More Vacation....

Today we had a slow start... rain and cold weather still too... But this afternoon we had some time outside at the campsite, this is my view from the hammock, along with an old doll my sister found for me at a local antique store.. it will become some kind of something in an assemblage for sure..*L*








John and Jake did more fishing along with some of the other guys, and they caught a few more fish... fish heads, fish heads, roly poly fish heads....










Our camp dinner tonite was chinese food from the local restaurant.. yum!!!




Kasey and Janel did some photo editing around the campfire...



Josh roasted marshmallows and some of the adults played euchre.




Tomorrow we head home... watch, it will probably be in the 80's then! Just our luck!

Vacationing continues in the COLD Northland...

Yesterday, after a dismal day of cold weather, our family had the dinner detail - sloppy joes, chips, pickles, and fruit salad. Then we had knock down drag out fights, along with ice cream and candy treats for the kids, while the guys cleaned the fish they had caught earlier that day, (at least the guys went out in the canoe with a couple of the boys to fish earlier, but the rest of us didn't kayak at all...too cold, and rainy).







The kids were trying to catch paparazzi Kasey because she was ALWAYS taking their pictures!!








Since last night was another cold night, AND it was raining besides... (I don't think we've EVER had such crummy weather up here for a summer vacation!), my sister Peggy and I took a couple of kids in to the Moccasin Bar in downtown Hayward ... home of the worlds largest muskies (dead and stuffed in framed glass)...as well as other assorted animals in a variety of poses.




We had fun playing some of the bar games the bartenders set up for us to try... like getting that pickled egg from one shot glass to the other without touching it. Or getting the water in the glass to go to the bottom glass (Kasey did it!!), or moving a dollar bill out from under the upside down beer bottle without knocking it over. (I knew that one!).



And Hannah was offered $40 to eat just ONE of the pickled gizzards at the bar, but she wouldn't do it!! We stopped at another local bar, since it was named the same as a local one down by us, then headed back to the campsites... it wasn't even 10 p.m. yet, but it was rainy and cold, so we headed to bed! No roasted marshmallows...shucks!

So, today is more of the same... wondering what we'll do exciting today?
Guess I need to get out of bed and see...*L*

Campfire fun.... trying to stay warm!

So, tonite is an early night back at the cabin already, because it's SOOOO cold!

My BIL, Bill, had a great suggestion...someone should make swivel camping chairs, especially for nights like this! That way, when you are toasty warm in the front, but freezing on the back, all you have to do is swivel in the chair and voila!- your back gets warm too~! I think it's a GREAT idea!

Anyway... here are a few photos, and a short video clip from tonite... Kasey got some photos at the campfire and playground and maybe she'll post some on her blog later too? I missed the group that went to the casino tonight, but maybe tomorrow night if it's still cold we'll go?





Grandsons, Josh, Jeff and Jake eating icecream in the hammock with their Dad... I guess kids enjoy ice cream no matter HOW cold it is outside!

Is this our WINTER Vacation??

The tempuratures keep dropping here in Hayward.... but we did get in a little time outdoors today at Nelson Lake before heading back to the cabin to get warmed up..(THANK GOD FOR THE HEATER!!) and to take a looooong nap...ahhhh... So before heading down to the other campsites for dinner, here are some more photos for your viewing pleasure..*L*

The guys caught a few fish at Nelson Dam ... we didn't stick around long there, too cold and windy for us!

Janel unleashed the dog and the kids and they took off in all directions! *haha*



These driftwood things looked like a fish and an octopus to me..*L*









Jake pulling in a BIG one... and John-John trying to get a bite!



Need any extra lures, bobbers or hooks??





Granddog Buck back at the kids camper...






.......time for dinner... wish I'd brought my WINTER coat!!

Freezing in Hayward...brrrrrrr ... where is the SUN??

