party people

the graduate...with his small cake.

friends of mine from tuesday morning coffee group

family

grandparents and his girlfriend

hi school friends and his girlfriend smiling at the camera on the end

his sister (blonde in the sundress) and a close friend.

graduate and his older cousin

hi school buddies, all giving hugs! they were squeezing and giving bear hugs picking up the graduate, except for this buddy who thought he needed the bear hug

chalk messages

hi school friends

family friend with our little dog- you would think none of us loved him

with gramma. it was a great party! we are glad it was a success and is over! ;)

sunday coffee

i love it when family stops by and brings something to nibble on. my brother, his wife and kids and my mom stopped by yesterday afternoon for a visit and some coffee...

they had brought stollen "bread" from a local shop. it was almost cake like....and certainly heavenly.

labor day weekend

headed to the black hills for the holiday weekend to see friends and family....

list of "to do"

• good conversation
• drink coffee (and maybe a beer of two...)
• enjoy meals with the table full of people and wonderful food
• play board games

have a wonderful last weekend of summer...what are your plans?

house

we have transformed our living room...new couch and new tv. we have streamlined and got rid of all the extra "stuff." what i am so excited about is that it seems to have this pull...drawing us all into it- the oversized comfiness with the intimateness to induce conversation...even in kids...enjoying the home and the family.

twenty10

new year wishes (that sounds nicer than resolutions....)
1. i have started a good workout plan- now i just need to stick with it (for the whole year....)ps- if you have a wii- you NEED to have the game- just dance-OMG! so much fun!!! this is part of the plan...the fun part- which is always necessary for the sticking with it part to really stick
2. paint more, and not waste time or take open time for granted; when i have a free moment at home- go to my shop (it always makes life better)
3. we say we are going to do a family game night (and NOW we are going to stick with it- so important; especially considering our oldest will be off to college in two more years....)
4. i have been reading and participating in "the artist's way"- i plan (pledge) to keep with the journaling (it has been sooo enlightening; not always easy, but, very good) i want to see where this creative journey continues to lead me- i bought myself a "creative" ring that says "be true to your dreams"- so let the doors open and the whispers of possibility rein....
5. stick with the kids need to do more around the house- it is so easy for me to just get it done; however, then, my extra free time is gone- see number 2....so, i am drawing a creative line in the sand and sticking to my guns

god bless, be safe, and here is to twenty10 wishes, dreams, and inspirations....

happy monday

i was so excited to start this week- so much fun...my pictures are just lining up! i am starting with paintings that represent my family. the first is my husband and i - it will be 20 years for us this next year; and the second represents our three children and the love (bear with me here- it is sounding slightly more sappy seeing it in black and white than it did in my head...) anyway- our home and my family makes me happy- and the fact that the painting is my first "peeps" and something i consider successful (because you can tell that it is people) even better!!

if you would like to participate in happiness week, or just want to see what makes other happy...- check out curiousgirl-lisa