Snow Sleet Rain Ice....

...can Mother Nature make up her mind? Typical woman! Always changing her mind. I've had enough of winter. I can't wait for spring but in the meantime I was thinking that if I had a penguin it would look like this--I call this watecolor PENGUIN JOY...well I do have some penguins but they are all virtual on Farmville...I like virtual I don't have to feed them or pick up their poop.

Anyway....the penguin ACEO is on auction on Ebay here's the LINK

Crows Creek Primitive

It's an Old Farmhouse Gathering Team member I feature today. Debbie Turner of Crow's Creek Primitive. Deb sells a wide variety of primitive goods. She has been selling for 8 years to local shops , website , ebay , gozbay , etsy ,and hope to open a new brick and mortar store in the spring .

One of my favorite things she does is making things out of bees wax. This snowflake ornament caught my eye. It's available in her etsy shop. Click the picture to go to the listing.

You can see her things on Etsy at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/CrowsCreekPrimitives . If you are into blogs, please check out her blog: http://debsprimitivecountrykitchen.blogspot.com/

Luvs2Paint

Today's feature is Brenda Thour. Brenda is a Member of the DAWG Team. A painter if you haven't guessed by her Etsy shop name Luvs2Paint . Brenda does large art as well as miniature art (ACEO's).

This is one of her pieces of larger art that I just love. This particular piece is a print available in her Etsy shop. She also had pendants and magnets in her shop. She loves to do animals and will do commissions if you need a pet portrait.

The "W" in Christmas - Moving!

So today is Christmas Eve....it's here finally. It seems like the year has flown by and not so long ago Christmas felt so far off. Today instead of featuring someone from OFG or DAWG Team, I feature some one from up above. This is a wonderful story borrowed from my DAWG Team friend Marlene (LazyHawk).

The "W" in Christmas

Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience. I had cut back on nonessential obligations -- extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending. Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas.

My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for a six-year-old. For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's Winter Pageant." I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the production. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher. She assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation. All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then.

Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise. So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats. As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song.

Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment - songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer. So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly taken aback by its bold title. Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads.

Those in the front row-center stage -- held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song. As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message, "Christmas Love." The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down -- totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W."

The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her "W." Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together. A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen. In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities. For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:

"C H R I S T W A S L O V E"
And, I believe, He still is.
Amazed in His presence...
Humbled by His love.
May you have a Merry Christmas as you reflect on His Amazing Love!

Firecracker Kid!

Today's feature is on Etsy from my Old Farmhouse Gathering team....it's Carol Anderson aka Firecracker kid. The link to her shop is: http://www.etsy.com/shop/firecrackerkid

Carol offers some beautiful things in the way of primitives, folk art, and one-of-a-kind handcrafted woodcraft, home furnishings, decor, and more. She has some unique & different items to use to decorate your country, early, primitive, folk art, and shabby or chic homes.

You know me I'm more on the cottage side so the picture of the Vintage Kitty Cat Cupboard Peg is up my alley. Click on the photo go to to the listing on Etsy. Check her out! :)

Gina's Drawings

Gina Sutton is a member of my Designing Artists Women's Group (DAWG Team) and one of my facebook friends (Gina Sutton).... she's another talented artist and also does miniature art (ACEO's) She sells on Ebay under Ginasdrawings. Here's the link to her Ebay My World LINK I don't think she has any auctions up a this time.

She has such beautiful art. The last thing I saw on Ebay was a really cute handpainted toddler jacket....too bad it was too small for Mason!

I tried to copy the photo from Ebay but it wont let me sooooo here's the link to her last auction LINK

A Good Turn....

...deserves another. Well as most of my friends and family know I've been sick for over a week. I guess the blizzard was a blessing because it didn't tempt me to go out but made me stay and lay around.

Well today I was checking email and one of the Members of my Etsy.com Old Farmhouse Gathering Team did a feature on 3 members and I was one! I instantly felt so much better. So I was thinking I need to get back to featuring people again. I have been so bad at my blogging and featuring the 2 teams I belong to.

So today I begin. First off I should tell you a little about the 2 teams I belong to. Both are made up of wonderfully talented women. The first is Designing Artists Womens Group (DAWG TEAM) which features primarily miniature art (ACEO) artists. The other is Old Farmhouse Gathering (OFG TEAM). OFG is made up of mostly primitive artists but there are a few of us on the cottage end. Our former leader Linda (Prairie Rose) was on the cottage side. She recently passed away from a massive heart attack. What a great loss to the world and our team. She was the driving force and a wonderful person who always was there to help us out).

