6 years....

Here is a sketch i did in August 2001....it isnt a great sketch, so why did i post it? Because 6 years ago this month i was invited up to the black bear for the very first time. It was also, while i was visiting the black bear for the first time, that i rcvd a phone call from family...tumors were discovered in my fathers brain. Well, if you have read any of my blogs, you know the final outcome of those tumors...he battled cancer for 18 months before the tumors were too numerous to treat.

I find it interesting that that moment in my life was such a turning point on so many levels. Sorrow and Pain combined with Wonder and Joy...i cant believe it has been 6 years! In that moment i was reminded that my father wouldnt be here forever, and that his tumors could result in something tragic...I was also on a new relationship journey...one that would bring me to the mountains where i would start a family with a wonderful man.

I was left alone with my thoughts that evening, so i decided to wander down to the river and paint. i took out some watercolors and escaped to nature. My father loved the outdoors, and i knew he would love it up here. I often told him of this place, in hopes that he would come visit someday. He never did make the journey up here...he never got to meet his only granddaughter...he never even knew she was on the way. But in many ways it is because of him that i am up here.

The loss of my father reminded me that life is indeed too short...we never know how long we are going to be here, so it is important to live life while you can...these new thoughts helped me to take some chances in life...chances i might never had taken otherwise. And because of him i am living...not just surviving, but truly living! I thank you for your courage dad! Not a day goes by that i dont think of him, and when i sit by the river, i know he is there with Jordyn and i...all part of nature and there always!

i love you dad!
lisa

Life of a 13 Month Old......

The life of a 13 month old is rather busy...so much to discover...so much to see and do! Who has time to eat?

This morning started out with Baby Einsteins "baby shakespeare", while dining on Cherrios (most of which are all over the living room floor). Justin likes to call this the Cherrios land mine! We had a watermelon left over from Rogue Camp, so we cut that up and jordyn soon became a sticky ball of watermelon goo! She loves watermelon soo much, that she will eat the rind if given the chance! She probably ate 6 pieces...several bits of it being sacrificed to the Cherrios land mine, before we decided to go outside. It was an absolutely gorgeous morning, so we decided to take a swim in the river....Jordyn opted for nudity, while i spared the wildlife and wore a swimsuit :) It was much colder than it looked, so once our bodies became numb we decided to hop in a warm bath, complete with bubbles and rubber ducks! After being dried off and dressed in soft warm sweats, jordyn drifted off to the world of dreams.

An hour and a half later she woke up renewed and ready for action! We read several books, but "Danny the Duck" had several encores...followed by "big and little"....and then a Squeak Squeak book! Her nesting blocks were dragged out numerous times...each time i stacked them up and she knocked them down....never tiring of the result! She ate some more watermelon, and then we decided we should have lunch.....cheese bits...raspberries...and applesauce....followed by chicken alfredo.....hmmmmm! After a lunch like that we decided to stretch our legs, so we headed outside with the bubble wand and ball and played in the meadow. I blew bubbles, while Jordyn chased Lump (our cat)...climbed in and out of her kiddie pool(which was empty)....climbed on the playset...stomped thru my garden...tossed the ball around...and basically caused complete mayhem wherever she roamed!

I had chores to do inside, so we finally came in to wind down a bit and relax. While trying to eat my lunch, Jordyn decided she was hungry again, so i put some fish sticks in the toaster oven for her and set her up in her high chair. Again, she snacked on more watermelon while waiting for her dinner. Beep Beep Beep.....the fish sticks were done! Cut up and asembled on her tweety bird plate, she began to devour her crispy morsels. The plate was considered useless and tossed to the floor! While i was washing her dishes, i glanced over to see how her feast was going...well...with fish sticks still in hand and ketchup smeared on her lips, she had finally tired out and fell asleep on the spot! This is the first time she has ever fallen asleep at the dinner table....must have been a great day indeed!

What a great way to end the summer!

cheers!
lisajo

August Bday Quilt Block

Here is the latest quilt block for the bday swap...the theme was "summer" and for colors Vickie said "think south beach".....well, i hope she likes it...i had a fun time making it! Participating in the quilting exchange has been a lot of fun for me, and i am learning a lot of new things! These women are increadibly talented, and they are never out of great ideas! Im even inspired to try Paper Piecing soon...something i have been intimidated of until recently :) Well, hope you enjoy the block...ill post the June block and the July blocks (which is my month) soon, so stay tuned!
cheers!
lisajo

Rogue Camp 2007

Once again Rogues gathered among the trees, under the stars, for a harmonious evening of revelry and debauchery! The weather was perfect and so was the company! With daytrippers and campers we had roughly 50 guests...some novice Rogues, but mostly seasoned Rogues...which helps make Rogue Camp run itself :) The potato gun made an appearance, as did the glow stix and mad hatter tea party....but the darbucket was no where in site. I believe the wiser rogues have retired the darbucket...at least for now. This would probably explain the mellowness that was Rogue Camp this year...or dare i say it...we are getting older and slowing down! :) Of course, the Rogue Baron has a baby now, so that could have set the tone....regardless, it was a wonderful weekend :)

