May

The hardest part about living so far away for a year is that you miss your family.

I miss the little things.

Like the look on my nephew's face right when he wakes up

and the way my dad laughs so hard and loud whenever I say something barely funny. 

So this month it was a quiet joy to get to work on something especially for our family.

My husband's grandfather, Grandpa Jack, wrote many poems and stories nearly 25 years ago. 

Everything is now being put together into a book. 

The book is going to be a gift from Grandpa Jack to his great-grandkids.

(Many of whom haven't been conceived-of yet.)

 Jack has 7 grandkids, including my husband.
So; the seven children on the bed all represent one child from each of the grandkids. 

And on the headboard are characters from 3 of his stories: Tilly the Turtle, The Bully Ballet, and Ollie the Ostrich.

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 The best part about living so far away for a year is when people come and visit!

Especially family. 

That's usually when we go out and do things we wouldn't normally do.
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Me, my mom, and my uncle in Monet's Waterlily Garden, Giverny.

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This past month has been filled with visits to the French countryside.
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Dijon

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In the French countryside, there are CASTLES.
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Rochepot Castle

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Mont Saint-Michel is the most famous castle in France.
I can not express to you the beauty of this place.
It's every fairy tale and poem you've ever read
poured into the bricks and archways of one place.
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Mont Saint-Michel

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Here's a sketch I did in a small northern town called Arromanche. 

It's where we stayed when we visited Mont Saint-Michel. 

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Sketch of an old church- the view from my hotel room, Arromanche

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sHappy May to you!

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Baaaaaaaaaa

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