Mass on August 31st

 Mass tonight was for my Mom.  I spent some extra time remembering when she used to be there right by my side in the pew.  I miss her.

After Mass, I lit a few candles for the safety of all in the path of  Hurricane Dorian.

Took a few photos in the church courtyard and the view of the mountains seen from the church entrance.

Morning Cuteness

My first peek at Jake this morning when I was crawling out of bed. ♥

A Beautiful Roanoke Evening

I took these on our way out to dinner last evening.  It was a gorgeous Friday night ~ calm, peaceful, and in the 70s.  Pretty much perfect!

Beautiful Coleus

Jake's Water Bowl Buddies!!

Colorful Chime

I love my solar bird chime!  It has been fun watching it change color every night all summer long.

Sweet Deer

 I'm not sure what draws me to the window at times.  Around 5:00, for some reason, I went to the window ...  just in time to see momma and her young ones grazing in the back.

Pretty Glass BEE

There's a bee in my window!

Beautiful Old Tree

This beautiful old tree certainly has a few years on it.  I was sitting in the car waiting for Mr. Magic, and there it was right in front of me!  Shade for me and a home for some little critters.

A Gift

A painting from my thoughtful friend, Phillip.  He commissioned another friend, Ibby, to paint it from a photo I had taken in my yard in July.

 The photo.

Pretty Clouds

The clouds above my house tonight.

Beautiful

On my way home from church this evening.  She is SO beautiful!

When The Earth Burned

Early Christmas

 Oh my goodness!!  I am SO happy!  I don't normally go to Estate Sales on Friday, but I liked what I saw in the photos!

Voila!  I pretended it was Christmas and bought myself gifts!  I am in love with this silver icon of Mary.  It is roughly 15"x18".  A note on the back says it is from the 1890s.  Don't know, don't care ~ I love it anyway!  And the other items, too. ♥♥♥

Crucifix from Italy, Soroco Sacred Heart, Gold Madonna Icon, and wood Angel with trumpet.  Merry Christmas to me!! 

♥

Looking for Lunch

Passed this sweetie while going down the lane by our house at noon today.  She appeared to be searching for lunch.  I get a little surge of excitement every time I see one of our local deer.

Living the Creative Life

 Therry ~ Mixed media painting of "Jessye Norman, Opera Singer

Our Living the Creative Life group met at Amanda Cockrell's last evening where we enjoyed Amanda's hospitality, her interesting and amazing home decor, dinner, and then shared several pieces of art we've each been working on.

Wally ~ Prayer flags on canvas.

 Wally ~ Prayer flags on canvas.

 Wally ~ Prayer flag on canvas.

 Wally ~ Scratch art experiment with 6 layers.

 Margo ~ Scratch art done on an old computer screen panel.

 Margo ~ Cat scratch art.

 Margo ~ A painting of her dog.

 Amanda ~ Crewel work that she designed herself on a large piece of linen.  A project that may take quite a few evenings of relaxing needle work.

 Amanda ~ A closer look at her crewel work of sweet little creatures.

 Audrey ~ "Best Friends" ~ Mixed media piece just finished.

 Audrey ~ "Loving the Bees" ~ A mixed media piece.  Still want to add honeycomb at the top and other details.

Toby ~ Main Attraction ♥

Dragonfly

I was unloading my car Monday evening at Vendor Night and this Twelve-spotted Skimmer Dragonfly landed on the end of a pole I had in my cart.  It let me get very close to take this photo.  SO intricate, precious, and beautiful.

Artist Trading Cards

I received 2 more "Circles" theme art cards.  First one is from Maggie Goodwin - "Fly Me to the Moon".  This is great, Maggie!

Second one is from Lorraine Merdjan Kushynski.  This one looks like circles in motion.  Very cool, Lorraine.

I am loving the circle interpretations!

A Beautiful Mess

Somewhere in Roanoke ...

... there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Saturday Evening

 Glory Be!  True color last evening at 8:30.