robot•jumping•rope

we’re back and taking things easy.

more words and pictures to come.

happy tuesday

We are so enjoying our time here, eating and drinking far more than is good for us, looking at much wonderful art, steeping ourselves in the culture ~ so much to see and do.

Tomorrow we’ll go here and here, then on to Oaxaca, probably my favorite place in the whole wide world to relax.

Farewell from the goodness that is wifi - hope everyone is enjoying these June days at least half as much as we are.

so I’ve been working on these placemats for a bit…

cute, yes? that’s my tight zig-zag stitch AKA “fake applique” at work, along with some fun vintage fabric found in my mom’s stash.

cue The Children, who decide since Mommy went to answer the phone things need a bit of pressing with the still-hot iron and oh look! it’s a moth! Let’s go chase the pretty moth!

I think this might be the universe telling me linen is not a practical choice in houses with small children.

• El Presidente says I don’t really need one after all. Gracias Jorge! I spent 16 hours on hold for nothing!

• Only 6 days until I fly far away to soak up the sun. Squee!

• No more sharing my Gigs/Happy Father’s Day. Thanks eBay!

• My love is going away after one more round. Sniff.

• Prepare to put them to good use.

• Oh! Oh! I would have bought him!

• Up next: curtains and carpets…

pizza dough recipe from Carol,

egg courtesy of Mrs. House Sparrow,

sunflower by God.

Create a fairy world.

Put a blanket on the grass and pretend it’s a raft, the grass is the ocean or river. and you are adrift! Think about what supplies you would need for this adventure.

Prepare an Imaginate Box with bits of leftover materials (string, wire, cassette tape, watch parts, yarn, shells, bottle caps, pages from ruined books, magazines, fabric snippets, buttons, paint swatch chips, plastic spoons, assorted trash, etc.) to have on hand for spontaneous art projects.

Draw an original comic strip of at least 3 panels.

Create a scavenger hunt for your parents. Make it difficult!

Submit some art.

Read an interesting book to a younger sibling. With enthusiasm. And lots of silly voices.

Make and send postcards to all your friends.

Create a picture with seeds and/or beans by gluing various types on a sturdy piece of cardboard. plain white glue works fine. Also try this with Gamesa brand pasta, which comes in lots of fun shapes like stars and letters.

Make blue jello in a clear glass dish and “float” gummy fish inside when it starts to set. Eat it for dessert.

Put on some music and dance with abandon. Or just plain crazy.

Think up a really scary story to tell around the fire next time we go camping. You might want to write it down!

Learn how to say your name in another language. Or two.

Draw coloring pages for your little brother or sister. That they will enjoy.

Play this game on the computer (it’s harder than it looks.)

Find an ant hill and place an apple slice on top. Watch. Or put bits of different foods on a plate nearby and watch to see what the ants like best to eat, second best and so on.

Make up a secret code and write a letter to a friend using the code (be sure to include decoding key!)

Make a collage with materials from your Imaginate Box.

Make a necklace and/or bracelet by stringing colorful pasta on elastic or string. (You can color pasta by adding it along with a little rubbing alcohol and some drops of food coloring to a ziploc bag and shaking well. Dry on newspaper.) Or string beads, cereal, buttons, tiny bits of fabric, etc.

Write down and/or draw all the different insects you see in just one day.

Listen to bird calls online and try to imitate them.

Type a review of the last movie you saw or book you read.

Make an edible tower with gumdrops and pretzel sticks.

Have a contest to see who can make the tallest edible tower.

Create a play, opera or puppet show. Practice, then perform for your family. Make tickets for your performance.

Call your best friend just to chat.

Make a treasure map of your yard or house. Make sure it looks dirty, wrinkled and torn and really authentic!

Have a treasure hunt (don’t forget to bury the treasure.)

Find a penpal.

Lie on the grass and look for shapes in the clouds.

Talk like a pirate for an entire day. And dress like one, if you dare. (And don’t forget your pirate name.)

Mail yourself a letter.

Write a REAL letter and mail it to your favorite relative.

Write a letter to a soldier. Or send an e-card.

Play catch with someone.

Make cookies and surprise a neighbor with a plate of them.

Write some jokes.

Make a joke book using jokes collected from every person in your family. Call your grandparents if you can. Knock-knock jokes are acceptable. Staple the joke pages together and keep the book handy for when everyone needs a good laugh.

Make Christmas ornaments then pack them away for a surprise this winter.

Lie on the sidewalk or driveway and let someone draw your outline with sidewalk chalk. Make silly poses and keep drawing.

Use old pillowcases to have a sack race (especially fun if you’re kind of tall.)

Make a mobile with materials from your Imaginate Box.

Make up a song or poem about your pet. Record it, if possible.

Wash your bike.

Decorate your bike for a parade. Have a parade (even if you’re the only participant.)

Read about constellations during the day and then find them in the night sky.

Start planning your Halloween costume.

Make sock or lunch bag puppets of your favorite characters from a few different books or t.v. shows. Perform a puppet show in which they meet and become friends.

Paint here.

Play here (my favorite game is Bauns.)

Create a miniature house using a cardboard box (shoebox size or larger) with one side removed. Use recycled food packages and masking tape to create tables, chairs, countertops, refrigerators, etc. Cut openings for windows and doors. Make curtains from fabric scraps, Use bottlecaps for stove burners, empty thread spools for chairs, etc.

Write or draw the story of your life so far.

Learn your name in sign language.

Find something in your house from a different country, then look up that country online or in an encyclopedia to learn more about it.

Make a list of things you’d like to learn more about. Take it to the library on your next visit and bug the librarian to help you find good books on at least 2 of the topics on your list.

Make some fruit from paper mâche (this will take a few days.)

Close your eyes and draw a quick doodle on a piece of paper. Open your eyes and complete the drawing.

Throw a fancy party for your pet. Invite all your stuffed animals.

Make an obstacle course in your backyard. Time yourself and others as you complete it.

Practice cartwheels. Or somersaults. Or walking on your hands.

Lie in your bed and ponder what needs pondering.

Decorate a box and lid; use it to hold treasures and mementos from your summer.

Lay some more ideas on me in the comments if you have’em. Thanks.

these are very good:

and so is this:

(I speak as a former brewed-tea-only snob),

but it has to be the lemon flavor!

(oh, and Costco has it for cheap. But of course.)

THIS

is awesome. It really is. Take your kids.

And if you’re not doing THIS, you should be.

‘Cause there’s a big bag of freebies at the end.

And everyone knows about THIS, right?

We’re considering doing THIS as much as we can this summer.

And I am loving what’s going on HERE.

______

You’re welcome.