HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Linda !!  You are in our thoughts today.

~Sue, Patty, and Audrey

Birthday

Once again, I must apologize for being away from my Blog for so long.  January has been a hectic month and has left me with little time to myself. 
Yesterday was my 64th Birthday.  No big deal in my eyes.  I have never been one to let age stop me from feeling very much alive and filled with desire to accomplish the many goals I see for my future.  I very seldom sit still for very long as there is much to accomplish in a world that seems to be spinning faster each year.  I must say that I feel blessed that many of the friends I've come to know through blogging, though younger, could care less about age.  It pleases me, also, that a lot of bloggers are in their 60s and enjoying their creativity time and planning future events that will bring happiness into their lives and the lives of those they love.  I hope to be around for a long time and, God-willing, I plan to fulfill some of those dreams that are still floating around in my head.  Also, being the "baby" of the family always helps make me feel young. 
My sister and bother-in-law arrived a week ago from Ohio and will be with us for another week. We have been spending time visiting and running here and there. Jake keeps me very busy.  It is no joke that a puppy is much like having a baby in the home.  He requires a lot of my time and attention.  He is such a cute and good puppy, I am enjoying every minute as we form a solid bond.
My family gave me a very nice birthday ~ special gifts, a delicious cake, lunch with my husband, a little time away in the afternoon to run to some of my favorite places, a good dinner on my return, a fun and lengthy phone call from my son, and an evening of talk and laughter.  I received many beautiful birthday cards which I love and an especially sweet one from my husband.  The many wonderful birthday wishes I received on facebook and the videos and ecards received were fun and appreciated.  They all made for a fun and happy birthday.
I received one gift in the mail that I would like to share with you.  It has a special meaning to me and brought tears to my eyes when I opened it.  It is from a dear Ohio friend.  We grew up in the same neighborhood and attended the same grade school and high school.  The one thing that bound us together with many other wonderful people was our church ~ St. Paul's Catholic Church in Canton, Ohio.  St. Paul's was our foundation while growing up.  We attended Mass there every morning before going through the doors into the building that housed our school of St. Paul's. 
There are many many memories there - my baptism, first communion, confirmation, the formation of friendships that taught me the true meaning of friendship, and eight years of schooling by Nuns, Priests, and others, who helped make me who I am today.

This beautifully framed verse, with the photo of the large stained glass window that is in St. Paul's Church, touched my heart.  Susie, the sender of this special gift, knows what that church means to all of us who grew up in that neighborhood. The church was closed last year and when that last Mass ended, many pieces of broken hearts remained behind those walls and will stay there for all time.  Thank you, Susie.  I love this gift and I will cherish it always.

The verse reads:
We were the pillars that anchored you,
Yet without You, we should fall.
Our hearts forever shall remain,
In your loving arms, Saint Paul.


for Audrey
January 19, 2012

Winter Flowers and Jake

My Amaryllis opened up this morning.  They are such a soft, delicate pink and have a bit of a shimmer to them.  Hard to capture that in a photo.  They won't last long, so I plan to enjoy the beauty while I can.  

Jake, sunning today in one of his favorite spots in the living room.  We have a lot of windows and the sun pours in. He moves across the room to the sunny spots as the sun moves across the sky. We've only had him a little over a month now and I can't imagine life without him. 

Oh, that moon!

That great big beautiful moon!

~Photo by Audrey, January 7, 2012

Toy Car Installation

I love this installation of 2500 old toy cars by UK artist David T. Waller.  I'm thinking he must have had a lot of fun creating this beautiful, interesting, and colorful work of art.

"One kind word

can warm three winter months."

~Japanese Proverb
~Photo by Audrey, January 2012

Inchies 5, 6, and 7

Cotton Candy Sky

Thursday evening's cotton candy sky.
~Photos by Audrey, January 2012

Inchies 3 and 4 and the start of a new painting!

TIME!!!  Wow, here it is ~ already the 2nd day of the New Year.  And a Monday.  There is something about the word Monday that makes me want to NOT do anything.  But, that will not work ~ it's the first week in a new year and there are more than a few things that need my attention today.

As promised, I am posting the art I made yesterday.  The mixed media piece is 9" x 12" and I had fun doing it.  Corrine's words, "Let Go" kept running through my mind, so "let go" I did!  It felt good to just let it develop into what it is.  the Inchies speak for themselves.  One a day ~ this means I only have 363 to go!  It will be interesting to see what might develop from these.

