Thank you,Merci,Danke,Grazie,Tak....

As I read over the comments of my last post, tears streamed down my face at the outpouring of love, support and encouragement. Never in my wildest dreams would I imagine total strangers (or so I thought) would take the time to write such kind and loving thoughts to me. Words fail me as I want to express my gratitude. Please know you all have been POWERFULLY used by God to minister to me and for that I am so very grateful!

I was just over at Adventures of Elizabeth and the words at the end of her post just sprang out at me and has become my new mantra...."My creative spirit soars higher than my doubts." I immediately wrote her and asked if I could quote her! ;-)
Thank you to all of you who made my creative spirit soar!!

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Tomorrow I am participating in Hooked on Houses Holiday tour. This year I was low-key in my Christmas decorating--with the ankle, and other 'stuff' going on. But my darling daughter was a great help--she cheerfully decked the halls (well, the family room) and trimmed the tree! :-D
See ya tomorrow!!

Interview and Inspiration

I am still stunned and reeling from the realization that I've actually 'won' an art contest....and now the lovely Sherry Smyth has posted an interview about me over at Mind Wide Open.

She asked me some questions that led me into talking about myself and my view of art. It was an uncomfortable experience for me in that being called an 'artist' is a new identity for me and felt pretentious. I constantly feel like, when it comes to art, I have no idea what I'm doing!!

When I became a wife and mother I threw myself into those roles. I read books about successful marriages, parenting and child development. I studied and interviewed people who's marriages and parenting skills I admired. I prayed A LOT! And as I became more adept at being a wife and mom, I became more sure of myself and was passionate about it. I would incorporate other's ideas, but would alter and embellish them to fit with our family--taking in my personalty and temperament along with my family's--and make it my own.

After emailing Sherry my response to her questions, she wrote back with THE most encouraging and thoughtful note that I printed it out to post in my studio to refer to again and again. God used her to speak my heart language--the exact words I need to hear to "push me over the edge" so to speak and become passionate about my art. I had been so intimidated by others art. Instead, I realized that I can be INSPIRED by other people's art-- something similar, but (taking in my personality and temperament), embellish it and alter it and MAKE IT MY OWN!!

I get it!! I've always felt being a wife and a mom was a creative process, tho very obscure--I would strive to bring romance and fun and surprises into it.

So why oh why have I had all this angst about being an artist? Maybe because I didn't think it looked obvious--like Christie Repasy, Thomas Kincaid, etc. Basically an artist is just a creative person. So I'm off the hook, because everyone, then, is an artist. Our Creator instilled that ability in all of us. It just manifests differently in all of us.

Well, I've really put myself out there. Got really vulnerable with you. But it's been cleansing for me to be honest with you. And I hope it will encourage someone.

And, if you've read through all this and still want to read my interview--God Bless You--you can go here.

Tablescape Tuesday

Hi! I've ventured back into blogland long enough to participate in Tablescape Tuesday, hosted by Susan at Between Naps On The Porch.
About two months ago I found this topiary at the thrift store and knew I wanted to use it through the holidays.
I had two separate Thanksgiving dinners at our house this year, and, still recovering from a sprained ankle, decided to make it as simple as possible. So I (GASP) used paper plates.

The turkey platter was another thrift store find as was the fabric. I just folded it under and pressed the hem in. Simple.

The water goblets are antique and were passed on to me after my mother died. As a little girl I remember her throwing beautiful dinner parties and she ALWAYS used those water goblets.

The wine glasses I painted several years ago--surrounding vines with berries and pine cones--they always come out in the fall and are used through the winter.

For place cards I fashioned ATC's with each person's first initial on them, for them to take home..I just set them on the 'plate' for everyone to discover where they would sit.

So there's my little entry....check out Between Naps On The Porch for more beautiful tablescapes!!

I have to go to Physical Therapy two times a week for my ankle--I guess the ligaments and muscle is pretty messed up. The PT said it could take 3 Months for it to heal!! Yeegads! I would appreciate prayer for a speedier healing...

I've been slowwwly decorating for Christmas--Courtney's been a big help and has done a fabulous job in the family room as well as the Christmas Tree. I'll post pics soon. I'm thinking of participating in the holiday Hooked On Houses tour on Dec 15th.

