Busy November

As I am literally waiting for the paint containers(face paints) to dry as I needed to clean them before heading to the church for another face painting party, I am reflecting on how busy I have been thus far for November. Not even much time to write and post here.

October was busy as well as we had to get ready for the fall parties, give the yard a last once over before it got cold not counting the ridiculous snow on Halloween which cancelled outdoor fun due to the extreme cold. Snow you can deal with but temps in the 20’s is too cold for little ones to be out begging for candy.

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And of course football(college) was beginning to get interesting across the country. Unknowns rising with the foam of the Heisman search, expected candidates dropping to the wayside. Fall can really a fun time of year. Today will be a nail bitter for us as it has championship possibilities. Go Dawgs.

UGA Dawg

November brought on the usual for me of getting the plan together for decorating for Christmas, my favorite time of year. Plus my book is in process of getting printed. I received the initial press run copies so the reality of this happening is kind of overwhelming. Hopefully it will be available in stores in a few weeks. My church is throwing me a book signing party on Dec 1 so I am getting excited.

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Its a story of a dog’s journey when he gets to heaven with people and other dogs friends. Its different because I want all the dogs I lived with growing up to be with me in heaven so I wrote a book making it so. LOL. I am not telling you all this to get you to go buy my book, I just want you to come along and enjoy the fun I am having. The sequel is about 3/4 written, so maybe next summer it will come out.

And as I promised when I posted the pictures of the entire village, I am periodically including a highlighted section so you can see the details.

IMG_20191116_093327 — The Mountain Cottage

This is one of the first pieces I painted. Over the years I added the trees, the pump, the well and the wood pile and this year I added the horse and the bears after the honey. I told my daughter it is spreading everywhere like Peyton Manning’s on the insurance commercial. LOL

I think it would be cool to have one warehouse size to bring in all the kids at Christmas with Santa and cookies and fun activities. That would be a fun dream. So as you smile at my fun dreams, share that smile during the season and spread the kindness it reflects.

kind smile

Christmas Craft Project Done

For some of us, getting ready to decorate for Christmas is almost as fun as the actual decorating, especially if you are into making the decorations or making gifts to give to family and friends.

Today we are in snow #4. While they have not been big snows, its still too early for my liking but we pull up out boot straps and deal with it. I only work 3 days a week now, so I was able to swap out today with tomorrow which allows for me not to have to go out in it.

If you remember I told you about the dog, the tree and the snowman ceramics I bought to paint and that they light up. The snowman turned out the cutest. They are about 7″ tall.

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The biggest Christmas craft project I have ever was done back in 2000. That is when the ceramic houses that you could paint yourself first started being a hot item. My friends and I started a village at the beginning of summer and by Christmas, we both had well over 50 items each. I place it out every year and last year I added a couple of items. I have to monitor sizes as my houses/business were in the middle of the scale of houses they make today. This year I added a cathedral and an observatory along with some enhancement items like bears in a tree for the mountain cabin and the coffee stand at the tree farm. The new items were already painted so I just got to add them to the collection, but still it is fun.

The layout is broken down into 3 separate sections, one due to the size and one because of it’s theme and location.

First you have “up town” with the government buildings and the large shops. There is the City Hall, the Lawyer office/Police department, the Post Office, the Fire Station, the Bank, the Library, the Theatre and of course a church are located.

IMG_20191109_175010 — This is an alcove above the fireplace for a TV/Entertainment center

Suburbia is located on an adjacent table next to the fireplace with many favorite shops, homes and added novelties. Throughout the season, I will feature a few of these at the end of each post so you can see the details like the car at the burger stand shaped like a burger.

IMG_20191109_174945 — Homes, businesses, the mountain house, the Christmas tree farm, Railroad, Antiques, the stream with the covered bridge and the feed store.

The last section is the observatory way out in the country(the other side of the fireplace) on a mountain(a bucket on a snow covered file cabinet) by itself, however there is a hotel and a church close by. And yes, the tree for that room is reflected in the window. Not fully decorated yet though.

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The fun in doing this always brings back good memories, plus that fact that one year I gave some houses away as gifts and still have lots left.

