Rohling Studios

Kids...and Welcome to the World Roman!

  We have a new baby in the family.  Congratulations Trent and Sarah....and congratulations to my brother as well upon the birth of his second grandchild!  Time has been moving by so quickly lately.  I haven't been very good about blogging these past months and I am determined to change that.  I have met so many wonderful people through blogging.  It seems that there really is a wonderful world out here and I love it!  The new baby's name is Roman.  Welcome to the world little guy!  I am happy that in spite of what the headlines say, I really do believe it is a better world for children today than it was when I first began to read the newspaper.  I am sharing a video by Kristin Andreassen that Jennifer Williams had posted on her blog, Blueskysunburn Creations.   I had to pass it on at this time because, when a child is born we need to celebrate all children.  What a wonderful song and what a wonderful message! 

Eat Apples

   The kids were here from Arkansas.  We went to the Apple Farm.  I sat out on the apple picking this year... but...I look forward to walking through the apple orchards next year.  In two weeks I get my new knees!!!  I am looking forward to next year at this time.  Mostly I just want the six weeks after the surgery to pass quickly).  They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away....so....I'm planning to eat a lot of apples during my recovery. 

   The grandkids put up the halloween decorations while they were here.  We hung orange lights in the bathroom and my Little Man said it was like having a festival when you go to the bathroom!  I love it!  I think I should leave out lights in the bathroom year round.  I like the idea of it being a festival in there.      

My Very Own Son!

(I can't take credit for these pictures...my son and daughter-in-law are the creative ones here!)  This is my oldest son, Paul.  I love this picture.  I have it on my laptop right now.  Paul is the kind of guy everyone would love to have for a son because he leaves the world a better place wherever he goes.  Laura captured him at work when they were in Door County.  I love these pictures....I love his creativity...and...I love them both!   

 

Creative Souls

Visit Creative Souls

My blog friend Izabella has started a wonderful group called "Creative Souls".  I met Izabella when I began my blog two and a half years ago.  I loved her work immediately and asked her if I could feature it.  Now Izabella has gathered over four-hundred creative souls all in one wonderful site!  It is a diverse gathering of people who love creativity, a place she has made where artists can help promote each other.  She says~All creative people welcome~

Don Adams, Sally Fields, and Elizabeth Montgomery

   This week has been a blast from the past. My sister and I have been reminiscing about our childhood and going through some old boxes with cool found items. First we found our old comic books, many in good condition featuring old TV shows. We decided to put the up for auction on Ebay just for kicks to see if there is any interest in the old Silver Age of comic books.  Both Gidget and Get Smart feature photographs of Sally Fields and Don Adams (respectively).   

   We both have fond memories of lazy summer days with an orange or cherry pop, perched on a chair in the sun, devouring the latest comic books.  In our house, Archie ruled but so did Dennis the Menace, and lesser known Spike and Tyke.  Perhaps some of these old comics were the start of my interest in all things illustrated - who knows?  Meantime, we do confess to re-reading some of these fine old comics with a root beer popsicle in one hand, trying to recreate those special moments from the past.  I guess we both agreed our tastes in "literature" have improved some (grin), but I thought it would be fun to share this pastime with all of you.  What were your favorites?

My Niece Needs Your Help

   My niece is an undergraduate student at the University of Westminster in London, UK.  She conducting a study.  The aim of the study is to understand how thinking about concepts impacts your views of yourself.
If you have five to ten minues please take part in it. It would really help her out!  All of your replies are anonymous and will be kept strictly confidential.  The link to survey is:  http://www.surveygizmo.com/s/44295/1

If you have any questions you may contact the researcher by emailing  [email protected].   Thanks!

After Work!

  Did you like cracker jacks…not so much for the tasty treat but for the surprise inside? Is the best part of your Chinese takeout the fortune cookie? Then these books are for you because each one is like opening a new present! No two are alike!!! I was given a handmade journal by someone very special to me. It meant so much to me that I had to sit down and play with the process of making more of them for myself. This month my sister and I spent some time making these one of a kind altered journals especially for PFATT. Now understand that we believe in coloring outside of the lines and that mistakes are a part of life so please know that each book is made with love and care; however, we accept no responsibility for tiny imperfections and will not admit as to whether they were intentional or not. We hope you enjoy our sense of humor. Journals can be used to jot down your day's highlights, write your music, draw your designs, keep your secret thoughts, or store addresses. You might even use your journal as a place to write down your favorite recipes or simply keep your grocery lists and carry them to the store in style.

Cindy made this journal for the creative soul and fun at heart. It’s vamp dancer on the front cover.  It also has Typewriter Keys below her that spell out “DANCE”. The back cover has a long red envelope to hide your innermost secret of dreams. The book is definitely for the person with an off beat sense of humor. It also contains many surprises inside.

