Flea Market Meets Fall...

How can this be?

Just a few weekends ago, the husband and I were out and about, in sleeveless tops...

enjoying such vintage goodness at a big flea market event in Kansas City!

And at home...

Painting beach themed commissions!

The bright sun peeking through our large windows.

A gentle breeze on wind chimes, producing a most tranquil tune.

Still holding on to Summer. Tightly.

Today is different.

The mornings are quite cool and I have thrown on a sweatshirt!

Reality has quickly set in.

It is Fall.

Hello, October!

Are you ready?

Xo

 

Christmas past...

For us, it was a very quiet Christmas Day here on the prairie. As I made my way into the kitchen to get a cup of java, I noticed that it was going to be a sunny day, according to the shadows on the wall. Of course, I paused. Admired and then went back to the bedroom to grab my camera. I love waking up to such surprises!

Beside the coffee pot sits my shabby chalkboard (which I now use as a calendar).

December 25th. Christmas.

I hope that you had a wonderful one!

I called my family first thing. I think that next December I am going to suggest to them that we celebrate as a family AFTER Christmas has passed. Possibly, we will be able to ring in the new year together!

As I sipped the coffee, I did browse through the photos that we had taken just two weekends ago. We had a perfect Christmas together and I cherish the memories.

I am in no hurry to take down our Christmas decorations. In fact, I would never do so before New Years Day! It's all too pretty and I enjoy the warm and cozy!

I do, however, need to return to reality and routine.

I brushed up on my painting yesterday afternoon.

Tiny greeting cards in watercolor.

I rarely do art for fun these days. Personal art. It was pure joy to simply play!

Today:

December 26th.

Christmas past.

I have three large commission paintings to produce by February so today I begin!

Wishing you a fabulous day and I will meet you right back here...

very soon!

XO

 

Celebrate Halloween!

The wind is howling just outside my windows.

A crisp chill has made it's way into the house. That old familiar chill that forces me to quickly jump out of bed in the morning hours and grab my fleece robe that has hung on the bathroom door hook for months.

 

It's such a beautiful season, indeed.

I cannot even imagine living somewhere else, where there are no Fall colors and the sound of crunching leaves beneath my feet when I venture out.

 

To me, this is the season that excites and reminds me that the holidays are soon upon us!

Here in Kansas, it usually begins now.

Halloween.

Start digging out the sweaters, mittens, boots, and ear muffs because it's coming.

 

But let's not jump to far ahead.

In leu of this wonderous, spooky time...

Let's stay in the moment and celebrate Halloween!

I have enjoyed many opportunities to play and prepare for this "holiday".

Shopping with friend from Texas...

(Pure silliness and fun as we tried on masks and hats)!

A trip back to my home town recently led to more dress up fun with my special cousin, Tonya...

and, of course, my immediate family whom I miss so much, especially during holiday months.

Yes, life has been blissfully busy lately.

Art sales.

Some substitute teaching.

Friends. Family. Chores.

A trip to Arkansas. Flea markets. Off road riding. Dining.

Selling out of Hand painted Christmas ornaments already!

 

I even watched my very first World Series game on tv!

(I have never been a fan of sports, but did enjoy game 7)!

I try to be a very open minded person and expose myself to new things. Watching the game with hubby made it even more enjoyable!

I wish each and every one of you a safe and happy Halloween!

Stay warm!

Xo

 

Happy Summer!

Oh, dear.

I have done it again.

I have allowed myself to get swept away by Summer bliss...

losing track of days gone by.

 

Instead of blogging, I have been sipping organic tea on the front porch...

day dreaming.

I have followed crazy vines, searching for surprises.

Squeeling with joy when the first white pumpkin was spotted!

Did I tell you that I planted oodles and oodles of pumpkins?

Blue pumpkins, white pumpkins, tiny ornamental pumpkins, and of course, traditional orange pumpkins.

Two very plump, orange pumpkins have made their appearance since these photos were taken!

I never thought that I would say this because I am such a Summer girl...

but I am wishing for Fall to hurry and come.

