Filed under Chainsaw Art, When Wood Comes Alive, wood carving
Filed under Seasons, snow people
I’m having a hard time getting my act together this morning. I have no excuse. I sat down at my computer with a cup of coffee and POOF! the morning is almost completely gone and I haven’t written a thing on the blog yet!
I’m trying to remember that our trash day has been delayed one day due to the holiday and that we’re supposed to gather trash TODAY and put it at the bottom of our driveway for pickup tomorrow.
I’m delighted that the weather forecast changed. We did NOT get the snow showers predicted for last night. Now they are predicted for TONIGHT. The sun is shining brightly and it looks beautiful outside. I’m hoping it will get warm enough in the afternoons today and tomorrow that any snow showers will melt away and be a fond memory almost immediately.
I hope you had a nice Christmas. Some compassionate people wrote beautiful thoughts remembering that there are lots of people who have a hard time during holidays. I hope they made it through and that the coming year is a better one for them. We’re all in this together.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Filed under Blog Repost - Wonderful Posts, holidays, Mother Nature, Seasons, snow people, video
Filed under Calvin Nichols, paper art
Merry Christmas!
We just finished a ‘conference call’ on a secure program our son found so we can talk real time and see each other, like Face Time. This is special because there is either 12 or 13 hours difference where he is (it’s Christmas NIGHT where he is now).
We received some wonderful presents this year – time with our friends at Lunch Bunch and my friendships elsewhere (Carla and Nora) being at the forefront, but I have to say being able to talk to our son across the world and see him laugh and smile is the absolute best gift. Knowing that he is in a relatively safe part of the world, aware, and NOT traveling 24 hours one way going through dangerous parts of the world to see us gives my heart great ease. We will make plans to see each other when the world calms down.
I hope you are feeling well, and have a safe and happy day.
Filed under holidays
Filed under 3-D Paintings
It’s rainy here today. I’m glad to say that because the temperature is a balmy 61, so it’s JUST rain. Starting tomorrow our highs will be in the 40s or maybe to 50, but the lows will be below freezing. I’m really trying to get ready, but I DON’T want it.
I’m trying to avoid or ignore a lot these days. Thankfully, I have a lot to help me –
This should be my new photo now. I avoid what I can, stick my head in the sand or ignore things, all in a probably impossible attempt to retain what is left of my sanity. “The world is too much with us…” ~ William Wordsworth.
May today and tomorrow remind us how much we have and how important it is to cherish those we love and do what we can to make things better.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
A good friend sent me this and I love this idea! Do you think we should start a new tradition?
Filed under holidays
Filed under Blog Repost - Wonderful Posts, love, video
Yesterday was our gift exchange. I etched a glass and painted a card for everyone.
You probably remember my gritching and whining about trying to learn to etch. I’m not sure what the equivalent is of hanging your child’s artwork on the fridge to encourage their efforts, and that may be the case here, but I had a good time thinking of the people receiving the glasses. I’ve always made a present for Mikey, our waitress, but this year I also made a glass for David. He seemed truly touched and brought tears to my eyes.
Patty made truly wonderful pumpkin bread. My husband grabbed it, took out his knife, opened the package right there at the table in front of everyone, cut a big slice and ate it. He grinned and thanked her for making HIM a bigger one this year… I have a bright, happy-looking holiday towel I hung on the stove door in our kitchen to brighten the room. She also included a card printed on both sides of her, her husband, and their grandkids. Priceless.
My husband got a humongous bucket of three kinds of popcorn from David and Mikey of The Pizza Barn. They gave me a vanilla candle, some warm, snuggly socks, and a box of Hershey’s fancy chocolates. YUM!
Kay and Bud blew us away by letting us choose a quilt Kay had made.
We both plan to enjoy using these in the living room in our recliners. Since we’re older than dirt and usually end up asleep in our recliners some time in the afternoons, we’ll be able to cover up, snuggle down, and replenish our energy for the rest of the day in style. (We also got me a new heating pad which lives in my recliner now, so I can be sandwiched between two sources of heat. :0) )
Other than the “loot” we all got, the best present of the year was that we were all together, sharing time; big, long hugs; good food, laughs, memories, and love. A very Merry Christmas for all.
Filed under Family, Friendship
_____________
I’m elated about Lunch Bunch yesterday. I’m going to tell you about it in 2 posts today.
First, and most important, I talked to everyone about whether they wanted to continue trying to meet for Lunch Bunch. We decided to KEEP COMING as long as it was possible. I’m delighted because I’ve been worried my husband would lose patience when we’re stood up over and over. I did ask again that everyone try to call each other if they are NOT going to be there.
Second, I wanted you to meet the members of Lunch Bunch –
This group has met every Friday possible for over 25 years to share lives. We have shared a meal while catching up on what has happened the past week, what we HOPE will happen in the future, sad things that have happened, what we are worried MAY happen, birthdays, anniversaries, new arrivals, and more. We have helped each other through the bad stuff and helped celebrate the good. This is family.
