the moments after i have dreamed

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T11:55:00.001-05:00

Be careful in the kitchen. with love, "Lefty" Boyer

2008-10-12T21:00:00.002-05:00

We had our indian summer this weekend, glorious days filled with warm sunshine. Although I went out to the beach for a bit yesterday I didn't take any photographs - just sat in my chair thinking, contemplating, taking it all in. There's definitely a different feel to being out there at this time of year, and many of the people who had come out were having fun, playing amid the snow fences the DNR is in the process of putting up; 'IT' is coming as much as I do not want to face it.

My photo, above, was taken while I was in Florida, a different atmosphere there too during the week although the weekends still bring out crowds of people. I enjoy the solitude so much.

...but I'm not quite ready,

2008-09-14T21:15:00.004-05:00

so off to Florida for a couple weeks.

{photo taken when I was there this past April}

good-bye summer xoxo

2008-09-14T21:01:00.003-05:00

2008-07-23T09:24:00.003-05:00

The other day being a gloomy one I spent some time browsing around a favorite antique mall, here a few of the treasures I picked up. The small ledger book was used as a diary, unfortunately just a few pages of entries and no author attributed. However, I find this one fascinating, a peek into history:

"War ended Nov. 11, 1918. It ws the 11 mo. 11 da. & 11 hr. peace was signed. Lake Linden* had a big celebration, stores closed, mills, etc. Large parade in the afternoon. In the evening the C. & H. made a bonfire at the Caledonia park, crowds of people were present, 3 bands played & everybody singing & shouting. The bonfire consisted of 100 bbls. of oil & on the very top they had the kaiser & the crown prince displayed."

*Lake Linden a small town in the upper peninsula of Michigan).

And, in case anyone (?!!) reading this wonders why I am not working, I am waiting for the call to see if I am to go in this afternoon - my doctor has been on jury duty for the past week and a half. Supposedly, hopefully, things were to have wrapped up sometime today.

2008-07-22T16:18:00.001-05:00

Cathy & I gave our nephew's fiance a shower on sunday - where I got stung by the bee as I was loading up the car to go home. This is the thank-you I received this afternoon, a cookie bouquet of buzzing bees! She didn't even know about the incident! Too cute.

Red Flag

2008-07-22T11:58:00.005-05:00

Yesterday was just a red flag kind of day. High winds at the Lake made it impossible to sit and relax at the beach. I was stung by a bee, a big bumblebee, on the shoulder and today the hurt and swelling tremendous. Lots of antihistamines have me so groggy that's all I wanted to do was sleep in the sun, unfortunately it didn't happen there.

2008-07-19T09:37:00.003-05:00

Life has a way of getting away from one, especially when difficulties make going forward a very hard upward battle. It's having to dig deep to find the real meaning in the everyday that I'm trying to recall. Onward, I hope!

This photo taken at the Frederick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park a few weeks ago following my neice's wedding there, my youngest son Joe and I.

2007-12-01T09:33:00.001-05:00

The package may not look the same as it once did, but inside I am still young at heart! How did this day get here so fast?!!

Happy Thanksgiving

2007-11-22T10:25:00.000-05:00

(postcard to Mr. J. S. Glen in West Toledo, Ohio, from Harry in Chicago, Illinois. Reads, "Very best of wishes ahd hope you and all enjoy the occasion immensely and partake plentifully of the famous bird." Postmarked November 21, 1921 at 11pm.)

and the other engagement!

2007-11-11T20:38:00.000-05:00

My nephew, Dan, and his fiance, Sarah, will wed next August - aren't they cute?!! Sarah faced alot a few years back when she was stricken with a serious medical emergency as many of my CollageCat art friends may remember as they rallied to send her some wonderful art pieces to decorate her hospital room and lift her spirits. She still talks about the generosity of that with me and how much lifted her spirits.

the night before...

2007-10-30T20:10:00.001-05:00

...getting ready for tomorrow!

2007-10-14T15:28:00.000-05:00

It's been a long time, two months, since I have blogged. My world turned upside down about that time, and although I know there are far, far worse things going on in the world than what I am dealing with, nevertheless the challenges I face are my own, the disappointment and heartache that which I have to live with every day. With that I have had to focus as much of my energy as I possibly can on my new job and career, and it has left little time for much else - to say I've been exhausted, both mentally as well as physically, an enormous understatement.

So I decided taking time off for a weekend up north last week was exactly what I needed as I continue to try to clear my head and heart and deal with keeping this old battery charged. My boss gave me keys to his cottage for a few days when I'd asked for a friday off, and I delightedly accepted his generous offer (well, to interject, he thought they were keys to the place, but we had to actually break in!). It was the last amazing weekend of the season, the weather in the 80's for the whole of it, so wonderfully warm we actually swam in Lake Michigan - in October (absolutely unheard of in the nearly 50 years I have been alive, anyway). We had a very few sprinkles of rain, not enough to keep us inside, and this picture I took as we walked down the beach saturday afternoon. That moment served to remind me that even when life seems to be darkest, with hope and faith, it can, and will, get better.

I am not going to let him defeat me, not again.

engaged!

2007-08-13T18:50:00.001-05:00

My niece, Becca, (our only girl), is a doctoral student (microbiology) at the University of California at Davis. She and her artist boyfriend, Chris, had some vacation time and took a trip north, up the coast, where he proposed at Crater Lake this past weekend! They plan on marrying next summer at one of the Lake Michigan beaches. There will be two weddings next summer as her brother and his fiance (Dan & Sarah), are in the planning stages for theirs, to be held next August. Happy times, as we open our hearts to two wonderful kids and expand our family.

