Swirling Colors & Natural Patterns

 

Spiritscape

Spring has sprung! Nature's colors are popping everywhere, and it's glorious to behold. I've recently finished a new painting, and I took a deeper peep at the colors on my street. The ethereal realm is eternally close at hand, and it's lovely to soak it all in. 

Here's a behind the scenes look at Spiritscape plus the latest session of Microscopic Modern Art: "Spring Bouquet" 

Enjoy the swirling colors while tip-toeing through the tulips!

Spiritscape behind the scenes

Caught a rainbow playing on my painting

Spiritscape on the wall

(11"x14" wood canvas board)

The finished painting

"Spring Bouquet"A deeper peep at the colors on the street. 

Materials used: tulips, bleeding heart, feather, mushroom, dandelion, sage, magnolia, violet.

"Pink Pop"

"Golden Wave'

"Cosmic Eye"

"Tulip Sunrise"

"Circle"

"Pink Splash"

"Purple in Yellow"

"Pink Fingers"

"Left at Leaf Street"

"Violet Lights"

"Purpura"

"Secret Cave"

"Faerie Wing"

"Periwinkle Forest"

"Space Between"

"Sun Arch"

"Mirco Sorting Hat"

"Yellow Peep"

"Feather Light"

"Flow"

"Alive"

"Mushroom Landing"

Bits from the street!

Photography & Artwork by Jess Haight

CottageFive.com

MMGM: The Deliverers 4: Sparkling Mist of Time by Gregory Slomba

 

Every year on his birthday Eric Scott and his family celebrate by attending the local reenactment of The Battle of Canfield Corners which was fought October 22, 1777. But ever since his dad died, it hasn't felt the same to Eric. After the festivities he is summoned by The Gatekeeper who had given him his last three assignments. Eric meets with him and finds out that he and the rest of the Deliverers (Stig- a talking owl, Hallo Tosis- a dwarf, and Kate- a friend he met on his first assignment) must go back in time to 1777 to stop a creature who is using a sparking mist to punch a hole in the fabric of time. Although Eric is excited to see his old friends and to be working on a new assignment, he is also worried about going back in time and stopping something so powerful. When they arrive in Eric's town over two hundred years earlier it is familiar and strange. Luckily, they meet Mathias, a boy close to Eric and Kate's age, who is able to help them figure out what has been going on. In order to stop the creature they need to work together and use Eric's knowledge of the Revolutionary War to stop the creature from changing history and erasing the world and everyone in it. Can The Deliverers stop the creature? Will they be able to figure out the creature's reason for trying to change history and alter the world? What will happen if they fail? You will have to read this exciting ending to The Deliverers series to find out!

I have read all the books in this series and The Deliverers 4: Sparkling Mist of Time by Gregory Slomba was an amazing ending to an awesome series. I love that everything was wrapped up. It was a story that will keep readers turning the pages. I also liked that readers who haven't read the other three books would be able to read this one and understand what is going on (though it is always better to read the whole series in order, in my opinion). So happy to learn how this adventure/fantasy series ends! It was great to see the friendships continue to evolve and grow throughout their adventure in time. I also learned a lot about the American Revolution and some of the battles that took place in and around Connecticut. I definitely have some places I want to check out in person now- like Keeler Tavern.  Changing time is such an interesting concept and I think the author did a fabulous job making everything easy to understand. As I  turned the last page I was happy to have the series wrapped up and all my questions answered, but I was sad that I wouldn't be reading about these friends again.  I recommend this series to anyone in 4th grade and up who enjoys adventure, sci-fi/fantasy, and history.  

Has anyone else read The Deliverers 4: Sparling Mist of Time? Or have you read another book in The Deliverers series? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!

~L

Our reviews of the rest of the series here.

Visit Gregory's website to find out more about the books!

For other MMGM posts, please visit Greg Pattridge's blog.

Read Across America!

 

We are so honored that The Week Junior selected The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow to represent Connecticut for Read Across America. There are so many great titles included on the map, and we thought we'd spotlight a few of the books we've reviewed, and shout out a few we plan to share with you!

It's wonderful to see Fairday and friends representing CT! The Begonia House awaits. Fear not the unexpected.  Anything's possible! 

The mystery continues to unwind in 

Fairday Morrow and the Talking Library. Stay tuned for the third book, Fairday Morrow and the Master's Emporium!

Here are a few books on the map we've reviewed! 

ARKANSAS

"I loved watching Marlee stand up for what she believes in, and she definitely tried to make the world a better place. It's an excellent book for people of all ages, and I think kids in fourth grade and up will especially relate to Marlee and Liz. The book makes history come alive." Read our full review 

Check out our author interview with Kristin Levine!

SOUTH CAROLINA

"I love how history and mystery were woven together in a way that makes you want to dig into your own history to see what you'll discover. I loved that the main characters both had a passion for reading and talked books with each other, like I do with my best friend." Read our full review 

FLORIDA

"Roy is a kid that I could easily relate to because he has a great sense of humor, and I love his passion for wanting to conserve the habitat of the burrowing owl. I don’t like to see animals endangered, people littering, or nature being destroyed. The characters in the book are quirky and add a lot of interest to the story. I especially like when someone can put a bully in their place!" Read our full review 

Here are a few books we're looking forward to featuring!

Louisiana: The Marvellers 

Nebraska: The Elephant's Girl

California: City Spied: Golden Gate

HAPPY READ ACROSS AMERICA MONTH!