tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46960689599693516022024-03-13T02:07:52.300-07:00McDonnell DoodlesMcDonnellDoodleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03565384212312004061noreply@blogger.comBlogger148125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4696068959969351602.post-26299182211427426992024-02-28T16:43:00.000-08:002024-02-28T16:43:46.803-08:00A Tribute to Estella Leopold<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOK8ZLvCmMCoKhTGuxAEZvDx3ddnkmRGJvNYWAyT1frp-n7gNb2reT7aTuxGIoG4xJXMwj2IYC-MGe4_jkboqrFlRi5XCy-WT8OmCvuWP9u01qP57ICCKhvyJFH60bLzvPS3ZCQh4owsxIY-V4WNfa31DI0hyphenhyphenCfEO4LP2kl-cPKXuzunLEYwcS7bNmppG/s1926/Small-Postcard-Portrait-US-Template.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1926" data-original-width="1284" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOK8ZLvCmMCoKhTGuxAEZvDx3ddnkmRGJvNYWAyT1frp-n7gNb2reT7aTuxGIoG4xJXMwj2IYC-MGe4_jkboqrFlRi5XCy-WT8OmCvuWP9u01qP57ICCKhvyJFH60bLzvPS3ZCQh4owsxIY-V4WNfa31DI0hyphenhyphenCfEO4LP2kl-cPKXuzunLEYwcS7bNmppG/w426-h640/Small-Postcard-Portrait-US-Template.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last night I read the sad news of the passing of Estella Leopold at age 97 on February 25th. She was the last remaining child of Aldo Leopold, the great philosopher and conservationist. I'll never forget going to Deer Grove Forest Preserve at dusk to watch Green Fire, the documentary about Aldo and his family. I was mesmerized by the story of how Aldo, his wife, and their five children worked tirelessly to restore a worn out patch of land along the Wisconsin River. They literally loved the land back to life, planting thousand and thousands of trees, and having amazing adventures along the way. The family converted an old chicken shack into cozy living quarters for their weekend stays, and that shack was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2009. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We're all so inundated with horror stories about the rampant destruction humans are inflicting on the natural world, but here was a story about a family working to heal the land, and becoming healed in the process. How utterly refreshing. Jerome and I made a pilgrimage to The Shack a few years ago, listening the Aldo Leopold's classic, The Sand County Almanac, on our way there. At the nearby Leopold Center, we watched video interviews with the five children, who all went on to become world class conservationists themselves. And then I learned that the youngest, "little Estella," was still alive. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9h_JCsSLaOthEsiih5nticbsU9xGgiSxUIQPpOEakWW-oOPZk1AoZgCKhop0FBuRJDicEU_nItQtwx3nDN-IeTNUw7h4YurUnzlTmKrgrO5fZpxETtKrsjj4zs2zfEm7TfdPcYRheawAu9RNhKsTJqGHi4FOBbNoQ6tHswg67Lc_4mbnvbfPErjybAoE/s2361/estella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2323" data-original-width="2361" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9h_JCsSLaOthEsiih5nticbsU9xGgiSxUIQPpOEakWW-oOPZk1AoZgCKhop0FBuRJDicEU_nItQtwx3nDN-IeTNUw7h4YurUnzlTmKrgrO5fZpxETtKrsjj4zs2zfEm7TfdPcYRheawAu9RNhKsTJqGHi4FOBbNoQ6tHswg67Lc_4mbnvbfPErjybAoE/w400-h394/estella.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In fact, she had just written a book called "Stories from the Leopold Shack." What a life she lived! Training her pet fox squirrel, Poco, and her pet crow, Pedro, skating on the frozen Wisconsin River while a muskrat under the ice raced along with her... I was inspired to write a picture book, presented from 8 year old Estella's point of view, and titled it "The Leopold's Love the Land." I decided to send the book to Estella for her approval since it was, after all, her story. We had a couple of lovely conversations on the phone, and she sent me a couple of letters. I helped her select a picture book to give as a gift for a grand-niece's new baby. Estella liked my manuscript, but she was concerned about too many people visiting The Shack. She wanted to think about it some more. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And then, life went on. I got busy with a new job, the pandemic happened, we lost touch. Here's a quote from my book: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"In school, Estella learned the Golden Rule: treat others as you want to be treated. Aldo thought nature should be included in that rule. It wasn't fair to keep taking and taking from the land without ever giving anything back. Aldo wanted to give back to this land, to restore it to health, to love it back to life. Could the Leopolds do it? There was only one way to find out!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>McDonnellDoodleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03565384212312004061noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4696068959969351602.post-4003291643140575882017-05-09T07:56:00.003-07:002017-05-09T08:27:07.918-07:00Blossom Plays Possum - Advance Copy!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Advance copies of <i>Blossom Plays Possum</i> arrived on my doorstep! I'm so pleased with how it turned out, from the touches of glitter on the cover to the thoughtful advice from a child psychologist in the back matter. (And I'm doubly pleased that my husband was with me when I opened the box, to see I dedicated the book to him!)<br />