2007-07-31T07:17:00.000-05:00

I am an optimistic person. I do believe in signs. That said, I don't know what kind of day must be ahead that I wake up with the words to the most annoying song on the planet running through my mind, "achey breaky heart" - what the ?!!?! It doesn't bode well, I don't think.

****must have been the $439 vet bill, the rest of the day was great! Thankfully it was mostly preventive maintenance stuff I was paying for, along with the chronic floppy-ear syndrome-type ear infections he is prone to which require swabs and tests and cleaning fluids and medications to make my little guy comfy and healthy. All a day in the life.

3 things

2007-07-26T15:58:00.000-05:00

Three things I am crazy about: stones, shells, & books. These two clever books are so adorable and artistic, with simple sweet stories. I can certainly relate to the message of infatuation, who doesn't come home from the lake or ocean (and bookstore!) with as much as you can carry - well, I do! The stones in this picture were picked up along Lake Superior this past fall, the shells, some of them from Sanibel I know, the little tan one in the forefront of the pile had a hole in it when I found it way, way back when (high school) so it seemed perfect worn on a chain, which I did sometimes in the summer. As for the books, they are written by a very talented Tracy Gallup and picked up at B&N, one a month or so ago, the other today. Simple, simple pleasures, just the best.

2007-07-14T18:13:00.001-05:00

let's hear it for 'chick flicks'! This is a beautiful movie.

it's raining, it's pouring...

2007-07-14T10:09:00.000-05:00

...and god knows we need it, but come on, it's saturday! And it's only 66 degrees - inside my house on a July morning, sigh.

not so good ideas
~clean the house.
~organize the art room.
~purge.

good ideas
~socks.
~coffee (lots).
~stacks of magazines (started perusing old issues of ME Home Companion at 3:30am - seemed like a good idea at the time and one to continue now it's so dark and dreary).
~a nap under the covers.

better ideas
~if Yesterdog delivered.
~if my new Netflix movies had arrived.
~someone to play with.
~that nap.

birthday party!

2007-07-12T22:22:00.000-05:00

We (Cathy, Dad & Karen, Peggy & Kevin, and I) went to the first Grand Rapids Symphony Pops concert of the season tonight at Cannonsburg to celebrate my sister Cathy's birthday - as you can see from the first photo as we picnicked it was a gorgeous evening. That is right up until just before intermission when the sky reminded me of the one in The Wizard of Oz just before Dorothy's house was picked up and spun away (fittingly the program was Sci-Fi music, and the orchestra was playing the theme from Star Wars when this blew up)! Thus the evening ended earlier than expected as the place tried to empty out before the storm hit. However, as we were waiting in the parking lot to exit, a gorgeous rainbow appeared!! Had to snap a picture of her (and her new car she just got yesterday) as it seemed another birthday surprise just for her! This picture was shot well before the time the sun actually goes down - you can see how dark and ominous things were, luckily we didn't get but a few sprinkles of rain on us out there. Here at home it appears the heavens let loose.

they all seem to run together - ahh, summer!

2007-07-12T09:47:00.000-05:00

it seems i am posting all out of sequence these days, but isn't that what summer is all about - a wonderful blur of fun! here's what my 07/07/07 looked like, complete with a picnic from a perfect vantage point for another perfect sunset which was to come (in mylifetime i will never get enough of them)!

2007-07-10T10:33:00.000-05:00

Had a health scare last week, entered the hospital in an ambulance and spent the night. Upshot my potassium level was very very low, and the symptoms I suddenly started to experience mimicked what I've always associated with stroke. Thankfully they were able to put me on an IV and get it to a normal level and there are no permanent repercussions. And as you can see from the last post, I was able to go on and celebrate the holiday just wonderfully. I am very pale this summer which put a bit of a scare into my sons when they first saw me thinking it was due to being sick, however, being I've been studying and working thus little free time and no pool as we'd been accustomed to all their lives I am undergoing quite a change in lifestyle. It hopefully a very healthy and long one!

I am being gently chided to eat more bananas now from all concerned - it will take more than that but I appreciate the thoughts!

2007-07-05T10:34:00.000-05:00

Yesterday's 4th of July celebration was a great one, spent the day in Muskegon with friends on their boat. Both the boys were here, Luke from Seattle, Joe from Ohio. We had gorgeous weather, good food, fun with friends - the ultimate summer holiday, couldn't have asked for more/better!!

2007-06-11T20:09:00.000-05:00

I'd like to know how many times I have said lately, 'I should have bought a condo', I may have already mentioned it here, in fact. It takes alot to maintain a house by myself, and with also trying to clear the back yard (think I whacked down about 14 trees on a whim last night) too, it's just nonstop work. For the most part I enjoy it (well, sorta), yet usually I am just too exhausted to get much in the way of art done because of all this, when I finished school thus thinking I'd have so much free time again (what, I now have to find a job?!!) - it was time to buy a lawnmower! The only painting I've accomplished is two doors yesterday, both side entrances into the garage, this one on the front porch. Tomorrow I am going to do the front door - I do love the color! Haven't even had time to go out and get new cushions for the chairs yet, I just noticed.

BREAKING NEWS - I did find a job, have been hired by the greatest people on earth - will be working with the wonderful people pictured a few posts back that helped train me!!! I'm working on getting my x-ray certification right now and will begin working a bit in July (doctor taking the month off) so will kind of be easing into it until August. This is just the greatest thing that has happened to me in a really l o n g time!!!!!!!

