I Have 2 Homes

Our recent trip to Jamaica was one of renewing dear friendships. I consider so many of my friends from Harmons, Jamaica as my 2nd family.  When we arrived, it was as if we had never left. That feeling of comfort, of arriving back home, came instantly. I was saddened though as one of my dear [...]

Jamaica bound

Today is one of lists and packing. We are going to Jamaica. My husband has been asked to make a new video for Won By One. You can view his last one here which was done about 5 years ago.
My children from the last trip:

I am fond of this place. There was a time in [...]

Myopic View

I’ve decided that myopic persons named the constellations. Last night as I lay under a blanket of stars, I viewed the vast night sky through my severely nearsighted eyes. The bright stars were round gold buttons, the dim stars swallowed by the black. The patterns of the constellations distinctly appeared, danced, and told me their [...]

Disposal

As a school assignment, my daughter wrote the script for this short film. It came together wonderfully. So what grade should she get?

amanda ∞

Scrabble face

If you can’t laugh at yourself…

amanda ∞

My daughter, the teacher

While I was away at Artfest filling my head with creative things, my daughter became the teacher for the art journaling class at VERONICA’s Voice. She did a wonderful job leading and teaching and guiding.  Here’s the mosaic collage technique she demonstrated that day:
She sketched out the tree for placement, then added the color. [...]

No school? Think again.

This week our homeschool is closed, no math, no Latin, no writing assignments, no school at all. I leave my students and the principal as I set off for Artfest early Wednesday morning. But I had to chuckle about the excitement my students were displaying about having no school this week while set about their [...]

Innovation – Trash to Fuzzy Socks

I’m making a robe for my son, a soft fuzzy robe. I’m so glad my mom and dad were in town when I was cutting it out. My mom is such an expert at pattern placement, especially when I am short on material. You see I bought the material when he was a little younger [...]

My Family Rocks

My kids and husband played pieces in a recital yesterday. They have an excellent teacher, Enrique Chi, from the band Making Movies.

amanda ∞

My dad, the artist

I didn’t know this growing up, but my dad is an artist. I wasn’t surprised when my dad started growing the gourds. When a child, we had a large garden I distinctly remember weeding and picking off potato bugs, and he is a farmer. All the gourds were grown in his patch out north of [...]

My Mom the Artist

My mom and dad visited last week. Mom and I had fun as she designed some jewelry pieces for gifts, and I soldered for her. I love how they turned out.
Front:
Back:

Friendship Ring:

Front:
Back:
This was her first time creating charms. I think she did such a wonderful job. Her recipients are in for [...]

Electric Fence

My husband made this video for John Deere 6 years ago. The actors include me and the kids. The ‘dad’ is a friend of ours. It is such a riot. Enjoy!

amanda ∞

Chore Charts Begone

Chore charts have had an important part in the process of training the kids how to care for their own homes one day. As they have grown older, ages 12 and 14 now, we have reached a place in which the chore charts were actually working against the good of the family. While one child [...]

Inevitable

I’m 40 today. From my husband:

amanda ∞

It’s over

Our school year officially ended yesterday. Time to relax, kick back, and meander through summer with a little frolicking thrown in.
amanda ∞