Christmas Fun

 I heard someone talking on TV a while ago, and they said, "Nobody remembers the gifts they get for Christmas; they remember the special moments, like baking cookies with their grandmother."  It's true.  I don't remember the gifts, but I do remember the Christmas games my sister-in-law always leads us through. The years, as a young family, walking through the snow to get our Christmas tree. (While the old man, opening the gate, told us about his hemorrhoid surgery).  The Candlelight Christmas Eve service at Church, of course, is the most special part of Christmas.  We all love that time together.  I've been known to run around like a crazy lady getting ready for Christmas.  But, this year I decided that if things aren't perfect...it's okay.  Our family has been focusing on spending more time together this Christmas, and it's been wonderful.  We spent one day at Storybook Land, with the grand kids, and then went out for hot chocolate.  We went to our granddaughter's first Christmas Band Concert...and those kids did not sound like beginners!  They were amazing.  Friday night we went to a Christmas pot luck, and played games, and visited with family and close friends.  Saturday night we played cards and darts with our new son-in-law's parents and friends; which was a lot of fun.  Yesterday we made gingerbread houses, with the grand kids, and had dinner together.  Then we danced, and sang to Christmas music.  Our year old granddaughter is quite the dancer.  We've, also, been enjoying the 6 dogs spending Christmas with us this year.  The new guy, Wesley, is adorable, and is now part of the pack.  It's been the best Christmas ever, and I highly recommend not stressing about the details, and just enjoying each other.

  I hope you all have a wonderful, loving and fun Christmas! 

LET IT SNOW!!!

I LOVE SNOW!!! Rory, GusGus, Rudy and I had a wonderful morning looking at the snow by the Christmas Tree. I just had to take a bunch of pictures...here are a few of them.

My Mom gave me this little Santa when I was 3 years old.  I'm not saying how old Santa is, but he's been around for many Christmases.

Rudy checking out the tree with his tail jingling merrily; GusGus wondering why I'm so excited, and why I'm taking pictures so early in the morning, and Rory still in bed...not quite awake.

 

Gatsby and Wesley

 

Wesley had an appointment at the groomer today, and they sent him home with a new Christmas bandanna.  When he got home Gatsby was so happy to see his brother!  They are having a lot of fun this Christmas!

New Springer Spaniel Painting

New Springer Spaniel Painting

Gatsby in his Moose Bed

Wesley in Gatsby's Moose Bed...Gatsby is good at sharing

 

 

I am practicing painting Springer Spaniels, and this is my first.  They are such sweet dogs.  Speaking of dogs.....Our daughter adopted an adorable little guy, Wesley, a few days ago.  We haven't met him yet...but, hopefully soon.  Gatsby loves his new brother.

"Owl" Painting

I finished a little, "Owl" painting last night.  I love Owls...  We have had the good fortune to have a little Owl in our backyard.  I wondered what was causing our light to come on, and was pleasantly surprised to see an adorable little owl, sitting on a branch, looking out into the woods. 

Thank you!

(Ann Adamus)

 

I woke up this morning to the most beautiful tribute to our sweet Oppee, and so many loving comments.  I hopefully thanked everyone individually, but I want to say thank you, again, to Brian and Ann Adamus for the gorgeous remembrance badge, and all their thoughtfulness.  And, again, to all of you sharing your prayers and blessings...thank you.  I wish everyone could have known Oppee...she was a blessing.

Our Sweet Oppee

Our sweet little Oppee passed away Friday.  She was with us almost 15 years, and she was a very special part of our family.  Originally named Abbey, our daughter...who re-names all of our pets, re-named her Oppee.  Kind of a different name, but it fit her, and she liked it.  I could write a book about all of our adventures with Oppee, and all that she taught us, but I will share only one thing now.  Oppee taught me that a simple acknowledgement, a pat, or sitting together looking at the Christmas Tree is all we really need to be happy...and purr.

Oppee had beautiful eyes and sweet personality

Oppee loved the Christmas Tree and this Tree Skirt.  She couldn't wait for me to get it under the tree...she just had to lay on all that softness.  This year, for the first time, we put our tree up on Thanksgiving.  The girls and I went out for Black Friday, and Oppee and my husband sat by the tree all day.  He said Oppee just sat, and looked at the tree and purrrrrrrred.  She had a good day.  We miss her....so much.

Black Friday, Cyber Monday Coupon

I am back today!  So, Happy Thanksgiving, again!  I forgot to mention that I am having a 20% off coupon code at my Etsy Shop.  The coupon will be good Today thru Cyber Monday!  Everything in my shop, even the originals, is included! The Code is BLACKFRIDAY.  Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Weekend!  And, have fun if you're out in all the craziness of Black Friday!  It's a tradition for my girls and me.  A chance to have fun staying up all night together...and the best part is having breakfast before going back home.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I probably won't get to the computer tomorrow, so I want to wish everyone a very "Happy Thanksgiving!"!!!  I am very Thankful to have such wonderful Blogging Friends!  And,  I hope your day is filled with love, laughter and bunches of fun!