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The folks at <a href="http://www.apa.org/pubs/magination/" target="_blank">Magination Press</a> consistently put out great books to help kids deal with all sorts of issues, and they're so lovely to work with.<br />
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The book will be out in July, so if you know any shy kids, or parents of shy kids, check it out!McDonnellDoodleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03565384212312004061noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4696068959969351602.post-49286039797480931042016-07-19T08:17:00.002-07:002016-07-19T08:23:00.290-07:00What to Do When You Feel Too Shy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZ0cR7KZUmMV_RZGR1WFndZHDBkN3u1x6Y68KZenozR_9SwtNLe6rfxddY4ii6ftGJtmV9aOu1jlHtuogAZdImx_kayVKX8lTbxMX_nB4Kj1guLbhX2bSO2mnmhOcqH4M4n04Oiwc6WBp/s1600/tooshy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZ0cR7KZUmMV_RZGR1WFndZHDBkN3u1x6Y68KZenozR_9SwtNLe6rfxddY4ii6ftGJtmV9aOu1jlHtuogAZdImx_kayVKX8lTbxMX_nB4Kj1guLbhX2bSO2mnmhOcqH4M4n04Oiwc6WBp/s640/tooshy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Look what the book stork left on my doorstep! This is the second book I've illustrated in a series by Magination Press called "What to Do" books. In case you're not familiar with Magination Press, they are the children's publishing arm of the American Psychological Association, and they do a wonderful job of helping kids deal with all sorts of issues. This one, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/What-When-You-Feel-Too/dp/1433822768" target="_blank">What to Do When You Feel Too Shy: A Kid's Guide to Overcoming Social Anxiety,</a> </i>is especially well done. Using the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy, the authors guide children in methods for dealing with that little voice in your head that can sometimes seem more foe than friend. Though it's meant for kids aged 6-12, the advice is good for all ages, including deep-rooted wallflowers like myself.McDonnellDoodleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03565384212312004061noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4696068959969351602.post-88783687140493639142016-04-23T16:15:00.000-07:002016-04-23T16:15:11.582-07:00This is Why I Love Reading to First Graders<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxA51EHZQbld81A2uxTUxkR4CMDY-M9jU5Su6cAB0WHZ8KMBpbeTSydK8_hNDkwlAOrwPrvyApFqn_jCH0FkMk-zhu1vlzZaTlrslVMPlyGPsfdKOK2QtwF72CNtjZQMvK37gXLJ1U_dw/s1600/maybe+something+beautiful.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxA51EHZQbld81A2uxTUxkR4CMDY-M9jU5Su6cAB0WHZ8KMBpbeTSydK8_hNDkwlAOrwPrvyApFqn_jCH0FkMk-zhu1vlzZaTlrslVMPlyGPsfdKOK2QtwF72CNtjZQMvK37gXLJ1U_dw/s320/maybe+something+beautiful.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm very lucky to have a sister who teaches first grade nearby. Once a week, I visit to share one of my Hidden Picture puzzles with them and to read a story. It's wonderful. They're always happy to see me, which is a big ego boost, and I'm always happy to spend time with them and absorb their energy. It's also hugely interesting to see how they'll respond to the book I've chosen.<br />
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This week, I brought <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780544357693" target="_blank">Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood</a>, written by F. Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howell and illustrated by Rafael Lopez. I picked it because it combines two of my passions: art and activism. (You can read a review of the book <a href="https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/f-isabel-campoy/maybe-something-beautiful/" target="_blank">here</a>.) The illustrations are beautiful, but I wondered if the plot would hold a classroom of kids, because it's pretty simple. I needn't worry, because it went over very well. One girl even hugged herself and said quietly, "I love this," as I read.<br />
