HELP THE DENVER KITTIES

~DONATE TO WIN~

Would you like a chance to win a folk art doll from Wonders of Whimsy and help save some kittens lives at the same time? Here is your chance. She is offering these two hand made items up for a raffle. It will cost $1 per chance to win. GO TO allycat-rescue.blogspot.com for more details.

Drawing will take place January 31st, 2009

Please help my friend Jenny, (Angel of the Denver Alley Cats-I call her) to raise money to save the stray kitties in her neighborhood. You may even win one of her beautiful hand crafted dolls!

Happy New Year Everyone!!

Here are a couple of Pics from my family Christmas party last night! The first one has my daughters (the two with the longer blonde hair) and three of my nieces showing off their new hats from Grandma.

The second pic is of my sisters, Susan, Kerry, and Jennifer watching my mom look at a new bird identification book. It was really neat because every bird had a number to push on the side and then it plays that bird's song.

The star cupcakes are a tradition in my family. My mom always makes them and lights a candle for all the kids to sing happy birthday to Jesus!

The fourth picture is of my dear parents opening Mizzou University Tiger themed gifts from my daughter, Tara.

The last picture is our poor kitty, Snickers, wondering when the heck all the noisy people were going to go home! My little home was bursting at the seams with family, but it was so much fun and we all had a great time. I am a bit worn out today, to say the least. It is time to get back to "regular life" now.

I thought I would post a different picture for a change. This little tree is in my parlor. I am busy today getting ready to have my family over for our Christmas tonight. I have lots of food to prepare! My dad is making his yummy sliced cold mustard pork loin with capers. It is delicious. I am making lots of other things including marinated jumbo shrimp..mmmm. I try to have mostly non-dairy items because my little nephew, Anthony (Nino)--(Jennifer of Hot Tamale Art Studio's baby) is severely allergic to all dairy. The chocolates will be whisked out of my candy dishes and replaced with candy canes and marshmallow stars--things that are safe for him! Have a wonderful day. I will try to remember to take pictures of the fam tonight!

Historic St. Charles, Missouri

Well here are the same kids from the last post, in the same order, but about 12 years later! We had a wonderful time over the weekend in historic Old Town St. Charles, Missouri. You can't tell from this photo, but the streets and shops were all aglow with twinkling lights. There were carolers, and historical Christmas figures in costume, like the characters from Charles Dickens. There were people roasting and selling chestnuts on the street corners. We shopped for little trinkets and antiques and then went out to dinner. It was so much fun. We have been enjoying the warmth of the fire at home, listening to Christmas music, and baking and eating cookies! I am happy to say that all my shopping is finally done and we are relaxing as we wait for Santa! After Christmas the hustle and bustle will return because I am hosting my family's Christmas on Saturday. There will be 22 of us (my parents, sisters and their families) exchanging gifts. I am still working on the menu which will be finger foods since I can't seat us all at once. I'm sure the wine will be flowing and a good time will be had by all!

I just came across this old photo on my computer. I'm guessing it is from about 12 years ago, but it is one of my favorite Christmas pictures. Life was really crazy when my kids were at those ages! But fun! I hope all my artist friends are enjoying a bit of a break, like I am! We had snow (ice) days off of school today and yesterday. I have been making the most of it, baking and wrapping like a mad woman with Laura's help--(her community college is out already)! Jordan is busy studying for finals. Two more days until my oldest comes home from college! Yippee! She won't let me watch all those sappy Christmas movies until we can all watch them together. We always watch, Miracle on 34th Street, Meet Me In St. Louis (The kids laugh while I cry when Judy Garland sings have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas), It's a Wonderful Life ( another tear jerker for poor old menopausal Mom), White Christmas, Holiday Inn, Christmas Story, A Child's Christmas In Wales (this one is little known but WONDERFUL!) Now we will have lots of cookies to munch on while we watch them!!

Snow Bunnies

This painting, Snow Bunnies, will only be listed for three days. I am doing this short auction in case someone wants to purchase it for a Christmas gift! That way they can get it in time for gifting. This may be my last offering before the holidays, unless I relist a couple that didn't sell. I am going to take a little painting break so I can get some other things done---like wrapping, baking, shopping, and spending time with my family watching all those sappy Christmas movies! ha ha I also have two parties to go to this weekend. yaaay! I will be in touch though! Have a great weekend!

~Spreader of Love Award~

~Spreader of Love Award~

Wow, this very special Spreader of Love Award was given to me by the very talented and sweet Jenny of Wonders of Whimsy! Thank you so much. It has taken me a while to post because my dear son has had full reign of the computer this week due to lots of "end of the semester" projects.

Anyway, here are the rules.

1. Post a Copy on your Blog.
2. Mention who gave you the award.
3. Pass the award on to 6 others.
4. Leave a message on their blog letting them know the award has been
bestowed upon them.

There are so many spreaders of love out there in Blogland! The following ladies are always offering support to other artists in our world~~~Love and hugs to them today;

Tracy at Vintage Sister
Leticia at Regalo
Gina at Cat Nap Inn Primitives
Jennifer at Crooked Needle Primitives
Amy at Heart of a Seed
Shay at Old Country Peddlar

If you are too busy to pass it on, I understand! Just know that you are all loved and have a wonderful weekend!

Hello Everyone! I finally received the extra deep canvases I have been waiting to paint on this week. They are 1 1/2" deep and look so chunky and neat. Another thing I like about them is that even though I put a sawtooth hanger on the back, these paintings are deep enough to stand upright by themselves.

As you can see, I painted a sleepy kitty surprised to wake and find a Christmas elf snuggled up beside him. The other elf is equally surprised and very worried indeed! The next one is a beautiful angel holding a kitty friend. I experimented with some texture things on this one. It has an interesting puddled finish and the colors are vibrant! The third one is "Snow Day". Were there any words that brought more joy when you were a school aged child? This one has a crackle finish with lots of sparkle rubbed in!

I have another busy weekend ahead. Tomorrow morning I will be volunteering for Santa's Breakfast at the preschool where I work. After that, I hope to get some Christmas shopping knocked out and go out to eat tomorrow night. Yaay! We hardly ever do that. Hopefully, Sunday I will catch up on housework and maybe do another painting. Have an wonderful weekend!

Colorful Christmas

Although I love snow, Christmas isn't all about snow, especially in other parts of the world! I couldn't resist painting this bright and colorful Christmas Frida picture. This is a 4"X5"X.75" stretched canvas and the cheerful poinsettias continue around the sides of the painting. I listed it on Ebay yesterday if you would like to check it out. I would love to see a place where poinsettias grow naturally! I bet that is beautiful.