Farewell 2011...Hello 2012...

 As I bid farewell to 2011 I am reminded of all that transpired this past year.  All in all it was a pretty good year for me.  I am grateful for my husband who supports me in all my endeavors even when I don't follow through like I thought I would do.  I am grateful for my daughter and granddaughters who always keep me on my toes as a mother and grandmother...a lifelong challenge I wouldn't trade.  I am thankful for discovering this blogging medium that I embrace and the wonderful friends I have made and for all they share so generously of their talents and handmade treasures.  Life is good and I am blessed.  Even the trials of this past year have been weathered.  Getting sick on vacation and for the holidays is not fun but I will get well.  Saying goodbye to my beloved Sasha BooBoo kitty after 18 years was the hardest and worst experience and I still miss her every moment, however I know she is in a better place and not suffering.
So in my reflecting over this past year and preparing for the new year to come in a few short hours I was thinking of how I will grow and experience all that is possible.  In 2010 I chose to have a word that helped me be a better person..."FOCUS". I still use that as a learning tool and it has definitely made me aware of so much more each day.  In 2011 I chose the word..."NOW".  As in don't put off til later...do it now.  I can honestly say that this has really been extremely helpful to me this year.  Such a little word but so powerful!
Now as I enter into 2012 I wanted to select a word that would once again mean more to me and help me be that much better everyday.  Hmmm...

 Calm is one of the words I pondered.  I could really benefit from learning to remain calm in situations I cannot change.  Somehow this little word just wasn't what I was really looking for to guide me through an entire year. 

 Magic is a favorite word of mine.  I believe in all things (including Santa and such) and feel that if one has a touch of magic in their lives then they live with a sparkle of happiness over and above the normal.  After all I am a Disneyland child.

And then my word appeared...PLAY.  I am always so responsible and cautious and afraid of everything and mothering everyone to take care of them.  I need to give myself permission to PLAY.  When I looked in my dictionary...yes I still have a print dictionary that I refer to many times...my new word has quite the coverage in the pages of words.  Well!  I like this word and feel it will serve me well through 2012.   

Do you still have a printed actual dictionary in your home?  I was thrilled for my 13th birthday when I received my gift and opened it to find a real Webster's dictionary.  I would read it for hours on end at night when I should have been sleeping.  You see my mother would play Scrabble with me and my sisters and of course she would always win...we were only 8-13 years old after all.  So you can see why I was so happy to get my own dictionary and study it to learn words I could PLAY on that Scrabble board. 
Hmmm...FOCUS - NOW - PLAY.  Sounds like a reward after two years of learning to improve myself.  Hello 2012 and all that you offer for me to experience and learn and achieve.
On a global note...I wish for world peace...why can't people just get along and be happy!  Oops...sounds like my Disneyland fairy tale world I love.
Healthy and Happy and Blissful and Creative New Year to each and everyone...

Counting My Blessings...

This is the time of year that so many of us here in the US have much to be thankful for. 
We celebrate Thanksgiving with copious amounts of turkey, gravy, rolls, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, cranberry relishes, pumpkin pie, apple pie, pecan pie and lots of whipped topping...just to name a few dishes. 
We spend time with family and friends around large tables and in front of televisions watching the Macy's Day Parade and yards of football.  Sometimes a nap is in order...too much food I'm sure.
This is a great time to reflect on all that we are thankful for.  My list is long and I am truly grateful for so much.  I will keep my thoughts to myself at this time and know that I am sincerely fortunate for so many things and people in my life. 
A very Happy Thanksgiving to all my US blogging friends...

Birthday Gifts...

Happy Birthday Sisty.  Mr. C's sister is celebrating a milestone birthday in just a few days and we won't be together to celebrate it.  We live quite a distance apart and this is such a busy time of year.  Independent of Mr. C honoring her day I made Sisty this Origami Pouch in some beautiful fall fabrics with golden highlights shimmering throughout. 

I also put together this necklace and earrings set which utilizes the new acrylic beads that are super lightweight and very popular right now.  I am showing these because Sisty has received them and no surprises will be spoiled. 
My little studio has been quite busy lately as I am certain each of you have been.  This time of year can get so overloaded so easily and so quickly that it is important to stop and take a break from the hectic and just be grateful for even the smallest of things.  I am grateful for having my wonderful sister-in-law in my life.  I am also grateful for my family and my youngest granddaughter who is having a birthday this month.  Happy Birthday Amy.  I have so much to be grateful for and I feel very blessed. 
Now we interrupt this calm to get back to being busy and productive. 
Wonderful week ahead...