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I explained that this book was inspired by a true story, but the girl in the book was a made up character. One girl's eyes lit up and she raised her hand. "Is this historical fiction?" she asked. Wow. Yes, I suppose it kind of is, I said. The girl next to her asked, "What's husautica ficta?" THIS is what I love about first grade. You get kids with a wide range of experience and abilities, but they're all curious, and they're not afraid to ask when they don't get something (if you have a class that feels like a safe space, as this one does). So we talked about what historical means and what fiction means. I could almost hear the wheels turning behind their eyes. Then a girl said, "'Like 'Titanic'! I've seen it six times." "What's Titanic?" asked a boy. And so we discussed the sinking of that famous ship.<br />
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It wasn't the discussion I thought we'd have about the book (how art enriches our lives, how people coming together can change the world), but I didn't mind. It's just so much fun watching young minds grow, and watching how books help make it happen.McDonnellDoodleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03565384212312004061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4696068959969351602.post-15820944791212336692016-03-16T09:02:00.000-07:002016-03-16T18:12:03.880-07:00The Cobblestone Kids of Copenhagen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQqKxT84Ys5EHvSmw-qcvcxC9Z5s1RzjQtPcycPHkTeZW1-wzgHuZgorfv3UAhpWrVRsxdi4BsljxsUweZp5HPfNiMd7FggjYSl0d9NUGuUH-g_E5xAEURg1qS9MxCpV2ZRKNRdR_1_fo/s1600/cobblestonekids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQqKxT84Ys5EHvSmw-qcvcxC9Z5s1RzjQtPcycPHkTeZW1-wzgHuZgorfv3UAhpWrVRsxdi4BsljxsUweZp5HPfNiMd7FggjYSl0d9NUGuUH-g_E5xAEURg1qS9MxCpV2ZRKNRdR_1_fo/s640/cobblestonekids.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
I'm officially in love with Copenhagen (which, when not capitalized, spellcheck likes to change to "open haven"). My son is doing a semester abroad there, and I recently spent a truly wonderful week visiting him and bumbling through Denmark together.<br />
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There's much to love about this charming city, from the cobblestone streets to the quirky houseboats, to the bike-centric culture. Maybe it's my profession or my mom instincts talking, but I was most charmed by the children of Denmark. The temperature hovered around freezing the whole week, and I noticed little snow suited people everywhere.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCnN0sB4l2Q__YlSyoArRc0U516XA1tDAx3MJtCDKEe9B-tEv6sfRbfWMaYjmqScGKXYouZpaNNjlDWWwhg1axkCWV4cVwPnJcUaQRne9LSAd8CxgXsvpp_I8Fa1R5ny7KBOaMZAuEW43/s1600/pramteam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCnN0sB4l2Q__YlSyoArRc0U516XA1tDAx3MJtCDKEe9B-tEv6sfRbfWMaYjmqScGKXYouZpaNNjlDWWwhg1axkCWV4cVwPnJcUaQRne9LSAd8CxgXsvpp_I8Fa1R5ny7KBOaMZAuEW43/s640/pramteam.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
Prams are also omnipresent. The Danish firmly believe in the power of fresh air, especially for sleeping babies. They zip them right into their deluxe "child wagons" and stroll around town, with the little snow suit people hanging on so they all stick together. I once saw a child wagon with four little, pointy-hatted babies inside and almost melted on the spot. I had to sketch them right away.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrhjBKdvUCNLoszL2YKmK78nTDCX2MreDKv3fptwzs2ieRWn97FE7l6vXq_iUSd-ypd8Vb5A8IhM3M9xuAtmARR2pgpaJD7SyFroWwadzu9rG12nbp7R04SWlknRVU5YJuRFDDu61TNwpf/s1600/pram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrhjBKdvUCNLoszL2YKmK78nTDCX2MreDKv3fptwzs2ieRWn97FE7l6vXq_iUSd-ypd8Vb5A8IhM3M9xuAtmARR2pgpaJD7SyFroWwadzu9rG12nbp7R04SWlknRVU5YJuRFDDu61TNwpf/s400/pram.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I hope to return to this lovely haven one day, preferably in non-snow suit weather.</div>
<br />McDonnellDoodleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03565384212312004061noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4696068959969351602.post-90926930543607722882016-02-20T07:30:00.002-08:002016-02-20T07:31:46.927-08:00Branching Out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdMa2sjzJUbGlcduOI7qV_4ETaHpevU7-T_aQp0Rw_sy2gB70XOL4XAw3Dsn-0BrJt4uOF4XH-19bSQNzolpA55FQOp4rmSVMtB89j3oZQhwbuOdIDfMboKOWDqzHn242bFvWJu9sHX-1/s1600/tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdMa2sjzJUbGlcduOI7qV_4ETaHpevU7-T_aQp0Rw_sy2gB70XOL4XAw3Dsn-0BrJt4uOF4XH-19bSQNzolpA55FQOp4rmSVMtB89j3oZQhwbuOdIDfMboKOWDqzHn242bFvWJu9sHX-1/s640/tree.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Sometimes, when I don’t know what the hell to do next, and
