Celebrating my Daughter Again!

This completed canvas finally sits above 
my bath tub! The wall  shade is much
prettier in person and the painting

can be quite meditative even with the
bright colours!

 Even though I've been writing about my daughter 
and son in law often recently I still wanted to

honor my daughter  for International Womens Day!

 Cupcakes given name Is Pepper! 

Named after Dr. Pepper  Schwartz

who in the Eighties touted full support
for women's dreams!  Whether that  

be working full time or choosing to 
be   a stay at home mom.  I enjoyed 

her wisdom and loved her name!

I wanted my daughter to know as 

a woman she had the power to be 

who and what she wanted to be!

This card I made for Cupcakes Birthday she really didn't like! But oh well!

I wanted my child to know and value her 
individuality and uniqueness! To
be proud of who she is! I told her
daily that she was beautiful so
she would believe it,  put it
  on the back burner and get on 
with learning!

This little canvas was made for her too because she adores Llamas...she didn't like him either!!

  Even though her father cautioned 

against saying she was beautiful my 

strategy worked! I wanted beauty to be

a non issue...and you know what, it

has been. Never one to primp like

 her mother, she could be ready in ten

 minutes and still  look good!

She enjoys makeup but doesn't 

over do. Never gets caught up in the latest 

trends, although she enjoys fashionable outfits! 

More to her tastes rather than what's in style!

She has worn these red fluevog boots

  for close to twelve years now!

That's all superficial though....and she is more

than appearances! She is and always has

been about doing what's right for herself

and others! She has the best boundaries

of anyone I know! 

It's so interesting to observe your child as

an adult taking on causes  you too were 

once passionate about. She consumes

non fiction articles as fervently as I once did!

 Makes for some great mother daughter

  conversation, since we often  share

different ones the other may miss!

A large canvas in progress.... layer number two!!

 She's strong and independent, yet'

lets herself depend on her spouse

in ways I never did or would! She

relies daily on her intuition  in everything

she does,  it's never steered her wrong!

Sneak peak at my new canvases, with Beardo wearing my sunglasses from the 70's

She's her mothers daughter, blunt to a

  fault at times! I expect one day it may 

land her in a bit of hot water. At which

time she'll make some good tea!

Beardo grew  his hair to donate it to wigs for kids!!

She's a pretty terrific woman, way more than

 I   ever expected my  child to be! At three

she asked me not to swear, so I stopped.

 At twelve she directed and reprimanded

 a truck load of  moving men who mishandled

some of our belongings! Took on the male 

truck owner who tried to demean her! Then

 later watched me tear a verbal strip off 

him for mistreating his employees, my

  good furniture, and my precious daughter 

while our new neighbours, the moving men,

my friends, and the realtor looked on!

Beardo looking sharp all trimmed up...and Pepper with some fresh colour!

 I listened as my fifteen year old

didn't excuse, but excepted her

 fathers faults for what they were.

Then  safely compartmentalized 

them and set strong boundaries

knowing he was the only dad

 she had!

 

 In her early twenties I  watched her

jump to my defense by taking on 

  on her uncle when he was goading

me into an argument I was  refusing

  to engage in. That was no easy

task which left me speechless and proud!

Look up in the sky/tree and see......

 She's asked men and women pivotal

  life altering questions which steered them

onto completely new paths! She's

 helped many young women and

children during difficult times too!! 

She never walks by a homeless person

without acknowledging them in some

way...whether it's buying them a coffee,

a hotdog, or sharing a piece of pizza!

She's given them gloves, a scarf

and a nod that says, " I see you!"

There are so many amazing things about my

daughter that make me so proud! The way

she takes care of me daily is beyond measure!

How she thoughtfully buys me art supplies even

when I don't ask for them! Her heart is so

kind, tender and loving! Yet she is so brave,

strong, protective, and ethical too!

When she was little I used to ask her

to be good a girl because I was taking a risk

doing things different than other parents!

I was lenient, unconventional, and never

spanked her!

Truth be told I didn't need to ask her

  that because she always made good

choices. Every teacher told me what a

 great leader she was right from day one!

Best homemade Dads Cookies Cupcake made!

She lives up to her unique name!

It has served her well and continues

to do so! Today I celebrate  the

  amazing, funny, inspirational, generous,

 thoughtful, loving Woman I raised! 

 

I love who you are dear daughter and I'm

sincerely not one bit hurt you don't like my 

funny Llama art!! lol!  I'm just so happy you can 

always be totally honest with me!!

What woman in your life inspires you?

Happy Seventh Birthday to Paint Party Friday 

where a wonderful group of inspiring artists share 

their work!! Thank you to our hosts Kristen and Eva

and all the participating artists for their tenacious 

dedication to keeping PPF alive seven whole years!

Snow People

Paint Party Friday

 A very  hypnotic process to once again   
create a  series of  snowmen on pieces
 of scrap cardstock. Takes my mind off 
the nastiness in todays News feeds!

