tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4273045740924213152024-03-13T22:28:46.304-07:00Chasing Bluebirdslesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02121014975382297854noreply@blogger.comBlogger936125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427304574092421315.post-688324502192685652014-09-18T12:31:00.000-07:002014-09-24T06:16:06.377-07:00Scotland continued<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iXBel9wS3z0/VBc66UWfwsI/AAAAAAAAB5I/0rb10530xKo/s1600/IMG_1831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iXBel9wS3z0/VBc66UWfwsI/AAAAAAAAB5I/0rb10530xKo/s1600/IMG_1831.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I3KmmWvnYu8/VBc7CWWDqhI/AAAAAAAAB5Q/V0DW1WSUzOY/s1600/IMG_1850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I3KmmWvnYu8/VBc7CWWDqhI/AAAAAAAAB5Q/V0DW1WSUzOY/s1600/IMG_1850.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
So Glencoe was definitely my favorite place and driving to it and around it was amazing. Rolling green hills, blue skies and puffy white clouds with a little misty rain here and there, perfect! On our tour we learned about many battles that were fought and the history of Scotland that I am embarrassed to say I didn't know much about before we left and only remember bits and pieces now. I did get an amazing sense of how wild the highlands was and still is today, how much pride everyone has in their "clan" and namesake. Having barely scratched the surface on my own Scottish background I know I must make another trip here after having done the research to find my own ancestors. It truly is an amazing place and I was startled to see so many blue eyed brunettes here, something I noticed on my first trip to Glasgow last year.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G-2AyUlEizI/VBc79afjE6I/AAAAAAAAB5c/0PuhdzGcyzU/s1600/IMG_1758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G-2AyUlEizI/VBc79afjE6I/AAAAAAAAB5c/0PuhdzGcyzU/s1600/IMG_1758.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-daD-Gutta88/VBc79WW6nVI/AAAAAAAAB5k/1wdXK2Quczw/s1600/IMG_1759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-daD-Gutta88/VBc79WW6nVI/AAAAAAAAB5k/1wdXK2Quczw/s1600/IMG_1759.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q69ZBX5l6Mk/VBc787FjYeI/AAAAAAAAB5Y/LXxzDzYXYAw/s1600/IMG_1762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q69ZBX5l6Mk/VBc787FjYeI/AAAAAAAAB5Y/LXxzDzYXYAw/s1600/IMG_1762.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
We ate terribly well on this trip, ugh, I usually lose a few pounds when I travel but not so this time, ha ha!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TA1mcEEpqNc/VBc8MVD37wI/AAAAAAAAB5w/b7mvErEJTyU/s1600/IMG_1663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TA1mcEEpqNc/VBc8MVD37wI/AAAAAAAAB5w/b7mvErEJTyU/s1600/IMG_1663.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
Pizza as good as Italy!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vD5UDLfYYzU/VBc8XzJsZGI/AAAAAAAAB58/gIgVG3y2lx0/s1600/IMG_1912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vD5UDLfYYzU/VBc8XzJsZGI/AAAAAAAAB58/gIgVG3y2lx0/s1600/IMG_1912.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xcuiL7i51Bw/VBc8X6bXuTI/AAAAAAAAB54/Tkf-oaMebaE/s1600/IMG_1914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xcuiL7i51Bw/VBc8X6bXuTI/AAAAAAAAB54/Tkf-oaMebaE/s1600/IMG_1914.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
A very brief visit to the Isle of Skye, definitely next time I want to explore this place more. Same with Inverness and Loch Ness, brief visits but we did learn a lot about the history of the area.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4EpIFpsRBvk/VBc8u7-9hTI/AAAAAAAAB6I/gdQMz3f1HEg/s1600/IMG_1956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4EpIFpsRBvk/VBc8u7-9hTI/AAAAAAAAB6I/gdQMz3f1HEg/s1600/IMG_1956.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mUuSczSOd6M/VBc8vEyarxI/AAAAAAAAB6Q/pdP-APNVMT8/s1600/IMG_1959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mUuSczSOd6M/VBc8vEyarxI/AAAAAAAAB6Q/pdP-APNVMT8/s1600/IMG_1959.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SmeTvqsJuB4/VBc8vFDWUkI/AAAAAAAAB6M/IbQBMSyy3vE/s1600/IMG_1960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SmeTvqsJuB4/VBc8vFDWUkI/AAAAAAAAB6M/IbQBMSyy3vE/s1600/IMG_1960.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PQshem6eF6Y/VBc8v0GV20I/AAAAAAAAB6Y/4nZNFd2reY8/s1600/IMG_1961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PQshem6eF6Y/VBc8v0GV20I/AAAAAAAAB6Y/4nZNFd2reY8/s1600/IMG_1961.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
Loch Ness (with creepy ripples in the water everywhere), more food and property searching, hee hee.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WNWEQ4XHV2A/VBc9HeRghgI/AAAAAAAAB6o/SZhPzBMVoR0/s1600/IMG_1972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WNWEQ4XHV2A/VBc9HeRghgI/AAAAAAAAB6o/SZhPzBMVoR0/s1600/IMG_1972.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4gCNAieK-qw/VBc9OmugWlI/AAAAAAAAB6w/2WwcfTibGW8/s1600/IMG_1974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4gCNAieK-qw/VBc9OmugWlI/AAAAAAAAB6w/2WwcfTibGW8/s1600/IMG_1974.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p5EBEbxGD8o/VBc9Ol6yF5I/AAAAAAAAB64/-XRls8Vysvw/s1600/IMG_1975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p5EBEbxGD8o/VBc9Ol6yF5I/AAAAAAAAB64/-XRls8Vysvw/s1600/IMG_1975.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4gIzEmMq3Y8/VBc9O9e8gWI/AAAAAAAAB60/z6V_uIub32s/s1600/IMG_1976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4gIzEmMq3Y8/VBc9O9e8gWI/AAAAAAAAB60/z6V_uIub32s/s1600/IMG_1976.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Sisters hanging out at an historic battle site, very moving!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ksYM8jraaAg/VBc9r4da32I/AAAAAAAAB7I/hH9T8-bZ0j4/s1600/IMG_2134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ksYM8jraaAg/VBc9r4da32I/AAAAAAAAB7I/hH9T8-bZ0j4/s1600/IMG_2134.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qli_s1XLGRQ/VBc9r5nYLvI/AAAAAAAAB7Q/3wWZNxeHjeE/s1600/IMG_2136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qli_s1XLGRQ/VBc9r5nYLvI/AAAAAAAAB7Q/3wWZNxeHjeE/s1600/IMG_2136.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HR8wsZlVaIU/VBc9r0IQ1cI/AAAAAAAAB7M/M_TND2BQKeQ/s1600/IMG_2139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HR8wsZlVaIU/VBc9r0IQ1cI/AAAAAAAAB7M/M_TND2BQKeQ/s1600/IMG_2139.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
St Andrew (there is a castle ruins and church ruins but this area is famous for golfing)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tq9vcuhOxno/VBc-Ml2m3bI/AAAAAAAAB7s/dZmN9Dc5nzs/s1600/IMG_2106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tq9vcuhOxno/VBc-Ml2m3bI/AAAAAAAAB7s/dZmN9Dc5nzs/s1600/IMG_2106.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
Lovely friends met on our tour, my mom was especially happy to have a fellow coffee/tea buddy. I was hoping we would meet people who would help with my mom in a way that would be effortless and I truly found it in these fantastic ladies.<br />
more to come! You can check out my photos on <a href="http://instagram.com/leslieheuer">instagram</a> as well (I'm private but if I know ya, I'll let you in)lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02121014975382297854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427304574092421315.post-14899648873051360962014-09-15T12:14:00.001-07:002014-09-15T12:15:02.299-07:00Scotland 2014This year we went to Scotland again, this time I brought the girls along to help with my mom. I have never taken a tour before but I thought it would be a great way for us to get around and see more with less stress for my mom (and myself). Wow, was I right! Not only did it feel luxurious to be whisked around like royalty on a fancy bus, but it was actually a great deal. Most dinners and all breakfasts were included, plus every place we visited or event we attended was included as well. After counting in all that driving around and hotel costs for four, I didn't feel that financial hemorrhage I usually feel on these trips. We aren't big shoppers so most of my spending money goes toward "doing stuff" which was all included in the tour. I was glad we had seen Edinburgh on our trip last year because the tour was light on seeing many of the sights, it did add more commentary and general info though which was awesome. I find when I travel on my own, I often miss out on the history and what I would call "book work" so I might see some amazing things but I rarely learn many of the details. I have had many ups and downs with the self guided tours you rent (like at a museum or historic place) so I often avoid them. On a tour though, as you drive between destinations, your tour guide will prep you for the next place and I really LOVE that!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R-3w1rsmB74/VBc1IhTn9RI/AAAAAAAAB04/IUqqrxcaFvY/s1600/IMG_1625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R-3w1rsmB74/VBc1IhTn9RI/AAAAAAAAB04/IUqqrxcaFvY/s1600/IMG_1625.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
here we are heading out of LAX, seems like just yesterday! We love New Zealand airlines.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HkU0dElU9bw/VBc1Mf6Km8I/AAAAAAAAB1A/-D2Nw_yR5L0/s1600/IMG_1638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HkU0dElU9bw/VBc1Mf6Km8I/AAAAAAAAB1A/-D2Nw_yR5L0/s1600/IMG_1638.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HD5_TXS0Hes/VBc1QuXZK-I/AAAAAAAAB1I/MRx0c5gGl4w/s1600/IMG_1645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HD5_TXS0Hes/VBc1QuXZK-I/AAAAAAAAB1I/MRx0c5gGl4w/s1600/IMG_1645.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rw-ZXdewP44/VBc1UH7-7xI/AAAAAAAAB1Q/or_WodUC_-k/s1600/IMG_1647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rw-ZXdewP44/VBc1UH7-7xI/AAAAAAAAB1Q/or_WodUC_-k/s1600/IMG_1647.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H37GVL0tTBE/VBc1YQIDSKI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/-KXOeDfe8ws/s1600/IMG_1648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H37GVL0tTBE/VBc1YQIDSKI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/-KXOeDfe8ws/s1600/IMG_1648.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lO2d9rIbG8U/VBc1bBRGqvI/AAAAAAAAB1g/nClvlp-NJWM/s1600/IMG_1652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lO2d9rIbG8U/VBc1bBRGqvI/AAAAAAAAB1g/nClvlp-NJWM/s1600/IMG_1652.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
so here we are our first few days in london, we always spend a few days acclimating to the time zone. our tour started day 4 so we headed up to Glasgow on a Virgin Atlantic train, excellent service and the gorgeous views out the window</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1suSm1jaTss/VBc1zthcv1I/AAAAAAAAB1o/1hae6prsmjQ/s1600/IMG_1671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1suSm1jaTss/VBc1zthcv1I/AAAAAAAAB1o/1hae6prsmjQ/s1600/IMG_1671.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tim4gBhETaQ/VBc18S--sNI/AAAAAAAAB1w/r0XSYbcP9S0/s1600/IMG_1692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tim4gBhETaQ/VBc18S--sNI/AAAAAAAAB1w/r0XSYbcP9S0/s1600/IMG_1692.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
Sheep farm visit<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S1dnrczZyhg/VBc2AwnRl5I/AAAAAAAAB14/0403gTLFqAw/s1600/IMG_1680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S1dnrczZyhg/VBc2AwnRl5I/AAAAAAAAB14/0403gTLFqAw/s1600/IMG_1680.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYMqtCxEYLE/VBc2IFB_cJI/AAAAAAAAB2A/ph4c1o7apUo/s1600/IMG_1716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYMqtCxEYLE/VBc2IFB_cJI/AAAAAAAAB2A/ph4c1o7apUo/s1600/IMG_1716.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
Stirling Castle<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uesS3cLUJiU/VBc2IItO09I/AAAAAAAAB2E/pQPlklrTmxA/s1600/IMG_1717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uesS3cLUJiU/VBc2IItO09I/AAAAAAAAB2E/pQPlklrTmxA/s1600/IMG_1717.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hs7bcIz7wkE/VBc2P7tWfjI/AAAAAAAAB2U/lyBKrpYbqI0/s1600/IMG_1760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hs7bcIz7wkE/VBc2P7tWfjI/AAAAAAAAB2U/lyBKrpYbqI0/s1600/IMG_1760.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
Stirling Castle<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lU17tOUpxqQ/VBc2P4D1ucI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/iIlj_D4BkPA/s1600/IMG_1761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lU17tOUpxqQ/VBc2P4D1ucI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/iIlj_D4BkPA/s1600/IMG_1761.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
One of our first big adventures was a visit to Stirling Castle, it was amazing. We learned how much of Scotland was shaped by glaciers so there are many of these craggy hills with sharp cliffs on three sides that make it a great place to put a castle. Down the fourth side is usually a "tail" that allows easy passage up to the top.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vZwUXtm6xdg/VBc2uhoX8DI/AAAAAAAAB2k/AsdZGvL6sNo/s1600/IMG_1691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vZwUXtm6xdg/VBc2uhoX8DI/AAAAAAAAB2k/AsdZGvL6sNo/s1600/IMG_1691.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EkO5bNrT5jI/VBc3HeCq9zI/AAAAAAAAB2w/-oiUwuy2HIo/s1600/IMG_1846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EkO5bNrT5jI/VBc3HeCq9zI/AAAAAAAAB2w/-oiUwuy2HIo/s1600/IMG_1846.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Glencoe was my personal favorite place, green green green!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GphnnFK0llU/VBc3PsGyzgI/AAAAAAAAB24/IvgNNuU5okM/s1600/IMG_1818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GphnnFK0llU/VBc3PsGyzgI/AAAAAAAAB24/IvgNNuU5okM/s1600/IMG_1818.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fxwSbAnGnm8/VBc3Wa-CT2I/AAAAAAAAB3A/aEqhhQXrKrY/s1600/IMG_1815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fxwSbAnGnm8/VBc3Wa-CT2I/AAAAAAAAB3A/aEqhhQXrKrY/s1600/IMG_1815.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
