Thanksgiving Grace

photo by T. Sand

This photo was taken during the recent storm that knocked out the power in many parts of Connecticut.  I love pumpkins...they look "happy".  They are whimsical.  They come in so many shapes and sizes.  They are colorful.  And they make delicious pies.  So today, when you're sharing your meal with family and friends....don't forget all of the things you are thankful for...even pumpkins.  I have a wonderful little book of Graces so here is one for today...

This is a day for thanks.

A day in which we

see or hear or feel

the wonders of the

other moments of the year.

This is a day for time.

A day in which we 

think of pasts that make

our presents rich

and future bountiful.

This is a day for joy.

A day in which we share a gift of laughter

warm and gentle

as a smile.

Above all, this is a day for peace.

So let us 

touch each other

and know that

we are one.

For these and other blessings,

we thank Thee, God.

A PAPER BEAST!

I found this wonderful "beast" on etsy...love the artist, Emma Kidd....wonderful imagination. All I had to do was cut him out and assemble. I think I'm probably going to put him in a frame....he's not what you normally think of as a "paper doll"...  Even the envelope he arrived in is a treasure...from Australia, so I now also have two great Koala bear stamps....he're's the "beastie"!

PAPER SANTAS SPELL "HOPE"

He starts like a little book, folded up.....

and becomes an accordion book that spells out "HOPE"

 ...a closer look....

....and the back of them is covered in paper napkins!  

The "Hope" is a napkin that I tore and placed a letter on each Santa chest...sort of like a winter scarf....slightly hard to read in the photo because the letters are black.  I used paint, rubber stamps, napkins and gold pen to do these, tied together with jute string.  I need to make them out of stronger paper than drawing paper because the wear and tear on the "fold" is not going to last long...thus the jute.   His shape came from my favorite, tin cookie cutter that I've had forever of a gnome.   The holidays are coming....

Playing with Dolls

Before the recent storm, I was playing with paper ...dolls.  I think she's kind of cute....I can't tell you how long it took to cut out all of the pieces, put it together and embellish it.  Maybe because it's my first one...it took me longer...I do think they are fun....there will be others.  I'd like to make a couple and frame them...I have ideas....

THANKS TO ALL OF OUR VETERANS!

 

The word "God" makes some people uncomfortable , but I believe in the power of prayer and it was important for me to share this for our past and present service men & women, today and always....  godspeed.  

Thank you to my friend, Kathy, for sending it to me....

Friday, November 11, 2011

Service

With admiration, I honor those who serve others.

To those who have answered the call to serve, I say, "Thank you." I appreciate your sacrifice and accomplishments. I am grateful for your strength, courage and perseverance in the face of great challenge. I respect your dedication. I honor you today and offer this prayer: May the light of God surround all who are serving or have served this country. May Divine Love enfold them; Divine Power protect them; and may the presence of God watch over them now and always. Amen.

In silent tribute, I pause and remember those who, in service to humankind, have sacrificed their lives. I pray for goodwill among people and peace on earth as a lasting tribute to their sacrifice.

Pay to all what is due them, ... respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.--Romans 13:7

AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY, brother BILL!!!!

Aftermath of the nor'easter...

A beautiful, sunny Sunday...here's what Mother Nature did...these are shots of my neighbor's yard.....I was more fortunate.  And the 2nd photo from the top shows a tree that broke in half by our mailboxes on the road.  These are just a small glimpse of the havoc that Mother Nature wrought, knocking out power to 830,000 homes in the state, most left without power for a week....the clean-up will go on for weeks...definitely a major inconvenience, but it could be worse....always have to keep things in perspective.  So...no art the last couple of weeks....