Okay...so the guys are off fishing ... it's waaaay too cold to kayak, I didn't bring a wetsuit! sheeeeeesh..*L* They guys must be toughing it out with that "antifreeze" stuff they drink, eh? *G*

Sooo, it's relaxing day for some of us...some went off to the Harry Potter movie intown, since there is NO sun out today and about 50 degrees...brrrrrrrrr.

Some of us were sitting around listening to songs... and singing along.. I'll have to edit this post and show parts of that later..*L*

But for now... it's off to meet the guys for lunch... bringing a sandwich along incase they didn't catch any fish... and wearing SOCKS with sandals... a fashion faux pas fer sure! *L*

VACATION!!

Our annual family canoe/kayak/camping vacation has begun! Actually it started yesterday, we left by 10 a.m. and arrived in Hayward by 4 p.m. ... after unloading the stuff into the cabin (we rented a two room cabin this year - ahhh luxury!! - but I still miss the motorhome!), and after arranging things, we headed to the campsites where the rest of the family were camped out at. (only 25 of us could make it this year, and the rest of them have campers & tents).

It got dang cold last nite...brrrrrrrrrrrr ... I am thankful for the heater in the cabin! Even the campfire didn't keep me warm last nite!

So, this moring we are deciding on where to go...guys are fishing, some are canoeing and kayaking, some are staying at the campsite...

More photos later.... here are some of our cabin suite!







Hey, don't judge me here, it's five o'clock SOMEWHERE ya know! *G*








We made the most of the two room cabin by bringing along a "toilet", a small refrigerator, coolers, microwave, and of course our computers..*L*

Okay...off to enjoy the day! Hope it warms up!

Apocalypse - addition to this found object assemblage

Okay...this seems to be getting to be a habit with me lately... I think I've finished a piece, and after taking photos and looking at it more, I find I need to add things... which is what I did to this one.

I thought the space between the angel and the bones, etc. was too much, so I added hands coming out from the bones...

I think it's a good addition, and it has a symbolic meaning too... let me know the revelations YOU may see in this piece.

Apocalypse - found object assemblage

Apocalypse (Greek: "lifting of the veil" or "revelation") is a term applied to the disclosure to certain privileged persons of something hidden from the majority of humankind. The introduction of Angels as the bearers of the revelation is a standing feature in the Bible.

At least four types or ranks of angels are mentioned in biblical scripture: the Archangels, Angels, Cherubim and the Seraphim.



God may give instructions through the medium of these heavenly messengers, and who act as the seer's guide. God may also personally give a revelation, as is shown in the Book of Revelation through the person of Jesus Christ. The book of Genesis speaks of the "Angel" bringing forth the apocalypse.



The lore of the apostle Matthew speaks of the day when the angel's tears will rain like fire down upon the Earth and clear away all of the evil, and is implied as humanity. (see more from Wikipedia)

If you have some time, read the book of Revelation, you'll see many symbolic items in this piece... let me know what revelation you see in this found object assemblage.

Torso Steampunked - the beginning...

I bought this torso a few months ago, it's been sitting on a table in my living room, where I have been thinking of different ways I could use it or alter it. It looks like it's covered in leather, but infact it's more like a plether covering (a kind of plastic like leather look).

I've added a gauge to the top of the torso as the head. I am just in the beginning stages of steampunking this more.. but for now it's back sitting on the table waiting for more inspirational ideas.

A Thai Adventure - check out my friend's blog!

Some good friends of ours are on a wonderful teaching & vacation adventure in Thailand for 8 weeks. They have been posting some great photos and wonderful comments about things they've seen and experienced so far... very interesting, wonderful people they've met and great photos! Check it out ... Ron & Susanne's Thai Adventures

New & Improved... tweaking some assemblage pieces...

Today I received a beautiful brass statue from shopgoodwill.com ..it's a little girl standing on a chair holding a shoe in one hand... when I saw it I thought it would go well with my "Goody 2 Shoes" box, so I was happy when I got the winning bid!

