Summer: the heat makes me sleepy. I feel like taking naps, but I actually don't take them. The little bugs in this home have energy for all day long. I woke up this morning with my oldest son scratching my back. How great is that? Lots of hugs and kisses and all the birds singing outside make me think and be sure that life is so good. I smile, jump off the bed and see the time. Oh my, it was 10 am. We all woke up at 10 am! Luxuries of a stay at home mum and kids. I am still sleepy. I've been having gorgeous dreams lately. Usually I dream with the beach, crystal water, beautiful waves and butterflies. What makes me really happy about them it's that they all have some sparkles, like fairy dust or something alike...so funny! I had a dream with my grandpa (he died in 1994) another night. He had zillions of tiny and yellow butterflies covering his mouth and when I approached to him, to look closer they started to fly away with all that sparkling fairy star dust!! It wasn't sad or whatsoever. I really dream with my grandpa often. I miss him a lot! He was the best friend I ever had...
I can't wait to see the ocean next month. Hotel is booked, air tickets were bought. I am more than ready to put my toes in that water! I love the beach. I wish to live in California one day. So expensive... I must convince hubby about that, maybe one day, when the economy is good again.
I've been making bags and pouches. Slowly...I am never in a rush. I often like the results, but at the same time lots of projects get ruined, because I am still learning a lot of new things. I don't throw anything out. Last night I spent sometime sorting scraps of fabric. I cut some squares for a possible patchwork...started a cat matrioshka...yep...a cat, a russian cat! Look at me, a brazilian girl making russian cats. That's right. I have brazilian kites to make as decoration for kids' room but I don't know if they will work well or not with fabric, so...let me make them first and if they turn out good looking, I show you.
My succulents are blooming. My cats are fatter than ever and we had lady bugs just for the fun of watching them going crazy to the nature! We bought them at Home Depot. They also sell praying mantis, but in the cocoon.
I've been learning to heart these family moments rather than (outside family) friendships. Not that I consider friendships none important, but the family friendship and bonding between us are the most important for me. Making friends are not as easy anymore like when I was a tween, I feel like that after having kids. My heart is filled with my children, my husband, cats, our home and a craft once in a while. I keep my mind busy all the time.
I heart friendships, but I am really lazy person to make them happen. Speacially online friendships...and, there is nothing wrong with people or with us. Sometimes people just don't fit to our life style, we are so busy and time just goes fast. It's funny how we change after years. Once I would worry very much if people would like me or not. No worries anymore. Take me or leave me, it goes like that!
What a good week. I sent a package full of craft supplies for her. She had a very cool idea and as I had so many things that were in my drawers for so long and no use...so, it was a great and late spring cleaning. I am not sure that she will like what I am sending (style), but I sent it with all my good intentions.
We go hiking, we find lizards, we stop to see the mountains and enjoy the sun! On the photo above you see my husband and my oldest son wearing a brown t-shirt and helmet. We watch Gilmore Girls (that I never watched before) before going to bed and I like it. Ha! I thought I would never like to watch american soap operas, I guess because the language...I would not understand the jokes, slangs...now I get it. Sometimes not. Nothing better than a soap opera to learn a foreign language. Hehe!
I've listed two items to my little shop this week. Go see them!
Last Saturday we went to the arboretum. They had some shows (Arizona's snakes, birds and bugs) and invited the kids to plant a tree which was cool. I had to dig the hole and my kids were concentrated to finish their job. They were really motivated! I was expecting to see more flowers, but Arizona is helpless. Dry, doesn't matter how much snow falls in this place, no gardens around here! I haven't seen any neighbour keeping a big and beautiful garden. We all have grass and couple daffodils and tulips, but gardens like I saw in Oregon some years ago...haha, nope! It's hard to maintain. All my last year's flowers died. I still have some perennials that I am sure will bloom in June. Yesterday I spent some hours cleaning my little garden. I also sprinkled some wild flowers seeds...
Since I have no garden at the moment to share with you, here are some flowers from the grocerie store...
