DECEMBER 31

Christmas in my Kitchen

A few of my favorite things

I can't believe Christmas has come and gone....and I never posted anything until now!  I've taken down my tree...it was getting a bit dry, but I still have my kitchen hutch decorated and the mantel in my living room....both with my favorite things.  I'll keep these as they are until the Epiphany and then all will be put away. 

I opted for a smaller, live tree this year and decorated it with red and white lights, lots of glass icicles, red and blue balls, some birds, and some of the "natural" things I found on my walks this fall.  I know you can't distinguish any of that in this photo....but it came out nice if I say so myself. 

I did this sketch in my journal...it truly is a season of joy and a season of sorrow.

Tom came home for the holidays which is the best part of all.  When our children are small, we're always asking (telling) them to put their things away....but seeing these boots under the kitchen table was just pure joy.

One of his gifts from me, the latest Anthony Bourdain cookbook. He loves to cook!

Gifts from my sister - looking forward to using them

I received some pj's from my other sister...not pictured here but they're cozy and I love them.  I received some wonderful gifts from both family and friends.

Some little sketches and the bear I collaged....thought he was cute.  I didn't do much cooking as we were invited out to family and friends....both wonderful, on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and Tom and I attended the late services at our church on Christmas Eve.  We missed having my Maryland sister and husband this year, but due to a health issue, were unable to make the trip. 

Today marks my one year of retirement...it's been a challenge on many levels.  It's a different way of spending your days and I'm still trying to figure it out.  I've definitely been more creative and I've read tons of books!  And...the company/program that I worked for folded....I spent 18 years there.  I knew it was coming.  I post much of my art on Facebook and Instagram.  I have so much fun that I hope I can inspire others to give it a whirl.  Art Journaling has been a wonderful outlet for me to express things that I'm thinking about.  Some of my art is random....and some is definitely not.  We are all creative beings and everyone can do some form of art...most people just don't believe they can.  It's really rewarding. 

So....a quiet New Year's Eve here.  I have a yummy stew cooking.  I'll have a glass of Prosecco...and Boomer and I will see the New Year in.  Happy New Year.

Ready to be put away for another  year....

BEST LAID PLANS

Snow is falling here...Boomer is checking it out.  I've been putzing around in my art room and baking shortbread in my kitchen and now have a big pot of chicken tomato basil stew on the stove. 
Today is my sister's 70th birthday and if it weren't for a slight snafu in her husbands' health this week, they would be here and we would be celebrating!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DIANNE

This card is on its way to her.  As soon as I found out they wouldn't be coming, I packaged their holiday gifts and sent them off.  She's obviously a cat lover.

I did this sketch of Boomer earlier in the week.  It looks like him when he was a puppy; not currently.  I should have made his eyes and nose larger.....I still like it.  It's fun to take a black pen and make squiggle marks for his fur!

As the snow was falling, I sketched my cup of coffee and a gingerbread biscotti baked by my friend, Cathy.  Listening to The Hounds of Winter, by Sting.  A sad tale....maybe I need to switch it up!

I did this little scene as well....rocks in the forest, snow falling. Christmas

is definitely not all "comfort and joy" and rockin' around the Christmas tree.  The memories of previous years really start to pile up and there are fewer people around to share the stories and memories with.  I surround myself with my favorite things that remind me of some wonderful times and look forward to another season of hope. 

The Holidays ....

Folk Art Tree Sketch

This sketch is of the upper portion of what I call my folk art tree.  It keeps me company in my kitchen during the holidays.  The writing on the page tells about the tree.  Below is how it looks once I added water colors....

It has hand painted mini birdhouses, dried orange slices, mini grapevine wreaths, a few birds, etc.  I put blue and white mini lights on it this year.  It's a cozy addition to my holiday season.

My water color class ended a couple of weeks ago.  On the last day, we took papers of our old water colors...discards, tore them up and made a collage.  We chose an inspiration photo to get us going so here's what I did....
First, the photo....

This photo is in a notebook I keep of what I call "inspiration" photos.  The silver pumpkin is not part of the background page....I just added it because I liked it.  It's not part of  my collage.  It's hard to tell, but there is an old building way in the background of this photo....here's my interpretation....

I actually loved doing this activity. Added to the collage are some acrylic paints to make it more cohesive.  Tearing up your old art work can be very freeing!  Some of my classmates had never done collage so it was interesting to see their approach to the activity.  This was just pure fun.