I took out one shelf and cut it in half, then had to cut down the legs about a half inch, drilled holes in the bottom of the cabinet to set the statue in, and replaced the half shelf. Here is the new and improved "Goody 2 Shoes".


I also took the advice of my friend Maggie, who suggested I add an Amanita Muscaria (red poisonous mushroom with white dots) to my Alice's Wonderland shadow box.
Here is what I used for the big mushroom ...



And here it is finished ...with two smaller white "mushrooms" next to it (drawer pulls).


Thanks for the great idea Maggie!!

The Knave of Hearts (found object assemblage)

The Knave of Hearts Stole the Tarts.
This is the dark side of Alice's Wonderland...maybe I should say it's from Alice's Bizarroland? *L*
This knave of hearts is a real CAD, having stolen and tied up these "tarts", taking them to a destination unknown ... looks to be a full house there though, eh? *G*

The Cost of Freedom (found object assemblage)

I found an old whiskey decanter that I filled with pieces of toy soldiers and flags, along with some bullet fragments. I had the Uncle Sam bank - I added some more soldiers to Uncle Sam's hand and to the purse...and voila! An installation is born.

I am thankful (but saddened) for their sacrifice, and I wonder if those who make the decisions to go to war or into a conflict actually realize the REAL costs of their decisions?

New & Improved Feline Shrine

Thanks to a suggestion from my brother, I've added a bird cage with a lone feather inside to this assemblage I posted yesterday. I also added a scepter that the cat lady is holding... Thanks Jer!! Great idea, it makes it even better I think!

(Here's the info on this incase you don't see it from yesterday's post) Feline Shrine (found object assemblage). Here are some things I've put together to make a shrine of sorts. It can be used to store your dearly departed cat's things or remains ...on top is a little ceramic box that opens for storing cremated ashes or a favorite hairball your cat may have coughed up..*G* There is also a little bottle/jar with a cork top on the bottom which could be used for your kitty clippings or teeth even. On the bottom is a drawer to store your feline's favorite collar or toy. The painting was one I found at Good Will and I embellished with a necklace for the cat lady and a crown for the cat. A winged number 9 (for cat's nine lives) and a framed portrait on the side of another cat, a porcelain cat with a beaded collar sits on the shelf with the jar labeled "memories". A must have shrine for yer favorite feline!

Feline Shrine (found object assemblage)

I really am not fond of cats... however these items were too good to pass up and just seemed to go together to make a shrine of sorts. It can be used to store your dearly departed cat's things or remains ...on top is a little ceramic box that opens for storing cremated ashes or a favorite hairball your cat may have coughed up..*G* There is also a little bottle/jar with a cork top on the bottom which could be used for your kitty clippings or teeth even. On the bottom is a drawer to store your felines favorite collar or toy.



The painting was one I found at Good Will and I embellished with a necklace for the cat lady and a crown for the cat. A winged number 9 (for cat's nine lives) and a framed portrait on the side of another cat, a porcelain cat with a beaded collar sits on the shelf with the jar labeled "memories". A must have shrine for yer favorite feline!

Happy 4th!!

Gramma & Josh's feet...relaxing day.




Grandkids & friends, jumping for joy!





It was a good day to reflect on and celebrate our freedoms ...

We had a great day at son and DIL's John and Janel summer place, (Jellystone campground). We had lunch, and dinner, enjoyed an afternoon sitting and talking and watching others in the campground, playing with the grandsons and having a relaxing day.

Kasey was busy with her photo taking, as usual, so here are some of her photos that show things we experienced today...very cool ones too!!

Kaine had fun throwing & catching the kids. Josh really got thrown high in this one! *L* Jeff as a vampire... Son, John and me.
Jeff's amazing ball spinning talents..*L*



And Jake eating a spider??...ewwww...











And we got home just in time to catch some of the fireworks from our backyard.

Fun Weekend Upnorth with Friends.