Yes it is a lot of work getting all of this out but I still enjoy it and lay it out different each year.

What are some of your favorite crafts to do at this time of year or some of your favorite decorations. I always enjoy looking at everyone’s as much as I like sharing mine, so share away and lets have fun together.

And in closing you know I always stress the value of kindness. It is a true reflection of Christ and how he wants us to try to always be kind.

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This is What Happens as Fun

Sometimes when you don’t get everything picked up as you should…things you don’t think could possibly happen…do.

IMG_20191107_092435 — A most wonderful toy

The yarn bin did not get picked up out of puppy reach so…no crocheting will be done from this skein.

IMG_20191107_092432 — It is lite and easy to shake the life out of

Yes I know it has no life in it but to her….yarn monster must die. The funny things puppies do. She is a toy hoarder and the only toy she was ever given is the white bear behind Mimi, which is her favorite toy. Her other toys were Mimi’s who doesn’t play with them anymore.

IMG_20191103_203201 — I cant decide which to play with so I will play with both.

They are all my toys, all mine.

IMG_20191029_073430 — My pillow, my bear, my shoe, my rope, the yarn monster, my bone and currently in my mouth is my tennis ball. All in my playhouse under the chair.

And Mimi just looks at her like “whatever” and goes to lay on the bed. If we could all go through life like a happy puppy wouldn’t that be great.

We tend to get so caught up in the everyday stress of life we forget how to be happy. We let our well being depend on our circumstances and the events of the day instead of closing off the world and being at one with our creator. Try to take time for yourself each day and spend time with God. He will surround you with his peace and ease the worries of the day off of your shoulders. But it takes purposeful quietness of the day. Find it. I promise it will be worth it. And when you find that peace, use it to spread kindness…a true reflection of Christ himself.

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The Escapist Coloring Club, Nov. 1

Linda G Hill has a fun prompt for the 1st day of the month, well actually it is a monthly prompt which is a good thing as I am slow on the “draw” some days. Yes, the poor attempt at a pun was intentional.

I felt my page this month fit well with the season as it looks to have a critter hibernating in the center of a colorful life around him. Now that cold weather is on our doorstop, I felt it would work.

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And as always I remind us all the value of kindness and how it enhances the world.

Kind breeze

Yep, It’s Time

I am fully aware that is just mid-October but if you have lots to prepare for and many things that needs to get made you have to prepare and get ready ahead of time so when it time, you are ready. What in the world am I talking about…

IMG_20191019_124418 — Decorating for Christmas

This year I am able to decorate some outside, so new toys. Yea! I had house repairs made which included fixing my outside energy source so, let’s let our light shine. Last year I was not able to walk much due to surgery on my feet, and the sunroom remained closed off all winter long because the fireplace had issues. The fireplace got fixed this summer, the junk in the room was dealt with and now to reorganize that room which will take time. But cute stuff goes early, so we buy early. Added more pieces to my village, added a table tree to my woodland theme for the bathroom…cant wait to get started organizing everything so that by the middle of November the trees (3 large, 2 small) can start going up. Takes time to do all that but it is my favorite time of year to decorate the house.

As we think about the coming light season, remember the inner light Christ has given you and to let it shine reflecting His love for everyone. You don’t need a season for that; that’s and everyday thing. Have a great week.

kindness radiating — Radiate God’s LOVE.

Escapist Coloring Club, October 2019

Linda G Hill has given us a fun monthly challenge of adult coloring or showing off your kids coloring. Today’s adult coloring books are great for me on nights when the brain just will not shut off.

This month’s Escapist Coloring prompt, I played more with feathering shades of colors together and blending them – similar to how I do some of my face painting techniques only this is done with pencils.

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A rhinoceros made fully of flowers showing a gentle side of a possible fierce beast. Even in a creation of power, a spirit of gentleness and kindness can be present. It is a tool we all have and can use at our discretion, so remember to show your kind side and gentle spirit.

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Food for a Dreary Day, #SoCS

Last night was a fantastic night at a Home Free Concert. If you are not familiar with them check out the video below. They are an awesome a Capella country group that makes all their instrument sounds with their own mouths – their percussionist Adam is unreal.

