Time to say goodbye my loves

Thank you my loves for coming all this way to make my Christmas special. Thank you for your patience and kindness in the less then stellar meal preparation. Soon you will all be home in your own beds, eating the best cook in the worlds food (thank goodness Dwayne's Christmas diet has come to an end)and watching the DVD. You all are amazing and I miss you so much already.

The skiers

They look like skiers...talk like skiers...and now ache like skiers.

Another day another hill

Tomorrow they will throw caution to the wind and attack Big White. Morgan has already skied the virtual hill so is stoked, Laurie, still icing her hip is aprehensive and Sarah has delegated herself to support staff.

Merry Christmas all

 

MEDIC!!!!!!!!

OMG....they fell through the door collapsing on their beds fully clothed...moaning with every move. Hot tub for an hour totally finished them off and they were asleep by 7:30 pm....can't wait for them to hit Big White.

Christmas has begun

They arrived safely,looking like they had been stuffed in a trunk for 12 hours but ready to hit the slopes....that's today. Crystal Mountain this afternoon then Big White tomorrow. The hot tub is primed to ease the muscle spasm, torn ligaments, dislocations that may ensue.

Today's the day

The first family is winding their way through the mountain passes to the skiing mecca...kelowna.The pea soup is in the crock pot and the bread pudding with whiskey sauce is baking away in the oven. St. Christopher has been called on to co-pilot and I have checked the weather channel 23 times.%$#@%$ is really only 11:45 am.

Green Porno: more than you needed to know about animal reproduction

Green Porno....facinating hilarious,This ones for you Sarah.

Christmas party last night

Had a few friends we play cards with over last night, ate, toasted, played cards, ate, drank a bit more, then closed the evening with Spanish coffee made with a grind called Jet Fuel shouldaknowen......wrapped presents,... cleaned deep freeze,... played solitaire....

Madonnart Studio closed for the holidays

The Studio is on hiatus until Jan 3. Many thanks to all who supported my little art studio in 2009, your interest is very appreciated. I Wish the best of the season to you and your families and look forward to hearing from you in what looks like a creative 2010. Peace out.....

4...5...6 sleeps

The stockings are hung by the chimney with care.
Santa has been at the door for days....waiting

The beautiful girls room is ready, extra quilts, new PJs,light reading, white chocolate...pounce cards shuffled....hurry pretty girl...

 

The boys bed is ready...zine, PJs, snacks,all just waiting for my boy.

Soon...so soon....barely able to wait to see my special girl and the hardworking man.

This SO explains my last year

Washington Irving: "There is in every true woman's heart a spark of heavenly fire, which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity; but which kindles up and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity." So much can be achieved when you fear it might all be taken away..This year is quickly coming to a close and Passion has served me well. I will welcome and embrace 2010 and have decided on the word and the collage piece that will be my studio banner for 2010.

Still snowing here

Everything is covered, like a lovely white downy quilt but mysterious, hiding many surprises.

Son, grandson or husband

Yes this could be any of our menfolk.

The partys over

What a super day and evening in spite of a blowing blizzard and lack of parking, 32 people were able to navigate "bridge hill" and join Organic Dude and I in a glass of Christmas Cheer.A nice group of 8 friends lingered on for a late dinner, dessert and whiskey whipped cream coffees.I am feeling very blessed today in the wake of the love of friends, the last of the liquored up whipped cream and 650 mgs. of Tamicet.

My One True Love

One more sleep until Organic Dudes Party, now numbering 42....Right....Its not a party,....it's a get together.

One of a kind

The picture does not do this necklace justice. Hex(6) cut petite seed beads (#15) vintage tones of claret, teal, amber, grape make this a sparking piece.Click on the photo for close up view.

To New Homes

Time to say goodbye to these pieces....may you be worn in fun.

Beauty is in th.....blau.....blau......blau

Spa day today. This is the before...full of great expectations...treat....cuddles....

This is the after....humbled...ticked....nothing can save the day....

Ante up

Family Poker Night
We (the elders) are surely going to hell. Not only did we teach our two preschoolers to read a racing form and handicap like an old Greek Guy ( who made an oath on Secretariats grave, never to give Laurie another HOT TIP), we taught them the fine art of Poker. Luckily, I have lived long enough to mentor Sarah (horses) and Morgan (poker).This Christmas, again in the chosen language of Inspector Jacques Cousteau, we 5 will play,Sarah has gone to bed at 7:45 PM. We believe we are 5 of the Poker Greats: Organic Dude is Doyle Brunson, Morgan is Danial Negranu, Laurie is Scotty Nguyen, Dwayne, Phil Ivey and I.......I am Chris Moneymaker....Ante Up!

