Cherry Blossom Candy Leaf

This is so sweet. Be sure to have your kleenex handy.

I have a hard time keeping up with this blog because uploading the pictures takes so long, and I am all about the photos. So here are the last few months in abbreviated form.

At the end of the summer, I took an art class in Santa Barbara. I've been taking the class each summer for the last few years, but this time, two of my friends joined me. The classroom is at the Cliff House which overlooks the ocean at the UCSB campus. It is an inspiring place to work and take breaks in between projects.


One day, we went on a field trip to the San Barbara Museum of Art. One of our teachers, Joni Chancer, taught us ways to look at and discuss art so that we can teach our students how to do the same. We had to pair up at the museum and follow the outline of given directions and questions to consider. Below are a few of the images that interested me.


This is a portrait made out of fingerprints. I made a few small pieces of art. We worked mostly in acrylic paints this year. I made the cards below (maybe you received one in the mail) using a stamp that I made from styrofoam. Then I drew in the designs using Sharpies. I had a good time with it. I also began my own version of a Mexican retablo. We used acrylics on a metal panel. Like the Mexican retablo artists do, we used our retablos to show gratitude for something. I had a hard time narrowing it down. We also painted an ocean landscape on a large canvas. This was really hard for me, but I did get the hang of it (although I still have not finished it).
Our friends Brian and Lacey got married on the beach in Malibu. They had a party at Lacey's mom's house to celebrate. Below is a picture of Ben and the boys and me in Eric's funny glasses.

Grandma's cousin, Flory, passed away. We have become close to her grand children, Lisa and David. They both spoke at her funeral. Flory was a strong and inspirational woman. Before the service, we visited Ben's grandparents' graves.

Every September for the last 12 years or so, Ben and I, along with his family have been driving up to Pismo Beach. It's been different now that Marilyn is gone, so this year may have been our last. Ben's mom loved it there and it really isn't the same anymore.


We went wine tasting one day. It is so beautiful driving through the vineyards.


Ben tries the wine every year and each year he says, "Beer is better."

Danny came with us. He enjoyed the grapes.


We built a small vegetable garden in our backyard. We have had several heads of lettuce, peas, tomatoes, green onions, and several herbs already. This is what it looked like after we put the seeds in the dirt. It looks much different now. I "sewed" together the metal cover to keep Bula and the birds out. We also discovered a bird and her nest.
Shortly after, the babies hatched.

Bula has had several play dates. He loves it when other dogs come over to the house to play. Here he is with his dad and two girlfriends, Rissa (the shitzu) and Sadie (the pug).

We also went to see the Kings exhibition game against the Avalanche in Vegas with my mom and sister. Keith and Danny came along and stayed in the free room that Gabby got. It was an exciting game with lots of fights and penalty minutes. We sat very close to the ice: I will have to post some fight footage later on.

At one of the intermissions, they had a deflatable Bailey come out on the ice. It's a costume that's filled with air.It was really funny looking and every time I think of it, I laugh.


Ben and I went to Olvera Street in search of the skirt I wore for Halloween.
The Catholics were out in full swing. There were many people in purple robes. Babies and kids were being picked up to kiss a wooden painting of Jesus. Maybe you can fill me in on what this ceremony was.

I started my new job at the district office. My friend Kari and I sit across from each other. We talk and laugh all day, sometimes we have cried, but mostly we eat cream puffs.

One day, we decided to go to Venice and we didn't have to do sub plans!

During the fires this year, we shared the district office with the firefighters who came from across the country. Because education is a profession full of women, we were very happy to have the men around. And in a profession full of men, the firefighters were happy to see us each day, too. Here they are sleeping in front of my car in the parking lot. All the women in my office still miss them.

Ben and I have been slowly doing things around the house. I painted the kitchen lime green and Ben painted the piece of wood that keeps our sliding door locked. I waited until he was vulnerable, to paint his hand and face. Bula helps when he can.

We also live about a mile from Moorpark college. They have their own zoo there and teach students to be animal trainers.




We have had an exciting few months.