About Flip Friday

I have to say that I am really disappointed that I didn't get a Flip Friday up for you this past week.

Here's the thing:  I had Technical Difficulties.

I know, it sounds really lame, but I did.  And yes, I asked the Rabbits and the Cats and even the Chick to help me, but to no avail.

I also know that until I get the new thing that I am trying to get working to work (A NEW FORM OF MOVIE THAT WILL TOTALLY SET MISS ZOE PRESENTS FANS ON THEIR FLUFFY LITTLE TAILS!!!!), I will continue to recieve looks such as these:

"Ummmmmm..... Miss Zoe Presents IMPLIES A PRESENTATION!!!"

"What's the cotton pickin' problem with this movie thing, eh?"

 "Need I really say a word?  No, I didn't think so."

AND, I WAS SO EXCITED!!!!  SIGH.

Well, rest assured that humans, cats and Rabbits will work on This Problem 24 hours a day** to make sure it is resolved.  Your Satisfaction is Important to Us.

** Note:  24 hours a day may or may not actually mean what it says.

Please stay tuned.  We know you will, for Rabbit's Sake.

Hello, Thursday.

I have a lot to write about. I do.

I have made art lately.

I have been playing my ukulele like crazy.

I have accompanied Miss Blueberry to Her Exceptional Storytime, where She became a Star!

I have made Limoncello. Well, I am still making it. It is steeping.

I have petted A LOT of Rabbits. Well, two. And a LOAD of cats! Well, four.

We, here at the Lilypad, also had a house guest over the weekend: Lisa, formerly of Nerdy Renegade News was here to stay for a few days, and that was wonderful and fun!

All these things have happened, and I have not written much about them at all.

I will, though. I promise! And, soon!

For today though, here's what you are getting:

This is a small version of me (circa 1975) on the toilet.

OMG!!!!

I KNOW, RIGHT??

SHOCKING!!!!

So, stay tuned for Friday.  There will be a movie.  And, then, hopefully next week, there will be a bit more effort on the part of these Rabbits to write something substantial!   So long until Friday!

Artful Monday

For a long time, I have been kind of...undecided about the role Painting has to play in my life.  I go back and forth about it. 

I'm not sure why.

I guess it's because, like anyone, I sometimes make excuses to block myself from doing the things I really want to do and the things that make me happy.  Who knows why?  Fear of the unknown, maybe?  I'm not sure.

Instead of focusing energy on this thing that I love to do and trying to make it into a vocation rather than a hobby, I poo poo it and say, "I would....if only I had time."

Sound familiar?  To some of you, it may.

In my world, "I don't have time" tends to mean one of two things.  Either, "I am not making time," or "I am not using the time I do have very wisely."

I want this to change.  No more excuses.

I will be 40 years old this Saturday.  It is time to live the life I truly want.  It can start small, but it has to start, and it has to be a Priority.  That is the point of this post.

I want you to notice Two Major Changes on Today's Blog.  Look, up at the top of the page.  See those new tabs?

One says ART HELPS BUNNIES.  

The other says ART HELPS CATS.

These two simple tabs are part of my new mission Use My Talents for the Forces of Good (instead of Evil, as I have been.  NOT REALLY!)

These two simple tabs are a representation of me starting to do Two of the Things I Want To Do Most in This Life.  These Two Things are as follows:
   
1.  I want to Paint
2.  I want to help Animals

50% of all proceeds from any Bunny or Cat Portrait (or DOG! or any other kind of Animal!!) you or others purchase will go to the no-kill animal shelters listed on the pages.  Helping Animals is the Mission.

There you have it.

There is more to come in this Fortieth Year.  Lots more.  Exciting New Projects and Lots of Fun Things.

But this?  This is a start.

Ode to Mod Podge

Lately, I've developed an obsession with Mod Podge.

It all started because of a few paintings I made that ended up in a show in a local gallery.  I wrote about this a few weeks ago, and then FORGOT TO TAKE MY CAMERA TO THE SHOW!  I still haven't gotten pictures.  Anyway, I wanted to start painting some of my scenes from Italy, and I also wanted to incorporate a narrative feel to these paintings.

The idea I came up with was to layer the paintings by starting with an image from the trip-- a map, a ticket stub, an actual picture that I took-- and then to paint over it, making sure the image somehow showed through the paint.  After doing some research, I discovered that Mod Podge might be the key to this process.

