-08:002015-12-28T09:33:45.694-08:00A December Collapse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Collapse is meant in a good way. A crumple into sleep, the dark and rest. After a busy first 3 weeks to the month is has been a nice change in these last few days of 2015 to revel in the longer mornings and extra sleep. <br />
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Our holidays have been nice, though I admit I was preoccupied by impending deadlines and keeping it all straight. But as the year wanes it seems to make sense to have the good and stressful all mixed up since that was a theme of this year for me.<br />
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I don't feel that I have tons of observations other than the above at this point. There is much I am looking forward in 2016. One big thing is a gathering of ladies. We are deciding to meet each full moon in a come as you are style. These ladies are full of magic, we each come from different spiritual places but wish to share ritual and mark the passing of time. This is a gift that my heart has longed for for some time. I enter into it with no expectations other than a chance to acknowledge a part of me that has been dormant and needs some nurturing. <br />
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I send out many blessings to any who read this humble message for a happy new year, a year of discovery and growth.<br />
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Blessed Be.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6729422021121537888.post-55733114276373661822015-12-15T10:06:00.002-08:002015-12-15T10:06:44.178-08:00November Myth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When I contemplated what I would write about this month's word: Myth, I was baffled for quite some time. So as we creep halfway through December I now feel ready to sort it out somewhat and lay it down for posterity.<br />
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Rather than using the "traditional story" definition of myth I am thinking of the "widely held but false belief or idea" version of the word. And specifically I'm referring to the myth(s) we tell ourselves about ourselves. We form stories from birth as our understanding increases. Other people can break or contribute to the myths we create for ourselves. These myths can often limit our capacity to change. And I've held many that broke this year. <br />
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One such myth was that I lacked drive to pursue a career. This year drive burst out if me with a vengeance and I feel like I crushed several beliefs that I had created about how much time I actually have to make art. <br />
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I will hold this year as a marker, a place that revealed many ideas I had about my core that were false. Perhaps they just could not emerge sooner than now. 37 was when they were supposed to become a part of me. It certainly is true that age gives one the gift of understanding more about ourselves. Or maybe it lets our constructed myths crack enough for us to consider other possible realities for who we are.<br />
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I have teachers around me, people that love me, who have helped these cracks open up as well. Challenging me to let go of rigid ideas of myself that are outdated or that limit my growth as a human. I am grateful for those lessons despite the fact that they can be painful to learn.<br />
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As I reach further than I ever have towards putting the pieces of my life puzzle together the coming year feels like a chance to push harder than before. At this point I feel that I have to potentially overreach in order to understand where the balance or sweet spot is. And the sweet spot will probably change more often than not but we will just have to adapt to that.<br />
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A human trait if ever there was one.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6729422021121537888.post-89819537880175557782015-11-03T14:29:00.003-08:002015-11-03T14:29:47.546-08:00October the Harbinger<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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(photo taken by Elliott)</div>
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As this year winds down; days getting shorter while the cold creeps closer, I try and hear the herald of winter and just be.<br />
Today I put my small garden to rest, Kyan is home from school with his first cold of the season. The sun was out and the crisp morning was perfect for trimming the raspberry canes and the stems of faded Lady's Mantle blossoms. Our home is slowly coming back together after several room renovations. The process of refreshing after 5 years in this home is fulfilling but made October far from stress free.<br />