I’m feeling a bit unsettled, I draw some growing thing. When my youngest son
started school full time and I suddenly had the house to myself for hours on
end, I sat down and drew the giant tree in our neighbor’s backyard. I used
charcoal on a giant pad of newsprint and filled the whole page.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Three days ago, I quit my agent of ten years. It was time, and
I don’t regret it, but yesterday morning I woke feeling adrift and at sea. So I drew
the tree again. This time with India ink and tempera on cardboard. </div>
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A lot has changed in 10 years. The giant tree is even bigger,
and that youngest son is getting ready to pick a college. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ve changed too, but have I changed enough? <o:p></o:p></div>
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Mary Oliver asks, <o:p></o:p></div>
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“Am I no longer young, and still not half-perfect? Let me <o:p></o:p></div>
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keep my mind on what matters, <o:p></o:p></div>
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which is my work,<o:p></o:p></div>
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which is mostly standing still and learning to be<br />
astonished.”<br />
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McDonnellDoodleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03565384212312004061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4696068959969351602.post-26639345121172587952016-02-09T06:36:00.000-08:002016-02-15T14:11:43.023-08:00Sick Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4V88WFli4kzKggIbgAmjN09L7m_-MMj6WRCcVQa9FoZwcCRxXp7EvyCRBtbnVE1KhkfzV-_zNcncDPYaVBfN-tI2hD654B64TL8KSvFO_UI5o0KSUbl8j4Xw-r39vT0XST_eRgXq_rJLd/s1600/Shadow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4V88WFli4kzKggIbgAmjN09L7m_-MMj6WRCcVQa9FoZwcCRxXp7EvyCRBtbnVE1KhkfzV-_zNcncDPYaVBfN-tI2hD654B64TL8KSvFO_UI5o0KSUbl8j4Xw-r39vT0XST_eRgXq_rJLd/s640/Shadow.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Feeling better today, but yesterday it was a struggle to resist climbing in bed with a box of kleenex. I never experienced the days of "house calls," but I do remember making shadow animals. My brother was a master at it.McDonnellDoodleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03565384212312004061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4696068959969351602.post-1331669654722903232015-11-20T07:01:00.001-08:002015-11-20T07:01:56.657-08:00Stuffed. And Animal.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFNIrQIZCsLtdNuOPeoJi9UNfAz3mRK2YgIwyB6jaFMVA0W5pQwgp9iKNJSBLtYqYRIvinAeLQMecz8mxopS097ptYVWx4SB2zyOQWyOe8GZSpjFgmg_1caJcXLpuz_XgbtLS3D4RLTwX/s1600/stuffed2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFNIrQIZCsLtdNuOPeoJi9UNfAz3mRK2YgIwyB6jaFMVA0W5pQwgp9iKNJSBLtYqYRIvinAeLQMecz8mxopS097ptYVWx4SB2zyOQWyOe8GZSpjFgmg_1caJcXLpuz_XgbtLS3D4RLTwX/s400/stuffed2.jpg" width="330" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a twofer. Fulfilling the "Stuffed" theme for the Tugeau2 promo and the "Animal" theme for Illustration Friday.</td></tr>
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<br />McDonnellDoodleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03565384212312004061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4696068959969351602.post-37599680300642298872015-08-14T14:35:00.002-07:002015-08-14T14:35:24.392-07:00Sketch time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNPT3kxSNzvYhIoIR4ddS6DkYI__Ttx1FSU1FUUzM0enMSSx6ApGm54geEm0nF9fgcpPmh-0d4UDisOp-T8CraAo33nWQSF-nvf-_jpXYHtfR5BEfUSQ6by3pXtCfGNy3qsV8OsKriXnR/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNPT3kxSNzvYhIoIR4ddS6DkYI__Ttx1FSU1FUUzM0enMSSx6ApGm54geEm0nF9fgcpPmh-0d4UDisOp-T8CraAo33nWQSF-nvf-_jpXYHtfR5BEfUSQ6by3pXtCfGNy3qsV8OsKriXnR/s400/Untitled-1.jpg" width="350" /></a></div>