Ahhh...August...

This is typical of me.

August is my very favorite month of the year and always has been since I was a little girl. I understand it isn't polite to chose favorites however I cannot help myself. You see I am an August born child/woman. When I was growing up my birthday was never special because there was no school in August so no classroom party for me with cupcakes like the other kids. I did get to celebrate my birthday in the mountains at our family cabin. That was my very favorite place to be. We sisters got to go for walks and play all day in the meadow and the stream. We climbed a "giant" boulder and slid down until our shorts had no fabric covering our bottoms. We walked to the little store and bought nickel candy and ate it whenever we wanted. We spent hours in the local library reading and loving books. I used to practice the fancy "symbols" in the Japanese alphabet...of which I know nothing about. I merely loved copying those beautiful strokes. We played Scrabble in the evenings with our mom. She always won so at night I would sneak the dictionary from the bookshelves and read it in my feather bed with a flashlight so I could play better. We went for nature hikes and walked everywhere. Back in those days there was very little fear of letting kids be kids and free to play outdoors with no supervision. Life was simpler back then.
Another reason August is my favorite month is that my one and only daughter was born just 20 days before my birthday. So we celebrate our month together. She is a Leo and I am a Virgo but that doesn't keep us apart. :o)
August is also my favorite because it is Summer and I love Summer! The heat doesn't bother me and it helps that I live in the foothills where it is at least 10 degrees cooler than other places. Of course don't ask me about winter and snow which I detest. When I was younger August also meant going to the fair which I used to love doing. Our family was big on fairs and traveled to many up and down the state. My mother would make all of us matching gingham dresses and a shirt for dad. She said that way if one of us girls got lost people would at least know to match us up with the rest of the family wearing gingham. Too funny!
August was also the last freedom before going back to school for another year. Not my favorite thing growing up. I did always like getting new crayons and to this day I treat myself to a new box of Crayola crayons each year. Something about the smell and feel of a brand new crayon. I also just bought new yellow pencils and some new glue sticks. Some habits are hard to break and why should I when I use these supplies every day.
If you have a favorite month which one is it and why?
I think it is time for me to go and eat some ice cream for you see it is still my favorite food even at this point in my life.
Awesome August Summer Smiles to all...

Farewell July...

Farewell July as we end another wonderful Summer month of perfect weather and lots of outdoor activities. Time spent with family and friends enjoying good conversation, fun and food.

This is probably the last thing I made in July. My friend Cindy lost her cell phone and had to get a new one. She was sad because along with her phone she lost her charm I had made for her. So without hesitation I have made her a new one for her new phone. I know it isn't exactly like the previous one but I do think she will like this one even better.

This time I incorporated her favorite...a dragonfly bead. I still had to add a heart charm as that speaks to how dear she is. I shall give it to her this week when we see one another.

As for July...I didn't experience Christmas in July like others celebrated with handmade gifts. I have been thinking ahead to gift making and am always preparing. Maybe I shall celebrate Christmas in August...we shall see.

Mr. C and I have been working in the yard...still cleaning up and repairing from last winter's devastation and of course preparing for this upcoming winter. I shall take some photos and share with you our progress.

May each of you have a fantastic amazing August. I know I will...

Sister Reunion...

Here we are...four sisters.
Two sisters were not able to join us.
We got together for the day after sister Renee drove over 500 miles one way to spend a week with me in my home.
Sister Joyce took the train and sister Marie picked her up and drove them 75 miles to visit.
We spent a wonderful day together at my home. Lots of chatting, laughing, and eating...to keep up our strength.
Thank you sisters for a day of bonding and keeping the love flowing. It is always bitter sweet to say goodbye and not know when we will get together again.

Family Time...

I just love this photo of an unknown (to me) little girl. I have posted this before and unfortunately know not where I came across it so no credit is given...however, thank you. Somehow I relate so much to this little girl sitting patiently. I always wonder what she is thinking...

For me today is about the last minute cleaning and grocery shopping for you see company is coming. The fresh flowers are set out in the guest quarters. All appears ready for a nice relaxed visit. I will be welcoming my sisters as we have a reunion of sorts this weekend.

We may take a walk along the NID canal and do some laughing and chatting...