Last sunday me and husband commemorated our 6th wedding aniversary and we decided to spend the afternoon in Sedona. It was a great day! We had lunch in a great fine gourmet/deli place. They also sell all kinds of wines and exotic condiments and appetizers. We all seated outside, the weather is just right in Sedona, not cold and just a bit warm. The meal was awesome and when the lady came to check if everything was ok, I had to open my big mouth to mention our wedding aniversary. She brought us a bottle of champagne, a small one because I was driving. After eating with much pleasure, I went to pay the bill at the cashier. I grabbed some italian muffins to go and the same lady said that my husband had paid for everything. "Are you sure?" I replied a bit surprised. So, I just paid for those cakes, I believed that he had paid while I was in the restroom. We all got in the car and he asked how much was the bill. "Well, you must know it, you've paid them!" Eyes wide open and he said: "No, I could not have paid, because I did not bring my wallet." Giggles and giggles. She mentioned that the drinks were on her account as a gift for us! I understood that she simply did not want to charge us and that was so generous. She could not be wrong as my husband did not have his wallet!!
After that, we did not have plans at all, and we entered a road in a gorgeous neighborhood. We often do this, we just drive away! Actually I really like Sedona, I think is one of the most beautiful places in Arizona and I would move there big time! You guys should see the light in that place. It's just perfect. The plants and flowers are so beautiful as well. So, as I was saying...we drove like 3 miles and guess what? We ended in this creek where I got these photos below...
Hello there!
How cool is this place? We walked bare feet and enjoyed the water that wasn't so cold.
I've been so away of blogland due my activities in real life. I am making some new bags and at this time, I must make some for me. Next post I will show some wip and some little darlings that Anita sent to me.
Unlike last year, April starts windy and cold. Sunny, at least. I should stop drinking so much coffe and waisting my time with not so important things. I think I have migraines. Tomorrow I promise, it will be different. I hope for a warmer day and no headaches. I've been to excited lately! I am not telling...
The photos above were taken in Brazil in 2004. It was my last visit to my country. I was pregnant of my second son. Summers in the Northeast of Brazil are the best ever. The light is wonderful, the colors are just amazing. How about all those fruits? Some of them I haven't seen in US yet, like those greenish ones laid on a triangle shape behind the big bowl of beans. It's called "fruta do conde" or "pinha" like my dad calls it and it's delicious. Super sweet. The red bags of acerolas, it's high in vitamin C. I love papayas too and avocado smoothie that I do with a fast and simple recipe, you can try it: milk, a bit of condensed milk, 2 small avocados and wheat germ. Oooooh!!! Not for everyone though!
I miss these street markets. I took my husband to visit couple of times and he was always amazed by the variety and size of the vegetables. He still talks about the humongous avocados he saw once...yes, they were big...like 12 feet long! Blab...it's Saturday night and I am writing about huge avocados...this is getting serious!!! Giggles!!! I blame my migraines!!
I am often agnostic. It's hard to believe in some things in this life but at the same time, I wonder if there is anything watching over me. Because everytime something bad happens, everytime I am hurt, the unknow amazes me. This is one of the reasons I like to be what I am and to be alive. I think I am blessed too, just like you! We all are, right? Yes, please! There are times that problems and sadness can turn us into very pessimistic people. If we are just able to see...if we want to see more of good happenings than bad ones, our lives can change. I am happy this evening. In the morning I had tears of sadness, knowing that my son is a great boy, a generous child that never caused trouble in his class and has been hit by other kids and because his generosity, he would just say that he doesn't want to hit them back, he doesn't want to hurt his friends and he doesn't care to be hit, just to make me feel better... Is there anything I can do? I started to see myself as a little girl again, with the same kind of problem he is having now. I just had to live with. I am seeing myself on my children. Reflections of me.
I was sad to see that today, there are still kids, big ones that will have a slingshot in hands to kill birds. Birds that mother nature gave to us without charge. To kill just for the pleasure of seeing a small and inocent target being hit. I had to hold myself to do not grab that crap off his hands. Maybe I should... And I so love to walk my children in the morning and listen nothing else than dozens of bird songs. Even to crows, they do make interesting noises! What does this kid has in mind? I realized that I am often very sensitive person, although many people will tell the contrary. sometimes I think I am not brave enough. I will be mad all day for seeing such thing. I am often outspoken and if this is a quality, I am not sure, I am just sure that I am almost 35 years old and I am still discovering myself as a person and scared about adulthood, isn't it funny?
