Girlcation London Style

It was time for another girlcation and what better place to visit than London? It is chic, fun, and not-so-child-friendly, making it a playground for moms in need of a vacation. England wasn't my first choice because it didn't seem exotic enough, but I knew we could be in Siberia and have a blast as long as we could all be together. I will be the first to admit I was wrong, London was the perfect choice for a million reasons.

Here are some musts for a successful girlcation:

1. Stay in a luxurious apartment that is full of breakables and fine linens and relax because you know your children aren't there to break anything. (Thanks to Amber and her fine house hunting.)

Our adorable 3 bedroom apartment in Notting Hill.

2. See thea-ture that makes your heart happy. I believe I have been Defying Gravity for 2 days straight-on repeat.

Wicked is wickedly delicious. Almost as delicious as 'Fiyero' (I believe there was a gasp by all the women-and some men-the first time he entered the stage). We tried to stalk him, but to no avail. He was probably more interested in the men than 5 cute married women anyway.

3. Eat at the finest of restaurants, even if it takes you over an hour to find. It is always worth it.

Jamie Oliver's Italian restaurant. The world's slowest service, but some of the best food ever.

Gordan Ramsay's recommended Tapas restaurant. Two servings of creme brulee, please. While on girlcation it is a rule not to care about your wasteline (or what it may become after you go home, for that matter).

Pub fish and chips doused in vinegar. The true London experience.

4. Visit all of the landmarks, even if Obama disrupts your flow.

Why is it when I see these guys I just want to say, 'Bob's your uncle!' His name is probably not Bob, nor is he my uncle, and yet, I just said it in my head for the 50th time.

5. Experience the history, but pay extra for modern comforts.

Shakespeare's Globe Theater.

Authenticity is great and all, but not if it means I have to stand during the entire All's Well That Ends Well. Those poor common folk near the stage were chastised every time they crouched down. We splurged and had cushions for our hineys. I don't regret it one bit. My boney butt thanked me for the rest of the day.

6. Visit as many museums as your attention span can handle, and be thankful children are not dictating your schedule.

Tate Britain and National Museum.

I ogled at the impressionist exhibit trying to soak in all the details so I could return and report to my Van Gogh-loving husband. The paint was thinner than I had expected and the paintings were less detailed. I had to take photos, illegally of course.

7. Experience the weather and love, love, love the chill and wetness. My genetic memory was in play and those black clouds were as familiar to my heart as maple syrup and back bacon.

8. Check out the British cuteness, and then realize you are officially a cougar.

Buying macaroons not just because they are delicious.

9. Engage in all the cheesy and touristy crap you can find.

Apparently, the closest urinal for miles. Oh, the things we will do for a good photo.

10. Most importantly, laugh and enjoy all of the girly goodness you can!

Never have I laughed harder. Who needs a workout when you have some of the funnest and funniest women around. They are not only beautiful, they are also smart, engaging, and exceptionally fun. Love.

Farran reminding us to take time to smell the roses, and keep our eyes open while doing it.

Buildings and Animals Paintings and Drawings

I have been doing some oils lately for my coming trip to SLC and a few drawings. I figured I would do some temples for my brother, sisters and mom. The above is a painting of the Manti Temple in the style I have been playing around with. I still might add "The House of the Lord" in white above the gold window. Both Jake and Anna got married in the Manti temple, so they can decide which one gets this one.

Another Manti temple one. This one I reversed the colors. I wanted to see how it would look if it was night and the lights were shining from the ground.

SLC temple 'at night'. Jane and my mom got married in the SLC temple so they can decide which one gets this one and which gets the next one.

This is the other SLC temple one. If you look at the lower left hand corner you can see a light post. When I drew this on the canvas, it had a light post. Heavah came in one night and saw I left it off, so she drew it in. I liked it so I painted it. First joint painting for us!

The first of three Washington DC temples. I am going to do these for my mission companions Jeff, Bud and Paul. I have two more to do obviously. It will be really great to see those guys this summer! I am excited!

The Michigan State University Bell Tower in East Lansing at night in the winter. I am going to see my friend Dave (Bizz) Alizo in the US too. I haven't seen him since my brain tumor so it is going to be a special treat. He and I spent many a late night/early morning shooting rabbits on MSU campus so I drew this for him. Also he graduated from MSU. I am thinking about putting the clock hands at 1 - 9 on the first clock and 8 -7 on the second. The year he and I graduated high school. What do you think, corny?

I have a few favorite animals. A Nyala is one of them. I did this one for fun.

This is based on a picture we took of an Orangatang in Sri Lanka. He looked so sad. Hence the blue. No he is not Bigfoot. But perhaps they are related?

I started drawing when I am on my business trips. I did this one I think in Kuwait or Bahrain the last time I was there. It is a Nepali Hornbill that was taken at the zoo in Bali. I loved seeing these guys when we went to Chitwan in Nepal. They had a loud voice too and you could hear them calling in the jungle.