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There were a few traditions missed, we picked no apples and put out minimal Halloween decorations. But in the spirit of doing our best with the situation at hand we still made the most of the seasonal fun.<br />
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I look forward to the Yule season this year as a time to decorate and make the most of our inside space although living in such a temperate climate we are able to be outside all year (as long as we don't mind the rain)<br />
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Dancing the Spiral at Reclaiming's Samhain ritual felt like a complete renewal of my body at the cellular level. I find that I have become more open to the energy raised each year. When I leave the ritual space I feel new, almost reborn and that energy carries me through the darkening. In fact I crave that renewal and look forward to immersing myself in the winter season to come. Perhaps being an autumn baby adds to the power of this time. 38 bares little problem for me, unlike how I felt last year as my 37 birthday approached. Looking back on the past 10 months I see why I felt so uneasy last year. It was a year of change and lessons, a harbinger of growth and things I didn't want to accept. It may be something I'll reflect more on next month.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6729422021121537888.post-74103853996189750722015-10-06T11:09:00.000-07:002015-10-06T11:09:42.548-07:00Subvert September!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Oh, September you do it to me every year. Sending me running around like a headless chicken as I naively say: "Sure we can fit in one more thing!"<br />
But we can't. And this lesson is one that I seem unable to remember as this tricky month rolls around. So here I am on the other side of another 9th month, glad it's over but amazed that it is so crazy busy year after year.<br />
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There is an election coming up in Canada. This has been the longest length of campaign time in the history of our country. Facebook, radio, it doesn't matter where you look the quotes and promises, the anger and apathy is everywhere. I have never felt so unwilling to engage in the debate and so pessimistic about the outcome. While at the same time my urge to <b>subvert</b> our current government could not be greater.<br />
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<b>Subvert</b>, <i>verb</i>; to undermine the power and authority of (an established system or institution).<br />
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Every value that I hold dear has been subverted by our current government. That is a hard pill to swallow and frankly it's been happening for almost a decade. I don't expect perfection or even a government that aligns with my radical views, but I do expect much more.<br />
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The reality of our own making can be subverted. I can choose to undermine my own penchant for putting too much on my plate. Subverting the government....that is a bit trickier. Of course it feels damn near impossible. But I research, I vote and I count. As small as that seems in the overwhelming odds against.<br />
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One of my favourite bands added a pebble to the stream of subversion. And it gave me an uplifting feeling in a sea of doubt. Enjoy.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/140990026" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <br />
<a href="https://vimeo.com/140990026">Land You Love - Hey Rosetta! & Yukon Blonde</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/philmaloney">Phil Maloney</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6729422021121537888.post-82312804701963676752015-09-01T10:22:00.001-07:002015-09-01T10:22:46.250-07:00Intuit August<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A new word to me, intuit means: to understand or work out by instinct. I think that may be an overall theme of my whole life as I rarely use other means of figuring out my days as a mom or as an artist.<br />
I'm sure most of us do use our instinct often but it is just not articulated when we do.<br />
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August was full and the fall is shaping up to be busy. Despite my resistance to a fast paced life it seems that with a family of four people making their best possible life it's just inevitable. As the family manager so to speak I hover about co-ordinating schedules and making timetables, yesterday it left my head spinning. <br />
