HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Patty !!

Plasma Punch

We are having a Color Wash Competition in our online Michael DeMeng class. We were encouraged to go "outside of the box" in our creation of a new color, using techniques we learned in the class. This is mine, titled PLASMA PUNCH. The winner will receive a small original piece of Michael's art. There are 34 entries and we are all itching to win!!! Now on to the judging......

The class is over on March 11 and I am sad to see it come to an end. Michael's videos have been refreshing, His teaching skills are great, with precise instruction and always a dash of humor added. Michael is a talented artist ~ I've enjoyed this class and I've learned new colors and techniques that I will put to use in future creativity. I may never use paint in the same way again. I hope to one day take one of Michael's "in person" classes.

Wish me luck! Although I must say there are some pretty great entries. I'll post the winner next week.

Sunday Blessings

I just want to share these photos with you. One evening, while in South Carolina, Casey and I were out and about. I saw this man in the middle of the road and had Casey circle around so I could take photos. There was no written message, no sign - just this lone man holding this wood cross. I showed the photo to Amanda when we returned to the house. She said she has seen him pulling this cross along the sidewalk a time or two.

I believe his message came across loud and clear.

Random Photos of Charleston Visit

Pre-Sunset explosion of sunlight!

Window in Tommy Condon's Irish Pub.

Always looking out to sea.

What is the beach without a feather or two?

Even the trash cans have that "beachy" look.

Just chilling by the sea.

Look out below!

What mysteries lie beneath these waters?

There are several squirrel nests in the backyard pines.

There were many cardinals living in the back yard.

This one tried very hard to hide from me.

Weathered steps leading to the most comfortable screened in back porch where you can sit and watch the birds and squirrels play.

It amazes me how high these pines grow. They sway with the wind and seldom falter.

Pine cones scattered throughout the yard. Small miracles that remain in one piece after their fall from the sky.

Casey makes the best Bloody Mary!! I always ask for a "small" ~ he makes them quite spicy! I wish I was there having one right now. I guess I'll have to wait till next time.

South Carolina Creatures

I am back in cool Virginia after spending a glorious week in warm South Carolina! The weather was beautiful for driving both ways. On the way, I was filled with anticipation and wide awake. On the drive back yesterday, I could barely keep the peepers open. It is a 7 hour drive and those 7 hours seemed to tick by more slowly than normal. It is always sad to leave, and once on the road my thoughts were of all the things I would have waiting for me back home - laundry, mail, my online class, grocery shopping, and things that I was already behind on....

Mom and I both had a real nice time ~ it is always a treat to spend time with Casey and Amanda. The weather was beautiful all week - in the 70s and sunny. We went to several consignment shops and antique shops, ate lunches at great restaurants, spent some time in downtown Charleston, and went to Daniel Island and Johns Island. I went to the beach alone one morning and walked, took photos, and pondered on the beauty of the ocean and all its gifts.

I took 614 photos while on this trip. There is so much to see and I seem to always have the camera in hand. Today, I am posting photos of some of the creatures I encountered this past week. I'll post more photos of other things in the coming days.

This little pond is minutes from Casey's house. There are 2 alligators that live in this pond and one (sometimes both) of them is often sunning on the edge of the water. One was out every day while we were there.

He is always on the opposite side of the pond from where people walk and ride bikes. Lucky for them. Do you suppose he has a fear of people?

This cute sea gull posed for me while all of his friends ran in different directions.

I was happy to see a flock of Ibis had decided to hang around the pond just in front of Casey's house. I am always fascinated with these birds and I love their long beaks.

These two were at the pond right next to one of the restaurants we went to. We used to go there for lunch often when we lived in South Carolina and there were always a pair of ducks in the pond. Could these be the same two?

Cute!

There are so many ponds, creeks, rivers, and waterways everywhere, egrets are easy to spot. I like to watch them walk in their jerky fashion.

I passed a group of vultures one day. They were eating the remains of a small deer. I took pictures of many of them feasting, but didn't think you would care to see that. So, I am only posting this lone vulture in a tree watching the others eat, patiently waiting his turn.

This little guy spent a lot of time in Casey's back yard right underneath the bird feeder that Amanda had recently filled. They have many squirrels and birds living there. It is a wooded back yard and I enjoy sitting on the porch just watching all the little creatures playing.

This beauty was pulling one of the carriages filled with tourists on a tour of historic downtown Charleston.

I had to post a shot of the beautiful moon. It looked so big and clear down there in South Carolina.

*******************

I must say, as wonderful as it is to visit, I am always happy to be back home.

♥ Audrey

Like a Dog

Handle every stressful situation like a dog. If you can't eat it or play with it, pee on it and walk away.

***************************

Oh, if only life were so simple. (:

Just want to let you know that I will be off Blog for several days. I am taking Mom to South Carolina to visit my son and his wife. I hope to squeeze in a little time for consignment shopping and I plan to go to the beach and walk and ponder. I will also take many photos and share the beauty of the Charleston area with you when I return.

Take care.

Love

On this Valentine's Day, 2011,

I wish you LOVE.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

♥ audrey

Vintage Valentines and Post Cards

This post card, dated 1923, has movable parts. You can move the top dove ~ he is attached with a small metal screw/brad type thing which is engraved. The card itself is made of a heavy paper lace which has the look of mother of pearl.

The heart with roses in the center of this post card is satin - so pretty. It lifts up and there is a message inside. Sweet!

These are a few of the vintage valentines and post cards in my collection. I have many more and might show some of them one day soon. Some of the older valentines are very cute and some of them are absolutely beautiful ~ intricate, lacy, and very romantic.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Valentines

I have collected Valentines for many years. I have recent valentines, vintage valentines, post cards, and other things that relate to Valentine's Day or Love. The ones I am posting today are from Hallmark's Historical Collection. They are reproductions of cards printed in the late 1800s. I managed a Hallmark Store for 10 years and then I was a Hallmark Traveling Merchandiser for a number of years. Each time Hallmark came out with a reproduction of a vintage valentine, I purchased one for my collection. I have many more, but thought I would share some today as they are so beautiful and Valentine's Day is near.

I also worked for American Greetings for a number of years as a Merchandiser. I enjoyed these jobs very much as I have always liked greeting cards.

I will post more Valentine related things tomorrow.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

How comforting to know He will wrap his arms around us if we only ask.

your face

these worn gloves

will not adorn my hands

when i next see you

it has been so long

i want to touch your face

i want to feel your warm skin

i want to feel the stubble

the wrinkles

your smile

i want to remember the feel

of face touching face

i will cast these gloves aside

not caring to wear them again

i want the feel of your face

to remain forever on my hands

Photo and Poem by: audrey