playing catch-up

Right now, I am playing catch-up. In work, at home, and anywhere else I can list. So, this will be a quick post with a few of the past challenges that I haven't shared yet.

Mooka Challenge

15 Minutes of Fame

Eggzzzellent

And that's that. As always, if you want to know more about these Challenges I keep posting about, please see Laura Harms' blog, where she posts a new challenge every week. Today marks the 20th challenge and it is so interesting to see how similar yet different people interpret each challenge she puts forth. It's a bit like life...it's all in the interpretation.

sharing the love...and art

This past week, I went out of town to visit my aunt in Maryland. She is pretty much my mother, as I lost my mother when I was young. My aunt now has Early Alzheimer's and Brian and I had planned to go as a family, but the high energy and noise level of little boys isn't very conducive to the confusion that comes with this disease. So, Brian suggested I go by myself. It was a quiet trip for the most part, as I went for walks with my aunt and helped her with things in the kitchen. We spent time talking, looking at old family pictures and just being together. It was also a lot greener there, as they are south from Michigan and their spring is about 2-3 weeks ahead of ours. It was refreshing to see all the flowering trees in full bloom there and I couldn't resist taking pictures. I don't know if I will ever be able to take such a trip again, but I'm very glad I went and spent that time with her.

One day, we went to the nearby azalea garden by Brighton Dam and it was fabulous. Azaleas of all different colors...just rows and rows of them. I got a few good shots and am sharing them below.

Paved with petals

Secret garden 

Collecting Nectar

On Saturday night, I also got to see old friends of mine who I knew when I lived out there. We were all nannies together and have known each other for years and years. One of them, Micki, had shown an interest in the Zentangles that I have been doing since November. She has always been artistic and is really talented in pressed flower art and wins ribbons frequently. So, after dinner, we camped out at the restaurant and I gave her a quick lesson on Zentangle. She has already posted some of her work on Facebook and I can see she will do fabulous pieces. She took to it like a fish in water.

It is exciting to share this art form and to see others get so interested and ignited with enthusiasm. I hope that my friend Kip's new studio space, Small but Mighty Arts brings about more of that. We all need a little art in our lives and the peace that doing creative things brings me really is essential for me.

Due to the trip, etc, I am behind on doing the diva's challenges once again. But, that's okay. May is a busy month with holidays, birthdays, events and assorted other things, so I will get them done when I can. Most likely in increments, as I do most things.