Good Morning!

Good Morning!

Good Morning! Giggle!

Synchronicity!

I was reading my favorite blogs this morning and found this at Tiny Buddha.

It fits so well with GIGGLE -- I had to share!

HOW TO HAVE FUN LIKE CHILDREN: 15 JOYFUL TIPS

Editor’s Note: This is a contribution by Nat Nanton

“If it’s not fun, you’re not doing it right.” ~Bob Basso

Every morning my daughter and I go for a twenty-minute walk to my workplace. For me, in those twenty minutes, I’m in transit. For my toddler, it’s nothing less than a parade of flowers, fire trucks, pebbles, and friendly folk.

I walk alongside her, engrossed in my thoughts of concern that her bouncing body might fall down the stairs, or jump onto incoming traffic.

One morning, I noticed that a sweet old man, amused by my toddler, was watching her with a smile on his face. As we crossed his path, he chuckled to himself, “Children have all the fun!”

He’s right. They do. And clearly, I’m missing out! My age is no good reason for me to miss out on this street party! 

Now, I try to remember that fun is a perspective. It’s not a force bound within the walls of amusement parks. The days that I remember this, it makes all the difference.

Line-ups are a great way to make new friends. Dusting is a contemporary dance. My world is a playground.

We are born with a complete understanding of fun, which seems to fade over time and conditioning. I say we learn a thing, or 15, from children.

HOW TO PUT FUN INTO EVERY DAY

1. Be where you are.

Kids are really good at enjoying the moment. Adults are addicted to thinking about all the things we have to do tonight, tomorrow, next week. Where you are is where the fun is. Nowhere else.

2. Learn something new.

From new words to new facial expressions, kids are constantly mastering new skills. Make it a point to continuously be learning something, anything. Aren’t we the ones who tell our kids that “learning is fun”?

3. Get out of your comfort zone.

Toddlers take risks all day long. As we mature, we tend to stay in our safe place. Your day will be so much more exciting if you gather the guts to wear hot pink pants.

4. Find the beat.

While adults would find a car alarm loud and obnoxious, my daughter dances to the rhythm of the beat. Seek out the symphony in the background noise.

5. Smile 27 times more than you do.

I’ve heard that children smile 400 times a day and adults, only 15. Smiling is the catalyst to having fun.

6. Notice nature.

Every child is in awe of ants, birds, and dandelions. At some point, we become creatures of the concrete jungle. Allow yourself to be enamored by Mother Nature.

7. Climb things.

As soon as they discover their legs, kids start climbing everything. There is something about being above ground level that is somewhat thrilling. Climb a rock. Climb a tree. You’ll feel like the master of the universe.

8. Embrace your “flaws.”

Being self-conscious is stifling. My toddler brings more attention to her Buddha belly than I ever would. But she also has more fun.

9. Use your imagination.

A child can get lost in her make-believe world for hours. Imagine riding an elephant in Thailand. Or running a marathon on the Great Wall of China. You’ll have so much fun pretending that you might want to make it a reality—which leads to more fun than you can imagine.

10. Be unpredictable.

There is no knowing what a kid will get up to next. Step out of your ordinary routine and you’ll be surprised at how liberated you’ll feel.

11. Hand out high-fives.

For no reason at all, kids hand out high-fives like they just won gold at the Olympics. Next time you hear some good news, give somebody a high-five. It feels good to get pumped about the little things.

12. Slow down.

Children know how to take their sweet time. Allow yourself enough time to enjoy living. Rushing sucks all the fun out of the day.

13. Create.

Paint, draw, build, write. Kids clearly enjoy those activities. Fun is being in your creative element.

14. Get dirty.

Kids aren’t afraid to experience life hands on. Get right in there. Make sandcastles. Turn up a log.

15. Break the rules.

Fun doesn’t follow all the rules. Neither do kids. If it doesn’t hurt, go for it! Leave those pretty Christmas lights up year-round.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Good Morning: Fall Seven Times

Good Morning!

Good Morning!

This and That

It's raining.

It's been raining all week.

After our horrible drought last summer, I'm not going to complain about rain.

I spent a lovely day with a good friend.

Part of the day we walked through the gem and mineral show. 

Lots of ooooouing and awwwwwwwing! 

Speaking of this friend - I've mentioned her before.

She is an art teacher.

I've spent some summer days with her helping her prepare for the coming school year.

She always has good ideas for me.

She has started a blog called Manifestations.
Some art education, art history, a trip to Tuscany -- I think you would enjoy it.
Please go by and visit and welcome her to the World of Blog!

I've really been enjoying my bushel delivery every two weeks from FarmHouse Delivery.

I'm in tomato heaven! Fresh, organic, sweet, delicious! 

The best summer has to offer.

And peaches -- Oh, my! 

I love when it's time for the Tour De France.

I admire the athletes taking part in the race, but admit I watch to see the beautiful scenery!!

I'm up early to get my mornings off to a good start with the Tour.

Speaking of France, MJ at WanderWonderDiscover 

started her summer off in France. Lucky girl!

She sent me this wonderful postcard and teased me with a short message about tea on the back! 

Thank you MJ! So wonderful to have thoughtful blogmates.

We've had an exciting week around here with introducing the lovely Princess Mina to the group.

But today it's all about Cassie.

She has been so good about the new kitty in the house.

She gets extra hugs and treats! 

I'd like to thank Liv Lane for the Little Bliss List

and the lovely Beth for Postcard Friendship Friday.

Wishing YOU well, much joy and a fun filled weekend!

Happy 4th of July!

Daisy Yellow ICAD Central!!

A Little ICAD Catch-Up

It's been quiet here on Twisty Lane.

