Marseille

My helper

He's always liked helping out in the kitchen, so I've recently started teaching him how to use a knife to cut easy things like zucchini and cucumber. We've talked a lot about how to use the knives safely and that he should never use one without Rob or I nearby. His first lesson was last weekend. Tonight he wanted to help again, and he remembered a lot of what I'd told him without me repeating it--rocking the knife, how to hold his fingers. 

As always, I so enjoy watching him grow up and learn new things. It's so much fun interacting with him, learning from him as well as teaching him. You can almost see his brain soaking up all this new information. Information that he doesn't forget. And he'll let you know that he hasn't forgotten: "I knooow that" he says if you offer an interesting fact that you think he might be interested in but he is already aware of. 

A preview of a teenager?

Blues

There are some great colors on the hydrangeas this year. I hope the heat that's predicted doesn't fry them.

Like I needed another hobby

A couple hours of open studio with Judy and I came out with a new set of stacking rings.

Happy Father's Day!

(Maple syrup is serious business).

Big Giant African Slug

Zack made a Big Giant African Slug. It only comes out at night because it glows in the dark.

From the garden.

This post has nothing to do with Zack.

Just a warning.

Yesterday, Judy and I took a silversmithing class over at Glen Echo Park. We'd been talking about it for awhile and she finally dragged me along. And by dragged, I mean she asked me once if I wanted to go with her, and I immediately said yes and signed up.

Glen Echo Park is an amazing resource for artists and those who want to learn art. They have Artists in Residence for all types of media--painting, glass, pottery, calligraphy, silver--along with a whole catalog of classes you can take. Kelly is currently taking Swing/Lindy dance classes. We're only just starting to tap into what's over there, but I foresee going over there quite a bit more.

It was a 6 hour class, and it just flew by. The instructor is an amazing silver artist in her own right, and a very gifted teacher. She taught us about how the metal behaves and how we can get it to do what we'd like it to do. We cold and hot forged (Torches! Woo hoo!), learned how to cut, bend, anneal, and solder the the metal. Throughout the course of the day, I made a pendant, three pairs of earrings, a ring, and a bangle. I was pretty pleased with myself. We're now qualified to sign up for Open Studio time, and I can definitely see that happening. Judy and I are also looking to sign up for the next class, which is thee dimensional soldering and making settings for stones.

It was a fabulous day! It was so much fun to hang out with an old friend, make some new ones, and learn some new skills, to say nothing of gaining a new appreciation for all of the amazing silverwork we saw in Santa Fe.

Graduation

Our little guy graduated from preschool today. One more week until he starts camp. And then kindergarten.

(That's one of his teachers, Miss Katie, who is fabulous)

Nautilus

He wasn't sure how many eyes they have, so he gave this one three plus a smiley face.

Fountain in downtown Silver Spring.

This is one of the best things they did as a part of the SS renovation.