Fixing the pier dock and the view of the cabin from the lake.


We had a wonderful long weekend 3 hours north with friends Sue and Randy at Randy's cabin. Spent Thurs. night to Sunday night away, having fun, enjoying the weather, the cabin, the lake and friends. John and Randy did some repairs and improvements while we were there, Sue and I did some cleaning, reading, sitting in the sun, napping, and more too.


We went to a wonderful Memorial called The Highground War Memorial in Neillsville, WI. Here are some photos from the visit. A wonderful yet somber tribute to our veterans.



There are names engraved on the chimes of those who lost their lives in the Vietnam War.



Many of the memorials were tributes to the native americans who fought in the wars too.






Fun on the boat, touring the lake, enjoying the sun.











Jet, Randy's dog, enjoyed the weekend too!

Happy Father's Day

This weekend Kaine & Jorden came home on Saturday, and they both will be here a few days... Kaine until Monday, and Jorden until Wed. It's been fun so far having them both here!!
Today was a great day for Father's Day... and for the beginning of Summer too! A hot day, in the mid 80's, sunny, and fun times!

I started my morning early, up at 6:30 to start baking 2 rhubarb cakes (Jorden, Kaine, Kasey & John all still sleeping)...by 6:45 Jorden was awake, everyone else still sleeping, so she "helped" me.. ha! John was up by 7 so I was able to get the cakes in the oven soon after that. (One for the pie/cake raffle at Church, one for John & family to eat at home.)

Time to play with Jorden, make her some breakfast, and peel some potatoes to boil for the crock pot roasts I had made the night before for the Father's Day Brunch at Church.

Then it was rushing around trying to get things done and ready to head to Church. It was a good Father's Day Brunch, still don't think I like the later Church time however (10 a.m. instead of 9 a.m.) because it gets us out over an hour later too.

Back home for Jorden to take a nap before heading out to Dad and Mom's for a Father's Day weenie roast with my side of the family, but first it was time to dip about 60 strawberries in chocolate to take along. Yum!! (They were devoured within 10 minutes of getting there!)



It was a fun time at Dad and Mom's ... Kaine & Jorden shot hoops between the big boys games.


John-John and his boys, Jake, Josh & Jeff posed with Grandpa John and my Dad (Papa) for a 4 generation photo.





Grandpa John & Kasey both had fun with Jorden.





And Jorden had fun with Big Red, who just wanted to sleep in the shade ..






And then...it was time to come home, Kaine went to a movie with his girlfriend, we played & laughed a lot with Jorden, then it was some dinner & then bath time for Jorden before bed. ... a looooong day, tiring, but a great one!!


I am thankful for MY Dad, and all the men in my life...Happy Father's Day!

Alice's Wonderland assemblage

Hooray! I received the lucky rabbit feet I'd been waiting for in the mail today... so I was able to complete this assemblage.

Alice, a vintage marionette puppet, holding an old skeleton key, is suspended in the shadow box that I painted and stained red & dark walnut. On the outside of one side is an old brass door handle, with a mirror (looking glass) insert.


The back inside of the shadowbox I've put a reproduction of a tin sign that reads, "The White Rabbit Saloon". Also added is a framed picture of the Cheshire Cat on the tin sign, but it's behind Alice and doesn't show much. On one side wall are 4 white rabbit feet and on the floor are numerous bottles, that are labeled "Drink Me". The Dormouse also hides behind some of those bottles.

Maybe this should be titled "Alice's Nightmare" instead ... obviously, something has gone terribly wrong, Alice must have drank too much in the Saloon (as evidenced by the empty bottles), and she is aghast at what must have been the demise of the White Rabbit since his feet are hanging on the wall.



The Dormouse, one of the characters from the story of Alice in Wonderland appears to be hiding behind her, as the Cheshire Cat (which can't really be seen in these photos) smiles menacingly in the framed picture.