The team member who featured me today is a member of the OFG Team. She does beautiful baskets. Her name is Rose. As I was going through her etsy shop, I was thinking her prices are so reasonable. I think about those Longaberger baskets and the prices people pay for them. Her baskets are beautiful and priced so reasonably that I think she can give Longaberger a run for their money! AND she does beautiful quilts. Here are a few of my favorites from her shop....please go and browse she has 49 items in her shop and I promise you won't be disappointed.

Christmas is Almost Upon Us

and the year is almost over. I was thinking, I used to be so good at this blogging thing. Almost everyday I would post something but I've gotten out of the habit. So I'm taking a moment to blog today. Not that I could do much else with a couple of feet of snow LOL.

The snow is so beautiful but it is so deadly. I was watching the news at all the accidents caused by it. How can something so beautiful be so deadly. I guess it's just one of those mysteries of life.

Christmas is almost here and thank God I'm finished. Everything has been bought and most things are already here and wrapped under the tree. I am hoping that Christmas doesn't bring us more snow. I would like to be able to spend this Christmas with my grandson.  He's so cute. He's  just 3 and amazed that Santa knows he has 2 houses and he will get Santa gifts at both houses. And also that he will get lots of gifts from other people in the family.  His big thing is "Why".  I told him, "Why? Because everyone loves him and he's special."  This Christmas will be even more fun because the Christmas thing is really making sense to him now.

I'm hoping we won't have more snow for Christmas. Glenn is working and I have to drive to his Sister's house. I'm not a fan of driving in snow...I should have gotten 4 wheel drive in my SUV...lesson learned...next time I will.

But I'm ready for the next snow. I spent yesterday doing lots of online shopping and one of the things I ordered was a snow blower..it was worth the money. I'm too darn old to do that shoveling anymore. It's electric so it's light weight. That way if Glenn is working, it's not too heavy for me to do myself.

The moon santa picture is a metal plate. It has a hook on the back for hanging on the wall. Click the picture to go to the link at my Bonanzle Shop it is $25.

Thanksgiving Reflections

Boy when I think about Thanksgiving I have a ton of things for which to be thankful. But today I reflect on my wonderful family & friends.

I am so lucky to have a wonderful husband of 33 years. My parents both in their 80's have been through quite a few health events but are still with me. My children..I have always said all mothers love their children but not all mothers like their children. I like mine (well at least most of the time LOL). Then there's that adorable little grandson, Mason. He is so cute.

In fact the other day I said, "Mason why are you so cute." And he said "Because" and I said "Because why?" And he said, "Because you love me." Then there's my brother, Joe. He's always there if I need him or if my parents need him. He just did a beautiful set of brick steps with the first step being a half circle...gorgeous. And crazy as it seems, I have online family...cousins who I haven't been in touch with for years who I've found online. Even though I don't see them, they are still a wonderful support to me.

I have so many friends online and in the flesh. The whole online thing never ceases to amaze me. For example, I had known an artist online for years on Ebay and not long ago we met for lunch in Baltimore. It is such a blessing to have so many people in my virtual life that sometimes carry over into my real life. Those people have always been a wonderful support for me too.

Anyway, if you are reading this, thank you. That means you are in some way connected to me, either in the flesh or virtually. Thank you for all the times you've given me encouraging words, for all the times you've made m laugh, for all the times you've prayed for me and my family. And thank you for us being you. God bless you this Thanksgiving and always.

I leave you with the following prayer from one of the Saints for this Thanksgiving:

St. John Chrysostom Prayer Of Thanksgiving

What praise, of what hymn, or what thanksgiving, or what recompense shall we offer unto Thee, the Only God, Who lovest mankind?

For when we were condemned to destruction and immersed in our sins, Thou didst bestow freedom upon us, and hast given us the immortal and heavenly nourishment of the Body and Blood of Thy Christ.

Therefore we pray Thee: Deliver us from judgment, together with Thy servants who minister unto Thee.

Keep us and them in honor and holy living; and those who pray with us, and who have been partakers of Thy Mystical Table, preserve free of condemnation unto their last breath.