So much green and blue skies full of white clouds, oh and the purple heather everywhere! we loved our tour guide Gavin, the best!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q9wadl0AKvQ/VBc3zjhtqrI/AAAAAAAAB3I/Y-NoTdYxfg8/s1600/P8240233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q9wadl0AKvQ/VBc3zjhtqrI/AAAAAAAAB3I/Y-NoTdYxfg8/s1600/P8240233.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VKypUmuWMTo/VBc36CXJ9WI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/736RrCz_dgo/s1600/P8240237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VKypUmuWMTo/VBc36CXJ9WI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/736RrCz_dgo/s1600/P8240237.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
A highlight for all of us was a sheepdog demonstration with puppies of all ages running around<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3WGNd_KIWeA/VBc4IbGyNNI/AAAAAAAAB3c/KG_d3O0E6dk/s1600/IMG_2041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3WGNd_KIWeA/VBc4IbGyNNI/AAAAAAAAB3c/KG_d3O0E6dk/s1600/IMG_2041.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gTh1i9_N68A/VBc4Ivt3a3I/AAAAAAAAB3Y/ZjqyTHsPRXY/s1600/IMG_2042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gTh1i9_N68A/VBc4Ivt3a3I/AAAAAAAAB3Y/ZjqyTHsPRXY/s1600/IMG_2042.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
Something we would never have experienced without a tour, so grateful!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kIHAbvLQTR4/VBc4cLkIj4I/AAAAAAAAB3o/BCmuMdhRhyU/s1600/IMG_2056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kIHAbvLQTR4/VBc4cLkIj4I/AAAAAAAAB3o/BCmuMdhRhyU/s1600/IMG_2056.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AKEWM5VXeco/VBc4cQ5hgwI/AAAAAAAAB3w/fBgUxhn136s/s1600/IMG_2057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AKEWM5VXeco/VBc4cQ5hgwI/AAAAAAAAB3w/fBgUxhn136s/s1600/IMG_2057.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FnK29hwv2cY/VBc4cVUm8gI/AAAAAAAAB3s/eOdfpi2lLuw/s1600/IMG_2058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FnK29hwv2cY/VBc4cVUm8gI/AAAAAAAAB3s/eOdfpi2lLuw/s1600/IMG_2058.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Dk3OWGcTK8/VBc4cxFJvKI/AAAAAAAAB30/f0IhOQT0mkI/s1600/IMG_2059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Dk3OWGcTK8/VBc4cxFJvKI/AAAAAAAAB30/f0IhOQT0mkI/s1600/IMG_2059.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xx_8nifUCmo/VBc4dBo7t2I/AAAAAAAAB34/riS_yf-LZWc/s1600/IMG_2060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xx_8nifUCmo/VBc4dBo7t2I/AAAAAAAAB34/riS_yf-LZWc/s1600/IMG_2060.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-brbSTyYXVSs/VBc4djU5l6I/AAAAAAAAB4I/ydRGO9r5i24/s1600/IMG_2061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-brbSTyYXVSs/VBc4djU5l6I/AAAAAAAAB4I/ydRGO9r5i24/s1600/IMG_2061.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TEOkLoMtNqw/VBc4dtSBHiI/AAAAAAAAB4U/4t7nLrJhNY0/s1600/IMG_2062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TEOkLoMtNqw/VBc4dtSBHiI/AAAAAAAAB4U/4t7nLrJhNY0/s1600/IMG_2062.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hxz9DRKLWmw/VBc4eTU4kuI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/0sqnpVDkJFM/s1600/IMG_2063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hxz9DRKLWmw/VBc4eTU4kuI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/0sqnpVDkJFM/s1600/IMG_2063.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ft6k3z__ktQ/VBc4fBEjrQI/AAAAAAAAB4c/Ut8CKaVsoMY/s1600/P8240266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ft6k3z__ktQ/VBc4fBEjrQI/AAAAAAAAB4c/Ut8CKaVsoMY/s1600/P8240266.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XQzXgBK1Zg0/VBc4fVkJTCI/AAAAAAAAB4k/iYrJ52B1-Aw/s1600/P8240270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XQzXgBK1Zg0/VBc4fVkJTCI/AAAAAAAAB4k/iYrJ52B1-Aw/s1600/P8240270.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
out and about on another day, Pitlochry, lovely place and i found the john muir museum and a few local artists to check out like <a href="http://www.lizgreenart.com/index.html">Liz Green</a>!<br />
that's it for today, will post more soooon!lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02121014975382297854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427304574092421315.post-80574669805199597642014-06-03T08:09:00.001-07:002014-06-03T08:09:43.717-07:00grand council firethis year my older camp fire group made their indian gowns, it was amazing to see these girls reach this milestone together. i started this blog originally to document my attempt at being a camp fire leader, who knew i would end up being the leader of two groups! i can't say it has been easy, but i sure have learned a lot about people (and myself), some good some not so good. it's moments like these that make it all worth it for sure!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bZBtDxnjewY/U43lA_VFSCI/AAAAAAAAB0E/BXq-e6wvROc/s1600/photo-10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bZBtDxnjewY/U43lA_VFSCI/AAAAAAAAB0E/BXq-e6wvROc/s1600/photo-10.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tY2SsXH3vMk/U43lA_-Y8_I/AAAAAAAAB0A/iJaxAwNzyNs/s1600/photo-11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tY2SsXH3vMk/U43lA_-Y8_I/AAAAAAAAB0A/iJaxAwNzyNs/s1600/photo-11.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bp_6uOrbvgs/U43lAh7gtyI/AAAAAAAABz8/z_m7jj3qVJA/s1600/photo-12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bp_6uOrbvgs/U43lAh7gtyI/AAAAAAAABz8/z_m7jj3qVJA/s1600/photo-12.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wLrZHBSH1OI/U43lBhGog3I/AAAAAAAAB0U/9qXvhqw5dQo/s1600/photo-13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wLrZHBSH1OI/U43lBhGog3I/AAAAAAAAB0U/9qXvhqw5dQo/s1600/photo-13.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
wo he lo!lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02121014975382297854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427304574092421315.post-33218746043560514842014-06-02T07:13:00.002-07:002014-06-02T07:13:29.184-07:00in plein airafter several years of busy busy schedule and where do i fit in my painting... i finally found a local teacher who held workshops on my actual day off for several months in a row AND was affordable! the stars aligned for this one, seriously, because not only did i need to find a way to practice, i needed to learn from someone who paints in a style similar to mine (and a style i actually like) with the added bonus of being nice enough not to intimidate me but also stern enough to push me through. i can't explain why painting is such a struggle for me and such a pleasure, but this time around i was happy to see that ALL my fellow painters made the same unsure and nit picky comments about their own work too. maybe it's part of the process, you don't want to be to cocky or proud or something. strange! so here are a few of my attempts:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XuoLkPlqfiE/U4yEZLejqbI/AAAAAAAABx4/9h-3TRX5EQQ/s1600/photo-9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XuoLkPlqfiE/U4yEZLejqbI/AAAAAAAABx4/9h-3TRX5EQQ/s1600/photo-9.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SDQEFYe0yZo/U4yEbrr9DwI/AAAAAAAAByA/iBAg-dFCWwA/s1600/photo-8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SDQEFYe0yZo/U4yEbrr9DwI/AAAAAAAAByA/iBAg-dFCWwA/s1600/photo-8.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
the main thing i have learned is that big shapes go in first, ALL the big shapes before you add details. in the past i would block in large shapes but might get carried away with some details before adding the sky or something else and then something was off and i wouldn't know what. i have slowed way down and focused on getting the foreground, middle ground and background put in accurately (in value) and then put in the fun stuff. most of my workshop paintings are really not finished, but to me they are correct and as done as they need to be.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O34WYlFloJc/U4yFHv2nmGI/AAAAAAAAByI/yLoj6Fxk3YY/s1600/photo-4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O34WYlFloJc/U4yFHv2nmGI/AAAAAAAAByI/yLoj6Fxk3YY/s1600/photo-4.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9bHRSzv_5oc/U4yFPiRctII/AAAAAAAAByQ/XoVDKKHAxVU/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9bHRSzv_5oc/U4yFPiRctII/AAAAAAAAByQ/XoVDKKHAxVU/s1600/photo.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lTefnpXO84o/U4yFSAExYZI/AAAAAAAAByY/6g4un44ia_0/s1600/photo-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lTefnpXO84o/U4yFSAExYZI/AAAAAAAAByY/6g4un44ia_0/s1600/photo-1.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
i really love the beach scenes best and plan on continuing to work on palm trees, rocks and waves during the summer when our teacher takes some time off. i finally got my garage somewhat cleared out so i can set up my easel and practice inside. i would love to try painting some of the scenes from our italy trip, a large italian scene would be fantastic to look at day in and day out. i've had a lot of positive feedback from friends and family which has really inspired me! since i started this blog, my life has continued to evolve as i revisit my past and pursue new interests. i can't believe my oldest starts high school next year, the same high school i went to! how did that happen? gotta hang on tight for this ride, seriously!lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02121014975382297854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427304574092421315.post-67783737415012658072014-06-01T16:21:00.000-07:002014-06-01T16:21:10.467-07:00back at itso i thought i would give this another try... as much as i loved typepad, i just don't blog enough to justify the cost each year. hopefully i will find some time to keep this updated. right now i am back at my painting... found a wonderful teacher and feeling so inspired!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QZbwBH3IDYo/U4u1EDFGBsI/AAAAAAAABxM/3_uCheDSqYM/s1600/gumgrv4-20-08-34.jpg.w300h226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QZbwBH3IDYo/U4u1EDFGBsI/AAAAAAAABxM/3_uCheDSqYM/s1600/gumgrv4-20-08-34.jpg.w300h226.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Ynq3keDoFo/U4u1GuXTlmI/AAAAAAAABxU/yG4aR3iR2GE/s1600/LosCerritosWetlands7-12-08_028.jpg.w300h226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Ynq3keDoFo/U4u1GuXTlmI/AAAAAAAABxU/yG4aR3iR2GE/s1600/LosCerritosWetlands7-12-08_028.jpg.w300h226.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b6oQbuzXFhk/U4u1I7nGENI/AAAAAAAABxc/oaBLA3JHxLY/s1600/gumgrv4-20-08-37.jpg.w300h226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b6oQbuzXFhk/U4u1I7nGENI/AAAAAAAABxc/oaBLA3JHxLY/s1600/gumgrv4-20-08-37.jpg.w300h226.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pH1sutIyiyg/U4u1L7hBRPI/AAAAAAAABxk/n4ftsWz709c/s1600/LosCerritosWetlands7-12-08_051.jpg.w300h226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pH1sutIyiyg/U4u1L7hBRPI/AAAAAAAABxk/n4ftsWz709c/s1600/LosCerritosWetlands7-12-08_051.jpg.w300h226.jpg" /></a></div>
some future local wetlands i plan on painting really soon. i will pop back in soon with a few of my recent attempts. it's good to be back!lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02121014975382297854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427304574092421315.post-6118135207071884052014-02-06T11:30:00.000-08:002014-06-01T16:08:52.946-07:002014<p>so to say i am disappointed by this major downgrade look of my blog is an understatement... this green choice is all the free typepad offers so i am working on a solution. not sure what it will be but this is really horrid. stay tuned!</p><br /><br/>lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02121014975382297854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427304574092421315.post-85802029814731752222014-01-01T21:43:00.000-08:002014-06-01T16:08:52.936-07:002014.... whoa what happened to this blog!<p>Happy New Year!</p><br /><p><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019b041329ae970d-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019b041329ae970d image-full img-responsive" title="IMG_6747-1" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019b041329ae970d-800wi" alt="IMG_6747-1" border="0" /></a></p><br /><p><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01a510366956970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef01a510366956970c image-full img-responsive" title="Photo-2" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01a510366956970c-800wi" alt="Photo-2" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01a510366a8d970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef01a510366a8d970c image-full img-responsive" alt="IMG_6749" title="IMG_6749" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01a510366a8d970c-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01a3fb86a233970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef01a3fb86a233970b image-full img-responsive" alt="IMG_6627" title="IMG_6627" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01a3fb86a233970b-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br/><br/><br/>Ocotillo Wells and someone turned TEN! So you may have noticed a BIG CHANGE in my blog... I had no idea it would turn into the green pumpkin when I canceled my pro account, I thought it might lose some bells and whistles but this is horrid! I'll have to fix this later, no time at the moment and not sure I want to continue on this bumpy blog ride any longer. Seems I go through this every New Years.<br /><br/>lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02121014975382297854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427304574092421315.post-51966301158171319412013-10-31T23:12:00.000-07:002014-06-01T16:08:52.926-07:00Whoops! where did October go?<p>So I made it through another fab trip with my mom, Edinburgh and Glasgow were amazing! I do wish we could have taken that tour we originally signed up for but we still managed to see and do a lot. We used the heck out of those hop on/hop off buses. I can't say enough about how well they run in Scotland. I remember using the London buses a ton as well. It helps get you around to all the sites and the view from the top deck is always good. I will post more about our trip later (probably six months later, ha ha!) Here is a shot of my mom in London visitng Zeus the cat we see every year we stay at this studio apartment:</p><br /><p><br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019b0089af3e970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019b0089af3e970b image-full" title="1375044_10151742449512912_918504064_n" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019b0089af3e970b-800wi" border="0" alt="1375044_10151742449512912_918504064_n" /></a><br /><br /></p><br />So another busy October has passed. While away my family found a new puppy for us, my mom and I watched on the "puppy cam" from Scotland and became smitten immediately!<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019b0089b089970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019b0089b089970b image-full" alt="1209122_10151759752682912_1409245288_n" title="1209122_10151759752682912_1409245288_n" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019b0089b089970b-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I've got a thing for black dogs I think<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019b0089b11a970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019b0089b11a970b image-full" alt="603117_10151786689752912_1914828379_n" title="603117_10151786689752912_1914828379_n" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019b0089b11a970b-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019b008971c8970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019b008971c8970c image-full" alt="1377265_10151780883032912_121379667_n" title="1377265_10151780883032912_121379667_n" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019b008971c8970c-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />puppy teeth, watch out!!<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019b0089d1a5970d-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019b0089d1a5970d image-full" alt="969327_10151803153442912_826575970_n" title="969327_10151803153442912_826575970_n" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019b0089d1a5970d-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />first trip to the beach and puppy school<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019b00897296970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019b00897296970c image-full" alt="1378898_10151795865242912_1937868631_n" title="1378898_10151795865242912_1937868631_n" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019b00897296970c-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />and a few October traditions:<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019b0089b2e4970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019b0089b2e4970b image-full" alt="999304_10151783109262912_1272567742_n" title="999304_10151783109262912_1272567742_n" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019b0089b2e4970b-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Camp Fire carnival<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019b0089b366970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019b0089b366970b image-full" alt="1391681_10151783097262912_539504825_n" title="1391681_10151783097262912_539504825_n" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019b0089b366970b-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />and a little pre trick or treat party at our pad<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019b0089b421970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019b0089b421970b image-full" alt="1383245_10151808190777912_601715724_n" title="1383245_10151808190777912_601715724_n" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019b0089b421970b-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />November here we come!<br /><br/>lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02121014975382297854noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427304574092421315.post-56969961964006008882013-09-14T02:46:00.000-07:002014-06-01T16:08:52.916-07:00Miss Maggie<p>I've had a really rough week, even though I had found the time to load up a few posts that automatically posted... in the real world we have had a minor tragedy strike. Upon returning from our Florida trip we found our dog Maggie had lost some weight (not so unusual but still noted) and after a few days she began coughing with a runny nose. We took her to the vet as a family and during a very light-hearted visit, was given antibiotics for what was most likely "kennel cough." I have had several dogs get kennel cough before, Maggie never has even though she has been kenneled many times over her 3 years with us. Her cough and runny nose were gone within a week but she stopped taking her meds, which I assumed was just her "catching on" to our pill hiding in the food. Since her symptoms were gone, I continued to give her the pills with a hit or miss on actually getting them down. School started up, schedules got busy, we had visitors and Labor Day bar b ques, looking back now it is so easy to see that Maggie wasn't her normal self. On top of everything, it has been in the 90's for weeks on end here, just blazing hot. We are in and out of our little pool all day and into the evening too. After about three days of Maggie not eating much if at all and our "come on maggie, snap out of it" conversations with her she became weak and lethargic enough for me to make the call to the vet. They gave us the next appointment which was the next evening. Here is where all the should of, could of, beat myself up over and over part comes in. I said Ok to the robot on the phone, hosed the dog off assessed her wet nose, fresh poop and pee nearby and went back to my lazy day off. That night during our normal craziness (fans in all the rooms at full speed, attempts to cool ourselves down, rush to get everything ready for the following day of work and school) Maggie refused to go into her kennel which led to a wrestling match (sadly we laughed about this at the time) to get her settled in for the night. I did not sleep well, the heat was annoying and something about Maggie was nagging at me. I said to myself, if she isn't her normal self in the morning I will skip work and take her in. Unfortunately she died sometime during the night. All I can say now, a little over a week later is that her dying was never on the table. It wasn't even the tiniest thought in any of our minds. She was a young, pit/lab mix with a shiny coat and clear eyes, a strong "i love you" bark and wagging tail. She could pull chris around the block on his bike for hours and was the healthiest animal i have ever been around in my life. Big lessons learned here, big time priority straightening conversations and quiet reflective momments had by all. This was a really traumatic event and i am hoping that the eye opening experience we have all had will endure, without the scary nervous dread of death part that we have all felt too. </p><br /><p><br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff6395d4970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff6395d4970b image-full" title="IMG_7473" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff6395d4970b-800wi" border="0" alt="IMG_7473" /></a><br /><br /></p><br />I have lost many dogs but all to old age, losing a pet at 3 years old in the prime of her life and blaming myself for just letting it happen has been a nose dive into guilt, regret and grief i have never experienced before. To say i have cried would be an understatement, having a pet means they NEED you and it isn't ok to just do your thing while they may be suffering. I know that having never experienced anything like this i had no idea it could happen, it was tragic and unexpected. I also know now what a huge responsibility having a pet is, that it shouldn't be taken for granted and that their needs should be on the table along with yours. I never knew how much i loved my dog and how important she was to our family. That she was a MEMBER of the family yet not given as much consideration as the rest of us. Lastly, I remember crying for her to wake up and to realize she was gone. Such a final, hopeless, "can't be fixed" moment I will never forget.<br /><br/>lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02121014975382297854noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427304574092421315.post-37448102551234258712013-09-09T02:49:00.000-07:002014-06-01T16:08:52.907-07:00Out and about in Utah<p>Our Utah adventure continued: This year we decided to drive around and see Canyonlands as well. I have never been to a National Park that wasn't well thought out, beautiful in the design of the visitor center, well run and organized. Gosh! If you haven't been to a National Park in this country (please skip the disneylands and theme parks), I highly recommend it. Canyonlands was no exception!</p><br /><p><br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b3b49970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_7102" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b3b49970c image-full" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b3b49970c-800wi" title="IMG_7102" /></a><br /><br /></p><br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b9a60970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_7135" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b9a60970d image-full" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b9a60970d-800wi" title="IMG_7135" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2adc53970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_7110" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2adc53970b image-full" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2adc53970b-800wi" title="IMG_7110" /></a><br /><br />here are a few more of us out and about in Arches:<br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b9c2c970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_7261" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b9c2c970d image-full" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b9c2c970d-800wi" title="IMG_7261" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2addef970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_7259" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2addef970b image-full" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2addef970b-800wi" title="IMG_7259" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2ade6a970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_7271" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2ade6a970b image-full" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2ade6a970b-800wi" title="IMG_7271" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2adebc970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_7284" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2adebc970b image-full" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2adebc970b-800wi" title="IMG_7284" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b9d6c970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_7277" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b9d6c970d image-full" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b9d6c970d-800wi" title="IMG_7277" /></a><br /><br />(i love the outfits lizzie comes up with !!)<br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2adfbd970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_7281" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2adfbd970b image-full" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2adfbd970b-800wi" title="IMG_7281" /></a><br /><br />always, always clowning around<br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b402f970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_7292" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b402f970c image-full" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b402f970c-800wi" title="IMG_7292" /></a><br /><br />our long drive back to reality, until next time!!