Happy Father's Day ... and some good art too!

This year, I had four dads to account for: my dad (who enjoyed a couple of movies and some socks), my stepdad, Ric, (one of my heroes), my father-in-law, Larry, (who got a "No. 1 Grandpa" T-shirt), and my husband, Monte, who will now be the best barbecue-er in the world with his new gas grill (click here if you want to see the exact kind we got him).

The kids and I snuck around this morning before dad got out of bed and pulled the already assembled grill out of my vehicle, around to the backyard and put a tiny red bow on it. The girls made dad a card and D. had found a cool card on his own that we got him.

Monte's parents dropped by after church this morning. His dad is still weak from his bout of infections last month and had to be helped up the stairs into the house. Monte is still couch-ridden after his surgery Friday. So, both dads on the couch being catered to and we women doing everything! I'm not sure they minded that at all! Good thing we love them so much! :-)

Overall, the day was relaxing. Although I made my family some eggs, bacon and toast for breakfast, I didn't have to cook dinner, as we ordered chicken wings (bone-out) from Pizza Hut tonight, so that was nice (no dishes!) Man, that's one thing you don't think of when you have a big family: the dirty dishes NEVER end!

And one of the best things: I got to my art this evening. I started and finished the above Summer Art Doll, which I will be swapping out with a partner sometime in July. I can't wait to see what she sends me! I like this doll so much, I'm thinking about keeping her and making another one. It was pretty quick and I'd like to play with the face a little more.

Where does the time go?

Saturday is almost over and I'm left wondering where the heck the time went!

Didn't get any art done today. That could be because my husband and I slept until noon. We were shocked we slept so late and impressed the kids didn't wake us before then! We needed to sleep. Both of us are fighting sore throats.

Then we started our usual Saturday routine: going to our favorite Mexican restaurant. The kids look forward to that almost as much as we do. Then we had to go to the mall so I could get some undergarments on sale at one of my favorite stores and we also bought a couple of movies from a store going out of business (60 percent off!) and a bathing suit and some sandals for the girls.

Then we headed off to Target to get some swimtrunks and shorts for our son, who's leaving for church camp for five days tomorrow. We also got some father's day goodies and a plunger!

After that, it was home, where I did a load of laundry, fixed some dinner for the children, and went out back and played catch with our son as the girls played in the kiddie pool. Then I got the girls ready for bed, my son in the shower and he and dad then watched some TV while I packed his duffle bag for camp.

Now our boy is in bed, I'm typing this note and my husband's in his office. No time for art today! It's after 11 p.m. and I think dad and I are going to go to bed and watch some Johnny Carson DVDs.

The ATC above is an Artist Trading Card I did recently for a Jammin' Jamaica swap. Doesn't Jamaica sound lovely right now?

Welcome to Cafe Artiste!

Welcome to Cafe Artiste, a fancy little name for my newfound art space. I got the name idea from a sign I bought at Hobby Lobby a few weeks back. The fancier words "Louvre" and "Paris" also grace the sign here in my comfy art room, but I'll not be speaking French here.

I mostly want a place to post my art (and other stuff) that is easy to access. I have a private Yahoo group on which I keep my beloved artwork, but I've had several friends who were unable to navigate the red tape that is signing up for a Yahoo account and joining a group.

I've also thought it would be neat to start a journal of sorts on the trials and tribulations and joys of being a "Sudden Mom" to three stepchildren and a new wife to my wonderful husband, but I'm not sure I want to get that intimate in an open market. I'll have to think about that. Where's Erma Bombeck when you need her?

Meanwhile, I'll see how this develops!