digital sketch: sun

Here is a sun graphic I drew today for an upcoming promotion at work. I'll post some free beading inspired wallpaper with this artwork once it's ready for your downloading pleasure.

jamaican bus ride

Our Jamaican bus ride has got a lot of inquiries from friends and family so, here goes ...

Why did you book a plane trip to Kingston instead of Montego Bay? Our flight to Mexico was booked on Delta for Kelly & Joe's wedding. Swine flu hit and the wedding plans changed to Jamaica. Delta flights to Montego Bay from Phoenix where sold out except for first class making the flight double our original investment. Not something we could afford. Kingston however was the same price as Mexico. So, Kingston it was.

How wasthe Kingston airport? It was ok, not as tourist orientated as Montego Bay. It was our first point of entry into the country so we had to go through immigration and customs there. No AC and took about 2 hours.

Why a bus? Traveling from Kingston to Montego Bay we had a choice of flying Air Jamaica for $350 each way or taking the Knutsford Express bus for $35 each way. You do the math ;)

Was it safe? The Knutsford Express is a commuter bus that runs 2-3 times a day to and from Kingston and Montego Bay. We learned about it on TripAdvisor, checked out the company website as well as read many positive reviews online. There was a security guard at the bus stop. When we arrived at the Kingston there were cabs waiting there to pick you up and bring you to your next destination. We traveled safely and would recommend it.

Okay, so how was the bus ride? It was great! I mean it was still a bus after all but, that aside the seats were comfortable and we felt safe during the ride. We were on the bus for about 3.5 hours with one rest stop at Ochos Rios. I enjoyed seeing so much of Jamaica. We rode along the coast from Montego Bay to Ochos Rios and then headed south through the mountainous island down to Kingston.

Here are some highlights ...

When passing through Ochos Rios, we saw all the school children in their uniforms walking to school. It was a rare glimpse into everyday life.

10 minute Rest Stop at Ochos Rios Jerk Center.

Driving through the rolling hills of St. Ann Jamaica, you will come up on this lush green paradise of fern, known as Fern Gully. As its name suggests it meanders down (or up) a hill side covered in fern. It is a beautiful oasis.

We drove through gorgeous mountain villages. This picture is of Walkerswood, Jamaica.

We saw a bustling Kingston during morning rush hour.

Signs from Jamaica's safe driving campaign ... aren't they funny?!

an open heart

An Open Heart: Practicing Compassion in Everyday Life by Dalai Lama XIV

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book was right up my alley. It is a great book to turn to for advice about compassion in your daily life. After reading Yoga Body, Buddha Mind I was interested in learning more about Buddhism. This is my first read by Dalai Lama. He's good at explaining overall Buddhist principles. The Dalai Lama's explanation about compassion, meditation, the mind/body connection, as well as what karma is and how it affects this life and the next are all worth learning. Compassion in everyday life is not common practice in our western society however, it is something we all should be reminded of and will lead to an enriched life.


View all my reviews.

gratitude journal - week 2

Continuing on my journaling journey for happiness, here are some things I have been grateful for in week 2 ...

• yoga ~ my mood, balance and well being are better for it
• chirping ~ sitting quietly and listening to birds converse
• sundays ~ there is something peaceful about sundays that makes me happy
• golf ~ i enjoy when Bert does something fun just for himself
• surprises kisses ~ from Ethan and Hudson on separate occasions!
• freedom ~ thank you to the many men and women that risk their lives for us
  
• dropping a size ~ moving on down to a large instead of x-large!
• healthy children ~ having them be alive and well is a blessing
• mama support ~ the support system we moms have in one another is priceless

gratitude journal - week 1

As you may know, I began my gratitude journal last week. I plan to journal for 30 days. I have a small book next to my bed and I jot down 5 things I am grateful for each night. Some days it's easy to note 5 things; some days not so much. If I really can't get 5 I settle at 3 or 4. I would rather not try and force gratitude just to get to 5 things but, I do think on it a bit before settling for less. I wanted to share some of my favorite entries.

Last week some things I have been grateful for are ...

• my family ~ Bert, Ethan and Hudson I love you so
• sharing a hobby with the kids ~ like making model race cars
  
• baby snuggles ~ with Hudson and Chloe were oh so sweet
• the way Bert looks at me ~ he always makes me feel beautiful
• creativity ~ the ability to express my pain and joy creativity leave me forever grateful
  
• bedtime stories ~ my most favorite memories are made then
  
• lizard push ups ~ Bert & watched outside our window and had us a good laugh
• laughter ~ loud laughs, belly giggles, snorting in all
• videos of our kids ~ having snip its of them in action is awesome
• rain ~ so beautiful and much needed; rain cleanses my soul
• coats in spring ~ Ethan insisted on his coat & hat to play in the rain & it was 95 degrees out!
• lazy mornings in bed ~ being silly before starting our day
• outbursts of happy energy ~ by none other then mister Hudson

This has been a great exercise so far. It is helps me see what things make me happy each and every day. It will help me focus my life on those things that are important to me.

loving thoughts

In loving memory of Nyah Shanti Mar.
December 6, 2006 to May 21, 2009.

