Peace in the New Year!

Another year's almost here... to unfold and live, live, live!

A prayer for peace in the new year... albeit crooked - but a good prayer all the same!

Blue sky and snowy pines... we had very low temperatures today but lots of sunshine, but we couldn't convince the kids the snow was not going to melt. :)

Bonfire of the Fish Spirits... the painting part is done, I've been writing all over it for most of the day. This one is my favorite so far - it's very personal.

Happy, happy new year to one and all. Thank you for visiting and reading my blog... I hope the new year brings you goodness and happy surprises around every corner.

Knightley Come Home...

That's me petting Mr. Darcy just now as night is falling.

Here's a short but very sad story...The day after Christmas, the corgis were out in the yard. Somehow the gate was ajar (the power meter man?) and they got out. Mr. Darcy came right to the front door and sat there until someone noticed he was out! (they NEVER get out)... but, sadly, Mr. Knightley ran off and was nowhere to be found. My husband and I took turns driving around, calling out his name and searching for him until about 10 pm. He probably got out around 6:45pm and we didn't know they were out til about 7:30pm - so, he could have gone quite far in that time. We are so heartbroken about this, and so is Mr. Darcy. (he is the older brother). After visiting shelters, putting up flyers and ads in the paper and online... the only thing we can do is hope.

Here is Prudence Fat Cat holding my yummy, soft fuzzy scarf in progress. It is the frothiest yarn I've found. (sorry, will have to find the tag to tell what brand it is.) We are in the middle of a big snow storm and are expecting up to 12 inches. We just came in from shoveling. Brrrr it is cold!!

Celebrate the Solstice!

We are getting ready for Christmas at our house... and taking in all the sights around town. The Christmas lights are at the Geyser Conservatory at Manito Gardens - an annual must see if you are near Spokane. This year they were handing out free banana splits to eat inside! We have plenty of snow - it's clear and cold. Should be good viewing of the LUNAR ECLIPSE tonight! (we are so excited to see this - and the fact it's on winter solstice makes it all the more magical).

Last night was the school Santa story time event where the school logo Christmas ornaments I made were sold... next year we'll have to start selling them around black Friday! But, we did sell a lot and it all goes to the school. Glad to be done with that project... it was a bigger one than I had imagined - but well worth it :)

The cinnamon buns are my first attempt... I'm so excited to have made a successful batch. We'll be eating them on Christmas morning. (fresh, of course:) Just a little more wrapping to do - in secret, some baking and we'll be all set. The girls in the family are making homemade lip gloss for the first time (we have some serious lip gloss users around here) just as soon as the mail man brings us the little tins! Tonight we're having a Solstice party with a big fire, pizza and chocolate chip cookie dough pie. Yum.

Have a great day and enjoy... whatever you are celebrating :)

Meet Lilly-Belle

Here is the finished Waldorf doll I made back in October... but I never shared her with you all. She was made to look like my daughter... with purple sparkles in her hair to boot! (Our baby girl would have the same hair if she could.)

I'm hoping to make lots more of these wonderful dollies. They are a joy to make. My next one will be to make one just like my son.

Bonfire of the Fish Spirits

A little glimpse into one of the latest art quilt drawings. The location of this one is inspired by my hometown. I hadn't planned the drawing this way, but changed my mind... it began to morph into (yet again) something about the seashore, coast, water etc. It's one of the many to be in the gallery show this March. I'm definitely feeling the pressure of a deadline! Happy Wednesday, y'all.