Monday, February 28, 2011

get ready....

spring is so close!  we need color!  paint your toenails pink (or any other bright, cheerful color) this wednesday.

Friday, February 25, 2011

photo friday

the city of norcross, georgia has a holiday tour of homes.  amid the photo album of the event posted by a friend on facebook is this week's photograph.  the holiday decoration depicted is clever, creative and, well, whimsical!  enjoy.....


the photograph of interest is the last photo in the third row from the top. 

Thursday, February 24, 2011

thoughtful thursday

there's something special, quietly so, about sitting around the kitchen table other than mealtime.  each night my parents somehow gravitate to the table.  they work their shared, daily crossword puzzle, browse the newspaper or a similar activity.  sometimes there's a snack or something to drink.  sometimes there's conversation.  often there is just quiet.

when i visit i share this ritual with them.  and i am pleased that they welcome me to the table.  tonight, as we sat over a dish of ice cream and the crossword puzzle, i thought of how pleasant this shared time is.  it may seem routine but it is so very special.  there's a closeness felt that isn't quite the same anywhere else in the house during the rest of the day.  we are together; not just individuals occupying the same habitat pursuing our own endeavors. 

not only am i pleased to share "around the table" with them but grateful for these opportunities.  the family bond is strengthened and memories are created.  for me, this is just another aspect of whimsey.  

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

whimsical wednesday

whimsical wednesday is almost over but here i am to detail my activity.

when arriving at my destination yesterday i found i would be seeing a friend not seen in several months.  i knew then that my something surprising activity would involve her.  although the surprise for her was not lighthearted it was heartfelt.  her husband died last fall.  while at the cemetery i gathered some of the most special flowers at graveside with the intention of drying them and making an arrangement for her to keep. these flowers were the most special because they were a gift from her to her husband.  the flowers were prepared for the drying process.  while i have been with them several times since the funeral, it was not possible to see our friend as she wasn't yet ready for visiting.  so the flowers were left, secure, until i knew we would be able to see her.  and that day was today.  before she was due to ring the doorbell this afternoon, the dried flowers were created into a lovely arrangement complete with a bow also taken from that special arrangement.   

after we visited a bit i informed her that i had a surprise for her.  she was presented with the vase of flowers; the vase a gift from my parents.  i explained having taken them from the cemetery and that, today, i was able to give her something of that day that she could keep for as long as she wished.  she couldn't have been expected to focus on flowers during that day even if they were chosen by her to be given to her husband as a final gift.  seeing them today was like seeming them for the first time.  

she was so very pleased by our gift to her.   i do believe that this has been one the most wonderful whimsical wednesdays i have yet to experience.  certainly not as whimsical as one might imagine but, somehow, there was a magic to this interaction we shared. 

Monday, February 21, 2011

get ready.....

this whimsical wednesday will find me traveling so we'll have a participants' choice activity.  the theme is to do something nice, whimsical, funny, surprising, unexpected for someone else.  it can be anonymous or the recipient can know it's you!  can't wait to find out what you did, who for and their reaction.  enjoy!

Friday, February 18, 2011

photo friday

the photographs for this week offers a look at unique sculptures that are not only amazing but incredibly whimsical!  take a look and no doubt you will think so as well.

copy and paste link:
http://www.weblogtheworld.com/uncategorized/tiny-sculptures-on-the-tip-of-a-pencil/

Thursday, February 17, 2011

thoughtful thursday



"thanks for contributing to my happiness.  can you carry me to bed and tuck me in?  i'm not too big for that, am i?"


so said my granddaughter to her mother at the end of her tenth birthday yesterday (2.16.11).   of which, when i was privy to this sentiment, melted me instantly and completely.  oh, sweet mefi! so innocently offered from the heart.  my darling granddaughter's words embody everything the whimsey project aims for:  no matter our age, always be open to the joyful whimsey that makes life grand (and often bearable); even when we don't realize whimsey has touched us.  


happy birthday, megan!   i love you dearly.  

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

whimsical wednesday!

it was already 40 degrees at eight this morning when the snow search was undertaken.  home again and writing about my whimsical wednesday experience almost an hour later and it's already 50 degrees!  it was good timing to search for hidden snow patches because, if the temperature continues to be this high, there won't be anymore hidden snow patches of snow.  

my search began in the meadow.  looking about me as i walked along the trail, there was no sign of snow or ice or anything resembling the results of a winter storm.  from the meadow i trekked into the woods.  along the beginning of the trails not a snow patch in sight!  it wasn't until i was in the lowest areas of the woods, by the creek, that any snow patches were evident.  still in the woods, but closer to the western border along the road, there were a few snow patches peeking out from behind trees.  the creek is still frozen so there were several snow patches tucked into the curves and bends of the creek bed.