There was some exciting fencing going on in the meadow Saturday afternoon accompanied by beautiful harp playing from the lovely Kama Devi...then of course, she put the harp down and did a little rapier fighting herself! Leonardo had burgers going full force on the grill, and between Dave, Cookie and Rowen, our bellies were never empty! Thanks for all the yummys guys! As if there wasnt enough food, Donovan caught a nice size rainbow trout out of the river and shared it with folks...what a site he was, fishing in his pajamas :)

For those brave enough, swimming took place in the chilly pond...dont worry, the shrinkage doesnt last forever! And dont forget to duck....If you looked up, besides potatoes, you could see Rogues flying thru the trees thanks to Austins rope work......weeeeeeeee! I never did get to try it out, but i saw lots of other folks flying thru the air with ear to ear grins! I think those need to become permanent fixtures on the island! :)

There were frisbees sailing and arrows flying, bubbles blowing and laughter rising....napping, magic, singing, drumming, ney playing, and so much more! Did i mention the food? Oh sooo much food! There was a blender blending, brewers brewing, and cocktails galore!!! Special thanks goes out to jon and his fabulous ale that he shared with all...somehow he ended up going home with beer left over....slackers! Dave handed out endless margaritas, mai tais, and pina coladas......another umbrella for my drink please! :)

Saturday night, Rogues rallied around the fire...where sounds of the sitar, saz, rik, ney, doumbek and song spiraled up thru the air, rejuvenating and enlightening us all!! It was a magical night, and i never wanted the music to end! Donovan and i took one last stroll to the tree house for the evening and witnessed the beginning of the glow stick war...then i went back to the fire to collect the Rogue Baron who had fallen asleep by the fire :)

Yes, it was a fabulous weekend indeed! We are truly blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful people! As the weekend was coming to an end, the last of the Rogues snuck out to the island and buried some treasure for next years gathering...i look forward to the adventures that it will bring! You guys are the best! Thanks for Everything!!!

Another Blog

As if i dont have enough blogging pages, i had to start another :) There are a lot of awesome quilters in blogspot and i want to keep in touch with them, so alas, i guess it means another blog page! :) My daughter has just turned ONE...where has the time gone! She is truly a joy to watch grow, always entertaining, always funny, and seems to make others smile as well. Thought you might enjoy this picture of her eating her first birthday cake! Well, gotta run...it takes time setting up a webpage and the baby is about to wake up! :)
Cheers~
lisa

Look Whos ONE!!!

We had an obnoxious luau party for Jordyn for her first birthday! It was quite a gathering of friends and family...about 35 guests in all...and it was a lot of fun! We BBQ'd burgers and dogs and there was lots of other yummies to accompany them! It was the first time we had a giant get-together with the family up here, so it was great so many folks could make it! Jordyn had a blast playing with her cousins in the kiddie pool from grandma, and she loved being held by everyone :) She is already quite the fashion plate, having three wardrobe changes during the party...and with all the new clothes she got for her bday, she will be even more stylin! She seemed to enjoy her cake, though much neater than i expected her to be. She even enjoyed sharing her cake with the other guests, even though there was a big cake for the rest of the gang. She received many wonderful gifts and has been playing with them ever since. As for opening the presents, well....she didnt really care much about that.....the first present she opened kinda distracted her from the rest of the unwrapping, so justin and i did most of it with a little help from the other kids! The whirlwind of activity kept me from truly visiting with anyone much, so as the evening approached and the warm weather cooled, i sat down with the remaining guests and we enjoyed some cocktails...some fireworks...and shared fun stories of old times! I know little ones dont remember their first birthday...its more for the parents...but i think jordyn will enjoying looking back at the photos someday and feel honored that soo many folks showed up to celebrate her big day! I know i will! I would like to send out a special thank you to Jordyns Godmother, Christy, who helped me tremedously with the party, the decorating...the cleaning...and even the cake! She truly is the coolest Godmother ever!!!.........You Rock Christy!
Happy Birthday Jordyn!!! We Love You!!!
Mommy and Daddy :)

More Neighbors ~

Here is a shot my cousin took when she was visiting (over jordyns bday weekend)....we were having dinner out on our patio, when up from the island wandered our neighbor! He has been bedding down there, and usually around dusk he pays us a visit. He likes to chase our cat Princess and steal yummies from my garden! doh! Im missing a few lilies because of him, but his visits are worth it. He seems to enjoy our company and finds us intriguing as well. I love living in the mountains :)
Well....back to Harry Potter.....im on Chapter 20 and loving every minute of it!