Roanoke Valley SPCA Art Show

"I Give You My Heart"

This was my entry in the 10th Annual fundraiser art show to benefit the RVSPCA (Roanoke Valley Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals).  Held each year in February, it helps provide money needed to care for the community's homeless animals.  50% of the selling price of each painting goes to the RVSPCA.  The reception for Best in Show was held at the Taubman Museum on Friday night.  Mr. Magic, my sister, and my brother-in-law joined me at the show where we enjoyed refreshments and viewing of all the fun and exciting paintings.

Throwback Thursday

Kent State University - 1968 - Edie Miller and Audrey

Edie was one of the girls I lived with in a house off campus.  There were 10 of us living in that old house on University Drive and my heart is full with memories of those days.  I am in contact with a few of the girls, but I don't know what happened to Edie.  Maybe fate will lead her to this post.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Deb !!

Your strength is an inspiration.  You are beautiful, strong, loving, and fun.  You have been through the worst of times and you've shown us how to deal with pain like a warrior and an angel.  You are a beautiful example of how deep love not only touches the heart, but the soul and the spirit.

You deserve a beautiful and fun birthday!  I wish you that and more.  I hope love surrounds you always, Deb.

♥

Be Tolerant

Sharing from the facebook page of Shift of the Ages.

Our street is at the dead end of this lane.  It was as cold today as this photo looks!  Trying to get warm.

Saturday Snow

 It's dangerous and inconvenient, but it sure is BEAUTIFUL.  I  had hoped for at least one snowstorm this year and my wish was granted.  It started last night and snowed most of today.  All of these photos were taken from the windows in the house.  

Throwback Thursday

It's late - almost Friday - so, I pretty much stuck my hand in a box and came out with an old photo. 

March 29, 1975

Jim and I are on our way out.  OMG! I don't know what's worse - the hair or the dress!!  And to think (according to the fashion world) the clothes from the 70's are coming back.
What about the wallpaper?  I remember it well - shades of gold and brown foil.  Yipes! 

A Trip to Staunton

 My sister, brother-in-law, and I took off to Staunton this morning to visit a couple of Antique Malls.  I drove because I like to take photos along the way.  I gave my poor sister and her husband a few scares as I tend to take photos even in the midst of heavy traffic on the interstate.  Bad, I know.  It was VERY cold, but the scenery was beautiful on the way.

 When we arrived in Historic Downtown Staunton, we stopped at the Byers Street Bistro for lunch.  Sweet little Bistro and the food was great!

 It was a cool 8* ~ this little tree outside the Bistro wore proof.

 This wonderful sign was in front of a coffee shop just down the lane from the Bistro.

 Meet the "Greeter" at the Staunton Antique Center on W. Beverley St. in downtown Staunton.  Great place.  We need to return.  Not enough time to see everything.

 Wonderful old buildings ~ I loved the architecture!

 Next stop ~ The Factory Antique Mall ~ Lodge Lane in Verona, Virginia ~ just up a few miles from Staunton.  This is just one of the booths there.  This is the largest antique mall on the East Coast.  Of course we didn't get to see everything.  It looks like a trip back is in our future.

 We headed home at 5:00 when the antique mall closed.  Pretty time of the evening to be out for a drive.  Much to the dismay of my passengers, I took many more photos.

Happy! Happy!  My purchases today.  A Goebel Madonna, a Lefton Madonna, a solid glass pink Madonna, a small Madonna with a rose embedded in the stand, and a tall slender heavy plastic Madonna.  Beauties to add to my collection which is now near 90 Madonnas!  I love each one of them.

The Beauty of Mary

This photo was posted yesterday, on facebook, by St. Mary's Catholic Church in Franklin, Massachusetts.  SO beautiful ~ I had to share.  The snow has fallen and settled on the statue in such a way that it looks like Mary is carrying a person on her back.

He's brave to be out on this COLD day!!

Jake was just out ~ he does NOT like the cold, the wind, the snow, or the sweater!

Valentine's Day 2015

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, Friends and Family !!

Let's spread the love today ~ smile at strangers, do a random act of kindness, be especially loving to family members.  It will make you happy, too.

♥

Throwback Thursday

Audrey, February, 1955

First Grade Photo

Where did all the years go?  First grade was just the beginning of a long journey ~ so many things to learn and to look forward to.  It may be a few years later, but I'm still learning.  The world is full of amazing things and wonderful interesting people.  I have more to see and more people to meet. 

Creative Life Dinner Meeting

 Our Living the Creative Life dinner/meeting was at Taste of Asia last evening.  The atmosphere was excellent and the food was very good.  

 This was Tricia's entree ~ just to show a sample of the food.

 We had a Valentine exchange.  We made a Valentine to bring and we each chose from the pile.

 This lovely fabric collage Valentine made with fabric samples was made by Katherine and now belongs to Audrey.  (: 

 This precious bird Valentine card was painted by Tricia and now belongs to Katherine.

 This sweet Valentine card was made by Michele and now belongs to Tricia.  It was made with letters from different candy bars.

 This Valentine collage was made by Audrey and now belongs to Ibby.

Ibby filled a muffin pan with chocolates, added 4 muffin recipes, and her book of Old-Fashioned Stories and Poems.  A nice Valentine gift that now belongs to Michele.

                          ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~                           

We had a great dinner, drinks, Valentine exchange, some art talk, AND lots of laughter.  We will be bringing a piece of art that we are currently working on to our next meeting in March.

Visit to Rocky Mount and Ferrum, Virginia

Had a lovely visit yesterday in Rocky Mount and Ferrum, Virginia.  Friend, Ibby, took me to Paradise Sports Grille in Ferrum where we had lunch with 4 of her friends ~ Dan, Linda, Marlene, and Kim.  The heat was not working but we were bundled up and enjoyed our lunch and the conversation.

Ibby took me on a tour after lunch ~ saw Ferrum College campus, her former home, The Grove, and many other sights in Rocky Mount.  Since recently reading Ibby's book, Moonshine Corner ~ Keys to Rocky Mount, it was nice to see where the story took place and several of the main houses and businesses that were mentioned.

It was a fun day and Ibby gave me some history of the area.  We topped the day off with coffee and a treat from Starbucks.

The Grove, where Ibby lived for 18 years with husband, Keister, in Rocky Mount.  It is now a B & B ~ The Early Inn.

Mural painted on The Grainery in Rocky Mount.

We stopped at the Artisan Center where I met photographer Dwight Hayes and had a lengthy interesting conversation with him about photography and his travels.  I purchased this photo of his titled "Home", that Dwight took while in Nazareth.  He told me that he pictured Mary standing in that corner with the Angel appearing to tell her that she would become the Mother of God.  I couldn't resist the photo's beauty especially after that statement.

Throwback Thursday

April 27, 1990 ~ Roadhouse Charley's, Alliance, Ohio

The girls I worked with.  Every Friday night we headed to Charley's straight from work where we met up with husbands and friends.  Fun Fun Times!!  Roadhouse Charley's is no more, but the memories can't be erased.
I am the 4th one from the left with the short dark hair.

Susie S...   Lucy B...   Kathy H...   Frank V...   Peter K...   Jimmy E...   Valjean H...   Tom D...   Teddy B...   Tommy...