Kids Zone: Newspaper forts

Now that Emilu is officially walking, and her infant months are way behind her, I have been scratching my head collecting ideas for play, and creativity.  She has already tried watercoloring and loved it.  So, I will be setting up a small corner of creativity for her when we get home.  Yesterday, I found this amazing DIY play activity that I can build by myself at home, using only newspapers and tape.  It's a newspaper fort, but really, they have a variety of uses from tents, and structures for toys, or just plain forts for your little ones to play.  So if you have a surplus of newspapers or kraft/wrapping paper this is the perfect toy to build. Click over at Modern Parents/Messy Kids for the entire tutorial. Have fun!

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Flying home

Happy Monday! Today we are leaving the island and flying to Miami. I'll stay there until Wednesday and then fly back home. I can't wait to walk into my apt. (Summer is reinvigorating) and kiss my husband. Until then.

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Grandpa's old farm

Growing up, grandpa's old farm was the idyllic place to spend the day during weekends. Through our innocent eyes, the farm was a place full of mystery and animals. My grandfather's mare was our ride of choice, and we could feed the pigs in their piggy quarters. There were chickens, fowls, and occasionally a few wild rabbits roaming everywhere. Today the farm animals are gone, with the exception of the 30 something year old mare, who gave birth to a colt soon after my grandpa's passing, and a old mule.  The colt is of no particular breed, more like a mutt, because we don't know who the father is.  He's what you call a country horse, goes by the name of San Miguel, and is my mother's fancy.  There are also four female dogs, formerly homeless and now living happily in the farm. 

My grandfather passed away three years ago. The lives of these animals are deeply anchored with the still beating heart of this farm. The farm may not be what it was once. But the animals give it life, and as long as they are here, the farm will too.

Little by little I'm learning to take pictures. It's not easy, even with a good camera. Sometimes, the picture you see in your head is not possible through the lens. I'm learning to appreciate the background, and see the possibilities. Photography is a school of self-discovery.

Have a summery weekend

 Hi friends! I can't believe it's Friday already.  My vacation time comes to a close this weekend.  I will be flying back to Miami on Monday, and then to Washington, DC on Wednesday.  My mom will come back with me because, let's be honest; it's not fun to travel alone with baby and dog (Miami's security lines are a battlefield!)  Besides, she'll be flying to New York City from DC to spend a few days with my brother and wife, as they are expecting their first baby, which is due in November.  These last weeks have been heaven.  Emilu and I had a blast with friends and family!  She even took her first steps here.  By the time we get back home, she'll be officially a walking toddler!  As always, hope you have lovely weather, and here are a few links I've enjoyed this week.

a refined black and white Swedish chalet 

a colorful London flat 

potting training momma returns to work: hilarious!

can you picture yourself living in this neighborhood? 

if I had the chance to marry again, i would go with any of these dresses

and speaking of weddings, i would choose this line of paper stationary 

lemonade stand goes colorful (the cutest video yet from the Blairs)

the movie I've been impatiently waiting for!

i'll be trying this yummy soup very soon!

i'll miss this sweet place, fingers crossed that we can return next year!

Photography

I've been snapping pictures here and there around my mother's house.

Morning coffee. Sculpture of native man, thinking.

Bedroom window bathed in dusk light. Manzanita sticks.  Hanging onions.  Cowboy hat.

Growing

Babies do grow fast. Makes me want to hit the pause button for a little while. Impossible. Time is flying. It's inexorable.

Spotted: Cities and their typography

Now that I have started shooting pictures, I find myself drawn to artists who can create new art from old, overused techniques. Take Gokhun Guneyhan's  latest shots. They are brilliant typographic art directions used as design covers for his photography sets.  Typography is the art and technique of arranging type in order to make language visible. Just brilliant.