". Arranged Words: 2018

21 Dec 2018

All Is Bright


My Christmas list is nearly complete.  The halls are decked and the house has been smelling of gingerbread, cookies and more.  Even the corners, with the help of the Elfs, are merry and bright.


 Mid winter skies all a glow.


A lovely gift arrived too.



A few Santas brighten a corner.
Santa, to me, represents the spirit of giving.

And who can forget the birdies. This one was made long ago.

It looks like we may have a green Christmas this year. Unusual but most welcome!

Weather systems and wind currents are mysterious things. A system bringing a lot of rain is running up the coast from Mexico.
  

Thanking you for reading along, again, this year, dear ones. And for your lovely comments, blog posts, emails, and friendship.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

Happy Holidays! 

Cultivate your dreams. 💗

27 Nov 2018

Winter's Light

Hi there,

I hope you are all well and happy. And for my friends in the U.S., I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

'Tis nearly the season. Can you believe it?  I've been shopping and doing a little decorating. One must get the wreath on the door and a few lights twinkling early to knock the dark afternoons out of the ball park so to speak. The candles are lit every night this time of year, too. Light. So good for the spirit.

On the creative side of life, I've been painting and sketching. I also have two paintings in an art exhibition that is currently on for nine days. And I will be hosting at the exhibition this week along with other people, so I am mostly keeping out of trouble.

On the home front, the snow arrive early this year. Eleven days ago to be exact.


       The light seems remote this time of year...wispy, delicate and fleeting. A barely there type of light.  Amazingly beautiful.



 Once the leaves are off the trees, many nest that I never knew existed appear.


Thin ice covering the brook.


Merry and Bright.



Far off, a skein of geese heading south. Lucky ducks geese.

I love to hear them calling to each other. Enthusiasm and encouragement. A winning combination. 

Almost bedtime...must have a snack first.
So pleased to see that she/he is nice and plump and prepared for winter.

I only had a few seeds in my pockets, but I think these Chickadees forgave me. The dear hearts.



A Nuthatch knows how to make an entrance. They walk down the tree head first, fly to another tree face down and then land at the feeder. They move and fly so fast.

What a profile. It speaks of wisdom.




More snow coming down as I go to press.  So much like fairyland out there today... very mild and lovely, so I took a walk in the snow.


A few cards I've been drawing/painting on my desktop. The wee desk better known as "Abigail."

I'll be linking with Wednesday Around the World, and on Thursday with Soma who hosts the blog Whims and Fancies. Many thanks for hosting, ladies! 💗



I've left a reply to everyone who left a comment on my last post.
To my lovely readers a big thank you. You all make the world a better place!

Cultivate your dreams!

25 Oct 2018

Autumn Trails



Our Canadian Thanksgiving has come and gone and the days are growing shorter. These shiny jewel days of light and shadow make me want to store them away like the treasure they are.
Maybe the crispiness in the air gives me a heightened sense of awareness too. Or maybe old man winter steps too close to the beauty that reigns just now. But whatever the reason, I just want to savor every moment on offer.

Crab Apples
Along the St. Lawrence River.

In the fall the sky fluctuates between stormy and fair. Rare painterly wonders.

Tree tops.

On and on...






I had hoped to have the drawing on the painting board by now. Although beautiful I am not
sure about painting yellow flowers. Already I want to paint them purple. Call it artistic license.




Gatherings.


Always a night to remember. Pumpkin Inferno.

 A little time on "a dark and stormy night" without a plan and some acrylic paint. Something, I reckon, to add to the mystery of Hallowe'en.

'Til next time.  Have a safe and Happy Hallowe'en!


I am linking to Around the World Wednesday.
And Wandering Camera.

Many thanks ladies!













27 Sept 2018

Watercolour/Knitting

Since it's been hot the fall colours aren't really painting the world yet with vivid red, orange, and yellow, but soon I hope.

 I happened upon the following lovely fall quote today.

"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all."

 Stanley Horowitz
Lilies


Cattails. A perennial favourite of mine.


A puff ball mushroom. Apparently you can eat it.  At first, I thought it was an old soccer ball.  Me being me I gave it a poke with a small reed. It felt like a mushroom but I couldn't believe my eyes. A friend of mine on instagram named it for me.  

Seeds of Queen Anne's Lace.

A low pressure system coming in.

If you've been reading along, you may remember a similar painting. I finished this one recently.

On the needles. A cabled hat. Yarn from Brooklyn Tweed.


We had a tornado warning about a week ago. I was oblivious to it. (I now have a weather alert app.)
Unfortunately, six tornadoes touched down in Ottawa/Gatineau region, causing a lot of damage and shock. Although Canada does get an occasional tornado it usually doesn't amount to much, so we are all reeling. Hopefully, people will be able to rebuild before winter sets in.

'Til next time, lovelies.    Cultivate your dreams.

28 Aug 2018

Icelandic Lace

With the summer winding down, I finally got around to blocking the lava lace scarf designed by Evelyn Clark. The colours remind me of fall, and I think it will look nice with a sweater or a light fleece jacket. The yarn: Handmaiden's Mini Maiden 50% wool, 50% silk. A wonder to knit with. 
Because of the busy colours involved, I ended up ripping out several other patterns that I tried. I do think this pattern, which I have made before, accentuates the lively colours. The beauty of the free pattern, besides being easy to remember, different yarn creates a different look. So versatile.

Two scarfs draped over the form. One for me and one for my sister. 


I am not sure about the blunt edging, but perhaps the weight it creates keeps the scarf from moving around.

In my critically low stash, I found several yards of left over lace weight yarn. I think I have enough to fashion a stripped scarf; one with a definite point. It will be nice to have something new on the needles.



This month I also celebrated a milestone birthday. Where does the time go? Amazing how fast a year flies by, especially, it seems, as you grow older. I did have a wonderful day, and I am pleased that I've made so many trips around the sun. (Talk about travel :) Part of the day included a walk in the woods. Can't imagine life without the woods.

           
            Although the days are still very hot and humid,  the nights are cooler, so there are a few noticeable changes.


Speaking of the woods, tragically, over 500 wildfires are raging in British Columbia. They are in a state of emergency. I can't imagine how many hectares have burned.  Heavy smoke has reached Calgary and beyond. (more than 500 miles) Praying for rain ... a lot of rain.
We have about 60 wildfires in Ontario.  I hope and pray the brave firefighters are all okay, and that they make more gains, everywhere, very soon.

            
                              What's left of my birthday bouquet; the lilies are hanging in there                                                              nicely with more blooms to come.

Thank you for your lovely comments on my last post. I have responded to each of you there.

'Til next time...Have a lovely week, and

Cultivate your dreams.