The Life of Mrs. Miles

LET IT SNOW SET

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Another hasty post today - too many activities and not enough day. This seems to be normal lately. I'm trying to enjoy my brekkie as I blog to save time. I say trying because its actually pretty yucky. I experimented this morning to make some banana porrige. Usually I cook my oats ahead of time and fold the oats in afterwards, which works terrific. Today I figured to mash the bananas ahead of time and cook the oats along with it. I don't know the exact science involved in this but what it has produced is a cousin to cement. It tastes very nasty and has a grainy texture to it. Not recommended for the weak of stomach.

I added a little element in with today's pack. I made two of the papers and Miles helped me with the third - he's precious. You have to understand we were both exhausted last night - happily exhausted after our day with the Art Workshop for the gifted students yesterday. So Miles helped me with that last paper and then we treated ourselves to a movie night and probably the best night's sleep Miles has had in a month. We rented a movie called Mirrormask and it was a delight for the eye. Animation has come a loooong way. Dont' expect anything traditional in this movie - you have to be able to wrap your mind around it - but its worth every moment of viewing. If you are an artist or art appreciator you must see this movie to just drink in the beautiful graphics.

The workshops were a total success. The kids were terrific, the instructors interesting. It was so inspiring! We had two ladies from our school June and Elaine volunteer (THANKS FOR ALL YOUR MUCH WELCOME HELP) and they even got into the art, creating their own treasures!

The first instructor was Charlotte Glattstien, a fabulously talented artist who uses clay. You can view her website HERE It was a morning of little hands exploring the texture and feel of the medium. Kids creating cubes formed structures - somehow many of them gravitated towards pyramids. There were many freeform items including dolls and dinosaurs.

The second artist was Sandra Albo - a Federation of Canadian Artists award winner. A very interesting and talented artist who works in many different mediums from watercolor to pastel to acrylic and beyond. She worked with oil pastels and had a warmup period for the kids where they had to close their eyes and imagine a big eye, and then express this on paper. For the second section they created their impressions from photographs of various landscapes and buildings.

SANDRA ALBO WITH HER THANK-YOU GIFT

It was heart warming to work with these children and I especially was moved that a mom sat in and worked alongside her daugther.

I think today I will forgo the oxymorons, picking them up for tomorrow's or Monday's entry. I want to squeeze as much time out to be with my honey as I can. (pitter, patter goes my heart)

BARB'S HANDY TIP # 128

Open Your Mind

Isn't it funny how you come across similar things in a short time-space? I'm speaking about the fact we rented a movie last night that was almost magical in its breathtaking animation and graphics and then this morning Miles finds a website that is comparable? I hope you will take some time at the following website and just play and explore. Its amazing! Give yourself loads of time, and don't hesitate clicking on various little places - you never know where it will take you!

ADOBE - THE CREATIVE MIND