Some people say that I am generous and I recently had to agree. It should make me happy to be like that, but it can hurt, because some will see generosity as stupidity, I do see like that sometimes and this is not good. It should not matter for me if I am only confident about it. I could go on and on with this vent. I could write so many stories of every day life, but one reason I don't do this anymore like in the past is because I think I have a normal life, with real concerns, problems and fears just like you do. I like to express myself showing photos and things I do by hands, I like to share a song that I like, links I find interesting, books and mags. Does that tell anything about me? You guys are always telling me that I am talented person and always being nice to me and leaving messages that make me happy and I often don't follow up with you. I am grateful, I heart every person that takes the time to tell me something nice. I am not the greatest blogger, I won't never talk much about my family life or polemics or politics and all of you that have been following my very bad english (if you are new to this, I do better in portuguese for sure!), thank you and also sorry that I am not very social in blogland. In real life I am just like that. Not very social. Always by myself, always quiet in a corner, but I like to talk and if I find someone that I feel confortable with, you will have to make me shut up! And be sure that I feel like talking big time and I don't have my best friends to hear to me when I need to...oh they are so far away...
BTW...changing subject, we went to a zoo in Camp Verde days ago and although I am not a big fan of zoos, I liked to see these tigers...they are my favorite animals of all!!! I can't have tigers at home so I have 4 cats!! I am a cat person since little kid and my mom never let me have a cat, now look at this, I have 4. I would have more if I could...but it doesn't sound nice to collect animals as well, hu?
This is the first time I get a photo of the 4 cats together...it's rare. They are very respectful to each other. The tuxedo cat is living forever! I adopted him in 2003 and he was 13 years old that time. The 2 white cats looking to the door are Naninha and Tobias Malaquias (mother and son) respectively and they came from Brazil with me ( My husband asked: "Will you marry me and come to US? I answered: "yes, but not without the cats, ha!"). She is 10 years old and he is 9 next May. The one that seats in between is called Snow, but he has lots of nick names (pereba, piroc@, taludo, tormento...hahaha, do not ask me to translate these words!!! My children call him smear all over the place, I don't know why...and they will call the female cat something like Bolden, I have no idea why!!!) and he used to live in the Navajo reservation, where I lived with my husband for one year and it was snowing a lot (that's why the name and because he is white) and he would not leave our porch. I had to convince my husband that where eat 3 cats, eat 4 cats too. He was dirty and I had to shave all the hair of his tail. He had blood tests and all the shots and after one month living in the garage, he came in. He still acts like a street cat and not long ago the Vet prescribed some pills for anxiety, since he was pissing in the house sometimes. He is ok now and hopefully he will be all right for the spring/summer.
Hmmm, I am not taking that one...nope, enough cats for me!! I can barely stretch out on the bed, they all sleep on top of me, except to Frederico, as he doesn't climb anymore due to his arthritis!
Spring pleasures...a nice walk with the kids...it was a bit windy, but the sun was warm...
Kids were really excited looking at the creek. Last year I did not see any water at all. We got a lot of snow and it's melting down as Spring approaches.
Rush, rush...
Wait for me!!!!
And I like to capture these moments of fun...I am glad that after all, my boys are really great friends of each other. I remember my mom saying how much work I would have with 2 little kids, but as they grow I see that I made a good choice. They are 2 years apart. Yeah, they will have some hard moments, but they love each other!!! I am very happy for that! I have one brother and unfortunately (or not) my mom waited 8 years to have him. I grew up alone...I had friends though and I had dreams of having sisters around my age. I don't know if would make a great difference...I understand that for some siblings doesn't matter how far apart they are, they will fight and hate each other so much...
What a wonderful walk! We should all enjoy this Spring as much as we can!!!
Have a great, super weekend and a happy Easter for you!!!
I've been using the 60mm macro lens on my camera lately.
The only thing I don't really like is the need of a tripod most of the time. I knew that when I purchased this lens, but I enjoy the photos, I don't go far to take photographs as before...aaaah, before. The delights of a single life. I am remembering the time I went to a photo school and we (teacher and class mates) would gather on Saturdays to go somewhere to shoot and talk about our favorite subject: photography. Darn it, I moved to US and I don't know where I put the negatives of that time. They could be lost, they could be still in Brazil, but mom doesn't have a clue. I am sure I packed them when I moved...all I found were the slides. Photos taken with an old Canon Rebel (no digitals that time and no Photoshop) and with Kodachromes. I still heart films. I think everyone that is starting to learn Photography should learn about lab and film. I loved to be in the lab. I was 20 years old and processing photos on paper was an addiction!!! It's funny to think that our hobbies change all the time. Although I like Photography very much I would not work shooting weddings or parties. It's hard to communicate with people and make them to understand certain things. Kinda boring. One day I thought that I would like to work as a photographer, today...I don't think so. I still think about going back to school one of these days. I like Art. Nothing else. Well, while little one is little, haha, I don't think about jobs at all, just because my paycheck will be given to a preschool. I prefer to give my time to him and see him growing. I don't like the idea of tossing my kid in a not so nice place just to meet other people and have a social life. I would, if I had to. As for going to school...it depends on my gpa and tests...I doubt they would let me in! I could try it.