Just a quick sketch from memory of a dad at the library with his two wee ones. I went to the library to get a few things and thought I'd sketch kids while there, but I was too nervous. So instead I just tried paying close attention, noticing details about people, and went home to draw them. It was actually a pretty good exercise.McDonnellDoodleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03565384212312004061noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4696068959969351602.post-25855765904788965812015-06-10T11:51:00.000-07:002015-06-10T11:51:08.189-07:00To the Beach!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXrAW_WK1irOzcGOGZZ9sLc05__KsnwhAuLxwREiEpMnivn8x8Ay30A25N0id6EgYsUVGvUGbPbfFyyVOQ_j5TegYJR2lXhYEsGuY-Dm8vaNLMDbJg60QLME8ucXDPxBqvSFb6nlERdCb/s1600/beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXrAW_WK1irOzcGOGZZ9sLc05__KsnwhAuLxwREiEpMnivn8x8Ay30A25N0id6EgYsUVGvUGbPbfFyyVOQ_j5TegYJR2lXhYEsGuY-Dm8vaNLMDbJg60QLME8ucXDPxBqvSFb6nlERdCb/s640/beach.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Every time I say "To the beach!" I think of Mr. Bean. Click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaGFX1E3I68" target="_blank">here</a> to see why. Good, silly movie. Perfect for summertime.McDonnellDoodleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03565384212312004061noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4696068959969351602.post-11739874652713997392015-05-13T06:42:00.000-07:002015-05-13T06:42:43.590-07:00Sleeping Beauty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzfc_-27uIT9EWvH4LO_O7a7d0jkurfmTvqQrVHkaOEKQIhsv4hvF9FwTX6NrXsKTD7S0-NugSMRZuIxr9CKVfmMS2jI5K-AoMrtStxTVSk-k-Yinv1a2t9gfFpcan8qw_ulkPuxT63B5/s1600/SleepingBeauty2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzfc_-27uIT9EWvH4LO_O7a7d0jkurfmTvqQrVHkaOEKQIhsv4hvF9FwTX6NrXsKTD7S0-NugSMRZuIxr9CKVfmMS2jI5K-AoMrtStxTVSk-k-Yinv1a2t9gfFpcan8qw_ulkPuxT63B5/s640/SleepingBeauty2.jpg" width="496" /></a></div>
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Before the evil fairy showed up and ruined the party, the good fairies doled out some sweet spells.</div>
<br />McDonnellDoodleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03565384212312004061noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4696068959969351602.post-10099437751540084362015-02-28T07:41:00.000-08:002015-02-28T07:45:48.199-08:00Digital Collage Fun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl5qC4ucOwEh_SJDvxKDWA66fjGLxHj0tZN7QiyNKEYGaZObHKd9xHfoi_uqEjfo9S9jelInGiEKJZulwq5fWAn5IMxwWdvlB5YIETczqEUtJvSy5IppC8DEPriSpJYfXPX6D6Ni2-Ym05/s1600/U001_W005_BK002_003A-U001-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl5qC4ucOwEh_SJDvxKDWA66fjGLxHj0tZN7QiyNKEYGaZObHKd9xHfoi_uqEjfo9S9jelInGiEKJZulwq5fWAn5IMxwWdvlB5YIETczqEUtJvSy5IppC8DEPriSpJYfXPX6D6Ni2-Ym05/s1600/U001_W005_BK002_003A-U001-.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEApZlrNhyphenhyphenMSrGSs6xhXAFTQwEU8rZsQUnzdBprh5ut8F5d7hKhM4wjiwEURdagAbSy3V4BYKtbjcR_PFEN-evKscm6sfg_QFTlc83NJblRes1JZDJEau6TLqg8-JsjbNTYw9gZnlqVlMc/s1600/U001_W005_BK002_004A-U001-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEApZlrNhyphenhyphenMSrGSs6xhXAFTQwEU8rZsQUnzdBprh5ut8F5d7hKhM4wjiwEURdagAbSy3V4BYKtbjcR_PFEN-evKscm6sfg_QFTlc83NJblRes1JZDJEau6TLqg8-JsjbNTYw9gZnlqVlMc/s1600/U001_W005_BK002_004A-U001-.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
This was fun. I decided to try a little digital collage for this kindergarten early reader. Sitting on the floor, dipping a toothbrush into paint and splattering it all over watercolor paper, I felt like a kindergartener myself!McDonnellDoodleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03565384212312004061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4696068959969351602.post-89959005180640936322015-02-04T14:33:00.000-08:002015-02-04T14:33:29.700-08:00Getting to Know Fiona<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmdfFGL4pUoG-x6Fi9hSXJPDmHyG6knbRhtEKb9APcWzrHN4wJ7AzcSyhfS6DZzMXZs2RL8cZz44pz4QxI9UiyLehOCE0cthuvV9pq-lrLl-RWRHmT827dD0srmzYdqus1m0fgYoK69JR/s1600/Fionaspots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmdfFGL4pUoG-x6Fi9hSXJPDmHyG6knbRhtEKb9APcWzrHN4wJ7AzcSyhfS6DZzMXZs2RL8cZz44pz4QxI9UiyLehOCE0cthuvV9pq-lrLl-RWRHmT827dD0srmzYdqus1m0fgYoK69JR/s1600/Fionaspots.jpg" height="368" width="640" /></a></div>
Meet Fiona, the main character of a book I've been writing. She was a little shy at first, but she is slowly revealing herself to me.McDonnellDoodleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03565384212312004061noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4696068959969351602.post-56900253832236637562015-01-13T10:49:00.000-08:002015-01-13T10:55:48.885-08:00The Beauty of Black and White<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb5R5YDBXX6u67FYb55pW-_3U5D5LLMWPDIfBII2mlpJgyiKTpYH7Tvezo04vTaLiCeuE1Ki_VTzWXBJMiBNBj3_JJcD63tMFgThkBHhUOK65t4ZTXRQ8oEcVzuHIuNfKpN-sBmXpl4d4D/s1600/18-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb5R5YDBXX6u67FYb55pW-_3U5D5LLMWPDIfBII2mlpJgyiKTpYH7Tvezo04vTaLiCeuE1Ki_VTzWXBJMiBNBj3_JJcD63tMFgThkBHhUOK65t4ZTXRQ8oEcVzuHIuNfKpN-sBmXpl4d4D/s1600/18-19.jpg" height="564" width="640" /></a></div>
