A Picture A Day In December: Norman Rockwell

If I were to be honest, I would have to say 

that I had very specific expectations for this Sunday.

After church and a pancake breakfast (cooked by the men of our parish)

I envisioned the following:

The tree would be decorated, a certain basement would be organized,

and we would all sit happily around the table sharing a pot roast 

along with roasted potatoes as we smelled apple crisp wafting from the oven.

Because of course... I would have found a way 

to use the not so fresh apples in the fruit bowl,

and would never entertain the idea of throwing them in the garbage.

Once again I fell deep into the well... the one known by many as Norman Rock"well".

Instead my house became a duct tape zoo.

I had known this was coming, but figured good o'l Norman 

wouldn't have used duct tape in any of his paintings, and therefore decided to ignore it.

And yes I am breaking my own December rule and using more than one picture today.

Just in case you stickler types were wondering.

Our Middlest and Youngest were very excited about an upcoming fashion show 

being organized at the school.

A Duct Tape Fashion show, highlighting the designs of students 

who wished to try their hand at some sticky tape creations.

I was not looking forward to it.

But they decided to go ahead without my approval.

Friends came, duct tape unrolled, and

creating began.

I was certain this was going to be a train wreck.

How could they possibly do something so difficult.

I was expecting to have to figure it out sometime after midnight,

once the tears of exasperation had dissipated.

But you know what?

I have never been so wrong in my life.

They all worked so patiently and determinedly.

And they amazed me.

So my Sunday wasn't what I had hoped for.

It ended up being so much more.

We still have lots of time to trim the tree,

and I still haven't thrown out my apples.

Norman Rockwell once said,

"I paint life as I would like it to be."

So my painting changed a bit from what I had envisioned this morning,

Instead of roast we had Spaghetti.

My kids spent the day creating, 

with Christmas music playing,

and if I could paint,

I would create a beautiful family scene

with rolls of duct tape strewn across the floor.

I think perhaps?

Norman would have liked it.

xoxo,

PS Youngest's isn't quite finished yet.  You will be seeing it a little later this week.