Beautiful little Nyah, may the sweetest memories of you shine through the sadness. I created this drawing as a way to express my feelings and give a gift of loving thoughts to her family.

The flower is a pansy which signifies "loving thoughts". Pansies have long been flowers of remembrance. They are also a symbol of togetherness and union, and perhaps this is why they are so appropriate for remembering those who have passed from our lives. Keep pansies around you when you wish to remember the fond memories and kindnesses of loved ones.

weekly reflection

To gain awareness of all the things that make life great I joined Serene Journey in starting a gratitude journal. The second I read about the gratitude journal I knew I needed to keep one. I want myself and our family to live a simpler and more enjoyable life. Seeing the good in life creates a shift in thinking to the positive. Gratitude makes us happier.

What is a gratitude Journal? Here is how Serene Journey defines it:

A gratitude journal is simply a journal you use to capture gratitude. It can be sexy and luxurious or as plain and simple as you want it to be. You can use a simple notebook, some white paper or a diary.
Once you have something to write in you will write 5 things that you are grateful for that day. You can do this right before bed or in the evening sometime. These don’t have to be big earth shattering revelations, as most things you are grateful for are not. These entries are what matter to you and what you are grateful for. This is a very personal venture.

The only 2 rules with a gratitude journal are:

1. Everything in it must be positive and;
2. You can only list something you’re grateful for once - no repeating entries.

I have always kept a journal but, in the past I have used it as a way to vent frustrations, work through issues and occasionally record our lives. This journal is different. It will make me see what things make me happy each and every day. I began my gratitude journal this week. I have a small book next to my bed and I jot down 5 things I am grateful for each night.

If you are not keeping a journal like this I invite you to join me!

bridal party scrapbook

Kelly's maid of honor came up with the awesome idea of giving her a bridal party scrapbook.

She purchased a lovely scrapbook album and asked all of us bridesmaids to create 1 or 2 (12x12) scrapbook pages on our own. What we did was entirely up to us. The final pages were placed them in the album and we all presented it to Kelly at her bridal shower. It was a really thoughtful gift. Each person had totally unique ideas about how to create their pages. Some used old nostalgic photos, some recent photos, some were embellished with her destination wedding theme in mind, some were fun, some were heartfelt, but all were special.

Above is the 2 page spread I created. On the left I have little graphic bodies dancing with heads of me, Katie & Kelly. On the right I used 2 photos of the 3 of us taken at Kelly and Joe's Engagement party. I also placed a little envelope and a note inside with well wishes for Kelly & Joe.

It was such a nice way to say to Kelly, we love you.

just peachy

Me and Hudson in the peach tree

This weekend we headed out to Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek, Arizona for their peach festival. We didn't really partake in much of the festival as it was HOT and we mostly just went to take the kids on the hay ride and pick our own peaches! We picked 5 lbs. of organic peaches. Hudson seemed scared to pick them himself so, I held him and we picked together. I am not usually a peachy kind of gal but, this weekend I made a delicious peach crisp and 7 jars of homemade organic raspberry peach jam. That got me feeling just peachy!

Peach Crisp

This peach crisp was a very easy dessert made with wholesome pecans, granola and oats for the topping. I served it warm with vanilla ice cream. See peach crisp recipe.

Raspberry Peach Jam

This flavorful jam is wonderful on toast, pancakes or waffles and with desserts. Here's an easy tip I found for peeling peaches - boil water; put peaches in boiling water for 20-30 seconds; transfer to cold water and then easily remove the peel. See raspberry peach jam recipe.

kids art: vroom vroom

Vroom! Vroom!

No one enjoys crafts more than kids. Building projects gives them a chance to get their hands dirty and create something with meaning. Sharing a hobby with them can be loads of fun. Ethan and Hudson's eyes light up at the first sight of a crafty kit.

Ethan tagged along with me one day on a trip to Michael's - He couldn't believe all the cool stuff! Is it awful of me to be a creative mom and never bring my kids to a creative supply store?! In that moment I realized that yeah, he should come with me every so often. He found many things he wanted to make but, settled on a wooden race car kit. And, of course we had to get Hudson one too!

Today, we busted out the kits and the boys built their own race car, It was easy to assemble with just wood glue and simple instructions.

Hudson happily painting

Ethan painting with precision

Ethan with his car on the left : Hudson with his car on the right

For only a buck, this little kit brought them a lot of joy and they each made a model car that can be proudly displayed for all to see.