 I have waited  literally decades for certain topics
to be broached in media. Finally in my peaceful 
years they seem to be relevant. Oh why oh why 
did it take so long I wonder! In bed alone, my 
thoughts write pages and pages of words
 needing to be purged. Yet  I'm still not 
 ready to  share them!

I shall bide my time a little longer. Maybe 
in the  New Year I will have a say!
For now, my colour filled brush will
  swoop across the page, sedating a
 resurgence of old thoughts.

The kids on a trek out of the city to see a tree lighting ceremony!

I will enjoy the intricate colours of the season!

Listening to music, and watching Christmas movies.

A wonderful way to encapsulate peace during a

frenetic time!! I can honestly say the Christmas
feeling has hit hard this year! It truly is about
the love and beauty that surrounds me daily!
And all those amazing giggles we have teasing
each other!

Decorations were handled completely without my help this year and it was such a blessing!

The joy of having your decor done early 
affords you the  ability to really savour 
 the holiday moments blissfully!

There is so much pressure on women to
strive for perfection. Now with instagram
I'm sure it's even worse! Thankfully I'm
past all that. I think I've taught my 
Cupcake not to overdo! 

These two in hysterics trying to make a fun pose as I look on.

After 15 years  together, married ten years in

 February, these two still know how to play

 and laugh together daily!

After many attempts I finally got a few photos of  them in their onesies!

 Even though my kids don't exchange gifts they 

do buy a few novelty Christmas items to celebrate

the season. Unfortunately these fun onesies tickled 

someones sensitive bits so they're going back.

These adorable jammas have to be returned, bad fit!

Of course I had to sneak a few photos 

before they did. I'm not a good photographer.
 Any of the good photos have been taken 

by Cupcake!

The kids enjoyed slowly taking in

gorgeous decor at the Potters

Garden center! A plethora

of inspiration for any artist!

That ninja turtle Christmas sweater pretty much defines 

his era growing up!!

So glad Cupcake takes lots of photos for me to enjoy!

 What Christmas Sweater would define your era?

Mine would be Pink Panther....I loved the character

but not the movies with Jacques Clouseau.

We need Solutions!

  Paint Party Friday

 I started the following post last January. Sadly things seem to have exacerbated and we really do have to look for every bit of love and beauty in the world now more than ever if we are to stay sane!! Opening our hearts to new conversations about why people are angry and hurting would probably help too!!

Sharing digital art this week! These have been in my arsenal for months!!

Taking off  the glasses of judgement  to see past the ugliness in our world seems like a great start for change. While raising my daughter if I spotted bad behavior I didn't just assume it was her fault. I asked myself what I could learn from her behavior and how could I direct it correctly. I like to take negativity where ever possible, find out why, what, how it manifested! If one strategy didn't work I'd look  for another until I found a solution!

I haven't shared some of my digital art lately, since I don't have photos of my wip these will have to do!

I was never a mother to tolerate bad behavior. I'd always heard that children will try your patience even seek your attention with negative behavior when the positive isn't working. So I always made sure to leave the room if things were to my dismay. Rewarding only good behavior with my attention. I only wish I'd done that with adults behaving badly. Instead I tended to confront them.  Back in the day, my mindset was  Adults should know better, whereas kids sometimes don't.

This is 90 degrees Fahrenheit...real feel even hotter!! Insane for Autumn weather!

Now I wonder if we ignored the bad acting adults in the world and encouraged only the good  if attitudes might change for the better!  I doubt it!! It seems so many inflate internet banter with trolls who constantly barrage it with nonsense, and stupidity. Not realizing they could be engaging  with a raging alcoholic, a  person in a fit of non medicated mental illness, or a very abused ignorant soul!  When saying nothing can be  message enough. 

This quirky piece was done months ago, I chuckled when I recently saw it!

As a former motor mouth I can tell you silence always spoke volumes to me. I knew instantly there was an opposing opinion. I could be too headstrong for the meek to contend with. Yet I've always appreciated a very strong objective argument written or otherwise.  I often changed my perspective completely after contemplating a fair argument!  Hearing a different perspective often helps me to  rationalize ideas in a new way!  It  helped me grow and change over the years! I'm always grateful to those with opposing views as longs are they are kind in their presentation!

Although I am quite passionate about many issues, I much prefer to spend my energy 

else where  these day! At times I too get revved up, however I  tend to abstain from confrontation! Instead I have passed the torch  to my once very shy Cupcake

 who is now vocal enough for the both of us, and I love it!

  High five Cupcake, always keep your passion alive!! 

Remember it's not what you say, but how you say it that matters!

You make a difference!!

 Cupcake picking blackberries to freeze just like her grandmother use to!

Have you ever had an argument change your

perspective?   

 

Have you ever engaged the internet trolls? 

 

Dumb Smart People!

