March 31, 2015

Jamie

A while ago Justin suggested that we put up some of my garden photography in the kitchen. That meant so much to me! This weekend we went out and got prints and frames and yesterday we worked on what will go where. Soon, they'll be up!

Shannon
I was very excited to see that Yes Please! by Amy Poehler had come through the long waiting list at the library. I started this book last year, but didn't finish it before it poofed! and returned to the library. I really enjoy the part that I had read, and think you would both probably like it. I'm really happy to be reading more non-fiction this year, with about one a month (up from 2 in the WHOLE year last year). Fun times.

Suzie

I was so excited to get Amanda Palmer's book but as I try and read it I realized, I don't have issues with asking for help. In fact, I asked for a lot of help for my blog's big giveaway and was very excited about it and invigorated. I don't like asking for help when I am sick but I do. I wish the book was more about just her and not this issue because I love her but I'm not interested in the issue. Still, it's Amanda Palmer. I love her!

March 30, 2015

Jamie

For a long time I've been wondering what makes something feel like home. Okay, that's a pretty funny picture to go with that statement, LOL. Justin and I are adding a few personal touches to the kitchen (no, not a bee suit) and yesterday ended up going downtown to get curtain rods, where we walked by The Brick, which has this exhibit in the window about Big Brother! Apparently you can go take pictures of yourself with the BB house furniture and be entered into draws.

Shannon
The Shakespeare kick continues! I've been mapping out the characters before reading the text to help understand the relationships. This is the layout for Titus Andronicus, and it has a much larger cast of characters than the last one. This time I know the story, so it will be interesting to see how the reading experience compares to reading Two Gentlemen of Verona which I knew nothing about. We'll see how it goes.

Suzie

I finally left the house on the weekend and went to fancy-schmancy Metrotown. Jamie, we took you there to the jungle restaurant when you came to visit? You wouldn't even recognize it now. I was doing OK until we went into the Mac store. My energy just dropped and I felt like I was going to pass out but I had been doing quite well. It's going to take a while to get my strength back but this mall is tough on me on a good day so I think I did great!

March 29, 2015

Jamie

I'm thinking this is pretty random! A lamp at a cafe that I used to go to for Art Picnic.

Shannon
This week for random, I didn't have any oddly exposed or bizarre images...so here is one of me and Mr. Man. It's really hard to talk Selfies while holding a cat!!

March 28, 2015

Jamie

I spent the day out at the One of a Kind Show and Sale yesterday, which I haven't been to for years! I had such a wonderful time, taking in all the creativity, all the beauty and chatting with some wonderful people. Suzie, you were my role model of sharing about blogging and having a conversation. I was in love with the colour story of this booth. I would have liked to come home with as much as I could carry but instead I came home with one beautiful bowl and dreams of more.

Shannon
I've been on quite the Shakespeare kick recently, and after finishing reading Two Gentlemen of Verona I watched a Shakepeare-in-the-Park type production that's on YouTube to help get a sense of the play. It was pretty fun to watch, especially to "see" where the comedy is. Now, on to the next play!

March 27, 2015

Jamie

Yesterday I did a lot of walking while I was out and about for appointments and errands. I made a point to keep my eyes open for signs of spring. This was my favourite!

Shannon
It was nice to get out for coffee today, and an orange/chocolate scone - yum!, but the weather was kind of sucky so I didn't stay out too long. Sigh. /wistfully dreaming of good weather days.

Suzie

Nothing much going on here except that we got groceries which took all my strength. I've been enjoying Eye Candy thanks to Shannon and watched more last night. I'm actually enjoying watching online a lot more these days, not sure why but that's OK.

March 26, 2015

Jamie

I'm trying to stay relaxed and focused as I prepare to take a week off next week. I managed to get two promised pieces out into the world and get the podcast for next week ready to go. The newsletter is the one remaining piece before I can shift into refilling time. I'm excited because for at least two years Shannon and I have sat down to planning day and I've said I've wanted a week off at Easter, knowing it's when my energy needs tending - and this is the very first time I'm actually doing it!

Shannon
It was such a treat to read A Wrinkle in Time. I started it ages ago, but picked it up again this week and started it from the beginning and absolutely devoured it. I totally see Suzie as the main character Meg, and I loved that it felt so mysterious and wondrous. A true delight.

March 25, 2015

Jamie

I love when a bit of magic happens right under your nose. Yesterday I was having a quiet day writing and when I looked up here on my desk was this moment of beauty! I'm glad I got a bit done during the morning because in the afternoon I was hit with a tummy ache that knocked me out for a bit!

Shannon
I was messing around with my phone and noticed a feature to create collages of pictures and then add effects to the picture. It was supercool, except the fact that I couldn't select just any of the pictures. It oddly limited them to ones I'd emailed myself or uploaded to Blogger or possibly Instagramed. No idea why it has such limitations, because if it was more open I would totally use it for collages a lot! Oh, wells!

