Thursday, December 9, 2010

The Parents Came, Visited and Left!

Well the parents made it here by 5 p.m. yesterday and they were gone by 5:35 a.m. today! We had a great time while they were here. The girls and their hubbys came over, we had pizza, my parents opened gifts, the girls and their men left, we visited a little more, we slept for a little and then the parents left! Quick but sweet-we had a really good time. My Mom got a little teary this morning-she really wanted to visit longer. She said she is flying down by herself in the spring and staying longer. Here are a few pictures of last night:


Mom holding the gift Megan made for her. It is hard to see in the picture but Megan counted cross stitched an Amish scene and Ken framed it.


Dad munching on his Chocolate Chip Cookies.


John watching the parents opening their gifts!


Megan posing for a picture and Ken kidding with her (she really had no idea he was teasing her)


My sister, Sue gave each one of us these lovely photo ornaments! She took pictures from my Mom's album from when we were little and put them in the little frame ornament! I love it!! I think I was 2 yrs. old. This was the picture on my parents Christmas Card.

Some visits are longer than others and some are really short like this one. But maybe short is sweeter! We all had a really good time even though my Dad seemed older and a little more frail. My Mom seemed to be doing really well-just tired from the long drive down. She'll really be tired tonight when they get back home! Safe trip Mom and Dad!!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

The Parents are on their way!!



My parents are on their way down to visit with us. They are only staying for the night and heading back up to NJ. I asked them to stay longer but my Dad said he was only staying 1 night and then going back home. They are bringing the Christmas money to our family and they like to do that in person. My Mom is 73 and Dad is 74. The trip is 11 hours one way! They will be arriving at our house at about 5 p.m. and they will be leaving at 7:00 a.m. tomorrow morning! I offered to take a day off from work and spend it with them and I know my Mom wanted to do that, but Dad was stubborn and said no. I even tried to coax them with going to Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden to see the lights, Mom wanted to but Dad said no. It isn't like Dad doesn't like us and he loves to see the whole family but he likes to be home and in his routine. I really think his way of thinking has become worse since Lupus has invaded his brain. I am just amazed that he can still make the trip!

The girls and their husbands will be coming down tonight to have dinner with all of us and then we will give my parents their gifts. Should be a fun time!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Baby it's cold outside!!!



The temps have certain dropped in the South, that is for sure!! This morning it was only 15 degrees when I woke up and it isn't expected to get out of the 20's today. I know some of you in more northern areas are saying it is much colder here. Well for Charlotte, NC that is really cold this time of year. I really think my North blood has finally thinned out for the Southern clime we live in. I guess 6 years of living here does that to you.

To make matters worse, my section of the building I work in doesn't have much heat! This morning it was 55 degrees in my office!! My office plant doesn't particularly like that either!

The North Carolina mountains were able to open their ski areas back up-so I guess that is a good thing-boost that NC economy!! It does make it seem more like Christmas too with colder weather. Other years we've lived here it seems like the colder weather is never going to make it here-so that is a nice change.

I guess tea and coffee sales are up too because of the sudden drop in temp, which is also good for the economy! I know I have been making more tea in the office to keep warm and alot of other people are too.

Well I've got to run now, the HVAC mechanic is here and I need to talk with him about getting the heat back to normal in my wing of the building. Everyone have a wonderful day and keep warm!!

Sunday, December 5, 2010

I want to say thank you!

I had posted some of the ribbon bookmarks I had made and had posted on my etsy.com site. Well they were really well liked because all but 1 sold in a matter of 1 day!! That is pretty amazing! They do make wonderful gifts, stocking stuffers or just a little something for yourself. I'll be making some more too! I have made some really special ones and here is a sampling of what I have created:


Winter Wonderland Ribbon Bookmark


Sparklie Flip Ribbon Bookmark


Regal Royalty Ribbon Bookmark


Hot Pink Princess Ribbon Bookmark


Azure Sky Ribbon Bookmark


Art Noveau Swallow Ribbon Bookmark


Victorian Crystal Ribbon Bookmark


Shell by the Sea Ribbon Bookmark

I have to say my favorite is Winter Wonderland! It was so much fun to create! I hope you stop by my etsy site. Just go to the right of my blog and click on the etsy site and you will be there!!

