Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas to All

 
I hope you all are having a Joyous Holiday!

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Digital Collage - Angel of Grief

 
It has been a rough 24 hours for this nation. I woke up yesterday already prepared for a bad day. It was the one year anniversary of my Father's death. How terrible. Then I went to check the weather and stream the news while I worked in my study and there were terrible news alerts coming out of Newtown Connecticut. Horror. I sat and watched the horror on their faces, the loss of innocence, the loss of loved ones.
 
I sat there remembering all the years I have spent volunteering in my five boys schools. Helping with lunch, a room Mother every year, tutoring, being on this committee or that.PTA.
20, twenty precious babies gone. 6, six adults dedicated to children gone. I do not understand this kind of evil. Nor, do I want to. I can not nor, do I want to imagine that kind of pain these families are going through. It is unimaginable.
 
Long ago I asked my Father why people did bad things. My teenage neighbor deliberately ran over my little cat. I was heart broken. I kept asking why. My father said he did not know. That there were just sick people out there in the world. That I had to remember that there is a lot more good in the world than bad. In the next few days and weeks I am going to hold on to that thought. That there are good people, brave people out there. That with time we will heal, our hearts will never forget, will never be the same, but one day we will smile again. 
 
I got an email from Patti Digh last night. One of her newsletter things. She spoke about just letting the grief happen. Just feel it. No blame, no agenda's about gun control, placing blame. Just feel the grief. I thought to myself what good advice. I do not have to have the answers. I just know what happened is wrong, that it hurts. I will grieve for their losses. I will hold the ones I love a little closer. Realize how lucky I truly am. Say prayers for all. I do not have to make sense over something so senseless.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Digital Journal Page - The Little Girl

The Little Girl

I have started doing digital journal pages again. As I unpack and set up my art supplies this basic need to create has been stirred. I feel like a pot of soup that the cook keeps adding spices and ingredients to. Today was all about the little girl in me. As I open the boxes I feel like I am rediscovering my world. There is a little girl inside of all of us women. Some days she is just waiting to come out. Other days she is exploring the world with wonder.

Today has been full of wonder...

A Christmas Angel - Freebie

A Christmas Angel for You!

Monday, December 10, 2012

Digital Collage - Home

Home

I read this comment the other day that Christmas was all about being home. That it did not matter where or how you celebrated as long as where you were was home to you. The people you surrounded yourself with were home, the place you were comfortable in was home. That Christmas was all about being with those you love and that place called home. The more I thought about it I realized how true it all was. Once a year we celebrate and once a year it should be with those we love. This year I will not be able to be with all I love. They will be in my heart. I am expecting that I will celebrate Christmas several times this season with those I love. Maybe one day we will all be able to be in the same place on the same day. One can hope...

This digital collage is a combination of several textures and images. The home is from an old photograph of houses I have collected through the years. The woman is an old tintype. She has always seemed like she has experienced much of what life has to offer. Love, joy, hardship, want, and despair while keeping her dignity. The background is several scanned paintings I have doodled and painted along the way. I have found painting backgrounds is very soothing and relaxing. I often combine two or more to make a new texture for my digital work. They seem to add that bit of depth I am looking for.

This collage reminded me that going home is a timeless event. Whether it is now or later we all have that instinct to nest, to make a home, to find a home, to go home. I hope you all find your way home. 

Ham & Apple Pancakes


Ham & Apple Pancakes

Thought I would share a recipe with you today. It has been quite awhile since I have shared one with you. This one is easy and tastes delicious! Great for when you
have guests and want something that does not
take up too much time. Plus, it tastes really good and everyone will ooh and awe over it.
 
Ingredients
 
1 can of apple pie filling/21 ounces
2 cups of Bisquick Original Baking Mix
1 cup milk
2 eggs
3/4 cup fully cooked ham chopped into pieces
1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese/2 ounces
optional -
1 medium green onion sliced thin about
2 tablespoons
sprinkle of cinnamon
 
Directions
 
1. Heat pie filling in saucepan till hot,
keep warm.
2. Mix Bisquick, milk and eggs in a bowl.
Beat with a wire whisk or beater till smooth. Fold in ham, cheese, and onion.
3. Heat up griddle to 375 degrees or a skillet on medium heat. Grease griddle and or skillet with a tad of butter if needed.
4. Pour batter by scant 1/4 cup fulls onto hot griddle or skillet. Cook till the edges are dry. Turn, cook till golden brown.
5. Serve with warm apple pie filling on top with a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Yummy.[p.s. this was Sunday night's dinner]

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Some Holiday Freebies

I wonder what the secret is here.
 
 
Just the cutest thing ever...
 
What an Angel!
 
She looks so serious. I need a helper to decorate!
 
Love her muff. I had one of these as a child with a stuffed kitty toy that fit inside.
 
 
 
I hope everyone had a fantastic week. I
have been missing in action. It has been
a mad rush to complete unpacking the rest
of the boxes here. I am trying to make
room for the last storage unit. I would
like to have everything under one roof
before the New Year. I got sidetracked
by a nasty migraine. They make you
feel so wretched. Words can not describe
how terrible they are.
 
This week I thought I would share a few
French Postcards with a Holiday theme.
I love these little poppets. They are
so darling. I think they would make
really cute gift tags. I do hope you
enjoy them. Have a fab weekend!

Quote #29 - Christmas/Noel


Digital Photograph - The Oak


The Oak

I awoke early this morning and had an
opportunity to play with Photoshop. This magnificent oak tree was my subject.
I have had trees on my mind lately.
I have been trying to decide what kind of
Christmas tree to have this year. What type of decorations to use. So much to do...

Four Letter Words - Noel