'Tis The Season

  Hi Everyone, 

         As you can see, a snow storm arrived and painted the world beautiful.  Because sheets of freezing rain plunked itself down first, the snow stayed on the trees for several days. Lovely!

Now we are back to normal viewing, but I have no doubt there will be snow for Christmas.

Christmas decorations are festooning the corners and the newly decorated tree helps to brighten up the dark days.   These days, the sun sets around 4:45 p.m. But who cares--everywhere you look there are Christmas' lights. Soon we will take an evening drive so we can oh and ah over the lights. 

The crowd on the table.

                      Santa Clauses are a major cause around here. This dear fellow entered the fold                                                                 this year.

 Mr. Claus. A wonderful wood cut by Elizabeth Harbour. I absolutely love her artwork. You can find her here.

A Partridge and friends in an Ivy.

Not sure how many Santa Clauses I have--alas some are still tucked away. Next year, if the stars align properly, I will try for a group photo.

Cooking? Well, over this way there is still more to come. 

One must have cookies. 

Gingerbread? Why, yes! 

Thank you.

A few gingerbread guys and gals, and trees and such waiting for their attire. More in the oven.
Oh, they do smell heavenly!

       In case you wondered. The art exhibition went off without a hitch. There were 104 paintings, including sculptures. I was there for the opening and a four hour shift. So much fun to spend that time talking with people while admiring artwork.

The lady that oversees the hanging of the show does such a wonderful job. The next show for our group will be in the spring.

In the meantime, the art gallery in town is having an exhibition in January. No sure yet, I may brave it and enter a painting.  As the saying goes, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

           

                    

 Amaryllis on the grow. They are a favourite flower of mine. 

 There are two more. (When it comes to Amaryllis I can't help myself.) This one will probably bloom for Christmas, but the others will likely bloom in January.

                                                                     A table topper.

 Hold your reindeer. Please don't leave without your cookies and a cherry Candy Cane.

                      

That about covers it for today. The halls are decked, and the cookies are nearly finished, so it must be time for a cup of tea.  

                     Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas. Have a Safe and Happy Holiday                            season!

                                                  See you in the New Year.

                                          

               Leaving you with this video. I found this video so heart warming and lovely. 

               Perhaps you have already seen it. If so, it is definitely worth another view.

                                                         Be prepared to smile!

                                                           Cultivate your dreams! 

 

                                           I have a feeling this is one of this man's dreams.

                                             Linking to Link Parties via my link party page. 

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Parade of Colour

 

                                                                       Sumacs 

Hi everyone,

Here we are surrounded by beauty. "All good things come to those who wait." Apparently still rings true. So pleased to witness the late autumn show. Nature is full of surprises. What a beautiful world we live in.

Generally I try and take photos off the beaten path, but not this time.  Absolutely adore these colours—straight out of nature's paint box.

                                                          

                                                                         Stunning

What a difference a day can make.
October 30th. Snow disappeared by early afternoon.

                       

Hallowe'en tonight so those ghostly looking rain drops could mean spooky goings on are afoot.

When I was a child I was taught to spell Hallowe'en with an apostrophe. Does anyone else remember this? It's not something you see anymore, but I really like the way it looks. Lends a touch of mystery to the proceedings.

             * * * 

                       Mr. Edgar Allan Poe--first airing, I think, of a drawing from several                                                                               years ago.

                         

Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”  E.A. Poe.

Have a safe and Happy Hallowe'en!

              

'Til Next Time...Cultivate Your dreams

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Autumn Has Arrived

Hi everyone,

 So far this year the autumn colours are not as intense as usual. Someone said it is because the summer was so hot. Still there are flashes of brightness here and there, and, perhaps, if the rain stays away, there's still time for the fall colours to put on a big show.

Temps are cool and the nights are, of course, closing in early. Time to cozy up with a throw and a good book in the evenings, or perhaps some knitting.

I've been busy farming pastel paintings for the juried art show in November.  I forgot to take a photo of them before framing. Now that they are behind glass it is not that easy to get a glare free photo. My son, at one time, had a small digital camera that had a function for taking photos behind glass. It worked so well.

 

          Probably no one wants to hear this, but since this is a diary of sorts, I can finally bring myself to say that my Mother (Celeste Mary) passed away in April. Mom was 99 years old, and she was exactly two months away from her 100th birthday. 

I know how fortunate we, as a family, were to have her with us for so long, but I do miss her so much.

                                           

                                            Have this photo on my list as a reference to paint from

                                                             I am thinking watercolour.

                                     

                                         I just love these ornamental cabbages. They've got style. 

                                                                   New England Asters.

                                                       Solomon Seal ~ Still pretty, I think.