This girl was a model that I shot in 1995. I wanted to do a portfolio and I had a tight budget. I offered her photos for free and she posed for me. I can't remember her name!
These photos were taken in the Northeast of Brazil. I lived there for about one year.
Now I am remembering the time I was a sales person in Rio. Horrible. I used to work in a boutique, not cheap clothing at all. We were 5 girls, the cashier and the manager in the store. We had to sell good to make better salary by the end of the month. Some people would drive me nuts. They would ask me to try everything, make me all sorts of questions, spend 2 hours in the fitting room and leave without buying a single belt. Aaarrrght!!! And the manager would say..."oooh you have to talk more, be pushy..." What? Some sellers would be really mean. You could clearly see that the particular skirt was awful on certain client, but they had to say.."it's perfect..." Eeeew. Not to mention sellers bullying on each other. Not for me. No patience for that. Depressive.
Olinda, a historic city in Pernambuco brings me great memories! So much culture and traditions!
The sun, the beaches, the people, the culture, our heritage, our treasures, the music...because Brazil is not only samba, soccer and naked butts. Unfortunately the media is so bad about that!
I miss Rio. A lot. Today I had a bad dream that made me sweat. My little one was kidnapped and I spent the whole dream trying to get him back. I woke up with him touching my arm and saying..."mom, it's morning time, can you get up?" It was a relief. Sooo, yes I am still afraid of going to Rio. It's my city and I feel so ashamed of being afraid of my own city, because living there, I wasn't so afraid like now. But yes, it's dangerous. But its beauty, its accent, its mood make me forget about its perils. It's all about my children. They are not "cariocas" and I am sure they will catch attention from people. Because unfortunately, people still think that in America we are all riches. Ok, I won't compare country and people, it's not fair! It's not my intention to do so. The obvious is out there. I don't blog to make it sure.
Itacuruçá Island, Rio de Janeiro.
Last, my grandpa holding my dad's guitar. He is not alive anymore and I am glad that this image was really appreciated by my mentors, 13 years ago...
I stil remember that day. It was September 1994. Sunny, royal blue sky. Contrary to all the teachings about shooting after 4 pm (because you get better light), this one I took by noon!!! No Photoshop, the way it is...
All right, enough for today. Time to cook....eeeeew and take kids to the park, aaaaaawww!
I am bit down today. I though that I had a cool idea and so excited I was that I forgot that this world of creative people is big. I am impulsive sometimes. I forget to look around, to do a search. Not long a go, we brought home a mac computer. Gorgeous, perfect. After 3 days of use, I decided to bring back to the store. I don't really regret it, because I would have to buy a bunch of programs again and that would cost a lot. I got so frustrated. I almost cried seeing that machine going back, but seriously, I did not really need it. So, if I had talked to people, if I did stop a bit to think, would save me some frustration. Maybe next year...because money doesn't grown on trees.
I've deleted one of my accounts over Etsy. I can't put up with hours on the computer listing things that people is already doing successfully quite sometime. I know how honest I am and I would not like to be called a "copy cat", because in the end, some communities can be hard on those ingenious members like me. I don't have time and energy to deal with issues like these. If I had an idea of taking photos in certain way, what can I do? I know who I am, I know I am serious, but I do have shame on my face and I would not like to share a place with someone that does similar work. I won't stop making what I like, I won't stop photographing the way I like, the way I have discovered and show on this blog, but selling is another story. Not at Etsy though. Similar doesn't mean exactly the same. Have I seen her work before? I have no clue, because I don't remember. Who knows? Go figure it. Just like the pincushions I make using styrofoam balls, I have no clue if someone else does the same, if they did before me or whatsoever. So...sorry if my brain works just like yours!