May it be unto them a sanctification of soul and body, unto the keeping of Thy Commandments; and thus may we be granted tp attain Thy Heavenly Kingdom, together with all who have been well-pleasing unto Thee from all ages:

Through the prayers and intercessions of our holy, all-pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Birth giver of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, of Saint N. whose memory we keep, and of all Thy Saints, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Amen.

Sacrifices

I reflect today on sacrifices. The sacrifice a mother makes for her children. Sacrifices of those going into the religious life or priesthood. Sacrifices those who volunteer make to serve others.

And of course the sacrifice those who serve our country make. They give up their time, their families, their comfortable way of life and sometimes the greatest sacrifice...their lives. They do this to keep us safe, to preserve our way of life and our freedom.

I am eternally grateful for everyone who makes a sacrifice for others and today I am most thankful for the sacrifices made by the United State Military Men & Women. And I think of the military families like my cousin Tiffany Yori-Brown who awaits the return of her beloved husband. God Bless our military men & women and their families.

Pumpkins & Witches & Crows OH MY

The Fall Challenge for my Old Farmhouse Gathering Team (OFG) team on Etsy has begun. Our team members are a bunch of talented people which lots of wonderful things from primitive to cottage. Check them out. You can also search on OFGF in tags and titles on Etsy to see all of the wonderful crafts prepared for this Fall event.

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade JYWheeler.etsy.com

Circle of Seasons

This morning I had to run an errand for the people I used to work for so I was up a little earlier than usual. It was so chilly that I was pouting over the fact that summer is over. It was so cloudy and grey it kind of made it even sadder to me.

I really love summer and I wish we didn't have to have Fall because that means we get Winter. I'm not a fan of the dead depressing look of winter nor the cold. But then I remembered without the death of winter, we don't get the new life of spring nor the sunshine of summer. So I guess for the next couple of months I can put up with it. And I look forward to next summer!

--------------------
the picture is of a watercolor ACEO available in my Artfire shop. Click on it to go to the listing.

Crazy Dream

so last night I took a Benedril which always knocks me out. Well this morning I slept til a little past 9 am making me late for my normal 9 am Mass...I must have in my mind realized I was missing mass and I had this crazy dream:

I was late for mass in a very large double cab truck with Melissa Serafin (our youth minister), John Boyle (her fiance who was driving), Kevin Wajek (another youth group adult volunteer). There was an altar set up on Ft. Smallwood Road near the Stoney Creek Bridge along the street near the Shell Station (all you people from The Dena will recognize this spot).

There was Father Brian with 2 altar boys offering mass. No one else was there. They were in the middle of mass and I said to John are we too late in the mass to go and still get "credit" for it? Of course John knew everything about the church because he went to seminary. He said in a very official knowledgeable voice ' No according to the church rules (but he used another big word for it) we are able to attend and still be able to get credit for it). But he couldn't find a place to park is large truck.

He tried to get into one spot and hit a little yellow car so he left that spot. We had to park blocks away and run to Mass. Of course when we got there mass was over and we were very disappointed.

I was so upset I woke up and it was after 9 am which is when I generally go to Mass on Sunday morning leaving me to go to a later Mass. How weird is that?


--------------------ACEO "Before the Blessed Sacrament" Not for Sale - Painted for my beautiful daughter.

Chocolate Quesidilla Yumm

I'm not such a good cook so I'm always looking for recipes that are easy like no cook or minimum ingredients or just plan simple. Of course I just LOVE chocolate and I came across this cook recipe.

It would look great cut up in pieces and served on my tidbit tray available on Etsy. The tray is handpainted kiln fired porcelain so it's dishwasher safe & microwave safe. I would however take off the handle which just screws in before microwaving or putting in the dishwasher. Anyway if you are interested in the tray just click the picture and it willl take you to the link.

Chocolate Quesadilla

July 28, 2007 by Tracie on http://icrochet.wordpress.com

This recipe serves one, but make several if you want to share with others.

1 – fajita-size flour tortilla, either wheat or white
1/4 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
sugar & ground cinnamon, mixed
powdered sugar

To cook, place the tortilla on a flat skillet sprayed lightly with non-stick cooking spray. Leave just long enough to get warm, then flip over. On one half of the tortilla, pour the chocolate chips (add more if you want more–there’s no such thing as too much chocolate!), and sprinkle with a good heaping of sugar and cinnamon to your own liking. Fold over the empty half of the tortilla, press with a spatula, then flip and press again. Remove from heat when the chips are melted. Cut into four triangles, sprinkle with powdered sugar, and enjoy!

