Art Journaling 366 for 2012

Every year I try so hard to keep up with documenting our adventures and lives and every year I fail when I try to commit myself to a scrapbooking scenario. So, this year I've decided that I am going to do something that I I think will work better. I found a group of artists that participate in a calender challenge. That is a calendar page each month. So, you create 12 pages with space on each date to write in short snippets of excitement from your daily life.

Here is my January 2012 calendar page...



Once you create your page you simply fill in the blanks as you have things you want to remember. That's it. No printing pictures and scrapbooking. No long writing and reminiscing. Just short quick notes!

If you're interested in reading about the project, visit The Kathryn Wheel. There are lots of participants and different artistic styles.

I am looking forward to documenting our lives this way for 2012! This doesn't mean I won't still art journal or scrapbook when the mood strikes me! I'll post my blank page and completed page for each month on the blog and my Flickr account.

Mountain Bike Monday - 2 great rides

Wow!! Yesterday completed our 4th great ride since returning from vacation! On Saturday, Dynamo, MBM, and I set out for a quick spin on the Lakeview Trails. I had to roll quickly as I had to attend a baby shower in the early afternoon.

It was a lovely day. The weather was warmer than average. It was a great day for riding. We weren't the only ones who set out for the trails. There were bikers everywhere in the park. I had a record breaking ride on Saturday! Fastest time ever!

And, yesterday was a cooler day for riding, but still comfortable and sunny.


We met up with MBM for a ride. Before we got started we discussed our respective church sermons and what we had learned that morning. Yesterday was Epiphany. The Pastor talked about making resolutions and the one thing we could change in 2012...of course that is ourselves. He suggested that there are many opportunities to make changes in the world. We can help to stop racism, to feed those who are without, to give to those less fortunate, and simply be a better person in 2012. We also discussed how Christmas should be about the birth of Christ and not about presents. We agreed that when it's impossible to figure out what to buy someone then maybe we should be spending that money giving to those who are without instead of buying something just to have a gift to give.



We enjoyed the chance to talk with MBM about church because we can all learn from one another. Our rides are more than just pedaling...they are a chance to learn about friends and talk about things we have in common.



Dynamo wanted to go exploring and check out some of the side roads we've seen many times, but never had the time to check out.





We pedaled and explored starting on a portion of the Fendley Station Loop at the front of the park, venturing down a side path and ultimately making our way on a section of the Lakeview Trail, and then popped back out onto Fendley Station. Back on track we ventured down towards the campground and cut through and across and new path over to the pool and boat launch area.



We did the Forest Exploration Trail backwards. Well, it was backwards to us because it was opposite from the normal route we travel. We were really changing things up! It felt weird, but good to experience the trails from a new perspective.



As we stopped to wait for Dynamo to put his chain back on we noticed this tree carved with love!



We finished up on Forest Exploration which links into Fendley Station at points (Loop A & B) and headed back towards the front of the park where we had parked the car.



On the way back we wanted to check out a new gravel path that lead to a different section of the campground. Wow! It was a little hilly!



Dynamo sure did push me on the hills! It was tough, but I felt good. We completed 22 miles by the time we reached the car. Great ride and great day!

the finale to a great holiday

When we got home we had to get back in gear! That meant biking! So, last Thursday we brought out the bikes for a spin at Poco.



The weather was chilly, but bearable. I was feeling good. I had one of my best rides ever on the Lakeview Trails. I was so proud of myself. We moved so quick I didn't really get many pictures.

I really utilized my downhills properly and didn't lollygag on the flats. I pushed myself and let my "trainer" - yes, that's Dynamo - push me a little harder than usual.

It felt good. Real. Good.



Last Friday we got to see our adopted nieces for our Christmas visit! They are always such a treat! I finished their annual memory books (again, I didn't get pictures). Each year I put together for each of them a scrapbook of our time together over the year. So, every visit with them I take pictures and then put them in a book so they can look back and remember their time with Aunt Rachel and Uncle Jeff!