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But as Dave is trying to keep his fitness up he suggested an after dinner walk. I was resistant at first because it's a bath night, we need to get the boys back on school bedtime routine, etc, etc, but instinct took over and told me that I <i>needed</i> that walk. The rain drenched paths, leaves strewn about by a weekend wind storm (fallen trees from that wind storm even) all of this would calm my mind and be good for us all. It was more than pleasant, it was healing.<br />
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So bedtime was a bit late, but we'll get back onto the routine eventually. And the future renovations to our home, soccer schedules, work trips, art show exhibitions to apply for, community plays to rehearse, all of it will fall into place or not. Our health, our well-being and connection to nature, must have priority over all of the minutia that fills or days. Our instinct tells us so. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6729422021121537888.post-20638471998181705422015-08-10T13:28:00.000-07:002015-08-10T13:28:55.406-07:00Monday Around Here After some teasing from friends about my Instagram photos and the illusion that social media can convey about our lives being one lovely moment of leisure, I thought I'd do a photo post today sharing our Monday so far and describing the reality just outside the frame.<br />
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Our weekend was spent mostly going through our storage room and getting odd jobs finished around the house. This process goes so much faster when Dave and I do it together. But that left little time for some time in the studio. This is a small glimpse at a section of my studio wall today. It changes quite frequently, along with my mood and inspiration.</div>
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Looking out our bedroom window at the trees and my happy spider plant. This week promises some more hot days and I welcome that because I'm not ready for summer to slip away just yet.</div>
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The boys had a laid back morning in their pj's, playing Lego. Behind is an ice cream shop complete with a parking lot and bench, and the smaller front creation is one of Elliott's new "secret Lego sets"</div>
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In the kitchen there is little besides mess to show, but I focused on this bowl of peaches patiently waiting to become jam, and the very ripe Roma tomatoes the rest of which Dave and I enjoyed in a salad last night.<br />
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The living room as usual is full of toys in various states. The easel was brought up from the storage room and quickly covered with art work and letter practicing. </div>
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And the balcony is all disheveled as I deal with the aftermath of a rat infestation (oh, please don't ask) so I focused on these lovely Calibrachoa Sweet Chimes which attract humming birds and are the sole surviving plant out there right now. At the end of this week I hope to have taken back the patio and have it set up to enjoy the last few weeks of warm weather.</div>
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Monday, not manic just steady. And always a little more going on than what the picture reveals. </div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6729422021121537888.post-906352408945813892015-07-30T20:32:00.001-07:002015-07-30T20:37:56.948-07:00Ever, JulyWell, here we are at the end of the month. We have been home for two weeks and two days now and I am still processing the trip but of course was forced to jump back in to life. Swimming lessons, play dates and hot summer weather wait for no one. <br>
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There is little I'd rather do these days than sit on the sand and watch the boys build and discover new things. Yesterday a jellyfish was spotted and many bright green pieces of seaweed were buried in sand pits.</div>
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It feels settled now. The summer has surrounded us, made us slightly tired and brown-skinned from sunshine. The travel was so good but did not manage to get us to that place. </div>
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I am grateful that the season has sunk in.</div>
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I am grateful that a few days of rain took the edge off the brittle grass and parched trees. </div>
