How is cake connected to cinnamon, spinning and Lego?

In my world this past week, there's a clear correlation.  Granddaughter Chloe celebrated her second birthday on Saturday in the Okanagan, so there was cake galore.

Our visit to the new locale seemed to have elicited a visit from a cinnamon bear.  From the looks of him/her (we didn't get close enough to check), some post-hibernation sprucing up should have been in the cards.  A curry-comb and hairdresser were definitely required.

As for spinning, grandson Linkin and his dad had a blast at his sister Chloe's party, as did all the other children shouting and screaming at a decibel level to rival lift-off at Cape Canaveral.

We stopped for a quick visit on the way home with another grandson, Owen, as he and his family were unable to attend Chloe's party.  And actually, we visited with his parents as well.  🤣

His current fascination with Lego is boundless, as he arranged them by colour, then by number of bumps, and then by who knows what?!  

As we were away for four days (and recovering for two afterwards 😉), there was little activity in the studio, apart from some card backgrounds created,

and a start on a couple of mini books because I found two neat little boxes in my stash and retro-fitting seemed like a great idea.

I'm looking forward to getting these finished this week, as well as starting on a larger book form.  And who knows what will really happen to those best-laid plans?  

The mini-book frenzy continues...

and I may have to start more in addition to the 17 I have in progress.  Every time I use painted dryer sheets I fall in love with them all over again, and this little book-in-the-making will be no exception:

The texture just has me salivating - how about you?

And of course, I am also working on the other ones in progress...some day these will all come together - just like families after Covid is done.

With a first-birthday coming up for granddaughter, Chloe, a painting has also been in the works.  Lucky her parents don't read this or I'd have to wait until June to show it to you.  Chloe is just as whimsical as the painting...she's a delightful sprite.

And I have to show you this lovely leaf I discovered while out walking.

Isn't Mother Nature the absolute best artist ever?!!!

We've had some lifting of the restrictions this week, which means that Ruth and I will be able to resume working on paintings for her upcoming show in November - that's welcome news.  The pressure has been on to find ways to fulfil her commitment and this is a most positive step.

I hope the news in your area is just as good, and that we can all move forward to a kinder, gentler world together.  

In a different city...

... and visiting a new granddaughter, Chloe,

I'm using the change of venue and circumstance to do some inner work around how I view things.  And that of course means that I'm doing some outer work as well with my camera.

I'm taking the opportunity to look at things in a different way, and the change is most interesting.  Macro shots turn decorative objects into something else entirely.

and looking in a different direction or shooting from a new angle can be bemusing.

I wonder, when we come to the other side of all this pandemic and strife, whether the change in viewpoint will give us an appreciation for life, a sense of empathy and love for all living things, along with gratitude for all that this world has to offer.  Here's hoping...