A Little Break

Taking a little break!  n and I are going on a girls vacation for the week.  Regular posts will return in July.  Hope everyone has a wonderful week.

Peace!

Wordless Wednesday

Welcome to our new family member!!!  and the reason for the quiet here at Surfside Serenity!

Let the family team building begin!!! :)

Peace!

Texture Tuesday

This week we were tasked with using texture on an image of a person.  There's lots of fun to be had using textures with people pictures.  :)  So I have a few to share.  Some of my photos are of my dear friend C's daughter getting ready to go to prom.  For these photos I used Kim's silence on hue and then brushed away the texture to reveal the beautiful colors in the image.  I love the tone of the skin with this trick.

I intended to use a similar process to work on some pictures of my daughter n when she was younger but I ended up going with an artistic look.  I added several of Kims textures including silence, she loves you and portrait.  Unfortunately I flattened them before writing down my recipe!  :(  I have to slow down a bit so I can keep track of how I process my images.  Anyway I like the final effects.  

Peace!

Mellow Yellow Monday

Today has been a busy day.  Last day of school excitement.  Ice cream sundays after school and n's friend came to visit for a few hours.  Before ice cream and friends there was the grocery store, major clean up and steam cleaning of the floors.  The house is 90% organized, clean and ready for a great summer.  Yay!

Now to find a mellow yellow entry.  Hmmmm

Feeling a bit nostalgic as I realize my little children are growing into fine young people.  n was 3 in this photo when we visited her uncles in Washington DC.  This summer we are going again this time with my sisters.  It will be a wonderful 'girl' trip.  

Peace!

For more Mellow Yellow fun visit here. 

Saturday

It should prove to be a busy day today.  So I thought I'd stop in and share the direct link to my most recent update on 40 M.  Things are moving quickly.  N is feeling sentimental about 'Papa's house and doesn't want to go over and see the progress.  I have a feeling that as things come together and we get closer to completion I may have some similar bittersweet feelings.

So go check out the progress.

Peace!

Friday Fill Ins

And...here we go!

1. One of my favorite birthday presents was a gift from my Mum many years ago.  We didn't have much money and the money that my family had was spent on sending us to a private school.  All the girls had these special pocketbooks called bermuda bags.  They had wooden handles and interchangeable fabric covers that buttoned onto the frame.  I wanted one in the worst way even though I new they were frivolous and not something I should expect.  Well sure enough Mum came through and pinched her pennies in order to give me a bermuda bag for my birthday.

2. We had to renovate, it was as simple as that.

3. The moon and it's phases impact mood and behavior, I see it in me and in the children I teach.

4. The privilege of owning a cell phone includes certain expectations and rules that my children will soon learn.

5. I was tempted by goodies in my cabinet calling my name.

6. Read, sleep late, relax, go on day trips with the fam are some of the things I like to do on vacation.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to bed early as I am tired, tomorrow my plans include finishing up end of the year gifts and purchasing supplies for 40 M and Sunday, I want to plant and relax!

Peace!

Simple Woman's Daybook 24

Simple Woman's Daybook Week 24

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...I see the leaves blowing in the beautiful breeze.  It's going to be a lovely day.  The air feels good and the sun is shining. 

I am thinking...about my car that is in the shop.  The man who owns the shop has cleared my check engine light and is going to do his best to get me a sticker.  I hope he comes through because otherwise I'm looking at an expensive fix that isn't really necessary but would fix the emissions.  Sadly I think soon it will be time for a new car!  UGH 

I am thankful for...the fact that we live close enough to 'n's school that we can walk when I don't have my car available.  She does not like riding the bus in the morning.  Something to do with the older kids on the bus so for the past two days we walked and it felt good.  


From the kitchen...well this week has been a good week in the kitchen.  We had chicken pie with a delicious roasted vegetable dish, flounder with rice and roasted carrots and cauliflower and homemade pizza.  Not sure what tonight will bring as we we will have one of n's friends over.   

I am wearing...my walking clothes, gray capris and a white t shirt.  

What I'm creating:  still working on the end of the year gifts for n's teachers .  The cards are made for Mrs. R I just have to pick up plants, gift cards and a frame and then call it a day.  

I am going...to pick out paint colors for 40M this weekend and on Monday I'll be painting the kitchen (I hope).   

I am reading...still the same old stuff.....blogs as always and I have been spending time wetting my artistic appetite with a couple of mixed media books.  Flavor for Mixed Media by Mary Beth Shaw and  Paint Box Mixed Media Paint Box edited by Tonia Davenport.  Both of these resources are so inspirational.   


I am hoping that the end of the year will go smoothly for my children.  They are both excited for a break.  I am also hoping that our team building project starts before the end of the school year.  More on that soon. 

I am hearing...the quiet morning...cars on the main road, the wind blowing in the trees and an occasional bird. 

Around the house...I'm looking forward to finishing the pre summer cleaning.

One of my favorite things...is listening to the quiet. 

A few plans for the rest of the week:   planting, finishing up teacher gifts, working over at 40M and going to see Green Lantern with N.   

Here are some pictures I am sharing..

n and her bffl!

Peace!

Wordless Wednesday

This little fellow sat for an extended photo shoot yesterday.  He was enormous!  Not the average dragonfly.  

