Painting Love

Spunky.

Most of my earliest memories involved my pony.

So it only seemed fitting to paint my sweet pony at the "Paint Your Pet Class."

Not surprisingly, I was the only one without a dog to paint...

Yep, I just like to march to my own beat.

Plus, I had already painting my Murphy, so of course I needed one of Spunky too. 

Or two, since they sketched out two different perspectives for me.  I purchased the second one so that I can paint it later for my mom.

A "Painting Your Pet" class couldn't be complete without a pet, especially an adorable pup.

And of course, it wouldn't be a fabulous class without loving dog humans, archiving their own pets. 

Looks great Vicki! 

I think he turned out well.

Of course, with the subject being one of my favorite animals,

I adore everything about this painting.

Thank you so much Vine Gogh for another amazing painting adventure.

I'll be back soon.

Vine Gogh

www.vinegogh.com

Get more potassium.

That was what my doctor said.

I've been low in potassium for a few years now. 

I know.

Eat a banana. 

Believe me, I try, but I don't like them.

A banana is the best, most convenient way to get the right amount daily potassium.  

But, it's a banana.

Sigh.

I love most fruit, but really don't like the texture of a banana.

Most of the time I find it either underripe or too ripe...either way it's gross.

But my doctor said that I have to, so I only have one solution...

Banana bread.

I love banana bread, so this could be an excellent solution to my deficiency. 

Banana Bread

Origin: unknown

(I've been using it for as long as I can remember.)

Servings: makes two 9x5 loaf pans

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar

2 eggs or 2 egg equivalent of Bob's Red Mill egg replacer

4-5 ripe bananas mashed

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon (or more)

2 cups flour

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. Prepare two loaf pans by lining them with parchment paper and then set aside.

3. Blend sugar, eggs, and bananas together.

4. Add oil and vanilla- blend well.

5. Add soda, baking powder, salt and flour, then blend until smooth.

6. Pour into prepared pans.

7. Bake for 50 minutes or until you insert a toothpick into the center and it comes out clean.

Enjoy your boost of potassium! 

This is definitely way better than eating a banana 

and my doctor will be proud of me too.

It was a BLAST!

I should apologize, because I think the snow is mostly my fault.

I know. I know.

It's not one person's fault, but I really, really wanted a snow day.

The problem was I forgot to mention that 

I just wanted one really awesome day...

Not an entire weekend!

Oh well, we didn't ask for it but we're so glad it's here!

At Murphy and I made the best of it.

In between baking cookies for Valentine's Day,
we played, 

and played, 

and played.

While heading out again for another round of frisbee fun, 

I heard a voice down the street.

It was a familiar sound...the type sound that I knew pretty well.

It was excitement and joy.

It was the sound of a kid, telling someone REALLY important things.

You see, the kid was talking nonstop. 

The dad was just listening, nodding, and encouraging the story

as they skied down the street.

All the way up and down the street the kid talked, and talked and talked.

Telling his dad all about something super important to this kids' world.

You see, as adults we sometimes forget that kids just want to be heard.

They want to tell us all about elements in their world.

The kid was smiling by the time he got to my house,

and I could see that he and his dad had been snowshoeing up and down the streets.

I imagine that the dad was a little reluctant to head out with his son, 

unsure if his kid could keep up and have fun.

But as soon as they got going, 

the dad knew that this adventure was going to be perfect.

It was just a kid and a his dad.

A simple memory being made...

I wondered if they knew that.

Maybe.

I'd say that is was just about perfect.

So if you're one of those people, but found the Arctic blast a little annoying, 

remember that for some kids this is their perfect time.

Time that they got to spend with their parents 

and undivided attention where other things weren't pulling them away.

To me sometimes I worry that families don't get enough time together,

with all of the distractions of technology and games and sports.

It seems like families are running around nonstop.

But on a snow day...

on a snow day, it's family time.

Time to go out and play.

Time together outside playing or just hanging out watching a movie. 

Sounds pretty perfect to me.

So thinking back,

I'm not sorry about praying for the snow.

In fact I'm pretty glad that it has lasting a few days.

It's a good reminder to spend time with those that you love. 

Murphy and I have no trouble with that.

Oh excuse me, I think let's play again.

Miss IO is here and ready to play.

See, this Artic Blast has been a blast for us...that's for sure.