Todays snapshots...

Sams sucker from yesterday that he continues to work on :)  

Sunlight this afternoon:

Waiting in the theatre for the movie to start tonight:

Sam loves playing outside sooooo much.  He and I are outside almost all the time now.  He keeps telling me how he doesn't want to move and wants to stay here because he loves all the trees and space and his mud pile...of all the kids it will be Sam hardest hit by a move into town.  He is very much a country/ outside/ get dirty and climb trees kind of boy!  He has plans to finish the treehouse, build a fort, grow things....he loves the pond and the woods and is always asking em to head off with him into the woods for a walk.  He also loves hunting for stones on the driveway...digging holes in the back yard to look for bones and treasure...catching bugs and frogs and watching the birds with me..

The moon tonight was stunning!  It was huge and low in the sky as the sun went down - and when we got home it was peeking out from behind the house:

It really was a stunning sight coming back from town:

The Hunger Games

Susannah finished The Hunger games trilogy this week - and I had decided not to read it, so tonight we headed to the movie theatre to see the first movie.  Abigail was very excited to see the  movie too, so she came with us.

It was a very interesting movie - very well made, and exciting - but I can't say that I 'enjoyed' it.  I think being a Mom has much to do with that though.  I found the storyline quite disturbing.  The idea of almost an entire society happily watching a  reality tv show each year in which children slaughter each other.

At one point it really was literally a blood-bath.  

I just can't imagine any point in time where a society would think this was normal and exciting and fun.    Especially women - and yet women in the production studio were assisting with it all.  No emotion, no sense of injustice.  

I know it is fiction and not going to ever happen - but it was obviously in someones mind - and I suppose when you think of what Hitler did with no emotion - well perhaps it is possible to create a society that accepts it as the norm.  

Horrible.  

Things that I have seen and liked on pinterest lately...

Pictures from tonights sunset :)

A few snapshots from my drive in to town tonight :)

Alberta is so beautiful and we are blessed with the most incredible sunsets almost daily throughout the year :)  

M is driving back from Vancouver Island today...  :)  

My Abby Banana...

My Abigail is sooooo beautiful!  She is always so photogenic and looks amazing in every hat she puts on her pretty little head :)  I am so proud of this girl of mine and the person she is becoming.  I watch in awe at times.  She is so amazingly independent and has such incredible confidence!  I am sure that much of that comes from being homeschooled.  I love the way she talks to adults and the way she confidently orders for herself and others when we are out - or the way she knows what she wants when she is at the library and has the staff running circles to find things for her!  I leave her to it - she often has a list of books she wants and will use the computers and staff to find them, order them or choose alternatives.  

I love hearing her chatting to people she knows online - she has friends dotted about the globe - many who are homeschooled, and she chats daily to them.  She is also so amazing on the computer and on Minecraft - the way she stands up for herself on there and tells people how stupid their rules are - in fact she got so fed up with them that she has now created her own server so SHE can make the rules and decide who stays and who goes :)  

I am so loving my days with this girl of mine - yes she is contrary, yes she struggles with her moods during the heat and when over tired, and yes you can REALLY tell when she hasn't taken her meds on time - but 95% of the time this girl is INCREDIBLE to be around - she makes me laugh with her quick wit and amazing sense of humour, she still loves cuddles regularly, and she loves so many of the things that I do.  I love her sense of style and her confidence to be herself from such a young age!

Abby you are definitely going to make a mark in this world of ours :)  

Love you so 

xxx

Snapshots from Saturday...

Much needed coffee this morning before heading up to the north of Edmonton to pick up a friend.

Art journaling - 

And a page I started this morning and haven't finished yet:

A message I found on the driveway today:

Playing with my colour splash app:

A visit to Whyte:

A picture Susannah posted on FB and I liked - I reposted it and it seems that many people can relate to these words.  

I cut the grass this afternoon and then Sam and I went for a walk.  Rosie came with us and went for a swim too:

Playing with photo editing apps:

Yummy latte on Whyte:

Monthly review - May.

What books and/or magazines did I read this month?    I have been reading an Art Journaling book from the library.  

What movies, television shows, plays, etc. did I watch this month?  I watched 'The Man Without A Face' last night.  I watched 'Back to the Future 2' and also 'The Wizard of Oz' with Sam.  Oh and on Wednesday I watched 'The Bridge to Terabithia' which was WONDERFUL!!

What fun things did I do with my family and/or friends?  Where do I start???  Too many to list.  May was a completely FABULOUS month and I have so many memories of smiles and laughter.  A few that stand out are the funfair with Sam and Abby, Sitting on the deck at sunset with the three youngest - lanterns lit and cups of tea to hand - listening to Susannah play guitar and sing :)  Katies Crossing with Kaleigh and Ki...

What gifts did I give and/ or receive?   Mothers Day was more like 'Mothers Weekend' and I was completely spoiled and made to feel so incredibly loved.  The messages in the childrens cards were overwhelming.  The song Susannah wrote for me and sang with Laurence - so very touching and emotional :)  I felt very VERY lucky.  

As for giving gifts?  I gave quite a few...but I don't want to share that here.

What special or unusual purchases did I make?     I bought Dylusions for the first time and fell completely and utterly in love :)  They have transformed my art journaling.  I bought two ankle bracelets/ anklets - didn't think they were my kind of thing, but the two I got are soooo me and I just love them :)  Now I wear them every day :)  

What illnesses or health concerns did I have? I have been lucky to have been very healthy in May apart from a few migraines that were easily dealt with.  Too many people around me were not so lucky and I send healing thoughts to them - or to their loved ones xxx

What were my accomplishments this month?  I filled more than one and a half art journals.  I took part in the '29 Faces in May' challenge and stuck to it - managing to draw all 29 faces :)  I wrapped up my teen art journaling group.  Sad for it to end.  I restarted The Art House and have been overwhelmed by the support for it and for my passion!  I KNOW I'm doing the right thing :)

What were my disappointments this month?  I am sure there were several, but because I don't dwell on those things, I don't remember them either!

Anything else noteworthy to include?  May was a wonderful month with mainly gorgeous weather that made everyone feel so much better :)  Even the rainy days had perfect timing and were a joy to see!  I really have to say that when I think back on all we did and all the places we visited, we are incredibly lucky and blessed to have such a great life!  

snapshots...

I've been clearing my photo album on my phone, and slowly adding pictures to IG and FB.  I have edited some old pics too using new apps I'm trying out!  

Art journaling...

I am enjoying the project 365 app.  You pick one picture a day to build up your calendar and then you can write a few details in with the picture.  At the end of the month you have a great calendar of memories :)  My problem is that I take so many pictures each day - and we cram soooo much in to one day, that it is really difficult to pick just one picture.  

Poor little thing!!

I ran this poor little guy over with the lawn mower today.  I must have got the wheels over his legs or something because he couldn't walk :(  We got him into a jar and then into an empty barrel, and we put peanut butter and crackers in there for him.  We left him in peace for a few hours and when we checked on him he seemed fine - able to stand up and sit up again :)  We will let him go tomorrow - he lives over by the workshop :)  

Snapshots from my evening...

A few snapshots from when I was in town tonight:

Snapshots from Thursday

A few snapshots of Sam playing on the porch yesterday.  He had great fun with his cars and playing knights....it was lovely listening to him play.  He has such an amazing imagination and gives his cars characters and voices - and they all seem to fight one another and crash in to each other - in fact all his games seem to involve huge smashes :)