Artful Dreamer

Well, Christmas is over and the hurrying and scurrying are about finished.  I hope everyone had as nice a time as we did.  Got to spend time with most of the grandkids and that was great.  It looks like Santa answered most of their letters - not always the full amount, tho.  Kids have some big ideas but are actually happy with less.  I suppose they figure it doesn't hurt to ask.

This has been quite a year for the flu.  We've been in bed the past 3 days and it seems like we were definitely not the only ones hit.  Glad it's about over.  Lost a couple of pounds so that's not all bad.

The drive to Chisago Lakes was absolutely gorgeous on Christmas eve.  The trees were covered in snow and the weather was mild.  It's been nice all week but there are rumors of LOTS of snow by the weekend.  Hope not.  The roof will probably collapse with any additional.

The twins, Nick and Sydney had their church Christmas program.  That age is so darling.  It was extremely low-key so that was nice.  Syd was an "angel" and her halo was tilted down over one eye, but that didn't seem to bother her.  Nick was a "star" and he made sure it was high and bright.

When I was in Montmarte, France, there was a gorgeous carousel below a huge cathedral.  I think Froggie and Mousie enjoyed riding on it.

Have a great new year!

Sharyn

Artful Dreamer

Christmas is only a few weeks away.  It is so great now that I don't have to go crazy shopping.  More time to relax and appreciate what Christmas really means.

It looks like a Christmas wonderland here with all the snow.  I wonder how much more we'll get this winter.  Guess we don't have to worry about winter burn on the lawn and flowers.  We've been feeding the birds and, I assume, the squirrels, rabbits, and mice.  They're all welcome during the cold weather.  We've had coyotes crossing our yard at night.  When Santa came in his "sleigh" the other night, the fire truck siren started the coyotes howling.  Quite a musical number.

I baked sugar cookies today, so the house smells festive.  Homemade cookies are always so good!

I've been working on my Froggie book.  This beautiful pond was by Notre Dame.  What a beautiful area.

Too bad most places were closed on strike when we were there.  It seems it is a fairly common occurrence which is frustrating.

Sharyn

Artful Dreamer

More snow!!!  It's beautiful, but I think we have enough now.  The snowplow just put another foot of the stuff in the driveway.  It's COLD!, too.

I'm suddenly in the mood for making sugar cookies.  Guess it's good weather for that.

I have all my Christmas finished and out so that feels good.  I also make cards for all the grandkids and have that done, too.  Now what to do 'til Christmas.  I'm sure I'll find something - might even put up a tree this year.  I have so many beautiful ornaments from over the years, it's about time I take them out again.  I gave the ones from ages back to the kids so they can remember them, too.

Sure glad I don't have to go out and fight the holiday crowds.  I've made it easier for myself and I'm sure the kids appreciate that, too.  Impossible to know what anyone wants anyway.  I'd rather give them things during the year when I see something they'd like.

I made a Miss Mousie for the kids this year.  It was fun and I hope they like it.  Of course, I put the usual glitter on it.  My grandkids always know it's from me when there's lots of glitter falling out of the envelope.

Merry Christmas from all of us.  Sharyn

Artful Dreamer

We have really got a lot of snow.  First it rained yesterday, then it snowed all night.  Makes for dangerous driving.  Tonight it is windy and COLD.  I should have gone to a meeting tonight but couldn't force myself to drive on the icy roads.  Guess it's old age setting in.

Once again, it is beautiful, though.  The trees are covered with ice and snow.  The branches are awfully heavy so I hope they don't break.  We lost a lot of branches in the last ice/snow storm.

It looks beautiful if I don't have to go out in it.

Our little weathervane is looking like a farmer working in the snow.  Time to quit for this year.

I've been hard at work getting out my Christmas cards so I haven't had time to do any fun projects for a little while.  Oh well, I'm sure I'll have time next week.

Enjoy the snow!

Sharyn

Artful Dreamer

Thanksgiving is tomorrow.  Lots to be thankful for - family, friends, food, shelter. . . . .

The weather is supposed to be stormy by tomorrow so, hopefully, people won't try to drive beyond what the conditions allow.  It's not worth it to get into an accident.  A lot of people will be working sanding and salting the roads tomorrow, so we can be thankful for them, too.  This week we've seen a lot of people in a hurry, taking chances passing the plows and trying to pass on the shoulders.  Not a good idea!

I wish my granddaughter in Washington and my daughter in Arizona could be here this year, but that's a long drive.  Telephones and emails are great to keep in touch.

I've been taking advantage of the cold weather to work on a few projects.  I finished another "Froggie" page.  When I was in Paris, there were artists all over.  Many were excellent and it was great to see their work.  There were also those who constantly approached tourists in the hopes of earning a few dollars.  This artist seems to be very persuasive.

Mousie makes a great model, tho.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sharyn

Artful Dreamer

We just went to see Harry Potter.  I don't know why, but I can't really seem to get into it.  I love Narnia and the Lord of the Rings, etc, but not Harry Potter.

 I think I'm finally finished with my painting of the French countryside.  It was really fun to do.  Now I can concentrate on "Froggie".  I go crazy if I don't have a project to work on.  Think my brain must be hard-wired goofy.

I've been trying to take a decent photo of it, but it's really hard.  Guess I'll have to have it digitally scanned. Wish it weren't so expensive.

Anyway, this is what my photo of it looks like.

Hope you like it.

Sharyn

Artful Dreamer

I've been working on a new oil painting.  I haven't used oil paints for about "1,000" years but they were always my first favorite medium.  I quit because they were so messy and smelly with the turpentine, etc.  Now they've come up with a water mixable formula that are very odor tolerable and dry more quickly.  They are definitely the medium for me.

It seems like I am stuck on painting French based studies this year, but it is a fascinating place to see.  I loved all the ancient forests and buildings, the cuckoos singing in the forest early in the morning.  My favorite place was the countryside and the people there.

This is one of the many photos that I used when painting my new picture.

It is typical of the many farms and fields that dot the countryside.  I loved watching the sheepherders and cow herders spend each day just watching their animals.

Sharyn