Suzie

With being so sick I haven't taken any photos lately but I did work on a mystery box reveal video for my blog today. 

March 24, 2015

Jamie

Well, that's the first time we've all been so quiet here under the willow tree! I'm continuing to enjoy the amazing bouquet my interns sent. I could take a million pictures each day as the tulips shift and change write before my eyes! I've come to love this beautiful flower!

Shannon
Monday was a really, really long day. One which I forgot to take a lot of pictures (oopsies). Funny how that happens. But it did all start with Morning Pages, and I am keeping up with the little drawings but I might forgo them as last few have been uninspired. Maybe I'll keep at if for another week and see how it feels then.

March 23, 2015

Jamie

I love Art Day! This week we decided to be more free form about what we were creating. I was glad to get to my found flowers painting, even though I'm still working on the result, and it was fun to start another wire adventure with this little one!

Shannon
Art Day! I've been wanting to do some drawing and this week that happened! I drew a Christmas Cactus again and again..and again! This is one of my faves of the drawings. I find I like doing the contour/outline drawings, they feel really great for getting a nice definitive shape. But I like creating the actual shape with shading, and then I don't like it as outline-y. This one felt the most successful at getting the best of both approaches.

March 21, 2015

Shannon
Wing Wisdom! I was happy to get this fortune, and I really hope it speaks the truth. I'm not always the best at intuition. I have a good radar for when to say No, but not as good of a one for when to dive in and say Yes. I think it's a bit rusty and needs some WD-40!

March 20, 2015

Jamie 

Though it doesn't look like it in this picture, there's definitely still snow and a chill in the air but there are also signs of spring - like this robin, catching pics of cats in the hood and a new haircut! I am ready for this new season!

Shannon
FINALLY! It's Spring. I really hope the weather stays clear, and steers clear of being cold out there. Still over a week of March but I'm going to be optimistic for good weather from here on in.

 

Suzie

Thursday was extreme rest day. Reg even went out and bought us lunch and dinner. I took this photo a couple of days ago. I love how one magnolia tree is light pink and the one closer to us is a darker pink. It was smart to rest all day. It's helping.

March 19, 2015

Jamie

What a brilliant surprise yesterday to receive this glorious bouquet of flowers from my interns, Juli, Ginny & Kim!! I just sat on the stairs for a while with a soft and tender heart feeling so moved and loved and connected. Their card included a note to "Now, go write!" and somehow that was the last bit of magic to fall into place. I am committed. Now is the time. I am writing a book.

Shannon
Tough day. Got through a bunch of phone calls that had piled up (why do they take so much energy?). Anyhow, got most of the answers I need including that it's not good to let them pile up. Things take time, so starting the process as soon as you can is always the best way to go.

Suzie

I finally made dumplings! Took me two days to get everything together but nothing cheers me up more than dumplings. Time to take a foodie break though. Gotta focus my energy on healing.

March 18, 2015

Jamie 

Yesterday was dedicated to my poetry workshop. I've got almost everything together except the videos, which I intend to film today. I have absolutely loved getting back in touch with poetry - and helping other people get back to it too! What a blessing!

Shannon
It always feels weird to be back up in the old neighbourhood, especially with how much it's changed. It was nice that the weather was okay out there, but I was suprized to see the pine-y scented bushes were cut wayyyyyyyyyy back. I don't know if they grow a lot every year, or I usually seem them under show in March, but it was crazy to see them so short (they are a little ahead and to the left).

Suzie

I was actually warm when I went out for a short walk yesterday. Reg didn't even wear a jacket. I did and was over-heating. I love it! Still sick but had to pick up some supplies. Did a lot of resting and even some paperwork which I have been avoiding forever. I ended up saying no to a potentially big project idea and know it was the right choice. I have no energy to give away, especially for free. Feeling much better about my choice now and hopefully I'll also feel physically better soon.

March 17, 2015

Jamie

One of the assignments in The Conscious Booksmith course that I'm taking is to create a vision board for your book.I am so glad that I settled in and took some time to do this. I learned a lot about what it wants to be, why it matters, who it's for and what I need in order to bring it to life. This thing's getting real!

Shannon
I have been getting worried that I wouldn't make it through my March Book to Film Challenge choice (Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy), given I was about 5% though by GoodReads calculation and it's halfway through the month. I realized to read it before the end of the month, I could either give it up or choose not to read it as intensely as I was with taking notes, pulling new words, quotes etc. I choose to let the notes go and just read it. Of course, I always like to provide some achievement-driven incentive so I made this ticker-tape like thermometer counter for the chapters I've read. The moment I finished it I realized that's not a good idea for when you are on Chapter 4 and there are 56 chapters. It was cool to learn the Roman Numerals for 40-56, but man, I might have shot myself in the foot on this one.