In fact I am kinda tired of selling things. Because I am not selling like I would like, because I don't put enough efforts to it and because it's not that important. A little push would be great to start, but...this happens with lucky ones or if you know "hot" people out there. As a 89% introverted, let me just stop throwing my tamtrums and be shut. Make a living (hahaha!) with crafts or photos seem to be an odd for me and it is, really. There are some great things that I need to do in my home and I am starting soon, better...tomorrow!!! Also, I have a swap with a sweet lady from Germany and I need to prepare the goodies. So, this is the last fit in the subject.
Yes, I know I am a stubborn. Just like a bull. In fact my astrological sign is taurus, does it count? I see the obvious in front of me, but I will believe and learn the lesson after some falls, some slaps on the face. Sometimes it's patetic to believe too much on myself and on people...
BTW, here are the last ones of the series...
And please, do not feel sorry about me...really. I guess this kind of thing happens all the time!
The paper I use for background is from Martha crafts.
Good Sunday, blue sky. Somehow it feels like spring, but I think we will have more snow. To be honest, I am tired of it. Enough snow for me!!
It happens that I am a bit not satisfied with some of my photos. I like the colors very much, but they seem dark, sometimes depressive. Today I will try new ones. Natural light as always and some flowers. My intention is to pass some sort of good feeling (at least for me). I need more light! I was thinking about selling my cameras and purchase a Canon 40 D. I have a Canon EOS Rebel and a Sony Cyber Shot DSC H1. I am not sure what to do, since right now I could get a 60mm macro lens for my Rebel, because I really would like to shoot small things, but I am not sure if this lens works on Canon 40 D ( I guess it does). It's funny that I think my best photos I took when I was 21 years old, while attending photography classes. After 15 years, I just let it go, the camera I had (film - 35mm) got broken and I did not read about it anymore, I don't really practise it much and all I learned in the past, seems to be gone like dust! So...It doesn't feel right to purchase a better camera, if I am not taking the photographs I want (because I am picky, thanks God!) with what I own at the moment. Well, if anyone is interested, I can sell the cameras described above and with the money, I get something better! They are in great conditions, I would take my Canon to clean up the mirrors though. Later I will make a speacil post with the prices.
I've removed all my images from Etsy (my second account for photographs only) to re-edit them, to come back with different ideas (if I get any). It's hard. That shop could work for me as long I do it right and take it seriously. I am thinking about postcards with nice rounded corners, big ones. The Pixie Blossoms shop gets great views, but since I've raised my prices, people look only. Fine. No problem, to be honest, I don't blame people looking for bargains, I do the same sometimes. The economy is bad, the budgets are tight everywhere and if there are people making awesome stuff for 20 dollars, go for it. They are just all right! I enjoy my sewing machine a lot. I've finished some darlings this past week and I just need quiet time to upload them to Etsy. I guess it's time to stop making things to others (for sale) and start thinking about a new home decor for us. As I am not satisfied with my dark photos, the same applies to our home decor. I like my furniture, it's dark wood, but I would like to brighten up a bit. I can't go crazy and bankrupt my husband. This is a long term project. I never thought about my home decor before. I had 2 kids, one after another, I am always busy doing something else and decoration is the last thing I would think. But hey, this is my nest and I think it's time to do something about it!
Here are the photos I did on Friday...
Have a great day...I will be back in few days with more photos! Wish me luck!
Before the trouble we had cupcakes! The coffe cup is from Starbucks for Valentine's Day. I like their cups with cute illustrations. I actually love illustrations and I am just waiting for better days to start my own...maybe some collages. I don't eat cupcakes. Unfortunately I am not among the lucky ones that cook, bake, eat and don't get fatter. I just love to decorate cupcakes, but as it's messy, I don't make them all the time. Kids had fun though. Before I let them poke the cupcakes, I had to get some photos. All the colors make children crazy and you can see them salivating and anxiously waiting to touch their lips on these candies!
Isn't it cool when we know someone likes what we do? I don't really know how the related items on the storque articles (Etsy) works, if the writers pick things they like to be featured on the same page or if is just a search engine working for them, but I loved to see this anyway...
Zee
♥
mom of 2 little boys, wife, cats, photography, Photoshop, crafts,
sewing, handmade things, Rio de Janeiro, Arizona...
hey, my mother language is
portuguese!
If you like what you see, get a cup of tea and enjoy! Thanks!
♥