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Ever grateful, berry eating, long summer days.</div>
<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiD2ieW8-jWoshjQpe_o-9nrzdvvQwxLebLROMrKXg0Rws0PYJBJ1cIpB8BqPg4mlQ6k9RrOrv3eLRh-AjUWPeBeIU4MqLulR1U2EJRnQ-K2w1hX3JvbDtNM-GqqqqTAqIN5RS-WNDqIk/s640/blogger-image--1565109474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiD2ieW8-jWoshjQpe_o-9nrzdvvQwxLebLROMrKXg0Rws0PYJBJ1cIpB8BqPg4mlQ6k9RrOrv3eLRh-AjUWPeBeIU4MqLulR1U2EJRnQ-K2w1hX3JvbDtNM-GqqqqTAqIN5RS-WNDqIk/s640/blogger-image--1565109474.jpg"></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6729422021121537888.post-81860739140870141102015-06-25T09:30:00.000-07:002015-06-25T09:30:00.074-07:00June: Escape<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiddXaNDKfrHkSJv1PFY00jmv-X-zjUXfqyfLrKooiqddVwauJ6R91GPbc_XZAdb8aZmkPO9jiazIoffhd35S8rZFqZRnWxJ3cPwXiKa_7iHnBWfO8u4TL3_42u3jJ7ycwH5LoYyUYF6I/s640/blogger-image--1211481828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiddXaNDKfrHkSJv1PFY00jmv-X-zjUXfqyfLrKooiqddVwauJ6R91GPbc_XZAdb8aZmkPO9jiazIoffhd35S8rZFqZRnWxJ3cPwXiKa_7iHnBWfO8u4TL3_42u3jJ7ycwH5LoYyUYF6I/s400/blogger-image--1211481828.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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As this posts are plane is in the air. This Escape has been a long time in coming.</div>
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If you'd like to follow along I plan to post a photo a day to <a href="https://instagram.com/jmj1177/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> & <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jenniejohnston?_rdr=p" target="_blank">Facebook</a>.</div>
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Until July then. Happy travels.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6729422021121537888.post-35230135497544149332015-06-22T14:21:00.000-07:002015-06-22T14:21:30.417-07:00When words won't do....It all comes at once...the lesson of this year so far. The good, the bad, the ugly....there is not a separation. It is all jumbled together whether you like it or not.<br />
In a few days we fly east, pause and then fly east again. The pause will bring celebration and mourning. Which doesn't seem to fit but again it must. And sometimes words just won't describe the bittersweet nature of this life.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Sey8U8AuMeQ5_4eb29JtbjE-MXZ_f-TcwIYS3qLTD-ag8ic7YncPZPzwrWuqDglCjrjUYwtjPfV4ZU2eXZA-byC-3U6IUhQNvUTgwo7V8a0zbLY7gLgeD6I39Q29yZRdS4OVX1tgMyY/s1600/b%2526p.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Sey8U8AuMeQ5_4eb29JtbjE-MXZ_f-TcwIYS3qLTD-ag8ic7YncPZPzwrWuqDglCjrjUYwtjPfV4ZU2eXZA-byC-3U6IUhQNvUTgwo7V8a0zbLY7gLgeD6I39Q29yZRdS4OVX1tgMyY/s400/b%2526p.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6729422021121537888.post-80775707474793975952015-05-30T11:45:00.001-07:002015-05-30T11:45:28.415-07:00May Mystery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vN6_I6YHN_JkS84xf7usC6rVTyP3Q_eN1tBsknl_blCxGgynafRFAO38KO5jwYAgCq3GwTHOh2-ZtNYN17cbEVXebM_S61VOjLS9s-sNC_TIAK5g4EuM1tUulLOGI4MympeWs2xXmEk/s1600/mar2015+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vN6_I6YHN_JkS84xf7usC6rVTyP3Q_eN1tBsknl_blCxGgynafRFAO38KO5jwYAgCq3GwTHOh2-ZtNYN17cbEVXebM_S61VOjLS9s-sNC_TIAK5g4EuM1tUulLOGI4MympeWs2xXmEk/s400/mar2015+004.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The mystery of May is which word best describes the breakneck pace with which it advanced. Mayhem, madness and masochistic would suit I think. Phew. I'll take a breath now that it's almost over. <br />
Much of the month was fun and celebration, and of course as life tends to present itself there was (and continues to be) much sadness and stress. <br />
Our countdown to our England trip looms in the distance and as excited as I am I am still not in a position to plan too much or even make my top 5 list of places to visit. There is still a long list of things to do, finish, and prepare just in our day-to-day. I can't say I'm great at approaching life at this speed but regardless I either have to run or miss the train. <br />
As all of this stuff of four lives lived together zooms around us the boys are growing as quickly as the spring plants. The reality of their changing selves strikes chords with me daily. How can the time move so fast? With each little baby I hold I see how <i>un-little </i>my boys are, while simultaneously shaking my head at how much there is to watch unfold inside them before they exit my daily influence.<br />
Am I recording the sweetness of now? For their benefit but mostly for my own....I'm not sure how successful I am at that. <br />
