Holiday spirit

Are you in the holiday spirit?

I started digging Christmas decorations out of the attic yesterday and now I'm starting to slowly decorate the house for the holidays.

So much to do and think about this time of year......decorating, cookies, shopping, gifts, dinner, holiday cards...

but most important of all ~ family.

A time to share this wonderful holiday with the people we love.

Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.

~Jack Kornfield

Enjoying a sunny fall day in the leaves.

Beautiful day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing everyone a very happy thanksgiving day.

Last week's madness

This is how my art table looked last week! I was painting all sorts of holiday crafts for a holiday event (which turned out to be a very small event and a bit disappointing) and not very much buying or selling going on, but we did have a good time and I'm now in the holiday spirit.



All of these things...

and much more...

you will find on my etsy shop very soon. Be sure to check out some of my Christmas cards that are in the shop already.

Painting

I've been really busy painting, getting ready for a holiday event this weekend. My paint brushes are working overtime.

Be back soon.

Be content with what you have,

rejoice in the way things are.

When you realize there is nothing lacking,

the whole world belongs to you.

~Lao Tzu

Rain, rain, rain, and more rain

Otis and Riley are quite content to stay inside where it's dry and warm.

Little Birds

One little bird with lovely feathers blue

Sat beside another one. Then there were two.

Two little birds sitting in the tree.

Another came to join them. Then there were three.

Three little birds wishing there were more

Along came another bird. Then there were four.

Four little birds glad to be alive,

Found another lonely friend. Then there were five.

Five little birds just as happy as can be

Five little birds singing songs for you and me.

These colorful little birds are carved out of wood and hand painted. There is a magnet on the back so you can place them on a file cabinet or on your refrigerator.

Find them on my etsy shop.

Breakfast

Bagels are a big favorite at our house in the mornings for breakfast.

My oldest daughter got me hooked on the "everything" bagel with sunflower seeds, poppy seeds, and sesame seeds. Lightly toasted with cream cheese and jelly ~ yum.




I found this cranberry hot pepper jelly at A Southern Season, a few weeks ago when my sister and I had lunch together. It's so good.

Cereal with fruit and toast are always on the menu here too. Eggs or pancakes on the weekends.


What do you eat for breakfast?

Lucky

My good friend, Sherri, over at Sherri's Jubilee recently had her 450th post giveaway and I just happened to be the lucky winner. Oh, the excitement! You'll want to stop by to visit Sherri and see her lovely blog. She makes the most gorgeous jewelry, and has a wonderful etsy shop.


And this is what I won ~ all wrapped up pretty in this polka dot green paper...

A beautiful pair of earrings that she made just for me. I was able to pick my favorite color!

Thank you, Sherri! You're the sweetest. I LOVE my new earrings.

If you want to be happy, be.

Leo Tolstoy

Have a great weekend!

More is better

I couldn't help myself, I just had to have these turquoise reading glasses. They were only $1.00 at the Dollar Store. If, you're like me and you wear "readers", you don't just have one pair.


You have many, many pairs.

And still, somehow, I can never find my glasses!

A really good book

The Olive Farm, A Memoir of Life, Love, and Olive Oil in the South of France.

This book was recommended to me by one of you dear bloggers and I'm sorry but I don't remember who it was, but thank you! It's the first one in a series by author, Carol Drinkwater, and I was told to read them in this order ~ The Olive Farm, The Olive Season, The Olive Harvest, The Illustrated Olive Farm, and The Olive Route.

If you've ever read Peter Mayles, A Year in Provence, or Frances Mayes, Under the Tuscan Sun, you will enjoy this one too.

Happy reading!!

Seasonal joy

This is the time of year when the brisk cool air makes us want to stay inside and get cozy. However, when walking in the garden this morning I couldn't help notice how the sun warmed my face and the cool breeze felt invigorating. I realized how much I appreciate this season and the simple beauty of it all...

the morning dew on the geraniums,

and the blue sky reflecting in the birdbath.

The shadows from the morning sun caught my eye.

Of course, the only thing Otis and Riley are thinking about is the squirrel.

Inside, we fluff our nests,

and cozy in for the days ahead.

The seasonal beauty is all around us.

I'm back

We just spent a few days in Pennsylvania for my brother's memorial service, and even though it was an emotionally exhausting weekend, I think now we have found a peace and will carry loving memories of Steve in our hearts forever.

It was a long day travelling back home in the car, but when the sun was out, the colors of the leaves were absolutely breathtaking and it made for a beautiful day.

I'm now glad to be home.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I wanted to show you my latest painting.




You know how I love geraniums, so I painted this little painting of red geraniums that were on my front porch.

4x5 acrylic on canvas

Bright and cheerful red geraniums.

Wouldn't it be nice if geraniums would last all year long?