monday i was being slightly poetic when stating that we should search for snow patches amid the emerging green of the coming spring.  after posting that i was a bit sheepish, thinking that might have been something of an overstatement.  however, to my happy surprise, there was much evidence of emerging green on today's snow search!  tiny tufts of green grass were spied all along the walk.   warmer temperatures, tiny tufts of green grass and fewer than expected snow (or ice) patches are sure signs that spring will soon be here.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

flowers at the herb and garden show

the annual herb and garden show was at the times square mall february 11th through 13th.  the whimsey project was there.   a free craft, the five minute flower, was offered to attendees.  materials for the craft were recycled magazines and household items like glue sticks and tape.  it was lots of fun to be at the herb and garden show.  after making a flower one crafter exclaimed, "how lovely; very whimsical!".  we thought so as well.  here are photographs of the event:





Monday, February 14, 2011

get ready.....

temperatures have been in the 40s through 60s the last few days, melting the ice and snow;  most of the earth  once again revealed.  at first glance, it seems to be completely gone.  my favorite part of the signs of winter disappearing is the unexpected patches of ice or snow still hiding!  this whimsical wednesday, take a walk and note all the ice or snow that continues to linger amid the emerging green of the coming spring.  enjoy!

Friday, February 11, 2011

photo friday

today will begin a new weekly feature here at the whimsey project.  one (or more) photographs encountered along the way will be highlighted as excellent examples of whimsey that just have to be shared.

in this seemingly unrelenting winter it seems appropriate to begin with photographs that depict how a sense of humor flourishes amid the cold, ice and snow!  these had me chortling and guffawing as awesomely funny and, of course, whimsical!  enjoy!

photo by martin bean: 
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/168627_1617415274462_1208768471_31353022_5592479_n.jpg


photo by greg vaughn: 
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/166362_1837859185620_1214705531_2126609_2823209_n.jpg

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

whimsical wednesday!

an open mind regarding what to create helped guide me while shopping for whimsical wednesday on monday.  when i spied red, heart-shaped doilies i knew just what the valentines would look like!.  a package of doilies and a bag of traditional candy hearts were purchased.  i was ready.  i almost couldn't wait until today to make valentines.

the valentines?  red, heart shaped cones filled with candy hearts.  the doilies were shaped into cones.  tucked into each cone went a small baggie of candy hearts.  the collection of valentines were put in a basket; ready to share on valentine's day.


it's very cold today and now, mid afternoon, it's snowing!  the activity for whimsical wednesday helped warm me, however.  making valentines to give to others next monday was a very pleasant way to spend part of the day.   i smiled while creating and find that i am smiling still.  make a few valentines and smile yourself!

Monday, February 7, 2011

get ready.....

next monday is valentine's day.  that was quite a big day in elementary school.  the anticipation was palpable!  this whimsical wednesday, let's make valentines. or, if you wish, pick up a box of the old fashioned school style valentines at the dollar store.  most of these packages contain at least 25 valentines.  prepare them all. there will be enough to pass out to family, friends and a few strangers as well.
 

Saturday, February 5, 2011

let it snow! let it snow! let it snow!

it's snowing.  really snowing!  while weary of winter, it's too beautiful not to enjoy it.  the world seems so "other-worldly" when it snows.  a hush like no other settles over the earth.  living here in the country makes it seem even more so as, all around me, there is nothing but the earth and its wonders covered in a blanket of snow.  because i feed the birds so many come to have a meal.  i welcome them all, even the ones others call a nuisance.  the multitude of birds are incredibly vivid in the snow.  the red of the cardinals is redder, the blue of the blue jays is bluer.  the largest birds that come are the wild turkeys.  oh, those are impressive creatures.  and i feel so incredibly fortunate to glance out the window at just the right moment to watch them.  they scratch the snow to find the corn.  they saunter across the frozen lake.  they disappear into the woods.  the deer come to feed on the corn that is supposed to be for the ducks (as do the turkeys).  the many stray cats get fed as well.  that brings the smaller critters, like raccoons, to dinner as well.  some would complain about all those intruders.  i love them all; especially in the snow.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

whimsical wednesday!

copic markers, paper and a cup of hot tea were gathered for engaging in today's whimsical wednesday activity of doodling.  thinking i would have a midday break of about 15 to 20 minutes, i looked up from my doodles to discover that an hour had passed; the cup of hot tea cold!  the finished product was held up and admired with giggles.  it's just a piece of paper with colored doodles on it but it felt like a masterpiece!  to be completely engrossed in selecting colors to use in each step of the doodling and then seamlessly blending the colors to complete the unplanned project was wonderful.  to be able to engage in and concentrate on an activity that took me completely "away" from a busy day's chorelist was so relaxing.   now i am more than ready to tackle the rest of the day's tasks.  did you doodle today?