And, there was no better way to ring in the New Year than to ride! So, we pulled out our riding shorts (and Dynamo's snowman socks) to go enjoy the 60 degree day at the Park. We rolled pretty quickly (for me at least) at a 9.8 mph average for 20 miles! I stayed consistent, which was a goal of mine.



After I was done I asked myself, "Where has this Rachel been?" Clearly, this Rachel has been taking Sunday strolls! So, I'm making it my new goal for 2012 to push myself harder and harder each time I ride. I have to get faster and better. I.will.get.there.

our holiday recap...part 2

After Christmas we had some time together to venture out. So, Dynamo and I rented a tandem bike on Anna Maria Island.



I know what you're thinking...no, we aren't crazy! Just me! I've been bugging Dynamo to try a tandem for a while now! He did some research before we left and found out that they had some beach cruiser style tandems in Anna Maria. So, I waited all week to get to try it out!



When we first got on it was a little tricky. We had decided that I was to be the stoker. That means my job is to sit in the back, be quiet, and pedal. This is hard for me...the being quiet part! The guy up front is called the captain or pilot. The stoker must have complete trust in the captain, as he or she makes all the decisions as the navigator.



There were several moments when I tried to steer the bike from the back. Needlesstosay; it was wasted effort. I think it's just your muscles reacting based on their memory. Once we got the hang of it (very quickly might I add), we rode everywhere on the island. And, we could really get some speed up let me tell you! At times I didn't even need to hold on. After all, my bars are really of no use. I can't steer or break so they were just there to support me.

It was a blast! We rode around stopping here and there to shop in the little shops. We had lunch here...



Did I mention how odd it is to see Christmas decorations when the weather is 80?



The sandwiches were fantastic! Too much food! After eating Momma and I hit a shop while Daddy and Dynamo waited!



Momma and Daddy had rented bikes and rode down from their bike shop to meet us to take our picture on the tandem. We parted ways and continued on our adventure, managing to spend an entire afternoon riding, shopping, and beach combing!



Dynamo spent a little time waiting while I went in the shops on the island. The basket on the front was quite handy for holding minor purchases!

Of course I had to go in the Sun and Surf shop to see Bullwinkle!



This shop has lots of fancy birds in cages outside. They are all named and have details about their lives on the cages. They are fantastic to look at. Dynamo was trying to get them to talk. A couple said "hello" back to him.

We even ventured to "the point." Now, we had no idea about this beach access on the island until a couple biking told us to check it out.







Sorry the pictures are always really close up! Most of the time we have to take our own pics!



Dynamo spotted this beautiful bird...





And, when we went to the point Dynamo said "look down." It was a live starfish!



It's tentacles were moving. Dynamo told me to pick it up, but I was a little tentative. So, he picked it up and threw it back in the water.



WOW!!! What a perfect ending to a beach adventure!

Next time we'll be getting to the point earlier in our trip. I think it has lots of shell potential!



We hopped on our bikes and rushed back to return them before heading to dinner with the rest of the family. We raced back to meet up with our ride (my parents). As we rounded the corner flying (we really looked like we knew what we were doing), we saw my parents. My mom said we really had gotten the hang of things!

Our last night together we went to dinner as a family at The Beachhouse!





Amy gave us her sad face as we literally piled into the Chieppa's CRV...



Saying goodbye is always so hard. I'm never sure which is worse...being the one left...or being the one doing the leaving? Even the dogs were sad!

It was hard to say goodbye to sunny Florida at 80 degrees!



Our trip home was a little longer with a few more stops. We still made it back in one day. It was really late when we pulled into the driveway, but so worth it! We made lots of great memories together. I'm so blessed to have such a wonderful family. I couldn't have asked for better in-laws. They love me like their own daughter and welcomed my family in with open arms. I'm an honorary Italian!

More tomorrow on our biking excursions here at home over the last few days of our vacation...

our holiday recap...part 1

Well, on Tuesday, December 20, we loaded up the car with my parents and Lexi and headed to sunny Florida for the holiday!