I want to paint more today, so I better get those Monday tasks done.  The sooner I can get into the studio, the better.

Happy Monday!

A Year of Inchies

Well, it is New Years's Day, 2012.  The Pork and Sauerkraut meal is over and the kitchen is cleaned up.  While Terry, Mom, and Jake nap, I am taking this opportunity to make some art.  My goal for 2012 is to make time to be creative.  I have piles of work I could do today, but I made up my mind I would devote the afternoon to being creative.

Inchies

For some time now, I've been wanting to make Inchies.  Inchies are 1" x 1" works of art.  They are small, easy to work with, and you don't have to devote a lot of time to them.  There are many things you can do with them ~ you can collect them, make collages, make greeting cards, use them in mixed media art pieces, put them in journals, swap them, or use them in any manner that suits your needs.

I am planning to make an Inchie a day.  What will I do with 365 Inchies at the end of the year?  Hard telling.  I will probably use them as the year goes by.  

I've signed up in the Creative Every Day group for 2012.  Having been involved in this for the past 2 years, I failed in my attempt to be creative every day.  Of course, the creativity does not have to be a painting.  You can be creative in many ways every day ~ you might make a new recipe, knit a shawl, or you might sew a curtain for the window.  There are many ways to be creative!

I will post my Inchies on my blog, probably a few at a time.  If nothing else, making Inchies will get me into the studio and wonderful things could develop from that!! 

So, I am off to play with paint, colored pencils, ink, or whatever my fingers decide to pick up.  I am excited to get to it.

Winter Sunset Cross

~Photo by Audrey

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Marlene !!

Goodbye 2011

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, William !!

"I'm not really sad.  This is my normal look.  It's pretty great because it melts Audrey's heart and she spoils me all the time."


If Jake could talk, I'm sure he might say those words.  He has grown a little, but is still just as cute as ever.  I have to admit he has stolen our hearts forever.
He was the perfect Christmas gift for us to give each other.  Although, the timing wasn't all that good.  The entire month of December has been pretty hectic.  Mom began Physical Therapy this month for her spinal stenosis which has been giving her unbelievable pain.  So, I have to leave to take her several times a week. Jake does not like to be alone and I don't know for sure if it is harder on him or me when I leave.
In the wee hours of Christmas morning, I woke not feeling well.  By mid morning, it was obvious I had the flu.  Having spent the entire day and night in bed sicker than I can remember being for a long time, dear Terry tended to Jake the entire time and sweet Mom (in spite of her pain) managed to put food on the table for she and Terry.  The Christmas dinner I had planned was not to be.
Tuesday night, Mom became ill with the flu. I was up most of the night with her, so I may have set myself back a little.  I am feeling better, but still dragging some and I don't have much of an appetite.  Mom is feeling better today.  Terry has been fighting it, as well, but thankfully he didn't get it as bad as I did.  So, poor little Jake would have been up a creek if we had both been bed bound.
Since December was such a busy and crazy month, I didn't get my Christmas cards done this year. I felt very bad about that because it is the one contact I have with some people.  I decided that I would do New Year's cards instead. Well, the flu pretty much squashed that plan. 
So, December is going out with a bang and a New Year will be upon us shortly.  I look forward to a new and better year in which I hope to make more creative time and write more Blog posts.  2011 was not the best year ~ many challenges and losses ~ but as long as I have my health, my family, and my friends, I am grateful to be alive and that is a beautiful thing.  I've met more wonderful friends this year through facebook and blogging ~ I hope to get to know them better in 2012 and share much artistic happiness.
I'm not one for New Year's Resolutions.  They usually go by the wayside with most people.  I only have one goal for the new year ~ MAKE MORE TIME FOR ART!!!  That's the plan.  If it works, you'll see more posts with finished art work instead of so many works in progress that just don't seem to get finished.  I hope to open my etsy shop in the new year, as well.
Well, if nothing else, this "not feeling so good" gave me time to sit down and write this post.  Jake is squeaking ~ I must go see what he needs.  (:
♥ audrey

~Compliments of Pam Aries

How beautiful it is to be alive!

~Henry S. Sutton

~Photo by Audrey, December 2010

Finding no room at the Inn, Jesus was born in a manger.

Joy to the world! The Lord is come: let earth receive her King;

Let every heart prepare him room,

And heaven and nature sing And heaven and nature sing,

And heaven, and heaven and nature sing.

Merry Christmas!!!!

Joseph and Mary nearing Bethlehem hoping to find room at an Inn.

We three kings of Orient are 

Bearing gifts we traverse afar. 

Field and fountain, moor and mountain, 

Following yonder star. 

O star of wonder, star of night, 

Star with royal beauty bright, 

Westward leading, still proceeding, 

Guide us to thy perfect Light. 

Another Surprise

Another surprise in the mail today!  How blessed am I to have such sweet and caring friends?  Thank you, Pam. ♥ You  helped make my Christmas special this year. This print is such a happy scene ~ something I needed at this particular time.
Visit Pam's Blog, Yoborobo at http://yoborobo.blogspot.com
Pam is Queen Skelly Maker and a talented writer.

A Beautiful Gift

Last December, I posted this photo of our First Snow here in the Roanoke Valley. Ces was inspired by it and yesterday I received this beautiful matted Art Card that she created in black and white.  It is lovely and I will frame it and hang it on my gallery wall of artwork created by friends.  Thank you, Ces.  What a  beautiful, unexpected gift.
If you've never visited Ces's Blog, please do so.  She is an extremely talented artist who paints large oil paintings and she creates magical, intricate drawings in pen and ink. Be sure to click on the photos to get a closer look at the detail.  
http://cesandherdishes.blogspot.com
I apologize for the white scratchy lines on the black mat in the photo.  My scanner has scratches on it and they love showing up in photos. ):

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Isabella !!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Holly !!

I wish we were going to Don Pablos tonight ~ we'll have to celebrate during my next Ohio visit.  Have a great day and know that I sincerely wish you a year filled with good things.

Reflection

During this busy time of Christmas preparation, take some time to stop, light a candle, take a deep breath, and reflect on what Christmas is really all about.  Enjoy a few moments of relaxation.  Let some memories of Christmases past come to mind.  Go back to your childhood and those happy memories of days filled with anticipation and then the excitement of Christmas Day.  Remember those loved ones who are no longer with you and think about the Christmases that you shared with them.  Look through your old albums at Christmas photographs. I guarantee at least one smile on your face and in your heart.  One more thing.  Say a little prayer that man will come to his senses and bring Christ back into Christmas.  I hope this will be a merry and blessed Christmas season for all of you.

♥ audrey

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Anne !!

Birthday wishes are sent to you ~ a beautiful, strong, fun, and loving lady. My thoughts are with you today as you celebrate your special day. You are expecting this year to be one like no other ~ fighting for your health with your body and mind!!  On your next Birthday, Anne, we will celebrate the end of the fight and your complete healing. ♥

And now there is "Jake"

JAKE

Hello my friends!!

It has been a while since I posted at any length.  Several weeks ago I cut my finger at the knuckle ~ it had a splint on it for 10 days making it difficult to type.  That healed and then a week ago Tuesday I was outside decorating the tree.  Just about to finish when the leg sank deeply into the wet mulch.  The ladder went one way ~ I went the other.  Ouch!!  I am still healing from that fall.  Badly bruised, scraped, and sore, but fortunately I didn't break anything. 

There is good news, though.

Jake!!!

Terry and I had no plans of owning a dog anytime soon.  Last Sunday, Jake came into our lives.  We first saw him Friday night, held him, fell in love with him, and bought him on Sunday.

Jake is a 12-week-old miniature dachshund and as you can see above, has a face that made us want to take him home.

Jake has changed our lives in 5 short days. We are on new schedules, shopping in pet stores, making many trips outdoors, and basically learning how to live life with a dog in the house.

I LOVE this little dog. I love his face... his little body... his personality... the smell of him... the feel of his soft coat of short hair... the little wrinkles on his forehead... the way he cocks his little eyebrows... the way he squeaks when he wants held and loved... his little paws... the wagging tail.  I love how well he's doing with housetraining.  I feared this might be a nightmare process, but he is doing really well in that department.

I realize we have a long way to go with a lot of training ahead of us, but I'm thinking Jake is going to bring a lot of joy into our lives.

I wasn't sure how Mom was going to feel about Jake.  The only pet we ever had growing up was Chippy ~ a chipmunk.  Patrick caught Chippy on a golf course, brought him home, and he lived in a cage in the garage until the day he died.

Well... Mom is smitten with Jake.  I love the photo of Mom's beautiful, loving, 94-year-old hands holding Jake on her lap. 

So... this is my rather lengthy explanation for being absent from my Blog.  Sometimes life just has other things in mind for us.

♥ Audrey

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Sierra !

Compliments of Gail Haslett Ragsdale and Yiva Karlsson