February Fun

I began the month by altering the decorations on my porch. I needed something a little more romantic in honor St. Valentine's Day so I turned to coffee filters...naturally. I created this wreath with tea-stained coffee filters, a styrofoam wreath base, and corsage pins.

I also used the coffee filters and some dictionary pages to create flowers to go in the 'window box' alongside some dried hydrangeas. I was pleased with how it turned out. It set a nice romantic tone.

And then comes St. Valentine's Day...

Vintage valentines...

...around the base of a cake stand...

...that holds a cheesecake shipped in from Chicago...

...that was obviously very yummy!!!

Did you notice the vintage-esque decorative pics?

But we had to eat our dinner before we could have our dessert.

Herb had deep-dish pizza shipped in from Chicago.

This was sooooooo good!!!

It was enjoyed by all!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Then comes the final festivity to be had until Resurrection Day...Shrove Tuesday.

A simple but yummy meal - pancakes, sausage, stuffed strawberries, and chocolate milk.

Good company and good times.

We are now prepared to enter the more somber and reflective Lenten season.

Ash Wednesday

Lord, who throughout these forty days for us didst fast and pray,

teach us with thee to mourn our sins and close by thee to stay.

As thou with Satan didst contend, and didst the victory win,

O give us strength in thee to fight, in thee to conquer sin.

As thou didst hunger bear, and thirst, so teach us, gracious Lord,

to die to self and chiefly live by thy most holy word.

And through these days of penitence, and through thy passiontide,

yea, evermore in life and death, Jesus, with us abide.

Abide with us, that so, this life of suffering over past,

an Easter of unending joy we may attain at last.

-Claudia F. Hernaman, 1873

February's Free Family Art Day

With the Winter Olympics and the Lunar new Year just around the corner the arts council presented Olympic "medals" and dragon puppets as the craft February's free family art day.

Aren't these dragons fabulous?

AMTC in Orlando, part 2

Wow, the last several days have been crazy fun. Keegan has participated in 7 events and has done fabulously. Keegan participated in TV Commercial, Spokesperson, Creative Runway, Scene Read, Photography, Cold Read, and Film Audition. We finished the last competition just this afternoon but the job isn't done yet. Tomorrow will be callbacks and speed networking. However, we do get to have a little fun tonight. There will be showcases tonight featuring the top 40 TV commercials, improv, monologue, stand-up comedy, singers and dancers. As if that isn't exciting enough...Keegan is part of the show as one of the top 40 TV commercials.

The runway where spokesperson, photography, and creative runway competitions will be held.

Keegan prepared to promote her Zune for the spokesperson competition.

My lovely ladies waiting for the creative runway competition - Chonda and Keegan.

Below is the list of the top 40 tv commercials. (Keep in mind that there are over 600 competitors.) And, yes, that is Keegan on the list!

In the end, Keegan received 4 callbacks, interviewed with an additional 12 agents, and was deemed one of the top 7 female adult commercial models!!!! Our final day in Florida was a success!!!

A farewell and celebratory party!

Goodbye, Florida!!!

It was a successful trip and I do believe that some doors have been opened, even if only slightly. We look forward to seeing what the future has to offer.

AMTC in Orlando, part 1

Keegan and I are in Orlando, Florida so that she may participate in the Actors, Models, Talent for Christ Competition. She will have the opportunity to perform for and speak with a host of professionals in the entertainment industry. Competition begins tomorrow. Keegan will present a television commercial on camera. On stage she will compete in spokesperson and creative runway. We have been here a couple of days and have yet to participate in a competition so she is excited to get things underway. In the meantime, we have attended meetings, workshops, rehearsals and preparation. We also have had a great time familiarizing ourselves with the hotel/convention center and with the young lady who is sharing a room with us. The hotel is quite fun with individual areas representing different locations within Florida. It has an atrium, alligators, and lots of charm.

Keegan with quite the catch!

Chonda - our new friend.

More tomorrow!

Happy 9th Birthday Bishop!!!

Six hours old - that is about how old Bishop would be nine years ago at this time. What a wonderful addition to our family. I am so richly blessed to have Bishop as my son. I love you, Bishop, and wish you the happiest birthday!

Keegan and I are in Florida for her Actors, Models, and Talent Competition so we are unable to celebrate with the family but they have some fun things planned. We did have our traditional family dinner in honor of his birthday before our leaving. What a blast! Again, Happy Birthday my dear, sweet Bishop!!!!

Star Wars themed - one of his favs!

Stuffed Sopaipillas, chips and salsa, baby carrots, and applesauce - his meal of choice!

Cream Cheese Pie for dessert - I hope your wish comes true, buddy!

Dessert was enjoyed by all!

The card and a "teaser" gift.

The big gift is unveiled on the front porch...

a bike for Bishop!

It was a "thumbs-up" good birthday!!! (Yes, that is a cigar in his mouth. A gift from Dad's collection to be stored until a more appropriate age).