                                                                     

                                                                     * * *

I recycled Pastelmat for this little painting. How? Well, you can actually wash off a painting that didn't work out, and begin again. Just rinse under water, and use some paper towel to remove more of the pastel and dry it off.  Then I usually place the Pastelmat inside paper towel and weight it down with books until it dries. Of course it doesn't come perfectly clean, and you can't add as many layers. Also, it is not as easy to paint on as the original paper, but it still works quite well.

'Til Next Time...

Enjoy Autumn or Spring wherever you may be.

Cultivate Your dreams

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Mixing It Up

Fishing shacks in Blue Rocks, N.S.

 

   Hi Everyone,

 Two photos from hurricane Lee that recently blew over Nova Scotia.

                                                            A very good day to stay home.
 

                                  Autumn has arrived and the leaves are slowly changing. I'm always picking up leaves and such even when I say I won't.

                                    Came upon this welcome scene in the middle of the woods.

                                                                       Burning Bush

A lethargic bee

                                                With the temps dropping the bees are moving slowly. Great photo opportunity, but not good for the bees. I am not sure if these worker bees made it back to the hive.

                                                                           * * *

The Birdhouse Inn

The beautiful artwork today is by Jeanie who blogs at The Marmalade Gypsy. You can find Jeanie here. Jeanie sent me this delightful card as a thank you for being a winner of my recent giveaway.

 

Until Next Time...

                                                             Cultivate Your Dreams

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Stops Along the Way

                                                                        Sunrise

       Hi Everyone,

On my way to or from Brockville, I've stopped at the Blue Church several times, but I have never posted photos before. (At least I do not think so.)  

 

The Blue Church near Prescott was re-built after a fire in 1845.

Weddings and special services still take place here. Definitely a lovely little church for a small wedding.

                                                                 Inviting colours on this sign.

 

                                                        The only stained glass window. 

A very old beautiful tree.

No one seems to know why this church was painted blue, but blue tassels were worn at the edges of garments in Israel to remind people to keep the commandments. Also, of course, the Virgin Mary wore blue as a sign of purity. Info from an article written by Philip Kosloski. If you are interested you can read more here

                                     

                                 A sweet angel, at the door to greet you, bless you, and to say bye bye.

                                       On second thought I think this delightful one is a cherub.

 Cultivate your Dreams

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                                                       'Til Next Time...

All About Summer

Brockville in the Thousand Island.

Sails up ready for fare winds! Or was he/she just in a really hurry for lunch and a cool drink.

Hi everyone,

Labour Day raced by and I am happy to report we are still in the throes of summer.

Although autumn brings with it so many wonderful sights, sounds, smells, and well, just so much beauty, I like to hang onto summer until the equinox on September 22nd. Autumn can wait.

As you know, August always rushes in the front door and out the back door before you can say jack rabbit it seems. But it did make a pit stop for my birthday. Yes! Completed another milestone trip around the sun. I'm happy to report my birthday was a red letter day too!

 Moving on...I do have a name for the draw, but more about that later.

 

 

 Oh, photo might have been clearer...

As you can see, I was at a red light in a purple and green, backfiring (putt, putt) standard jalopy on a very steep hill--need I say more.

                         

       Just love doors/beautiful entryways. This one in particular looks so cheerful and welcoming. It is a hotel, so a lot of signage going on, but nevertheless I love how it looks. And how about those reflections in the window.

I could easily spend a night there, I reckon.

    

    Took a stroll down this street because one of the windows in this old wall holds a surprise that I've been wanting to get a photo of.

 

And here they are--horses of all things! What a in your face look.  Could they be stallions with something to prove?

        

                                            A front garden. 

 Although bountiful, and even though it isn't really small it brings to mind a quote from the Pride and Prejudice movie: "You have a very small garden, madam." 

Brilliant idea to create levels.

                                                                 

                                                                              * * *

 

From the sketchbook...

 

First time using Etcher sketchbooks. Rather good sketchbooks, I'd say.

Painted using some metallic and regular watercolours on a background of indigo.

I've been watching a few you tube videos on indigo dyeing. An artform in itself.

                    At some point, I will make a card out of this, I reckon.

 ~ And now to the draw. Drum roll...please Figaro! Oh, Figaro... F-I-G-A-R-O

Figaro the Magnificent fired up the random number generator and... he's happy to announce that the winner is: Marilyn. Figaro insisted on two winners. He loves giveaways! 

So the Second winner is: Jeanie. (Second winner will receive same print but one card will be different.)

Please contact Dixie with your addresses via email/contact form, so she can zoom down to the post office in the jalopy (asap) with your packages.

 A big thank you to all for your lovely comments on my last post and for your visits. You are appreciated.

Until next time...

                                               Cultivate your Dreams

                                  Linking to Link Parties via my link party page. 

                                                Thanks to all for hosting.