Peace!

Texture Tuesday

mouse over for original image

Texture Tuesday is here again!  How do the weeks go by so quickly?  No big challenge this week just free and easy!  I don't usually do dark and brooding photos but the storms that rolled through last weekend were just that... I was able to spend time outside shooting the sky as the clouds rumbled through and the energy in the air changed.  The electricity was palpable.  In this photo I added many layers.  I also tweaked the levels to bring out the darker side of my image.  :)  I've used two layers of kkweathered one at multiply 72%, the next at multiply 74%  I used masks on both layers and removed some of the texture from the edge of the trees.  The next layer I chose was coolgrunge at 100% multiply (love that effect) and a final layer of silence on darker color 100%.  I like the dark edgy look of the final image.  This is quite a departure.  The original image is below.  

For a simple tutorial on the mouse over effect please go here.  

Peace!

Mellow Yellow Monday

Click Photo for Animation

Peace!

Simple Woman's Daybook 23

Simple Woman's Daybook Week 23

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...I see the bright greens of the vegetation on my back hill lit by the rising sun.  Simply beautiful and truly a gift after a long cold spring followed by summer highs for the better part of a week.  The greens are so cool and refreshing.

I am thinking...about the team building that will be going on in my family this summer. We have some pretty incredible stuff that will be going on over the next few months including the completion of 40 Mayflower.  (for the most recent update on that project go here)

I am thankful for...the moderation of the temperatures and the spring feel in the air.  I love the sun and warmth but I thrive in the moderate temperatures of spring and fall.  It feels so good to have sun and comfortable dry air.  


From the kitchen...well this week we have enjoyed pulled pork, steak tips with mashed potato and asparagus, and chicken salad.  Last night we did take out pizza.  Not sure what today will bring.     

I am wearing...my pj's!  It's still early in the am.  I used to sleep later than this back in the day but it seems sometime between 7:00 and 7:30 my body clock wakes me up even on the weekends. It's not a bad thing as the mornings are usually quiet and peaceful. 

What I'm creating:  oooh  end of the year gifts for n's teachers are on the plate for this weekend.  Last week I spent a day making hand made paper in a purple hue.  I have matted at least a dozen photos so that n can choose a set for her teacher.  

I am going...to purchase and read  Dr. Furhman's book Eat For Life.  I recently watched his PBS special and what he shared there made sense to me, but I feel like I should read his book before committing to any kind of life change.  

I am reading...still the same old stuff.....blogs as always and I have been spending time wetting my artistic appetite with a couple of mixed media books.  Flavor for Mixed Media by Mary Beth Shaw and  Paint Box Mixed Media Paint Box edited by Tonia Davenport.  Both of these resources are so inspirational.   


I am hoping that the end of the year will go smoothly for my children.  They are both excited for a break.  I am also hoping that our team building project starts before the end of the school year.  More on that soon. 

I am hearing...the quiet morning.  

Around the house...I'm looking forward to teaching my family that keeping the home organized and clean must be a team effort....not just Mum's job.  

One of my favorite things...is cool morning air touched with a promise of warmth.  

A few plans for the rest of the week:   planting, creating photo cards, kombuchu

Here are some pictures I am sharing..

Peace!

Friday Fill Ins

And...here we go!

1. I remember when I first heard both of my babies cry once they were born.  Just thinking of those moments brings tears of joy to my eyes!

2. Pine pollen has been showering down causing my allergies to act up and leaving a gritty yellow film on everything inside and outside!

3. Most humans live their lives constantly striving for more and looking to reach the next goal in a constant state of wanting.  I say live in the present appreciate all the gifts you have and enjoy each moment because who know's what tomorrow may bring. 

4. If you don't have something nice to say then don't say anything at all...sound familiar? (words to live by)

5. I was (am)  inspired by the beauty that surounds me everyday.

6. I left my list of today's chores ...who knows where!  I guess I'll just have to be creative instead!  :)

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching the Bruins win!!! and perhaps sipping on a Stella Artois, tomorrow my plans include working on end of the year teacher gifts, spending time over at 40 M and creating a cement planter(I hope) and Sunday, I want to  go to the health fair and welcome back our superintendent from his dreamride and relax!

Peace!

Finally!

Many years ago, at least ten if not more, I was the lucky recipient of a peony plant from my Mum's stunning peony garden.  Her garden was gorgeous and she certainly had a green thumb both inside and out. I wish I had photos of her gardens.  Well I have watched this particular plant grow every year.  Each year I hoped that it would be THE year that I would be able to enjoy the lovely blossoms of the peony.  Sadly each year the time passed by and the plant refused to bloom.  I'm not sure what made this year different other than the fact that I trimmed back the large wegeila bushes to allow for more sun to reach my precious peony.  Much to my surprise as I looked through my camera lens tonight in order  to take photos of the storm clouds blowing through I happened to focus on the east side of my yard and noticed the bright white and pink blossoms.  How exciting.  The scent of these blooms is nearly intoxicating and the beauty like no other.  I believe they are a beautiful gift from above.  I'm feeling a little sentimental about the entire experience tonight.

Peace!

Wordless Wednesday

In honor of our visit to the whaling museum today I thought I'd share some oldies!

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday with:

Peace!