{sunset}

2007-06-10T13:47:00.000-05:00

Nothing so beautiful and relaxing to me as sitting on the beach and watching the sun go down over Lake Michigan, this last saturday after a huge thunderstorm had gone through.

2007-05-29T09:02:00.000-05:00

I've done a little bit of art, this is for a swap through The Creative Underground. What we were to do was purchase 30 packets of seeds, and then using the front of the packet as a base for an artist trading card, make one which will then fit into the seed packet. These will be assembled into books, one for each of 30 artists. I am particularly excited to see the end result and receive my book, it was hinted at the cover will be done in ceramic. Just put my contribution into the mail today, and as soon as the wonderful women who work their magic on these swaps assemble and mail the books out, I will reveal here!

silly

2007-05-22T14:37:00.000-05:00

Ernie - just like one of the kids! I was outside planting flowers today, thought I'd check the sprinklers to make sure they were aimed where they needed to be, it's starting to get dry here. He jumped right on that one!

2007-05-17T08:21:00.000-05:00

In times of sorrow the bond of family and friends strengthens as we come together in grief. Our lives are so busy day to day, but when forced by a death to slow down it is in the remembering and sharing that I am enveloped with gratitude and love. I am so thankful for my blessings as to all the people that have crossed my path in life.

My heart goes out to my dear friend Pam and her amazingly strong family as they deal with their loss.

2007-05-14T13:15:00.000-05:00

This is the team from Grand Dental Care up in Rockford - I can't say enough about these wonderful people! Until we land a job those of us in our class have been given the option of signing up to work in the office to get experience, I've done a few days there now. I'm sure it has been disruptive for them to be over run with students, but all of them ~ Jan, Sandy, Jennifer, Elizabeth, Sadie and Dr. Ron are so very patient and kind, are wonderful teachers. They have made me feel so very welcome and are not stingy with their praise, either - very good for the ego!

And now - I think it's time I wade through my art room here and get busy with making some ART!!!!

happy mother's day

2007-05-12T20:38:00.000-05:00

my mom and me!

~ Whether making new ones or reminiscing over those tucked away in your heart, here's to cherished moments and beautiful memories ~

2007-05-02T17:59:00.000-05:00

Whoa, it's been a long time since I've blogged - but the end is in sight, I am done with my dental assistant program this saturday!

I am so very proud of my friend Catherine that I had to take a minute to brag her up! She was one of my dear friends in Charlotte, and if you go to the archives (sorry I don't even have time to look up the exact date) from February 2006 you will find where we went to her photography exhibit at Winthrop University just prior to my move back to Michigan. And now she will be having her photographs featured in an event this coming Monday that is being hosted by Cokie Roberts entitled, Mothering Across Continents: Care and Compassion for AIDS Orphans in South Africa. Catherine came to the US from South Africa, this is a very special cause to her. You can go see what it's all about at www.motheringacrosscontinents.org.

2007-04-16T11:12:00.000-05:00

Don't we all like to think we are unique - and of course we are! However, I just came across this site that sort of gives me a weird feeling in a way I don't even know how to explain. Apparently, there are 716 Mary Boyer's in the United States - 716?!! I guess it doesn't take anything away from me, for instance how many of the sweater I am wearing (yes, still sweaters) were sold - thousands of women out there wearing this exact one I'd guess? But my name, well you'd like to think that is exclusively yours - or I would! Yet that too though the way I wear it, the way I present it, the way I use it defines me in a way those other Mary Boyer's are different. Hmm...

Guess what would be fun would be to have a club, - hey any of you Mary B's out there, check in, we could have a convention, wear funny hats, -I'm always ready for a party!

just a few simple wishes for today ~

2007-04-12T14:18:00.000-05:00

~ sunshine
~ the snow to melt &
~ spring to return
~ reprieve from stress
~ to find my muse (which has apparently run away and hid)
~ a good night's sleep
~ hugs & kisses
~ the boys to sit at my dinner table

wishing and hoping for spring - come back, come back wherever you are!

2007-04-09T10:45:00.000-05:00

I've enjoyed a bit of a self-indulgent morning which included watching Martha Stewart. As if bacon isn't decadent enough, something I reserve for special occasions these days, she had a quickie recipe on her show today for brown sugar glazed bacon. Oh my, sounds perfect for a brunch with french toast or waffles, lots of frosty orange juice... Easy, too, sprinkle some brown sugar and pepper on bacon which is laid out on a rack over a jelly roll pan, pop it in the oven at a low heat until crispy. Now if we could only throw the doors open and eat this outside the deck!

(this bunny can be bought at Bayberry Cove, isn't he a darling! I was going to take some pics of some of my many bunnies which reside all over the house but my camera needed to be recharged -so here is one I wish I had, instead!)

joy & peace

2007-04-08T09:14:00.000-05:00

2007-04-01T18:24:00.000-05:00

I suffered a melt-down last night. One of the casualties of being a perfectionist, after a long and stressful week I felt I was just blown apart. Today was one of slow and quiet as I tried to gather myself together, tried to find focus and a new supply of energy to face tomorrow. Deep breaths, naps, and advil.

2007-03-26T18:43:00.000-05:00

I've been studying so much I am literally dreaming of teeth, but it all paying off as I have aced my first two tests!! I have not taken an exam in over 30 years, it has been quite alot of adjustment and dedication for me to get into the groove of this. I guess not all the brain cells have yet vanished!