Many of you know I have a bad back.

I've even had back surgery.

Every now and then it just doesn't work like it should and that's what happened this past week.

I hope I can catch up with everyone soon.

Meanwhile, here are a few of the ICADs (Index Card A Day) I've been working on.

I'm starting to hit the wall on ICADs and I have July to go! 

It can be done!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Summertime

Today we celebrate the first day of summer.

We also celebrate Vee's Note Card Party!

I'm celebrating summer and Note Cards with FOOD! 

Straw Hats and a Peach Smoothie

Fruit Tart

Fresh from Farm House Delivery

Cake!

Wishing YOU well and much joy.

It must be pink day!

It's ICAD (Index Card A Day) day!

Be sure to visit with Tammy at Daisy Yellow to see what a little time each day might lead you to create!

I'm not all that fond of pink.

I wonder what got into me?

!!!!!

Wishing YOU well and a joy filled day!

Friday: A Little Color

It's Friday and it's time to share a few more ICADs

(Index Card A Day).
Thank you to Tammy at Daisy Yellow for hosting and
her wonderful idea.

I try to give my ICADs a title.

This one is Everything Began to Sing.

Down Below The Waterfall

Sail Away

I decided I must have been in a mood when I made this one.

Looks like stormy seas to me! 

Wishing YOU well, much joy, and a wonderful weekend!

Looking For Something To Do This Summer?

ICAD (Index Card A Day) Season Two has started over at Daisy Yellow.

This will get your creative juices flowing!

Here are my first three ICAD's for season two.

Cheers!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Celebrating Halloween!

Coming up to the end of October and celebrating Halloween.

Here's a few more Halloween decorations leading off with an ICAD I made

(Index Card A Day).

BOO!

I'm looking forward to November 1 and going by The Blue Leaf to see

if they have any Halloween decorations half off! 

Shop, shop, shop!!!

Thank you to our hostesses:

Mary for Mosaic Monday

and 

The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday.

Wishing YOU a very Happy Halloween!

Halloween Comes to The Garden

I thought we'd walk around Musashi's Garden.

Halloween has arrived here, too!

Thank you to our hostesses:

Mary for Mosaic Monday

and 

The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday.

***

I cut my tomatoes back instead of pulling them up and

I was amazed when I found tomatoes starting again on the balcony garden.

I also have Mesclun and Spinach and hopefully, some sweet peas!

We'll see how friendly Mother Nature is after our horrible summer.

It is estimated that the tree loss will be in the millions.

It will take a generation to rebuild the canopy in Houston, if we are lucky.


Wishing YOU well and a JOY filled week.

Meow

I've gone to the Cats on this Friday!

The postcard I'm sharing is from

The Cat Postcard Book c 1987 by Running Press Book Publishers.

The back of the postcard reads:

Cat and Butterfly, Edo period, 

Ukiyo-e school, by Hokusai (Japanese, 1760-1849).

Painting on paper.

Courtesy of the Freer Gallery of Art, Smithsonian Institution,

Washington, D.C., Acc. No . 02.42

The kitty in the postcard reminds me of my furbaby,

Cassie.

She's the star of the Haiku for today.

Cassie knows no fear

flying through the air with ease

slowed down with bad knees

Cassie had a bad weekend.

She was playing with my other furbaby, Teddy, when I heard her hiss at him.

She never hisses.

When I checked on them Cassie was holding one of her hind legs out at an odd angle.

A few minutes later she was walking on all fours,

but the day was off to a not so good start.

To make a long story short ... Cassie has a dislocated hip and bad knee caps!

Her growth plates are still open and as long as she is getting around and not in any distress,

we are in a holding pattern.

Today she's been flying through the air ... just like old times.

Off to the vet again next week to see how things look. 

***

Cassie and Teddy have a friend named Luna

and were featured on Luna's blog last week.

If you like kitties, you should visit!

The Lovely Luna

***

ICAD #22!!

A big thank you to our hostesses:

Beth for Postcard Friendship Friday

and

Rebecca for Haiku My Heart

Wishing YOU well and a joy filled weekend.

This and That

I feel like a This and That Day!

I thought I'd start with a knitting project that I've almost finished.

Pretty colorway -- Bernat Mosaic Ambrosia.

I needed to knit 12 fans.

I put them together to make the scarf.

I enjoyed this pattern. 

Knit one fan a day and two weeks later .. a scarf!

(I still need to weave the ends.)

Teddy had to help me photograph the finished project.

It takes 3 skeins of the Bernat Mosaic.

I ordered the kit (from Mary Maxim I think) and received the 

Bernat Mosaic booklet with 10 knit and crochet patterns.

This is an acrylic yarn that feels much like cotton!

***

Sappy and homespun, Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani was my perfect summer read. Set in the real place of Big Stone Gap, Virginia we meet Ave Maria Mulligan. She is 35 years old, a pharmacist, a member of the rescue squad, and calls herself a spinster. The highlight of her week is the arrival of the bookmobile. (Remember bookmobiles? I do and just knew I'd like this book because Ave likes bookmobiles, too!). Ave's favorite book is about the ancient art of Chinese face reading.  A surprise, family secret sends Ave Maria on a quest. There are the requisite Southern quirky characters: "sexpert" Iva Lou who runs the bookmobile and crusty, chain-smoking Fleeta. I was delighted when I found out there are three more in the series! 

***

I started ICAD (Index Card A Day) on July 1 ... one month behind everyone else.

Here are my three newest ICAD's.

It's been fun to see my work pop up on Tammy's blog as she reviews the latest ICAD's of the group. 

Wishing YOU well and a  joy filled week!