Another of my favorite animals. A Secretary bird. We saw several in Kenya. The hightlight of my safari there! I love these guys. I thought I would paint this one more natural.

Another of my favorite animals; a Marco Polo sheep. They live in the Stans high in the mountians. They are hands down the coolest big game animal anyone can take. I got it framed and you can see me in the glass taking the picture.

A close up of my favorite part. I drew this one in Oman.

Terah tells me not to post my bad pictures anymore. By all rights then I shouldn't post this one as I am not in love with it. I saw this one done by another artist and I wanted to try it. Let's face it, I am not a detailed painter and I am not so good at humans, faces or fabric. Three things I want to learn if I ever get a chance to finally take a painting class. I am sure I have loads of bad habits to unlearn and tricks to learn. One day I'll take one and get good at these things that bug me I can't do yet.

Anyways, hoped you liked seeing them.... Unitl next time!

Sweet serenity....

...just before a rush of warm water soaked Axel's clothing and reminded him that he should have put a diaper on his boy (who just finished a large glass of apple juice) before they drifted off into a deep afternoon slumber.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Butterfly Bromley

Yesterday Sedona asked: "Mom, when you born me did you give me the name Sedona?"

Me: Yes.

Sedona: "I think a much better name is Butterfly."

She is right, butterflies are graceful, beautiful, and delicate--all the qualities she is drawn to. But if I named her according to her favorite things, I would have to decide between Cake, Pink, iPhone, and Paparazzi (the song, not the people). That is as crazy as naming your kid 'Like' after the Facebook tab. No one would be that nuts.

To acknowledge her creativity , I reassured her that she would have a chance to name her child anything she wants. The only thing I can hope for is that her taste will change over the years like mine did. Otherwise, my eldest daughter would have been 'Eternity' and my eldest son would have been 'Drakkar Noir'. Oh, and Mariah Carey because not only should my future children smell nice, they should also be able to sing to the whales.

Enlightening my son one video game at a time...

I can't stand it that my son plays video games. If I could, I would eliminate every XBox and Wii machine that was ever made. To me it is mindless and unproductive. No matter how hard I fought this, my Halo-loving husband insisted that it was the only way my son would survive the Doha summer months at home, and I hate to admit it, but he was right.

Xavier didn't play much during the nice weather, but as soon as his bum was burnt from his bicycle seat he revisited gaming. In response, I have strongly enforced rules. First, all homework must be done, and done well. Second, a chapter of a book must be thoroughly read. Thirdly, rooms must be cleaned and organized.

My problem was, even though all the tasks were completed, my son would still just sit in front of a mind-numbing screen. I still disliked it. A lot. To combat this I made one final rule. If he was going to play any video game he must do it on mute and a classical CD must be turned on...and loud.

Ever since I enforced this rule, Xavier has now begun to memorize his favorite songs and periodically you will see him create words to the tunes like: "I will beat you and steal your stars, yes I will, oh yes I will".

Now, instead of feeling disgust when I see him play, my heart is happy to watch him sing and move to Mozart's concerto no. 24 in c minor as his Mario Brother flies through the air to save the Princess.

Try it, your gaming son will be a master of the classics in no time.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Doha, qatar

Smockies

Our ward in Doha is awesome. The RS has decided to utilize the talents of the LDS women by creating classes that help teach and enrich. I have learned how to cook, quilt and stay fit thanks to the programs that have been offered here.

For the past twelve weeks or so I have been teaching my friends how to smock. This has been my contribution to the group, and a way to compensate for all the free yoga classes I have attended. I was happy to show them that it is really easier than it looks (shhh....don't tell anyone. I love people thinking that I am ubertalented and highly capable. No one should know that it can be a simple and mindless activity).

Monique, Lindsay, Afton, Christine, me

The best part of smocking isn't really sitting and doing needlework. Instead, it is the lively conversations that inevitably occur. There is so much juiciness and laughter that it feeds the soul. Our 'smock talks' have really been my weekly delight.

If you'll notice in the picture above, a baby was recently born in our smocking group. Lindsay had her baby in Qatar--unexpectedly in her home--on her living room floor!!!! She was back in the smocking circle two weeks later with such an animated and interesting story I was left in shock and disbelief. It had to have been one of our best smocking sessions ever. She wins the birthing war story by a mile!

Afton was ambitious enough to create this beautiful Mary De dress for her daughter. Can you see the beam of pride on Charlotte's face? It just screams, 'My mom is awesome and she made this dress just for me! I am a princess!'

This week was Christine's last week with us. She is heading back to the US to start a whole new adventure in her life. Luckily, she is 90% done with her gorgeous newborn bishop dress and she may need it for her upcoming baby #5! She already has 4 adorable boys, and is less inclined to make a smocked outfit for them (I can't imagine why?). We are all hoping for a baby girl in her future. Otherwise, her 8 year old son will have to start sporting lederhosen with his smocked overalls, just to keep her fingers active.

We will begin picture smocking this week and soon my schedule will drastically change. I am staring at 2 job offers right now and no matter which one I chose, my days will be full. More on that to come...