Filed under Family, Friendship
epbot.com
epbot.comstar-wars
horseandman.com
jezzbean.wordpress.com
Filed under Seasons, snow people
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance - aka “Lunch Bunch”
We plan to have a gift exchange today at Lunch Bunch. I’ve told you that it’s iffy as to whether we continue to try to meet or not, due to health and other issues. That’s really hard after over 25 years, so this will be a bittersweet gathering today. I’m hoping to get some pics on my phone. Right now it’s drizzly, but not actively raining. I hope that will hold until we get home from errands after lunch.
I finally got my drafting table cleaned off yesterday and have it set up now so I can start experimenting with my Dremel and my new wood-burning tool. I have a big piece of scrap wood to play with, my protection gear, and lots of space. I found some wooden plaques my husband and I cut out years ago just waiting. I also have wooden earring blanks, plus I ordered some thin rectangular pieces of wood on which I hope to do signs and wall art. All I need to do now is 1) find the time, and 2) overcome feeling intimidated.
I got really NICE feedback yesterday from a lady who bought a painted vase for her mom for Christmas. I’m walking about 3 inches above the ground from her kind words. :0)
After looking at the weather forecast for the next 10 days, it looks like Mother Nature is planning to officially change to winter, too. The highs will be in the 40s and the lows in the 20s – quite a change. Time to break out the heavier clothes!
Have a happy Friday.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Filed under sculpture
Filed under paintings I love
Filed under Calvin Nichols, paper art
New Prague Area Schools
My hair blows as time whizzes past this year. I had trouble believing it was already December – and now we’re almost to Christmas! The official 1st day of winter is here, and I’m not feeling prepared for THAT, either.
Arkansas doesn’t do ‘winter’ well. Instead of pretty flakes coming down and then melting off, we have ice storms and THEN snow on top of that, making tree branches and sometimes entire trees hang down into, or break off into, our 650+ foot STEEP driveway, trapping us until we can chainsaw our way out. We’re getting a bit long in the tooth to be trying to do this, but have little choice.
We’re trying to get back into the mindset of staying stocked up on everything, topping off the gas tank once a week, etc.
I really enjoy seeing PICTURES of snow, seeing children play and sled in the snow, the creative snow people and animals people create from the snow, and more – most from INSIDE, with maybe a quick walk in the snow fall, trying to catch flakes on my tongue before going back inside where it’s dry and warm.
I’m hoping Mother Nature will look kindly on us this winter, giving us some really pretty images without hazard.
“Many human beings say that they enjoy the winter, but what they really enjoy is feeling proof against it.” ~ Richard Adams
Filed under Seasons
Goga Tandashvili – My Modern Met
Liberty Latham – pinterest
YouTube.com
Filed under 3-D Paintings, sculpture
Brownsburg Animal Clinic
My husband and I are together 24/7 since he had a couple of strokes a couple of years ago. The worst is past, and I don’t worry as much now, but friendships have suffered some because I need to stay with my husband. I get a massage once a month, have my hair cut when needed, and every once in a while, see a friend as a very special occasion.
This morning, I saw two of my long-time, much-loved friends. I took them presents and cards I had made for them for Christmas, but the important thing was sharing great hugs and catching up a bit. Both were fine, thank goodness, but it was great to see that for myself.
The time is never long enough, but at least we got to acknowledge how special friendship and love are, and how lucky we are to have people who mean so much to us.
I hope that you are able to catch up with people who mean a bunch to you at least at this time of the year, and hopefully more in the coming year.
Filed under Friendship, holidays
Tofros.com – Pexels
I’m going to hopefully deliver two gifts to friends today, catching up with how they’re doing for a few minutes. Life gets in the way of checking in and spending time the way I would like, so the times together are even more precious.
I was a good girl yesterday, doing the vacuuming and the laundry. Today I’m planning to continue trying to clean off my drafting table in my art room. Every time I even THINK about getting up there, something else comes up and snafus my efforts.
I hope you are feeling great, and have a productive, happy day today.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
BoredPanda.com
BoredPanda.com
Davy Jones – Japan – Jennifer Bragg – cottagelife.com
epbot.com
“There’s just something beautiful about walking on snow that nobody else has walked on. It makes you believe you’re special.” ~Carol Rifka Brunt, Tell The Wolves I’m Home
Filed under Seasons, snow people
Filed under Barbara Shaw Art, Embroidery/Sewing Art
D G Wildlife – Getty Images
“Tuesday, Tuesday” just doesn’t have the cache’ of “Monday, Monday” by the Mamas & the Papas, does it.
My husband told me this morning that when he went out to feed Abby, our cat, in the garage this morning, a black cat went running out. So now we have a cat who is probably eating OUR cat’s food, plus a possum, who is eating at least what he can get of the bird seed we keep in there…. We tried closing up the cat door, and our cat expressed her displeasure by leaving ‘treasures’ all over the garage floor, so that is not an option. A continuing challenge…
The only excitement around here today is that my husband has an eye exam. Otherwise, I’m still trying to get my drafting table in the art room cleared off so I can experiment with my Dremel and a new wood burning tool.
The days are whizzing past my head, particularly lately, so I seem to only be getting the most pressing things done. Today it’s laundry, plus vacuuming the first floor tiles (pantry, kitchen, dining area, utility room, and two half-baths.)
I hope that your day is calm and enjoyable.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
creativeartworksblog 