The weather has been absolutely incredible since saturday afternoon, it is so nice to throw windows open wide, to hear birdsong and smell spring!! I feel everything a new leaf for me right now, I am so invigorated!

2007-03-21T13:21:00.000-05:00

Got a call this morning my sister, Cathy, was in the emergency room. Turns out it was a kidney stone - thank goodness. Although do not think she has uttered those words yet, the pain still too fresh on her mind. Too scary - but this is exactly why I am back living here, getting those type calls when you are too far away to do anything but sit by the phone and wait so stressful, and I never seemed to get the full story at the time precisely because I was so many miles and states away and there was nothing I could do anyway, or so they would say. At least this way I can jump in the car, be there in a matter of minutes so as to be able to assess the situation, ask doctors questions, etc. And offer comfort and distraction - the main job of a sister in this exact situation. Amen, because then on the way home I decided I was going to stop at this fish place I'd just gotten a flyer in the mail about as I hadn't yet eaten today, turns out the guy who owns it graduated the same year as I (why do all us "almost 50's" feel the need to talk about our age this year so much??!) and went to school with alot of people I knew from catholic elementary school, and one of his best friends was my now-deceased sister's boyfriend of many years. Which made me just shake once I was in the car and heading home from there as all those memories and this-day-could-have-been-much-much-worse thoughts started flooding my mind. Thank you, God.

ahhhh, spring!

2007-03-20T13:35:00.000-05:00

technically, we've made it!

2007-03-15T10:07:00.000-05:00

I've definitely got spring fever!

2007-03-12T10:18:00.000-05:00

Back to school?!*!! I began the dental assistant program saturday. Wow, a lifestyle change from the one I've been living, I will no longer be a "lady of leisure" as I've been this last year, but one where I will be studying my butt off! It will be good for me to stimulate brain cells I question at times I even possess any longer these days, I certainly have alot to learn and absorb. All round, a good thing - I am happy with having made this decision, it's a step in the right direction as to getting my life in order. It's sure taken awhile but I feel everything led to this point, that I had to experience it all - good, bad, and ugly - to get to where I'm at and where I'm now headed.

2007-03-04T20:31:00.000-05:00

...and so it goes, guess we are returning to "normality". Except I can't see my mailbox for the snow banks anymore, the mailman couldn't even make it up the street so just left anyway, and I somehow managed to bash my ankle which hurt like heck. You never know where you are going to find that silver lining however, as putting on my well-constructed snow boots for two+ hours while I went outside, shoveled and heaved the snow seemed just the thing for the ankle, although still ugly and bruised no longer swollen and hurts very little! There ya go.

I still remember my mom dressing us all in this get-up and telling us we were to go out and stay out for an hour - fresh air was good for us. (And her sanity?!) Invariably someone always had to go to the bathroom before she'd even finished getting everyone ready. Once out there I'd go and lay down, make snow angels, and watch the clouds in the sky. Although I do remember once standing with my nose on the back door begging to come back in. I've never liked winter much.

enough already!

2007-03-02T18:14:00.000-05:00

More like slapping one silly because, it's official - we are having another blizzard. Yesterday was downright weird - rain, thunder and lightning, sleet and snow and then today, high winds and a continuous snow that has been blowing so much there have been times I can't even see across the street. My class which was to start tomorrow cancelled until next week now, and again ~

h o u s e b o u n d. I've had enough.

2007-02-25T13:28:00.000-05:00

This so does not resemble any view I have outside my windows today - another wintry blast came through beginning sometime during the night. A good day to snuggle inside and forget about what is out there! I prepared this time - groceries, new coffee, magazines, books, movies, a few new art supplies, nail polishes, etc - so I have all kinds of stuff to cocoon with. So much so I could probably stay in here a good month. (If I were only so lucky wish in that case I could just hibernate until spring '~)

However - taa-dah!! I finally have made a career plan and starting next week will be studying in a dental assistant program until May. I have done alot of soul-searching and experimenting the last nearly four years since my divorce what with moving from Ohio to North Carolina, working at a couple part-time jobs, and when I came back home to Michigan decided to give myself time to really once and for all figure things out - good gawd it is scary never having worked much in 25+ years. This coming week marks my one year anniversary being here (where oh where does the time go??), most things in order as far as I can control, so -- on with the show!

And as I sit here drinking said coffee out of my (still) snowman mug I've been perusing some blogs today and came across this idea of Danny Seo's for storing ribbon. Well, I have much, much (much?!!) more than this which is all in drawers now. Got to thinking, wouldn't one of those retractable clotheslines work great for that purpose? As soon as I can get out of here I'm going to go buy one and try it out. And the possibilities of those empty drawers... simple pleasures, here!

2007-02-20T23:13:00.000-05:00

isn't he cool?!

A long-distance hug of a postcard from Marie,

way down under, arrived today - miss you!!

2007-02-16T11:55:00.000-05:00

life is just strange.

2007-02-14T14:08:00.000-05:00

hearts on the brain ~ think it more wearing them on my sleeve!?!!

Have had fun today playing around with making the wool felt flowers, something new. Definitely will be doing more of these.

happy valentine's day

2007-02-14T04:56:00.000-05:00

"May all your hours in sweetest bliss be spent,

crowned with friendship, happiness, content".

love to all ~ Mary

charms for a cause

2007-02-12T11:28:00.000-05:00

I participated in a valentine charm swap through ArtErratica, and just got a sneak peek of the charms I will be receiving made by a great group of wonderful artists - they are fabulous (mine the red glass heart on the upper left-hand side of this photo). Melissa McCobb Hubbell has assembled all the charms onto a bracelet which is NOW being sold on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220081583929, with all profits from this auction to be donated to Meganaid to help Patti Gibbons' daughter Megan, a very brave young woman who served in the Army in the war in Iraq, in her fight against cancer. The bracelet will come packaged in a small altered heart shaped candy box, and will include all the tags, etc that were attached to the pieces, with a complete list of artists involved included.

oh, the things you can do ~

2007-02-11T14:58:00.000-05:00

in under five minutes while on the phone!

who knew...

