Enjoying the snow.......

The snow continues to sparkle in the sun,

and rapidly has begun to melt, shrink,

evaporate, or whatever it is that it does!

THE MORNING AFTER!!!!!

The snow is no longer falling, since the skies cleared during the night and the stars were shining brightly. Now this morning the sun is out and even though the temps are barely up from single digits, things have begun to melt!! This Colorado sun at 6,000 feet is very intense!! The birds are feasting, as always, and Precious the Cat has found a warm place to snuggle!! For those of you that have been wondering about Precious, she has made an almost full recovery from her little mini-stroke episode in November. The only noticeable change is that even though Precious meows at the kitchen cupboard where the cat treats are kept, she just looks at them when we give them to her. Prior to her issue, she would have snarfed them up immediately!! I think that her sense of smell might not yet have fully recovered, and she doesn't realize that these treats are her favs!! I have shared a picture from this morning, when she had snuggled into a blanket up on a chair!! She is Precious!! Sure hard to believe that she is 18 1/2 year old kitty!! A very spoiled 18 1/2 year old kitty, too!! The other picture, taken earlier this morning, is my wonderful antique wheelbarrow!!! I just love it!!! It was a birthday gift this year from son Bryan and family!!

SNOW AND FEASTING BIRDS CONTINUE...........

As I sip my third cup of Celestial Seasonings chai tea...the Chocolate Caramel Enchantment variety.....the snowflakes are increasing in size once again, and look like small lacey cookies falling from the sky!! I have given up on shoveling, since my two attempts now go undetected, and instead have chosen to watch the birds feast!! They don't like me out their interrupting their meal, anyway!! I love snow days, and this has been a great one here on the Front Range. I will share a few more of bird pictures from today with you! Enjoy!!

THE BIRDS.........But Not Hitchcock's!!!

I love that movie from long ago.....Alfred Hitchcock's THE BIRDS!!!!! Wish I had it....I'd be watching it today, as I watch the snow continue to fall. My front yard looks like a scene from that movie this morning!! These birdies are VERY hungry!! Sure glad that I stocked up on birdie food yesterday!!!

WATCHING FALLING SNOW.......THINKING OF SPRING!!!!!!

As I sit here watching the snow come down, and listen to the news report a total of 8" - 10" forecast for our area today, I am busy pulling together a HUGE pile of Spring-look fabrics from my stash to dress some dollies!! Of course these great, bright colors won't be quite so bright when I get finished "primming" them, but they will still be considered a primitive version of "bright"!! I've been in raggedy mode here for some time now....and the raggedy bodies are piling up on my studio work table, in various stages of completion, awaiting their delightful dresses, 'loons, aprons and such! I really should cover these poor things up with a blanket, since it's a bit chilly here today!! Or better yet....maybe I should make their clothing today!! YES!!!!!

THE YOUNG ARTIST..........

I have always loved the artwork of young children, and viewed and collected much during my many years as a kindergarten teacher. Now I am inspired and entertained by the artwork of the 4 year old granddaughter!! A day doesn't pass that Sadie isn't involved in some type of artsy-craftsy activity, either at preschool, or at home. She has been equipped with a wonderful art table with all the supplies anyone could want or need, and an easel for painting and chalk drawing. Jen, with a degree in graphic arts, is a great guiding influence. We are fortunate to have a superb Santa hanging on the refrigerator this holiday season, entirely cut out and glued together by Sadie!! It is most precious!! Today I would like to share with you the wonderful Christmas card that Sadie and her family created for friends and family this year. There's nothing quite as special as the handmade card....and especially one that was created with the art of the young child!! Enjoy!!

My Gift to You.....................

I received these inspiring words in an email, and although I do not have the information to give proper credit to the originator, I do want to thank the original author for sharing these wonderful thoughts with all of us! Please ponder and enjoy!! Happy Holidays, Peace and Joy to All!!

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day, smiling while you walk. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to!

3.. Buy a TIVO, tape your late night shows, and get more sleep.

4. When you wake up in the morning, complete the following statement: My purpose is to___________ today.

5. Live with the 3 E's: Energy, Enthusiasm, Empathy.

6. Watch more movies, play more games, and read more books.

7. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, tai chi, qigong, and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.

8. Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.

9. Dream more while you are awake.

10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less foods that are manufactured in plants.

11. Drink green tea and plenty of water and eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds, and walnuts.

12. Try to make at least 3 people smile each day.

13. Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk, and let new and flowing energy into your life.

14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts, or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.

15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class, but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.

18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

22. Make peace with your past so it won't mess up the present.

23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

24. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, and wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years will this matter?" "In five months will this matter?" "In five days will this matter?"

27. Forgive everyone everything.

28. What other people think of you is none of your business.

29. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

30. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

32. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.

33. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

34. The best is yet to come.

35. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.

36. Do the right thing.

37. Call your mother and father often.

38. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished____________.

39. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

40. Enjoy the ride. Remember that life is not a trip to Disney World with a free pass!!

ORNIE EXCHANGE!! WHAT FUN!!!!!

What fun to have been invited to participate in a wonderful exchange of primitive ornies!!! As a result, I have now added three more fabulous primitive ornaments to my vast Christmas collection!! It all began when I found Alison of Needlinaround on Ebay, and started purchasing her wonderful handmades! The other two primitive artists that were included in our exchange were Renee of Crows Roost Prims and Patti!! We hope to do this again next year, and might even include a mid-year exchange as well!! Thank you again Alison, Renee and Patti for sending me these awesome primitive ornies!! They will be treasured forever!

Keeping Us On Track..........

What would we do without our children to keep us on track??!?!??!! I received an email from my daughter in Texas today.........Mom.....your blog said days ago that you would be posting pictures of your holiday decorating.....what happened?? Where are the pics????? HA!! Caught again!!! So I have now shared a picture of the little pink tree with pastel lights and pastel ornies that adorns my wonderful pink guest room aka "my room" as the local granddaughter calls it!! With luck I will get a chance to take pictures and share with you some of the other decorating that I am obsessed with. For those of you that might not have a tree...not to worry!! I have you covered!! I love having many trees, and some stay up all year!! Sending calming vibes out for everyone, as we scurry about with all the last minute holiday activities!! Prim Blessings, Trudy

As We Remember...........

As we take a moment to remember those that have served our country and are currently serving our country, I thought this would be something to share. Although I personally have not yet visited this remarkable resting place, I am certain that it would be forever lasting in my memories. If you care to read about this wonderful act of kindness, the donating and placing of these many wreaths during this time of year, here is a link for you!! I have also participated in a program for several years now, that you can partake in all through the year! Please visit Any Soldier to share your blessings, cards and needful items with our troops every month of the year. It is easy, simple, doesn't cost any more than you want it to cost, and it sure does feel good to know that a dedicated soldier's day has been made better!! Thank you!!! Patriotic Blessings, Trudy

LOOK WHAT I GOT!!!!

Look at these wonderful babies that I bought from Nicole of Raggedy Old Annies!! Aren't they just precious as can be??? I collect all kinds of things, and love to collect the work of other artists. I first purchased the doll on the right, the sweet thing holding her little vintage Christmas ball!! She was just soooo sweet that I had to have another one of Nicole's dollies....so I got the wonderful dollie on the left....the laundry gal!! She's going to hang in my laundry room, and watch over the faeries that do all the work in there!!! heeheheheheeeeeee!! I've used many of Nicole's patterns, which are all available on her website, but these are the first of her wonderful works of art that I have purchased!! They definitely won't be the last, though!! Thanks so much, Nicole, for great workmanship, and an obvious HUGE dose of love that went into the creating of these awesome gals!! Although Nicole's dolls sell quickly once she updates her website, I know she will be adding more soon, I hope!!

DANCE OF THE WOODPECKERS!!

Instead of doing what I was needing to be doing, I have spent the last 30 minutes or so deeply drawn to watch the "dance of the woodpeckers" in my front tree!! I have watched this pair come to the feeders early most mornings, one at a time, but have never seen them together!! I heard a ruckus out front, and when I looked out, I saw the most beautiful and interesting dance going on!! Obviously I quickly got my camera and did my best to capture some of this beauty of nature!!

