Happy New Year

wishing you all much happiness and joy.

reflecting

reflecting on the year behind us (almost).....and cherishing what lies ahead~

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters, compared to what lies within us."   ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

the year has floated by once again and i find myself reflecting on the many events that have occurred.  life lessons were abundant this year....(as with every year, i suppose).  i am constantly learning to be more grateful and to be more patient.....with myself mostly, but also with others.  the lessons are often humbling and that's okay too.  i believe that we learn more about ourselves when we are humbled.


 friendships change.  some friends are made by nature and circumstances, some by chance.....others are just plain soulful and stronger than superglue.  some friendships evolve and some are meant to dissolve.  this is okay....i truly believe that we are put with certain people when we or they need it the most.  things aren't meant to go smoothly all the time and the friendships that are the strongest will rise and fall with the tide and the love will be stronger than the ocean's waves.  of all the lessons, it is the realization that family is of so much importance that it really doesn't matter what any of the petty concerns and criticisms are.  although we are all so different~ we have the strongest bond imaginable and no matter what, we will be there for each other always.  i am thankful for my sweet family and all of my friends old and new. 

~be here now~

 we were blessed in many ways this year....we have this new awesome member of our family....my 1000 pound boyfriend "beau".  to love a horse is to love your soul just a little more.  they teach us so much and their strength and beauty is so massive and beyond words that it's haunting at times.  

 as always, when a year ends, i start thinking "did i do enough"..."did i make enough?"......"was i creative enough?".....so what better way to start off the new year than to take a class with misty mawn!!! she is soulful and creative and i love her teaching style.  if you want to join in on the fun...go here and sign up~  anyone who has taken her classes before knows that it will be the most awesome way possible to start off the new year.  i got on the class site last night and already feel transformed creatively.....i know it sounds corny, but it's true.  misty has this way of pulling you in and she shares so much of herself and her knowledge that you feel like you've known her forever.  in addition, she really is the best teacher ever.  gentle, kind and compassionate....it's like she's rooting for you to be successful as an artist.    inspiration is all over the place on her class site and i can hardly wait for january 9th to roll around~~~
thanks misty for all you put into your classes and for sharing yourself and your art with us once again~

me and misty at art and soul 2011

my word for this new year  is "cherish".....i thought about it and have many more words that will do, but this one seems to suit me well at the moment.  cherishing memories, friends, family, and all of life's lessons....i will focus for sure on the beautiful moments and the many blessings we have, and cherish them all~

~happy new year everyone~

~make art, love life, stay healthy, and glow from within~

peace~

wishing you all a peaceful day filled with joy and love

   (photo taken by lacie beller)

the gifts are many and the joys are abundant here today.  looking around, i am feeling so blessed ...with family,...friends (so many really good friends)....and my beautiful horse...my two dogs and my two cats.  

  everyone is pretty laid back at the moment and the house is quiet.  the excitement from this morning wore off earlier and we are all enjoying the relaxing evening.  

i'm thinking about anyone out there who might be lonely or sad this Christmas.  all of the heroes in the military...spending the day without family, and their families without them.  anyone who has lost someone recently, or even not so recently.  i know from experience how hard the holidays are after loss. the absence of my mom is still haunting and hard to believe even after a few years.  and what about those who have lost their job....maybe lost there home?  my heart goes out to all who might be struggling in any way this season.  i hope that everyone has found a way to be helpful and loving to someone who needs it.  pay it forward, leave a small gift for someone without them knowing who it's from.  share food...donate money to charities...leave a love note or painted rock for someone.....there are so many ways to give a simple gift or act of kindness and hopefully we will all make time to do that all year round.  wishing you all many blessings and healing where needed and most of all lots of love.

~~~~ merry Christmas~~~~

simple

when i decorated the mantle yesterday morning, it made me think of this song....

i love how it turned out and it was so simple...i took mason jar's a friend gave me and tied them with sand dollars and star fish using twine.  i added a little sand from the beach and a votive candle, threw in some shells and a few sprigs from the Christmas tree around the jars and it's perfect~ (and free)!!

PHOTOS HAVE BEEN REMOVED DUE TO TECH PROBLEM~~ sorry :)

Simple Gifts

'Tis the gift to be simple,
'tis the gift to be free,
'tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
It will be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed.
To turn, turn will be our delight,
'Til by turning, turning we come round right