We may stroll through the back yard and do some remembering. Maybe we will sit by the pond and blow some bubbles and tell more stories.

We will definitly do some eating and reminiscing.

So if I am quiet on the blogging scene I shall be the noisy one in sister family time. I have always been the noisy one who gets shushed a lot.

I look forward to seeing my sisters and getting to visit. Let us hope "family dynamics" have taken a far away cruise and won't be here this week. As I age I find time with family is so very precious. Let nothing spoil this time together. Lets laugh and cry and share our love together.

May you each have a wonderful weekend...

Please be safe in the extreme heat some of you are experiencing. Keep hydrating...

Now I am off to finish up the last details...

Happy Mother's Day...

Happy Mother's Day.

A mother does not come with an instruction manual.

She comes with a heart filled with love for the baby that is growing inside of her.

No matter what her circumstances she only wants the best for her tiny child.

She does the very best she knows how to do and hopes that her little child grows up to be a wonderful human being.

I am such a mother.

I gave birth to a beautiful little girl.

My very own precious daughter.

I tried to teach her all that is good and right.

I am a very proud mother as my little daughter is now a grown adult with two daughters of her own. And now I am a proud grandmother too.

Happy Mother's Day.

This lovely gift box was sent to me from my daughter who lives too far away for a visit in person. I shall enjoy a picnic with the yummies that she sent. The mother daughter bond and the love we share is worth more than all the riches in the world.

Happy Mother's Day...

Walking Down Memory Lane...

Here I am Walking Down Memory Lane on Memory Lane Monday that Miss Donna began a few months ago. This photo hangs on my "Rogue's Gallery" wall. I don't exactly know why but I like this photo. Then again this photo makes sad and happy at the same time.
I am the older sister pulling the wagon. I am about seven years old. My sister in the back of the wagon is 4 years younger than me so she is about 3 here. My sister in the front of the wagon is 12 months and 12 days younger than her sister so that makes her about 2 in this photo. That is a bottle hanging from her mouth.
I never look at this photo without thinking and feeling WAIF. We look like such waifs that are orphaned with no one to take care of us. All our worldy goods are on our backs...clothes that are very much hand-me-downs and definitely do not have any fancy designer labels. Marie has her bottle...and she is not letting go of it. Joyce and I each have a balloon. I am not certain why I would have a balloon because I really dislike balloons. Not in general but just for me personally. I don't like how they pop at any unknown moment. I don't like blowing them up because it hurts my head. I really don't like how balloons make your hands smell! Something like rubber which I dislike also.
We three sisters each have the same haircut but I can remember mine got a permanent. Oh how I really hated those days. Some woman cutting your hair when all you wanted was the long hair you had before she started. Then she would pull it and wrap it way too tightly around some little rod contraption until your entire head looked like you could receive radio transmissions. Uh-Oh...now comes the smelly stuff that always made me think I would pass out after throwing up! My poor eyes would water so badly that it looked like I was crying. My mother would be right there telling me to sit still and behave. How rude!!! I was being poisoned and she was happy about it. :o) Then the big heavy dome of heat that would burn your entire head but you sat under it until the hairdresser lady was done looking at her magazine or talking (gossiping) or maybe cutting some one elses hair too short. Whew! I am done with that torture and now I look like a frizzed out poodle. Not the look I ever wanted or enjoyed. What was my mother thinking? She had very long beautiful smooth hair that she braided in one very long queque down her back. No perms or hair salons for her. Why me? YUCK!
Life was simpler back in the olden days. I can attest to that. It is not often, if ever, that you see kids playing with a wagon on a sidewalk.
I love old black and white photos. It leaves your mind open to creatively color the images. To imagine what time of year it might be and what color the leaves on the trees might look like. Did I match my clothing or wear whatever was in the "play" clothes stack. We wore a dress to school and then came home and changed into play clothes. Do kids even do this anymore? Is this old REX wagon red? I love red wagons. In fact Mr. C has a red wagon that he used for hauling batteries and tires when he was racing cars and I will not let him throw that rickety old wagon away. I think some sub-contractor even ran into it with his truck but I won't let it go. We use it around the property and it resides in the garden house. Nope, cannot throw it away while I can still enjoy the memories of red wagons and childhood with my sisters.
Life was simpler back in the fifties.
Thank you for letting me share some of my memories with you.
I hope you get out some of your old photos and enjoy going down memory lane this week...

Bunny to Bunny...

Hello Bunny to Bunny:

What are you doing today?

