Merry Christmas





May the little moments and kindnesses matter.

Sweet Slumber

A mother deer brought her young ones to our part of the woods all through the year.  It's been so fun to see the fawns grow and become stronger and stronger.  Mom's tired after all the hard work of raising her little ones and takes a much deserved nap while her two almost full grown children rest close by.
 

 

Solstice Sunrise

Our front door opens to the East.  On this shortest day of the year and first official day of winter, I was greeted by the most glorious sky of vibrant colors to start my morning.  It was bone chilling cold, but I just had to be outside to be a part of the awe and I wanted to share my moment.

Holiday Happiness

Shanti and Silver wish everyone a peaceful, restful holiday full of joy!

 

Christmas in the Hollow

 

We've scaled way back on our Christmas tree this year.  It's our cats first Christmas, and a big tree full of shiny, sparkly baubles and bows would just be too much temptation for our curious, active kitties.  So, this season, we have a mini, table-top tree surrounded by woodland animals ... still fun and festive ... and, most of all, cat safe.  We want it to be a happy season for all, furry family included!

My house plants are making up for the lack of "grandeur" provided by a full sized Christmas tree.  All of the flowering plants, the two Christmas cacti and the African violets, decided to bloom at the same time.  They are so showy and so bright!

Winter Blessings

The winter season of cold, gray days is softened by holiday decorations and lights.  Candles with their soft, amber glow bring a bit of magic to the time of the year that we all tend to go inward and become reflective.

 



Nature is getting ready for the "sleepy" time of year, too, but gets in some final bursts of brightness before the somber tones of gray and brown and soft white snow envelop the land.

Bucket List

 

What do Northern Lights and Snow Leopards have in common and why would I feature them in many of my paintings?  Guess the title of this blog post is a dead give-away ... seeing both of them is on the top of my Bucket List.

 

Life has been good to me in so many ways.  Most of all, I feel fortunate to have raised a beautiful, healthy, and strong daughter and to be sharing my life with my wonderful husband who is my true love and best friend.  Despite earlier hardships, life is comfortable now, with much to enjoy in the moment and much to look forward to experiencing in the future.  I am content and grateful.  I feel complete.

 

Ever since seeing the movie The Bucket List, starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, however, I've pondered upon what my top tier items on such a list to see and/or do would be.  Of all the sights I'd still like to see, gazing up at the aurora borealis in all its glorious colors and shifting patterns comes in number one. A tie for that place would be to have the chance to see and admire the magnificent, elusive snow leopard.

 

What a magical experience it would be to see a fluffy furred snow leopard under the swirling, vibrant colors of a Northern Lights sky!  Perhaps, I'll combine my two bucket list number ones, and create that very scene in my next painting :)