Thursday, January 9, 2014

The Visit

I woke up this morning feeling a bit sad and very melancholy...
 

I was missing my childhood something fierce and I think it was triggered by the picture Missy put on Facebook of herself when she was little.
I remember the day that picture was taken and I just wanted to go back in time and relive those precious times...
 
And so I did...in a Hittyville kind of way.
I visited my Grandma Elliott and remembered our tea parties.
 

My Oma and Opa always spent their winters in Ft. Lauderdale and for a moment, on this cold day, I joined them.
 

Ah...this was the hard part!  Seeing myself in the Elliott Homestead made me want to stay there forever.  My childhood was Paradise.
 

I so loved my play area...That Davy Crockett cabin was the best!
  

I remembered Cassi and our neighbor, Charlie, playing outside until dark.
We all had such fun!
 

Johnny spent hours playing around our waterfall.
If only I could climb up the rocks with him today. 
 

Kate and Missy often transformed their swingset into a spaceship and their creativity knew no bounds.
They were the sweetest of little sisters.
 

My mom...always taking care of us.  How I wish I could thank her for all she gave up to raise our family...
 

I think I am missing my dad the most of all.  He taught me to believe wishing wells really did grant my wishes and then there were the Gnomes...
Oh, Dad.
 
And then the present called out to me...
This is where I live now and who I belong to.
The past has brought me to the present...as it should.
 

I can't imagine my life without Joe, Brooke, Noah, Amy, and of course Abe!
I think I needed a visit to my past to remind me how fortunate I am today.
My family...those departed and those all grown-up will always be a part of the fabric of my life.
 
Always...


A Much Needed Walk

It felt so good to get outside and be one with Nature again...

Old Projects

 I really need to get going on my Tasha Tudor Alphabet...
 
 
I forgot how much I love Legos!
 
I am motivated to finish up some beloved projects...


Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Happy SEVEN Months, Abe

Our beloved Abe turned 7 months old on January 7th...his golden monthly birthday! 
Being Abe's Oma is the greatest joy imaginable...Our lives have been so enriched by this most precious of beings.
~We are ALL blessed~

Home Cooking

As I have mentioned, our little family eats out on a regular basis and from time to time, Joe and I get a bit tired of it and just want to stay home.  This time, even Brooke agreed we need a break from eating out!
So...tonight we are having my mom's Sloppy Joes, coleslaw, and Frito Scoops!
~Change can be a good thing~


To Thine Own Self Be True

I am enjoying my art classes and realizing how important it is to remain true to your own style of art.
 

I can alway improve my techniques, but have no desire to try and "copy" another artist. 
I am having trouble just following the lessons according to instruction.  It is much more fun to take a new idea and run with it...and that is just what I am doing!
 
How did I ever complete a formal education?


Snow Day in Hittyville

 Vicki and Poppy have decided this is the perfect day to go sled
riding!
 
 
Vicki sure loves Poppy's decorated sled.  Maybe she can paint hers later.
 

But for now, it's all about who has the fastest sled!
 
~Good luck to both of our Hittyville Friends~


Beautiful Buntings

Yesterday, the buntings were completed and are now on display on The Hittyville Queen.
 

Anna tells Harlan, the Captain of this great ship, the first cruise can finally be booked!
 
Oh, happy day...


Up Go The Ornaments

Brooke has been giving me a beautiful ornament every month for quite a long time and I finally got around to hanging them up yesterday!  I was only about 7 months behind...
Thank you, dear daughter!

Monday, January 6, 2014

The Return of Downton Abbey

My family LOVES this show and last night's season premiere did not disappoint!

Desktop Woes

My desktop tower is in Best Buy's "shop" to find out what is wrong with my computer!  Thank goodness we bought the 4 year protection plan, because no matter what is wrong, it will be fixed for free.  The problem is...it could take up to 3 weeks, depending on what the issue is.
I do have my iPad and I pulled out my laptop which I have not used in almost 2 years.  It took a few hours to get it up and running, but now I am good to go.
I prefer doing my work on the desktop, but am kind of enjoying sitting on my art studio couch looking out the window with my laptop actually on my lap.
I am so lucky to have a back-up, especially with all my classes in full gear!


