winter warmth....

What keeps me warm when the wind chill factor is making it feel like -30 outside ???

~the arms of husband~
~the smiling faces from our great kids~

~and Sophie, who this morning called "dibs" on my bed pillow as I was trying to change the sheets on our bed~

What else ?

~cups and cups of my almond vanilla tea with french vanilla creamer~

~white chocolate chip cookies~

~furry socks~

~the smell of my freshly washed towels right out of the dryer~

~rereading excerpts from eat pray love~

~not having to leave the house~

~the sun casting shadows on the floor~

~eating leftover quiche for lunch~

~and Jack getting to sleep until noon since it's too cold for the kids to go to school today~

What's keeping you warm today ?

in my mind, I have sand between my toes

I haven't done one of my "big headed" girl journal pages in a very long time.
And yesterday I felt motivated to make one. I wanted to write. I needed to write. I thought maybe what would come from the end of my pen would be brilliant, but it wasn't. But it sure felt good to let the paper absorb what was on my mind. Now I see why the "really healthy" people of the world journal everyday. I'm going to have to try that.

It was warm this morning....semi enjoyable for January in Wisconsin. This afternoon though, we were pelted with freezing rain and then some snow flurries. Now the wind outside my office is howling and trying to find someplace to go and it'll make us drop down into the -20/-30's tonight.

Good thing that at least there's something decent to watch on TV tonight....we love the BIGGEST LOSER !!!

{and of course I'll be switching back and forth between that and American Idol, just so I can see Simon roll his eyes at some youngsters that had been told by their mommas that they could sing}

waiting pages

First of all...I'd just like to give a huge hug to all of you who congratulated me regarding the newest issue of Somerset Memories and to let you know how loved you all made me feel...thank you, thank you, thank you !!!! So this is what I made a few days ago when I should have been grocery shopping. I hate {really I do} grocery shopping of any kind, so I put it off as long as I possibly can and hide out in my stuido until one of my family members comes looking for me with that, "you haven't fed us yet" look....and then I throw them a loaf of bread and go scurrying back to my safe place. Well, it's kind of like that.
This is a journal.

Filled with scrap paper, magazine pages, ledger pages and a manilla envelope.

And a few pictures. All sewn together. There's actually two groups of papers stiched together and then I used masking tape to attach them to the front and back inside covers. I never knew how much I actually like using masking tape...it really works !

Some of my own painted paper.

And basically lots of places to write and spots to add more pictures.

She called hers a "travel journal" when she made hers {posted Jan. 13/15}

I think I'll have to come up with a new name for mine.

Traveling for me these days is limited.

And I'm soooo good with that !!

Color me HAPPY.......

The newest issue of Somerset Memories is hitting the bookstores this weekend and that's my art on the cover !

Talk about a HUGE surprise !
Here is my article, "happy mistakes" which I knew was going to be a spread in this issue, but the cover....I still can't believe it !!!

These are my transparencies that I created and kept hidden from everyone, except for my dear friend Laura. She was the only one besides my family who knew what they looked like and I want to thank her here for all her support and kind words. And I think maybe she's just as excited as I am that they are now out for everyone to see !

I discovered this morning that taking pictures of magazine pages with pictures is just not that easy...lots of glare.

Of course I could have scanned them, but call me lazy.

So here is the end of your sneek peak....hope you enjoyed it. Now run out this weekend and see if you can find yourself a copy at your local Barnes and Noble or Borders. If you're lucky enough to have a subscription, then it might actually be in your mailbox today !!!

food for thought......

what....is this wrong ? what do you use your paper plates for... food ?? I obviously use mine to mix my paints on !
here's page C in my art journal !

a little bit of a close up.

and another !

and this is what my family lives with....me, my mess and paints... having taken over part of the kitchen in order to do what I love to do.

so why do I work in here and not in my stuido on this project ??

because painters need water and a sink.

Do I have a bathroom {with a sink} attached to my studio ? I do.

hmmm...I'm going to have to keep working on a good answer here.

okay, honestly...I don't like to cook. But I love my kitchen and being in the heart of the home.

There, does that work ?

the WHO and now we know HOW......

How do so many birds consume so much birdseed ??
When they're not alone, that's how !!!

Look closely here...Maxine decided to play it safe and stay on the ground, but Charlie {big man that he is} decided that the better food at the "birdfeed buffet" would be had if you sarted at the top and worked your way down.

If you're amused with these photos, please feel free to come out anytime and join John while he cleans up the mess they leave behind...okay, you caught me !!! because I'm totally amused myself !!

Do hawks ever get desperate enough to come to a feeder...or at least to the ground below it ?

Check your watches eveyone...I thought lunch was at 12:15...where are you guys ???
Heeeellloooooooo.......

Ohhh....so I messed up. So we're eating today at 3:43 !!

So glad you could join us Edna...car pool line run a little late today ???

(sorry, I couldn't resist a little deer humor)

{if you really want the full visual on these great photos -courtesy of our critter cam-just click on the photos !}

it warms the soul

We woke this morning to freezing cold. It was -10 when we woke up. Later in the day while I was running to Target.... it was ONE WHOLE DEGREE !! But the sun was shining all day and it warmed my soul....yeah right, who am I kidding ??

My nose hairs froze as soon as I stepped out of the car. I coughed each time I took a deep breath and my eyes watered enough to humidify the rest of my face.

And much to my surprise, I survived.

It wasn't that bad !!
Really !!

I took these photos this morning out at the cottage. We ran out, filled the bird feeders, checked the traps for mice {none} and then headed back into town.

I have to tell you.....even in this frozen tundra, everything outside the cottage is still just as beautiful and peaceful as ever.