Paint Party Friday

I was the five year old who got pneumonia  during 
a summer hot spell. Incapacitated, on the patio, 
placed between two Adirondack chairs pushed
 together with a pillow for comfort.Not surprising
 I have been discombobulated during our 
recent heat wave!

Before the smoke returned from the wildfires. Two weeks ago.

Wafting smoke sneaks through open windows.
Bothersome for breathing I was in somewhat
of a state of Zombism for several weeks as
I tried to stay hydrated!! Attempting to  rework
older canvases in the evenings. The weather has
cooled and cleared. I 'm now pushing myself
out of complacency in hopes of accomplishing
more!!

This is the afternoon sun, hazed over with smoke two weeks ago.

This blog post was written last week but for some
reason I wasn't comfortable posting it as is! So I'm 
revisiting it to post today!

As a former Jill of all trades I often took for
granted my personal variety of gifts. Such
as practicality, intuition, frugality and cooking.
Assuming everyone was capable of the
same skills as me if they only put their mind
to it! I was so wrong! I'm learning we all have
our own aptitude for certain things! I'm pretty 
much a math and geometry idiot except when 
it comes to money!! So I can't really expect
others to be able to time a meal as
perfectly as I could  from the age 
of thirteen! 

Always a kind fair man, it was unusually to hear 

dad jokingly refer to out neighbour as a dumb smart

person. Highly educated, with a great job, she did some

very unwise things! Dad would shake his head in 

disbelief! Especially when it came to her son who

was my brothers childhood best friend!

My fathers observation proved accurate  too many times!
She even boasted to neighbors that for only twenty five
cents an hour they could hire me as a babysitter and
get a house cleaner too!! 

Still sharing more pages from the book I made for my friend!!

  I  did her dishes, tidied up, swept, fold laundry, played with

her children like I was taught!  Sitters rates were fifty cents

per hour. Underpaying me, then belittling my kindness was

unfair and not very smart either! I never babysat for her again

I remember feeling betrayed and hurt when I learned that 

difficult embarrassing childhood lesson! A few of her kids

were unruly and her place was notably sticky and harder 

to clean than most! It was her loss!

 

 Albeit very capable of absorbing grandiose amounts of text

she was lacking in some social norms.... gratitude for one!

The ability to multitask, organize or give proper direction

was lacking too! I have known so many people so much

 smarter and more educated yet so lacking in other areas

of their life!  I'm flummoxed when a middle aged person

  lives on only ramen noodles during a fiscal down turn.

 Oblivious that it takes four minutes in a microwave 

to cook a potato! Or that you can create a  healthy

  cheap soup for pennies that  fills bellies for days!

Some skills we are gifted with, some  are passed on
 through generations, others are resourced as a means of
 necessity. We definitely are a sum  of our influences, 
inspirations as well as good and bad experiences! 
 There's so much to learn between the lines. It still
 surprises me those who miss the most cost effective 
ideas along the way! I guess it's like couponing, we 
don't all grasp the concept, if we do, it's a gift! 

 Long before google was our indoor library, I'd research
the best way to do things. Today the need for a good
cookbook is nearing extinction. One has only to put
"best" in front of any desired recipe to get an amazing
selection. I still have my tried and true books that 
Cupcake now uses but they are barely necessary! 
You tube is a sensation for learning how to fix almost
anything in your home!

Credit cards jammed up,  business degree, making
 a six figure salary, unable to save even a dime,
 it's perplexing to read them comment on
 provincial finances as though they're qualified!
Do middle schools need to teach more basic
living skills?

 Lately I've noticed some of the most successful 
twenty and thirty something crowd were not 
necessarily the most educated.   However 
they are well rounded kids, diverse and prudent.
They work tirelessly at a skill, have a great 
sense of purpose no matter the adversity!

It amazes me when a person has ten or more years of
education but can't hang a curtain, Or a person with a
masters degree in Marine biology   facilitating  an
environmental program yet ignores blatant 
unsafe disrepair of their home!

It's not always those with the  best skills that are the most 
successful either. Sometimes it's the ones who have the
  tenacity to see things through, use their common
sense and give it  a plain old try! 

Stanley Park, my childhood stomping grounds was a bus ride from home!!

Dad wasn't far off, albeit crass, when he 
 said there are a lot of dumb smart people 
out there!! I've met several along the way that
left me shaking my head too! We have a vessel
 of skills we may not yet have  requisitioned.
Some things we may be completely inept at!
However digging in, helping others, looking
around for new things to do, and reading
 was my way of learning to improve my life!

  I've never been the smartest, and I haven't

  always made the best choices.  However  

I do have a lot of  common sense...

and sometimes I use it! 

However it seems,

  "Common sense is a flower

 that does not grow in everyone's garden!"

Does it grow in your garden and do

you always heed it? 

Enjoying a Fleetfoxes concert at Stanley park Sept 13th 2017

Concert in  Stanley park photo credit Cupcake...