2007-02-08T18:38:00.000-05:00

...I'd be living in a winter wonderland again when I bought this car over two years ago?!! And today a dead battery, sigh.

**news flash**news flash**news flash**news flash**news flash**

Even you don't drive it on a given day, start and run it in subzero temperatures.

(many days I feel I shouldn't be allowed to live on my own).

a little love

2007-02-06T13:14:00.000-05:00

Today's art, so far!

2007-02-05T09:26:00.000-05:00

I may never get out of here!! Apparently there's been 17 inches of snow which fell, blew and drifted about since friday. Everything still closed today, including all the area colleges. It's going to take forever and a day just to clear the driveway, yet at -4 degrees it isn't going to be done right this moment!

****It took over two hours this afternoon to do my not very big driveway, but it's done, whew. It was heavy, it was cold, and I am exhausted - I think I am almost getting too old for this! (~9:09pm)

2007-02-04T15:02:00.000-05:00

I like to mail the boys a gift card or two at this time of year for stuff like gas, fast food, music and/or bookstores, movie theatre, etc. This time around I will slip them into these pocket cards I just whipped up.

art + chocolates

2007-02-04T12:09:00.000-05:00

...what could be better?!! These certainly are beautiful, "artisanal chocolates" by Maribel Lieberman. The ultimate, I'd have to say.

my forever valentines

2007-02-03T15:58:00.000-05:00

Thought as the boys are both in their twenties now, the girlfriends might like seeing them "back in the day" - made one for Holly and one for Mandy, and one of each for me!

what's outside my window

2007-02-03T13:03:00.000-05:00

I hope I don't bore with all these weather stories. Although I lived in Ohio for 13 years before going to North Carolina (where I heard there was a rare dusting of snow friday), and we had snowy winters, they weren't like this, and I seem to have had a selective memory in what I lived with most of my life! Western Michigan gets lake effect weather, it comes off Lake Michigan, and sometimes with a vengance. Today we are in a blizzard warning, lots of blowing and drifting - imagine freezing cold confectioners sugar blowing around, it is fine and icy and at times, blinding.

But I am all warm and cozy, per my most usual '~), occasionally glancing out the windows to watch the storm. I picked up half a pound of chocolate fudge coffee yesterday at Herman's Boys, a coffee emporium in Rockford, and brewed up a pot this morning I am still working on. I've been making valentines and starting to assemble a mini-scrapbook my sisters and I will attempt to put together on -- sisters -- (mine to be the "prototype"). I'm doing laundry so the dryer humming, have piles of books and magazines to peruse (and OMG, check out this one, Suz did a fabulous job with her new book), stacks of quilts, a warm puppy, two movies from Netflix - and lots of cookies (and can always bake more)! I added a turtleneck under my favorite pjs, have on warm fuzzy socks with my favorite slippers. I will ride out this winter the best way I know how!

Happy Birthday Carla!!!

2007-02-02T08:24:00.000-05:00

Happy birthday down in Louisiana!!

Enjoy ~ xoxo Mary

2007-02-01T17:18:00.000-05:00

This one's for all my friends in warm places -

if you think the grass is always greener... well, I say be happy in your own backyard!

(and in looking for the silver lining - at least I've been getting a workout every day).

- xoxo M

always in my heart

2007-02-01T13:56:00.000-05:00

Today would have been my mom's 72nd birthday.

She is missed and thought of every day.

sand

2007-01-31T21:15:00.000-05:00

(photo courtesy of Captured Moments Photography, Al Hyams).

Sand animation artist, very cool stuff! Surprises everyday. Isn't life delightful.

my, oh my, what a wonderful day!

2007-01-30T16:10:00.000-05:00

As I'm sitting inside with a cup of tea and wrapped in an afghan, all warm and cozy, Ernie is outside frolicking in the snow. He no sooner comes in and he wants to go out again - he loves winter weather. Did I mention it's 20 degrees?!

just love this

2007-01-30T14:27:00.000-05:00

What Is This I Believe? A public dialogue about belief - one essay at a time. This I Believe is a national media project engaging people in writing, sharing, and discussing the core values and beliefs that guide their daily lives. NPR airs these three-minute essays on Morning Edition and All Things Considered. The project is based on the popular 1950s radio series of the same name hosted by Edward R. Murrow.

There is a data base on the website of over 20,000 essays, written by people in all walks of life about a variety of subjects. I've just started reading the essays on creativity, which I am enjoying immensely.

outside my windows

2007-01-30T13:07:00.000-05:00

the soft stillness of a january day

the secret garden

2007-01-30T00:02:00.000-05:00

This 1993 movie version of this classic is just breathtakingly beautiful. I found it on one of the movie channels tonight, and just finished watching it. Such a welcome respite on this frigidly cold winter evening.

banana pudding

2007-01-27T18:38:00.000-05:00

One of the things I brought back from North Carolina with me is an immense appreciation for banana pudding! It is comfort food at its finest as far as I am concerned, one of those dishes made often in the south. Wanda, one of the women who worked in the deli at the store where I worked, made alot of her down-home favorite recipes each day (thus earning what I believe to be the title of best grocery store deli ever), and knowing I lived alone was always urging them on me to either eat there for lunch or take home for dinner - or both! Incredulous I'd never had this before she'd given me a taste, it took about one spoonful of this and I truly believe I acquired a life-long addiction '~) It is such a southern tradition, Blue Belle ice cream makes a banana pudding flavor that is absolutely the best ice cream on earth - and we can't get it up north here (most likely a blessing in disguise for my waist line, their vanilla also the best in the universe - and when used in a root beer float!?!**).