Stephanie Nielsons story to date

Please read this incredible story of a very courageous Stephanie Nielson's journey back from a plane crash. Surviving forth degree burns to 85% of her body, she has shown that true beauty is a state of the spirit and becomes more stunning and visible when mixed with faith and courage than physical beauty ever does. Start from the intro and read all 4 chapters and you will learn to love and pray for Stephanie and her family as I and make her blog, the NieNi e Dialogues, a regular visit.Click on the sidebars as well for wonderfull slideshows of the family.

The house is decorated

We are getting so excited.In the words of the Poet, Elf.....Santas coming!.....Santas coming!

High production day all 6 dozen of them

 

This ones for you Morgan.Think of it as an ironed crease in your jeans, me just saying I love you.

The Defence speaks

Thisor this
Discussions are beginning to firm up for menu selections for Organic Dude's party.It is not going to be an easy battle but Ordinary People,I am here for you. Requesting Side Bar your Honor.Side Bar....ahahahahaha....get it...BAR....drinks...I SO kill me.

She found me

SHE has hunted me down and brought the SWEAT SHOPto the safety of my home.Last night she assigned me my task to be completed within the next 3 days. The only thing different from Christmas Past is that I am not locked in a basement...fed like a prisoner in Solitary but free to get my own sustenance when I am thirsty, hungry...etc. NOT when she feels a break has been earned.

I have come a long way

Yesterday while taking the vegetarian cabbage rolls and creme cheese brownies to the deep freeze, I had such a moment of gratitude. 6 years previous, injured in a car accident, I was watching You Tube videos learning how to cook again. It was a time of extreme pain and confusion for me and massive frustration for my very patient family.I often flash back to that time when my daughter caught me following a recipe for mashed potatoes then that moment of extreme frustration when I was trying to be helpful chopping onions and she gently took the knife from me to show me how. I was so embarrassed and actually ashamed.....over chopping onions...OMG.I laugh NOW at the MERINGUE INCIDENT of 2007 and the 3 months of therapy required to talk me off the ledge. So yesterday in a moment of extreme thankfulness, I remembered and reflected on the love of my family and the finding of that inner power that helped me through the painfull relearning. Power....could that be my word for 2010......p o w er....POWER.....POWER

Great sight and downloads

For fun take a tour to this.This is a super calender for us who do art journals, don't you think?

Guiding word

I have been thinking about what my word for 2010 should be. A lot of pressure for 1 word as it must reflect some personal, spiritual, artistic changes I want to make in the next year.Passion has worked extremely well for 2009 and brought me back to a place I thought was in Neverland.I am leaning towards a word that will bring direction,focus,fun all out of my comfort zone of course since that is where ART happens......ideas????

People magnets

 

The key is to get people's attention and that generally means heart and purse. So....this is my take on it....These little message bracelets, perfect stocking stuffers, absolutly affordable ($6.00) gets them looking at my art and then I slowly entice them with the rest.(click on picture to see messages) Thoughts?

Such a favorite

 

Finished order for probably the most frequently requested piece I have ever done. Cleaning Studio today after doing yearly inventory of all finished pieces and checking all bits and pieces are tight and functional. Tomorrow planning to assemble display for Open House, will take pics.

Musings on shopping past

Black Friday brings to me nostalgic memories of a Boxing Day in Edmonton when I and my 2 favorite Art girls hit the stores by 6:00 am. Armed with coffee, cell phones and rolling suitcases we scattered and reconned, keeping all posted on deals and steals....Needing a moment to brush away a tear...........a time that was golden.

This is how I roll

I finished decorating the basement last Friday...remember the Organic Dude wanted to have a party. Pacing is the key when you are with in days of the expiration date on well worn shoulders. Capricorn that I am, I have a list and everything is calculated, completed and finally crossed off, very different thinking from OD, who advises just serve green smoothies, and cut up veggies with yummmm...coconut oil.So all is on track until OD arranges to have the door into the storage room fixed....then...the carpenter guy calls asking that the boxes be removed from the wall the door is on. If you know about OD's OCD you have now left the room screaming....then he goes to town, yelling, "the guy needs to come tomorrow".Last night I went to bed at 7:00 pm, packed with heat (heating pad) and mellow with drugs....yes I moved the boxes. I have a list damn it!

