It's Been A Long, Long Time

*Trumpet Solo*

I fell in love with the song long before it appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, because I'm a sucker for trumpet solos. But I figured it was the perfect way to start this week's blog post, since I've been gone for some time from writing.

Writing is hard.

Even though I love to do it.

But finding the energy to write sometimes is daunting.
That's why I'm updating this blog now to say this:

This blog will be updated every other week from this point on.

That way, if I'm busy one week, or on vacation (like I was this past weekend), I won't feel as bad for playing catch-up!

And if you're sitting there, wondering why I didn't just start the blog out that way--I am a chronic over-achiever and do try to do as much as possible when I know it's something I like. It isn't until I'm sitting down in the piles I've created for myself that I realize it's time to slow down and ask for help.

Anyway, let's move on to the important bits!

At the Potluck Picnic in Veteran's Park, food was brought (and a thank you to everyone that brought a dish to pass! Everything was delicious, as it always is!) (And a special, personal shout-out to Sue Siebarth from me personally, because I dream about that corn lol. It's my favorite!), memories were shared, and everyone got out of the house for a little while to socialize and relax on a lovely (if albeit smoky) day!

Things have been going at faster pace as well, as we here at the MAL webmaster headquarters (see: my desk, which is covered in Funko pops and fake plants, because I will kill any real plant I touch. And that's not an exaggeration. If you ever need a pesky plant killed, I'm your girl!) have been given so many new things to update the website with!

First and foremost, Monroe's own David Larkins was awarded an honorary lifetime membership with the League, and is now featured on our members page! And as you watch his paintings scroll by, know they are not pictures. (I thought they were pictures, until I read the bio and was like "WhAt Do YoU mEaN tHeY'rE pAiNtInGs?!?" But anyway, I digress.)

Secondly, David's "Paint like Van Gogh" classes are coming up fast, and with limited space still available! This is now live on the website here if you'd like to try your luck at it! David will also be our very special demonstrator for the month! More information can be found on the Home page--but if you want the short and sweet: there will be no Tuesday night meeting this month, July. David Larkins will be giving a special demonstration on Saturday, July 22nd at the Ellis Library & Reference Center. There will be $1 raffle tickets sold to win his painting. If you are not present at the time of the drawing to claim the art piece...

So, as our dear friend Jimmy Tidwell would say, "Be there or be square!"

Thirdly, we're also going to be officially announcing The Monroe Art League Angie Terrasi Archives on the 22nd as well! So soon you'll be able to make an appointment with the Ellis Reference Center to sit down and see all the hard work the League has been putting into the collections from various members throughout the years, but most importantly the archives' namesake, Angie Terrasi, kept since the 60's.

Finally, I'd like to take a moment to share two things.

1) Do you find yourself watching kids on hot summer days and wish you had an activity to do with them? Look no further!

Something we used to do at the daycare was make popsicle paint!

It's really very easy.

The materials (all of which are likely at the dollar store):

• Sidewalk Chalk
• 2 tbsp Cornstartch
• 4 tbsp water
• Ice cube trays
• Popsicle sticks
• Cheese grater

The steps:

1. Start by grating a sidewalk chalk piece into a measuring cup that pours. Use a small grater if you can so that you can grate directly into the cup. If you don't have a small grater, then grate into a larger bowl and then transfer to a pouring cup. We used about half a sidewalk chalk piece per color.
2. Add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch into the measuring cup.
3. Add 4 tablespoons of water.
4. Mix together
5. Pour the mixture into an ice cube tray or small plastic container.
6. Repeat for each color you'd like to make. Double or triple the recipe to make a larger batch. This recipe will fill 2-3 ice cubes.
7. Add mini popsicle sticks into the ice cube trays. You can lean them to one side to keep them standing up.
8. Freeze.
9. Once frozen, let the tray sit out for a few minutes to make the paint-sicles come out easier
10. Let your imagination run wild...at least, until it rains!

(For a video instruction and credit for this activity, please visit: https://www.thebestideasforkids.com/chalk-ice/)

And second?

Enjoy some pictures I took of Tennessee and Dollywood.

Who knows, maybe you'll find your next inspiration for a painting!



Until next time, y'all!

And as a bonus, here's some ducks that were outside my hotel room balcony. including Miss Daisy, who thinks she's a wild duck (points if you can spot her, lol)