Tuesday Tea...

Saturday, my friend Lois made Russian Spiced Tea...

She had made a large batch of the dry mix and packaged it to sell...

She has the loveliest handwriting...

It's delicious, warm and very calming...
It tastes a bit like mulled cider, but there's nothing apple in it...

and it tastes even better in my little orphaned Nippon tea cup...

For more Tuesday Tea, visit Kimmie's sidebar...
Happy tea everyone...

Open House at Loieland...

Once a year between Thanksgiving and Christmas my friend Lois has an open house to sell her amazing creations.  She invites some of her creative friends to set up as well.  Then she promotes it on FaceBook and by word of mouth.  She makes sangria and this wonderful Russian spice tea to serve.

Lois had her creations set up all over her house, garage and yard.

Linda and I set up in the back yard. Linda makes beautiful wire wrapped jewelry with her own stunning lamp worked beads.  I'll feature some after the next wine fest, as she has decided to participate.  Lois is too!

It was a beautiful day of talking art and craft, drinking lovely concoctions, making new friends and just having a wonderful time... and selling some of my creations was icing on the cake!

I found these little guys (see the snails on the Magnolia cone?) while looking for "art supplies" under Lois' Magnolia tree...

Gratitude...

Yesterday, in America, was Thanksgiving. As always my daughter's home was filled with family and laughter and love.  4 year old Austin said a wonderful grace before our feast and both he and little sister Ansley fought naptime vigilantly... and won.  I'm so grateful for my family and times like these... for the love I have surrounding me.

I'm also grateful for you, my lovely blog friends... and for your lovely words and inspiration...
and for beautiful works of art like these...

I won these in Marie's giveaway at Lost Bird Studio.  Aren't they exquisite? I absolutely love them! Thank you so much!

Magpie 41

(photo provided by Willow)

She woke to the chime
feeling him breathe against her
feeling time stand still.
DDD2010

For more Magpie visit Magpie Tales

Time to catch up...

I've been all but absent in blogging the last couple of weeks. With traveling for work and beginning holiday shopping, getting ready for today's wine fest and Thanksgiving later this week, it's been quite hectic.

So now that I may have some time on my hands... I guess I should start those commission paintings, make ornaments to replenish my stock and catch up on my blog hopping!  Oh yeah, I've started a few altered bottles to finish too...  Anyway, I'm off to visit my favorite blogs... I feel like I've been away for ever...

Haiku my Heart Friday...

sitting quietly
listening to the night's breath
withholding my own
DDD2010

For more Friday haiku visit Rebecca

Taking Tuesday Tea Off....

Thanks so much for all the help I got from my last 2 posts.  Anyway, I'm packing to go out of town again and, to tell the truth, I'm just tired.  So, I'll see you all when I get back later in the week.  To my Tuesday Tea pals... I'll see you next Tuesday (or sooner).  Have a good week.

Can you read this now???

Is this better?

Can you read this???

I've had some complaints that some of you can't read my text because it is too dark.  I'm a bit perplexed, as on my computer it is against a white background.  Am I missing some setting to determine the color of the background?  I want to fix it... Any suggestions?

Haiku my Heart Friday...

Mother Earth...

(photo source forgotten)

She lies quietly...
holding us to her bosom...
hoping we save her...
DDD2010

I got this photo from one on my blog friends blogs. If it is yours please let me know so I can give you credit!

For more Friday haiku please visit  Haiku my Heart.

Tuesday Tea...

Another orphaned tea cup...

I think I should start an orphaned tea cup adoption agency...

Anyway... It's a lovely cup to drink my British Blend decaf from...

For more Tuesday Tea, visit Kimmie's blog and look on her sidebar...

Featured Paintings...

 These are my grape paintings.  They are oils on gessoed, archival scrapbook paper.  They are now being featured in the Florida Estates Winery tasting room for sale! Ron invited me to paint more grape clusters to place there as well!  I'm excited!

Haiku my Heart Friday - Myakka Prairie Post 4...

She gathers pollen
making preparations for
the long wait for spring.
DDD2010

For more Friday haiku visit Haiku my Heart.

Myakka Prairie - Post 3

Tomorrow I head south... again...

to Myakka...

to the prairie...

to teach...

to learn...

to breathe...

See you Thursday or Friday... or Saturday after the wine fest....

Florida Estates Winery