<br /><br/>lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02121014975382297854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427304574092421315.post-49993676169122636222013-09-06T02:34:00.000-07:002014-06-01T16:08:52.896-07:00Remember that Utah trip?<p>yeah, way back in the Spring? Well I finally went through the photos and realized I never did write a post about how fabulous Utah is. We have been to Arches National <a href="http://www.nps.gov/arch/index.htm">Park </a>before, we find it is the best place to be during the springtime other than Bryce. We have tried to see Zion but every time there has been snow or questionable weather on the horizon. We have a tent trailer which is pretty much like tent camping, cold and hot, whatever the weather is we feel it. My inlaws are in Colorado so we meet them in Utah as a way to get together each year. Let me just say that Arches is gorgeous and the campsite at Devils Garden is clean and spacious with stunning views all around. I find the pink rocks mesmerizing, I stumble around spell bound most days just soaking it in. For someone who is thinking about painting all the time, this place is intoxicating. </p><br /><p><br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2ace8c970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2ace8c970b image-full" title="IMG_7046" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2ace8c970b-800wi" border="0" alt="IMG_7046" /></a><br /><br /></p><br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b8c8a970d-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b8c8a970d image-full" title="IMG_7050" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b8c8a970d-800wi" border="0" alt="IMG_7050" /></a><br /><br />Arches is all about the "arches" and you have to hike to many of them which is part of the fun. This year the kids were old enough (Emily at least) to do the big hike to the Delicate Arch, well worth the hike, what a thrill!<br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b3141970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b3141970c image-full" title="IMG_7189" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b3141970c-800wi" border="0" alt="IMG_7189" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2ad00a970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2ad00a970b image-full" title="IMG_7257" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2ad00a970b-800wi" border="0" alt="IMG_7257" /></a><br /><br />this is the first glimpse you get as you are coming up to the arch<br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b8eca970d-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b8eca970d image-full" title="IMG_7218" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b8eca970d-800wi" border="0" alt="IMG_7218" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b8f0c970d-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b8f0c970d image-full" title="IMG_7243" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b8f0c970d-800wi" border="0" alt="IMG_7243" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b32b2970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b32b2970c image-full" title="IMG_7245" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b32b2970c-800wi" border="0" alt="IMG_7245" /></a><br /><br />It's a ginormous arch and I can see why it is the most famous as well<br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b3348970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b3348970c image-full" title="IMG_7182" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b3348970c-800wi" border="0" alt="IMG_7182" /></a><br /><br />Outdoor cooking is by far the funnest thing about camping, everything tastes so good!<br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b33cb970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b33cb970c image-full" title="IMG_7025" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b33cb970c-800wi" border="0" alt="IMG_7025" /></a><br /><br />After a crazy wind/rain storm we weren't sure what to expect the next morning<br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2ad28e970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2ad28e970b image-full" title="IMG_7042" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2ad28e970b-800wi" border="0" alt="IMG_7042" /></a><br /><br />cousins hanging out, the best of times. I grew up not knowing my cousins and was always jealous of friends who had some. So glad the girls have a large family of cousins to get to know and love<br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b930f970d-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b930f970d image-full" title="IMG_7061" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b930f970d-800wi" border="0" alt="IMG_7061" /></a><br /><br />around our campsite... stay tuned for a few more photos of our utah adventure!!<br /><br/>lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02121014975382297854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427304574092421315.post-21902919491098183062013-09-04T02:16:00.000-07:002014-06-01T16:08:52.887-07:00Father/daughter painters<p>I have posted before about how my father taught me to paint, how I took several art classes in college and felt intimidated by my instructors. My confidence was pretty much destroyed and how my dad said the right thing at the right time and I spent several years painting almost daily with him. He was (and is) an amazing teacher and I wish he would paint again but understand he has no interest right now, it's just something you have to be "in the mood" to do. Oil painting is messy and can be a chore to set up, to go through the motions of sketching and filling in, feeling the mood and trying to get it "just right," knowing when to stop and then a big clean up job after. On my days off, it seems I have so many other "things" to do I have a hard time committing to that 3 or 4 hours of time needed to complete a painting yet I OBSESS over wanting to do it. Crazy! Right now the weather is in the 90's and I need to paint outside, not the best situation so I probably won't get out there again until after the Scotland trip. </p><br /><p style="text-align: left;">For a few years now, since my grandfather passed away, we have been clearing out his house and a large painting of my dads was unearthed, literally dug out from the garage in a state of major disrepair. He says he painted it maybe age 13 or 15 with a Picasso/Cubist influence. I see it and immediately beg everyone to please let me have it, please! Of course it's got mold on the back, a hole right through, painted on some kind of particle board and isn't even finished. Hmmm.... perfect! Let's just say everyone looked at me like I was crazy and it became MINE! I thought I might tackle the job myself but was lucky enough to find a local frame shop run by a young artist who took the project on. She spent weeks cleaning it, drying it out, varnishing it and then framing it. I have mixed feelings when I look at it now, a mix of "love it" and a "what was I thinking?" too. To me art is a very personal thing. I never thought of myself as someone who really liked abstract art, I find some of it so simple and boring BUT even though this painting is strange it speaks to me and makes me think. I enjoy following the lines and colors around, it has movement and interest. I really have no idea what a professional art critic would say, love it or hate it? Who knows but if it's hanging in my house, I want something that catches my eye and makes me sigh and this sure does! <br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2ab70f970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2ab70f970b image-full" title="IMG_9469" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2ab70f970b-800wi" border="0" alt="IMG_9469" /></a></p><br />When I told my dad about the project he immediately said, "I hope you didn't waste too much money on it!" shhhhh... I won't tell but I hope he likes it (he hasn't seen it yet) I admit I am nervous because in the past he has felt some of his work was "god awful" in his words and I know I am biased because he is my father so we'll see. It has been a really wonderful experience to finally have a few of my dad's paintings, I find myself gazing at them and stopping for a moment here and there to take in the details. Something is coming full circle for me, finally feeling confident in what I paint and what I want to put on my walls and how I feel about the experience I shared with my dad many years ago. Feels good!<br /><br/>lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02121014975382297854noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427304574092421315.post-51677052199054125482013-09-03T01:49:00.000-07:002014-06-01T16:08:52.877-07:00Sept 2013<p>Getting ready for a two week trip with my mom to London (ahem) and Scotland (yay!!) This Sept travel tradition has been wonderful for my mom, who is dealing with mild dementia and I have enjoyed the process of researching/planning with her throughout the year. Wishing we could bring the rest of the family along, but it is so expensive even with just the two of us. Last year we added Paris to the mix and somewhere in the middle of all the steps and cobblestones, my mom threw her cane away and started hoofing it for real. Something changed in her for the better and I am happy to say she is still moving around easily. Originally we had signed up for a tour but it fell through (not enough people signed up for that week and I couldn't switch work around to go a different week) so we pieced a short trip up to Scotland from London ourselves. I think we will have a blast no matter what, we always find a way to laugh and amaze ourselves and get lost and then found. Traveling with a parent as a middle aged "kid" (yes I guess I am!) has it's quirks, for one I sometimes snap at my mom like she is one of my kids and then realize, oops! I am the kid, she is the mom (she lets me know by just one look) but hey, I am in "mom mode" and it's hard to switch back and forth sometimes. I will post on the blog if I can during the trip, when traveling with my mom we tend to turn in early and I get tons of uninterupted reading/computer time. Hoping to get this blog put into book form (I have only the first 6 months of it so far) but what a task that will be! Every year I wonder if this will be the last and then panic all will be lost somehow. We'll see...</p><br /><p><br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b4cf4970d-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b4cf4970d image-full" title="IMG_9471" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2b4cf4970d-800wi" border="0" alt="IMG_9471" /></a><br /><br /></p><br />It's been hot hot hot here! Several dips a day into this pool has made all the difference in the world, not sure how we survived without it before. No AC in our rancho (no roof insulation either) = roast out!<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2af3bd970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2af3bd970c image-full" alt="IMG_9473" title="IMG_9473" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2af3bd970c-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />tweenager in the house, how did that happen?<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2af405970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2af405970c image-full" alt="IMG_9478" title="IMG_9478" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019aff2af405970c-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />a cat who is pushing the limits of age, very much loved and doted on. I have become obsessed with a few blogs lately: <a href="http://racheleats.wordpress.com">rachel eats</a> and <a href="http://casayellow.com">yellow house</a>. I read this <a href="http://www.amazon.com/My-Berlin-Kitchen-Recipes-ebook/dp/B007V65ULK">book </a>(late to the party as usual) so am back-reading the <a href="http://www.thewednesdaychef.com">blog</a>. I really really really loved the book, the writing was so easy and down to earth. I read so many books and don't always know why one book rubs me the wrong way and another is so refreshing. I loved <a href="http://orangette.blogspot.com">Molly's</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Homemade-Life-Stories-Recipes-Kitchen/dp/1416551050">book</a>, I savored every page and can't wait for her new book to come out. Berlin Kitchen felt very similar and comfortable (I was thrilled when the author Luisa commented on my instagram photo of her book, I'm such a dork!) anyways! I am continuing to work out at the local cross fit (for the over 40 crew) and hoping to keep chipping away at losing weight, feeling better. Loving instagram and of course, facebook keeps me busy too. I sense a shift in what interests me these days, not so interested in parenting/kid/baby blogs and more into travel/food/art blogs. I have been in "gut out and get rid of" mode trying to get out from under all the fabric and clutter I have hoarded for years. Getting back into painting has been on my mind constantly, so hard to just get out and do it! sigh... ok so stay tuned for a few more posts, trying to get back in to "it" but not sure what I want to say.<br /><br/>lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02121014975382297854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427304574092421315.post-70765734446850923752013-08-27T03:56:00.000-07:002014-06-01T16:08:52.865-07:00Middleton Place vacation wrap up<p>so just a few more tidbits from our north carolina, south carolina, georgia and florida trip. i really felt it went off without a hitch and i am thinking back to how lovely all that green was. california is so brown, especially in the summer and i miss that daily rain shower we got in florida, so refreshing!