Young Miss Switzerland

So here is our Johanna donning her swiss attire.  She wears it proudly and that makes my heart sing.  She did a great job on her exhibit, as well.  Such a lady of detail, organization and skill.  She writes well, just like her mother ........so her report was amazing.

Didn't spend that much time with her, though.  After about 15 minutes, her mother picked up on J's stress and suggested we move along.  Jenaye  is amazing and always tunes in to her children's needs.  As does Josh!

Johanna (I will refer to her as Jo from here on out, so as to differentiate between Jenaye and Johanna.......J's get confusing.......let's not forget the dad, Josh!   I do know that Johanna only likes certain people to use the name "Jo" for her.....and I don't think I am one of them.  But for now, I use Jo!  I like it alot!  Blah, blah, blah, blah!  Onto the point of this babbling.

I respect both Jenaye and Johanna's concerns, re: awaiting the first graders to come through and pose many questions about Jo's country.  So, she kept looking for them to enter the gymnasium.  I visited a couple of her friend's exhibits in the meantime.  I was quite impressed with their efforts and willingness to share.  I know many of her peers, so it was fun to see their projects.  My how these lovely people have grown and matured.  I can't believe my granddaughter will be in middle school next fall.

Do you remember being in 5th grade?  I went to Catholic school, so I attended elementary school in the same complex through 8 grades.  Never knew what it was like to go to different classrooms until then.  High school was a nightmare for me.  There is something to be said about middle school.  A smoother
transition?  What do you think?

I don't know why Jo chose Switzerland for her project.  I neglected to ask............but I will!  The interesting thing is that when I purchased the pattern for her costume, I noticed it was printed in four languages.........which included Swiss/German, etc.  While I was cutting out the pieces, I saw the first half of my maiden name in the directions.  I knew that my maiden name (Zwischenberger) meant "Between the mountains"  Zwischen meaning between.  Berger meaning mountains.  Imagine my surprise and delight, when I read the word for "Gathering".............it was Zwischen.  Zwischen - between, among, gathering.  Wow!  A gathering in the mountains.  So sweet.

So I related that to Jo today and she thought it was pretty cool.  Before I left the building, I touched her arm (she is at that age where she would be embarrassed by a hug from Grandma in such a setting,,,,,and I respect that) and said:  We are leaving you now, so that you can pay attention to the Zwischen (gathering) of the first graders.  She laughed and then smiled so sweetly and said, "Thank you for coming."  It was a good day for me.  I hope I left her with some good thoughts about her heritage.

Costumes

I have made many a costume for my children over the years.  Most recently I have made many a costume for my grandchildren.  I never thought to post them on my blog, but I am re-thinking this.  I need  to go through many pictures (digital, hard copy, etc)...........and will post them at a later time.  Thanks for visiting.

Sooooooooooo (sew)...........I love to create.  Be it making beautiful children, painting art, gardening, affirming, etc.  It is all there within me.  And I embrace it.  This is my latest endeavor.  A project for my beautiful granddaughter.  She requested that I make a costume for her school's International Fair presentation this week.  Since her country is Switzerland, she wanted a Swiss costume.  I found a pattern for her and inquired about the colors she wanted.  Her answer was: sky blue dress with a black apron and grass green ribbon for the lacing.  No problem!!!!  So, here is the end result.  I added a little sparkle here and there (per her acceptance).  I am so looking forward to being there to watch her presentation .........which she also requested from me (be still my beating heart!).  Photos of she herself donning the costume will follow.

Painted pottery

These gifts have been delivered and opened, so now I can publish them on my blog.   In the fall, while walking my sweet dog, I collected leaves with the intention of painting them on pieces of pottery as Christmas gifts to our adult children.  I chose specific leaves for specific persons.  I had a lot of fun creating all of them.   I then filled them with nutritious foods for each family.  The theme was nature/natural and organic.  The pieces were very-well received.  Maple leaves in a bowl for Trista.  Oak leaves on a platter for Davion and Rikki.  And Sycamore leaves on a platter for Josh and Jenaye. 

Kathy's childhood home

This is the home where my friend Kathy lived as a young girl.  The house was recently moved to allow for a new N/S freeway in the city of Spokane, WA.  This is the way the house looked when Kathy lived there.  The roses were especially important, as her mother had planted the bushes and took wonderful care of the them.  I love the tile roof and the vintage chairs on the porch.  This was a fun painting.............I could just imagine Kathy growing up in this house.  I felt the same way about Audrey's childhood home.  Thank you ladies, for doing me the honor of painting something so near and dear to you.

The Dombrowiks' Home

This lovely home is located on the southside of the city of Spokane, WA.  It belongs to my niece and family.  This was a fun piece, as the architecture and landscape were easy to capture.  The beautiful NW sky is always a delight to depict, as well as the pine trees that are so prolific in the area.  I can actually sense the wonderful fresh air and smell the scent of the trees. 

Johanna's special Corgi

Our grandchildren have taken quite an interest in my artistic endeavors.  I have given each one of them a painting that I did when I was a child.  Pleases me so that they appreciate what I  have done and currently  now do.  Our lovely granddaughter loves Corgis.  I recently asked her if she would like me to paint something for her.  She requested a portrait of a Corgi.  That is where this inspiration comes from.  This is for her 11th birthday.  I hope she is pleased with it.