SUNFLOWER

Here is Lee Ann's most recent ceramic work. If it is not clear from the picture, there is one highly detailed and 3-dimensional sunflower and all the other flowers are abstract and 2-d. One thing she has discovered is she that really enjoys putting her artwork in old frames -- in fact they often serve as inspiration for her. So an emerging style of hers is mosaics of flowers in antique frames -- it's a pretty cool and unique look she has achieved.

MOUNTAIN VIEW

We were lucky enough to get to go on vacation this year to Mountain View, AR; one of our favorite places in the world. If you have never been there before it is something of a sight. It is home to some beautiful caverns and a folk center... but more than anything it is the bluegrass capitol of the Ozarks (or the world, depending on who you talk to). Unlike tourist traps like Branson, most things are either free or really cheap. The main event in Mtn View is that almost EVERY evening impromptu bands gather around the courthouse square and play music. Whether you actually love bluegrass or not is really beside the point, the experience of a summer night, the mountains, authentic music, the kids dancing their hearts out -- there really can't be anything better!

Here is a fuzzy picture of what happens literally all the time...

And we got to enjoy our fair share of nature as well...

On this trip Reed got a banjo, but the real hit was that Jennalee got a ukulele. Some of the locals were even kind enough to let her sit in on their Old-time jam session.

And with the kazoo Adeline got, we could make our own bit of sister music on the river right outside our tent door.

But then sometimes it's just nice to play by yourself...

A "FRANK" CONFESSION

Considering our history (the six animals we posted about and two mice we didn't), it seemed wise to swear off all animals until our children go off to college. But, alas, we have broken our own rules and taken the plunge again - but this is completely different. We would like to formally welcome Frank into our home.

We met Frank at the Fayetteville Farmers Market and fell completely in love. He was a rescue dog and we couldn't help but adopt him. He is four-years-old and totally housebroken. He is a Labradoodle and is simply amazing. Labradoodles are often used as therapy dogs for young children and we can attest that Frank is so gentle that either one of our daughters can handle him on a leash. It is quite a sight to see a 30 pound little girl walking a 50 pound dog!

Since these pics were taken he has gotten a really short haircut due to his horribly matted hair. We will probably let his hair grow back to more this look.
The girls can do anything to Frank and he patiently puts up with them. We have so often tried to get pets the girls would like. This was the first pet LA and I wanted for ourselves, and the girls have been way more into him.
Lee Ann would want you to see his eyes.
Welcome home Frank!