Today a girl I have know since she was born turns 13. And it literally feels like it was a blink in time. May's mystery...the stunning dash of our children as they grow. I'll take a breath again and sit with that for a while.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6729422021121537888.post-30082111031249238432015-05-06T09:00:00.000-07:002015-05-06T09:00:17.619-07:00London Calling<div style="text-align: left;">
The countdown to our summer holiday is officially on. We leave in about 2 months for London England, and Jersey Channel Islands. To say I'm excited is a huge understatement and in my true fashion I'm doing some fun research on my own and with the boys. Luckily Kyan developed an interest in knights and castles recently, and Elliott's obsession with shields and swords is playing into our prep as well. Here are some books that we have checked out from the library to give us some background on our travels. </div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1590207777/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1590207777&linkCode=as2&tag=chasdomeblis-20&linkId=QBCH6EI6RPI2ILLQ"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1590207777&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=chasdomeblis-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=chasdomeblis-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1590207777" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> </div>
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This is an interesting read so far, debunking the myths surrounding the ravens living at the Tower of London. I happened upon it while looking for books on ravens for a future art project.</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345455681/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0345455681&linkCode=as2&tag=chasdomeblis-20&linkId=6U6CTNRT4Q37VBMY"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0345455681&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=chasdomeblis-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=chasdomeblis-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0345455681" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> </div>
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Edward Rutherford has written many novels specific to cities. I have read<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0712680004/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0712680004&linkCode=as2&tag=chasdomeblis-20&linkId=HQZSHQK6IBGVLHP2"> Dublin: Foundation</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=chasdomeblis-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0712680004" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
(Also named The Princes of Ireland) and really enjoyed it. Historical fiction helps me to grasp a place much better than too much non-fiction. Much less dry.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400007445/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1400007445&linkCode=as2&tag=chasdomeblis-20&linkId=PWGLZYH3YZ5HYRYM"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1400007445&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=chasdomeblis-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=chasdomeblis-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1400007445" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> </div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0984623922/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0984623922&linkCode=as2&tag=chasdomeblis-20&linkId=LI3DSX7TD3JISCX7">Let's Take the Kids to London: A Family Travel Guide</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=chasdomeblis-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0984623922" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />, and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764549936/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0764549936&linkCode=as2&tag=chasdomeblis-20&linkId=BPINBYZYGR6UWXS4">Frommer's London with Kids (Frommers With Your Family Series)</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=chasdomeblis-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0764549936" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> are the guide books I have been looking at. So far I've just been glancing through but I plan to look more extensively in early June.<br />
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And for kid's books we have been reading:<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0087B6ACG/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0087B6ACG&linkCode=as2&tag=chasdomeblis-20&linkId=PPUVMJOJOCJPZ6YO"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B0087B6ACG&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=chasdomeblis-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=chasdomeblis-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0087B6ACG" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> </div>