The Arctic Freeze

It is -6 degrees as I write this...and that is without the windchill factored in.
We didn't get much snow in our part of Ohio, but the wind is sure blowing it around from time to time.
I am reminded of my childhood winters and how the very cold days were treated as part of Mother Nature's design, not late breaking news.

Chloe With My New Camera

I LOVE my new camera and Chloe was my first subject...


Missing Abe

I was unable to see my precious grandson over Noah's break because of my blasted cold/flu which I am finally over!
I am so grateful to Noah and Amy for sending pictures and videos...
I love my Tremont Family!


Art Classes

 I am loving all my classes, but the teachers don't want us posting specific lessons and assignments...
I will post random projects without any reference to which class assignment I am working on. 
 
 
I really am excited about learning how to make a journal out of cardboard!
 

It's all about using our imaginations!
 
~FUN~


Friday, January 3, 2014

Our Winter Wonderland

I must say...I am enjoying this old-fashioned winter weather.  Granted, I am mostly admiring the sparkling snow and beautifully intricate ice designs on our windows from the coziness of our warm farmhouse...But still, there is something about this time of year which makes me energized and fully alive
This is a perfect day for fixing a mug of hot chocolate with marshmallows and working on my Soul Book.  
~It's all about embracing the here and now~  

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Happy New Year!

 Abe is very excited to wish everyone a Happy New Year for the very FIRST time!


Last year was EPIC...because Abe was born...but it is time to say goodbye to 2013.

And...
Say hello to 2014!
Our grocery store...Buehler's...offered the traditional Pork Roast feast all precooked, of course...and I must say...the meal rivaled my own mother's cooking.
YUM!


 I love new beginnings...


 I know this isn't exactly profound for the first day of my Gratitude Journal...but hey...I didn't have to cook!


 I am having fun with my calendar!
What will the month hold for all of us?


I think I have enough classes to keep me occupied this year!


I most look forward to watching Abe on his journey and the many stages he will go through this year.
For today, my grandson is happy to be on his mommy and daddy's bed playing with toys and spending time with Daddy while Mommy works.

~LOVE~

Welcome 2014...I am looking forward to spending my year of the Great Art Expedition with you as I EVOLVE as an Art Explorer!

Abe...Our Little Music Man

 Hey Everyone...Are you ready to rock and roll with me?


Grandma Judy gave me this Music Ball and wait till you see what happens!


I am a movin and a groovin....


I am one with the beat...Bring on the drums, Grandpa Joe!


I sure do LOVE music, but for right now I am going to be a baby and just chill with my homies...I mean dog sisters!

See you soon, dear Friends...
~Love Abe~

Brooke's Project

I love Brooke's "Be Kind" wall she created for her high school students.
If the message helps one person, it was the most worthy of projects!

Life Book 2014 Begins

 I am head over heels in love with this class and it just started!
There are tons of videos, pdfs, and meditations and Tam Laporte will be joined my many other teachers over the course of the year.
One new lesson a week!

The above piece was our warm-up exercise...We learned all about colors and lots of techniques were suggested and I used them all!


We meditated about our word for the year...I had already chosen EVOLVE...and were asked to imagine who our Inner Artist Guardian might be.
Bunita is my Guardian and I went way outside the box on this project.
I made it into a multi-media piece rather than a straight painting.
Tam invites us to do that...It's all about inspiration!

LOVE THIS CLASS!

One Object...365 Days

I was reminded of this "project" by a Facebook Friend and thought this would be the year to take one object and photograph it EVERY SINGLE DAY for a year.
I chose Vicki of Hittyville.

Day 1
Vicki opening the door of a new year...I will also use this picture with some embellishments for my Journal Group challenge.

Day 2
Lots of snow today.

I think I will make Vicki her very own Journal to document her adventures.