THANKSGIVING WISHES

May your stuffing be tasty

May your turkey plump

May your potatoes and gravy

Have nary a lump.

May your yams be delicious

and your pies take the prize,

And may your turkey dinner

stay off of your thighs!

COURAGE

Never bend your head.

Always hold it high.

Look the work straight in the eye.

Helen Keller

Dusk falls.....

Today was interesting...blue skies, cold temperatures, and a slight breeze. Was it TOO cold to go for a hike? Where to go? Ah, Cottonwood Lake. A favorite place to ride to in the summer, to fish, or to picnic. But today was a day to walk up the road and observe the changes that are coming. Snow had already fallen and there were piles at the edge of the road. Trees were bare. Birds were few. But the brisk air was perfectly fine. As the dusk fell, this little respite caught my eye...the gold of the setting sun turned the water the same color. A moment later it was gone. How lucky I was to be there to capture the scene.

So quiet and peaceful

Tranquil and blissful

There's a kind of magic in the air

What a truly magnificent view

A breathtaking scene

With the dreams of the world

In the palm of your hand......

From the song "A Winter's Tale" by Queen

A Dream Come True

I have been published in a the Winter 2010 GALLERY magazine from Stampington. A thrill doesn't even begin to cover it! An HONOR would be more like it. Such a inspirational publication and there I am. That's my piece on the top center (and my friend Nancy Maxwell-James piece is on the same page on the bottom right). sigh.....it's a good week!

Gothic Arch

This little girl is wishing upon a star, hoping for what? Let your imagination soar...

May all YOUR dreams come true!

PROPER

This little 'proper' girl seems quite at home on top of an old book cover. With some antique wallpaper behind her and an old rusty key, it appears that she is definately in her element. I can imagine her with dirty scuffed shoes, messy hair, and a face that could use a washcloth! