Time to start the Christmas stuff, eh?

We thought we'd start the festivities with a snowstorm! :) We're expecting 8-18 inches, so we'll see. Photos to follow, as usual.)

I've got my tree up. All 4 feet of it! I wanted it to fit in my south window. If you shop at Walmart you may recognize the ornaments. I love the woodland critters and decided to make that my theme. My old decorations are still packed away. I decided to start fresh!

I've been complaining about this iPad for a while (though I'm thankful to have something to use!), so I picked up a Chromebook yesterday. You can see from the photo that it's still in the box. I'll probably take it over to Micah's and have her help me get started with it. I don't think she's used one, but she's fearless about technology. I don't like having to learn how to use new gadgets!

I'm knitting a little scarf for Sully, so that's the knitting you see there. When I finish that I'd like to try crocheting one. My first attempts at crocheting were disappointing, but I think it had a lot to do with the yarn I used and the size of hook.

I just signed up for the free online classes on C.S. Lewis that are offered by Hillsdale College. It might be one of those things I never get around to actually doing...or maybe I will!

Glenn, I'll be writing you an honest to goodness handwritten letter in answer to your nice long email. So patience will be needed as you wait for the Pony Express to arrive at your door. :)

That first photo is of my much loved step-son, Trev, and my grandson Cody. They're a fun and nutty bunch!

Shalom, everyone! Have a blessed Christmas season!

Just daily life...

Nothing too exciting to report. We had a nice warm day today. Low forties. I've been doing a lot of reading and making of ATCs. Also lots of praying for family. I've tried to leave the TV off to have a more contemplative day. Grandson Nathan and his mom have both had hospital stays lately, but both are home now. So I've spent lots of time in prayer for the whole family.

I've been trying to drink more water and eat better in order to feel better. Two whole days now! I've just been tired, achy and draggy lately. I think I'm feeling better. I'll try to keep the new regimen going.  (Too many I's in this blog post!!)

Let's jazz this up with some photos of what I'm reading, some ATCs and owl "dolls" for swaps, and a cute photo of Thatcher and whatever else I find in my photos. In no particular order, because Blogger just does its own thing!

Have a weekend filled with hygge and shalom! Thanks for visiting! :)

Happy birthday to me!

Thanks to all of you who sent greetings via Facebook! I also heard from lots of kids via phone, Facebook and mail. I prefer a low-key birthday and this one was just right! My deli gal friends all drew names for a secret pal and my pal sent me a nice flower arrangement. She had it delivered to the restaurant where we had breakfast together on Tuesday, but the delivery person got there after we had left. One of the perks of living in a small town is that someone can figure out how to track you down and find your cell phone number! So I got a call from the restaurant and drove back in yesterday and picked up the flowers. Aren't they purty! (Photo below.)

This time of year I tend to buy a few treats which I consider to be birthday and Christmas presents to myself. One of those treats was the watercolor book below. Lots of beauty to inspire me in the winter days ahead!

I'm currently reading The House on the Cliff by D.E. Stevenson. It's a homey little story that keeps you turning the page to find out what happens to the main character.

One of the swaps I'm in involves trading decorative bits of paper ephemera that can be used for collage. Everyone has different kinds of stuff in their stash, so we share with each other. One of my photos shows a few pieces I received, but it's only the tip of the iceberg!

I've been sitting in my living room watching the sun come up while sipping my Folgers. It's a beautiful clear day and the temperature promises to be more on the normal side.

I'm including a photo of my latest ATCs for the Captivating Cat swap. Zentangle cards are next on the agenda.

And now it's time to go next door to help get the grands off to school.

Shalom, and, "May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ." 2 Thessalonians 3:5.

Lazy blogger...

Yeah. Blogging has lost some of its appeal when I'm limited in how much I can put in this little box. At least you don't have to worry about me getting too long winded! But I will post some artwork and try to say a few words.
I've been doing a lot of staying indoors, watching movies and reading over this three day weekend.
I see that Jordan and Brooke were in the Washington DC area over the weekend and visited with brother Trev and family. What a bunch of jet setters! I never know where they'll show up next!

This was the first time Trev and Rhonda had met Brooke. We all live so far apart. Glad they finally got together!

We have a deli gal breakfast tomorrow and Hazel has dental surgery on Wednesday. Those are the big events for this week. Praying for an uneventful surgery for her and a safe trip for the whole family. It's a couple of hours drive there. Adam is going, too. I'll pick Audrey up after school and stay with her until they get back. They won't know what time her appointment is until the evening before.

Other than that, here are a couple of 5x7 canvases I just finished. The unicorn is kind of a mess, but just seems to get worse when I try to "fix" it.  Running out of space, so I'll say adieux for now. Besides...I'm getting hungry!! Shalom, family and friends!

Pictures galore...

Micah's had her camera out again and she took some great photos! You'll also see some bright acrylic flowers made for a swap. They were inspired by the art of Renie Britenbucher. (Stolen, actually.) And then there's a very seasonal picture of Josh and the kids carving pumpkins.
Happy Autumn, everyone!
Shalom!

Grandparents' Day #2

On Wednesday I visited Audrey's third grade class. She read a chapter of her current reading book and we made a little book together. Her cousin, Cali, is in her class. She's the blonde girl in some of the pictures. (Not sure who the cute little boy is.) I had to leave early, but Grammy Lisa was there to take lots of pictures. She's Cali's grandma too, so she was busy keeping up. She took videos of gym class, but I'm not sure if she joined in the action.
I'm posting some random ATCs for my records. Some are just backgrounds, which we are swapping so that others can use them to make finished cards with. Others are finished postage stamp theme cards. Oh, I also added some inchies (See the tiny baby maple leaf?) and a picture of Thatcher who's learning to use the furniture to stand up. Watch out!
Thanks for stopping by!
Shalom!

Grandparents' Day #1

On Tuesday I visited Hazel's first grade class. That's me in the red buffalo check flannel shirt. The lady taking the photos is Hazel's other Grammy Lisa. They both love making funny faces. She's the "fun" grandma. (Younger, too!) Hazel read to us and made some art for us. We got to participate in gym class, which involved a parachute and some crawling around on the floor. Needless to say, there were some sore muscles the next day.
I'll post those pictures below with a few autumn trees. The leaves are really raining down today. The trees will soon be bare.
Love y'all! Thanks for visiting!