Nothing could be finer

than to be on an ocean liner... in the mooooooorning!

Well, we aren't on the ocean and it isn't quite a ship,

(in fact, it isn't even close to being a ship)


but it was a fine day on Lake George!!!

Besides you wouldn't really want me to sing either!
(I think my dad used to sing the original version
and his rendition wasn't necessarily sung any better- sorry Dad!)

Yesterday, Nature Boy, Sugarbaby, and I
joined a bunch of other homeschoolers and their moms
for a day of science...


on the Floating Classroom and we had such a fine day!!!

The Lake George Association received a grant
to educate the public. We are truly fortunate to
have such a healthy lake!

The views of the mountains surrounding the lake, speckled with fall colors, were spectacular.

and the hands-on learning was loads of fun




After lunch, the moms and kids met at a stream,
and learned about the Lake George watershed.



We all got good and muddy
searching for macro invertebrates in the stream


which are sensitive to pollutants.


There were plenty which is a further indicator of healthy water!

But as my mother always said, 

"All work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy..." 

(right, Mom?)

and have no worry, 

I have been playing in my studio too!

I have my arms right up to my elbows (and probably beyond)

in fabric

working on challenge #3 which is over here.

Stay tuned for the big reveal next week!

And as Lt. Gen. Douglas MacArthur,

"I shall return!"

(somewhere in between schooling and sewing!!)

JUST DO IT!!!!!

This past year I decided that I didn't have enough projects on the go

that I didn't have enough 'crafts' to make

and I could always use ONE MORE hobby!

For a long, long, long (!!!) time, I had swooned over beautifully created

art journals that artists wrote about in books and posted online and and deep down,
I wished that I could do it too!

I already had some of the necessary supplies around the house
(why aren't you surprised?!)

but I was afraid to start!!!

I wasn't sure where to begin.

I had begun reading all sorts of blogs posted by journalers

and one day, I emailed a couple of bloggers asking how to start,
thinking it would be a good project for my homeschooling kids.

Well, Dawn graciously answered me (promptly), suggesting I buy an inexpensive sketch book and just start!

And so I did....

and I haven't stopped!

The thing about journaling is that it doesn't seem to take up too much space....

and it is pretty easy to just lay some gesso

or slab some paint on the paper

or press a couple of stamps onto the surface

and walk away.

Okay...

well, some times, supplies tend to spread around the room!!!

Before I left on my quilting cruise,

I prepared a small journal by laying gesso on each spread,

painting it with acrylic paint,

adding some collage and stamps

and as I vacationed...
I doodled, journaled, and even glued in some souvenirs.

When I got home, I had some photos printed and added them.

Now it is fun to leaf through the pages!

My journals have been a place to write about good times...

try out a style that I have seen...

or mull something over...

Journaling has given me another outlet for creative expression.

This month, I have pledged to myself to at least work on my journal every day...



So....
if you have been contemplating trying out a new technique,
a new craft, a new hairstyle,

I say.....

just DO IT!!!!

Don't hate me 'cause I'm...

...blessed!

(or What I did on my Blog-cation... part 2)

If you read my last post, you saw those sandy toes

intermingled in the photos of our many snowfalls .

Well, as you probably guessed,

there are NO sandy beaches in upstate NY 

at least, not in February!

I was lucky enough (thanks to the wonderful Mr. U!)
to join my blogless pals, Deb and Laura,

on a warm weather vacation in early February...

a 10-day Caribbean quilting cruise !!!!

We paired lots fun in the sun...

with three days of classes!

I learned about fusible reverse applique and geometric quilt design

with Charlotte Warr Andersen and made funky fusible houses with Laura Wasilowski.

Those new skills I learned in the classes

along with the stunning and inspiring scenery of the Caribbean

will surely influence my journey (the one in my sewing room... not the one at sea!)

Stay tuned...

No more....

Sigh...... (big sigh!!!)

No more sipping "Drink of the Day" in the sun....

No more sitting in the sun on the pool deck.....

No more cute, doting waiter to place your napkin in your lap and serve you.....

No more gorgeous personal dining consultant to ensure my vegan meals are available....

no more delicious foods with wonderful presentation....

No more fancy desserts....

No more tablemates who engage in great conversation and don't fight with each other....

No more housekeeping to clean my bathroom....

No more beautiful sunsets on the water.....

No more beautiful tropical plants and flowers....

No more running around the streets of Cozumel in search of clues....

No more drinking beers with friends....

at least..... not for now!!!



Back to snow....spaghetti and salad for dinner.... no dessert....homeschooling.... landlording....


I am home!! I was missed!!!

See ya later, Alligator!

Well......

All my bags are packed and I'm ready to go!

I'll be kicking off my shoes for a bit and enjoying some warmer weather far from Upstate NY!!!!

See y'all soon!