Some cool found objects for use in future assemblages...

After the grandsons left this afternoon I went uptown to the local antique mall and then to Good Will again to see if I could find a few things.. I was looking for a mushroom a brass one, or a paper weight one with lots of colors - didn't find one...BUT I DID find some other cool things I couldn't pass up...

This & That - Freaky & Cute - Grandsons & Art Progressing

My Thursday became Grandson Day today when a sitter was needed for the 3 boys.. I worked for a couple of hours, EARLY, before they arrived, and from home after they were here, then we pretty much played and ate the rest of the time they were here.

We came home with Happy Meals and went to eat them on the back deck when we discovered a BAT sitting on the railing near the steps. What on earth a BAT is doing out in full sunlight I have NO idea? I threw some things at it and it moved a little but didn't fly away at all. We snuck past it and ate our lunches on the deck only to have some irate sparrow come about 4 feet from us and started to chirp madly at us. The birds in the bush next to the deck were going nuts too chirping up a storm, usually by noon they are pretty quiet, but something must have been going on with them?? Freaky! John and son John came home about an hour later and the bat had moved to the sidewalk, near the corner of the house ...so John scooped it up with a shovel and took it to the back of the yard and threw it into the bushes, it fluttered up in the air for a second before flying down into the bushes ... *shudders*, hope it doesn't crawl back up here!



The boys also pulled out some of the costumes to dress up in, they are getting smaller and smaller on them, I'll have to look for others at Good Will for them since they're getting bigger...I could barely get the cow costume off Jeff..*L*

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So, I am slowly progressing on two assemblages ...
I am waiting on some lucky rabbit feet I bought on EBay to add to the Alice's Wonderland piece...but here are some portions of what I have done so far.





And here is part of what I am temporarily calling Redeemed II - not sure what I'll title it when it's finished... and not sure these pieces will stay exactly like this either, but I do like these elements together so far.
MORE TO COME....

Membership Privileges III Assemblage - Free Wine Tasting

Membership DOES have it's privileges, eh? *S*
I've done several of these, all a bit different, but with the same theme. A framed cork assemblage I found and took out some of the corks, added the Last Supper sculpture, some grapes, scrabble letters, put it on a base, and tahh dahh! I may add a wine cork remover if I can find a cool one later on for on the top...we'll see.

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Oh, and here's some progress on the shadow box frame that will eventually house my Alice's Wonderland assemblage ... I painted it red, sanded it down and have now stained it with a dark walnut stain, and am in the process of of putting some polycrylic finish on it before continuing with adding the back, etc. (This is it just after sanding it)
I also bought some natural-look lucky rabbit feet on EBay to use in this assemblage as well... it may be a kind of bad girl Alice I'll be portraying? *L*

MORE TO COME....

Alice's WonderLand...the beginning of something...

I have a few really cool found objects I've been collecting, and am in the beginning stages of putting them together ... here is just some of what will be in an upcoming assemblage. The main found object in it is a cool vintage Alice in Wonderland marionette puppet, and for the background of the shadow box is a tin reproduction of an advertising sign for The White Rabbit Saloon, the old brown bottle (which will eventually have a "Drink Me" label) is one my husband found in our garage when we bought the home we live in 35 years ago.

There is an old door handle that I think I'll put a mirror insert into (kind of a thru the looking glass entrance handle)... and I want to find a few vintage characters from Wonderland, Queen of hearts, Cheshire cat, maybe a few lucky rabbit feet too?? *L*

Anyway...I'm about to paint and stain the shadowbox to house it all ...
More to come...

Work In Progress....

I've been working on getting the sky scene background (inside the box frame) how I wanted it for the last 10 days or more.. I found the frame at Good Will a year or so ago, and recently had John make me a box so I could put this dear distressed black doll in it, with antler wings (which I am thinking of cutting to fit better as wings, but before I go and do that, I want to make SURE) ... it's just resting in the box right now, I finally think I have the background the way I want it, and the frame needs to be secured to the box yet.

