Colouring Johanna Basford's Secret Garden Book

And that is exactly what I have been doing. Yes, in my fort. And no, you can't come in.

This is one of my earliest conquest.

Johanna Basford's colouring books are awesome and a bit on the expensive side, but as I happily discovered (because it means I really got my money's worth), for good reason. The drawings are amazingly detailed and the paper quality is exceptional. I know this because I decided to semi soak a page in water to try to get a colour pencil water effect. It did not really achieve the effect I wanted (because i did not use one of those soluble colour pencils meant for this, duh), but I happy to report that it did make for a funky background to the picture and the water did not ruin the picture of the back of the page.

I've even put a magic marker to the pages and it did not seep onto the other side :)

My family members have come onboard the colouring book trend (they all have their own forts) and we have a sorta colouring competition league going on now. It take me days and days to complete one of those mandala-esque pictures but I love how colours totally changes the entire drawing completely.

A Head Full Of Dreams by Coldplay

This album screams joy. The blissful kind of joy. The kind of blissful joy that tells the world that the band is determined to have fun regardless of what anyone thinks. Actually, to hell with what anyone thinks, they are going to have fun and they ARE having fun. So much with trying to please anyone. So much for trying to appeal to the kind of music that someone else would like. They are going to have fun and play their shit whether you like it or not. And they are going to rub the fun that they have with it in everyone's faces.

This is the impression that I get from the album. My reaction. Well, hell yeah. You go, man! Because the happiness that the band exudes is actually really contagious. I have to admit that I don't really listen to engineered music much, if any at all. But here is Coldplay rubbing all the fun and celebration that they have from this kind of music into me and I feel... I feel... I can't help it. I want to join in! Yes, there are those one or two more low key songs, but even those are sung in a celebratory mode. I kid you not, the moment that first track comes on, there is even a distinct Madonna Hung Up-ish vibe to the beginning of that song. I wonder if anyone else feels this way about this song.

My favourite songs from this album are the title track, Head Full Of Dreams (Track 1), Birds (Track 2), Everglow (Track 4), Fun (Featuring Tove Lo) (Track 6), Amazing Day (Track 9) and Up&Up (Track 11). Up&Up is also my special mention for this album. Though the beat of the song is just all too familiar and clearly cliche, Up&Up is particularly energizing.

I leave you with Everglow (Track 4) from their album. This is one of their more ballad-y songs from this album, but there is a clear charge in the portrayal of the song. They take it and they own it.

Up-cycling paper cups because I have finally run out of pots for all my plants

And I don't know if this is a bad thing or bad thing. One thing for sure, farming is proving incredibly healing and therapeutic to me. In cultivating all my little seedlings and plant-lings (that's what I am calling all my baby plants grown from cuttings), I have found patience, self-reflection, clarity and prayer. Every one of my little seedlings and plant-lings are a prayer.

Only thing is that I am running out of pots. I have about thirty pots filled now and I think I really cannot go on buying pots. I have built one raised bed and I am contemplating building more. I just need to salvage material for them. Which gets my creative juices going, actually. Oh the possibilities that arise from constraints! I love it. I love the idea of being presented with all the available materials and all its limitations, and being asked to innovate. Especially up-cycling. Oh yes. Just watch. Just watch what happens next.

Damage not so bad at this year's Big Bad Wolf Books

And I think partly has to do with the already Everest of book I have waiting for me at home to the point that I have run out of space to put these books. But I also think that the kind of books I read these days are of a particular genre. Maybe it is a flavour of the day thing. But I am leaning towards comedic writing these days. Not silly writing though. But good quality comedy. Preferably with some historic references.

I think it is because I am determined towards this route of de-stressing now that I really am not in the mood for dark and heavy stuff right about now. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against those books and you know as well as I do that I can consume them. Just, not about now. I think in light of the current state of the world, I'd like a bit of cheer. I am already made to be part cynic with all the splashes in periodicals, that I find myself in search of happy stories. Yes, happy stories.

The day we got Uncle married

So the day finally came and as we shall see, was successfully seen through. The day our Uncle got married. After everything that he, and we had to go through, the deed is done. Of course, the details, you will need to find his blog and read it over there for yourself - if you can find his blog. And if he ever gets around to write about the experience, that is. Knowing Uncle, it will come. If not in writing then in a series of photos. The only issue is timing. Like all things Akurians, it is all about timing.

In a not-so-big-ish but intimate reception filled with family and friends, we celebrated the wedding of Uncle and his bride. Having been with him since the night before the wedding to early morning of the day itself up to the night, I saw his nerves creep up to him, reached its peak throughout the day and that speechless sigh of happiness that crowned the end of the ceremony. Our Uncle is happy and it is the kind of joy that is contagious!

To the blushing bride and groom, I wish you the happiest of unions to carry you through the most joyful moments for the rest of your lives. May this blessed union bring out the very best in the both of you, your loved ones and the people you care about ♥

Because some mischief can only happen after midnight

Can't tell you what happened. It is a surprise. Can't tell you why either. Because that is an even bigger surprise. A special kind of surprise. For a very special person.

All I can say is that weird things happen after midnight. Especially with the Akurians. The again, it is the Akurians. Weird things happen. They just do.