Spring Awakens

Spring Awakens, by Miki Ferro, Easter Ideals Magazine, March, 1958

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Donald!!

Wishing you a beautiful day and may God bless you with wonderful times ahead.  I have many good memories of fun times with you and Careostar.  On this very special day, please remember one important thing ~ you will always be older than me! (:  ♥   

Throwback Thursday

Throwback Thursday 

OMG, look at the hair!!  This was New Year's Eve, 1978.  Friends had dared me to wear baby doll pj's that I had purchased that day.  Obviously, I did!!  I can still remember the screams of laughter when I walked in ~ it was COLD in Ohio in December!

Week 9 BOD Journal Spread

Week 9 Book Of Days Journal Spread

The challenge for week 9 was to make a spread entirely of black and white.  Once I used black gesso for the background, the first thing I thought of was night and stars.  Not a difficult spread, but fun.

More Winter

Old Man Winter's surprise for us this morning!!!

Good Morning!!

As I drove down the lane yesterday morning, this beautiful creature appeared out of the woods.  Standing a mere 10 feet from my car, this sweet deer gave me enough time to snap a few photos.  It wasn't easy as I had Jake in my arms.  I thought he would bark and scare the deer, but he held very still and didn't make a sound.  Perhaps he was just as enchanted as I, with the beauty standing next to us.  

Throwback Thursday

I chose this photo for Throwback Thursday because Easter is near and the bunnies made me think of Spring.  I'm not sure of the year but I would guess I was around 5.  I don't remember these bunnies, but I do remember Mom telling me that we had pet bunnies.  I'm pretty sure most people take their bunnies out of the cage to play with them.  It seems I decided to get right in the cage with them ~ easier and more fun, I guess.  That way you don't have to worry about them running off.  Perhaps I was pretending to be one of them.  

I feel so blessed to have so many old photographs from my childhood.  Looking at them really makes me miss Mom, though.  She would always have some little bit of information to tell me about a picture when I would show it to her.  For 96, her mind was really good until she had the stroke.

Spring

We've all been waiting for this day.  It was a long hard Winter with very cold temperatures and a LOT of snow ~ many record breaking days in several states.  Spring is SO welcome.  I cannot wait to see the small hints of green covering the ground and the trees.  Some Spring flowers are pushing up through the ground here in Virginia.  I don't think Mr. Winter is finished with us yet, but it's a good feeling to know that Spring is here and it won't be long till we see her paint the earth with color!

Week 8 BOD Journal Spread

Week 8 Book Of Days Journal Spread

I am on a roll with this journaling.  I wanted to get caught up and it seems the faster I go, the more I enjoy it.  Simply put, I don't want to stop once I get going.  Trying many different background techniques and learning things about different paints and inks.  I was pretty much stuck on using acrylics for just about everything I did before taking this Book of Days journey.  I had experimented with a few mixed media ideas, but this is opening new doors for me.  This class ends in 2 weeks and I've already signed up to take Book of Days 2014 Volume II class which starts at the end of April and runs for another 12 weeks.  

Wordless Wednesday

Week 7 BOD Journal Spread

Week 7 Book Of Days Journal Spread

Soul Tribe

Week 7 spread is a representation of my soul tribe ~ those people I can rely on ~ the people who "know" me ~ the people I call friends ~ the people who are there for me through thick and thin, no questions asked ~ the people who cheer me on when I do something amazing ~ the people who hold my hand when I screw up.

I can't imagine life without a Soul Tribe, can you?

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!

"This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him."

Matthew 17:5

Living the Creative Life

 Ibby and Katherine

It was a small group today for our Living the Creative Life meeting.  A couple of the girls were not feeling well and not able to attend.  We had our meeting at the Sweet Donkey Coffee House which just opened recently.  It's in an old renovated house and is quite nice and comfortable, with good coffee.  I would say it is going to be well liked because during the 3 hours we were there, there was a constant flow of customers.