Health Care

Here's a link to the actual Health Care bill in Congress and an analysis by a lawyer from FLorida of some of the major points. You can look them up page by page. I did. He makes some twitty comments-disregard & use your own judgement.

Here's the link actual bill from the congress website so you can check his notes
http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_111/20090714/aahca.pdf

Some stuff doesn't bother me but I think it's interesting that Cancer Hospitals like the Cancer Treatment Centers of American will be scrutinized as to whether their care is "cost effective" compared to other hospitals. I'd like to think if I had cancer I could do everything humanly possible to live. Oye vey! So read away.....it's been an interesting & eye opening exercise in some cases for me! Joann

Obama Health Care Plan Details

HR 3200 currently under consideration in the House of Representatives

Pg 22 of the HC Bill MANDATES the Government will audit the books of ALL EMPLOYERS that self insure! !

Pg 29 lines 4-16 in the HC Bill - YOUR HEALTH CARE IS RATIONED!!!

Pg 30 Sec 123 of HC Bill - THERE WILL BE A GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE that decides what treatments/benefits you get

Pg 42 of HC Bill - The Health Choices Commissioner will choose your benefits for you. You have no choice!

Pg 50 Section 152 in HC Bill - HC will be provided to ALL non-U.S. citizens, illegal or otherwise

Pg 58 HC Bill – Government will have real-time access to individual’s finances and a National ID Health Care Card will be issued!

Pg 59 HC Bill lines 21-24 Government will have direct access to your banks accounts for electronic funds transfer.

(NOTE FROM RJ-This really does mean they can take your money at any time. Who will have this authority?—a government bureaucrat.)

Pg 65 Sec 164 is a payoff subsidized plan for retirees and their families in unions and community organizations (ACORN).

Pg 72 Lines 8-14 Government is creating a Health Care Exchange to bring private health care plans under government control.

Pg 84 Sec 203 HC Bill - Government mandates ALL benefit packages for private health care plans in the Exchange

Pg 85 Line 7 HC Bill - Specs for of Benefit Levels for Plans = The government will ration your health care!

=0 A Pg 91 Lines 4-7 HC Bill - Government mandates linguistic appropriate services.

Pg 95 HC Bill Lines 8-18 The government will use groups i.e., ACORN & AmeriCorps to sign up individuals for government Health Care Plan

Pg 85 Line 7 HC Bill - Specs of Ben Levels 4 Plans. #AARP members - Your health care WILL be rationed

Pg 102 Lines 12-18 HC Bill - Medicaid Eligible Individual will be automatically enrolled in Medicaid. No choice.

Pg 124 lines 24-25 HC No company can sue the government on price fixing. No “judicial review” against government monopoly.

Pg 127 Lines 1-16 HC Bill - Doctors/ #AMA - The government will tell YOU what you can make.

Pg 145 Line 15-17 An employer MUST auto enroll employees into public opt plan. NO CHOICE

Pg 146 Lines 22-25 Employers MUST pay for health care for part-time employees AND their families.

Pg 149 Lines 16-24 ANY Employer w/ payroll 400k and above who does not prov. pub opt. pays 8% tax on all payroll

Pg 150 Lines 9-13 Businesses with payroll between 251k and 400k who do not provide public opt pays 2-6% tax on all payroll

Pg 167 Lines 18-23 ANY individual who doesn’t have acceptable health care according to government will be taxed 2.5% of income.

Pg 170 Lines 1-3 Any NONRESIDENT Alien is exempt from individual taxes (Americans will pay).

Pg 195 Officers & employees of HC Admin (GOVT) will have access to ALL Americans' financial and personal records.

Pg 203 Line 14-15 HC - “The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as tax.” Yes, it says that.

Pg 239 Line 14-24 HC Bill Government will reduce physician services for Medicaid. Seniors, low income, poor affected.

Pg 241 Line 6-8 HC Bill - Doctors, it does not matter what specialty you have, you’ll all be paid the same.

Pg 253 Line 10-18 Government=2 0sets value of doctors' time, prof judg, etc. Literally value of humans.

Pg 265 Sec 1131Government mandates and controls productivity for private health care industries.

Pg 268 Sec 1141 Federal Government regulates rental and purchase of power-driven wheelchairs.

Pg 272 SEC. 1145. Treatment of certain cancer hospitals – Cancer patients - welcome to rationing!

