Breathtaking

Tom took this photo up at Stowe in VT a couple of years ago. He was in VT skiing this weekend...which made me think of this photo and I thought I would share it. Even though we often get tired of winter and the cold and snow....you have to admit....the beauty of it can take your breath away.

COLOR!

So, it's Friday night and after a long work day....there won't be any creating going on here but this photo is my reminder that I better DO SOMETHING this weekend. I haven't done Tom's January postcard and Valentine's Day is just around the corner. But at least I'm thinking of being....creative. Don't you love the smell of newly sharpened pencils?

The Sycamore Tree

I've driven past this tree so many times....you can see the incredible size of it....I had to stand quite far away to get the whole tree in the picture. This has been quite the winter thus far and I wanted to make sure I had taken a photo of this tree....in case anything happens to it as it's quite old. It sits right at an intersection and in the fall when it's ready to drop leaves....they land all over the intersection! This tree has stood the test of time so I hope I remember to take its' picture when the leaves are on it. Somehow, though, the true beauty of a tree is revealed when you can see it's skeleton. That's my creative activity for today!

Winter View

I don't usually put multiple posts on my blog in one day... I guess I have the time today....but I was working on the art journal pages for today and I glanced out the window at the snow and it was so beautiful. The crocheted valance kind of adds to the look...it was done by a Dutch friend of mine...over 20 years ago....how could it be that long ago...but it is. Quite lovely and special. Cozy day. No need to venture out.

Creative Every Day....

ART JOURNAL PAGES
It's a snowy day here in CT, so what else to do....look at art blogs. So, I came across the wonderful website, Creative Every Day and decided this was just the nudge I needed to get moving....I love to create art, have lots of ideas in my head....so why is it so hard sometimes, to execute them. I read some of the blogs....and it seems like everyone is so ....prolific! How do you do that! So I created these two pages this morning. The portion of the page with the two ladies eating the blueberry cobbler is actually a paper napkin and the art is by Erika Oller....it suited my theme. I'm working on the "healthier me" in 2009...the layout of this post is not perfect....still technically challenged.

Like A Dutch Painting....but not

This picture appeared on the front of the Int'l Herald Tribune and it's the first time in a long, long time that the canals have frozen in Holland. The skaters came out in droves to enjoy this favorite pastime. This photo has the look of an old Dutch Master painting to me.

Andrew Wyeth, An American Icon

Geraniums, a painting by Andrew Wyeth. The son of a painter, the father of a painter, the brother of a painter and an inventor....the Wyeth family are all very talented. Andrew Wyeth was known for painting the land and people in his immediate surroundings. Best known for his painting, Christina's World....who isn't familiar with that painting...and The Helga pictures. He passed away yesterday, but what a legacy he left behind.

Knowing What Your Passion Is....

This is some art work created by Tom when he was in kindergarten. It's a jigsawed wood teddy bear that he colored with markers and, no surprise here.....the bear is dressed in....CAMOUFLAGE! I just find that so incredible. His passion for the military goes back that far. He'll be 21 soon!

There's A Full Moon Out Tonight

I decided I needed to add another post after the last one I just did....so you don't think I've fallen into the abyss....just slightly reflective.

At any rate, Tom left to go skiing in Vt tonight and while he was outside loading up his car, he could hear coyotes howling just beyond the edge of the property....and he started howling at them....and it seemed to go back and forth. He would howl, they would howl back. Rather eery. It upset dogs on the street because they started barking.

There's a full moon out tonight.

GOODBYE 2008

I want to put 2008 to rest. We're already into the new year, but I haven't really, officially said goodbye, or is it good riddance to 2008. Last year on January 6, the feast of the Epiphany, I received my paper "ring" at church with the word "laughter" written in it....At the time, I thought....what a great word to have selected! I journaled about it. But....I never really found the "laughter" in 2008....far from it. So, this year on Epiphany Sunday, I chose my "ring" and my word is...."surrender". That word has so many meanings. What am I surrendering to exactly? It gives me pause for thought.

I really like the movie "You've Got Mail" with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan...I've seen it many times and watched it over the long holiday. And there is a song, sung by Harry Nilsson in the movie that lingers with me. It's from the scene where Meg Ryan is worried about her book shop closing and wishing her mother were around to ask "what to do".... and the book store has to close. The song is called "Remember" and that's what Christmas 2008 was about for me.

"REMEMBER"
Long ago, far away
Life was clear, close your eyes
Remember is a place from long ago
Remember filled with everything you know
Remember when you're sad and feelin' down
Remember turn around
Remember life is just a memory
Remember close your eyes and you can see
Remember think of all that life can be
Remember--
Dream, love is only in a dream, remember-
Remember life is never as it seems. Dream
Long ago, far away
Life was clear, close your eyes