It turned out to be true.  In the meantime, I also fell in love with the stuff.  (Apparently, I'm not the only one with this opinion.  Check out this blog called Mod Podge Rocks.)

I like the smell.  I love the shine and texture it gives to the paintings.

In one Italy-themed painting, I began with a map of the city of Volterra, which I copied onto a sheet of vellum paper.  Then i used Mod Podge to stick it down, let it dry, and then painted over it.  Then, I layered it and layered it with Mod Podge.

I have to admit, it was a little obsessive.

But, now, I have put it on another painting that has nothing layered on it.  It was just a regular painting that I made years ago based on a picture the Chick took when she went to Paris.  I retouched a bit for an art auction I am participating in in April.  Well, I pretty much redid the whole painting, actually, but the finishing touch?

MOD PODGE!

Here is is.  You can't see the Mod Podge effect from this picture, but believe you me, in person, it makes a difference.  

Really, it makes a difference.  Right Blueberry?

Ummm.....Blueberry?

OK, I guess She is busy.

The Rabbits are probably getting nervous that they will be brushed with this Magical Super Substance that is an all in one glue, sealer, and finish.

Not to worry.  No Mod Podging Bunnies.  Nope.

ZOE PRESENTS: MISS ELIZABETH!

If you are like Blueberry....

...then you are wondering how a new Rabbit suddenly ended up in the Rabbit Room!?!?! 

Well, sit down and I'll tell you the tale. 

After Miss Zoe went to Sparkle Pond, I was so very sad.  Blueberry was a blessing to me.  Just having a Rabbit still in the Rabbit Room was a wonderful thing.  Blueberry has not even been here for a year, but She has brought immeasurable joy.

Still, there is something about the Mini Rex that feels So Very Special to me.  I don't know if it's their velvety soft fur or their winsome personality, or what it is specifically.  It might just be that Zoe was My First Rabbit Love and She was a Mini Rex.  First loves are like that. 

Yes, it's probably that. 

Zoe was my First Rabbit Love, and She taught me so much about LOVE, that I thought She would eventually send another Mini Rex to take her place on the Earth. 

She Adored Herself after all, so why wouldn't She?

We wanted a Rescue Bunny and a Mini Rex, but we also wanted a baby because we thought Blueberry might take to a baby better than a grown up.  Our main concern was that we didn't want to upset Blueberry. 

I looked at all our local shelters, but there were hardly any bunnies, and no Mini Rex.  Next, I did a search online and found a shelter called Little Angels Animal Sanctuary about 40 minutes away in Sherman, New York that is just for BUNNIES!  (Well, I think they might also have a few random chickens, and I think a horse, and maybe a few other Animals, but it's mostly BUNNIES!)

Paula, who runs the shelter, told me she would keep an eye out for a young Mini Rex just for me.  She goes to auctions where these sweet little bunnies are NOT auctioned off to loving families, if you know what I mean.  It is hard for me to even think about.  She is often allowed to pick one animal to save out of a batch to be auctioned.  She saw Elizabeth, and knew She was for me.

I will stop the story there.  We think Zoe played a big role in bringing Elizabeth to us.  Though, I will be eternally grateful to Paula for doing the work of finding our precious new baby. (by the way, she does not solicit funds, really, but Paula does take donations if you feel so inclined and want to help needy bunnies.  She has one named Hope, who we got to meet, who needs very expensive leg surgery.  If you have some money burning a hole in your pocket....)

When we met Elizabeth, what was one of the first things we noticed?  (Look closely in her Sweet Ear)

SHE HAS LOVE TATTOOED IN HER EAR!!!  A message from Zoe.

On to a couple more pictures...

Elizabeth's Dr. Evil impression.

Elizabeth's Senior Portrait (though, of course, She hasn't started school yet!)

Elizabeth chewing a stick.  Well, look how cute it is!  Cute is not complicated.

There will be lots more Elizabeth and Blueberry to come.  Stay tuned.

Right now, I have to go hold some Rabbits!

Welcome to Wednesday

Well, it's Wednesday.

(I know it seems kind of dumb to say that, but you never know who's reading for whom it may not be Wednesday, and that fact would end up making the title of this post seem a little stupid.)

On Monday, we did not discuss anything Remotely Rabbity.  And, much to the chagrin of The Ones who live here, today's post will sadly also be distinctly Non Rabbity.  However, in an effort to appease Certain Creatures, I may sprinkle a smattering of Rabbit Photos throughout.

On Monday, I also told you that I would tell you a little about the projects I've been working on. 