Thanks everyone!!

Saturday, December 4, 2010

One of my favorite artists!

I was decorating for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving and I came across my Trisha Romance pictures John had given me along time ago. I love this artist!



Here is her biography I found on picturethisgallery.com:

There is an immediate feeling of contentment when you see Trisha’s work for the first time; an unexplainable peace which seems to permeate from the very soul of art. Perhaps it’s her ability to capture the simplicity of everyday life’ or the gentle nuances of newly fallen snow. It is through these works of art which leaves us spiritually restored and renewed. The world that Trisha paints is her world – her family, her home, beloved landscapes and buildings and the serenity of many paintings is true to life.

Born in 1951 and blessed at an early age with a recognizable talent and a burning desire to pursue art, Trisha knew that this may not be the “road to riches” but indeed it was the “road to happiness”. To the humble artist from a small town in Western New York this was a vital ingredient to inspiration.

Two years of tenting around Europe, visiting every national museum, and experiencing all the wonders of the art world was an education that surpassed the two year formal training received through Sheridan Art College in Oakville, Ontario. To this adventurous artist, every temporary place called “home” was not only another chapter in her well kept journal - but another sketch to be later transformed into a painting.

Upon her return from her last “home” in beloved Sweden, she met Gary Peterson, the very person who discovered not only a personal love for her work but had the vision and belief that this was something to be shared. And so, with his care and direction, Trisha’s originals were exhibited throughout many shows in Canada, each one more successful than the last.

After two years, this great teamwork became a marriage and with the birth of their first child, Nathan, all paintings seemed to take on a new commitment. A new life, as it were, for colour, light and a dimension of love. And so it was through the birth of Tanya and Whitney, and the interaction of little lives at play, that the ultimate resource of motherhood was fortified.

Trisha has been honoured by many awards throughout her career including her investment into The Order of Ontario. She has won the 1995 and 1996 Canadian Artist of the Year Awards. The popularity of Trisha’s paintings continues to grow.

Here are some of her paintings I truly love:


This is Star of Wonder. John bought this for me-it was my very first Trisha Romance picture and I will treasure it always!


This lovely picture is appropriately named "Christmas Eve". I love the colors in this picture!



"Silent Night" is the name of this painting. Can't you just imagine driving up this snow covered drive and hearing nothing but the sound of tires crunching through snow!


"All is Calm" I love the little child in this painting!

Check out Trisha's website: http://www.trisharomance.com/. She has so many beautiful paintings and they are not all Winter or Holiday scenes. She is a very talented lady and I'm proud to own 2 of her creations!

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Lovely Ribbon Bookmarks!

I have been creating some lovely new ribbon bookmarks for my etsy site tonight. I have matched these beautiful ribbons with lovely Swarovski crystals, pearl, glass beads and charms. These would make perfect gifts for anyone on your holiday list! Stop by my etsy site by going to the right side of my blog and clicking on my etsy site. Enjoy!!


Victorian Ribbon Bookmark


Pink Queen Ribbon Bookmark


Blue Whimsy Ribbon Bookmark


Art Deco Ribbon Bookmark


Limeade Polka Dot Ribbon Bookmark


Polka Dot Summer Ribbon Bookmark

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

December 1st!!

I cannot believe it is December 1st already!! Where did the month of November go! I swear the months are just flying by so quickly. Before you know it my 1st grandbaby will be here (baby is due in July). I have been knitting gifts for Christmas this year and I thought I was almost done but then I remembered I wanted to make John a lovely scarf this year for Christmas. Last night was my knitting group at Cottage Yarn in Mint Hill, NC and I was looking around the shop for some yarn and for a pattern. I found this lovely yarn called Eco Duo and it was in a lovely shade of grays. Here is a picture of the color so you can visualize it:



I will be doing a very simple pattern of Knit 1, Purl 1 for this scarf but it makes a really nice pattern and I'm sure he'll love it!

I also have another gift to complete but I'm not saying what it is in case this person is reading my post!

I hope everyone finds the time to enjoy themselves during the holiday! I plan on baking cookies with my 2 daughters, making some holiday jewelry for myself, going to see the beautiful Christmas lights at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden and just plain enjoy the holiday season!