I've made the outside of the box match the frame pretty good too .. and put satin finish polycrylic on the inside and outside of the box.
So now I can play around with the contents and what else I want to go with my "little distressed angel". I was thinking of calling it Redeemed II , but not sure if that's the direction I want to take or not?



Anyway.. I have old door handles, or decorative old distressed things that COULD be a part of it.. decisions, decisions... I'll be adding things in the next few days, stepping back, looking at it for an hour or two, or a day or two before deciding on affixing things permanently.

MORE TO COME...

Grandson Day... 4 Year Old Kindergarten Graduation

This morning was a nice program at grandson Josh's school for his 4 year old kindergarten. Here is the proud "graduate".

And here is part of one of the cute songs they did... Josh shows up in part of this, but for the most part a taller girl was in front of him, she looks like a 4th grader compared to him.. haha.



Congrats Josh!! We're proud of you!

This Little Piggy Stayed Home - Assemblage

This is a whimsical found object assemblage inspired somewhat by some surgery my Dad had last week.
My dad had the toe next to his big toe on one of his feet removed. It had been broken several times and arthritis was making it so it would bend under the other toes and was affecting his feet in various ways. So, they amputated it. If you are at all familiar with the nursery rhyme where you wiggle the toes of a baby or child it was the toe that would have been "the little piggy that stayed home".
As in...
This little piggy went to market...
This little piggy stayed home...
This little piggy had roast beef...
This little piggy had none...
And This little piggy went wee-wee-wee, all the way home.

My dad offered to give me his toe to use for one of my assemblages, but I declined that gruesome offer.. *L*

Buddha Vane Assemblage

"You're so VANE, BUDDHA, you probably think this piece is about you, don't you, don't you?" (apologies to Carly Simon..heh heh)
Buddha Vane, an assemblage using parts from a rod iron weather vane, where formerly a rooster sat on top, now the head of a buddha is on top.

Four arms attached next to the N., S., E. & W. letters rotate along with the head of buddha and can fully spin. The framed heart shadow box with a small brass buddha on top is stationary on the 4 footed base of the buddha vane.

I may add something to the back side of the framed heart, not sure what yet...?

Grandson Day - Visit to Fire Station

Friday is our grandson day! Jeff had been asking Grandpa John to take him to the fire station, so this afternoon John finished early and took him to see the trucks. All kids must love to be able to climb up and try out the trucks, Jeff was no exception.



Although John is no longer able to do much on the fire department, (since his accident where he broke his back almost 2 years ago), his locker and equipment are still there, so Jeff had fun trying on his hat too.

Thanks Grandpa John!!

War Babies Assemblage

This is a sad one, because it's every parents nightmare ... thinking of our sons and daughters (our babies) going off to war, and praying they come back alive and well, and soon,... and that we don't have to have a memorial like this one to them.



And here is the assemblage used in an installation of things I have... PEACE

Pentecost Celebration

Today we celebrated Pentecost at Church. The Christian feast of Pentecost (from the Greek word pentekoste, meaning fiftieth) is celebrated fifty days after Easter and ten days following the Ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven. It is also call Whitsunday (White Sunday) in some churches, because of the white baptism garments worn by those who are to be baptised.
It commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit into the lives of the disciples as related in the Bible, in the Book of Acts, Chapter 2, verses 1 - 6.


The coming of the Holy Spirit into the lives of the disciples so strengthened them that they were said to have baptized three thousand people that day. Pentecost is thus known as the "birthday of the Church", because it was the presence and power of God, the Holy Spirit, that transformed them so.



We celebrate with lively worship & hymns, balloons, pinwheels for the kids, kites, and dove or balloon releases, also cake and treats following the service.
Here are some photos from today's celebration at our Church. Many were taken by my daughter, KaseyK Photo.
A few were taken by me.