The painting above, "Wild Cat II", will be my Nibblefest Contest entry for the theme, Nature, this month.  I couldn't get a good photo of it last night...so, it will only be a 5 day auction, starting Thursday.  This painting, actually, started out as an Owl...but, imagine what happened...I painted a Cat!  I do like the Owl like eyes, though, so I'm happy about this, as they say, "Happy Accident".

Again, Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!
Deb

Alley Cats Alliance's Calendar is here!!!

If you would like to help some kitties, give a great gift to a loved one, or yourself, and enjoy some incredible artwork...order your calendars now!  Four or Five of my Cat Paintings are included.  You can see my "Blue Cat" on the cover.   Click this link AlleyCatsAlliance 

Looks Like Chaos...but, it's not.

I don't know if it's an Artist thing, but I love the "Creative Chaos Look" of an Artist's workspace.  It's full of color, it's interesting and inspirational.  Not really chaos, at all.  Chaos defined in the dictionary... A disorderly mess, unorganized.  Okay, maybe it looks that way, but I know where everything is! 

 

I was thinking about getting into my daughter's candy...but, I'm really working on not putting anything in my mouth that doesn't have some nutritional value.  So, I made up this Yummy snack!  It's dried apricots, walnuts and chocolate chips!  So good!!!  And, I feel good after eating it!

Blue Cat III

I finished "Blue Cat III"!  I am thinking that I will have 5 blue cat paintings in this series. I will post a photo of the three finished paintings soon.  I really like the way they look grouped together.

" Blue Cat III" will be listed on eBay this evening.  The link to my eBay auctions is above.

 I've had a great weekend painting with my, very talented, granddaughter!  I finished a blue cat, and she is working on an abstract floral.  I will post more about her piece later.

Sneaky Cat

Rudy Farcus being very sneaky...he quietly slithered around the bathroom door, and hid behind the shower curtain...waiting, patiently for Oppea to leave her bowl, filled with that  yummy, canned food, that smells so incredible.  Little did he realize that his backside didn't fit behind the curtain.  Oh, Rudy...you're a crazy cat.  Smart cat, though.  I made him leave when he would come waltzing in...but, not when he would hide.

Christmas Is Just Around The Corner

First of all....Happy Halloween!  I wrote the post below and then remembered...it's Halloween.  I love seeing my grandchildren in their costumes, but Halloween isn't my favorite Holiday.  No scary movies for me!   I do love Autumn, though!

I have the best of intentions every year...to have lots of Christmas and Holiday items in my shops, and this year...I do have lots of ornaments, cards and a few Autumn inspired items in my Cafepress shop.  Cafepress has new cocktail plates that are pretty fun.  I hope to have a Christmas plate next month.

  I'm off to paint!  Have a wonderful day, and a safe Halloween!!!

Thoughts and Prayers

 My thoughts and prayers are with everyone that has been touched by the hurricane.  There are still a few friends that I haven't heard from in the area, and I'm really praying that they are okay.  A very difficult time for so many people, and pets, too, I'm sure.

Autumn at Our House

Today is the first day it's really felt like Autumn to me.  The trees are turning beautiful colors, we have wild Turkeys in our front yard, the fire is bright and cheery and I made Gluten Free Pumpkin Bars...that are so good!  I love Autumn!!!  I  hope you have a great Weekend, too!

Camille Claudel

Camille Claudel is one of my favorite Artists.  Her sculptures are absolutely amazing.  I found some photos of Camille, and thought I would share.

 

 

 

After reading "Naked Came I"; I was interested in reading more about Camille Claudel.  I found this book; which talks about her life, and has great photos of her work. I,also, found a movie about her life with Rodin.  I have linked the book and movie..if you're interested.

New "Kitty Love" Painting

(Sold) Thank You!

I've been working on this painting for quite a while now, and finally finished it last night.  It's another Mixed Media piece.  The more I add paper and texture to my paintings; the more I like the it.  There's just something about texture.  It's addicting!  This painting will be on eBay this afternoon.

"Naked Came I"

"Naked Came I" is a Novel of Rodin, By David Weiss, and is my favorite book.  So much, my favorite book, that I have FOUR copies!  I just couldn't say," No!", when I used to find them, but I do now.  Update...they have 42 used copies on Amazon, if you would like to read it...The link is above. 

The quote, "Naked came I into the world, and naked must I go out."  Don Quixote, by Cervantes

If you like reading about Artists' lives, I think you will love this book, too.  It's Paris!  Rodin's friends are Monet, Degas and Ronoir!  And a woman, one of my favorite Artists, Camille Claudel, working with him.  Great Book!

   

Artwork by John Maitland

I noticed some beautiful Artwork by John Maitland on Brabourne Farm's Blog today.  I thought that I would share...  So inspirational...

It's Nibblefest Time!!!

It's the 20th of October, and it's Nibblefest Time!  This months theme is, "Fantasy".  My interpretation of this theme..."Cat Fairy".  Cat Fairy is, also, the return of a guy I created a few years ago, "Petey".  Petey stares at me from under my coffee cup everyday...and inspired me to paint him, again.  (He's on a coaster, which is found in my Cafepress shop) 

 Artwork can be added to the contest up until the 26th...so check back often.  It's fun to watch the contest as it unfolds.  I love Nibblefest!  It's a fun group!