Back to the Myrle Mini Mart

Up at 5:30,organizing my jewlery for the Christmas Fair on Saturday. Dentist, light treatment and then to Myrles to continue the reorg. Christmas is 1 month away my pretties...start pacing your self.

Sunny and warm

Can you believe the day...sun shining...no need for a coat. Sitting outside this morning having coffee...life is good.

The Legend Of The Three Violets

 

It came to pass as the Circle Of Life does, that the three violets
that bloomed with such love in Nana's room in the nursing home, needed to find a new home.They came to our new smaller home and sit in a place of honor....the big window of my studio....and they have always been in bloom....that's 2.5 years. So it just follows the AHA moment when I realized my connection to these violets and the subsequent worries that followed and now the compulsive need that they live,as I live. Which brings me to the Psychotic Event of yesterday. The Healthy One was tuning up the hot tub, leaving the door open to the frigid outdoors. The violets shivered and upon a Purdy's Snowball, I swear I heard a cough! The next moment is best left behind and for the next 30 minutes I talked the violets through our trauma.

The Task At Hand

Sorting through and designating a bin.
Emptying bags, containers.
Containers on shelves. Myrle has a well stocked bead store we discovered. Not done yet.

A Must visit home tour

I am sure this is my long lost family home. It speaks to me and is calling my name. Note the books,The stenciled furniture, the family recipe stenciled on the kitchen cupboard....ahhh the setting....OMG....

Fa-la-la-la-la

OMG....I am SOOOO excited. They are coming for Christmas.....well they are coming for skiing and for Christmas....can't sleep...want to decorate...want to bake...want to finally shop.....so...so...excited....only 30 sleeps....making lists...planning party.....breath, deep breaths....

Making Peyote crystal necklace

Step 1: 15 inch Peyote band.
Step 2: add picotes
Step 3: large fringe in middle.

Peyote Crystal

 

This is the most popular necklace I have ever done.It was recently requested so back under the Ottt. I love taking these beautiful native stitches and making them modern. Do you like it?

BFF, a moment of clarity

While driving home from Myrle's, I thought about my fortune in having this friend with whom I feel such a deep and spiritual connection.Over the span of our friendship now approaching 20 years, I have always felt her commitment to help in whatever her or my circumstances were. Many changes over the years placed us on different paths but she was always nearby,available to talk me through a broken heart or to provide a different take on my sometimes bewildered reality. She operates off of my need and my expectations of her in that moment. She has never not been there for me. I know there have been times she has not agreed with or approved of my thinking but bless her she still was there with her faith and affection. We not only share a brain but a heart and soul as well and in those times of fear, sadness and joy she shared my emotions fully.I love her dearly, trust her completely and value her daily.

Date night

Last night our little card group took our winning pot and hit the Buffet and Casino. I managed to get out with $52.00 playing 21, Organic Guy with $100.00, playing Roulette and the rest whined all the way home.

This is more like it.

Post dentist is never pretty. For one thing the upside down pose for 2.5 hrs is not something my post traumatic brain copes well with. Add to that all this delicate packaging on my almost powder shoulders spells pain and migraine...all aside....do you see this day? Freaking incredible!

AAAACCCHHHH! SNOW!

 @#$%^&*()_@#$%^&*()_+@#$%^&*@#$%^&*()

Eco friendly massage mattress

You know that place where you could not be more comfortable, more cozy and you are sleeping the sleep of the innocent....yes that lovely place. I felt that sleep last night until I realized I was in that tacky hotel in Vegas and the vibrating mattress was running at warp speed....except....when I opened my eyes....It was the little black dog enthusiastically loving her hump monkey.....and it was 3:10 AM.

Wow Dream Studio

Myrles new studio is finished. What a great idea, behind this door is a murphy bed and more drawers.
Love the big deep cupboards and drawers.

What Dula wants Dula gets

She wanted to dress up as a fairy for Halloween...begged me to put on her gear...really...she wanted to...she loves dressing up...see her smile.

Hymns of the 49th parallel.....golden

I am a long time fan of KD Lang and her whiskey mellow voice never better than in her CD, Hymns of the 49th parallel. Get it from the library, borrow it from a friend WTH go crazy and buy one. You will not regret it.

Long night

 The little black dog woke me at 2:17 am...to do "peeps"....3:10 am..afraid of the wind....4:45 am...thought dad had swallowed a chain saw....5:10 am...now in bathroom crying...wind again and at 6:33 am, saw the beginning of a sunbeam and wanted to greet the brand new day. Content to become my living canine furry scarf, managed to hold it together until 7:30 am and then we got up to witness this incredible day.