I am enjoying a day of rest while family and friends celebrate Easter.

It is pouring rain so I know everyone will be indoors and staying dry and warm.

Happy Easter to you. And Happy Easter to you too.

Happy Easter Weekend...

May you have a beautiful and meaningful Easter.
Celebrating with family and friends.

Enjoying what you like to do.

Making memories that last forever.

A very Happy Easter to Everyone.

Generations of Memories...

Here it is Monday March 28, 2011 and I am participating in Memory Lane Monday via Brynwood Needleworks post. This is done the last Monday of each month and this is the first time I have been able to participate. I have always been very sentimental and when Donna came up with this idea I just knew it was for me too. Mr. C is always aware that if I begin to look through old photos I am "going down memory lane". The same thing happens when I am supposed to be cleaning or organizing...I end up "going down memory lane". Now there is nothing wrong with this except I get side-tracked and never complete whatever task I was on. :o) This photo above is a treasured black and white I have framed and hanging on my family gallery wall. It is a four generation photo which includes my Great Grandmother in the center back. I really never knew her unfortunately. I only remember that she had diabetes and back in those days her doctor told her to eat five (5) bunches of fresh parsley per day. As a child I thought that was horrible. Now I wonder if it was a smart healthy prescription. Facing the photo on the left is my Grandmother. I just love her so much and she was probably the most valuable influence on my life still to this day. On the right side is my mother at 24 years of age. I have always heard how beautiful she was. Growing up as a girl you didn't think of your mother as beautiful. And of course mom is holding me the fourth generation in this photo. Oh how I would cherish having that little dress now. See there is the sentimental me. I have always adored this photo and been so grateful to have possession of it. Now for this home-taken photo...what a rogues gallery this is. Here we have five (5) generations all together. On the left as we face the photo is my mother. Then I am the tall one with my eyes closed. Next to me is my Grandmother...getting shorter as life progresses. Next is my daughter the young and beautiful skinny one. My daughter is holding her daughter and our five (5) generations are complete. As the years pass it is so rewarding to have such a photo. If we were to take a multiple generation photo now it would only be three (3) generations. Me, daughter and granddaughter...granddaughters as there are two (2) lovely girls my daughter has. Maybe we should schedule this photo and make it a priority for the future generations to come. You do know that I will continue looking at old photos and "going down memory lane". Thank you Donna for such a great avenue to share and reminisce. Can you figure out the decade or year by the way we were dressed in each of these photos? Funny how old and how young I feel at the same time while writing this post. May you enjoy the past, present and the future...be it through memories, actuality or dreams...

Following My Own Words...

As I read my very own recent post I realize it is so easy to say, "relax and enjoy the season". Fortunately I am following my own words and I truly am relaxing and enjoying this wonderful magical holiday season. I took some overview photos yesterday at my very favorite place to go.

This is the conservatory at High Hand Nursery in Loomis California. It is a wonderful place to visit and have breakfast, lunch or dinner. Shop for plants, accessories or fine gallery art pieces.

I was enjoying a very nice long relaxing lunch with my dear girlfriends. We were also exchanging our holiday gifts with one another. No rush, no pressure, no stress...just geniune friendship and laughter and sharing.

This is a large pointsettia blossom that sat on our table in this tiny little pot. I was entranced by the beauty of this simple blossom. The decorated trees in the previous photos are redwoods and are so beautiful with the simple red ornaments and small white twinkle lights adorning them. The hanging pointsettias are huge and so amazing.

So, do I naturally not have stress in this hectic time of the year? No.

I am truly working at being able to enjoy.

Am I behind on everything including personal and holiday? Yes.

However, I am finding it isn't the end of the earth if something is not getting done and must wait until another day, week or month.

I am enjoying my family, friends, and everything involving Christmas.

I do hope you are enjoying your favorites things too.

B R E A T H E and enjoy...

Part of a Treasury...

Dear sweet faerymoongoddess has included my fabric wrist cuff in her beautiful new treasury which you can view by clicking here. I wanted to post her beautiful treasury in it's complete glory however my blogging skills are still not enough. I keep learning as much as I can. :o)

Please give her a visit and see all the lovely items she makes and shares.

On another note...

