Brookie Pookie Lemon Cookie

Kendall and Reiley's First Oil Paintings

Painting with watercolors for more than five years I finally asked Carol, the girl's instructor if they could switch to oils. She always discouraged us from oil painting due to the difficulties and required skills. Not to mention economics, as I quickly learned!

They recently completed their fist still life paintings. Years working with watercolors helped make their first attempt with oils a success.

Here is Reiley's portrayal of an Italian kitchen scene ...And Kendall's from a different angle ...Off to get them framed!

Happy Valentine's Day

Kendall and Reiley were busy making and decorating 75 mousse filled chocolate cordials for Valentine's Day gifts. Brooke gladly helped by eating all the broken chocolate cup crumbles like a little mouse. They were delicious!

  

 
 

Through the Eyes of My 13 Year Old

My girls fill notebooks and notebooks sketching anything and everything. Today Reiley made quick sketches on loose sheets of paper in the morning while waiting for breakfast, at a restaurant while waiting for dinner and later while we were relaxing in front of the TV watching The Olympics.

She showed me her sketches and I quickly realized how I love seeing myself through her eyes! 

Here I am in the kitchen making whole grain pancakes, dining at Best Lees, and knitting while watching Olympic Speed Skaters at night. 

I know, very June Clever-ish ...  but still, I got a kick out of seeing Reiley's highly inflated "peaches-and-cream" perception of me! 

Happy Chinese New Year!

Back from a two week working trip in Chengdu, China and not quite adjusted to the time zone change, we didn't think Bob would be overly excited to celebrate the Chinese New Year, we were wrong. The girls donned their newly gifted necklaces, earrings and bracelets from China to celebrate the beginning of the Year of The Tiger. Understandably afraid of masks, it took a little while for Brooke to enjoy the attentions from the dancing dragons and animated Chinese dancers.   Happy Chinese New Year!