Lexi is Daddy's best friend!



The trip down was smooth sailing. We made it to the Bradenton/Sarasota area in one day with little to no traffic and minimal stopping. The priority stop was in Florence, SC, for Mom to shop at the Belk for 15 minutes while Dad, Dynamo, Lexi, and I hit Chic-fil-A. Mom forfeits eating for her shopping time! She's like a kid in a candy store when she sees a Belk!



The ride was pretty painless! The rules were simple....don't eat too much and don't drink too much! Dad used the excuse that the dog had to go to the potty so we would stop. He was quite clever!

Being an only child I knew it would be hard to spend Christmas away from my family, so we brought them with us. And...the Chieppas were so kind and generous to welcome all of us into their home. My mom jokes that I come as a package! Why not be together as one big family? I guess it's a good thing our parents like each other!

When we arrived there were lots of hugs and food! Lots of desserts! Mr. C put out a plate of delicious goodies they got especially for Dynamo and I! Dynamo got his mom's homemade anisette cookies...



...and they had a local bakery make me my favorite goodie...linzer tarts! We were in heaven!!! We felt so special!



We came with goodies to share too! One of my co-workers made Mr. C. his favorite goodie - a fruitcake! So, he dug right into it!



My Mom and Dad rented a place on Anna Maria Island. So, we all went over to the island to check out their place and get in a little beach weather!



Their place was right on the beach!



If you haven't been to Anna Maria, put it on your list. It's a fantastic little spot on the Gulf with a small island feel. The beaches are beautiful and clean, and people come from all over to visit.

We all made ourselves right at home on the beach there!











This is the life...



It's always wonderful to see Dynamo's parents. We only get to see them once or twice each year, which isn't enough. Talking on the phone just isn't the same!

So, we spent the first three days dragging the Chieppas around town shopping, eating, and shell hunting!





Oh, and we had fun shell hunting! Mr. and Mrs. C thought we got lost on the beach!



And...I love to find sanddollars!



But...the coolest thing were these hearts that a woman was making on the beach.



So, we staged a photo shoot of ourselves!



It was glorious!



When Christmas Eve arrived, we ventured out to the Sarasota Farmers' Market!



Talk about a wonderful market!



It was strawberry season too! Momma bought a pint and ate the whole thing before we left!





When we returned it was time for Dynamo's brother and sister-in-law to get in from Georgia. Amy and Craig are two wonderful people whom I love dearly. And, my dad just adores Amy!

Here's my dad with Amy!



She is such a kind, generous, intelligent lady whom I consider myself lucky to be related to! I couldn't ask for a better sister-in-law. And, Craig isn't too bad himself! He likes to joke on my accent. I honestly don't talk funny. He and Dynamo are a lot alike. He is a good man and good husband. They are two people whom you could count on if you needed anything. I'm very blessed! I just wish they were closer!

Here's Dynamo visiting with his baby brother!



On Christmas morning Dynamo and Amy put on their running shoes and ventured out for a jog!



Lexi relaxed...



Upon their return we relaxed, opened presents, and waited for the other boys to arrive for dinner!

Amy and Craig got some mistletoe from us so they were testing it out!!



Lexi and Tasha (Mr. and Mrs. C's dog) got gator dental chews from Santa!



Dynamo's other two brothers, Richie and Michael, came for Christmas dinner. This was the first time in about 10 years that all of the "boys" were together! So, we took some group pictures!



We laughed. We ate. We relaxed.

It was so wonderful to see the guys altogether. It was so special. I'm so glad that we could all be there together with Mr. and Mrs. C! They worked so hard to have the perfect dinner, desserts, and comforts for everyone.

Here are some more pics.



This one was for Amy (yes, this is a family thing..there is a story behind this)!



It was a great time!



Did I mention the sweets?



More tomorrow...

And...P.S. Today is my parents' 41st wedding anniversary!!! Congratulations! Love you!