Winter's friend

I went in search of Winter's friend.    I didn't go far.   She had paid us a visit overnight covering the land in white.

 

Each branch was iced with delight.

 

Great blankets of down lay all around.

I soon spotted that others had come to greet this visitor as well.   They appeared glad for her magical spell.

Winter has many friends but the purest I know is the one called snow.


Thanks for stopping by.  Hope you enjoyed meeting my winter friend!   God Bless. 

Glory to God in the highest...

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearbye, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid.   I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people.   Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.   This will be a sign to you.   You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."

Luke 2:8-14 (NIV)

 

I am wishing all my dear blogging friends a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

God Bless each and every one of you - all of you are so dear to me.   You all have given me a priceless gift - yourselves.    See you in the New Year!

weeping and great mourning

  "When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.   Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: "A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more."   Matthew 2:16-18 (NIV)


                         This too is a time of weeping and great mourning - won't you join me as I look up for all those who are grieving in Newtown, Conn. tonight.

Gifts

 This being the season for gifts I've been searching for the perfect prize.   Something special that would bring a smile to a loved one's face.    

  With every passing year it seems to become more of a challenge for me.   I listen for clues throughout the year but often times by Christmas it has already been purchased.

 

Wrapping a few packages last evening it came to me that perhaps the greatest present I can give is my time.

 

For example this afternoon we gathered at Mom and Dad's.  It has become a tradition  in our family to take a Sunday afternoon in December to help decorate their tree .    My brother strings the lights and makes certain they are in good working order.  Then the rest of us help hang the ornaments and look for bare spots that need attention.

We usually have pizza and snacks and enjoy each other's company.

 

My folks are aging and their needs are not centered so much on things but on what truly matters...time.  Time with family, time to remember, time to listen,  and time for understanding.

 

I think my Christmas list will be easily finished now - I know what to give at last...my time!

 

 

Hope all of you find the perfect gift to give.   God Bless!

Life cast a shadow...

Life cast a shadow this week.   It made us very sad . 

We loved her too much though to not let her go.   She brought us joy and for that we will always be grateful.    Sleep well my sweet one. 

Cardinals

The cardinals are frequent visitors since the weather has turned colder.  They love cracked corn.

I have so many favorite birds but the flash of  red on the wing always catches my attention.  The female is not as striking but she has her own special beauty as well.   Often times they come to feed in pairs.

Since they are Ohio's state bird they are quite common here all year round.  

 

I finally finished the above painting this week.  Wish I could say the same for my shopping.

 

This Santa may not be coming down anyone's chimney unless she gets busy soon.

Hope you all have a blessed week.

 

It is beginning to look a lot like...

It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Time is ticking away and only 19 more shopping days remain.   I need to check my list twice to see who has been naughty or nice.    Then hurry to fill the stockings for little Nell!

 

 

Here is someone trying to be good!   Hmm - maybe he deserves some catnip.  Think I can find his present in my herb garden - best check it out.

 

Hope all of you are enjoying  Decking the Halls 

                                                                  Good night and God Bless!

A new technique

  I tried a new technique this weekend.   I had read about an artist spraying her drawing with workable fixative.  She used it to preserve her lines under masking.  

 

 

 To experiment I did a small drawing of a cardinal.   When it was completed I used Krylon's fixative.  Then left it to sit for about 15 minutes before applying Miskit. 

 

  After the mask was no longer tacky watercolors were poured into the background.   When they were completely dry I removed the resist .  The drawing had remained totally intact.

 

 

    

 Will certainly use this technique again in the future.  

If any of you have a tip that works well I would love to hear it.

Hope you all have a wonderful week-end .

Thanks for stopping by.