Suzie

I cleared my week of all obligations, including my talk with my sleep doctor. It is time to put things like my donut t-shirt first! Well it was a symbolic gesture. I really haven't been able to focus on fun stuff and even though I feel crappy, I still managed to find time to work with puff paint and make some videos including this unboxing of a Random House cookbook. I may feel like crap but at least I can try and have some fun.

March 16, 2015

Jamie

For this week's Art Day we got back to painting. I could really feel the difference it has made with my energy and confidence that we've been doing this regularly for a year now. I feel so much more grounded and ready to play!

Shannon
One of my favourite little vignettes from art day was list little flowerbox. I didn't even really plan it, which made it really funny that it happened. Especially given I don't think of myself as a flowerbox kind of person. At least I don't have to water these ones!

Suzie

I took this photo days ago, last time I was outside. This little bird house is in a tree in our backyard. After getting food poisoning I have been dealing with coming down with a cold. My immunity is super low because of the lack of sleep so of course I get sick and finally rest. I think living without naps might be seriously hurting me. Next step is to try melatonin and if that doesn't work I am going back to napping because I can't stand being sick anymore.

March 15, 2015

Shannon
I thought it would be fitting for random to be proof of how Mr. Man changes the time on my clock radio. CAUGHT!

March 14, 2015

Shannon
Given it was Friday the 13th I added a little drawing to my Morning Pages thingy that I Instagram. I might try and keep this up, in a light way, to do a little drawing to start the day because I really want to draw more. But I have to be okay with it being light, and recycling the paper. We'll see how it goes!

Suzie

I spent most of Friday just recovering from being sick. A lot of it in bed but I did get to add some beads to my donut shirt while listening to your latest vlogs Shannon. :)

March 13, 2015

Shannon
Journalling out with a coffee and a scone (pear/ginger). It's soooo nice to journal out, with the weather finally letting it up I was so happy to take the opportunity to do this. And I hope to again. And again!

Suzie

Yesterday was ROUGH! Although reading The Big Leap (thanks for mentioning it in your video Jamie) was awesome. Sadly, the person I was supposed to meet ended up being very late so we missed each other. I came home feeling terrible and then last night got very sick. Might have been the flu but I think it was food poisoning. GRRR. Ironically last night was the first real night of sleep I have had in a long time. I prefer not to go to such awful lengths next time to sleep through the night.

March 12, 2015

Jamie 

It was lovely to go to choir with the weather a little kinder! It was a great night of singing a fantastic arrangement of Don't You Forget About Me by Simple Minds. Of course we finished with the Breakfast Club fist in the air! A great way to end an evening!

 

Shannon
I did another go at the new style of eyeliner on the water line and I'm really liking it. I wonder if I can find an easier way to do it, but so far I'm loving the effect. This could totally be my new look. And I might finally be able to wear eyeshadow that's seen even at the times I'm not blinking!

Suzie

We are back to our dark, moody and rainy weather here in Vancouver. Which for Reg suffering brutally with allergies, is a huge relief. I did not let the rain get in the way of my walk and went to the library. I actually got a lot done today including at least four loads of laundry. Today was a good day.

March 11, 2015

Jamie

It was so nice to head out to guitar class in not crazy cold weather! We had a good time in class and then headed out for a drink and stumbled into some great music! We bought Clela's CD and had a lovely chat with her after the show. I came home with some great music and memories!

 

Suzie

I only took one photo on Tuesday and it was on McDonald's decaf coffee at my Superstore. Reg loves their regular coffee and I have been complaining over and over to them that they should make decaf and they do now! They also have espresso. So awesome chatting with you both yesterday and thanks again for being so understanding about my sleep and everything!

March 10, 2015

Jamie

Seven degrees and the sun was shining so Justin and I went out for a pre-dinner walk. What a treat! No hat, no gloves and an open jacket. Plus I got my first Cat in the Hood picture (lol, and she was on a car hood) of 2015 and saw the first robin of the year! Wooohooo!! I am ready for spring.

Shannon
It was nice to have a SUNNY and WARM day. By warm I mean above zero, and although I was scarf-ed and toque-ed up, I didn't wear my jacket. It's going to be like this all week. FINALLY!



Had a super rough day but managed to upload Reg's performance and add music.

March 9, 2015

Jamie

Art Day was really something else yesterday! We played with an entirely different kind of exercise - creating wire and fibre-wrapped animals. I felt like I was in Jim Henson's Creature Shop!! I'm really surprised by my creation (I'll share on stART) and I could see how I would absolutely get imaginatively caught up in this process. I kept being a bit overwhelmed by what could get exciting here!

Shannon
The craziness of Art Day! I didn't know where this one would go, and it was certainly a challenging one for me. I love 3D but I don't feel very strong in actually doing it in terms of the know-how. It was really wild seeing it take on a life of it's own.

Suzie

This weekend was Reg's kung fu school's tournament. He got to do the awards announcements and perform. I did video of his performance which I will share on Facebook soon. For now, here is Sifu Vicki doing Tai Chi, she was amazing too!