". Arranged Words: Good Cheer

7 Dec 2021

Good Cheer



Hi Everyone,

Are you busy preparing for the holidays?

Over here, things are shaping up; lights, tinsel, and glass bubbles have enveloped the tree, compliments of my son, Jesse, and an Elf. Touches of greenery peek out from almost every corner. Plans for what goodies to bake are nearly solid. The Christmas cards are signed, sealed, and stamped and will soon be winging their way to, I hope, add a splash of good cheer to family and friends.

The sun breaks through the dark clouds at dawn. 

                     My cobbled painting path, has become a bit uneven, but I tell myself there's nothing to worry about because taking a break also plays an important role in the creative process.  Well, that’s my story…

Watercolours     
I added a white board next to my desk to post some watercolours on. (Motivation required.) I wanted to buy a cork board, but why not use what is at hand. I only had to purchase a few magnets. (Besides, should a magnet hit the floor and roll to parts unseen/unknown, until, that is, the inevitable happens, they are easier on the feet than push tacks.)


 
 Preparing for a colossal art re-entry ;^)  in the New Year, a small pastel order, plus some paper arrived. Two of the names to the right made me laugh, especially Burnt Reynolds. The pretty yellow pastel: Goldenrod. These pastels are from Great American Artworks. (Not sponsored, but I girl can hope.) They are very soft and creamy, so they will add a flourish near the finish. If used at the beginning of a painting, they could quickly fill the tooth of the paper, I reckon. (Experimentation required before firm results can be chiselled in granite.)
 
    

On the needles...

                                   Swallow Tail Lace Shawl by Evelyn Clark. Also a free pattern.

 

                                                                  Nativity

Below, a very short story that I may have touched on before. 

If you have read it before, dear hearts, do forgive me because I am growing old and stories, containing certain words in just the right order sometimes forget that I may have written them down or told them before. 

Meant to Be

Long ago, in a far away land, high above the Arctic Circle, where winter plunges the land into darkness for more than forty-five days a year, where mysterious wailing winds whip the snow into eddies that either skirt the ground or whirl up a whiteout, where, in the frigid, dry air, footfalls can be heard from a mile away—there in the midst of this new to me land, with little money on hand, I put down my hard earned cash for what would be, although there were more figurines to acquire, the last two nativity figurines that I would ever purchase from Avon. (I am searching for the three wisemen.)


Yes, it had taken awhile to acquire enough figurines to make the scene. (I think, they were sold at the time without a base. But I might be mistaken because, although the news will shock you,  I confess that I have been mistaken, in my life time, at least once or twice before.)

So...I pondered and thought and pondered and thought; and I hoped and I wished. And then it came to me in a flash: Surely cotton batten would make a nice base? I sprinted upstairs to the cupboard. No way--it was just too lofty--not right.

Being quick on the uptake, as luck would have it, other appropriate materials slowly came to mind. But in such a remote place, at such a time, where one couldn’t distinguish daylight from dark, I couldn’t think of one store in Edmonton where I might purchase the necessary items. (Remember it was the dark ages and yellow pages for Edmonton were as rare as sunlight.) 

To place an order just wasn’t feasible. So I reluctantly banished the thought.

Time crept by; the winter winds continued to howl. Then on one rare, quiet, dark, auspicious indigo day a couple of weeks before Christmas, a parcel that I'd long sense given up on  arrived. When I opened the box, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Straw covered the contents. The very thing, besides an open stable, that I’d been hoping for! I can't remember what else was in that box. But don’t you agree that somethings are just meant to be? 

(To date, lovely readers, that was the only time in my life that I ever received a parcel packed in straw.)

 

It’s time for me to go,  but before I do I would like to say:  Many thanks to everyone who visited my blog this year. I thank you for kind support, readership, friendship, and lovely comments.

  ❤️

          Wishing you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

And if you do not celebrate Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to you and to yours!

Cultivate Your Dreams!

Best Wishes,

Dixie

 Linking to Link Parties via my link party page. 

The parties cover most of the the globe; there’s much to see and admire, so do stop in for a visit.

  Thank you for hosting.





43 comments:

Jim said...

Great skies

NCSue said...

Thanks for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2021/12/the-blacksmiths-shop.html and for including a button to our weekly photo link-up on your link party page.

Suzana said...

Beautiful images as usual. The sky is always amazing!
Merry Christmas, Dixie! Have a wonderful holiday together with your family and friends!

Veronica Lee said...

Yep, somethings are just meant to be!

The straw is just perfect for the Nativity scene.

