a Cup of Winter Cheer

Doesn't this look good enough to drink?

a little sparkle and fizz to bring on winter cheer...

did a little sketching this morning

to bring some joy to my fingers and clear the grief cobwebs.

My Good Bye to Zoe

 Zoe Holderman

2000-2014

 You made it to 14 1/4

which is a long time for a corgi.

And even though I had been preparing my heart

 for the time you would leave us,

I still wasn't prepared to for it to happen so suddenly.

 You brought us joy and taught us patience

and reminded us that we each come with personality

that can't be altered.

God created you with a personality that was bigger

 than your short little body

which didn't stop you from doing what you wanted to do.

 You knew how to play and would fetch the ball until your body said enough. 

 You were a good sport about all the photos I took

and your fashion sense was impeccable.

 You knew how to rest

and how to make me stop and slow down.

 Thanks for herding us to bed each evening

and camping by the side of my bed to herd me downstairs each morning.

I loved that ritual

and still feel bad that we didn't have any sheep for you to herd.

You would have loved that.

 You loved your kingdom and surveyed it daily

to clear it from pesky squirrel, deer and crow.

We will try to continue your legacy...

 A summer dip was your favorite 

yet I still don't get why you hated bath time so much.

Sorry we took you to the dog park,

but thank you for always protecting us from the other dogs 

and herding us back to the car safely -

it's what you lived for because we were your people.

 A tennis ball was your best friend

and you were a homebody.

 You kept our feet clean

 and would have done the same with our bowls if we let you.

Thanks for teaching Matteo that he needed to get up

 and greet us when we get home,

even if he is sleeping.

He dutifully was there when I got home yesterday

and I was so dreading you not being there to greet me.

 Girl you have enriched our lives beyond measure.

We pray you are being greeted in Paradise by your cat buddies who went ahead 

- Sampson and Thomas,

and you will get

all the balls you want to chase,

endless summer swims,

longer legs,

a tail,

and all the bacon you can eat.

Little did I know this photo of you the other day would be your last.

It seemed so odd that you faced your back to me.

I know the last couple of years have been hard on you,

but you were your stoic self until the end.

This is how I will remember you - 

anticipating running like the wind after your hundredth fetch

and still wanting more.

Willy Wonka and Starbucks Reserve Roastery & Tasting Room

I had heard the hype.

And I have to agree...

It was over the top and

nothing to compare it to, 

other than I expected Willy Wonka and Howard Shultz

 to step out from behind the copper roaster 

singing,

Hold your breath

Make a wish

Count to three.

Come with me and you'll be

In a world of pure imagination.

Take a look and you'll see

Into your imagination.

We'll begin With a spin

Traveling in the world of my creation.

What we'll see will defy explanation.

If you want to view paradise

Simply look around and view it...

Yep that about sums it up our experience at 

Starbucks Reserve Roastery & Tasting Room.

I was completely sucked in and felt like I was visiting another planet

and I never wanted to return to earth.

Oh my one could come here in the morning 

for espresso and stay for some Serious Pie 
at the attached Tom Douglas restaurant. 

What's not to like?

Don't miss the coed bathrooms with a view of the roasting room while you wash your hands,

or the gift store with $150 barista aprons and bags that really were that awesome,

or the dog bowl outside that will make your dog feel like he is at Disneyland

(except the water was frozen - come on Starbucks couldn't you have sprung for a heated bowl :)

I really do need to go here often just to remember how wonderful imaginations can be.

It's less money than a trip to Disneyland - by a little.

 The copper roaster even has holes poked in it that allow the sunlight 

to reflect a map of the world on the floor.

Hmm wonder when that happens?

It was a seriously delicious cappuccino that went down 

with a Tom Douglas croissant

much too quickly :(

I may have to return tomorrow :) because...

What we'll see will defy explanation.

If you want to view paradise

Simply look around and view it...

Silhouette project on wood -sure to elicit a huge grin!

Truth be told,

I love making gifts and feel slighted if I don't.

This was the only craft gift made this year 

and I couldn't wait,

but told my son and daughter-in-law to open it tonight

so they could hang it on their tree and enjoy it before Christmas.

 I first bought a wood round at Michaels,

then stole this photo of my son and granddaughter Sophia

from Instagram.

I glimpsed that profile and thought it would be the perfect silhouette.

 Next I enlarged it until I got the right size,

then I tried drawing over it with marker,

and cut it out with sharp scissors and an xacto knife.

 I put the silhouette under frisket

and again cut through it along the silhouette.

 Then I peeled off the frisket backing 

and stuck her beautiful face to the wood round.

Then the fun part was next;

I stenciled black acrylic paint over her sweet face,

removed the frisket carefully,

drilled a hole,

tied red gingham ribbon,

put it in the mail,

 and shipped it all the way across the country.

And of course I forgot to take a photo of the finished piece.

The kids were nice enough to take a picture and send me a photo 

 with the model in the background.

Wouldn't this be a fun project to do every year and add to the tree

with the recipient's age on the back?

Now I just need to remember this idea...

Advent calendars iPad style

We made the cutest advent calendars this week in class.

We started with the 17th and went to the 25th since this was the date they were taking them home.

And it would have been too much to cut out 25 openings

This is my quick sample.

First draw a simple line drawing on the iPad,

then save it to photos and import it in for a second picture.

On the first one draw the numbers on the flaps you want and color in the whole page.

This is your top page.

On the second page color in only where your doors will open.

Then decorate these openings with advent images.

Here is an example of images I photographed and imported.

 Then print out both pages on an 8 1/2 x 11" paper.

 Cut apart, cut open doors,

then glue both together,

and watch your kids smile.

This trimester in Wednesday's iPad art class

we are doing projects that involve printing and cutting 

so I am scurrying to come up with new ideas 

and it is trial and error to see what works.

This one worked beautifully.

And of course you do not need a iPad - colored pencils and markers will work too.

Need a project for your kids between now and Christmas,

just do it.

a Pink Cat at Christmas time

Meet Cedric and me.

If you would like to know how he turned pink one Christmas,

then sign up for my newsletter over there on the right.

You will learn the whole story as well as receive free downloads,

recipes, art techniques and lots of ideas to make you smile.

Just do it...

'Tis the Season

Here are some snippets of my past week.

Ho ho ho, hope you are enjoying the season.

Our church had a "selfie" booth at our 

'Tis the Season party.

It was fun to be silly - not something I do often.

 It seems as if I have not sat down for months.

How did life get so hectic and filled to the brim with so much to do?

Then you add the holidays and everything just goes ballistic.

Not how it should be during advent. :(

So last night I finally settled in with the newly decorated mini tree

and relaxed and read just a little bit.

 And I may have enjoyed some Gluhwein too.

This guy has been visiting the yard lately.

He even laid down in the corner the other day.

There is so much new home construction around us 

and I think he has nowhere to go.

Hope he's enjoying the season.

It was the least we could do 

to let him have some nibbles and a place to chill.