THE PIRATE KING GETS A PERM

For Joel's upcoming role as the Pirate King in our production of The Pirates of Penzance, it was decided that curly hair would be a benefit. So Joel submitted himself to the indignities of a perm. Nathan Brown (Frederic) was happy to take these pictures of the embarrasing process.

The curlers come out.

And Joel looks better than a warthog (as previously reported on Facebook). I'm beginning to really like his ringlets. Come see him perform in The Pirates of Penzance (he even has cool boots and a sword).

FIELD TRIP TO COLUMBIA, THURSDAY, APRIL 2ND

We traveled to Columbia to view the judging of the Junior Duck Stamp Contest. Before the contest began, we were given a very educational tour of the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Facility. Our tour was arranged by Tim Haller, the state coordinator of the Junior Duck Stamp Contest, who does an excellent job. Our tour guide was Nile Kemble, a research fish biologist, shown above. He did a fantastic job explaining the importance of monitering the health of the entire food chain in a pond, stream or wetland environment.

We were introduced to a variety of insects, worms, isopods, and fish that are studied at the research center. Joy and Anna are viewing a tank of rainbow trout. We also saw some sturgeon and catfish each at least three feet long.

Nathanael viewing some "critters" under the microscope. Joining us on the tour were the Ymker family, who took all these photos, and the Jenkin family, homeschoolers from Pittsburg, MO who have participated in the Duck Stamp contest as long as we have. Brie Jenkins won Missouri's Best of Show in 2007.

We also toured some of their research ponds until it started raining, and Glory snuggled up.

JUDGING THE JUNIOR DUCK STAMP

After our informative tour, we were able to watch the judging of the Junior Duck Stamp. Although we have entered the contest for over 10 years, this is the first time we have observed the judging process. It was very helpful and inspiring to see all the other artists' works.

Tim Haller, the Missouri State Coordinator, shows the audience John's painting after showing it to the judges seated behind him. John made it to the top five in the final judging, and placed first in his age group. Joy placed second, Anna received honorable mention, and Nathanael placed second. I was very proud of their efforts.

Teal Jenkins with her beautiful bufflehead duck.

Rebekah Nastav's Winning Entry of two male Common Goldeneye. Rebekah is also homeschooled and won the Federal Contest two years after Adam. We've enjoyed meeting her at several duck stamp functions. This is her last year to compete and we wish her the best of luck at the National level.

MY FAVORITE PHOTO OF THE DAY!

We saw this posted on an ice chest at the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Facility. After having various "specimens" in our freezer at various times for taxidermy, painting reference, and other purposes, I really sympathized with this ice chest message.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOEL ! !

18 Candles, does that mean it's been 18 years?! When you're having this much fun, the time just flies in an unbelievable way.

JOEL'S BIRTHDAY

Joel's Birthday generally falls on the first day of Spring. It is my favorite time of year! And I think Joel's personality is definitely "springy".

STRAWBERRIES ! ! What a treat !

Each person in our family gets to plan their birthday meal, and the choices are always interesting, reflecting the tastes, preferences, and personality of the birthday honoree. Joel chose food that was unique, exotic, and expensive :-). Here is Basil Shrimp with Orzo (which you can't even buy in Rolla, we substituted Acini de Pepe.)

My sister Kelly got us started making our own homemade California Rolls, which are a real family favorite. Joy and Adam put together this creation, per Joel's request.

THOSE BEAUTIFUL STANLEY GIRLS ! !

"How Beautifully Blue the Sky""Climbing Over Rocky Mountain"

PIRATES REHEARSAL

The Policemen during "When a Felon's Not Engaged In His Employment"

Joel Nisbett, Nathan Brown, and Amanda Engelke sing "Paradox"

Kevin Edwards as the Modern Major General

Nathan Brown and Elise Hamacher

WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US FOR THIS DELIGHTFULLY FUN PRODUCTION

EXTREME SHEEP ART

Click this link to see AMAZING LIVING ART !! I don't normally post videos, but this one is incredible, especially as we are trying to train our dog to help with the cattle.

BROTHER BONDING

My sister Kelly's sons, Luke and Eric, hanging out together.

THE BIBLE AND DR. SUESS, SOME REALLY GREAT LITERATURE

The link works now . . .
Very Amusing Video!

I haven't figured out how to embed a video yet, so just click on the link above.

CREATIVITY IN THE KITCHEN

This week I didn't make my usual trip to the store during band, and decided for the sake of convenience and the pocket book to just eat out of the "pantry" for the week. For our Tuesday meal, my menu was taco salad, but half of us were going to be at the theatre and the other half stayed at home. I was short on chips for the salad, so John, who was staying home, offered to make chips from a few corn tortillas I had in the fridge. They were a huge hit, and John made some more the next morning


Homemade is so much better!

I was cleaning the kitchen while John started another batch and found his engineering style cooking amusing. He stacked up several tortillas and then cut them into strips with kitchen shears. He was preparing to cut the strips into smaller pieces when I joked that it looked like some "kitchen craft" similar to when we weave constrution paper. At that point, we just had to try it.

Voila! A lattice tortilla chip!
Why?

I'm not sure. . . but maybe
because sometimes creativity is just fun
for no good reason.

DUCKSTAMP DEADLINE

This was where Joy was, while everyone else was loaded in the van, ready to go to town. It was 4:15 pm on the day of the deadline to mail in our Junior Duck Stamp entries. Thirty minutes into town would get us there at 4:45, and the post office closed at 5:00. Joy really wasn't finished, but she had made a valiant effort. This was her first attempt at painting, and I had been gone to Atlanta and busy with school, housework, and the play. She didn't get much instruction until Adam stepped in and helped her. She's ready to start another painting right away though.

THEIR FINISHED JUNIOR DUCK STAMP ENTRIES

Nathanael's Hooded Merganser (colored pencil)

Anna's Mallard (colored pencil)

Joy's Hooded Merganser (acrylic)

John's Canada Goose (colored pencil)

FOR THOSE WHO ASKED HOW JOSIAH'S HAIR TURNED OUT . . .

Josiah and Glory, enjoying some of Aldi's 99¢ fresh pineapple, while showing off their precocious curls.

SET BUILDING DAY --

You start with lots of willing workers . . .

. . . Add a guy with a roller . . .

. . . and a really strong guy . . .