This is a cropped section of an illustration I recently completed for an upcoming book from Magination Press. (click to enlarge) I'm surprised by how much I've enjoyed working in black and white. I went old school and used India ink washes and a dip pen (along with a Staedtler pigment liner). P.S. There are five bugs hidden in the art. Can you find them all?McDonnellDoodleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03565384212312004061noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4696068959969351602.post-17672749887164535462014-11-03T06:59:00.000-08:002015-01-13T10:54:49.163-08:00Explore More<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9qMMm6ilTBJlk06JRuUdrFTJdABuNZcRlFsmokZFBqP7hvM9ubEA9FpRjwKxUgTgwbpr2IWWkwZFZOVrnyYaUkFcxPOsqoZaHArR_we3bAyKiiOc79GHk-ppiZHEZEA4malMLToHxocp/s1600/Explore3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9qMMm6ilTBJlk06JRuUdrFTJdABuNZcRlFsmokZFBqP7hvM9ubEA9FpRjwKxUgTgwbpr2IWWkwZFZOVrnyYaUkFcxPOsqoZaHArR_we3bAyKiiOc79GHk-ppiZHEZEA4malMLToHxocp/s1600/Explore3.jpg" height="457" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i style="background-color: white;">"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." --</i><span style="background-color: white;">Mark Twain.</span>McDonnellDoodleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03565384212312004061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4696068959969351602.post-34526350669258078712014-10-24T11:50:00.000-07:002015-01-13T10:55:00.655-08:00Be Afraid. Be Very Afraid<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBTyucQeRP0e5542mcigj6U2QSOiPI1nr8WMdMs70XO9_uTjTyZ0AvlGDswzDdwAUDXZ4MUgxk3IIq_g-NH58fG9vqU5f2ZRwCvZT6fxKzPl9cmst6uXXM774hhh-1W-SUuckta5-p_gO/s1600/halloween2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBTyucQeRP0e5542mcigj6U2QSOiPI1nr8WMdMs70XO9_uTjTyZ0AvlGDswzDdwAUDXZ4MUgxk3IIq_g-NH58fG9vqU5f2ZRwCvZT6fxKzPl9cmst6uXXM774hhh-1W-SUuckta5-p_gO/s1600/halloween2.jpg" height="587" width="640" /></a></div>
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In the spirit of Halloween, I offer this harrowing household hint: you know that tray at the bottom of your toaster that catches crumbs? The aptly named "crumb tray"? Well, apparently if you don't empty it for, say, two years, this is interpreted in the mouse world as a free all-you-can-eat buffet.<br />
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The other night, I stepped into our kitchen and flipped on the light just in time to see a mouse butt and tail disappear into our toaster. That's right. A MOUSE. In our TOASTER. If I happened to be carrying a pumpkin bucket full of candy at the time, you can BET it would have been flung. Really flung.<br />
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Without going into too much detail about the resultant trauma, let's just say that when it came time to sit down and come up with an idea for promotional Halloween art, a scary image jumped to mind. So here's wishing you a Halloween filled with monsters, not mice.McDonnellDoodleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03565384212312004061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4696068959969351602.post-44512930256324411392014-09-15T06:12:00.000-07:002015-01-13T10:55:10.714-08:00Back to School!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQofLAGNt7sQg-09pqoR5NuyBGYXshlPWS1Mq8gR69y6uS4OUcXpa6UzHH_Tb3QGRYbR_CGJI6t2uVZ0qhuhyphenhyphenPymclht4LPoBB37Lb1W6oR9mITnPVGXoeaZyfhlepy324Pq0ZmbkIx4L/s1600/BacktoCruel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQofLAGNt7sQg-09pqoR5NuyBGYXshlPWS1Mq8gR69y6uS4OUcXpa6UzHH_Tb3QGRYbR_CGJI6t2uVZ0qhuhyphenhyphenPymclht4LPoBB37Lb1W6oR9mITnPVGXoeaZyfhlepy324Pq0ZmbkIx4L/s1600/BacktoCruel.jpg" height="297" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>(click to enlarge)</i></div>
The assignment from my rep, Nicole Tugeau, was to create promo art under the theme "back to cruel," depicting the less than positive aspects of returning to school. But this also depicts my memories of mealtimes with my two sons when they were little. There was a period of about six months when they would get so silly and so gross, we scarcely made it through a dinner without having to send one or the other away from the table. As parents, we felt obliged to civilize them, but in truth, they were often hilarious. Still are, though not nearly as gross any more.McDonnellDoodleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03565384212312004061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4696068959969351602.post-78507385933768766492014-09-03T09:02:00.000-07:002014-09-03T09:02:02.500-07:00Sketchbook Skool<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbrbza9f1BxxTMhyphenhyphenxIhppqtHHqmQ2ePijP6Juog3NAR46AcHaZWDB-VP01OUGvJeZPtCCeRPqcyC9hShcKXTBw_5mMFdZ7OlTeRxbLRClgXQUUh3lMiK3UQiu8cvgpn3z5-tv-Aup5v10/s1600/park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbrbza9f1BxxTMhyphenhyphenxIhppqtHHqmQ2ePijP6Juog3NAR46AcHaZWDB-VP01OUGvJeZPtCCeRPqcyC9hShcKXTBw_5mMFdZ7OlTeRxbLRClgXQUUh3lMiK3UQiu8cvgpn3z5-tv-Aup5v10/s1600/park.jpg" height="293" width="400" /></a></div>