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Which is really fun and engaging. <br />
Although the overall perspective gets harder to grasp as the city grows over time.</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0778798321/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0778798321&linkCode=as2&tag=chasdomeblis-20&linkId=Z7GG6ACIMZ3XJEMB"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0778798321&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=chasdomeblis-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=chasdomeblis-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0778798321" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> </div>
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We pick and choose from this one covering the areas we will be going to and the aspects that we can engage a 4 and 7 year old in.</div>
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That's it for now. I'll try and share more about our prep and the trip itself soon.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6729422021121537888.post-6094163859310470362015-04-29T10:34:00.000-07:002015-04-29T11:26:39.759-07:00April OutsideLast weekend we visited a wonderful organization's open house. <a href="http://www.owlcanada.org/" target="_blank">O.W.L</a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"> </a>which stands for Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society rescues injured birds (mostly raptors) and houses ones that can not re-enter nature and releases ones that have healed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEzcH80QtTms5NQ_6VI04raBd3BSd7oMHIcbcRsyrWJxjaw24bu4nBUCKqiFiGVI7Guu6hnYjkJV_T5YXsVKBMP8SMvUX5Z3coahyOhrkS_AnQOI8_aGbK7TzvKFPycW_AIGCRPrBzhOA/s1600/april2015+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEzcH80QtTms5NQ_6VI04raBd3BSd7oMHIcbcRsyrWJxjaw24bu4nBUCKqiFiGVI7Guu6hnYjkJV_T5YXsVKBMP8SMvUX5Z3coahyOhrkS_AnQOI8_aGbK7TzvKFPycW_AIGCRPrBzhOA/s1600/april2015+017.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Turkey Vulture.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoovYKwkeNmtGet4JYF6DMcD2k4fiVPQcbQPpXqUvqz1KVMU34h6Ye2zYjj815nmMV4Ut_VIUe7K_jJie40tFLBFfugYPuC8SmQWWY7AVj584I7PxKBmIkX9ntJa9sOk7F6XgA00sslQ/s1600/april2015+030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoovYKwkeNmtGet4JYF6DMcD2k4fiVPQcbQPpXqUvqz1KVMU34h6Ye2zYjj815nmMV4Ut_VIUe7K_jJie40tFLBFfugYPuC8SmQWWY7AVj584I7PxKBmIkX9ntJa9sOk7F6XgA00sslQ/s1600/april2015+030.jpg" height="400" width="223" /></a></div>
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A Barred Owl. We think an owl like this may be nesting near our home. </div>
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We have seen her/him 3 times now.</div>
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And the climax of the day was the release of this juvenile bald eagle. He was saved by a BC Hydro worker after being caught in a power line. It was very moving to hear his story and witness this bird's release back into the wild.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9zu3ux8wBdWFgli5Auq_MRvmXf55BlozGSWHnDiI1SrGIs8YaFoigAjapVG1Q2Yfib-nzWj1mkFQ2HO34WcrZVp9SXlaicEi00aa1pHYqMrM4jbeUGCuKg_hGF_H3J3bMPvkaAxRv_0/s1600/april2015+025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9zu3ux8wBdWFgli5Auq_MRvmXf55BlozGSWHnDiI1SrGIs8YaFoigAjapVG1Q2Yfib-nzWj1mkFQ2HO34WcrZVp9SXlaicEi00aa1pHYqMrM4jbeUGCuKg_hGF_H3J3bMPvkaAxRv_0/s1600/april2015+025.jpg" height="400" width="250" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfM9wTjbqX9BmHvOAC4m71N1fQtJ_-gZrd3KnWZbEHA_7dsvdwGjAXWxI2Iu-se8O7DtBBFoOoIcajA-41Xn233pJUl0bfeU8Tzeej7gvdHOH3jtIPfDOj0710gw2Z9j5bfbpF46VizM/s1600/april2015+026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfM9wTjbqX9BmHvOAC4m71N1fQtJ_-gZrd3KnWZbEHA_7dsvdwGjAXWxI2Iu-se8O7DtBBFoOoIcajA-41Xn233pJUl0bfeU8Tzeej7gvdHOH3jtIPfDOj0710gw2Z9j5bfbpF46VizM/s1600/april2015+026.jpg" height="383" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2BtBEAWpkgrLKFnqxg7ZdMcZZoLm3UEB2vE6J6aABNJLycGmqnv08dB1Fwi6tVqVMqtTf8IJ9D0xBA2qPeQevs7LQ07ND8eCPVGQl3ZAbyRWqy6lhHO_naNUQMKP0nGrXkWFdYqlfsQ/s1600/april2015+027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2BtBEAWpkgrLKFnqxg7ZdMcZZoLm3UEB2vE6J6aABNJLycGmqnv08dB1Fwi6tVqVMqtTf8IJ9D0xBA2qPeQevs7LQ07ND8eCPVGQl3ZAbyRWqy6lhHO_naNUQMKP0nGrXkWFdYqlfsQ/s1600/april2015+027.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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There are so many people that dedicate their time to worthy causes, this is just one of many. Supporting such brilliant work is a great way to send a family day outside.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6729422021121537888.post-59609707882274859612015-03-27T09:53:00.000-07:002015-03-27T09:53:46.084-07:00March: Equal<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTYNbN22qo6w00xVMBGU6atfinz8leYep4oqteCmtBt7DhECj0pQFAoIgv6ljxovuQaIcGRdbTGqU_IJCq8nXLro-ujH_f4iHJ_tKfJ0wEo3xJq34zsHy7p7SBRdwFdRkIBadLzk7332Q/s640/blogger-image--411014030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTYNbN22qo6w00xVMBGU6atfinz8leYep4oqteCmtBt7DhECj0pQFAoIgv6ljxovuQaIcGRdbTGqU_IJCq8nXLro-ujH_f4iHJ_tKfJ0wEo3xJq34zsHy7p7SBRdwFdRkIBadLzk7332Q/s400/blogger-image--411014030.jpg" width="299" /></a></div>
