Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Living in Paradise

2014 had a lot of things going for it, one of the biggest for us
is that we paid off our house!  It may be a one-room studio but it
has the most magnificent views and its our home with the boys,
so its pretty perfect.

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Going Out

It may be uncharacteristically cold outside (32 F mid-day),
but when Tanji gives you this look, its time to bundle up
and take everyone out for a walk.

Monday, December 29, 2014

Father Christmas

We picked up a Father Christmas figurine this year,
and the boys aren't sure what to make of it.

Normally any tchotchke that we get as a gift immedately heads out to Goodwill, and we don't have any countertop decorations to speak of.  But for some reason we just fell for this old Santa figurine.  Mark gave it a few repairs...

...and the boys have been circling in a menacing manner.

Uschi may be wondering why we need anything pretty
when we already have him.

Father Christmas' days may be numbered.

Saturday, December 27, 2014

Still a Winner

Its the third day of Cat's Meow play, and its still a winner.

All three boys can play together for a LONG time.

Although at times, Uschi and Vladi just watch...

...while Tanji traps, bites, and kicks his prey.

Friday, December 26, 2014

Cat's Meow

The boys got some lovely gifts from Santa.
The problem is that outside of wrapping paper and empty boxes,
they tend to get tired of most toys.
  
The only toys that have lasted are Tanji's glitter balls...

...and Uschi's pom-pom toy.
T and V are messing with it, and U is glowering nearby.

So we were only slightly optimistic that a wand zipping under
a cloth would hold their attention.

Let's get this open!
Vladi is always hopeful too.

Tanji instantly takes charge of the assemblage.

I think something is supposed to go here.
As soon as the batteries are added...

Tanji gets it.  Pounce!

Vladi doesn't get it, the zippy red "mouse" is hitting him repeatedly.

T shows hows its done, and V starts to pat-pat-pat.

Uschi has been playing hard-to-get, but he can't resist all the fun.

This is awesome!

Everyone is equidistant, with just enough pouncing territory.

Tanji is the best catcher, he's found his game.

Somehow a glitter ball has shown up too, this is T-heaven.

So there was a bit of hissy-fitting when we turned it off
and put it away for another day.

Thursday, December 25, 2014

Merry Christmas from T, U, and V!

Its been a very merry Christmas and the boys
have made it wonderful as always...

Uschi is still hunting for presents under the tree.
He totally scored, more on that tomorrow.

Tanji is particularly angelic nestled in his packing box.

And Vladi is a bit grumpy-tired in his gift bag.

Time for one more sing-along story and we can all get to bed.

Merry Christmas!

Friday, October 03, 2014

What happened to Summer?

Somehow summer blogging totally got away from us.
All is well in Bengal-land...

 Vladi has spent the summer perfecting "angel-ing" his brothers
(creeping up on them just like the weeping angels,
my favorite Dr. Who villains).

 Neither Tanji or Uschi are very good sports about this,
they still see V as a pesky over-energetic little brother.

 Vladi had a break in concentration and Uschi is using it
to quietly sneak away.

"I'm sure he'll be right back."
(nope).


Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Magic Birches

 There is something magic about our birch trees,
all three boys want to climb them regularly.
It may be the smooth trunks that Mark has limbed up.
 
 Up close they are lichen-covered...

With plenty of wood-pecker holes.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Glitter Everything

 Uschi is the softest and most glittery a cat can be.
Every piece of fluff has prismatic color under the light.
 
 And somehow Uschi always seems to find just the right light.

Monday, July 28, 2014

Oh, I Really Hate Him...

 Tanji is doing one of his favorite things: glaring at Vladi,
with an occasional growl and hiss.

 This has been going on and off for six years, luckily Vladi is
such an optimist he seems to think this is an invitation to play.

 Tanji can be distracted with a bit of mushing, but as soon
as the reassuring petting (that he's not being replaced
by his younger spotted brother) is finished...

...He's right back at it.

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Cuddle Puddle

Its really hot and we're all a bit sweaty and blah,
the best thing to do is huddle up for a Sunday nap
with the fan blowing on high.

Saturday, July 26, 2014

All Hands on Deck

We are about six weeks into house planning, coincidentally also our busiest time teaching. We've made a lot of progress and an "L-shaped" design we love, but still have some big questions to answer, the most significant being whether we are going with pre-fab (the house magically appears in two months, with some design and materials limitations) or doing much of the building ourselves (longer term project with fewer design and materials limitations).  We've enlisted the input of our friends...

Hey, how did the "L" become a "T" that is 120 feet wide?
We're not the only big-dreaming people we know.

Friday, July 25, 2014

Cake to Celebrate


Every day is worth celebrating, so here is a close-up
of a coconut "Vladi-cake" (this was his kitten color)
and a wish for the happiest of days.

Did today start out poorly?  Slather some cherry sauce on it
and make it yours.  That's the philosophy we've picked up
from years of living with Bengal cats (although they'd
prefer Fancy Feast gravy).

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Creative New Year

For many years, mid-July has been a creative benchmark for me.
Its the perfect time to reflect on the accomplishments of the
school year that is winding down with summer classes,
and time to gear up projects for the next year's fall
course that is barreling towards us.

Some of my biggest and best art projects went into full swing
during the dog days of summer.

Coincidentally, last year and this year I finished up a journal
(I complete one every few months) on the same day: July 24.
The outgoing journal is so much "fluffier" than the new one.

 
This seems like the perfect start to an annual event.
We already celebrate New year's Eve, New Year's Day, and
Chinese New Year, just add "Creative New Year" in July.

So from now on, every July 24, I plan on celebrating
by breaking out the paints...

Starting a new journal...


Reflecting on all the good (and great) work of the past year..

...and planning pie-in-the-sky projects for the new year to come.

Happy Creative New Year!