It's been a lovely summer, made lovelier by a class I discovered. Knowing that I was going to be working on some less-than-exciting educational illustrations this summer, I was happy to learn from fellow <a href="http://www.picturebookartists.org/" target="_blank">PBAAer</a> <a href="http://betsyjames.com/bio-and-contact/" target="_blank">Betsy James</a> about a fun sounding on-line course from <a href="http://dannygregorysblog.com/" target="_blank">Danny Gregory</a>, who I've always liked. Danny and several other artists have created <a href="http://www.sketchbookskool.com/" target="_blank">Sketchbook Skool</a>, which offers three courses. I took the "Beginnings" course, hoping that it would keep me from burning out on drawing, and I'm happy to report that it worked! The six week course challenged me to break out of my comfort zone and draw IN PUBLIC! In front of STRANGERS!<br />
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Each week introduces a different instructor with a different method or focus. I especially enjoyed Tommy Kane, but they were all really good. I have a pretty cool sketchbook to show for my efforts, and I can keep referring back to the videos and transcripts, which are accessible forever once you take the class. (Klass?) Next, I think I'm going to try Storytelling. Never stop learning, that's the ticket!McDonnellDoodleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03565384212312004061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4696068959969351602.post-74463170697328548452014-06-15T10:08:00.001-07:002014-06-15T10:08:41.318-07:00Happy Father's Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjqQTq3_9M5VuBrIETmBwibQlppVOHikb2Zz1invXTuBhBiJB6GymBn0rO9hDA45GaNuLNqdyyslj1lgRVWqEmGU9SDBOxsGm-laiwCHfWXLNj7uhBDqMFmtqFZ6XaLbySB3dXI6rjCf2/s1600/Dad'sDay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjqQTq3_9M5VuBrIETmBwibQlppVOHikb2Zz1invXTuBhBiJB6GymBn0rO9hDA45GaNuLNqdyyslj1lgRVWqEmGU9SDBOxsGm-laiwCHfWXLNj7uhBDqMFmtqFZ6XaLbySB3dXI6rjCf2/s1600/Dad'sDay.jpg" height="400" width="396" /></a></div>
Photo booths have always been a favorite past time for my husband and our kids, beginning when our first born was just a wee toddler and continuing to the present, though it's much harder for us to all cram into a booth these days. I treasure those photos more than almost any others in our collection.McDonnellDoodleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03565384212312004061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4696068959969351602.post-11543944105348074692014-05-27T08:58:00.000-07:002014-05-27T08:58:08.015-07:00Playing with Watercolor Pencils<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxcTVJqv9DZEFYQqW8gjc_GQwAbT3EXbt4JhgE8SBrxF0Y4IS9bJ-Ro_EO07SEBUNtmj3JmTE2MH6P3hVNzcByyHfM21Sd_GuQfb54IlXweMviNRwwpDhLY3YphnK0F4oGWEH5uIJm6s9e/s1600/boy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxcTVJqv9DZEFYQqW8gjc_GQwAbT3EXbt4JhgE8SBrxF0Y4IS9bJ-Ro_EO07SEBUNtmj3JmTE2MH6P3hVNzcByyHfM21Sd_GuQfb54IlXweMviNRwwpDhLY3YphnK0F4oGWEH5uIJm6s9e/s1600/boy.jpg" height="320" width="289" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4ZfrDXPxnlo8g6ongDPf4_Ba57SFOo6OmJhp3qKKylGRtvfonGqwbhnAK1vzEHNYO5VumK_MlPX6KrodYdGS_YGxSDFA90J57umVkIF7BAel-mk9PHRdmj5XFKXVAgoyx5NNy22mB5IC/s1600/girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4ZfrDXPxnlo8g6ongDPf4_Ba57SFOo6OmJhp3qKKylGRtvfonGqwbhnAK1vzEHNYO5VumK_MlPX6KrodYdGS_YGxSDFA90J57umVkIF7BAel-mk9PHRdmj5XFKXVAgoyx5NNy22mB5IC/s1600/girl.jpg" height="320" width="293" /></a></div>
I've been playing around with some watersoluble colored pencils lately, just starting the day with a quick sketch from imagination. Kinda fun!McDonnellDoodleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03565384212312004061noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4696068959969351602.post-15554523361494410682014-05-13T09:12:00.000-07:002014-05-13T09:12:02.054-07:00Children's Book Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMR5MWfQXIjRF4xixR7D0amiKxz3LRlRiLUUwjqdSgu0vtSxvI6p15Ok_i-F-2PlRElTNcFxriQLjh7Dgtu7AluFTBZHht5oXyqpu45XwzMnYZP_Tv-ailOsINRHYURt4VeUGEWaxxZy0R/s1600/CBW3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMR5MWfQXIjRF4xixR7D0amiKxz3LRlRiLUUwjqdSgu0vtSxvI6p15Ok_i-F-2PlRElTNcFxriQLjh7Dgtu7AluFTBZHht5oXyqpu45XwzMnYZP_Tv-ailOsINRHYURt4VeUGEWaxxZy0R/s1600/CBW3.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