So, imagine my delight today when I found the lastest Southern Living magazine in my mailbox with a recipe for a banana pudding pie in it - wowza, this something I have an immediate urge to make! However, given I do live alone and have not an ounce of doubt I'd eat the entire thing, am wondering if anyone wants to invite me to a super bowl party so I can whip up a couple to take along?!

happy happy birthday!!

2007-01-26T18:07:00.000-05:00

And, it is already January 27th down under where Marie is spending some time home with her boys - Happy Birthday to you!!! Hope you have a safe and fun day - lots of love up here, where we are freezing! Enjoy your beach!

2007-01-26T17:22:00.000-05:00

I am participating in the Oh-So-Charming Art-e-Zine Exchange, this picture (courtesy of Dawn Sellers, hostess of swap) is one of the 35 charms I made. I'd bought a couple sets of these teeny tiny (they are under an inch in size, photo certainly deceiving) stencils at least a year or two now, if I recall they are made by Making Memories and found with scrapbooking supplies at Michaels or such. For this project I rusted, stamped, and glazed them, then added beads and wire for hanging. There are over 70 participants in this fun exchange, I will get 35 back for the 35 I sent to her. This is a huge undertaking on her part, not only in organizing and swapping them out but in maintaining the blog, my hat is off to her!

After I receive them I am thinking I will put them onto a bracelet which can also be turned into a necklace as you can find, from another swap done (of which I was not involved) earlier last year - if you scroll down you will find Deryn Mentock did a great job of making this piece so versatile.

hearts

2007-01-25T17:30:00.000-05:00

These are a few beveled glass hearts I made this afternoon, a project found in Sally Jean's book.

workshop

2007-01-24T11:46:00.000-05:00

This shrine is the result of a workshop I've taken the last two monday evenings at ArtBeat Gallery entitled, Gathering Spirit Guides on Your Soul Path, facilitated by Karen Godfrey and Linda Griggs. We explored these questions - Have you ever wondered about your higher purpose in this life? What exactly are you on this earth to do? Are you shining your light in the right places? Are you living in the shadow of someone else's expectations? Does your daily life support who you really are? The last few years of my life have been such a journey of discovery, and the timing couldn't have been better for me to take this workshop - at exactly a time I am needing to make some serious decisions.

I learned so much in these six to seven hours, and feel so much more confident about who I am and what I need do. Just an amazing and rewarding experience.

cookies

2007-01-23T17:55:00.000-05:00

What's my favorite food group? COOKIES. My friend Deb came over this afternoon and brought cookies for me, and we all know - I love cookies! These are scrumptious (do you see the bites out of one of them), a new favorite - chocolate chip with walnuts, and dried cherries, yummy. We went out for a very l o n g lunch, time just got away from us. And what are the chances, when we got back to my house the phone would ring and it would be our very dear friend Janet, calling from Shreveport, LA?!! A very good day.

2007-01-15T11:48:00.000-05:00

all decked out for the next couple icy months of winter. Gotta say, there's something about those pom poms I just love, probably they are like big polka dots!

((((hugs))))

2007-01-11T15:59:00.000-05:00

You know how it is when you're feeling yucky - have a head cold, the weather is gray and dreary, that post-holiday time has arrived? That's me, I just have the blahs. Today I went out to the mail box and found a package all wrapped in vintage wallpaper mailed to me from Katie Kendrick. We met for the first time at ArtFest 2004, I think it was? Anyway, there was instant rapport between us. She is the most delightful person under the sun to be with and talk to. We both came to this mixed media art scene with no formal training, and I have been so amazed and proud of the growth she has had taking her art to higher and higher levels. Just love her and everything single little thing about her. She sent me this incredible collaged and painted box she'd made just for me and tucked inside a few treats as well, including tea and chocolate, all wrapped up in cheery hot pink! There couldn't be anything better I could have received today than all the love she sent my way. Thanks Katie!!!

2007-01-04T15:38:00.000-05:00

One of my least favorite things to do is dismantle the christmas decorations. I don't ever contemplate taking them down until the day after New Year's as I like to keep the holiday feeling going as visitors drop in and out and the season officially over. The last day, New Year's itself, has traditionally been spent lying around in sleepy mode, football games on the tv, books and tea or coffee in hand and soup on the stove, while I gaze at all the twinkly lights and candles for the last time until next year - a totally comfy way to wind it all down. Well, things are slightly different these days all the way around, but not my putting this off and off and off. My procrastination seems to invade in full force the next day and true to form what's been happening here, I take a thing or two down, dust here and there, rearrange this and that - this goes on for days. It was always my goal to have it all boxed and stored again by January 7th, my youngest, Joe's, birthday so he can have his own celebration with things back to "normal". And even he is no longer living with me as he'll be 22 in just a few days (!) I realize I now have three days left - and alot still to do, ugh! Once accomplished I do though have a sense of relief and a sort of excitment about the clean slate so to speak, and ideas about new pillows or paint or whatever begin flowing. Today I am quite draggy as I seem to have the distinct possibility I might have a cold coming on and feeling more languid than ever. The sun's gone today, too, my energy with it apparently.

