Jake at Six Months

Jake is now 6 months old and a bit longer than before.  When he stretches out, it amazes me.  He can twist himself up like a pretzel and is now able to jump up on the chairs and sofa.  We are having so much fun with him.  We love his dear personality ~ he can be mischievious, but he is so loving. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Donald !!

Have a big time down there in Texas !!

Silke's Giveaway

SOPHIA

Silke of Metamorphosis is having a Giveaway!!  

This painting, SOPHIA, is done on a 6 x 8 inch canvas board with acrylics.  Silke didn't realize how much she would love painting until she picked up a paint brush in 2009. And now she seems to have found a passion in painting her girls.  Each one is very pretty and has a special personality.  Silke usually has a story that goes along with her girls.  This is what she wrote about Sophia:

"Sophia is a beautiful and strong young woman.  She's had her share of heartbreak to deal with, but she came away stronger and wiser than most her age.  One of the things that helped her was knitting ~ her pretty cowl and slouch beanie being one example of all the beautiful things she has made." 

I think the story makes Sophia come to life, don't you?

Go visit Metamorphosis to leave a comment for a chance to win Sophia!!  You have until noon, March 31 to enter. And take a minute to visit Silke's etsy shop, silkepowers. 

Potato Chips

A little boy wanted to meet God.  He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with a bag of potato chips and a six-pack of root beer and started his journey.


When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old man.  He was sitting in the park, just staring at some pigeons.  The boy sat down next to him and opened his suitcase.  He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old man looked hungry, so he offered him some chips.  He gratefully accepted and smiled at him.


His smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered him a root beer.  Again, he smiled at him.  The boy was delighted!  They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word...


As twilight approached, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave; but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old man, and gave him a hug.  He gave him his biggest smile ever...


When the boy opened the door to his house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face.  She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?"  He replied, "I had lunch with God."  But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what?  He's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"


Meanwhile, the old man, also radiant with joy, returned to his home.  His son was stunned by the look of peace on his face and he asked, "Dad, what did you do today that made you so happy?"  
He replied, "I ate potato chips in the park with God."  Before his son responded, he added, "You know, he's much younger than I expected."


Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.  People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime!  Embrace all equally!


Have lunch with God.... bring chips!

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This is one of those emails that I was happy to receive.  It lifted my spirits, so I thought I would pass it on.

I have no author name.  I can only thank Cousin Dan for sending it.

~Photo by Audrey, May, 2008, South Carolina

Magaly Ohika

I recently purchased these two paintings by Magaly Ohika.  They are both garden scenes and loving Magaly's art as I do, I could not resist them.  I do a lot of my own framing but I thought these were worthy of professional framing.  I picked them up this week and I am thrilled with how they look.  Now I need to find the perfect spot to hang them.

The painting on the left is titled:

Attending to my garden where I find joy

The painting on the right:

Tea time at the garden

Spring ~ The Beauty Begins

HAPPY SPRING !!

~Photos by Audrey

St. Joseph's Day

Today is the feast day of St. Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ a day we celebrate the life of the foster father of our Lord Jesus Christ

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY !!

A Short Memorable Visit

Below are just a few highlights from my quick trip to Ohio.  John Sokol's show in Akron was outstanding ~ I'm so happy I had the opportunity to attend.  

After 5 hours on the road, I am always happy to see this sign which leaves me with about 2 hours more before reaching my destination.

 

A lot of art around the Akron area makes for a colorful city.

Not sure what this was all about, but these colorful art banners hanging from this parking garage caught my attention.

More Akron color.

I stayed with my good friend, Holly, and she attended John's  show, Washing the River/New Drawings, with me.  We had an enjoyable evening.

John and I after he signed two prints I had purchased earlier this year.  It was great to see him again after a couple of years.

John with his drawing, Fleurs du mal, which I purchased.  There were 45 wonderful drawings ~ it was not an easy choice.

A closer look at Fleurs du mal ~ 13.5" x 17" ~ alcohol, laundry soap, coffee, and ink on Canson Aquarelle.Saying goodbye until we meet again.

There was a quilt show going on in the Summit Artspace the same night as John's show, so Holly and I popped in there, too.  This is Connie Bloom, Quilt Artist.  She is a fun and friendly lady who  makes beautiful quilt art.

conniebloom.com

Sweet.

A very large piece made by Don Drumm.  It is installed at the Akron Children's Hospital.  Click to enlarge to see the detail.  Notice the children under the bird's wing.

This is Holly's beautiful daughter with one of her loves ~ Agnes.

This is Boris ~ her other love!

Agnes

Holly and I visited Plant Et Art, a wonderful little shop in my hometown of Canton, Ohio.  Deloris Angeli opened the doors 20 years ago.  It is one of my favorite places to visit ~ locally-focused eclectic mix of art, jewelry, plants, gift items, some consignment, and a bit of vintage clothing.  Plant Et Art is a happy place that makes you want to stay once you're inside. Deloris has a personality to match.

Holly gave me this box of candy.  It is made by Fannie May ~ Artisan by Norman Love, internationally acclaimed pastry chef and Chocolatier.  It is 
definitely art in a box and very tasty with flavors such as Lemonade, Candy Apple, and Double Shot Espresso. YUM!

This is the car when I arrived back home in Virginia.  One of my goals was to return with items for my consignment space. Mission accomplished!  It's a good thing I took Terry's vehicle.  I don't think all this stuff would have fit in my VW Beetle.
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I apologize for the mess this post is.  Blogger would not allow me to place the photos where I wanted them and I couldn't post descriptions under some of the photos. 
The large sun in the middle is another piece done by Don Drumm. It is hanging in one of the halls of the Summit Artspace.  I would love it even more if it were in my kitchen!  

Tonight...

Tonight......

A Quick Trip to Ohio

I am leaving for Ohio in the morning to spend a few days with an old friend and to attend the Opening Reception of new drawings by my old friend, John Sokol.  I went to high school and college with John.  I am so proud to call him "friend" ~ he is a great guy and an extremely talented artist and writer.

I am excited to get away for a few days ~ it has been a long time coming.  I will post pictures soon after returning home on Sunday.
A special thank you to my sister and her husband for staying at my home and caring for Terry, Mom and Jake.  ♥

Alone Time

"You must have a room, or a certain hour or so a day, where you don't know what was in the newspapers that morning... a place where you can simply experience and bring forth what you are and what you might be."


~Joseph Campbell, mythologist
~Photo by Audrey, July, 2011

For me, this would be my studio.  I go in and out of that room many times a day, but MY time, by own personal alone time in there is always late at night.  Once everyone is settled for the night ~ the dinner dishes are done ~ Mom is down for the night ~ Terry is in bed ~ Jake is curled up, quiet and content ~ I retreat to my studio.  I post to my blog, read blogs, catch up on emails, paint, create, plan, and dream.  It is true.  Most of the time, once I'm in there and I know there is nothing else I must do for the day, I forget the cares of life, the time, the pain, the worries...  I get lost in whatever it is I decide to do for the hour or so before my body tells me it needs rest.  Then, once I'm settled in bed for the night, I pick up my sketchbook that has a permanent residence on my nightstand and I draw.  Every night!  Seldom do I go to sleep without working in that book for a short while.  This is where the last bits of stress and tension that has built up throughout the day leaves me.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Patty !!

How nice that you are here in Virginia visiting with us and we are able to celebrate your Birthday together.  Perhaps this will be the year I will be able to convince you to let me post your photo.  My sister, as for now, I am honoring your wishes and only posting a photo of your favorite flower, the peony.