Little Christmas Tree

I know Halloween is tomorrow, but as far as artwork goes, I'm going straight to Christmas.   I almost added little elf ears to her, but I just couldn't do it.  I love her plaid little outfit!

I was a bit surprised!

Today I was in a hurry to get somewhere, but wanted to check my blog reading list really quick to see what I was missing!  As I was scrolling down  quickly  and skimming the post titles,  I saw one of my pieces (Bird in Hand, pictured above) under Cat Ivins blog, olive bites home of uncorked + polarity!    I have to admit I was a bit confused at first, I was browsing over everything quite quickly!  It didn't connect in my wee little brain as to why my artwork was there?  I had to reread everything a few times before I realized that she actually had my artwork on one of her blog posts!  Wow!  I was a bit shocked but very excited.  I've been reading her blog for a couple of years now and love her quirky sense of humor and her unique and creative jewelry.  You can check out her Etsy shops here and here.   This definitely brightened my day!

I've finally started painting again!  Yeah, it has felt like forever.  The night before last I just had to force myself to do it.  Once I started, I was so glad I did.  (kind of like exercise!)  It felt kind of weird at first, especially when I couldn't remember where everything was.  (paintbrushes and water jar!)  Usually it all comes so natural and easy.



I had worked on a sketch earlier in the week of a little girl and decided to make a collage with her.  Initially I wasn't very inspired, but all of a sudden something just clicked and away I went!  Weee!  I've been working on her today when I really should be out in my garden putting it to bed for the winter!   Sometimes it's hard to prioritize!

Tired

I've been struggling this week trying to get back into the rhythm  of things after our 2 week vacation.  I'm really trying hard not to feel overwhelmed by everything.  The week started with Fischer missing his first day back at school.  He woke with a tummy ache and then threw up all morning.  I think he was over tired.   Tired is pretty much how we all have felt this week.  Vacations are supposed to be relaxing and revitalizing, not exhausting.  Is this how most families feel after a vacation?

I've barely picked up a pencil this week, let alone a paintbrush.  Since I haven't any artwork to share, I thought I'd share some pictures from the beautiful Badlands.  What an amazing place.    I can't even imagine how the  settlers felt as they came upon this land after having crossed the flat prairies in horse drawn wagons! 

 

It's been awhile!

Oh boy, it has been awhile since I've written in this little place of mine.  We left on a family vacation on September 29th and returned late this past Saturday night.  I really wanted to post that I would be gone, but I didn't feel comfortable announcing on the internet that we were leaving on vacation.   You just never know these days what could happen!   Anyway, I probably should of just said I would be gone from this space for awhile.



Before we left on our vacation, fall was close to being in full swing around here.   The trees, bushes and grasses were starting to turn  to crimson, yellows and oranges.   We were gone for just over 2 weeks, but it almost feels like we missed a whole season.  Our maple trees are close to being bare and the black walnut trees have not a leaf left on them.  The sun shines differently in our house, not that bright strong sun of summer, but of a weaker, long shadowy kind of light.  Amazingly we haven't had a hard frost yet and my garden is still producing tomatoes and raspberries.  We had a wonderful vacation, but of course it feels great to be back at home.