(RJ-NOTE: Much cancer treatment will not work unless implemented early, but the waiting time just to see a specialist will likely be months when this plan is implemented. As you can see in this bill, the option of the health care bureaucrat is to deny treatment to those they deem not likely to be helped by it. Watch the cancer death rate skyrocket.)

Page 280 Sec 1151 The government will penalize hospitals for what government deems preventable readmissions. (Incentives for hospital to not treat and release.)

Pg 298 Lines 9-11 Doctors that treat a patient during initial admission that results in a readmission-Government will penalize you.

Pg 317 L 13-20 PROHIBITION on ownership/investment. Government tells Doctors what/how much they can own.

Pg 317-318 lines 21-25, 1-3 PROHIBITION on expansion- Government is mandating hospitals cannot expand.

pg 321 2-13 Hospitals have opportunity to apply for exception, BUT community input required.

Pg335 L 16-25 Pg 336-339 - Government mandates establis hment of outcome based measures. Health Care the way they want. Rationing.

Pg 341 Lines 3-9 Government has authority to disqualify Medicare Advantage Plans (Part B), HMOs, etc. Forcing people into Government plan.

Pg 354 Sec 1177 - Government will RESTRICT enrollment of special needs people!

Pg 379 Sec 1191 Government creates more bureaucracy – Tele-health Advisory Committee. Health care by phone/Internet?

Pg 425 Lines 4-12 Government mandates Advance [Death] Care Planning Consult. Think Senior Citizens end of life.

Pg 425 Lines 17-19 Government will instruct and consult regarding living wills, durable powers of attorney. Mandatory!

Pg 425 Lines 22-25, 426 Lines 1-3 Government provides approved list of end of life resources, guiding you in death.

Pg 427 Lines 15-24 Government mandates program for orders for end of life. The government has a say in how your life ends.

Pg 429 Lines 1-9 An “adv. care planning consult” will be used frequently as patient's health deteriorates.

Pg 429 Lines 10-12 “adv. care consultation” may include an ORDER for end of life plans. AN ORDER from Government.

Pg 429 Lines 13-25 - The government will specify which doctors can write an end of life order.

PG 430 Lines 11-15 The government will decide what level of treatment you will have at end of life.

Mathew D. Staver*
Founder and Chairman Dean and Professor of Law
Liberty Counsel Liberty University School of Law
Offices in Florida, Virginia and the District of Columbia, Lynchburg, Virginia
(800) 671-1776 - Telephone (434) 592-5300 - Telephone
www.LC.org
www.law.liberty.edu

*Licensed in Florida and the District of Columbia

Guardian Angels

So I was looking at my things in my Etsy shop this morning thinking what can I promote and all of a sudden I saw the angel ornament and this prayer came to me. It's one that I learned as a child:

Guardian Angel Prayer-

Angel of God, my Guardian Dear. To whom God's love commits me here. Ever this day be at my side to light and guard and rule and guide. Amen

Guardian Angels. We all have one. At least that is what I believe.  Do you send your angel off on missions? I do every time my kids go someplace and I'm home safe and sound, I say, "Guardian Angel go take care of Joe or Jackie and keep them safe."  He's always on the run.  Have you ever felt the prescense of your angel? I have many times but here's a story for you.

I remember one time when I was driving on a foggy morning across a very busy highway (Route 100 at Magothy Bridge for those of you in the Dena). I was at a light and it changed green. I generally don't drive fast. I usually accelerate slowly from a light but that morning something/someone pressed the gas pedal to the floor and I flew across the double laned highway. As I just got through safely, a huge Mack truck flew through what was for him a red light. He evidentally didn't see it in the thick fog. Had I been going my usual speed I'd have been dead.

I pulled over to the side of the road. My knees where shaking. He pulled over on the highway and I'm sure he felt the same way.  I know I didn't push that pedal down. Who did? I"m sure it was my guardian angel who has been with me all my life. He's taken care of me many times but this was the most obvious.  So to my Guardian Angel, "Thank you for everything you've done for me. For keeping me safe. For going out to protect my children when I ask. For carrying my prayers and praises from my heart up to God for me. And when my time on this Earth comes to an end, for helping me to find my way to heaven."

 

The ornament is available on Etsy.com  http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27413409

 

 

 

 

Christmas in July

It's only 6 months away and I don't know about you but I start early with my Christmas shopping. Primarily because I hate going to the malls when it's so crowded but also because the later you wait the more things are picked over and you don't get exactly what you want. All the good stuff is gone early. 