An amazing experience

2007-01-03T17:24:00.002-05:00

I just went outside to get my mail at the exact moment formations of military jets flew over the houses, group after group after group of them just as the sun is beginning to set. My entire body was instantly covered with goosebumps and tears came to my eyes. As many of you know, I now live in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where at the Ford Museum the final farewell and burial is taking place of President Ford this very moment. I've been busy with alot of things this afternoon and somehow it had slipped my mind as to timing, but I came in and turned on the TV and they were taking the flag off his coffin, handing it to VP Cheney who then presented it to Betty Ford and I saw the fly by as they reached downtown on tv. What I just heard is that they are F15's from Shaw AirForce Base in South Carolina. Seeing them go into the missing man formation, a tribute to a former President, was beyond words. You know, sometimes we do not seem to be all that much a patriotic country these days, what with cynicism and anti-war sentiments raging (and I do not agree with it myself) - but for you to see this town with all the flags half staff and what has been reported as over 60,000 filing through the Ford Museum to pay their respects over the last day, military helicopters parked in the fields all around the National Guard Armory which is just around the corner practically from me and which my dad and I drove by today - it does make me, at least, proud to be an American. This was a very powerful and emotional experience for me, totally taking me unawares.

The new year

2007-01-02T12:36:00.000-05:00

This has been a very difficult end to another couple chapters of my life. Here's to hoping I develop enough strength and conviction to stick to my beliefs and to begin writing a few new ones. I just came across this quote, and leave it here as inspiration to keep on going, “From what we get we can make a living. What we give, however, makes a life" (Arthur Ashe). Happy New Year.

{love}

2006-12-27T15:22:00.000-05:00

Here and gone, the time together disappearing so fast, but by far an enriching and rewarding time together with my two sons.

joy to all

2006-12-25T13:38:00.000-05:00

2006-12-21T15:48:00.000-05:00

The house is decorated, the smell of cookies baking wafting through the house, the kids arriving tonight and in the morning, and then the family descending later in the afternoon for our family holiday gathering (19 of us this year), the cards have been arriving in the mail, and as well as some wonderful surprises from some special friends. Here are two birdhouse ornaments made by Carla that I hung immediately on my tree, love them!! And today I got a package in the mail from Denise filled with birthday/christmas magic (even her handwriting is lovely)! I am in awe of all her generosity, very special. Lots of delightful things I will treasure from two dear friends - thank you girls, from the bottom of my humble heart - love you both - xoxo

when you're not feeling quite up to par

2006-12-18T18:07:00.000-05:00

a free download from the multi-talented Keri Smith. http://www.kerismith.com/ask.html

where is the time going?!

2006-12-15T15:51:00.000-05:00

Still so much I want to do and need get done for the holidays, packages to mail, gifts to buy, food to make. Argh!!!!

love the impromptu!

2006-12-13T15:21:00.000-05:00

I bought this jar intending to put all my white/off white buttons in it - well, this is as far as I got in the sorting! One day my work table was strewn with holiday items and I stuck the bottle brush trees inside, then rummaged through my xmas postcards and stuck on in as well. Liked the look so took it upstairs to enjoy through the holidays.

tagged

2006-12-05T12:24:00.000-05:00

I've been tagged by Carla, to list 6 weird things about myself:

1) I always eat the same thing every morning for breakfast, a bowl of cheerios with vanilla soy milk.
2) there are days I shower and put pj's back on if I'm not going out (guess I just love the comfort of pajamas).
3) I vacuum every day but cringe each time I empty it, can't stand seeing the dirt or the thought of it touching me.
4) I love christmas music and play it nearly constantly from thanksgiving to new year's.
5) I don't like the telephone much but have both a land line and cell phone.
6) I am a klutz, usually have all kinds of little bruises on me and most times don't even know where they came from.

it's a wonder land!

2006-12-04T16:53:00.000-05:00

Has been snowing all afternoon, those large fluffy and puffy flakes that make everything so pretty. I haven't really driven in it for a couple years and decided to brave it today. My car isn't really the best for this situation but I did ok - whew, I was nervous to give it a go. This dog of mine just loves snow - tries to catch the flakes on his tongue, such a kid!

it's beginning to look alot like christmas...

2006-12-03T22:20:00.000-05:00

This is an old window frame made over with a couple brackets and a shelf. I'd bought it years ago now ~ in another life time, literally ~ and is the first I've hung it as my house was for sale when I acquired it, and there never really was a place for it in the subsequent one I bought in NC. But the other day I dug it out of the basement as I was inspired to hang it over my red couch - because I'm in holiday decorating mode! For most of the weekend I've been having fun, played christmas carols, there was snow softly falling outside, a frenzy of activity as boxes were opened and favorite & beloved things discovered all over again. Last year I was up here looking to buy a house (this house!) and then had to bypass any holiday decorating as I needed to then get ready to sell one, so it's been awhile since I've seen these things - family mementos, old things that have been passed down, traditions upheld and new ones formed; a comforting time of year.

and...

2006-12-01T15:45:00.000-05:00

The snow has subsided for the time being, may not have any more until sometime tomorrow (and the next day, and the next, and the next...). The storm wasn't nearly what they predicted in terms of inches of snow, but I went out and shoveled it and let me tell you, it is heavy from all the sleet and freezing rain underneath. Earned myself a cup of tea and a cookie for that job! Ernie has been out reveling (sp?) in the whole experience, I no sooner get him in and he wants to go back out - well, glad one of us is glad to be enamoured!