Ibby, Tricia, Audrey and Katherine

This photo is from our very first group meeting of Living the Creative Life on February 8th at Little Green Hive Coffee and Smoothie Bar.  We've created this group to get together monthly to discuss anything art related.  For now, we are meeting at coffee shops, but eventually we plan to meet in each other's studios and make some art.  We plan to have some art shows and we'll see what else the future might bring.

Week 6 BOD Journal Spread

Week 6 Book Of Days Journal Spread ~ Mandala Making

I wasn't sure where I was headed when I started making this Mandala.  However, it wasn't long before my interest in Mayan, Aztec, and Incan Art began to show through.  It was a lengthy process, but it was fun.

~~~

The Mayan quote I chose to use in this spread:

"The greatest wisdom is in simplicity.  Love, respect, tolerance, sharing, gratitude, forgiveness.  It's not complex or elaborate.  The real knowledge is free.  It's encoded in your DNA.  All you need is within you.  Great teachers have said that from the beginning.  Find your heart, and you will find your way."

Carlos Barrios

(Mayan elder)

Throwback Thursday

Kent State University ~ 1969 

This had to be a Friday afternoon!  Waiting to meet up with friends ~ then the walk to downtown where we would meet up with even more friends and have a couple of beers.

I can only remember this guy's nickname ~ Pea.  He was from Maine and would often tell me that it truly is God's Country.
You make a lot of friends and meet a lot of people in college.  I'm sure many of us are in touch with one or two close college friends, but it would be nice to know where so many others from those college years are today and what they did with their lives.

Wordless Wednesday

And ART SUPPLIES!

 

 

Jake

Sunday Prayer

O most pure heart of Mary, full of goodness, show your love towards us.  Let the flame of your heart, O Mary, descend on all people.  Impress on our hearts true love so that we may long for you.  O Mary, gentle and humble of heart, remember us when we sin.  Grant that through your most pure and motherly heart, we may be healed from every spiritual sickness.  Grant that we may always experience the goodness of your motherly heart.

Amen.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Corrine!!

Corrine, I have truly enjoyed getting to know you through blogging and facebook.  I love the paintings that come out of your Sparkle Days Studio and I love your positive attitude of pure joy!!  You have inspired me to be more free with my painting ~ to let loose with color and have fun.  So, that is what I wish for you today ~ a fun and colorful day.  It's YOUR day to shine!! HAPPY DAY!!

These paintings are all works of art by Corrine.  Visit her at Sparkle Days Studio: http://www.sparkledaysstudio.com

Anticipating the arrival of Spring, I finished this 8x10 mixed media piece this week.

Throwback Thursday

Throwback Thursday ~ September, 1953

Playing "dress up" with my friend, Kathleen Hanlon Rarey.  I have SO many good memories of my childhood.  We lived in little bungalow homes on a little street in Canton, Ohio, and that was our world.  We spent days and nights playing in our neighborhood with no fear of danger. We had no computers or cell phones to keep us inside.  Plenty of fresh air, sunshine, and our imagination kept us healthy and busy every day.  Our Moms were always home ready to clothe us, feed us, and love us. 

Ash Wednesday

Robins in the Snow

The robins have been flitting around the yard for several days waiting for the arrival of Spring.  Unfortunately, today is not a good day for worm hunting.  This robin is heading for shelter as the snow just keeps falling.  67* yesterday.  25* and snow today!  No sign of the Bluebirds ~ there are little icicles hanging from their house right now. 

Sunday Prayer

O Lord, give Your Angels and Saints charge over us today.  Tend Your sick ones, rest Your weary ones, bless Your dying ones, soothe Your suffering ones, pity Your afflicted ones, shield Your joyous ones, and all for Your love's sake.  Amen.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Patty!!

This is the first year in a while that you've not been here in Virginia to celebrate your special day.  I miss the little celebration with cake and all.  We'll have to make up for that next year, so keep that in mind when you make your travel plans for 2015.

I wish you a pleasant day with sunshine and joy, an enjoyable lunch with your mister, and good health all through the next year.

Happy Birthday!!!!

♥