Figuring that there are others like me who shop early I decided I'd run a Christmas in July sale in my Etsy shop. So this month, until July 31 I have 20% off all my handpainted PORCELAIN.  If you decide you want something before you put it in the shopping card, message me through Etsy and I will readjust the price of the porcelain on the item and move it into a section called Reserved for Customer where you can easily find it and purchase it.

Hospital Humor-I Needed This!

So yesterday, I'm at the University of Maryland Medical Center hospital with my Mom and there are two younger very hispanic looking men in there too. We walk in. They look at us. Mom says "7 Please." The one near the buttons looks at us like he didn't get what she said.

I say in Spanish, "Siete Por Favor". Looks at me and smiles. He pushes 7. I say "Gracias". Then I turn to Mom and say, "Well, that's the extent of my Spanish." The doors open. He turns laughing and says in perfect English, "Bye have a nice day."

It was like a bad sit-com but everytime I think of it I chuckle......they say laughter is the best medicine...I could use a good dose with all this going on.

ICU and a Surreal Moment in Time

This morning I was reflecting on the past 4 days at the Hospital ICU. There was one particular moment that will be forever etched in my mind and heart. At one point we were in the waiting room just talking.

There were a number of people in there. One group of people had been asked by hospital staff to come outside the room. The 3 ladies returned. One lady collapsed sobbing and uttering sounds of such pain that it tore through my heart and soul.

At that very moment the TV behind me was on and the sound of "Ave Maria" filled the waiting room. The other 2 women were holding that woman in their arms. One was praying, "Dear Jesus, hold her in your arms and give her comfort........."

It was the most moving moment I've ever experienced in my life. I said to Jackie and Jay, we need to leave and give them privacy and with that everyone in the waiting room did the same. Everyone leaving that room was in tears and at that one moment as we passed each other and looked into each others eyes, we were all drawn together feeling like one family in Christ...feeling the same pain...black or white, old or young, man or woman.

Death By Chocolate

You know I always kid and say, "Give me Chocolate or give me death". This morning I was going through the news online and came across this article. It's so sad.  I might have to rethink my quote.

Factory Worker Dies After Falling Into Vat of Chocolate    Wednesday, July 08, 2009 
 

A 22-year-old factory worker died Wednesday after he fell into a vat of boiling chocolate at a manufacturing plant in New Jersey, police said.

The Camden County prosecutor's office identified the victim as Vincent Smith II. He was a temporary worker at the Cocoa Services Inc. plant.

Smith had been in the melting pot for about 10 minutes by the time rescue crews arrived, MyFOXPhilly.com reported.

Prosecutor's spokesman Jason Laughlin says a co-worker tried to shut off the machine and two others tried to pull Smith out of the 8-foot-deep vat. He was hit and fatally injured by the agitator that mixes the chocolate.

By the time he was pulled out of the tank just after 11 a.m., he was already dead.

The plant is owned by Lyons and Sons.

The cause of the accident was not immediately known. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration was called in to investigate, MyFOXPhilly.com reported

Reflection on Life

It's been a strange week.  Three people I know lost family this week. Three celebrities lost their life this week. So I was thinking about life.  It's so fragile and we don't know how long we will be here or how long the people we love will be here.  This reminds me that every minute of every day is precious with our friends and family.  Remember to cherish those seemingly unimportant moments of life because each of those moments is precious.

You can't go back in time and spend more quality time with your loved ones. After someone leaves this earth it's impossible to say I'm sorry or I love you.  So do those things today. Say I'm sorry. Leave the grudges behind. Say I love you. Hug a little tighter. Make that kiss last a little longer.  Time is short.

 

Birds & DAWGs

 

Did you wonder what birds & dawgs have in common? Its raining and dreary and there are no birds singing this morning so I figured, I'd just find myself some! LOL...these pieces of art are by members of my Team on Etsy called, "Designing Artists Women's Group" or DAWG Team...I hope you enjoy them and maybe you'll even here their bird calls! :)

 

An ACEO by Carol Megivern...Entitled "Rose-Breasted Grosbeak". The link to the listing: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9533870

Here's an ACEO by Myrna Migala or Thanks4Lookin on Etsy. The link: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20892601 Entitled: TITLE: "Owl Love Too"

 

This is a larger piece of art by Brenda Thour. It's an original 8 x 10 oil painting.  She's known as Luvs2paint on Etsy.  The link to the piece is:http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10085867