That being said, getting home after midnight is way past my bedtime so today is a sit at home, drippy rainy day of watching football and eating tasty fast food.

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Linda G. Hill’s prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “-tast-.” Find a word that contains “tast” and use it in your post. Enjoy!

Even on a quiet stay at home day, you can still spread kindness. Its not always about seeing people face to face but having a tastefully kind spirit in all that you do.

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BOTD, 9/13/19, Fan of…

I am a big fan of my bird feeders. It has been fun watching them feed, fuss, fight and rest. The majority of the birds I currently see are Goldfinch. But the House finch and Purple finch are also constants at the feeders. Its interesting as the Goldfinch like the Niger(thistle seeds) better where the House and Purple like the mix with the safflower seed and black oil sun flowers. The cardinals and woodpeckers prefer the cakes of sunflower seed with the peanuts…as do the squirrels.

The Goldfinch and the Woodpecker watch each other but will guardedly share.

When the squirrel arrives, he has split second time to grab and run before Mimi goes into action. She does not approve of the squirrel in the feeder, nor does the female House finch. Then in the feeder goes empty, we have the neighborhood watch bird pecking at the window to make sure I am aware.

I know that some of these pictures I have posted in the past but it all fit for Fan of… presented by Jez Braithwaite.

And for BOTD by Granny Shot It, , we have the Mourning Dove. All my life, I thought these were Morning Doves until I got a bird book and saw they are Mourning Doves, maybe for the sad sound they make. We have two pairs around and supposedly that is supposed to be good luck for the home. All I know is I am enjoying my birds.

Hopefully we will not be mourning this day but joyous and happy sharing kindness when we can.

Finish with Fun

Today was the last face paint party for the summer. This was located at a local festival with wonderful games, food, music, tractors…and ending not like I thought it would. So I shall show you pictures of my fun and the pictures of what happens when there is no one around to monitor me and keep me in check. It can be dangerous? but …well it is what it is. First the fun…

IMG_20190907_091717 — Living in corn country, you got to have Kids Corm Scramble

Kids corn scramble was a big hit. They had large metal washers hiding in the corn that they had to find on a time limit to win a stuff animal.

IMG_20190907_103441 — Summer night and turtle beach are favorite faces

Then of course, a train pulled by a John Deere tractor is always good.

Antique cars, trucks and tractors…..

Then of course, every playground should have its own…camel?

As many of you know I am a strong backer of rescue animals and the conservation efforts of zoos. My dog Mimi is a rescue and I purposely do not go to shelters for the danger that I would bring them all home with me.

But today, they brought them to me and YES I was unsupervised and caved. Meet Mimi’s new little sister. She does not have a name yet, as I believe they earn their name, possible over the weekend.

IMG_20190907_133310 — German short hair pointer cross.

Mimi doesn’t seem to mind and is learning to be kind and sharing the sofa. You can see the tail is blurred as it is constantly wagging – happy puppy. Always remember to be kind even when you prefer not to share your water bowl.

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Which Way??, #SoSC

The fun of playing with fellow bloggers and their challenges or prompts really gives you a chance to be creative. Linda G. Hill has a Saturday prompt with a weekly theme to get you creative. This week’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt is Weigh/Way/Whey used in any manner as you desire – one word or all words, your choice.

I chose to go way out on a limb and include a photo I really liked from Irene of Heaven’s Sunshine and include silly poetry with it. Hope it brings a smile, as those who read me regularly know how I feel about smiles = happiness = kindness.

Bridge to Sunshine

Which Way Now?

I stand here and ponder where this bridge and path leads,

Is it the correct way or will it lead me to more weeds.

I know I must go soon as my hunger begins to grow,

My thoughts now ridiculous, ‘curds and whey the way to go’.

But which way is right will weigh heavy on my mind

For if I choose the wrong way my peace I will not find.

Anita Neal

In finding your peace, I hope it comes with joy and with the joy you feel I hope you are able to share kindness. Remember Kindness is a choice so I hope you chose to be kind.

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