Don't pay the ransom, I've escaped!

Christmas was lovely, here at Trails End. All the mom's will relate when I say how happy I was to have all of my family around the table. Ahhh, life can be so good!

Due to these crazy holidays, and some wonderful babysitting days, I have not done a lick of art. My husband surprised me with many art supplies so I am eager to get painting pasting again.

In the meantime, just to put a bit of color on these pages and to share some camera fun I've had, I'm posting a little bit of "the ranch". I want you all to realize that I use the term "ranch" with my tongue firmly in my cheek. This place used to be a working ranch, but not on our watch! We enjoy the peace and quiet and the lovely wilderness this has all become.

These are shots of the court yard at twilight. Those of you who live in So. Cal. will likely agree when I say that the light right at sunset can be magical.





I took these through the windshield driving on the ranch road on a rainy day. As I recall, several other bloggers also love to take pictures from the car.




I've been enjoying all of your Holiday posts and look forward to a great year of making art and sharing here. I can hardly explain to people I've known for years what this blogging thing means to me. And how much I enjoy all of you. OK, it's time to sign off. I'm getting all soppy.
L

Cards

It seems that once I started making cards I can't bring myself to give store bought.

This birthday card is for my new daughter-in-law had who is seriously into swans. I have a friend who makes quilts and it was my conversations with her that inspired this cut paper card. I have the itch to do more like this.

Then there is my annual Christmas card. I started making these about 9 years ago. Here is this years greeting made from last years cards recycled. The photo is of my parents and baby me.

Christmas brings tidings
from heaven above.
Ancient myths tell us
of peace and love.
But for many, then,
that's not how it was,
or is today simply because,
not every head has a place to lay.
not every manger is filled with hay,
not every window glows with a light,
not every star outshines the night.
The glorious goodwill
in the angels song
for so many
has never come along.
Some live in darkness,
no stars for them shine,
until you come bearing
that light so divine.
You bring Christmas
with shepherds and a king.
You cause heavenly choirs
to rise and sing.
You, the joy of the season,
make the days bright.
Reach for another,
make holy the night.

However you celebrate this time of year, I wish you all the riches of your traditions.

I have been working on my holiday shopping, which I tend to make into a production, and now it is time to decorate the house. For the past few years I have had a young friend come over to help put up our tree. We have a 7.5' beauty that we fill with years and years of collecting ornaments. All of this, plus the ever growing Santa/Angel/elf/Village collection are stored in the attic, which means many trips up and down carrying large and sometimes heavy boxes. My young friend could run those steps without a huff or puff. And, he was raised in a house that did not decorate for the holidays so he really enjoyed "playing". Drat! he has a new job and is not available to help this year. So, my husband and I are on our own. We have dedicated next week to this project because next Saturday we will host the annual Holiday party for our Kiwanis club. There are usually 50-55 friends attending but our club has enjoyed an influx of members this year and I have rsvp's from 60 people--so far. We will be bursting at the seams, but enjoying the party that kicks off the season for us.

I've enjoyed seeing all of the holiday decorations that many of you have posted so I'll try to get some pictures up as we get done. Looking forward to enjoying the Season here in blog land.

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.