Zendala Challenge #81

This week the challenge at I am the Diva was provided by Erin.

She provided us with the pattern and we were to fill it with Zentangles.

Sounds easy, right?  

Easy until you try it!  

But it was fun giving it a go.  

What do you think?

Summer cherries

Happy Paint Party Friday!!!

Is anyone else enjoying the delicious summer cherries?

Every year I anxiously await their arrival.

I eat them until I have a full and sore stomach.

It takes me back to my childhood in Southern California.

My Mom and I would go out to the orchards and do U-pick for five cents a pound.

We would pick and pick and eat and eat.

And then we would make a mad dash for home, both in desperate need of the bathroom.

So this is what is left of the two pounds my husband brought home yesterday.

I didn't demolish them alone, I had help from him.

The little fellow at the birdbath?

He visited a couple of weeks ago, thirsty for a drink in our 90 degree summer heat.

Mi2 Challenge

This was tough for me!  After a couple of throw aways, I simplified the pattern slightly (without knowing it) and completed it.  Can't wait to see the rest.  I am always humbled with the talent in these challenges.

Harley is a "keeper"

"Baby Harley"

  A year ago this weekend, I convinced my husband that we should go and "look" at a puppy I had seen online.  That was the beginning of a huge change in our lives.  "Harley" came home with us that day and began his conquest of our lives.  He was a needy puppy...had to be fed and watered and emptied round the clock.  Four weeks into the adventure, I was having serious questions about my own sanity and wondering why I would want to turn our lives upside down for a little four legged friend.
As time progressed we discovered that we were certainly moving around  a lot more than usual, our pants were becoming looser and we laughed a lot more than we normally had.  He may not wear big shoes or have a red nose but he is a clown.  We are his best audience.
Our living room looks like the set of Romper Room.  He has ten stuffed animals that he knows each by name.  He loves nothing better than to haul each of them into the living room, shake them furiously and squeak their squeakers until we plead for quiet.  A tennis ball is not only a great thing to chase, but also serves as a "teether" as he struggles to chew the fur off the ball.  I uncovered an old nylabone from our deceased Bulldog, Milly.  Now this monster is a favorite.  He can barely haul it around but I am sure it holds old Milly flavors that make it irrestible.

We both agree.  That drive was the smartest thing we have done in a long time.  We know Harley is a "keeper"

Auraknot

A new week, a new challenge from the Diva at Iamthediva_CZT.com and a new pattern from Zentangle.   What fun...the new tangle, "auraknot" and the challenge to use it.  The tangle reminds me of the straw stars that they sell at Christmas time.  I think they come from the Phillippines.  Anyway I really got into weaving, threw in a few flowers and called it good.  Thanks Rick and Maria, and always thanks to Laura.

Fiore di Pietro Challenge

My muse has left me.  For three days I have pondered how I could use our new pattern, Fiore di Pietro creatively.  Nothing came to me.   Today I sat down to try and master the pattern so I could use it in this week's challenge.  This was the result (after two hit the "round file").  I wanted to honor Rho's brother in law with something special but I think this week my mind focused too much on loss.  A dear friend lost her 21 year old grandson in a motorcycle accident this week.  Life is fragile!
Rho, I would be happy to be included in your project.  My condolences to you and your family.