Quote Book #1 - True

I have decided to continue my quotes but, in a different format. I thought it might be nice to do them in this old account book I found online as a freebie several years ago. 

For the life of me I do not know where it came from. If any one recognizes it and knows its legacy then please let me know so I can give them credit. Till then I am just going to make it mine and fill it with quotes.

Four Letter Words - True

Digital Photograph - The Mountains

The Mountains

It is a beautiful day here in the
mountains. I woke up before light and
decided to head for the hills.
What a morning. The views were incredible.
Now to make some Chili and Cheese Bread.
A nice cup of tea would be nice.
Hope your weekend is spectacular!

Digital Photograph - Bumper Stickers

Bumper Stickers

Found these in a local store here in the
moutains. I loved the graphic statement
they all made together. Peace.

I am Grateful for...

 

This is my grateful list. I have decided

to write down one thing in the morning

and one thing at night that I am grateful for.

I thought it might make the small

things I am grateful for take on more

meaning to me. It is something that I

want to really try to make a daily ritual.

Of course, being thankful for more is

always accepted. I thought you might like

to join in so I included a blank sheet

for you. Just copy a few and leave

next to the bed. I bet it will change

how you look at things and make you happy.

 

 

Bird Print Freebies

 

 

 

 

 

Some beautiful Italian Bird Prints for
you. Over the holidays I finally was
able to move my last storage unit. After
four years I finally have all of my
"stuff" under one roof. Quite a feat.
I do not have it all unpacked but it is
here and that is what matters. I did
not want to start out the New Year in a bunch of different places.

One of the nice things about unpacking
and going through all this "stuff" is
that I am finding all sorts of treasures.
Many things have been stuck here and
there. Some of the things I have forgotten
or they have taken on a new life here.

These freebies are one of the things
I had forgotten about. I have quite a
few bird prints. Birds make me happy.
These Italian prints were done for or by
an Italian by the name of Giovanni
Manetti. He was a statesman around 1547.
I bought these in college in a used
book store in Chicago on a trip there. They were in a book type portfolio. I hope you
enjoy them. I love their simplicity.

 

Digital Photograph - The Hay Barn

The Hay Barn

I spent a lot of December on the road. The best trip was going to visit family for Christmas. My family is in Virginia. I decided to go through the Shenandoah Valley there. I always love the Blue Ridge Mountains in the background. It is beautiful farm and wine country. There are also lots of caves if you enjoy that sort of thing. I always try to make time to get off the main road and hit the backroads. It makes for a more relaxing trip. I spotted this barn and a lovely revolutionary farmhouse on one of those side trips. I grunged the photograph up a bit. It just seemed right. Looking forward to a New Year and lots of opportunities to take more photographs in my beloved South. 

A Found Treasure - Lace

Lace

Found lace is always exciting. I have

several old sewing baskets I have collected

through the years. I fill them with odds an

ends of sewing supplies I find along the

way. I rediscovered a few over the New Year.

They got me thinking about how just small things can be so beautiful. A piece of lace, an old ribbon. How limiting we can be.

I have decided not to have resolutions this year. Instead I am going to set a series of goals for myself. I am going to enjoy the small, simple things in my life. I am going to concentrate on the Good. The small gratitude's in life that I have. I welcome the good, the positive in my life and this world.

I hope you will join me.

Quote #30 - Good at Heart

Four Letter Words - Good

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas to All

 

I hope you all are having a Joyous Holiday!

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.

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!

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]

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