Are you completely busy at this time of year? Running errands for the usual groceries, gasoline, dry cleaning, laundry and such along with wrapping gifts, delivering gifts, mailing gifts, writing Holiday cards and mailing them. Getting together with friends and family as often as possible? This is definitely a very busy time for so many of us. This year I am choosing to do a lot less of the errands and chores and more of the quality time with family and friends. Yes, the gifts are much less but the sentiment is much deeper and more meaningful. Oh I am certainly helping the economy and doing more than my fair share of spending but much smarter this year. I am really enjoying my time as I stop and smell the "pointsettias", watch the lights twinkle, see the glitter sparkle and simply enjoy this amazing time of our year.

Take a deep breath, sip your favorite tea or cocoa or beverage and truly be in the moment.

Now I am happy to get back to my creating...

Warm & Plentiful Thanksgiving...

Do you see this wonderful wooden chair with all of it's character?
Well come sit down a spell.
I am certain you will enjoy your Thanksgiving so much more if you take a break, breathe and enjoy the sights and sounds and smells of this wonderful day of giving thanks for family, friends and food.
May each of you celebrate in your own special way and have a warm and plentiful Thanksgiving.
Happy eating...

Vacation 2010...

Anticipation, excitement, explore...

Plan, prepare, pack...

Travel, experience, eat...

Exhaustion, overload, frustration...

Visiting, relaxing, enjoying...

Mr. Createology's sister on her lakefront property living the dream.

We had a wonderful time with Sisty and Tom and we enjoyed our visit.

However...

It is so good to be home, safe and in our own bed.

Cherry day to you...

Cherry day to you...or I should say cheery day to you.

A card I made and sent to someone just because.

The cherry paper inspired the button cherries with the ribbon stems.

A glitter butterfly just because they bring happiness.

Time spent happily creating.

I do hope it brought a smile to the face of the recipient.

I would like to say thank you to everyone who is reading my blog and commenting. I think I am seriously addicted to reading any comments I may get. I learn from them.

I also get to know you and appreciate your blogs and what you create.
I feel so very blessed to be able to make the things I enjoy, give them to family and friends, and share them with all of blogland.

Each day I think of what I might post and decide if it is something interesting or helpful or entertaining. I have varied tastes and follow lots of interesting blogs that have hugely differing venues and find I learn from each of them.

Focus? My focus is merely to enjoy life and be happy. I am energized by people and events. I am fulfilled by those who appreciate who I am and what I do. I am so grateful for the family and friends I have and enjoy so much.

What fuels your creative happiness?

Happy creating...

Happy Mother's Day...

A very Happy Mother's Day today.

I am truly blessed with one daughter and two granddaughters.

We have a wonderful family relationship.

This fun and fabulous set of very pretty boxes is my gift from my daughter. I will be enjoying some yummy pears and nibbles. Aren't these colors super cheery and bright. She just knew I would love the boxes and be able to upcycle them after the fruits and treats are long gone. How very clever of her to know me and what I like. :o) Thank you honey.

May each and every one of you have a very wonderful day and spend it the best way possible.

Having fun...

These are my newest shoes and socks. My SS (Soul Sister) Lorraine gave me these super fun socks in my Christmas stocking and I saved them for just the right time to wear. As for my shoes well my Sister Marie has the best shopping radar on the planet. We were at Nordstroms Rack and I was so overloaded I gave up looking when Marie said, "Sherry what about these they look like you?". Needless to say I put them on and wore them out of the store after paying for them of course. They are super comfortable and very much me! Thank you Lorraine and Marie. I feel like Alice in Wonderland with this look. LOL

Here is my Week #12 Creative Cue. The word of the week was RICH. I had lots of things come to mind however I wanted to wait until I processed each of them for a few days. Money is of course one thought...not for me as I am not rich and do not think I shall ever be so in this lifetime. I am a visual and touchy-feely person so I kept coming back to the colors and texures that I love and use in my daily creative endeavors. However, the most important RICH any of us can have is family and friends (with health coming close behind). I did not want to print pictures of these numerous persons and share them so I merely gave mention. In my heart and soul I know how incredibly RICH I am for all of my wonderful family and my numerous friends I am fortunate enough to have.

What is something you would classify as RICH? Maybe your favorite flavor or taste of something?

Merry Christmas...

May you each enjoy today as we wind down to celebrate Christmas Eve. Some will gather with family and some with friends to share this joyous time. Eat, drink and be merry.

Tomorrow may you be overjoyed with your gifts. May you have food a plenty. Make lots of family traditions and memories to last a lifetime and beyond.

A very Merry Christmas to all.