I've been trying not to be too strict with myself about What To Do and When.  That's hard for me.  I am a girl who likes to have goals and end products.  I am a girl who likes to see a culmination to effort. 

Raise your hands, all you out there, if you have a hard time Doing Things Just For the Sake of Doing Things.

COME ON!!!!  LET ME SEE THOSE HANDS!!!

I thought so.

Imagine, then, the difficulty of being partway into the writing of a novel, which I am, and realizing that though you can barely stand to set it aside, due to the simple fact that you've started it, that it's not the right thing to be writing. 

That's what I decided the other day.  I decided that I needed to start a new writing project that is about the issues that the Chick and I are dealing with right now.  Kind of a memoir of our life together thus far, about our trials and tribulations and how we deal with them.  Which is sometimes well, and sometimes not so well.  I've decided to do this because I think that, sadly, the Chick is not that unusual in how she feels about herself and the world, and that people, especially couples, would benefit from reading about our experiences if even through the lens of just having others with whom to identify.

And, that, is the project I have decided to work on now.

That and photography.  And, whatever else comes up.  :)

Of course, I could change my mind tomorrow.  And that's part of the point of my Year of Savoring experiences. 

The point is that I don't hold myself to ideas or expectations.  If I feel called to write this book I am currently working on, then that's what I will do.  If I decide to change my mind, so be it.

I'm trying Something New, and I'm letting go of Expectations.

I'm breaking all my Rules.

What Rules are YOU breaking lately?

Two Fun Things

Today's post is about...FUN.

That's right.  FUN.

It is also about....RABBITS and CATS.

Well, really, what IS fun if it's not Rabbits and Cats?  Right?

First, we have a painting.  This is not a painting made here on the premises of the Lilypad. It is an out of town sort of painting from Avid Rabbit and Cat Fan, Miss Ashlyn!

Ashlyn is a regular reader of Ordinary Enchantment and a Special Friend to All the Lilypad Animals.  She has dared to render paintings and drawings of even the most elusive of the Lilypad Cats....Miss Emmie.  You may remember THIS POST from when it was Ashlyn's Birthday.  It was a Special Day.  That was also the day Blueberry decided to move in permanently. 

Today, The Rabbits and I feature a painting Miss Ashlyn has painted of the Lilypad's FRESHEST Cat, Miss Daisy.  This painting arrived in the mail the other day.  As you know, we love when Mailman Rick brings good mail, so it was a pretty darned exciting day!

Without further delay, then, I present....Miss Daisy by Artist ASHLYN!!

Nice going, Ashlyn!  

You've captured my beauty exquisitely!

The second thing on today's agenda is and item of the Rabbit variety.  Are you ready for this?

(You may want to sit down first...)

This is my new water bottle:

I'm sure you can't read the bottom.  It says "Rabbits like flowers that smell like poo."

HA HA HA HA HA!!!!

Oh.....Sorry....

(Some things are funnier to me, of course, than they are to Other People.)

At any rate, we hope you enjoyed today's FUN THINGS!!!!  Thanks to Ashlyn for Her Support of Cats and Rabbits!!!

The Weekend

Hello, Rabbits here.

That's right, it's US.

Do you remember last week, when our moms went to, like, another country or something called NEW YORK to go do something crazy like BE OUTSIDE???  Do you remember?

In case you've forgotten, look here.

Well, first of all, We say, who would want to be outside when you could be Inside in the Hay Box with your Cats and your Air Conditioning?   Really, such questions make no sense to Rabbits.   If We wanted to be Outdoor Rabbits, we would be, well, Outdoor Rabbits.

We are Indoor Rabbits who have Hay Boxes, Our Own cats and Air Conditioning.

That's right.

Seriously, last weekend was hard enough.  Wasn't it?

Do you remember learning that We did not get our Salads...ON TIME?  They were, like, an hour late!!  Our lunch is really never late, and there is a reason for that.

Actually, there are many reasons for that.

We just don't feel like listing them.  And, We shouldn't have to.

The point is this:  We thought that certain people would have learned their lesson after last week, but apparently, that was not the case.  Apparently, what ended up happening instead is that We were so Understanding and Gracious, that it happened....AGAIN!!!!  ARGH!

We know, right?  UNTHINKABLE!!!

There is just no telling what humans will do next.  They are unpredictable and not very bright.

This is not news, is it?  NO!

