while visions of sugar plums...

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

We are in waiting mode for our granddaughter to be born back east,

My dad is visiting,

a new puzzle is waiting to be puzzled,

the sun is out,

cranberry orange cookies are baked, 

and the three of us are in vacation mode.

Hallelujah life is good!

I wish you each a blessed time with family and friends

filled with good food and conversation,

and praise for the hallelujah moments in your life.

advent moments

 some glimpses of home...

  a snow day Friday

my helper as I prep art lessons for the kiddos

 and  3 wonderful pieces by my ipadders

 I adore Joseph waving or exclaiming,

 "Hallelujah he has arrived!"

and poinsettias made in the Mixed Media class.

Oh I do love glitter!

a blessed advent season

Here are some of the newest iPad pieces created this advent season.

 This one is going on our Christmas cards.

Thanks to my fur balls for being good sports.

 This beauty takes my breath away-created in class this week

by one of my students.

 And here are more by my students

 including lots of birds

 and Christmas doves that will get some holly festivity added to them

in this week's class

and this nativity scene created by my youngest student in First Grade.

Notice the crow attending to the birth of Jesus.

See I really do influence them -hee hee.

Blessings to you this advent season!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

 Light piercing the darkness,

illuminating manuscripts,

the scent of Christmas bubbling on the stove,

chicken pot pie lovingly baked,

sweet smiles,

a riot of color,

and gifts creatively wrapped...

it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

I really must focus...

 I don't seem to be able to let go of Christmas...

 maybe it's because most of my favorite people left ;(.

the laughter is gone...

must take the decorations down and pack them away,

and the guest cot will go and

 art will return
(can't wait to work on this one),

 and I received some precious gifts 
such as these mouse pads from my son-
one with my favorite fur ball and the other -
one of my son's pieces of art,

and another piece of art from the other Holderman artist.
How lucky am I? 

 We enjoyed good food,

 playing tourist at Pikes Market,

 ferry rides

in the rain of course,

 

and we waved to our niece as she sailed the other direction.

 Then we enjoyed Roy St. Tea and Coffee

(which is an incognito Starbucks -

you would never know it 

- the best lattes ever!)

 and we made new friends

(he lives in the pond at my sister-in-law's on a golf course),

and I bought these words of wisdom cards

to inspire me each day.

My favorite says...

I will greet this day with love in my heart.

And how will I do this?

Henceforth will I look on all things

with love and be born again.

I will love the sun for it warms my bones;

yet I will love the rain for it cleanses my spirit.

I will love the light for it shows me the way;

yet I will love the darkness for it shows me the stars.

I will welcome happiness as it enlarges my heart;

yet I will endure sadness for it opens my soul.

I will acknowledge rewards for they are my due;

yet I will welcome obstacles for they are my challenge.

Og Mandino

My mom would have loved this poem.  She died a year ago on January fourth and I have been dreading this anniversary, but I am grateful that I made it through the day with joy in remembrances and I do seem to be crawling out of the deep place of grief.  My dad was able to join us for Christmas which was a huge blessing as he was not able to travel for many years because of my mom's health.  So I am hopeful for the new year and all of its blessings.  I am going to try so hard to see the beauty in little moments of perfection and not to be so hard on myself.  Sound good?  I wish each of you a wonderful and blessed 2012.

Merry Christmas one and all!

Merry Christmas!

 My family arrives tomorrow

and I am so excited to give each one a hug.

Joyfilled blessings to each of you!

it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

everywhere I go...

Well I haven't been anywhere 

as I have been busy cooking

fudge, 

cranberries in brandy for the brie wrapped in phyllo,

cranberry orange cookies drizzled in orange sugar,

candied walnuts,

balsamic croutons,

Italian beef stew tucked in the freezer,

and chicken enchilada casserole...phew...

so I would be ready for a full house on Thursday.

I can't wait and my heart is pounding just thinking of the fun we will have!

and I took some closeups of the the holiday festivities

being played out in my rooms...

I wish you each a blessed Christmas

filled with family and love and peace

and good will towards men.