Tidy and things.

Working on a portrait of Tidy the cat, 19 years old!

Perplexed by 80 degree sunshine during Winter.

Having a t-shirt tan and a sleeveless bridesmaid dress to wear in a couple of weeks (oh no!)

Putting Felix's crate in the attic because he has grown up enough not to eat my running shoes. :)

Relaxing during a trip to Florida with wonderful friends. bike rides. cocktails. beaching. (aloe gel)

Loving the 'Hunger Games' Trilogy, that I cannot put down.

Recovering from a BodyPump session. Triceps, I'm sorry.

Celebrating my rediscovery of sake. Chin chin!

Happy March!

What a difference a Year (or two) Makes

The boys have had birthdays

Rudy Sharkface BooBoo Strudel Pooder BigBum Neumann has turned two.

Felix the rat the bat the cat, Fluffy Fifficus Toodles Neumann has reached the ripe old age of one.

Happiest Birthdays, boys! High five, shake hands, roll over!

First post of 2012! (I'm fired)

We entered a whole new year, you say. Uh huh. Well, I'm just catching up. Hello!

Nashville. Fireworks. Boom.

25th January boasted the high point of my year so far. Ft Campbell, rain and cloud, 2am. In marched my husband (and his team) to much fanfare and a sleepy wife. This- in a nutshell- makes me happy. And busy. My recent absence has been duly noted.

Illustration projects have also been in full effect and the current issue of 'Taste of Home' magazine, features some printed work that I can proudly put my name to. Page 65. Don't mind if I do.

(and there is nothing like drawing Italian wedding soup for a week to give a girl an appetite!).

Valentines Day came and went, in an explosion of chocolates and surprises. The dogs baked cookies for their girlfriends (hopeless, hopeless romantics).

Rudy turned two. Felix turned one. The mischief continues. My patience walks the tightrope. My walking shoes are oft employed. My heart is full to the brim.

So far so good in 2012. Happy belated!

Merry Christmas!

Just a month until Forrest returns home from Afghanistan! In the meantime, the boys and I are enjoying the festive season as best we know how. That is to say, eating a lot of cookies (something the three of us can agree on!).

also, I took the printing press for a spin and made my cards again this year. The poor dogs were covered in glitter for a week afterwards (doesn't really help with the tough-guy impression!)

Wishing you a very merry Christmas!

with love from Lou, Rudy, Felix and Bob the turtle

***

What's up, Gnomie?

I have already introduced you to Mister Longbow, but he has come a long way since his last showcase on my blog.

Hunter is a patient gnome. He spent much of his visit untouched on my breakfast bar, where he witnessed a month's worth of activity and once almost eaten by a sneaky little Shepherd. Felix! NO!

Here he is at Thanksgiving. Quite naked, other than his hat.

Eventually though, we fashioned a fine set of clothes for him. He insisted on the tattoo.

Though he's a little late for Oktoberfest in his fancy schmancy lederhosen, I packed him off to Germany...home just in time for Christmas. Also, he's probably deploying to Afghanistan with his battalion next Spring, so wish him luck :)

Miss you already little buddy. Prost!

Behind the scenes of a mid-tour leave.

Posing with my beautiful trophy-dog after the Nashville Half Marathon. (I placed 22nd out of 1039 women, surprising nobody more than myself....did I mention how many doughnuts I've been eating lately?! miracle.)

Feeling thoroughly smug that all mine and Lesley's training had paid off, and eagerly anticipating Sunday mornings with a hot chocolate and a book instead of 10miles of freezing misery. aaah! I mean, I loved every minute. yes.

The after-party is well represented by Rudy hiding behind his tail. Lively? To say the least.

Thanks to my friends who refrained from drawing all over my face when I committed the ultimate party foul of falling asleep at 9pm. at my own party. (A half marathon will do that to you apparently...)

And all of a sudden it was the day we had been trying to avoid. Time to pack Forrest on a plane (or five) back to Afghanistan for the last couple months of his tour. Behold Rudy's most valuable asset.... sad face!

Also, bonus points to Forrest for utilizing my homemade message-shelf in the back ground! Miss you too, Love.

November, in a Nutshell.....

Oopsy....I seem to be running behind with everything lately. Not least, my poor forgotten blog.

To sum it up: my husband came home from Afghanistan for two weeks of leave. We vacationed in beautiful, colorful Gatlinburg. We ate a lot of doughnuts. I ran a half marathon. Family Neumann flew in from the Golden State and we partied like it was 1999. I somehow managed to squeeze two Thanksgivings in (which, being English and unused to this holiday- I do have lots of catching up to do!)

As if that wasn't enough....I've had a really fun illustration job (to be shared soon). Felix is developing a conscience (I've been waiting long enough!), and I have signed a self-publishing deal with a talented author friend of mine. Watch this space!

November, as seen through my camera:

yes yes, you're welcome for this picture of the legendary cuttlefish. I was especially charmed by the sweet little fellow who appeared to be slumbering whilst balancing on one leg! Too cute.