Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Ahhh ... Spring!



A walk in springtime provides a feast for the senses. Everywhere, new life and beauty abounds. Garden flowers awaken and bloom in vibrant shades. Wildflowers sprinkle color over what was just days earlier a barren looking landscape. Our tulips are open and beautifying our small front garden just in time for celebrating Easter this coming weekend.




The trees are especially colorful in early spring, too. Budding leaves are bright green and some trees are full of blossoms. The graceful red maples that will be so showy with their vibrant red leaves all aglow in autumn, start with a show of color with their tiny seed head clusters in spring. The tell-tale red stems help identify the seeds as those of the red maple.




Wild violets are always a favorite with their purple flower heads so regal yet delicate. Violet flowers are often featured in my paintings.




The May Apples unfurl and open up wide into the greenery that, as kids, we called umbrella plants. Soon the deer will nibble away at the leaves until only the stalks remain.



And finally, the gorgeous Red Bud tree. We are fortunate to have three of these graceful beauties growing alongside our winding driveway. As you peek through the branches in the photograph above, you can catch a glimpse of the farm valley across the road. The fields are now emerald green and such a welcome sight after winter's shades of brown and gray.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Art Secret Revealed

"Garden Fantasy"

"Sun Worshipper"

"Cat and Coneflowers"

I have been creating a series of miniature cat paintings for my eBay patrons. The buying public seems to love the little black cats in fantasy scenes ... every one that I have painted has sold. The three pictured above are just a small sample.

The secret to my success is my beautiful model ~

Jasper ~ "The Picturesque Little Black Cat"

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

On Its Way



Spring was definitely in the air here today. The temperature reached almost 70 degrees and the sun felt warm on my skin when I took a walk around outdoors. Already the green frogs have come out of hibernation. They laze around the surface of the pond by day and are so raucous with their constant mrrping at night. The bright green tulip leaves in the front garden are about half a foot in height and the columbines' frilly greenery has sprouted and begun to spread. It's so exciting to see all the signs of rebirth with spring's arrival.



The bright yellow colts foot flowers are some of the earliest wildflowers to bloom here, and those in the photograph above are the first I've seen this season. Bloodroot, spring beauty, and violets will soon follow, too. It's so nice to enjoy the outdoors again without having to wear a heavy jacket and gloves. To feel the sun and warm breeze caress my skin is heavenly. Just love this time of year!!! Though spring is not officially here yet, it's truly on its way!

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Happy Birthday!


I love this photograph of my daughter taken last year by her boyfriend ~ her happy, strong spirit shines through. In my previous blog, I posted a baby picture of Desirae and now here she is all grown up. HAPPY 27th!!! and many, many more glorious years.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Momentous Month


February is a very important month in my life, filled with important events and poignant memories. Two of the most important people to me were born in February. My mother was born on February 28th and my daughter Desirae came into the world on February 23rd. I'm not sure how it all started, but each of us have spirit birds. My Mom was nicknamed "Bluebird of Happiness," she nicknamed me her "Little Chickadee," and Desirae became my "Feisty Little Hummingbird." Our namesake totems fit us all very well, too.

February 8th will be the two year anniversary of the kidney transplant when Desirae donated one of her kidneys to me so that I might go on to live a long, happy life and keep my eye on my feisty little one :) What an experience the transplant was to share with my daughter!!!

On Ground Hog's Day, February 2nd in 2009, my beloved brother Jeff passed away ~ certainly a sad day for us all, but, especially for Jeff and his love of sunny summer days, a fitting day for his departure after the Paxutauny Phil's prediction for 6 more weeks of winter. It could be said that Jeff maintained his sense of humor to the end by exiting the physical world when he did. It would be just like him to go out giggling. It somehow eases the pain to think of things this way. Jeff would have wanted to provide comfort to others at his passing, too...so, who knows? Life is a mystery!

And, of course, February 14th is Valentine's Day, a day I will celebrate forevermore because of and with the love of my life, my husband Kevin.


My "Feisty Little Hummingbird"


Tuesday, January 3, 2012

How Do You Climb a Mountain?

One step at a time...


With patience and fortitude we reach our goals...



We look forward to becoming fuller, healthier individuals in this new year. It's tempting to make grandiose resolutions and big plans for change, but almost all positive, lasting results in life take time and perseverance.


For many reasons, 2011 was a difficult year for us personally. Health issues, changes in friendships and activities, and the loss of loved ones posed challenges and affected our feelings of well being. Lessons already learned in life were revisited and coping skills put into play. Between the two of us, Kevin and I have over 100 years of wisdom gleaned from our life experiences, but there is still much to learn and many ways to better ourselves and expand our horizons. It's made all the difference to have a loving, supporting partner to journey together through life. We feel so fortunate to have one another!


The start of 2012 provides us all with the opportunity for a fresh outlook...and new ways to make it up that mountain step by step.


HAPPY New Year!!!


Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Tis the Season

Our Picture Window



The cabin feels festive and bright with its assortment of holiday decorations, a mix of old and new, some handmade, others cherished gifts and special keepsakes. Winter just doesn't seem so chilly and cold with the warmth the holidays brings.



Happy Birthday!



For so many years, I've set up this manger scene. It's grown a bit as I add a piece or two. Desirae made the mini-grapevine wreath that adorns the front top of the manger stall in a "Holiday Magic" craft class I taught about 15 years ago. Each year, her wreath brings back a special memory and it adds a special sparkle to the manger!


"All is calm...all is bright"


My favorite tree ornament is this "four seasons" ball I purchased the year Desirae was born. Each side features a mother and child in each season of the year. The little mouse asleep atop the moon is one I made the Christmas prior to Desirae's birth. Seems a lot of my Christmas memories are connected to my daughter ... hmmm :) Christmas time spent with children is very magical.


Cabin Christmas Tree



What would the holidays be without the tree!?! ... always my very favorite part of decorating for the holidays. This year, our star needed some repair. The star is the only one I have ever had for our annual tree. It's been with me for every Christmas for almost 30 years now. It's a wonder it's made it through every move and every year of celebration. It was originally purchased at a dime store for $1.99, but it's priceless to me.


Enjoy the special beauty of the season, no matter which holiday, if any, you may celebrate!