September...

It's September!

Summer is coming to a close, thank goodness.

 

The sky is finally getting some color back in it.

Arizona summer skies are bleached pale, pale blue.

Now that the season is changing the blue is deepening.

 

I love September for many reasons.

#1.Obviously because summer is almost over...

#2.Because it ushers in the start of Halloween merchandise in ALL the stores.

 #3.Most importantly... because it's my man's birthday!

That's right..the most influential man in my life, other than my dad. 

 

He's so amazing!

His birthday is on the 21st and we are going to celebrate it

with audio stories, movies and a creepy dinner in his honor!!

I'll be very sure to post about the evening.

Ok...

Awesome stuff happening around here..

& speaking of amazing people..

Remember this guy??

Well, he sent the incredible artwork I talked about getting a couple of weeks ago.

He is...awesome.

The painting is so gorgeous and vibrant.

To have it in my possession fills me with such happiness!

 

 This photo doesn't do it justice.

  Isn't she adorable!!!!

He even framed it for me.

I set her up in my bedroom, though I said I wasn't going to,

I wanted her to be in the living room so everyone could see her and admire her,

 but I guess I'm feeling a little selfish:)

That's not all!

He also sent this sketch..

'Cause I love vultures,

And the bitty pink skull canvas.

Look at the details on these pieces...

If you haven't visited his Instagram yet, go as soon as you can!!
you are in for a treat.

It's all original artwork dreamed up by him.

 Please don't wait any longer.. 

He has a gallery show coming up next month and he's busy getting ready for it..

 but like I said he is a lovely person

&

You can ask about his artwork..he actually answers...!

And he'll be incredibly sweet with his responses.

Here's the link....

Johnny Oxen.

There's also a button on the sidebar. 

So, Now I think it's time...

The third annual Haunted Humpday postings

will begin Wednesday, September 9th!!!

 So fill your favorite mug with cocoa

and come sit by the fire with me, where it's warm and "safe"

Are you excited!?

I really am.

Come back next week

and see what's brewing!

Have a great holiday weekend.

paint paint paint

How is it Saturday already?

The week really flew by for me!

 

We're only just getting monsoon-ish activity here...

unlike Tucson, where it seems to rain constantly.

Since it's been a while away from here for me,

I want to show you what I've made these passed few months...

All of these are acrylic on canvas

with the exception of the last one..

she's paper mache, pipe cleaners, clay and plastic tubing.

I know I have other pieces but either I've not photographed them 

before they sold

or

I'm too tired to remember them at the moment!

currently, I am suffering with a bit of an 'artists block' I guess.

Cannot concentrate and I'm VERY distracted...

it's not too bad of a feeling in a way:-)

Hopefully I'll get back to painting soon.

ok...

the weekend is here and that means no homeschool and we get to

make our Halloween plans!

I'm hoping to start Haunted Humpday very soon..

are you as excited as I am!?

Have a wonderful weekend!!

 

I'm back!

I know it's been a while

but I'm really excited to get back to visiting here regularly.

Hope you've been healthy and happy.

I'm getting everything prepared for the upcoming season...

stories, crafts, giveaways,

& recipes...

I wanted to share this lovely piece of artwork

that will soon be gracing my wall!

It's titled

 "Hello Motherf*cker"

It's oil, paint marker and ink 

on a spray painted zinc plate.

 I can't wait to get her!!!!!

The creator of this amazing piece is a very talented artist that

I had the good fortune of finding on Instagram..

This guy is Awesome!!!

His name is 

Johnny Oxen

His work is both fun and creepy..my favorite type of everything.

He will use anything as a canvas ..

as he puts it:

 "...Everything is potentially artwork.It's like energy at rest."

Below is a small sample of his work...
from toe tags to pumpkins.

(The bull-rabbits of the apocalypse)

(Tending the electrolotus)

(Still)

(stick to the devil you know)

(I'd rather be alone anyway)

 

If you get a chance, go take a look at his work..it's very inspiring.

