Baby It's Cold Outside!

So for a week I was floating on a boat so to speak. My husband and I took an 8 day Caribbean which also stopped in Charleston, SC and Port Canaveral, FL during Thanksgiving week.

It was a little strange to be away on a holiday. There was no kids or grand kids, no getting up early to cook the turkey and worse of all no black Friday sales!

Click here to go to my Etsy listing.

It was nice to get away to the beautiful islands and warm weather. Then I came back to 3 days of rain and cold weather!

The cold inspired this colored pencil piece that is available in my Etsy shop.  I'm hoping it warms up a bit so that I'll be inspired to paint some of the beautiful photos I took while in the Caribbean! Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!  Today I am thankful  to God for the following...my top 10:
1) my parents, in their 80's I'm so fortunate to still have them.
2) the love of my family, especially my husband, children and grandson
3) my friends who make my life so full of laughter and fun
4) retirement...it was worth working all those years...going straight to work after high school.
5) my God given talents. They bring me such joy.
6) my health
7) that my grandparents chose to take the chance on coming to America to find the American dream
8) that I finally got the last of the wallpaper down in this house this year! wooo hooo
9) my kitties...I have 2 of the best girls in the world
10) that I have a roof over my head, food in my belly and clothes on my body....I pray for all those who do not have that...........


So what are YOU thankful for today?

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the ACEO above is no longer available.

It's Been A While....

,,,but I'm back. I am sorry I have been remiss at my blogging. LOL. Lots have been going on in my life. My beautiful daughter Jackie is getting married in January. I have been doing my Mother of the Bride duties running here and there with her. I painted 51 tea caddies and 6 teapots for her tea party bridal shower. Here's a photo of her at the shower with the little veil her maid of honor made her.


 I've also been preparing for 2 craft shows one of which is this weekend. It's a home show.I'd like to thank all my friends who have come to the 3 day show and supported us. It means a lot to me. No matter if you bought something of mine or not, just your smiling faces and compliments are a huge pick me up!  It's so tiring to be on one's feet for long days.

I have got to say my craft show buddies have done a wonderful job. Marie has the most adorable prim things. Patricia (another porcelain artist) has lovely unusual lustered ornaments. Allison's florals are top knotch. Tisha's watercolors are beautiful and her knitting is awesome. I bought the cutest little grey hat (and you know how I love hats) but that's another story.

After the craft show I will have lots of new pieces in my Etsy shop. Right now it's on "vacation" status until after this show. I want to wish all of you a Blessed Thanksgiving. And speaking of giving thanks I'd like to leave you with a prayer I found on Catholic.org:

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
We praise you and give you glory:
We bless you for calling us to be your holy people.

Remain in our hearts,
And guide us in our love and service.
Help us to let our light shine before others
And lead them to the way of faith.

Holy Trinity of love,
We praise you now and for ever.

Amen!
-----------See You SOON!

Giving Thanks.....

Today I have so much for which to thank God:

• My family: husband Glenn of 34 years, children Joe and Jackie, Mom and Dad, my brother Joe & all my extended family like my awesome cousins. I am also so fortunate to have an adorable little 4 year old grandson, Mason, who is the light of my life.

• My friends. Some are long time friends back to my school days. Others I've met through work, church or hatting or painting.  Then there are the virtual friends that I've met online through Etsy teams, Ebay, Facebook, or Twitter and never met face to face but I feel as if I've know them for years and have become an important part of my life.

• For retirement and the ability to enjoy life and to be available to help my elderly parents.  

• My health. I'm so grateful that I have been for the most part had a healthy life. 

•  Laughter. Thanks go up also for the fact that most of my life has been filled with lots of laughter. You know what they say about a spoonful of sugar!

• Creation & Nature. I'm always in awe of God whether it's a landscape view, a bug on a flower or a beautiful sunset.

• But my biggest thanks would be for LIFE. Thank you God for putting me on this Earth so that I am able to enjoy all these things and those who are important to me.

And so today I pray:

Father in Heaven, Creator of all and source of all goodness and love, please look kindly upon us and receive our heartfelt gratitude in this time of giving thanks.

Thank you for all the graces and blessings. You have bestowed upon us, spiritual and temporal: our faith and religious heritage. Our food and shelter, our health, the love we have for one another, our family and friends.

Dear Father, in Your infinite generosity, please grant us continued graces and blessings throughout the coming year.

This we ask in the Name of Jesus, Your Son and our Brother. Amen.

Moment of Thankfulness

"give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Inspite of the personal nightmare of the week, I have so much to be thankful for:
1) That my Dad is still with me.

2) That there was no fluid around the heart.3) That the heart had no blockages and that the bypass graphs were working great.
4) That there was no significant fluid around the lungs.
5) That all the hospital staff at both hospitals were so caring, loving and highly competent.

6) That the doctors could control this with medication.
7) That my brother was here the whole week to help and support me.
8) That the horrible cold I had over the past couple of weeks was gone this week.
9) That Dad's doctor is on the ball and takes no chances.
10) That again, I was able to learn the lesson that it's in God's time not mine.
11) For the intercessory prayers of  the Blessed Mother and St. John Newman.

12) And finally, for all the wonderful friends and family who prayed for him and gave us love and support

Yummmmmmm

It's almost Thanksgiving and I can almost taste the pumpkin pie.......but I'll have to buy mine because I'm not such a great cook/baker. I paint better than I cook so I'll (for now) have to make due with this.....watercolor and ink ACEO entitled "Yum"
available on Ebay as an auction.

Here's the Auction Link....click here