She's finally as old as I am!

Yes, it's true.  Katydiddy is finally as old as I am.  I think that's right.  Don't you?  She is an amazing human being and I am so proud to be her Mom.  She is bright, organized, determined, loving and fun. And an amazing artist, one who appreciates life.  Here's a wish that all of her dreams come true.  

Happy Thanksgiving

Just wanted to take a break from today's activities to wish all the U.S. bloggers a Happy Turkey Day and to share with all how thankful I am to have discovered this wonderful world of artful bloggers.

Guess what I've been doing today?
For over 30 years, I have cooked Thanksgiving dinner for my family and some friends. This year, my daughter Laura, of Katydiddys is doing the honors. She is an excellent cook and I am looking forward to dinner. My contribution is pies. I have to admit that it feels strange, stopping at pies. And tomorrow I don't have to get up early to get that giant bird into the oven.

Laura was born the day before Thanksgiving, er...several years ago. So we will sing and gift her tomorrow, as usual. When she was a child, she got several birthday celebrations as friends and relatives straggled in over the long weekend. That, I'm afraid, all changed since she is an adult. Now she shares her celebration with the holiday. I started out to make her a card and the next thing I knew it turned into a piece of art. Which is probably fitting since she got me started cutting, painting and pasting.

Warm wishes to all.

Good days

One of the things I miss about living in Ohio is Fall. Last Sunday we drove into the mountains east of here to the town of Oak Glen. Everyone calls it Apple Country because the elevation is high enough for the cold temperatures that apples need. We loaded up on apples, cider and yummy pie that was still warm when we got home. Here are some pictures that most people would not associate with Southern California.


Today was about apples too. I loaded Leopard, the newest OS from Apple, onto my computer. I also straightened up my work space, did some laundry, and finished the thank you notes from my birthday. Besides giving me many wonderful gifts, friends wrote poems and made art for me. My daughter-in-laws mother gave me a vase of these lovely orchids. Now I am obsessing about making something in these colors.


Here is a birthday card I made for my dear friend in Ohio. We have been together since 7th grade and believe me, that's a long time. Our birthdays are 8 days apart. I love a labyrinth and like to "walk" this one with a pencil when I'm struggling for focus. I thought it would be a good greeting.
I finished up this most satisfying day by having dinner with my second daughter. She is the mother of my 6 year old granddaughter so we don't often get to visit, just us. The little one was occupied tonight so we snuck off to my favorite Thai restaurant and had a feast of food and conversation. I am fortunate to have three daughters (you all know Katydiddy) and one son. It's always a treat to spend one on one time with them.

Now I'm off to dream sweetly of this gentle day. .

I think I'm done

Sometimes I really know when a piece has all of its parts. This one has been bugging me. One of the things I have been enjoying about my new venture into art, is the fact that my writing has inspired some of my art and, as is the case this time, the art inspires the writing. I didn't like her floating and I've spent days agonizing over what to put beneath to anchor her. This morning, Eureka!. I cut the bottom off. This feels like metaphore. Something is still nagging me, but, just for today, I pronounce this done until the muse or my subconscious can tell me plainly what else she wants. It seems that, maybe for the first time since I've started on my art journey, I realize that I'm not just painting and pasting. This time, it's personal.

Beauty

can come to us from the most amazing things. The S. Calif. fires were horrible and caused so much misery. And yet, this amazing sunset is the result of these same fires.
I'm sure there's a lesson in here somewhere.

A work in progress

I still have a few thoughts for this, but I haven't posted in awhile and figured I'd share what I've been up to. I spent most of this afternoon with my writing partners. We celebrated a birthday and, just hung out. Good food, good times and the best of friends. So far, I'm liking my new year.

I plan to cruise around all of your blogs in the next few days. So, I'll be seeing you.

Basking

I'm still basking and sighing over my wonderful party. I have the best kids in the world. Here are a couple of views of the magnificent crown that Katie made.

I also appreciate the birthday greetings from the ladies in blog land. Such a nice surprise.

A Happy Birthday

it is. All of my wonderful family and friends are here!! And I am parading around in the beautiful crown that my darling daughter made for me.

By the way, just wanted to let you all know that I cannot believe that my Laura (I call her Katie) is *#! years old. You know, of course, that I had her when I was 12. Amazing, yes?

I am one lucky chick.

OOPS!

Here is the journal front and back that should be in the last post. One day, I will get this all figured out.