 

 

A cute ACEO from Lisa Parker or LisaKGallery on Etsy.  It's a hummingbird at a feeder. And here's the link: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10337809

 

The next one is another miniature ACEO by Marlene Hawkins aka. Lazyhawk on Etsy. It's a Common Eider Duck.  The listing: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22053802

 

Another hummingbird ACEO. This one is BackroomTreasures on Etsy or Judy OHara.  The link: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=13065740

 

And last but not least MINE!  JYWheeler on Etsy. This is a crazy ACEO watercolor called, "You Call ME Chicken?" Here's the listing:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=10034449

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Painting is Like Eatting A Box of Chocolate

Lately I've been painting porcelain like a crazy person. For me, it's like eating chocolate. You can't eat one piece you end up eatting the whole box (well atleast I do). So I have been painting one thing after another. I've painted so much I've had a hard time getting it all up on my website.

I bought some lusters and I have been trying somethings with that...more to come on that later. Another topic for another blog.

This photo is one of a footed dresser box that I have on Etsy. It's one of my favorite new pieces. It's painted with the image of a beautiful woman, surrounded in a green background & by 24 kt. hand applied gold details. The bottom of the box is tamped with the same green color. It's 4 inches round...wonderful box for earrings, rings or whatever little things you have on your dresser.

Click here for the link to this piece of porcelain.

Yard work.....

So why is it that leaves never go away. I have raked those darn leaves at least 5 times between fall and spring each time filling a ton of bags with leaves and assorted yard wastes.  So today I go out to trim some shrubs and low and behold..........LEAVES!  Now I know the last time I raked those leaves, I ended the day thinking they all were gone...so what happened!  I know they must hang from the trees waiting for me to finish and then they gleefully drop back down.  I love trees but these days at my age I'm thinking that I should just take most of them down in the yard. It's such a job to keep up with.

 

The good news of today is that that lousy 30 year old lawn mower finally died. Hurray.....I hate that thing. It was so hard to start. I just couldn't do it myself. I'd usually get a neighbor help me with it. I may have inavertantly killed the darn thing. Glenn mentioned one of the gas containers has motor oil in it. He asked me when was the last time I put gas in it and that if someone had used the wrong container and put oil in the gas, it would have ruined the engine....so why didn't he tell me that years ago? I'd have killed it then! LOL  Now we have a NEW easy to start lawnmower.

 

Anyway so this handpainted wine glass from my etsy shop reminded me of this little story.  There's 2 in the etsy shop. Here's the link: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19995192

Motherhood: What it means to me.

Happy Mother's Day. Reflecting on what it means to be a mother, it brought to mind this tea trivet I painted. Forget me nots........I hope my children never forget me as I can never forget them. This dedicated to them.

Being a Mom to me means:

*Love: Love that is unconditional, unbounding and everlasting from the instant you are aware of that wonderful little life inside you until the end of your life and beyond the grave.

*Concern: Concern for your children's well being from the moment of conception.  Concern that sometimes means putting your child before you own needs. Which brings me to:

*Sacrifice: Sacrifice of your time and resources and sometimes even sacrificing little of yourself for the betterment of your children.

*Happiness: Happiness brought about from little things like a finger painting, a fresh picked dandelion, a homemade card, a phone call or a long tight hug. Some of my best presents were just a post it note with "I'm sorry Mom, I love you."

*Understanding: Understanding that the little life inside you will change your life. Understanding that the little baby before you will very soon be  young woman or man. Understanding that your child is an individual who isn't necessary a clone of you who deserves respect. Understanding that you need to let go sometimes, let them make their mistakes and Give God and not be judgemental. (a struggle for me sometimes).

*Courage: Courage to say no even when it means you may not be their favorite person. Courage to be their mother and not their friend.

*Teaching: Teaching them to be kind, considerate, generous, loving, to respect others, to be color blind to the human race, about God, to love God with all their being, Christian values & to stand up for what they believe in.

You know all Mom's love their children, but not all Mom's LIKE their children. I am very lucky. I LIKE my children.  I am so lucky to have them. They have grown up to be wonderful adults. Life has not always been bed of roses with them but then again if you want the roses, you have to take the thorns huh?