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Being one of the months that brings us the day and night in balance often makes March a positive time. As the month winds down I am reflecting on how the longer hours of light change our very nature. All of a sudden we are such busy bees and we try to pack more into our days. Or at least that is what I do. A to-do list that was ambitious in January is just not enough in March. </div>
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Dave and I are both stretching the possible for ourselves. How much can you accomplish today, this week, this month? Oh, sure I'll add one more thing, I'm sure I have time for that. And then the inevitable sinking feeling in your stomach happens and you start to get a bit nervous that you have bitten off more than you can chew. The list in your head or on paper or if you are fancy, on your cool app list thingy becomes rather daunting and you run the risk of avoiding it at all cost. </div>
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But the light in its in your face brightness gives you a tiny bit more energy. You dig deep, you cross off one thing at a time. You delegate (maybe). And slowly but surely it will get done. It will get done. Spring comes, snow (if you have any) melts, the wheel turns. Those equal hours are both a blessing and a curse. You balance it or you do not. But as surely as spring comes you go on.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6729422021121537888.post-2044590776897158602015-03-18T15:17:00.000-07:002015-03-18T15:17:48.876-07:00a few of his favorite thingsOn Monday the youngest member of our family turned 4. When one is the youngest I think it is often the case that you do lots of things for others. Waiting around for others, parties for others, activities based on the interests of others... so over the weekend we tried to do things that were just for the birthday boy. And here are a few of Elliott's favorite things:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJkYUkmFb8iFcmuVC9NkA_etaUtcIplQRJwCT5bm-k1rccq3M6z6dOwIUZi5g5IvX9vczcBi0vN6Bl0gJM9U9jQzGSdUb2qyFeH7aSPO5aRmMJ3q7R8ZbmJ7NRkgS9Fr_gaNa0AmPLPY/s1600/e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJkYUkmFb8iFcmuVC9NkA_etaUtcIplQRJwCT5bm-k1rccq3M6z6dOwIUZi5g5IvX9vczcBi0vN6Bl0gJM9U9jQzGSdUb2qyFeH7aSPO5aRmMJ3q7R8ZbmJ7NRkgS9Fr_gaNa0AmPLPY/s1600/e.jpg" height="361" width="400" /></a></div>
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Lego Anakin Skywalker birthday cake</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBxnTV4cxW14O0Vbj9sOSl8yP7BIy5gUizT3jOtHL8VprTyLEQNfStOBBpfSmKQdACVNL0dfkDHVJO3EzX2hrU7Dt5vIshn6R8ud4J6dUB7aMygNPoKa_f9cZOb50CqXPRljRlXzdva8/s1600/e2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBxnTV4cxW14O0Vbj9sOSl8yP7BIy5gUizT3jOtHL8VprTyLEQNfStOBBpfSmKQdACVNL0dfkDHVJO3EzX2hrU7Dt5vIshn6R8ud4J6dUB7aMygNPoKa_f9cZOb50CqXPRljRlXzdva8/s1600/e2.jpg" height="382" width="400" /></a></div>
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Pony rides<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFyIcvUm_e0Oo8GDugfeKQ-MiThYAYniALLycPzEwAj4tMb5BQK6VcPVu6bRmrrEJWCTj-v3mGoNYSMpvkzgY9gQTgU9I7w6DsSYjUw7ggA176qMPmyoqfGF4wBMGSS_vF0Wo0VjOSSz8/s1600/mar2015+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFyIcvUm_e0Oo8GDugfeKQ-MiThYAYniALLycPzEwAj4tMb5BQK6VcPVu6bRmrrEJWCTj-v3mGoNYSMpvkzgY9gQTgU9I7w6DsSYjUw7ggA176qMPmyoqfGF4wBMGSS_vF0Wo0VjOSSz8/s1600/mar2015+020.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
Corn<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6b41SH2PIEFXKhVQq03g1uu9NFIPWlql5qTMhX5dUcH0mkeoCPxdkz7GZV5lDhnZOkjXeiurtJRaXaOdmzZzMY_cpMgHy_Jc2IFMtgCCrxPt6ooej6Nj1u2xiUWNZgTgWryzsaDL45qs/s1600/mar2015+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6b41SH2PIEFXKhVQq03g1uu9NFIPWlql5qTMhX5dUcH0mkeoCPxdkz7GZV5lDhnZOkjXeiurtJRaXaOdmzZzMY_cpMgHy_Jc2IFMtgCCrxPt6ooej6Nj1u2xiUWNZgTgWryzsaDL45qs/s1600/mar2015+021.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Strawberry ice cream<br />
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Happy Birthday to a boy who knows what he likes. :) </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1