</p><br /><p><br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef0192acc949ef970d-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef0192acc949ef970d image-full" title="IMG_8926" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef0192acc949ef970d-800wi" border="0" alt="IMG_8926"></a><br><br></p><br />this is a favorite shot from <a href="https://www.middletonplace.org">Middleton</a> Place (man, it was beyond gorgeous!) the kids are looking for gators and off in the distance other family members shout they saw one: lizzie is darting around to go see for herself (action shots like this are my absolute favorite kind of photo)<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef0191050022dc970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef0191050022dc970c image-full" alt="IMG_8862" title="IMG_8862" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef0191050022dc970c-800wi" border="0"></a><br><br />a house on the property that has been restored to it's original condition<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019105002381970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019105002381970c image-full" alt="IMG_8933" title="IMG_8933" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019105002381970c-800wi" border="0"></a><br><br />we squeezed every inch of daylight out of this sunset<br /><br/><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019105002d08970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019105002d08970c image-full" alt="IMG_8932" title="IMG_8932" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019105002d08970c-800wi" border="0"></a><br><br />and a tree to swoon over<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901f0a4ff6970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901f0a4ff6970b image-full" alt="IMG_8955" title="IMG_8955" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901f0a4ff6970b-800wi" border="0"></a><br><br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901f0a50e6970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901f0a50e6970b image-full" alt="IMG_9036" title="IMG_9036" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901f0a50e6970b-800wi" border="0"></a><br><br />i really loved this photo, we are waiting for a table at the restaurant in the resort we stayed in at disneyworld. it was such a sweet moment of kids and adults chatting about their day<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef0192acc94f84970d-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef0192acc94f84970d image-full" alt="IMG_9321" title="IMG_9321" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef0192acc94f84970d-800wi" border="0"></a><br><br />i love this shot of liz, waiting for the monorail<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef0192acc9501b970d-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef0192acc9501b970d image-full" alt="IMG_9408" title="IMG_9408" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef0192acc9501b970d-800wi" border="0"></a><br><br />gorgeous florida skies<a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901f0a5317970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901f0a5317970b image-full" alt="IMG_9422" title="IMG_9422" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901f0a5317970b-800wi" border="0"></a><br><br />we had two extra days in orlando and picked this hotel last minute because it had the number one best pool, yep it did! we swam and floated on that lazy river for hours, beating the heat and enjoyed afternoon naps. such a luxury. that's it for now! coming up, a trip to scotland!!<fieldset class="zemanta-related"><legend class="zemanta-related-title">Related articles</legend><div style="margin: 0; padding: 0; overflow: hidden;" class="zemanta-article-ul zemanta-article-ul-image"><div style="padding: 0; background: none; list-style: none; display: block; float: left; vertical-align: top; text-align: left; width: 84px; font-size:11px; margin: 2px 10px 10px 2px;" class="zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li"><a target="_blank" href="http://waysandmeansadventures.wordpress.com/2013/07/31/day-4-the-many-faces-of-the-south/" style="box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px #999; padding: 2px; display: block; border-radius: 2px; text-decoration: none;"><img style="padding: 0; margin: 0; border: 0; display: block; width: 80px; max-width: 100%;" src="http://i.zemanta.com/189735704_80_80.jpg"></a><a target="_blank" href="http://waysandmeansadventures.wordpress.com/2013/07/31/day-4-the-many-faces-of-the-south/" style="display: block; overflow:hidden; text-decoration: none; line-height: 12pt; height: 80px; padding: 5px 2px 0 2px;">Day 4: The Many Faces of the South</a></div></div></fieldset><br /><br/><br/><br/>lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02121014975382297854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427304574092421315.post-42816013197183906622013-08-22T23:25:00.000-07:002014-06-01T16:08:52.856-07:00Disney world 2013<a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901ef70e1a970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901ef70e1a970b image-full" title="IMG_9029" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901ef70e1a970b-800wi" border="0" alt="IMG_9029" /></a><br /><br />even though i grew up near disneyland, i somehow missed the "collecting pins on a lanyard" tradition. i have seen people with them around their necks, but really didnt know what all the hype was about. let's just say collecting and trading pins was one of the highlights of the whole disneyworld experience for my kids and their cousins. i am so glad chris jumped in day one and bought everyone a lanyard and a starter "kit" of pins because it kept the kids happy and excited for the remaining week as they searched for new pins and picked up a few here and there each day. for the little kids it became a great way to motivate them to go on some of the scarier rides, they would earn a pin if they were willing to try. funny how some kids are scared to death of certain rides but not others, i am sure there could be a major discussion on the parenting styles of getting your kid on a ride they dont want to go on (to force or not to force?). how many times did a kid cry on a ride only to exclaim, " let's do it again!!" at the end? hmmmm.....<br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901ef71477970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901ef71477970b image-full" title="IMG_9245" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901ef71477970b-800wi" border="0" alt="IMG_9245" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019104ed04a3970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019104ed04a3970c image-full" title="IMG_9278" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019104ed04a3970c-800wi" border="0" alt="IMG_9278" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef0192acb60b36970d-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef0192acb60b36970d image-full" title="IMG_9259" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef0192acb60b36970d-800wi" border="0" alt="IMG_9259" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019104ed052a970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019104ed052a970c image-full" title="IMG_9296" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019104ed052a970c-800wi" border="0" alt="IMG_9296" /></a><br /><br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019104ed05f3970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019104ed05f3970c image-full" alt="IMG_9311" title="IMG_9311" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019104ed05f3970c-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />more photos coming soon...<br /><br/>lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02121014975382297854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427304574092421315.post-47804886052223202062013-08-18T08:54:00.000-07:002014-06-01T16:08:52.841-07:00Summer 2013first up North Carolina: Topsail Island! i have been trying to plan an OBX beach house rental trip for years, i was pleasantly surprised by Topsail Island (we stayed with family and daytripped to the beach but i could imagine first hand how a future trip will play out). our family lives in Sneads Ferry, just a mile or so away from the beach, so jealous!<br /><p><br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019104d34637970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019104d34637970c image-full" title="IMG_8706" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019104d34637970c-800wi" border="0" alt="IMG_8706" /></a><br /><br /></p><br /><p class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef0192ac9ca81c970d image-full" title="IMG_8716" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef0192ac9ca81c970d-800wi" border="0" alt="IMG_8716" /><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901edd5748970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901edd5748970b image-full" title="IMG_8721" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901edd5748970b-800wi" border="0" alt="IMG_8721" /></a><br /><br />and miles and miles of wetlands!<br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901edd57ef970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901edd57ef970b image-full" title="IMG_8732" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901edd57ef970b-800wi" border="0" alt="IMG_8732" /></a><br /><br />yep, we finally did it. disneyworld. hmmmm. where to start? having grown up down the street from disneyland, i have to say that disneyworld was always some kind of dreamy far far away type place i would never ever see, too far and too expensive, not worth it. as a kid though, EVERYONE wanted to go to disneyworld, it was epic!! such a mystery though, even when i researched it online, i couldnt really grasp what it was going to be like? when we went to eurodisney (in paris) i remember it feeling like a tinier, edited disneyland. very cool, but not as big and just slightly "off" like you were in a dream or twilight episode. for some reason i had a hard time with the disneyworld website, it confused me and i didnt know if it was one big campus linked by, i dont know, trains or trolleys? why did people say to "stay on site" what did that mean? lucky for me, my sister in law is in the military and she booked us rooms at "shades of green" a resort hotel "on campus" so to speak. once we arrived there and drove into what is the "disneyworld campus" i could see how it was organized. basically it is four parks with roads and large patches of green space between each. there is epcot, the animal park, hollywood disney studios and magic kingdom. for those of you familiar with disneyland here is the comparison: magic kingdom is everything you have seen in disneyland (pirates of the carribean, small world, space mountain etc), the animal park is like a wild animal park with a few roller coasters and areas for little kids to ride smaller rides (it is dinosaur themed), epcot is like a tour of the world and future (similar to california adventure with some of the same rides) and the disney studios is like the hollywood studio area of california adventure. ok, so this is what my opinion is: it is nice to be able to tackle each park one day on a 4 day hopper pass BUT in about 5 hours you basically have seen all the major rides and attractions, leaving you with hours and hours of shopping time. no thanks. all four parks have massive areas of shopping which annoyed me to death. oh and downtown disney? yep, another HUGE shopping area to waste more money. Magic Kingdom was laid out much like disneyland but edited and smaller, just like the euro disney. no matterhorn and things like the small world ride were not housed in the elaborate building with facade you expect to see. it was similar (and adjacent to) the peter pan ride. ok, so yes we had a blast and yes we managed those fast passes to reduce our wait times, but i could have done with a little less shopping. i am sure really hardcore disney fans want to buy everything mickey mouse they can get, but i just wasnt into it. during our disney week we spent one day at the kennedy space center, worth every penny. it was so well done and we saw lots of foreigners from all over the world enjoying themselves. i was so proud of how well it was organized and how they shuttled you around to different displays all over the center. the information was presented in a very creative and innovative way that inspired me to think about the space past and future in a way i havent in a long time if ever. if you are doing a whole week in orlando, by all means break up the disneyworld time with a tour of the kennedy space center, you wont be disappointed!! <a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901edd5e59970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901edd5e59970b image-full" title="IMG_9065" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901edd5e59970b-800wi" border="0" alt="IMG_9065" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019104d34cf1970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019104d34cf1970c image-full" title="IMG_9092" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019104d34cf1970c-800wi" border="0" alt="IMG_9092" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019104d34d55970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019104d34d55970c image-full" title="IMG_9115" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019104d34d55970c-800wi" border="0" alt="IMG_9115" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901edd5d58970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901edd5d58970b image-full" title="IMG_9160" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901edd5d58970b-800wi" border="0" alt="IMG_9160" /></a><br /><br />i was expecting heat but i'll tell you, in august it was hot hot hot! our trip started in north carolina (flying into raleigh) with a few days at the beach. we then took a drive down to "<a href="https://www.middletonplace.org">middleton place</a>" in south carolina and another quick stop in savannah before landing in orlando for a week at disneyworld. middleton place was a wonderful surprise as it is a working plantation/farm which showcases local fresh food in it's restaurant. just walking the grounds was amazing and we spent most of our time there just walking around. i first read about the place in a sue monk kidd<a href="http://suemonkkidd.com/TravelingWithPomegranates/"> book</a> (love it when something i read about finds it's way into a trip).</p><br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901edd5ece970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901edd5ece970b image-full" title="IMG_8793" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901edd5ece970b-800wi" border="0" alt="IMG_8793" /></a><br /><br />middleton place, south carolina: big thumbs up!!<br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901edd5f25970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901edd5f25970b image-full" title="IMG_8908" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901edd5f25970b-800wi" border="0" alt="IMG_8908" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019104d34fd9970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019104d34fd9970c image-full" title="IMG_8910" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019104d34fd9970c-800wi" border="0" alt="IMG_8910" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019104d3538d970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019104d3538d970c image-full" title="IMG_8812" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019104d3538d970c-800wi" border="0" alt="IMG_8812" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901edd63f0970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901edd63f0970b image-full" title="IMG_8950" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901edd63f0970b-800wi" border="0" alt="IMG_8950" /></a><br /><br />i'll post some more pictures soon.<br /><br/>lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02121014975382297854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427304574092421315.post-47150959529302880782013-07-24T23:33:00.000-07:002014-06-01T16:08:52.831-07:00Sleep away camp: Wintaka time!!<p>My kids just returned from "sleep away camp", this is Emily's 6th year and Lizzies 3rd. I find it interesting how many of my friends are too scared to send their kids to camp, worried that something horrible might happen. Having gone to camp every summer since I was going into third grade, I couldn't wait to send my kids. I don't look forward to them being away, not at all, but I enjoy giving them this most magical opportunity. It is an amazing gift to give your kids a camp experience, I know personally that camp was one of the most important experiences of my life. It gave me an independence I never would have had without it. Here are a few things I have learned about sleep away camp:</p><br /><p>1) Kids are forced to work out their squabbles. You can't get away from your bunkmates, you are together 24/7 for a week. If there is an argument, you must face it and work it out. This is something that doesn't happen at home with your school friends. You don't get to go home, talk with your folks, find a new friend etc etc. You work it out. What a great life skill! The roller coaster of being friends, getting on each others nerves, bickering, working it out and being best friends again brings kids closer together in a week than in years of going to school together. I remember truly "loving" my camp friends on a very deep level, which I still have today! School friends, not as deep.</p><br /><p>2) Kids learn to be away from their parents, that it's ok to miss them. A whole week away seems like a long long time to kids and I think it's important for them to trust other adults to care for them. I also like that other adults are disciplining them and teaching them new things. It takes a village to raise a kid, I truly believe that! (It's also good for parents to let their kids go a tiny bit too, so hard sometimes!!)</p><br /><p>3) Kids learn to follow a schedule, to do their daily activities (like brushing teeth, brushing hair, getting dressed) on their own. They follow the routine which includes meals, activities, getting ready for bed, sleeping... managing their time in a way they don't have to at home. I remember becoming very aware of how long an hour activity is, the time it took to walk down the hill to the lodge, being aware of the dinner bell ringing, watching the sun go down and knowing how much daylight was left. There is something about camp, without parents around, that teaches a kid to pay attention to details they take for granted at home.</p><br /><p>4) Kids will look up to their counselors and want to be like them intensely. I remember falling in love with my counselors and I just could not wait to be one too! This is a totally different feeling than loving your parents. It is magical and more effective than being told "this is what you should do when you grow up." They see their counselor up there singing and they want to do that too. It is powerful stuff even though it seems so simple.</p><br /><p>5) Last, sleep away camp FEELS so much more exciting than it really is. It is safe, organized and pretty routine, but to a kid it's like a trip to the moon. </p><br /><p><br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901e6fe597970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901e6fe597970b image-full" title="Photo" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901e6fe597970b-800wi" border="0" alt="Photo" /></a><br /><br /></p><br />heading to camp, so excited!!<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef0192ac2f3662970d-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef0192ac2f3662970d image-full" alt="Photo-4" title="Photo-4" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef0192ac2f3662970d-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef0192ac2f36b1970d-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef0192ac2f36b1970d image-full" alt="Photo-5" title="Photo-5" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef0192ac2f36b1970d-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Returning from camp energized and happy, priceless!<br /><br/>lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02121014975382297854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427304574092421315.post-66699422618054964242013-07-07T01:32:00.000-07:002014-06-01T16:08:52.824-07:00Summer 2013<p>Where have i been? yikes! Another year of Camp Shiwaka has passed, this is the 7th year my first Camp Fire group has attended camp together with me as leader (actually one year I lead the Rocket Cats... but we were still all together). Next year my girls will be Day Camp Aides, wow! Where has the time gone? Each Spring we sign up again for the following year and I was so happy that all my girls signed up again for yet ANOTHER year!! Here are some highlights:</p><br /><p><br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef0191041fa25b970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef0191041fa25b970c image-full" title="Photo-1" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef0191041fa25b970c-800wi" border="0" alt="Photo-1" /></a><br /><br /></p><br />there was a science fiction theme this year... my favorite ever!<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef0191041fa29f970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef0191041fa29f970c image-full" alt="Photo" title="Photo" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef0191041fa29f970c-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />crazy time machine making (i love free form "make anything from a pile of crap" crafts for kids)<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901e297ac5970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901e297ac5970b image-full" alt="Photo-5" title="Photo-5" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901e297ac5970b-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />every day the kids do a challenge course that promotes team work and getting along in a group<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef0191041fa34d970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef0191041fa34d970c image-full" alt="Photo-6" title="Photo-6" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef0191041fa34d970c-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />we spent a lot of time cooking this year, out doing all the years past: a few items we tried were "shrimp and couscous hobo packets" and "real pizza" (we made homemade dough with a rise x 2!)<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901e297ba9970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901e297ba9970b image-full" alt="Photo-8" title="Photo-8" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901e297ba9970b-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />"pancake cake" via <a href="http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/chocolate-recipes/pancake-cake#close">jamie oliver</a> and pinterest for breakfast (with donuts and bacon too of course)<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef0192abe8bb42970d-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef0192abe8bb42970d image-full" alt="Photo-9" title="Photo-9" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef0192abe8bb42970d-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef0191041fa45c970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef0191041fa45c970c image-full" alt="Photo-7" title="Photo-7" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef0191041fa45c970c-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />sleeping under the stars<br />and our<br /><br/>camp shiwaka sign photo tradition<br /><br/><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef0191041faa60970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef0191041faa60970c image-full" alt="Photo-2" title="Photo-2" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef0191041faa60970c-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef0191041faaa8970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef0191041faaa8970c image-full" alt="Photo-3" title="Photo-3" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef0191041faaa8970c-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />a glimpse of my littlest having fun too<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef0192abe8bc51970d-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef0192abe8bc51970d image-full" alt="Photo-4" title="Photo-4" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef0192abe8bc51970d-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />so another year down, about 4 more to go with my younger group now... looking forward to some quality camp time with them. i think it makes a difference all that sweating and dirt together.<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef0192abe8bcef970d-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef0192abe8bcef970d image-full" alt="Photo-10" title="Photo-10" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef0192abe8bcef970d-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />we finally made it up to the cabin after a 4 month break (working weekends is making it hard to get up there)<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901e297dc1970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901e297dc1970b image-full" alt="Photo-11" title="Photo-11" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901e297dc1970b-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />even if it's a bit wacky, i am glad they are still playing with "toys"<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901e297e1a970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901e297e1a970b image-full" alt="Photo-12" title="Photo-12" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901e297e1a970b-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />happy 4th of july! we spent it riding to the beach, swimming in our "pool" and cooking over the fire...here's to checking in more regularly!<br /><br/>lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02121014975382297854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427304574092421315.post-76637117262733894452013-05-14T07:26:00.000-07:002014-06-01T16:08:52.816-07:00Springtime<p>We took a trip to Utah over spring break, I hope to have a full post on that trip with lots of photos. One of my favorites was this one:</p><br /><p><br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019102234128970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019102234128970c image-full" title="Photo-2" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019102234128970c-800wi" border="0" alt="Photo-2" /></a><br /><br /></p><br />we were beat but happy, can you tell? Utah is just so gorgeous and the springtime is a great time to visit because it's not too hot. I did one quickie painting and really enjoyed all the orange and blue combos with sky and rock. It is also the end of our camp fire year, end of the school year with lots of camp fire events going on:<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017eeb2ab430970d-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef017eeb2ab430970d image-full" alt="Photo-1" title="Photo-1" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017eeb2ab430970d-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />not just cleaning up the wetlands, we are PLANTING now!!<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901c2d4f49970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901c2d4f49970b image-full" alt="Photo-3" title="Photo-3" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901c2d4f49970b-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019102234479970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019102234479970c image-full" alt="Photo-2" title="Photo-2" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019102234479970c-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />my favorite wetlands event yet. we also had the camp fire grand council fire event that celebrates all the kids who make their "wo he lo" the highest honor in camp fire. 11 this year! wow!<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901c2d5153970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901c2d5153970b image-full" alt="Photo-4" title="Photo-4" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901c2d5153970b-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901c2d51a0970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901c2d51a0970b image-full" alt="Photo-8" title="Photo-8" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901c2d51a0970b-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Spring camp out was a hit too, this is a time for families to camp out together at camp shiwaka... not just with their group and leader<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019102234727970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef019102234727970c image-full" alt="Photo-6" title="Photo-6" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef019102234727970c-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01910223477d970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef01910223477d970c image-full" alt="Photo-5" title="Photo-5" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01910223477d970c-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901c2d5369970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901c2d5369970b image-full" alt="Photo-7" title="Photo-7" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901c2d5369970b-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901c2d53b0970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901c2d53b0970b image-full" alt="Photo-9" title="Photo-9" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901c2d53b0970b-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />i'm pretty nuts for instagram these days!<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901c2d544a970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901c2d544a970b image-full" alt="Photo" title="Photo" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901c2d544a970b-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />an art installation at the wetlands<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901c2d5597970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901c2d5597970b image-full" alt="Photo-8" title="Photo-8" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef01901c2d5597970b-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />and i started doing cross fit, ouch but so much fun! i am really enjoying the new friends i have made and how much better i feel. more to come on our utah trip! happy springtime everyone!<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017eeb2abcd2970d-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef017eeb2abcd2970d image-full" alt="Photo-12" title="Photo-12" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017eeb2abcd2970d-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br/>lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02121014975382297854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427304574092421315.post-30815643740073809322013-03-28T23:09:00.000-07:002014-06-01T16:08:52.809-07:00Camp Fire leader 101 (x 2)<p>So when i started this blog, my plan was to document my experience being a camp fire leader (did you know that?) well my first year had some regular posts on all the mishaps and adventures i had trying to figure out what the heck i was doing. Can you beleive it's been 7 years now? AND i have TWO groups? The interesting thing is that i not only have two groups, am the LEADER of TWO groups, i actually run about every single second of said groups. The few leaders i know who have tackled having two groups aren't crazy enough to actually run them both without some serious help OR to be the co-leader of one while leading the other. i think it makes a big difference and why my journey has had more ups and downs than most.</p><br /><p>so what have i learned? so much, so much. for one, i could probably be the ceo or big time manager of a corporation now. here is my list:  i know that you never ever ever say what you really really are thinking most of the time. i know that people will say they are coming, text you they are on their way and never show up. i know that some events with 30 people invited will have 2 attend and some have 45 (??) plan for either, that i have learned. i learned to spend as many hours as it takes in the summer at my leisure to plan the entire coming year AND actually write in every event on the calendar and just go with it no matter what. i learned that canceling a meeting makes some people grumpy and some people happy. i know now that in this economy, people aren't buying candy like they used to and not to take it personally. i learned that my passion to overcome whatever competition and downright hostility the girl scouts feel toward camp fire has burned out and i cannot build that bridge (at least for now). i learned to use every resource possible during a crazy out of control meeting (parents, older siblings, whoever) to try and bring it back together. kindergarten kids can only sit still and be quiet for a minute at a time and never the same minute as the kid sitting next to them. i know now that paint + kids = a horrendous mess that will find you picking paint out of your nails and hair for a week. i learned that a church who wants to do something for the community can up and dump you one week before your meetings start up again (after 6 uneventful years) because they dont have space for your 11 or so kids but will let the boy scouts continue to meet there with their 100+ kids. i have learned that when the leader of the group's child has a birthday party and she doesn't invite all of the camp fire kids (even if the plan is to keep it small, cheap, simple) and you post a photo on facebook of said party, that the kid or kids who weren't invited will most likely quit over the hurt feelings. there are going to be some parents who 1) say i favor my kid at meetings calling on them more than others 2) tell me i am too hard on my own kid 3) roll their eyes during meetings and i have to figure out what the heck i did/said to offend them 4) tell me i am the most amazing leader BUT they aren't continuing in the group 5) will tell me that camp fire isn't cool enough for their kid 6) will dump me AND my kid for not being cool enough in their attempt to climb the social ladder at school 7) will sincerely become my closest friends and stick with me for years and years through thick and thin 8) will spend miserable nights camping on the hard ground in the drizzle, dust and bugs to give their kids a unique outdoor experience here in the city 9) will bring me coffee at the crack of dawn after the countless camp outs we do each year 10) will bring bushels of ice, bags and bags of food and anything else i request during day camp. i am sure this list could go on and on... i think that's it for now. wo he lo!!</p><br /><p><br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017ee9d46baf970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="541969891_515a9d99d4" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef017ee9d46baf970d image-full" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017ee9d46baf970d-800wi" title="541969891_515a9d99d4" /></a><br /><br /></p><br /><br/>lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02121014975382297854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427304574092421315.post-52079198462016434482013-03-12T23:14:00.000-07:002014-06-01T16:08:52.801-07:00Italy<p>I know I wrote about our italy trip last summer but not sure if I truly laid out the things I learned about traveling to Rome with kids. I still think London, Paris, Rome are amazing places to take kids (Venice too, by the way) because there is so much to do and easy to get around. While researching for our trip I stumbled onto many wonderful blogs and one of them seemed to have tips that interested me more than otheres. I recently offered to share some of my Rome tips and was taken up on my offer. I didnt realize it would be posted word for word, but I think it came out pretty good!! Here is the <a href="http://www.gillianslists.com/2013/03/guest-post-rome-with-kids_8.html" target="_self">link</a>.</p><br /><p>Ahhhhhh to be back in Rome! </p><br /><br/>lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02121014975382297854noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427304574092421315.post-83356259727609983342013-02-17T01:38:00.000-08:002014-06-01T16:08:52.795-07:00back to work<p>I am back to work, feeling the stress of a busy schedule again, ugh! we are finally getting our living room painted, it's more like a major restoration project and costing a small fortune. i am super excited and enjoy the progress. it is a bit of a mess though, kicking my OCD into top gear. since i had to work this weekend the kids went to the desert with their dad and cousins, here's a few shots sent to me: </p><br /><p><br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017ee8922548970d-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef017ee8922548970d image-full" title="Photo-4" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017ee8922548970d-800wi" border="0" alt="Photo-4" /></a><br /><br /></p><br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017ee89225f5970d-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef017ee89225f5970d image-full" title="Photo-2" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017ee89225f5970d-800wi" border="0" alt="Photo-2" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017d411e5331970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef017d411e5331970c image-full" title="Photo-3" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017d411e5331970c-800wi" border="0" alt="Photo-3" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017ee89226d3970d-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef017ee89226d3970d image-full" title="Photo-5" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017ee89226d3970d-800wi" border="0" alt="Photo-5" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017ee8922784970d-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef017ee8922784970d image-full" title="Photo-1" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017ee8922784970d-800wi" border="0" alt="Photo-1" /></a><br /><br />looks like everyone is having a great time! i have never been with them, working weekends is such a drag but i am sure i will get a chance someday. here's a photo of our living room in progress:<br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c36eefcd2970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c36eefcd2970b image-full" title="179660_10151340826502912_378280523_n" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c36eefcd2970b-800wi" border="0" alt="179660_10151340826502912_378280523_n" /></a><br /><br />i love my house, really love it but it has a lot of quirks and nothing is a simple fix. the doors need to be replaced but the door guy says they weren't made correctly in the first place, the dimensions are off that hold the glass. so dilemma, do them right or keep with the design of the entire house? of course we need to to keep them the same but it's hard to tell a professional who knows what he is doing that. in other news:<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c36eeff32970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c36eeff32970b image-full" alt="600484_10151327755707912_1815728535_n" title="600484_10151327755707912_1815728535_n" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c36eeff32970b-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />i took a painting workshop and jumped right in, very fun and very inspiring. i found a local artist (who is also a yoga instructor, good move!) and she very kindly helped me get back in the groove. i am now back and ready to go! i splurged on some new paints from <a href="http://blueridgeartist.com/">here</a> and dug out all my old supplies. i had been wanting a new plein air easel/setup and <a href="http://artboxandpanel.com/">splurged </a>on that as well. everything is working as planned and i am so glad i spent a little more. i have had two cheapo plein air easels in the past that were wobbly and fell apart after a few years. at $100 each, really not so cheap when you add it up. i am hoping to get out to the wetlands asap and start on some of the paintings i have dreamed about for years now.<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c36ef02c7970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c36ef02c7970b image-full" alt="426635_10151326114327912_1237514556_n" title="426635_10151326114327912_1237514556_n" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c36ef02c7970b-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c36ef02e7970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c36ef02e7970b image-full" alt="377770_10151331384662912_1866183609_n" title="377770_10151331384662912_1866183609_n" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c36ef02e7970b-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />lots of walking around the park lately and happy my youngest is joining me now<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017ee8923037970d-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef017ee8923037970d image-full" alt="560436_10151339320487912_213546767_n" title="560436_10151339320487912_213546767_n" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017ee8923037970d-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />i think that fitting into her older sisters running shoes might have something to do with it. :)<br /><br/>lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02121014975382297854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427304574092421315.post-56255049284773513822013-02-02T08:19:00.000-08:002014-06-01T16:08:52.789-07:00time warp<p>having a few more days off, i was ablet to FINALLY go through my iphotos and fix many of the goof ups that happened when i tried to put all of my photos from my old comuter onto the new. for some reason i had random duplicates all over the place, probably 1/3 of my storage taken up by this goof. i still haven't finished, but i have put a dent into it. along the way i came across lots of fun photos so i thought i'd do a little time warp for 2013:</p><br /><p><br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017ee823795d970d-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef017ee823795d970d image-full" title="IMG_7212" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017ee823795d970d-800wi" border="0" alt="IMG_7212" /></a><br /><br /></p><br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017d40aec677970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef017d40aec677970c image-full" title="IMG_7291_2" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017d40aec677970c-800wi" border="0" alt="IMG_7291_2" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017d40aec76a970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef017d40aec76a970c image-full" title="IMG_9009" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017d40aec76a970c-800wi" border="0" alt="IMG_9009" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c368032cf970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c368032cf970b image-full" title="Photo-13 2" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c368032cf970b-800wi" border="0" alt="Photo-13 2" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017d40aec8af970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef017d40aec8af970c image-full" title="Photo-29" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017d40aec8af970c-800wi" border="0" alt="Photo-29" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017d40aec968970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef017d40aec968970c image-full" title="Wr-3" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017d40aec968970c-800wi" border="0" alt="Wr-3" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017d40aeca1e970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef017d40aeca1e970c image-full" title="Wr-9" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017d40aeca1e970c-800wi" border="0" alt="Wr-9" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c3680350d970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c3680350d970b image-full" title="Wr-15" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c3680350d970b-800wi" border="0" alt="Wr-15" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017ee8237e51970d-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef017ee8237e51970d image-full" title="Wr-18" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017ee8237e51970d-800wi" border="0" alt="Wr-18" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c368035b1970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c368035b1970b image-full" title="Wr-26" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c368035b1970b-800wi" border="0" alt="Wr-26" /></a><br /> photos of the mountains and our catalina trip from several years ago (that was a pet cemetery we stumbled on during a hike)...plus one of maggie as a puppy.<br />healing up and getting ready to get back to it!<br /><br/>lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02121014975382297854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427304574092421315.post-69697389096044555572013-02-01T02:18:00.000-08:002014-06-01T16:08:52.783-07:00Slip/Fall<p>So i had a slip and fall accident this week in the shower (!!!) and rapped my head on our glass shower door (not recommended) thank goodness i didnt break it, but i came away with a nasty cut over my eye. At first i thought that was it, but by morning i had two black eyes and a goose egg over my nose. Unbelieveable! Very humbling to say the least and very very embarrassing. Sure people fall all the time but i have never injured my face like this before, never, even as a kid! I have instantly become house arrested as every day my bruises go from pink to purple to greenish and yellow and quite shocking i must say. The kids are nice and make their funny comments to make me feel better. Being housebound has had its ups and downs. For the first two days i was in too much pain to really do a whole lot, but by day 3 i was cleaning the house like a freak and trying to get through a zillion "to do" lists. Today is day 4 and i have cabin fever like crazy. I am supposed to be back at work in 2 days but i am so freaking scared these bruises will remain. I am not a vain person but to be honest i don't want anything to draw attention to myself. I prefer to just muddle through my work and get back to what i want to do each day. <br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c367df858970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c367df858970b image-full" title="205648_10151281943852912_1680922591_n" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c367df858970b-800wi" border="0" alt="205648_10151281943852912_1680922591_n" /></a></p><br />before my accident, i had spent some time walking with the girls out in the on and off rain to sell candy and stumbled onto some fun landscape ideas<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c367df9bd970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c367df9bd970b image-full" alt="537095_10151281911792912_742259844_n" title="537095_10151281911792912_742259844_n" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c367df9bd970b-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017ee821409b970d-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef017ee821409b970d image-full" alt="150938_10151281939727912_1169285435_n" title="150938_10151281939727912_1169285435_n" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017ee821409b970d-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I have only recently become a fan of this type of native gardening. I still have a love for the "tropical" look so i am trying to see if i can mix a little<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c367dfb85970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c367dfb85970b image-full" alt="250677_10151298308482912_493558248_n" title="250677_10151298308482912_493558248_n" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c367dfb85970b-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I took a walk around our local park yesterday, for the first time really getting out of the house. Felt so good! Our weather has been amazing. I say it over and over again, California is best in the winter. Cool nights, warm days... just perfect!<br /><br/>lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02121014975382297854noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427304574092421315.post-32818556780639601032013-01-15T06:34:00.000-08:002014-06-01T16:08:52.775-07:00mish mash<p>i am still struggling to get decent interesting posts up regularly here... i find i take the coolest photos on my phone and then i post the most god awful crappy ones here on the blog. here goes with a few favorites from a recent phone download...</p><br /><p><br /><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c35d2f352970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c35d2f352970b image-full" title="IMG_1894" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c35d2f352970b-800wi" border="0" alt="IMG_1894" /></a><br /><br /></p><br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017ee7765d6f970d-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef017ee7765d6f970d image-full" alt="IMG_5397" title="IMG_5397" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017ee7765d6f970d-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />lots of cloud photos to inspire me to get back to painting<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c35d2f4f7970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c35d2f4f7970b image-full" alt="IMG_5524" title="IMG_5524" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c35d2f4f7970b-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017d4001e174970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef017d4001e174970c image-full" alt="IMG_5392" title="IMG_5392" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017d4001e174970c-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c35d2f6a2970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c35d2f6a2970b image-full" alt="IMG_5366" title="IMG_5366" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c35d2f6a2970b-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />new car love<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017d4001e297970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef017d4001e297970c image-full" alt="IMG_5300" title="IMG_5300" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017d4001e297970c-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />kitty love<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c35d2f7e8970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c35d2f7e8970b image-full" alt="IMG_5353" title="IMG_5353" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c35d2f7e8970b-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />milestones<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c35d2f865970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c35d2f865970b image-full" alt="IMG_3865" title="IMG_3865" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c35d2f865970b-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />embracing tweendom<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017ee7766307970d-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef017ee7766307970d image-full" alt="IMG_3878" title="IMG_3878" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017ee7766307970d-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />miss maggie<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c35d2f9a9970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c35d2f9a9970b image-full" alt="IMG_2825" title="IMG_2825" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c35d2f9a9970b-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />getting the backyard in shape for some major plant redo and finding a way to paint again in my own personal outside studio<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017ee77664b7970d-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef017ee77664b7970d image-full" alt="IMG_2826" title="IMG_2826" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017ee77664b7970d-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />black bamboo... best choice ever<br /><br/><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c35d2fb97970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c35d2fb97970b image-full" alt="IMG_5333" title="IMG_5333" src="http://chasingbluebirds.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf86b53ef017c35d2fb97970b-800wi" border="0" /></a><br /><br />fathers and daughters... love! gotta get to school, working on our garden club...it's coming along s l o w l y... cheers!<br /><br/>lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02121014975382297854noreply@blogger.com0