Yesterday marked the beginning of <a href="http://www.bookweekonline.com/" target="_blank">Children's Book Week</a>, established way back in 1919.<br />
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When I was painting this picture, I flashed back to when my sons were small enough to fit in a wagon together. About once a week during the summer, I'd take them to the library in the wagon and let them pick out a few picture books. Then they'd play with the puppets or the computers while I picked out a bunch more for them.<br />
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When we arrived back home, I'd dump out the bag and let them look over all the books while I made lunch. It was a rare silent spell, with only the sound of turning pages as they pored over all the books, reading the pictures. Those were very happy days.<br />
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Books offer a gift that's all too rare these days -- a chance to slow down time.McDonnellDoodleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03565384212312004061noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4696068959969351602.post-77767505628642329442014-05-10T05:21:00.000-07:002014-05-10T05:21:00.786-07:00Happy Mother's Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxXLjIPlMUPOmvFpH0eddw_RHsnfLbORJUeWf9KEWehp0RxbOIj_zn3yA1GdIQP8VEN1l8xoamZjEo_OKlnUUS41zYdcl1yYeMg3gl-1SZ-6VaiDQqWBLeCDirYknZG4W3rFAReT67mITn/s1600/Mom'sDay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxXLjIPlMUPOmvFpH0eddw_RHsnfLbORJUeWf9KEWehp0RxbOIj_zn3yA1GdIQP8VEN1l8xoamZjEo_OKlnUUS41zYdcl1yYeMg3gl-1SZ-6VaiDQqWBLeCDirYknZG4W3rFAReT67mITn/s1600/Mom'sDay.jpg" height="285" width="400" /></a></div>
To all the moms, and to anyone who mothers anyone, wishing you a day of R&R tomorrow. May you be treated like queen for a day.McDonnellDoodleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03565384212312004061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4696068959969351602.post-41057240861848459852014-04-11T13:07:00.000-07:002014-04-11T13:07:34.439-07:00Spring is Bustin' Out All Over!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ofNaQ3qDh6B9JZVgFCvkL0CzkvqfgGBsBVf5iMfgUsjhzJskbOGUGmXl_Ryl-Q1DXcfvjxu83JpGKW6QPlDkRQbLYEGVXHdrwTRN6xqKMEiuC2khAt6sf_5J6CBwWl_vO1GTuzWmSgsq/s1600/CHICKS!.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ofNaQ3qDh6B9JZVgFCvkL0CzkvqfgGBsBVf5iMfgUsjhzJskbOGUGmXl_Ryl-Q1DXcfvjxu83JpGKW6QPlDkRQbLYEGVXHdrwTRN6xqKMEiuC2khAt6sf_5J6CBwWl_vO1GTuzWmSgsq/s1600/CHICKS!.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
FINALLY! The temps almost reached 70 today, and I'm so giddy I feel like a fresh-hatched chick!McDonnellDoodleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03565384212312004061noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4696068959969351602.post-89881282318424813732014-03-22T08:09:00.001-07:002014-03-22T08:09:46.498-07:00Beware the Swings of March<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilIBo5Equ928_BAUh7Y-VxgtA6adIfy3e2LvTT4CXNmL9MbNO0pZSXS61fHZZxNdX8LiUjyNS6VqcU0YfaDDIIkznx0KhqJnrTPVMLJc_b_4a4BwBGLz-JOG7XDAX_zJzHADKVkPJvO2Ne/s1600/marchlion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilIBo5Equ928_BAUh7Y-VxgtA6adIfy3e2LvTT4CXNmL9MbNO0pZSXS61fHZZxNdX8LiUjyNS6VqcU0YfaDDIIkznx0KhqJnrTPVMLJc_b_4a4BwBGLz-JOG7XDAX_zJzHADKVkPJvO2Ne/s1600/marchlion.jpg" height="370" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's been my experience that March doesn't always come in like a lion and leave like a lamb, but rather March goes back and forth. Lion, lamb, lion, lamb. After this winter, I'm rooting for the lamb.</div>
McDonnellDoodleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03565384212312004061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4696068959969351602.post-42183882688394937582014-02-13T16:38:00.000-08:002014-02-13T16:38:53.909-08:00Blimey! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbCR3Yqgj-FYmPRcdrWN_DgTpll-i0RiqmRU4rtbBsgsix1aSKOI8y7eqvyb3syg553AjhU-1DB3tIaFAs_7KuR7kV0tRPkS9EBqaL83ICcmDfNK4VnVhlw8zQ-zLTEgxHjJEm1MiKMFx/s1600/VDTreasure3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbCR3Yqgj-FYmPRcdrWN_DgTpll-i0RiqmRU4rtbBsgsix1aSKOI8y7eqvyb3syg553AjhU-1DB3tIaFAs_7KuR7kV0tRPkS9EBqaL83ICcmDfNK4VnVhlw8zQ-zLTEgxHjJEm1MiKMFx/s1600/VDTreasure3.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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Well shiver me timbers, it's real treasure for sure. Happy Valentine's Day, mateys!</div>
McDonnellDoodleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03565384212312004061noreply@blogger.com2