YEP, I AM STILL ALIVE...

Too much to explain as to my absence so I won't.  I think I have things in order to give some consistency to my poor little blog.  I miss soooooooooooo much all the friends, encouragement and inspiration I get when visiting! 
So. for 2013 here is how I will start:
I purchased a book for one of our grandson's, Jackson.  He just turned 9 before Christmas.  The book is, I am the One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate, illustrated by Patricia Castelao.  It was a recommended book by the stores staff in the 8 - 12 yr old section.  As Jackson is an excellent reader and loves elephants (there was a baby elephant with a gorilla on the cover) I decided to pick it up.  I got home and read the first few pages just to get a sense of it and found myself totally submerged in the pages!  I read the whole book, laughing and crying all the way through.  EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS BOOK.   I am buying a copy for all of our childrens' households.  The lessons in this book are wonderful!

My quote today that I am sharing - food for thought as we live in this choatic world is:

"Humans waste words.  They toss them like banana peels and leave them to rot.  Everyone knows the peels are the best part."

Seriously, think about that!

Sharing my reading inspired sock monkey - mainly painted with my fingers!!!!  It was liberating to just dip and paint like Ivan!

I love books!!!!  Be a reader!!!!

Have a great day and rest of the week.  Life is short, make sure you LIVE it!!!!
cheers, dana

all work copyright Sinderella's Studio/dana strickland 2013