 

------------------

Forget Me Not Tea Trivet available in my Etsy shop...here's the link

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24205753

 

 

 

 

DAWG Spring Quest on Etsy

I need to be better at this blogging stuff. It's almost the end of April and I haven't blogged about the DAWG (Designing Artists Womens Group) Team on Etsy.  We have a spring quest going on until the end of April. All the ACEO's entered in the quest start at $4.99 a REAL bargain.

Then there is voting for people's choice....well anyway. This is my entry.

Here's the link: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23390570

It's watercolor called "The Sun WILL come out"....I guess I was having a bad day when I painted it huh?

Search for DAWG Spring Quest on Etsy.com in tags and titles.

 

 

Easter Trivia on a Rainy Day....

....it's raining, I'm bored. That means I'm on the computer surfing so here' some interesting Easter Trivia I came across...

• The name Easter owes its origin from Eastre, the Anglo-Saxon goddess who symbolizes hare and egg.


• Easter always falls between March 22 and April 25.


• Pysanka is a specific term used for the practice of Easter egg painting.


• From the very early times, egg has been considered to be the most important symbol of rebirth.


• The initial baskets of Easter were given the appearance of bird's nests.


• The maiden chocolate eggs recipes were made in Europe in the nineteenth century.


• Each year witnesses the making of nearly 90 million chocolate bunnies.


• Next to Halloween, Easter holiday paves way for confectionary business to boom.


• When it comes to eating of chocolate bunnies, it is the ears that are preferred to be eaten first by as many as 76% of people.


• In the catalogue of kids' favorite Easter foodstuff, Red jellybeans occupy top most position.

This is one of the new pieces of porcelain that I've finished and put up in my Bonanzle store.  I've been painting up a storm with special orders, gifts, and new items for my two shops.  Here's the link for this if you are interested..Mother's Day is coming up!!!!!http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/EclecticSpirit/items/Handpainted_China_Cake_Knife

Easter, Tea Bags & Recipe Cards: What do they have in common?

Today was a fun day, my friend Susan came over to paint. We had a nice chat, went to Pastore's for pizza and then painted. Susan was working on an acrylic ACEO and I was working on painting china. She's a new painter and coming along quite well. Sometime during the day I took a minute to list one of my latest china paintings.

The china painting is in the porcelain inset in the box top. Really nice wood box. Just in time for Easter (talk about last minute) it's a 4 x 6 inch lined wood box painted with a cute little Holland Lop bunny among the berries. Perfect for using as a tea box or for your favorite recipe cards.

Here's the link to the listing: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23415265

The sun will come out.....

As I was sitting here looking out the window at the foggy depressing day bummed out because of the crappy weather, I heard something. Down went the volume of the TV. The sounds of all the birds chirping away were so loud. I went to the window and opened it up.  Then it hit me. The smell. That wet musty spring morning smell.  Inspite of the dreary day, I remembered it's spring, a time when nature is renewed and comes back to life. AND after the rain and fog, the sun will come out and it will be a nice day. I just need to be patient.  I'm sure glad it's spring...............

 The photo is of a cutting board on Etsy.  Painted iwth an acrylic design on the front and unfinished on the back so it can actually be used as a cutting board.   http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21529122

Spring Sale on Bonanzle - No April Fool's!

Twenty percent off anything in my Bonanzle shop....just use the coupon code: spring

For painted porcelain, glass, decorative painting, miniature art (ACEO's) and jewelry drop by my shop. Here's some of the things available.

Http://thebonz.com/eclecticspirit

It's Spring & I'm Antsy....

...to get in the garden. The past couple of years I've just bought plants and planted them but I was thinking maybe I would try it again. I found an interesting website with 10 seed starting tips.
http://www.finegardening.com/how-to/articles/ten-seed-starting-tips.aspx

I'm totally amazed at how organized that person is. Who in the heck collects their seeds, puts them in little plastic bags and FILES THEM!

So I bookmarked the page and hopefully I too will be as organized as that woman and have nice little plants..........what's a bet they all come up and then die.....story of my life.

Oh and if you are wondering about the daisies, they are an ACEO (miniature art) watercolor, available in my etsy shop...here's the link:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13357080

Worth Repeating....Progression of China Painting

So I posted this in my blog last July and I'm thinking it would be good to repost. Hope you enjoy it.

So people always ask me how I do this. This time I took some pictures at each stage. Each piece of china is painted and fired in a kiln to a temperature of 1800 degrees multiple times. Here's some pictures of how it progresses:
Inspiration Piece
Blank china:

Design sketched in:

First Fire:

Second Fire:

Third Fire and Final Product: