you know it's been a long time since your last post when...

...you have trouble remembering your password.

I am here and all is well. There's a lot going on in our family right now, and life is just very busy. Our second boy, Christopher, will graduate from high school in a little more than a week, so we've been doing graduation parties and receptions for him and other graduates. Also, this week is our city (actually county) celebration of All Schools Day, the 96th annual event. It is a HUGE deal here. Nothing gets done the last 2-3 days of the week except one fun thing after another, including a parade, a carnival with actual big rides and games, concerts, art shows (I'm in 2) and other assorted hilarity.

My brother and his wife from Kansas City will be down for the hoo

pla, and we'll all have dinner together Friday evening. Saturday my mother and I are going on a walking tour of stained glass in the downtown area, including old and new installations. The new library expansion includes 6 huge and wonderful stained glass windows. By the way, for those of you who remember that my mom has been undergoing treatment for breast cancer, she's feeling good and only has 2 more weekly treatments before she's done, hopefully forever. She does appreciate your well wishes. 

I have four, count 'em, FOUR art shows lined up for this summer/fall, including one next month at the Flint Hills Symphony in southeast Kansas, one in September at the Fair on the Square in Lyons, then two in October, the Halstead Fine Arts and Crafts show, and my all-time favorite event, Artful Taste of Autumn. So I'm going to be even more busy. Not to mention, I currently have several mixed media/fibers pieces on exhibit at a local coffee house. Not bad for someone who only makes art in her (precious) spare time.

Since I still do not know what's up with my camera and couldn't even find it last time I went to look for it, I have no pictures of anything I've mentioned in this post. However, I have stolen a photo of the shoes I have on today, which I thought might tickle your fancy. Mine are like these, only lime green. 

dylan can see!!

A couple of weeks ago Dylan came home complaining he couldn't read the writing on the overhead projector. So it was off to the optometrist, and this is the result. He's doing well with them although he's left them on the floor a couple of times. He's holding Paul Revere as he was interpreted for a biographical report Dylan gave at school.

Hope everyone has a good weekend.

joyous easter

In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

Matthew 28:1-9

Wishing everyone a blessed and peaceful Easter Sunday.

behold the man

How deep the Father's love for us,

How vast beyond all measure

That He should give His only Son

To make a wretch His treasure.

How great the pain of searing loss,

The Father turns His face away

As wounds which mar the chosen One,

Bring many sons to glory.

Behold the Man upon a cross,

My sin upon His shoulders

Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,

Call out among the scoffers.

It was my sin that held Him there

Until it was accomplished.

His dying breath has brought me life

I know that it is finished.

I will not boast in anything-

No gifts, no power, no wisdom;

But I will boast in Jesus Christ,

His death and resurrection.

Why should I gain from His reward?

I cannot give an answer;

But this I know with all my heart

His wounds have paid my ransom.

at last, a couple of photos

Courtesy of my mother, who let me borrow her little uploading gizmo, I finally have a couple of recent jewelry photos to post. Even then, the color isn't very good but you'll get the idea. The first is a series of three necklaces, kind of all on a theme, five short strands of mixed pearls and crystals, finished with bead cones and chain to the back of the neck, then closed with lobster clasps. I thought they turned out rather well.


This (or something similar) is what I will send to be juried to the Flinthills Symphony art show soon. The silver pendant was made with PMC impressed with Kansas prairie grass for the texture, then set with a champagne CZ.



Since our big snowfall last weekend we had two smaller ones, including this morning. Yesterday it was 75 degrees, today 40 with snow. Argh.

a wonderful gift

We have some dear friends who have just purchased a new home and found something in the basement they weren't entirely sure about. He thought it might be some kind of dishwasher or other appliance. Hmmm. Well guess what--it's a big electric KILN and they're GIVING IT TO ME!! I'm fainting from the hyperventilating. I truly cannot believe it. We may have to rewire the house for it, but by golly, whatever it takes I think we'll do. Thankfully I have a husband who is handy at that sort of thing.

In other news, we may be getting another 6" of snow this weekend. Grrr.

a new/old photo

I came across this old photo of my husband (before he was my husband) and I in our college days. We were young.

I am feeling much better, thanks for all your good wishes.