A Dusting of Snow on the Prairie...

We have our first dusting of snow for the season!

The weather man spoke of it a couple of days ago and it was to be a grand snow, arriving yesterday...

so I waited anxiously, peeking from the big arched window in my studio, as I painted.

We have just returned back home after a wonderful Christmas shared with my family, back in our home town. I am enjoying this time brushing up on my ever-so-loved watercolors. Just playing. No art commitments or deadlines at this moment. It feels fabulous to just savor Winter and silence for awhile.

The snow did arrive...

Just enough to add a splash of white to the ground!

This morning I grabbed my camera and made my way outside to capture the beauty. (It will have to do until that BIG snow arrives)!

The orange...

With all of this Winter grey is so lovely.

Back inside.

Cold hands and toes.

It was certainly time for tea!

Hey! Did you have a nice holiday? I do hope that yours was filled with much goodness.

I must show you a package that arrived by mail. It was an art exchange in which I participated in. Just look at this hand painted wrap! (Artist, Peggy Hood).

I must remember to paint some of my gift wrapping next year!

Enjoy your day, my friend!

I shall meet up with you again very soon!

XO

 

Celebrating December...

Hello!

Can you believe it? In just a few more days we will be celebrating Christmas!

I must confess, my celebrating has begun! I am all caught up on commission work and at last, am able to dabble in my own art, such as my art journal. It felt so fabulous to sit by the Christmas tree early this morning, with my cup of coffee and watercolors. Our new little friend joined in! Although we have no children...

our home just seems much more complete now with the "Elf on the Shelf"! Any name suggestions would be appreciated in the comments, please, as we have not yet named our boy elf!

Presents have been purchased, wrapped, and are displayed beneath the tree. Donations, check!

Cards were all addressed and mailed soon after Thanksgiving.

Seriously, friends... This feels so incredibly nice! I must do this again next year! All I did differently was start earlier and stayed committed! I even did a complete purge with my clothes closet!

Oh, and then I did treat myself to a set of six Laura Mercier soufflé body cremes!

 

Oh my.

If you have not tried...

You really must.

I loved every scent, however, my personal favorite has so far, been the pistache.

I will now be requesting that Santa bring me a full size jar each year since it is a bit expensive.

We have enjoyed getting out and admiring pretty things...

There's just something about all of the lights, the music, the smells, and even the tv commercials that warm the heart each December.

I pray for world peace and for those who dread this time of year due to circumstances. Please, do not let these people go forgotten, dear ones. We can all give a smile, a hug, or a greeting card to help brighten someone's day!

Merry Christmas to all...

from our home to yours.

See you again soon!

XO

 

Treasures of the Sea...

Around here lately...

It seems that I am surrounded in water, as it has been raining. Big rain.

That's fine with me because I adore water.

I am especially fond of the sea...

it's hues of turquoise, blue, green, and white.

Tranquility.

Sea creatures fascinate me...

even if they really only live in my head....

or not?

I like to believe that they do exist.

Sunken treasures below.

I ponder all of these things while sculpting clay heads and tails.

While painting tiny fish.

I have enjoyed several sea theme art projects since returning home from our vacation.

The mixed media mermaid doll was a fun project for an art doll swap! She is being shipped to New York today. In return, I will receive a handmade art doll from my swap partner in New York!

This is what I refer to as my "play time" art. My hobby. Art with no instructions!

This big guitar case was my most recent commission. Although it came to me with instructions, I absolutely loved doing this piece!

"Bugs" is a pet dog who has passed on. My lovely client hired me to paint this case as a tribute to Bugs...

a gift for the doggie parents. Isn't that sweet?

I feel as if I am still on vacation with all of these sea projects...

I even added some ambient lighting to the tree, right outside of my studio window.

Fireflies in a sea colored jar? Oh yes!

It makes me smile!

Sending some tranquility your way!

I'll meet you back here again soon!

XO

 

I wish...

I wish that every day could be Christmas!

Well, okay...

That might take away some of the excitement and joy if it were Christmas season all year long, but I would, however, enjoy having these warm feelings (that seem especially strong and present this time of year), every single day.

Speaking for only myself, I do feel more giving, more thoughtful and compassionate. Possibly it is because I become more aware in December. Aware that it is the season to give. Aware that there are so many less fortunate people in this world, and even in my own community.

