Last January my son Eli and cousin Nancy were visiting. Bea had just returned to school, and we missed her already. A tradition at our house is for the remaining sibling to leave a surprise for the other to come home to. Nancy and Eli, both artists, did their homework.
Then, like the Shoemaker’s elves…
…they put that talent to work.
Not without hijinks. Anticipating Bea’s reaction was part of the fun.
It was a marvel to behold the masters at work.
Ah, the joy of creation!
Down to the last detail.
Bea visited earlier this week, and was so impressed that we think Frida might be sticking around for awhile. Eli will need to think of a new way to surprise his sister.
I’m sure he’ll come up with something.
All images and words ©2016Naomi Baltuck
Click here for more interpretations of The Weekly Photo Challenge: Jubilant.
Love this! Great title. Great sequence. What fun! Meg
By: Meg on May 23, 2016
at 6:00 am
Thanks, Meg. It’s like a breath of spring and a kick in the pants when the kids come home to visit!
By: Naomi Baltuck on May 23, 2016
at 3:18 pm
I dressed as Frida for halloween last year. I used a Mustash for the eyebrow. Creative son 🙂
By: Carol Carlisle on May 23, 2016
at 6:06 am
How fun! The mustache-eyebrow is a great idea which I will file away for future reference! Thanks for stopping by.
By: Naomi Baltuck on May 23, 2016
at 3:21 pm
Recreated Frida is such a treat. But as for the alligator…:)
By: Tish Farrell on May 23, 2016
at 6:26 am
Thanks for stopping by, Tish!
By: Naomi Baltuck on May 23, 2016
at 3:27 pm
[…] Writing Between the Lines See You Later, Alligator […]
By: Jubilant (Tibetan Monks) | What's (in) the picture? on May 23, 2016
at 6:29 am
Brilliant fun 🙂
By: Lucid Gypsy on May 23, 2016
at 6:55 am
Thank you, Gilly!
By: Naomi Baltuck on May 23, 2016
at 3:32 pm
What an interesting take on this week’s theme. I love the photo with the aligator; it makes me want to see more of your work.
Following you now. Have a great day! 🙂
By: ybawany on May 23, 2016
at 8:16 am
Thank you! I enjoyed my trip over to your blog too, and look forward to seeing more of your posts.
By: Naomi Baltuck on May 23, 2016
at 3:36 pm
What fun and what a lovely tradition between the 2 siblings.
By: cyclingrandma on May 23, 2016
at 10:14 am
It keeps things hopping around here. Thanks for the visit, Lisa.
By: Naomi Baltuck on May 23, 2016
at 3:59 pm
Frida seems like a fitting addition to your home. Not sure about the alligator… 🙂 Love your creative family!
By: scillagrace on May 23, 2016
at 11:08 am
Dear Priscilla,
An appropriate addition, as Eli was living in Mexico and had been to Frida’s house recently. (The alligator was just a friend in passing–we’d met briefly in Cuba.)
Thanks for the visit, and for sharing your thoughts!
By: Naomi Baltuck on May 23, 2016
at 4:35 pm
Surprise! Surprise!! Dress me up. Dress me down.
By: raptekar on May 23, 2016
at 2:18 pm
Hi Richard,
Thanks for stopping by!
By: Naomi Baltuck on May 23, 2016
at 9:25 pm
What an innovative son! Such fun too. I’m packing a bag and coming to your house for a visit. I promise I’m be as quiet as a sleeping fly on the wall (do they sleep?). Your family are always up to something entertaining. Bless you all. 🙂
Nice to see you, Naomi. All is well? (( ❤ ))
By: Let's CUT the Crap! on May 23, 2016
at 2:23 pm
Hi Tess,
I’m afraid it gets awfully quiet around here when the kids are gone, but you and could think of something fun to do! Speaking of which, I just popped over to your site, and see that you have been having all kinds of adventures! All is well, thanks. We’re getting to send both kids to Mongolia for ten months, and I have mixed emotions about that, but am proud of them for being so courageous and adventurous. They’re getting their rabies, typhoid, and hepatitis vaccines, and I just took Bea shopping for some layers that will keep her warm in forty below zero. I hope you’ve been well, Tess. Clearly you have been keeping busy! Am looking forward to reading more of your adventures.
By: Naomi Baltuck on May 23, 2016
at 9:39 pm
You are always so kind and thoughtful, Naomi. Thank you.