I'm already thinking of creative Fall to do's!

But this Summer has certainly been a fun one.

I have tried on cool clothes in this very cool dressing room!

Bold colors bursting with bohemian designs...

it's enough to convince me to purchase all of the wonderful pants and tops, some having this same kind of flare!

It's so much fun to twist around and twirl while wearing big bell bottom pants and ruffled sleeves!

I never feel too old to do just that.

If clothing makes me smile...

it's meant to be.

After a sushi lunch with a nice, new girly friend...

I returned back to my prairie home, swinging my large shopping bags!

I have also changed up my routine this Summer.

Hubby and I wake early and enjoy our coffee together. He then goes a few yards away to his work.

I put on my athletic wear (no, I'm not at all athletic)...

and head out for a morning jog and walk.

I do both.

Jog.

Walk.

Jog.

Walk.

 

I am trying to live a healthier lifestyle and even going organic around here.

I will share more on that in a different post!

Some times I even have two fur babies tagging along!

I love this new routine. It's working well for me and has actually made my work days so much more productive.

Once back home, (and still early in the morning), I get my shower and get busy in the studio.

I am more inspired, happier, and even more creative. Really.

I think that because I am so observant of the wild flowers and colors that I see while out, it changes my whole frame of mind! I want more and more color, beauty...

and I can capture all of that again and again with paints and a brush! (In a sense).

Yes, I have also kept quite busy with work.

More and more commission work comes my way and I am still pinching myself just to see if this is all really happening for me!

Friends, I'm currently blessed with the biggest commission piece that has made me nervous, stressed, excited, eager, then joyful! I have remained focused on this piece- Monday through Friday.

A few evening hours were spent on this commissioned piece.

I love the stories that comes with each request.

I have also enjoyed simply being married to my best friend.

Today we had a lunch date out...

More sushi for me...

along with some sugar free dessert!

Note: this was not one of my choices!

Happy Summer to you!

 

It's A New Year!!!!

Hello, dear ones and Happy new year!!!!

It's pretty calm around here. Last night as well. Hubby and I sat in our new recliners, in our lounge wear, watching a scary movie! I tend to work on something creative as I sit because I'm really not a good sitter and my attention span is short. My mind never rests and yesterday I was just a bit excited about an accomplishment! A goal in which I had been pondering for awhile now. I decided to go ahead and begin the new year by re-stocking my etsy shop, now that I am settled into a permanent home and my vagabond has stopped and unpacked! It's tough after a divorce and not really knowing where home will be. Starting all over. Roaming. That was me a few years back. One certainly cannot maintain any kind of business in such chaos. I let go of many things during that time, including goals and dreams. Art supplies were in plastic tubs that traveled from Southwestern Kansas to the East coast, then Eastern Kansas!

Aaaaaah. At last I am at peace and have my life back...

A much better one than before, in fact!

So, I'm back up and running on etsy. I may never succeed there...

But I won't ever know until I do give it my time and commitment, right?

Here's the link to my shop, "La La Vagabond". I do hope that you'll stop by for a visit!

I like variety and will continue to list everything from original paintings, ACEO's, sculptures, greeting cards, holiday goodies, and always surprises! Always!

A pretty princess original watercolor painting that comes with a chocolate matt!

I try my best to price my art at reasonable prices that will allow everyone to afford, if they desire to purchase a piece.

My shop accepts credit, debit cards, paypal.

All is up-to-date, confirmed and verified! Yay!!!!

All of that alone took many hours, so for me, it's something to shout about!

Don't you just love that magical feeling that seems to arrive with the new year?

It's as if we have been given yet another opportunity to challenge ourselves and continue to create the lives that we so want.

I do not do resolutions. I just continue to improve and grow. It's always important to me to live a creative life, every single day.

I like to keep things colorful and make believe!

(A lot of glitter too)!

 

So, on that note, I shall say goodbye for now...

 

Wishing you a magical and wondrous 2014!

May dreams come true, goals achieved, and love shared!

Until next post,

XO