Aware that I can do something.

I seem to become more driven to do my part in helping others and wow, that feels incredibly good!

This is REAL joy, indeed!

All of my senses really kick in when December rolls around!

I don't want to miss out on anything...

The smells of pine trees, cinnamon, candies and fudge being made in specialty shops...

The sounds of the Salvation Army bells, Christmas songs playing on the radio.

My eyes are wide open to all of the beauty and the magic that surrounds us, even while out running errands.

Lights, sparkles, and often, (in Kansas), SNOW!

We greeted our first snow of the season this morning!

Naturally, I grabbed my camera and my heavy brown coat. I through on some boots and out the door I went, careful not to leave too many foot impressions in the freshly fallen snow. That ruins a great photo opp!

Snap, snap, snap.

Isn't it great that we no longer have to ask ourselves if a subject is photo worthy or not? With digital, I feel so free to shoot!

After playing Miss photographer in the front yard, I made my way to the backside of our house.

I'm never out in the snow for very long. It's dreadfully cold.

Inside, I brewed a pot of coffee. At night I've been sipping tea or hot cocoa with a peppermint stick. I swirl the stick around and around, allowing the mint to dissolve and add a hint of "wintery" flavor. Those pure sugar sticks work best for this! (Those softer sticks).

Another special something that I only do during the Christmas season.

 

Today I finished my last custom ordered ornament so I am now officially taking a mini vacation to spend time on personal art and with family.

It was a successful year for selling and I thank my supporters from the bottom of my heart.

I never ever imagined that I would actually be living my dream.

I did make some time to finally bleach some of those charming bottle brush trees! I even glittered a few!

I purchased several of them last year but simply never found the time to get creative with them.

I had planned on dying some and adding "bulbs", but I was so captivated by the whites and the creamy colors that I decided to save the dying for next year.

For now, I sit in my favorite chair, all wrapped up in a soft sweater. Gazing at our pretty tree. Staying present!

Oh, how I wish...

that almost every day could be Christmas!

Sending blessings your way.

Peace & Love to all.

 

The Joys of Giving...

Hello, dear ones!

How have you been?

All is wonderful here on the prairie.

Slightly cooler days, morning dew on the grass.

I'm getting so very excited for Fall, aren't you?

Before further ramblings, I want to remind you to get on over to my Facebook business page, (click here), give me a "like" (pretty please), and post a comment on the giveaway post!

The drawing is tonight...

I will be giving away this 9" x 12" acrylics on canvas, "I love you to the moon & back"!

Hurry!!!!

I so enjoy giving things away and will be doing this more often!

Speaking of giving...

I must share with you, something that has touched my heart in a big way.

I have a special client who gives so much.

Possibly you have read my blog post about this generous lady who has commissioned me for the entire 2014 year. Each month, she chooses someone for me to paint for. I then, secretly send the painting to the recipient, never revealing who the gift is from. I simply enclose an angel card, explaining to the recipient that someone is thinking of him or her and wanted them to have a gift of art.

Well, to my surprise...

This thoughtful client sent me a box in the mail.

You see, my Birthday is just around the corner...

but I do not expect gifts at my age! (Except maybe from husband), *giggle*.

I opened the box.

Filled with such goodness...

I carefully pulled out one gift after another!

Amazed. Happy. Squeeling...

Yet my eyes began to tear up.

"How can one person do so much", I wondered.

Not just for me...

but for oh, so many others.

 

I loved every single item in that Birthday box.

The following day I went into my art studio and the first thing on my to do list was to paint a special "thank you "card...

Just for her.

I will certainly be thinking of other ways to surprise her, but what this person has added to my life is a reminder of the joys that come from giving.

This wonderful person inspires me to be more giving.

Hey!

How about a peek into our forest?

Husband has been trimming the trees and we can now see the pond better!

Won't it be so beautiful in the Fall?

We hope to be spending much time here.

We are already thinking of family get-togethers, Bon fires, night fishing, and even overnight stays in the house, on the property.

I will also be watching for magical creatures.

A couple of weeks ago we were fortunate enough to find a nest of these darlings...

who grew quickly and hopped away!

Life is good.

Sending many blessings your way!

Xo