The Magic, Miracles and Joy of an Artist

Monday, December 24, 2018

Nativity

If you look closely, you'll see I've added a little doxie to the Nativity scene. I'm sure Jake would want to be there.

Sunday, December 23, 2018

Fun Lunch

Fun pre-Christmas lunch with Santa, Mr. Magic, Casey, Amanda, and good friend Phillip.

Saturday, December 22, 2018

Santa

Casey and Amanda arrived at 5:45!! A little later, we went to Mamma Maria's to have a drink and to pick up dinner. Look who snuck up behind me!

Sunset

The sun was setting as I drove home from the Open House Party.

I attended an Open House Party at Tinker Belle Cottage this afternoon. Friends Ibby and Bill sure throw a beautiful party. Every time I attend one, the table is filled with even more good eats than the last time.

This was a drop in to say hello to Ibby's son, Andrew Call, who is home from Chicago to celebrate Christmas. It was a very festive atmosphere.

Santa gourds painted by Ibby.

Full Moon

Our Full COLD MOON and the official start of Winter.

Friday, December 21, 2018

Grocery Shopping

Kroger's Mr. Snowman bidding me farewell after I gave them buckets of money for the food I will use to prepare our Christmas meal.

The Beauty of Nandina

Winter Solstice

"At the shortest day and longest night of the year, the dark offers us solace and the space to replenish."

~Michelle Gregg

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Artist Trading Card

One more Art Card arrived. This pretty Eco Dyed card was made by Annie Hooten of New Mexico. Really nice, Annie, and all the little extras are very special. It will be fun to use them in a piece of art. Thank you. Welcome to the group and I hope you are feeling better.

Profile Photo

Added more sparkle and made this my Blog Profile Photo!

Christmas Gifts

Just received a Christmas package in the mail. Trying to hold out for Christmas Day to open! Can I do it?

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Decor Around the House

Some of our indoor Christmas decor. One week and we'll be celebrating the birth of Jesus!

Thought I might like a pencil tree this year. Not super happy with it ~ I will go back to the full tree next year.

The mantel.

Under the tree.

Nativity.

Wreath in guest bathroom.

A favorite ornament.

Another favorite ~ home!

Silly... but I've always liked this one ~ Daffy Duck as an Angel.

Another favorite.

On the Rise Bakery

Mr. Magic and I made our first visit to "On the Rise Bakery" for lunch today in Grandin Village. It was SO good. Highly recommend. The Tomato Cheddar soup was excellent! Eager to return.

Irish, when you get here for your Winter visit, we must have lunch at this place. You will love it. And they even have a Reuben for Whistlepig!

Monday, December 17, 2018

Art Card Exchange

Just for fun, my dear SC friend Pam Gypsy Aries, and I, recently did an Art Card exchange. She painted a sweet Autumn scene for me and I made a mixed media Christmas scene for her ~ "Vinnie and Matisse waiting for Christmas". Vinnie and Matisse are her fur babies.

Artist Trading Cards are little 2-1/2" x 3-1/2" works of art.

"Autumn Scene" by Pam Gypsy Aries

"Vinnie and Matisse waiting for Christmas" by Audrey

Happy Birthday, Isabella !!

Sending wishes that include a beautiful day, clear skies, sunshine, love, time with family and friends, and CAKE!

May this next year bring you many days of JOY!!

Celebrate! ♥

Near the Woods

On Saturday, near some woods. It was a rainy day that, with the help of the sun earlier in the week, helped wash our 13" of snow away.

Saturday, December 15, 2018

Happy Happy Birthday, my dear friend Holly!!!

♥♥♥

Friday, December 14, 2018

Pumpkin Feast

WOAH!! Something has been going to town!

Wild Birds

From her Wild Bird Ornament Series 2018, Mockingbird Mavin and Rinokee's Red River Wren came to live with me. These 2-sided birds are unique and original fine art pieces created by our very own Mary Bullington. They are strung with fishing line and a swivel is attached for hanging. They will be a nice addition to the fish, angel, and butterfly in my MB ornament collection.

Mockingbird Mavin is headed for a landing on my Christmas tree.

Thursday, December 13, 2018

Artist Trading Card

Another Artist Trading Card arrived today. This little work of art is by Mariette Hebert of Vancouver. Titled "Dancing Poppy", it is lovely. Some sweet and pretty little papers arrived with it.

Thank you, Mariette.

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

"A Plea for Peace"

She arrived today from Vancouver, British Columbia. "A Plea for Peace" was painted by Mariette Hebert in 2015 and she stole my heart right from the start. Mariette posted her on Facebook and asked for a title. I was honored when I was told she chose my title.

I never forgot this painting and when Mariette put it up for auction recently when she was invited to participate in the Heartful Soul Auction, I bid, held my breath, and won the bid. I am SO happy and thankful to have this beauty in my art collection.

Mariette's son lives in Roanoke and when she comes to visit with him, we always get together and have the best time. I am very grateful for Mariette's friendship.

I love this painting! Great subject, color, and texture!

Sentinel

Our Beautiful City Tree

Cold But Pretty

The sun rising over our woods on a crisp cool December morning!

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Zoom Zoom

I made a quick trip to Charlotte's Web Antique Mall late yesterday afternoon and was greeted inside the door by this beauty! The owner said it's his Birthday/Christmas gift to himself ~ a 1959 Triumph TR3! Nice!

Back in the early 70's, my dream was to one day own a Triumph. Never happened!

Monday, December 10, 2018

I Survived Winter Storm Diego!!

For in that sleep of death, what dreams may come!

I AM A "SEARCHER"

"I am one of the searchers. There are, I believe, millions of us. We are not unhappy, but neither are we really content. We continue to explore life, hoping to uncover its ultimate secret. We continue to explore ourselves, hoping to understand. We like to walk along the beach, we are drawn by the ocean, taken by its power, its unceasing motion, its mystery and unspeakable beauty. We like forests and mountains, deserts and hidden rivers, and the lonely cities as well. Our sadness is as much a part of our lives as is our laughter. To share our sadness with one we love is perhaps as great a joy as we can know - unless it be to share our laughter. We searchers are ambitious only for life itself, for everything beautiful it can provide. Most of all we love and want to be loved. We want to live in a relationship that will not impede our wandering, nor prevent our search, nor lock us in prison walls; that will take us for what little we have to give. We do not want to prove ourselves to another or compete for love.

For wanderers, dreamers, and lovers, for lonely men and women who dare to ask of life everything good and beautiful. It is for those who are too gentle to live among wolves."

~ James Kavanaugh

I am THE LOVERS Tarot Card

Motive, power, and action, arising from Inspiration and Impulse. THE LOVERS represents intuition and inspiration. Very often a choice needs to be made. Originally, this card was just called LOVE. And that's acually more apt than "LOVERS." Love follows in this sequence of growth and maturity. And, coming after the Emperor, who is about control, it is a radical change in perspective. LOVE is a force that makes you choose and decide for reasons you often can't understand; it makes you surrender control to a higher power. And that is what this card is all about. Finding something or someone who is so much a part of yourself, so perfectly attuned to you and you to them, that you cannot, dare not resist. This card indicates that you have or will come across a person, a career, challenge, or thing that you will fall in love with. You will know instinctively that you must have this, even if it means diverging from your chosen path. No matter the difficulties, without it you will never be complete.