almost Christmas

It is almost Christmas, and the family has been busy indeed. There have been school performances, parties, shopping and baking. I am looking forward to the holiday, but wish it would slow down a bit. Things seem to be moving too quickly.

The girls are growing quickly as well. It seems that overnight they have grown an inch or become more beautiful. They are all doing well, and excited to be on their holiday break.

Last night we went to see the lights at the Denver zoo. Denver has been unusually warm for this time of year, so we were able to stay longer than usual. The photos didn't turn out to well, but you get the idea.

Dragon Hunting

An updated version of one of my old illustrations.

happy birthday

First off, happy birthday tomorrow to my Mom. Have a great time in Ireland, I'm jealous.

Some long over due pictures of carrots, parties and probably other things...

penny

Penny doesn't show up too often on the blog. She likes to fly under the radar. This by no means she is not doing incredible things, she just doesn't always demand attention. She is having an amazing start to the year. She has decided to really make a strong effort at her school work. She has worked, head down all week without help or needing to be reminded. She has also joined the school softball team, which is a great outlet for her. She is definitely the bravest at trying new things. The teams first game was yesterday, they lost 12 to 8, but gave it a great effort.

Also forgot to show some of the atomic red carrots we're growing. Very cool.

here come the peppers

The garden has done remarkably well this year, besides the tomatoes which all have grown to the size of a grape, which would be fine if they were "grape" tomatoes, but they're not. The peppers however have done incredibly and continue to grow. We began drying some cayenne's, they are hanging all over the kitchen, and the jalapeno's need to be smoked and frozen for chipotle peppers or pickled and canned for the winter. Of course we will use many for fresh things as well.

better day

A much better day today. Thinking we just need to be mindful of the potential for flare-ups, but the girl has really grown and learned how to handle things.

signs of the past

This morning brought back a bit of the dreaded morning anxiety that we have not seen so so long. Paige has been doing so amazing with her school and schedule and everything else in her life, it's easy to forget where we were, and how far she's come.

Her day had to be deviated a little this morning so she could do an assessment for her french class. Just this little thing was enough to set some of the old habits in motion. The positive side to all of this, is that she didn't have a melt down, she got it together and made it to school without issue. The scary part was, there were signs of how it used to be, Crystal and I would be the only ones who could have picked up on them, but they were there, just under the surface.

The bottom line is that the anxiety is still there, and we can't forget that. I am proud of her for getting it together, but I can't assume that it is always going to be easy.

horse camp

Abby had a fantastic time at horse camp. We were really impressed with how much she learned, and how independent it made her. Here are a few pics from the phone, I will post better ones once I download from the camera.

doppelganger

Checking through some design blogs I daily read, I stumbled across a picture that knocked me out of my chair. It's Abby, but not Abby, since Abby does not own a shirt that says "My dad is a hells angel". Her twin is out there somewhere.

monday

Today is Abby's first day of horse camp. She bounded out of bed this morning, and any worry of her having some anxiety were gone. Crystal said she was beyond excited getting dropped off at the stable. So she should have some great stories to tell this evening.

The weekend found us deep in cherries. Our neighbor has a neglected sour cherry tree and Crystal got it in her head that we should pick some. Our neighbor was more than happy to have me clear much of the forest that had grown up around the tree, just to get near it. A few hours of picking later, we had a significant amount, with even more left on the tree. Crystal did get five jars of jam and an amazing pie. I have a feeling I will be picking more this weekend.

We also did a ton of weeding and mulching in the garden, built an arbor for the beans did some writing, and checked the bees - the Maria hive is almost 90% full on the first honey super, and had a very quiet time with just Abby. Without the other sisters around, the house is strangely quiet.

friday

Back to the blog. For the last week we have had Crystals sister and family in town. Much activity in a few short days. The studio has also been crazy, so I have not had time to post.

The two older girls left with the extended family to stay in Arizona with their grandparents for a few weeks. Not fun for the littlest who did not get to go. I had no idea how much she would miss her sisters, she literally cried for two days straight. I feel terrible for her, but it makes me happy to know they are so close. She has horse camp next week, so I think she will rally around.