Your kids are lucky to have these wonderful adventures. What priceless adventures they have experienced and expanded their minds. Sigh. Still, a mother’s heart has mixed emotions. Goes with the territory. ❤ ❤ ❤
By: Let's CUT the Crap! on May 24, 2016
at 3:02 am
So true, Tess. And that territory stretches all the way to Mongolia! Thanks so much for your very kind thoughts. SO good to hear from you.
By: Naomi Baltuck on May 26, 2016
at 6:25 am
So cute. What a great tradition!
By: walkingpapers on May 23, 2016
at 3:26 pm
Thank you, Suzanne! When the furnace guy saw our mannequin in the basement and asked to buy it, we decided we should be putting her to better use. I hope you and the guys are well!
By: Naomi Baltuck on May 23, 2016
at 9:40 pm
What fun, Naomi! I love it when siblings get along so well.
janet
By: sustainabilitea on May 23, 2016
at 5:22 pm
Thanks, Janet. After health and happiness, I wished them to be best friends, and that is a wish that has come true. Thanks for the visit. I hope you are well!
By: Naomi Baltuck on May 23, 2016
at 9:43 pm
I’m doing very well, Naomi, and hope the same for you. Enjoyed a beautiful day today and am making a bit of progress in cleaning and decluttering as well as getting ready for a few weeks in France at the beginning of July.
By: sustainabilitea on May 23, 2016
at 10:48 pm
Ooo, France! That sounds great. So does decluttering. I would like to do both those things! Where in France are you going? Have a lovely trip, Janet!
By: Naomi Baltuck on May 26, 2016
at 4:32 am
Marvelous!
By: michaelwatsonvt on May 23, 2016
at 7:08 pm
Thank you, Michael!
By: Naomi Baltuck on May 23, 2016
at 9:44 pm
Well you know, alligators and crocodiles are the creatures that will be the most likely to survive a global or atomic disaster (and my personal though unverified belief is that blackberry bushes will as well), Eli could have picked a less lasting gift! best to you and yours, Mary
By: Mary on May 23, 2016
at 7:41 pm
HI Mary,
This little guy is someone we met in passing Cuba, and I expect Bea would rather be surprised by a blackberry pie! Thanks for dropping by. All the best to you and yours–SO good to spend time with you and the Story Sisters last weekend!
By: Naomi Baltuck on May 24, 2016
at 3:31 pm
What a fabulous Frida. So creative. But a crocodile? Really? That *would* be a surprise.
Alison
By: Alison and Don on May 23, 2016
at 9:12 pm
Actually, that was just a little fellow we met down in Cuba. Thanks for stopping by, Alison. I hope you are both well!
By: Naomi Baltuck on May 23, 2016
at 10:00 pm
As always, a great story. I’m always impressed with the creativity and fun in your family. 🙂
By: Marsha on May 24, 2016
at 5:45 am
Thanks, Marsha. We do have a lot of fun. I stopped by your blog today, and it was good to catch up. You’ve been busy! Best of luck.
By: Naomi Baltuck on May 24, 2016
at 3:39 pm
Yes, very busy! You have been busy as well. I’m always amazed at how much effort your family puts into celebrations. So different than mine. We almost glossed over everything except for eating. Thanks for visiting. Wishing you the very best. Keep in touch! 🙂
By: Marsha on May 24, 2016
at 4:15 pm
That bit of artwork is an absolute hoot! You and your family think up such unique ways of celebrating special occasions.
By: Sarah Potter Writes on May 25, 2016
at 3:39 pm
We’re never bored! Thanks for the visit, Sarah. I really enjoyed what I read on your blog about your publication of your novel Dessication, and look forward to learning about how to manage it from there.
By: Naomi Baltuck on May 27, 2016
at 4:10 am
Your family life is so full of fun and warmth–how delightful!
By: Maureen Kay on May 26, 2016
at 8:38 pm
Hi Maureen,
We do have a lot of fun. I had fun catching up with your blog. Hope you are well.
By: Naomi Baltuck on May 27, 2016
at 5:32 am
I am always, without fail completely entertained by your posts. They make me smile. Thank you.
By: Books & Art - Spirit & Soul - Lesley Fletcher on May 29, 2016
at 10:36 pm
Dear Lesley, you are so kind. Thank you for stopping by and making ME smile!
By: Naomi Baltuck on June 14, 2016
at 6:40 am
Haha! That last critter might not be the best idea…
By: pattisj on June 3, 2016
at 1:12 am