Changing Priorities

No more parties on New Year's Eve for  me. Forget the  fancy clothes, the fireworks, the ball drop and the champagne. I have other priorities.

I'd rather be home with my grandchildren watching Shrek, eating ice cream, blowing our little horns and hitting the sack by 8 pm.

I must be getting old...or maybe I'm just getting wise. 

Happy New Year!

After Christmas Sale

January 3-22, my Etsy Team, Folkart and Prims (FAAP) is having a sale!  I'm looking forward to finding some great bargains!

Search AFTERXMASFAAP on Etsy to find the sale items or check out our E-catalogue. If you are on Facebook, join our FAAP Marketplace!

What a View

So today I went with the DH (today's meaning-Darling Husband) to one of his coworker's open house. Steve had knocked down his house and rebuilt it.

His house is on the water in Baltimore County. It has a killer view.

As I sat talking and mostly listening to his coworkers and their wives, I couldn't help day dreaming from time to time as I enjoyed the view.

Available on Etsy

On the way home we were going over the Key Bridge and the sunset was just amazing. I was thinking as I snapped the photo it might be an inspiration for an alcohol ink painting at some point like the print to the right.

Mason the Safety & the Maryland State Flag

Acrylic on wood. Available in my Etsy Shop

Mason, my grandson, is back in school. Can't believe he is in 5th grade. He applied to be a Safety this year and was thrilled to be chosen as the Flag Safety. That means every day he puts up and takes down the American Flag and the Maryland State Flag.

We had a big discussion about the Maryland State Flag and how to remember which way was up. I told him the  right corner should have the cross that goes up to Heaven, like Jesus did. I googled it and showed him how it should look.  So the day before yesterday before he takes the flag down, he runs up to my car and say's "Granny Jo look at the flag." I almost spit out my coke. He had it upside down!!!

I told him so but he said that one of the teachers told him that when he put it the way I told him that it was incorrect. I told him, I knew my flag. I worked 35 years for the State of MD and that was one of my pet peeves!  So yesterday he runs out to the car pointing to the flag and I gave him a thumbs up because it was correct.

Mason said the teacher told him again  it was wrong again and instead of being diplomatic, he told her she should google it because Granny Jo worked for the State for 35 years and it's her pet peeve.

Well if this apple box doesn't sell I just might have to give it to her as an apology at the end of the year.

Tomorrow is Fall Ya'll

Luster China Paints

Raised Enamel China Paint

It's hard to believe that summer is over! Soon the tree leaves will be changing colors and the next thing you know there will be no leaves on the trees.

I am not happy about putting away my flip flops until next year but I have mixed emotions. I love the crisp fresh air of fall and the beautiful colors in the trees. 

Then again winter, everything looks so cold and stark. But all of that gives me something to look forward to...summer returning and the return of my beloved flip flops!

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Note: both of the items above are available in my Etsy shop. Click the photo to go to the listing.

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!

Welcome Fall

The temperatures are noticeably cooler in the morning and the days are getting shorter and shorter...Welcome Fall!

I'm not looking forward to raking the 50 bags of leaves that come with it. What a work out! Last year I left some in a grassy area and the grass died. I won't get lazy again.

The decorations are up and the DH (Darling Husband) can't wait to do his Halloween theme thing. But for how, it's happy pumpkins and scarecrows!

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Still Life, Oil on Canvas adhered to metal plaque.  

Available on Etsy:   Click Here for Link to Etsy Listing