For the garden, the weather has been ridiculous. We went from upper 90's to low 60's. Nothing knows what to do. Everything looks a little stunted. On a positive, the cucumbers are finally taking off, as well as many, many sunflowers. Crystal had to replant due to some bad seeds. We also finally have apples on our Granny Smith tree. We've had the tree for about six years with nothing, but this year we have had success. Pie is in our future.

happy wednesday

Some cool shots of the herb garden and our center garden. Also two not very good shots of two new paintings that I'm happy with. Water color and ink.

sketches

Sketch ideas for upcoming paintings.

some long over due photos

We now have two honey bee hives. Our original, the one we inherited with its beautiful camouflage paint job is named Maria after the women who recommended us as worthy parents. Our newest is named Fiona. The girls picked this after seeing the latest Shrek movie. Our original - Maria, not only came with the hive and bees, but 60 LBS of honey that needed to be extracted from frames. We had quite a good time with the process, although we can still find sticky spots everywhere around the house from it.

Besides honey extraction, we have had a crash course in bee keeping. This spring, the Maria hive decided to swarm. Bees swarm when their hives become too crowded or the conditions go bad. Ours was an over crowding issues. The bees create a new queen, half going with her, half staying with the old one. It is an incredible thing to see and the sound is really loud. Once you get over the shock of your yard covered in bees and convince your neighbors everything is fine, the bees settle onto a branch into a calm ball. Very cool. This is when you call the local bee group you have recently joined and try to sound calm yourself. Through this process we have met many incredible and wise bee people who have taught us quite a bit. Denver has had a really active swarm season, and besides our own swarm, we have had two more settle in our yard. Once again, call the bee people who we have come to know quite well and they take them away to house in a new hive.

As our friends say, we are a little strange. I would have to agree with them.

updates

My head is getting above water, or I am learning how to cope with the crazy schedule that is my life. While I have been away from the blog, our family has inherited a hive of honey bees, I have been pulled out of guitar retirement and have been playing for numerous people around town (chops are beginning to lose the rust), I have been teaching an enrichment to Abby's third grade class in comic drawing and story telling - very fun - a lot more work than expected. Crystal is continuing to work a crazy schedule between her clients and her volunteer work and I am trying to not let the studio consume everything. Painting and writing have taken a back seat lately, balance, balance, balance. Penny is playing basketball for her school and becoming quite good, Paige is doing well with her classes and her anxiety has become an after thought most of the time, and Abby is as always Abby who keeps our lives exciting and unpredictable.

More to come...

welcome

Welcome to chaos. The last week combined with what is coming this week have me doubting the 24 hour day. There is no way possible to fit everything in, yet somehow time stretches, things get done, we move on. The problem is, you start loosing your grasp on what is normal. How far can you push your colleagues before they break? How long can you keep up the positive energy to get them through? I don't have the answers to the questions, but I do know sooner or later I will find out. This is a good problem to have. A year ago we were begging for work, so I don't want to complain but I do need to find some balance. Until then, we push into the chaos. If you see me, let me know what day it is.

humble

Saturday, Crystal surprised me with a 40th birthday party. I knew we were having a small get together, but not a full blown party. She and the girls had worked so hard making incredible food and planning the event. I do have to admit, that that much attention focused on me was really strange, I spent a bit of time hiding out in the bedroom until I got my legs under me. 

Thanks to all who came and celebrated with me. I am deeply humbled by my wonderful family and friends.

a quick one

What a chaotic couple of weeks. I have been living in a whirlwind of different projects for my various design groups. This is good. Not good for writing though. I have not spent the time I should, usually late at night. Instead I have chosen the ridiculous habit of sleeping. This is good for my stability, but not for accomplishing all that I want to. So, I think my sleep is going to have to take a back seat for a while. My crazy, non-rested alter ego should begin showing up shortly. Stay tuned.

bad news

Twice this morning I have been informed about the death of friends. Both were amazing people with endless talent. I learned many things from both of them. I wish I would have had time to learn more.

They will be missed.