Hope you all have a wonderful day!!

Hail To December

Shout now! The months with loud acclaim, Take up the cry and send it forth; May breathing sweet her Spring perfumes, November thundering from the North. With hands upraised, as with one voice, They join their notes in grand accord; Hail to December! say they all, It gave to Earth our Christ the Lord!

J.K. Hoyt

Happy Thanksgiving

1 Chronicles 16:34

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.



I am hobbling around (recovering from a sprained ankle), getting ready. Company will be coming and going starting tomorrow through into next week. So I may be away from the computer for awhile--we'll see. Thanks so much for visiting me and your sweet comments--I really appreciate it!


Praying for you and yours to have a wonderful, peaceful, blessed Thanksgiving.

Mind Wide Open..the results

Upon returning from Cancun (where there was no Internet) I was astonished and amazed to find I had won this month's Mind Wide Open challenge! Thank you to all who voted for me and for your kind words of congratulations and encouragement!

I had written in a previous post how Steve often leaves me little love notes around and I've saved them and will now store them in my "Beloved Box". He is a wonderful, loving man and I love him dearly--even more than when we married 30 years ago. That said, I had to show you what note greeted me one morning on the kitchen counter about a month ago--

Hope you all get as much of a chuckle out of it as I did!! ;-)

Hola! Back from Cancun..

We just returned from spending a week in Cancun, Mexico. As a Christmas gift, Steve's mom, Darlou, paid a portion of our trip to an all-inclusive resort along with Monty (Steve's bro) and his wife, Kathleen.We arrived to balmy breezes and were greeted with margaritas as soon as we checked in.

There were several restaurants to choose from, along with two buffet restaurants. Darlou is on the far right and her friend, Flo, came with her.
Steve and I with Kathleen and Monty--ready for fun and frolic. We ventured into Playa del Carmen-a popular town we're we lunched and shopped.

Monday we all took the tour to the Yucatan to see one of the 7 wonders of the world--Chichen Itza--the Mayan Ruins, built in 900 A.D.

Amazing carvings!

One of the other stops on the way back to Cancun (Yucatan is almost 3 hrs away) we stopped in an old colonial town. While walking along the sidewalk with Steve, I stepped off the curb (not knowing it was the curb) and down I went, spraining my ankle in the process. Several locals came to my aid--the police, who informed me they'd called an ambulance, which I quickly implored them to cancel. Someone showed up with two chairs and I was helped onto and someone else showed up with ice and an ace bandage. Everyone was so helpful. I told the others in the tour group to go on and see the sights and I just sat there to wait with Steve. I asked Steve to take my picture--(ever thinking of my blog!) And, although I was smiling, I was in alotta pain!

The trip back to Cancun was pretty uncomfortable, but we were able to take the toll road which shaved an hour off our trip. The tour guide had informed the hotel and they had a wheelchair ready for me.

That was Monday. The rest of the week was spent at the resort with Steve tootling me around in a wheelchair.

This is what I did on Tuesday....

and Wednesday....
and Thursday. Steve and I were able to finish two books. I finished the 3rd of the Mitford Series.

We had planned to do much more sight-seeing, snorkeling, kayaking, etc, so it was a little disappointing. But I am grateful the injury wasn't worse. Because it could have been, like Darlou.

On our last night there, we had all planned to dine at the Japanese Restaurant. Darlou and Flo were on their way over, when Darlou tripped over an electrical cord and slammed onto the tile floor with such force it dislocated her shoulder!!! That poor woman was in so much pain and there was no doctor on the premises. She had to wait for one to come and then wait for an ambulance to take her in the 30 min trip into the town of Cancun where the hospital was. Monty and Kathleen accompanied Darlou to the hospital and Steve stayed back to take care of the insurance paper work. At first the hotel wanted Steve to sign a release form saying the hotel wasn't responsible. Yeah, right. In the end, after Steve talked to the authorities, they paid for everything---which was such a blessing. The hospital took great care of Darlou. She's doing okay. And even with that, we were thinking it could have been worse. So we praise God for that. He worked everything out.

It's good to be home.