Anticipation

Making resolutions is not exactly a talent of mine,

yet I feel compelled to have a purpose, a theme for each new year.

I have a dear friend who is a great architect of resolutions. 

She always knows exactly what the focus of the year should be. 

So for the past three years I have relied on my friend for my resolution.

Though it is a bit unconventional, it seems to work for me.

As I wait with anticipation for my 2010 resolution,

I wish you all a Happy New Year!

Branching Out

Twig No. 1

A collection of twigs and branches.

Inspired by a vintage field guide from the 1920's.

This is my first painting for the series.

So many ideas, so many possibilities.

A new year is upon us.

Bits and Pieces

This wonderful year is coming to an end. 

I am collecting little bits and pieces

so that I can remember these last few days.

Yuletide

A time of merriment and good cheer!

A tray of delicious treats.

I have been collecting cookie molds.

The owl is my latest addition.

More cookies on Flickr!

Merry Christmas!

Wonderland

Out and about in the fresh snow!

It is truly a winter wonderland.

Wishing you joy and happiness!

Snowing

It is snowing!

It is so quiet and peaceful outside.

Our old windows are steamy.

More pictures on Flickr.

Happy Tree

I saw this jovial little tree as I was walking 

through the churchyard this morning.

Popcorn, cranberries, kumquats. For the birds perhaps. 

So charming and sweet. More pictures on Flickr.

***

My little bluebird is flying to its new home.

See original post for the lucky winner!

Abundance

Perched in the Soul

Abundant love. True Love.

Two turtle doves.

Winter Greens

I love the earthy smell of paperwhites blooming.

Fresh greenery in winter looks so bright and alive.

A collection of drawings by Laura Ferrara,

angel vine and a little bay tree.

Just one more day to win my bluebird painting.

Click here to post your entry!

Antlers

I've been slightly distracted trimming our tree

and decorating the cottage.

I found these antlers while unpacking ornaments.

Lulu is putting up with me. She is so good.

There is still time to win my bluebird painting!

click here to enter or visit my last post.

Giveaway | Bluebird

I'm having a giveaway! My last one of the year.

This diminutive bluebird painting could be yours!

Kindly leave a message and a link or email by December 17th.

Please note your favorite type of bird!

I will pick a name out of a hat on Friday, December 18th.

***

The lucky winner is:

Caramela - Annamaria Potamiti

Congratulations!

Owl

To Live Is to Fly

A spotted owl for your viewing pleasure.

Do visit again on Friday for Golly's last 

giveaway this year!

Silent Slumber

Silent Slumber

Sleep beneath the trees.

Ominous

An ominous sky. It looks like rain.

The vultures are back.

More pictures on Flickr.

Click here.

Nippy

Frozen Logs

Winter Frost

Two new paintings.

A bellyful of turkey and pie.

Family. 

So much to be thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Memory Fades

Remembering Mrs. W.

She always carried her cutting shears.

She loved her garden.

She was such a lady, always kind.

I don't think she knew my name.

I will forever remember hers,

though memories fade.

Float Away

Strange looking pods on the side of the road.

The seeds are perfectly arranged inside each capsule.

Each seed has its own little silk parachute.

Ready to catch the wind and float away.

Do you see the little bug? He's hiding.

Homecoming

Homecoming

Cowbirds. Forever. Eternity.

Love this song by Adele: 

Hometown Glory.

Mire

After many wet days

the ground flooded and a small bog formed.

It is cold and wet and feels like winter. 

There is a certain stillness in the air.

The osage oranges have met their watery end.

Looking

It is hard to find a little red this far south.

So I have been looking.

This is all I could find.

Silent Sky

Silent Sky

An elegy of sorts.

Who doesn't love Emily Dickinson?

The imagery in her poetry...

Hope is the thing with feathers

That perches in the soul.

Be Still

Be still my heart.

I do love watching hawks soar in the sky. 

I suppose they like watching me too.

Have I told you my story about the cruelty of nature?

Outside my kitchen window.

The most high pitched, piercing cries.

A hawk had attacked a downy woodpecker.

and suddenly flew away with it caged in its talons.

Screaming into the distance.

My heart was racing.

Plumage

Ferns. Feathery. Fronds.

The flora and fauna seem to blend together.

I am diverted by a different kind of plumage.

New birds soon.

Splendid

New birds. Cardinals. 

Two words come to mind: wondrous and majestic.

As I was painting my mind wandered, as it often does...

Cardinals, Rome, the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo.

Years ago, as an art student studying in Italy,

we had a special art history lecture in the Vatican.

It was after hours and we had a private tour of the Sistine Chapel.

Can you imagine? Two hours. No tourists, no crowds, just us.

We laid down on our backs and looked up at the frescoes.

It was wondrous and majestic.