OH....THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS FRIGHTFUL....

....AND THE SNOW IS SO DELIGHTFUL!!! I LOVE SNOW!!! I suppose that is because I don't have reason to HAVE to drive anywhere!! Not good for those that do, though. This morning was interesting for drivers in our area, and the Denver Metro light rail train had a mishap on the line that comes out toward us...making contact with the Union Pacific coal train that had derailed 20 cars and dumped the coal load on the tracks, etc.....BUT......life is grand here at the castle!! Precious the Cat sleeps soundly, and I've fed all the little birds and squirrels, so all is well!! I'm finally getting more of the decorating done for the season!! I'll add pictures soon so you can see my obsession with decorating!! Hoping everyone is enjoying the season, and staying safe and warm!! Holiday Hugs, Trudy

SHE DID IT!!!!

With much encouragement, begging and pleading (she probably would call it harassment), I have coerced my dear friend Renee of Crows Roost Prims to join in the fun of blogging!! Welcome, Renee!!! I'm so glad that you have decided to join us here in bloggerville to share with us a bit about yourself and the wonderful primitives that you create!! Renee has AWESOME patterns that I'm sure she will be telling us all about soon!! So.......when you have a teeny bit of time, hop on over to her blog, Crows Roost Prims, and say hello and welcome!! Hooray for Renee!!! You did it!!

TAG!!! I'M IT!!!!

YES!!!! I now feel like a REAL blogger, since I HAVE BEEN TAGGED!!!! YEA!! I'm now REAL!!!! Isn't tagging sorta like an initiation?? I think so!! I am so lucky to have been tagged by a wonderful blogger, Nicole, of Raggedy Old Annies!! So......the task at hand is now to list 5 random things about myself!! Goodness....let's see....
only 5 random things she says.....
1. I grew up in Fairbanks, Alaska, land of the midnight sun, thinking that was the way everyone lived!!
2. I've owned and loved a few fast cars, but have moved beyond that phase of life, and have now owned and loved my 4 cylinder 1996 Jeep Cherokee, Jenny the Jeep, for all of her life!!
3. I love pumpkin, anything pumpkin, and not just in the Fall, but all year......pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin pie, pumpkin scented candles, pumpkin scones, pumpkins for decorating, anything and everything pumpkin!!!
4. I don't like noise pollution from things like leaf blowers, snow blowers, weed eaters, etc.
5. Mother Nature and I are best friends!!

Now, the way the game goes, I must tag 5 of my blogger friends to do the same thing!! What fun!! I love randomness!! I will now tag Missy, De, Annie, Renee, and Stacey!!!! Hopefully these friends will still be friends after being tagged, and won't take this too seriously. If you have recently been tagged, or don't know 5 bloggers to tag, or are just too busy, or don't like games, or whatever.....not to worry!!!

CREATIVITY......AND THE PROCESS.......

Creativity comes in many forms, and is present in all parts of our lives and our universe. I believe that we are all born as creative people, and that through various processes and experiences, our creativity either becomes buried, or unlocked, squelched, or encouraged.

For many of us, our childhood creativity is shut down or covered up, perhaps through the constraints of some public education systems. As an 8th grader, I was greatly affected, in an adverse way, by the F that I received in Art........because my idea of how things should be was not shared by the art teacher. Once again, when taking a drawing class as an adult at a community college, the young instructor was going to give me a C. Being a bit bolder and assertive than I was as an 8th grader, I went to battle over the grade, and ended up with an A-.

Today I would like to share this resource as a possiblity for unlocking your own creativity. On a recent trip to Steamboat Springs, CO, I spent several hours in my MOST favorite book store in the whole world....Off the Beaten Path. (Which by the way is for sale!! Great town, great store, do we have a buyer out there????) The selection of books on the creative process was extensive, but this particular book spoke well to me....and therefore, has been added to my collection!! The book is titled Unleash Your Creativity, authored by Rob Bevan and Tim Wright. Two little subtitles on the cover are wonderful....One good idea can change your life.....Fresh ways to wake up your snoozing muse........I hope everyone is having a creative day today!! With blessings for unleashing your creativity, Trudy