And lastly this little pink journal is for a sweet someone special. With its vintage ephemera and feminine touches it would be perfect for anyone’s inner child. Once again we stress that these journals are all one of a kind .  All of them are available through PFATT this month only along with work from numerous other artisan's and crafters.   To see them click HERE

Michael Phelps Fan

Sorry I have been gone so long but I've been enjoying the Olympics! Ok...I admit, I've been enjoying viewing one olympian....Michael Phelps!

 

What an amazing athelete!  It has been soooo fun to watch him achieve his dreams!  Let's face it...it's just fun to watch him!  Congratulations Michael!  We are so proud of you!

Vacations, Holidays, Family ETC ETC ETC

   It is Sunday afternoon.  The holiday is over.  My daughter and her family are on their way home.  The vacation is over.  Everything is quiet except my mind.  It jumps from one thought to another.  Snapshots of the last month keep clicking through my head.  I went to San Diego to celebrate the birthdays of my son and grandson.  They were born on the same day in June.  Ben as usual put a lot of thought into it and the time and it was great.  San Diego is a wonderful city!  I love the weather!...and the Ocean!

We spent much of our time by the water.

 

Flocks of pelicans are not something we see here in Wisconsin.  What a thrill!  It is not unusual to see seagulls  because we live on Lake Michigan.  However, in all my years of living here I have NEVER seen a seagull nesting!  So I have to kind of wonder where they nest around here.  I caught this one just as she was sitting back down to keep keeping her babies warm

The sky was full of birds and other things....

The ocean had a few sites we don't see here either....

But the best things that were in San Diego are right here...

the hands of my son holding his son's hands!  That is the very best thing in the whole city of San Diego!  They playfully refer to this little guy as "The Beast"!  It is funny when you see him because he is the farthest cry from a beast....he is sweet and beautiful...but the nickname has stuck.  He will probably be forever nicknamed "The Beast" or maybe "B" for short. 

The day after my return my daughter and her tribe came in from Arkansas.  To say the least I have been spoiled by my children for the last month.  Pictures will be forthcoming!  Of course they will have to be limited to little fingers and little toes but that's ok....pictures will follow none the less. 

Paul and Peter Rabbit

ARRRRGGGGGGGGGG!  I just typed my whole entry and then it disappeared!!!!  So I won't be as wordy this time around....more pics instead...Sunday Paul and Laura and I went to the new Indiana Jones movie.  I loved it!!!!  Laura sat on the edge of her seat most of the movie!  It was as fun to watch her as it was to watch the show.  Afterward we went back to their home and sat on the porch.  It is a second floor porch and Jimmie (seen above being loved on by Paul) thinks it is his MANOR.  There is not a worry that Jimmie will jump up on the railing, bark at anyone or stick his head through the bars.  He is the world's best mannered dog!  Paul is very good with plants so the porch is lovely.  There are hanging pots...

and pots on ledges......

He is very good at mixing flowers that I would never think of mixing together...

It must be the artist in him....

 

He has the green thumb that I don't have!

  (I just love these!)

It is here that Jimmie spends time on his chaise....never jumping up on the railing...never knocking over a pot or disturbing a flower....

It is here that the story changes!!!!

I have a very large maple tree in my yard.  I also have two mischievous dogs...well...one more so than the other!  Because of the shade and the dog activity in my yard I have to reseed a part of it every now and then.  This happens to be another one of those years.  I bought rabbit fencing to keep them out and that worked until Jimmie visited and showed them how to jump the fence.  (Something he would never do at home.)   This year Paul built the rabbit fencing to be two stories tall so that no jumping would happen while the grass is seeding.

Lanterns were hung to make it appear more foreboding and even an orange electric cord was added to  emphasize the danger of jumping the fence.  (Note Gus sniffing the border as if this were the Berlin Wall!)  Below you see Rosie respecting the three week boundary.

And then you see Gus checking to see if I see him....

He decides I cant see him and proceeds to pull a Peter Rabbit stunt....

And under he goes!!!

He pulls his back legs through last; while checking to see if he has been spotted.

Yep!  I caught him!!!  the head goes down...and he acts like he is invisible.  I think of Peter Rabbit and Mr McGregor.  He scampers back to the fence and Rosie lets him know he was busted!

She is really barking at him like she is his mother as he pulls himself through!!!  Both of us lecture her and talk in low firm tones.  He looks very innocent and sorry.  The next day when I catch him...this is his exodus shot!

I again let him know how disappointed I am.  He tells me he is sorry but that he can't guarantee that he will not do it again. 

ooooooooooooOOOOOOOOO  there are some scarey looking clouds coming and the wind has picked up so I'm signing off and getting my dogs away from the electric rods I have as a fence!!!  (As I close there is an ominous roll of thunder and Gus is running for the door!)