Welcome 2015...

Welcome fresh new year 2015.  This is my view and I never grow tired of it.  Looking left from my front door.  Cold and crisp and sunny...what a wonderful way to begin a new day of a new year!

Looking right from my front door.  No snow and no ice yet the ground is frozen and crunches under my feet.  The pond is frozen yet crystal clear.  Such a wonder...this Winter season.

Looking to the back from my kitchen deck.  I am blessed to have this view each and every day. This will be an indoor day for me and Mr. C.  He will build a fire in the Vermont Casting stove while we have the Rose Parade showing on the tv.  To think it was just last year that we were right there on Colorado Boulevard and Orange Grove Boulevard experiencing the Rose Parade in person.
Fresh new beginnings...
Creative Bliss to all...

Farewell 2014...

As we bid farewell to 2014 Mr. C and I are also sorting through and shredding many years of tax records.  We had boxes back to 1991 for his company that we decided was time to eliminate from long term storage.  Many many hours of sorting and recycling and shredding our space feels lighter now.  You can only imagine in this world of "identity theft" threats we had to honestly read every piece of paper to be certain there was nothing easily found like social security numbers for us and former employees.  Our eyes were crossed as we plowed through box after box after box. Whew!
Now we can begin a brand new year fresh and clean.  It feels good.
2014 was an interesting year and we were able to fulfil our travel desires.  I still have yet to share parts of our amazing trip we took.  We were able to enjoy family and friends throughout the year too.
As 2015 quickly approaches I am looking forward to somehow slowing down the daily weekly monthly frantic pace and enjoying more of the daily journey we are on.  However, our calendar is already pretty full for each month and I am hoping to keep some blank spaces just for watching the clouds overhead or the leaves sprouting green on bare branches or ...well you know what I am saying. I truly hope each and every one of you wonderful blog friends have a safe and perfect celebration to ring in the New Year.  I am so grateful for all of you and this blog community we share that I know I will continue my blog and hope to share inspiration as well as Creative Bliss.  I will be reassessing what I wish to accomplish this 2015.  My annual word has not found me as of yet however I feel like one word might not be appropriate for me this new year.  I feel like my journey might require a compilation of my previous words in order for me to actually get on track with what makes me the most satisfied and happiest.  I shall be pondering this for another while.
Blessings with Peace and Joy and Love and Health for all of 2015...

Winter Card Collage...

Do you save your annual Christmas cards?  I do.  I always save mine in two assorted stacks.  The cards with wonderful winter scenes vs the other cards for crafting.  It is my dream to create a Winter Card Collage like this one in the photo.
My Dear Grandma created this many years ago.  I think it was in the 1970's by looking at the avocado green frame she used.  I have always loved this "picture".  I remember watching her cut and tear and piece the bits of cards together to create this Winter Wonderland scene.  I was entranced by how she could make it look dimensional with the aspect ratio of close and far.  How she could create a stream that flowed into a pond where skaters were enjoying fun was magical.  I keep this hanging in my studio all year right where I can see it and get inspiration from how creative Grandma truly was.  This just might be the year I sit down with those saved cards and create one for myself.  It would be fun to pass it along with Grandma's to my daughter in the future.
Our weather has been delightful.  Crisp and clear with no rain for a few days.  The ground is being able to really soak in all the moisture it has gotten recently.  Our pond is frozen over from the low 20's nighttime temperatures.
May you be enjoying these last few days of 2014.  Looking forward to a fresh beginning as 2015 arrives.  Creative Bliss will continue to be my compass.  Blessings to all and to all a good night...

Reviewing 2014 Notes...

This image is courtesy of Vintage Dragonfly whose blog is this link.  Thank you.
I am busy reviewing my notebook of this and that jotted down for various reasons throughout 2014.  I am finding so many bits of wisdom and would like to share a few.  I can only give credit to FaceBook with no name as I do not know who posted this...

"Its Impossible", said Pride.  

"Its Risky", said Experience.  

"Its Pointless", said Reason.  

"Give it a try", whispered the Heart.

Here is another bit of wisdom I noted in my little steno book...

Before you Assume, Judge the Facts.

Before you Judge, Understand Why.

Before you Hurt someone, Feel.

Before you Speak, Think.

This is the last tidbit I want to share today...

Wisdom is knowing the Right Path to take;

Integrity is taking it.

Simple little words of wisdom that I know I can do better to follow.

With 2015 approaching quickly I am truly thinking of how I want to spend my precious time every day.  Usually I choose one word to focus on for the year, however this year I am not hearing my inner voice tell me what my word might be.  Each word that comes to mind is one I have already chosen in prior years.  Hmmm...maybe I need to re-visit those and really believe I am doing my very best.  

Our weather is very chilly.  We had rain and hail but no snow Christmas Eve day.  Christmas day was sunny and very cold.  I stayed indoors except for a brisk walk down to the mail box.  

I am very grateful for each of you, my blog friends, that I have come to admire and be inspired by. Thank you very much and may we all finish out 2014 with Blessings and Creative Bliss...

Blessed Joyful Celebrations...

As Christmas approaches I am truly savoring the magic of it all.  I adore this vintage image courtesy of The Graphics Fairy.  Thank you Graphics Fairy for always sharing so generously.

This year Mr. C and I are not actively participating in Christmas decorations and events.  This photo is of last year at my daughter's home.  Mr. C was quite the trooper and he earned this year "off".  I am so thankful for being able to celebrate with my family.  This year I mailed and it is just not the same.

I was so happy to wear my Christmas apron sewn and gifted to me from my older sister.  Peeling potatoes for dinner is always something I enjoy.  My daughter at the stove behind me puts on an epic meal that leaves no one hungry.  She opens her home to family and friends and those that have no where else to be.  I am so proud of her!

Here the gang is getting ready to attack the meal.  Of course no one should be hungry for all the snacks and appetizers and treats available all day long.

This was surreal to spend Christmas morning in the sunshine filled desert before going to my daughter's also in Southern California where the sunshine continued.  This year we are home here in Northern California with very grey skies and lots of rain we desperately need.

Being the car "lover" that I am I think Santa would be styling in this awesome red sleigh.
I know this post is rather random.  I am trying my very best to celebrate this Christmas season with Joy.  May you and yours be gathering together to make memories and spend quality time celebrating all the magic that surrounds us all.  I thank each of you for sharing your beautiful decor and creations. I am very grateful for blogging and the link to friends and traditions across this great world we live in.  Today I ventured out to run some errands.  I was so thankful when I was able to return home unscathed from all the crowds and traffic.  What was I thinking?!!  Stay safe and well my friends.
Merry Christmas Blessings with Peace and Health and Joy for all of 2015...