If you happen to inquire about one of his pieces, you'll find that

he's very sweet and personable.

That's it for tonight...

I hope you have a magical weekend!

see you soon!!

New Year

How is everyone?

I'm doing great, to be honest.

This new year started off on a happy note.
lot's of things have been happening..
I'll give you a condensed version of the highlights.

And....my word of the year has been chosen!

Christmas was different,

I have spent every year of my life

at my house on that day

but this year I didn't 

and I really liked it.

I got some incredible, heartfelt gifts.

One that particularly touched my heart and made me cry

was this:

 

It's a runestone from the Hobbit movie..

I find it hard to explain why I love it so much...

just know it was the best gift I've ever received.

On New Year's eve 

My daughter got an email letting her know she's on the A.S.U. dean's list!!

We were so excited we called everyone we know.

I'm so very proud of her!

An old friend that I never ever thought I'd hear from again

found me on Facebook and it's like we never stopped talking!

The last time we spoke was on myspace, lol... probably eight years ago.

I truly believed he was dead!

So it was a very nice surprise.

 

I've also made some new friends recently

really honest, supportive and totally unexpected friends...

Oh! it snowed here on New Year's Eve!!

Big fat floppy snowflakes, actual snowflakes falling from the sky!!

It was completely magical and gorgeous! 

Like a gift :-)

My word of the year is

Magic

  I'm afraid of affirmations sometimes..
because you get what you ask for
that's for sure..
My word last year was bloom or blossom
and yes I did that,
I bloomed, grew, transformed.
 .................
I chose Magic because
I want more of it in my life.
It may sound like a silly word
but I know
it's going to force me to become stronger
and
to take leaps of faith.
I'm ready.

I'm done for today..

just wanted to leave you with a song

I've been obsessed with lately.

It reminds me of .... starlight and fire moons.
.

May your year be everything you ask for..

My December

 

 How's your December been?

I've been away from here too long...

This post may make sense or not...nothing really seems to lately.

 My birthday was a couple days ago..

I had a nice time..

I even splurged and had chocolate mousse cake.

  I don't know about you, 

but I always mark the year by my birthday.

It is your very own New Year after all.

This year for me has been one of many losses.

Situations that I thought I would not survive if they came to pass,  started to happen.

 It began last December 29th, when my father passed away.

His illness began in 2011, so wrapping my mind around

his eventual demise was extremely difficult.

I was so focused on his dying that I neglected many of the living. 

 It was fast as far as this particular illness goes.

I'm grateful his suffering is over.

 We lost many beloved pets

this year too...

We went from having eight cats

 to two in a matter of days really.

Compared to my dad's passing you'd think it

wouldn't hurt so much

but it really did. 

As you know, my daughter moved away

for school... 

she left and and my niece went with her.

They aren't very far away

but their absence is palpable in this house.

 I'm proud of them.

But...

There's no arguing,

 no piano,

 no arpeggios flying though the rooms.

Just a lot of quiet.

I also lost an old friend

we shared many experiences,

And all the emotions that go along with any relationship.

Happiness, sadness, joy, fear, relief, anger, love

All of that is gone. 

If this person even existed at all,

I'm half convinced it was an illusion.

 This house always felt so small

not enough room for everyone and everything.

And I liked it that way..

Did I want a space of my own to do with as I pleased...?

yes of course!

But the bustle and mess were priceless,

for all my complaints about having to clean up

I was pretty OK with it all.

I knew it wouldn't remain that way always.

 

 

I have my little one

and she is my northern star

my lighthouse.

As I am hers.

Our happy adventures are just starting.

This new year is going to be much better than last.

I say a year of loss, but it's more a year of change I guess.

Beginnings not endings.

There will be joy again...

for all that this year has been to me

I will continue to be who I am.

 I'd like to thank everyone

 that has been there for us and offered their

 love, support &  friendship

I'm so very grateful to you.

And if life is feeling off and

pushing you down,

hang on,

magic will find find it's way back to you soon.

 See you really soon :-)