Debbie said...

ooooh the sky is so pretty, i rarely see a sunrise because i am sleeping, but always try to catch the sunset!! i love what's on your needles, i am a knitter too!!

the motivational art is beautiful, are they pieces you have done??

Debbie said...

thanks for stopping by!!

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

And thank you for hosting, Sue.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

And Merry Christmas to you and to your family too, Suzana.
Thank you.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

So true. A tiny miracle, and most definitely a surprise that day.
Thank you, Veronica.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Sunrise 7:30 a.m. these days, so easier to catch in the winter months.
Yes, they are my watercolours.
Thank you, Debbie.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Always a treat to meet ‘new’ bloggers and visit on the hops.
Thank you for your return visit too!

Christine said...

Lovely art, sweet nativity scene! Merry Christmas!

Soma @ inkTorrents.com said...

The white board wall looks so lovely with your paintings. I like the magnet idea so much more than pins. Burnt Reynolds and Cindy Winkle certainly are interesting :D

-Soma

magiceye said...

Beautiful sky captures!

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Thank you, Christine.
And a very Merry Christmas to you too!

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Thank you.
Have a lovely week.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Stunning sky photos and a beautiful nativity. I arrived from Rain's TAD.

Tom said...

...this is the season to cultivate your dreams, thanks for the reminder.

DVArtist said...

Very nice post. Have a wonderful day.

Valerie-Jael said...

Beautiful art. Have fun with your nativity, and stay safe, hugs, Valerie

Gillena Cox said...

The Nativity scene and your water colours my favourites
Have a nice weekend

Much💜love

riitta k said...

The skies are beautiful and I love your painted floral details. The morning glory is awesome. Wishing you also a Merry Christmas and Happy 2022!

Tarang Sinha said...

Such a lovely shot! And floral drawings look so pretty! I'm not good at painting flowers. It's a good idea to put some of your works where you work. I don't have a cork board {again, a good idea} so I use making tapes to fix them.

The crochet work looks very attractive.

Kim said...

Loved reading "Meant To Be"; a beautiful miracle. Your words danced across my screen. The Nativity set is so very sweet. Your gorgeous paintings look fabulous all grouped together. The magnets are a great idea. May you enjoy a beautiful Christmas, surrounded by your loved ones, Dixie. It is always a joy to visit your lovely place. A blessed Christmas to you.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I love seeing your art and have enjoyed visiting with you this past year too! Happy holidays!

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

Your drawings are pretty and your photos are wonderful

Powell River Books said...

My husband and I are just finishing up a five week RV trip in Southern Arizona. I decorated our condo back in Washington State before we left so it would be more relaxing getting home the week before Christmas. - Margy

Angie said...

Dixie - "Burnt Reynolds"! Hilarious!!! Your "Meant to Be" story is so touching; God does work miracles, small and large. Our Christmas preparations are almost complete; my heart is still a work in progress and probably always will be! Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday throughout the year, and Merry Christmas to you!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Your watercolors are beautiful -- I received an early Christmas present of a pack of water brush pens in many colors which I have no idea about how to use -- I need to watch some YouTubes and read some books. (I am not an artist, but somebody thinks I might have fun trying.) I loved your story . Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday season -- I hope to see some more of your posts soon.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

You are welcome, Tom.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Many thanks.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

You too, Valerie. Thank you.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

The little Nativity scene does always make me smile.
Thank you, Gillena.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

And a Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you Riitta.
Thank you so much.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...


Good idea as well, Tarang. I feel a bit more motivated with art work around.
Thank you.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Thank you, Diane.
Happy Holidays to you are yours!
Sending Best Wishes too.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Just happened upon the sunrise. It disappeared fast.
Thank you, Carol.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Oh that must have been a lovely trip, Margy.
A very good idea to decorate before you going on your trip.
Have a lovely Christmas!

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

It was funny to unwrap the pastel as see the name. Someone has a good sense of humour. Such a lovely attribute to have.
It was a miracle for sure…very lovely.
Merry Christmas to you and your family, Angie.
And many thanks.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Oh good for you, Sallie.
There are a lot of wonderful instructional art videos to watch on you tube.
Drawing painting is all about seeing, I think. Painting has brought me a lot of joy.
And I am sure it will for you too.
Merry Christmas to you. See you in the New Year.
Thank you, Sallie.

Rain said...

I have to say I've never received a gift packed in hay, wonderful memory! Your watercolours are just beautiful and I love Burnt Reynolds!!! Love that!! :)

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Definitely works out to be a very good memory!
Thank you, Rain.
Best Wishes.

Kinga K. said...

Cool Christmas deco, pretty sky❤