And so, We are going to share a secret with you.  The secret is that We have sabotaged the computer so that the movies of their "fun weekend" of going to the Greek Festival (or GEEK festival as We and the Cats call it) and Lilydale cannot be shown.

We're Jealous Animals Who Want ALL the Attention.  What is so wrong about that?

NOTHING!

So, you will have to wait for those videos.  You will have to wait.  And instead, you will need to look at this!

AND, THIS!

Was that so bad?  We didn't think so.

Let Us Eat Lettuce

Miss Zoe and Miss Blueberry have a question.

(Can you see that they both have their little paws in the air?  Can you see them?)

On Whom shall we call?  Hmmmmmmm.

Oh dear.  Now they have hopped off to play because they couldn't decide who should ask the question.

Well, I think I knew what they were going to ask based on the title of the post:  Let Us Eat Lettuce.  They want to know why we have not written about lettuce yet this Spring.

And the point of writing about Lettuce (and other Greens for that matter) here is that They would like to show off the start of Their Very Own Rabbit Garden.  The Chick and I started the seeds a few weeks ago, and now the plants are shaping up quite nicely. 

Behold, the Power of Greens!!

The idea this year is to keep the greens growing as long as possible.  We will reseed all Summer long.  Then, in the Fall, when the weather gets a little cooler, we will assemble some cold frames on our little Raised Rabbit Beds and keep the Veg A-Comin'!  At least, that's the plan.  Now that we have Two Hungry Rabbit Mouths to feed, we are motivated to work harder on the Rabbit Garden.

Or Else....

(And that's no laughing matter.)

An Important Annoucement from Zoe

Hello and Good Morning to all of my Fans.

This is Miss Zoe.

I am writing on this fine Monday because those of us at the Lilypad have an Important Announcement, and I truly believe that I am the Best One to deliver said Announcement.

No, I do not have my own Television Show (yet).

No, I have not moved forward with my plan of World Domination. (Actually, I'm not going to say one way or the other about that particular point.  Let's just leave that up to historians to figure out later.)

And, no, I have not decided to chuck all my material possessions and live a life of a asceticism.  I enjoy my Willow Balls and Organic Hay brought in from Vermont, and I see no reason to change those things.

The announcement I have for you today is not....well.....about ME.

It concerns Another Rabbit who has been staying here for the last couple of months.  It concerns a Rabbit named......BLUEBERRY!

OK, here is the Big Announcement:  I received word over the weekend that Blueberry is staying on for good. 

THIS IS BIG NEWS!!

I have to share my Rabbit Crunch.  I have to share my Organic Hay. 

I HAVE TO SHARE MY WILLOW BALLS!!!!

(Sorry.  Am I shouting?  Sorry.)

Even so, I think it's going to be kind of fun to have a sister.

What do you think?

Raise your hand if you LOVE bunnies!!

(Are your hands in the air? I thought so.)

Yesterday, Zoe got mail.

This particular mail was from Her friend, Derby, who lives with the Very Cool Carly (a.k.a Ketzirah, a Priestess, M’agelet, Artist, and Guide--check out her amazing site!) and Art (An extremely talented Woodworker and Furniture maker-- check out his site, too!!) Derby is also an Urban Rabbit who (obviously) enjoys the Finer Things in Life. He and Zoe have much in common as you can imagine.

Miss Zoe gets quite excitable when mail comes for Her. When I saw the postcard with her name on it, I ran up the stairs and yelled out to the Blisschick: "MailmanRickcameandMissZoegotmail!!!!"

Just like that. All in one word.

Miss Zoe, intrigued by the ruckus, hopped to the gate. She looked from side to side. Then, she hopped back to her Chalet.

One doesn't want to let on that excitement is being experienced. Especially if One is a Rabbit.

Please, let me now unfold for you the Anatomy of Rabbit Excitement:

The Snub:
It says, "I don't see that.
And, if I do, I am totally uninterested."

The Sniff:
It says, "This doesn't look edible.
But, just in case..."

The Roll:
It says, "YAY!! Derby wrote, and
I just can't contain myself."
(Sorry about the blur. Action shot, you know.)

The Cool Recovery:
It says, "Excitement? I know
not of what you speak. Silly human!"

and finally

The Ignore:
It says...well... I think you know what it says.

And, there you have it. For those of you who aren't too familiar with Rabbits, I hope you found this primer to be a helpful one.

For those of you already familiar with Rabbits, I hope this reminds you, simply, of your Insignificance.

Thanks again to the Very Handsome Derby for making Miss Zoe ROLL!!!