2006-12-01T15:35:00.000-05:00

I have the most talented and thoughtful friends! The print pictured, titled "Peace Within" was created by Marie Otero, and she has just opened an ETSY shop where she has more for sale - check this out at http://lostaussie.etsy.com. (excuse the photography, that part is me)! And speaking of photography, the Journey to Creativity book and cards were put together by Cathy Anderson, a very talented photographer. You can find the book for sale on her website, www.catherineandersonstudio.com. These were my great gal pals from Charlotte, and although we all three are in different parts of the country now, continue to encourage and inspire one another. Thanks for thinking of me today girls, wish I could give you each a hug!

{retro}

2006-12-01T00:53:00.000-05:00

Well, today's the day I turn, gulp, {49}; this obviously a vintage photo! I now have this cake plate, it is tourquoise - very retro cool right now. Guess that's how I will think of myself on this, the last year of my 40's - retro (as opposed to just plain old)!

We are beginning (I can hear on the windows) to get the first sleet/ice/snow storm of the season which will most likely curtail any celebrating I do - we're predicted to get anywhere from 6 to 12 inches of snow with ice underneath - just a mess and not a time to be out and about. Flights are already cancelled into and out of Chicago so I'll be spending it by myself as even driving across town for the breakfast with my family that was planned just isn't going to happen. I have had a serious headache all week which just laid me out flat so will concentrate on getting the house decorated for the holidays as all my good intentions to do it earlier in the week were derailed, will play christmas carols, and most likely romp in the snow with my shovel. Yee-ha.

i'm in love

2006-11-26T16:59:00.000-05:00

with these slippers! And couldn't resist so bought them for myself for my b-day. There are over 100 designs on this website: www.thedesignpatch.com, all so fabulous they just take my breath away.

Stranger Than Fiction

2006-11-23T20:57:00.000-05:00

I just love this movie! Fun, wonderful cast, great music - all the goods.

{thanksgiving}

2006-11-23T01:27:00.000-05:00

2006-11-22T22:06:00.000-05:00

I just love these letter ornaments from Restoration Hardware! They come packaged in these wonderful envelopes (something else to use for an art project), come in either silver or gold, and at $5 apiece quite the bargain as they are a "twofer" (letter + envie)! Last year my sister and I bought J O Y and adhered them with scrapbook pop dots to a mirror over her mantel, it looked very cool. I've bought the letters M E R R Y, and although not sure yet what exactly I am going to do with them, am thinking of framing them to use in the holiday decorating I plan on starting this weekend.

this just might get me in the holiday mood!

2006-11-20T19:11:00.000-05:00

snowman krispy kremes

for a swap

2006-11-15T14:53:00.000-05:00

My charm for the Art Erratica Winter Solstice Danglie Swap

milestones

2006-11-14T19:53:00.000-05:00

Two of my best friends are turning 50, Chris on Nov 9th and Annette on Dec 9th! We'll celebrate with a dinner at a yet to be determined date. I made these tins for them this weekend which I am going to fill with clinique beauty products.

life-long friendships

2006-11-09T17:08:00.000-05:00

Lunch today catching up with two girlfriends I've known forever - one since the 2nd grade, the other since 7th. We went all the way through high school together in the 70's; let's just say, if during that time period I was doing something where I could get into trouble, was dangerous, illegal, wacky or just plain fun - these two were probably near by - very near by. The other two, one a teacher in Grand Haven (and probably close to if not the most grounded girl in our class) and the other, a very succesful architect in Louisiana, weren't there but I include them at this juncture in the discourse as they are just guilty by past association - and always will be! Notice no names have been exchanged here, and this picture is NOT us (to say the least) - in fact very far from to protect our status in the communities where we reside. There are good reasons for being back "home" and today was one of them!!

seasons

2006-11-08T11:35:00.000-05:00

Although we've had quite a bit of cold, a few days of snow and flurries, we are now having a bit of a warm spell. Today I noticed my shrub roses are actually budding and blooming right now. Unexpected, and so beautiful!

new reading material

2006-11-01T16:22:00.000-05:00

This is the first I've seen Mary Janes Farm magazine (bought the book last year and love it - although I am probably the farthest from a "farm chick" as can be). This issue is called "Artists in Aprons" and is chock full of beautiful aprons and patterns. It is also the Special Stitchery Issue and features many artists and their art. It's pricey, $7.99, but I was very enamoured with it - so bought it. You can receive a subscription if you order some of her products - www.maryjanesfarm.org. And, I was excited to see Nick Bantock has written a novel, just published, titled Windflower. I am looking very forward to digging into this, it looks fascinating (as soon as I finish my current book, Myla Goldberg's Wickett's Remedy).

bOO

2006-10-31T09:55:00.000-05:00

a little book

2006-10-29T13:02:00.000-05:00

This is a little 7 gypsies coin envelope book I arted up yesterday. A little scrapbookie, but I absolutely fell in love with the Bohemia papers and rub-ons I'd found a couple weeks ago. I mixed quite a few of the lines together (as they were all so delicious I had to buy a large lot) and ~ voila ~ this is the result. I think it's quite precious, myself!

saturday, part 3!

2006-10-28T15:29:00.000-05:00

It is very, very windy today, we are losing the majority of our leaves. Ernie is having the time of his life chasing them! It is cold out there, but can there be anything more heartwarming than watching a puppy play?!!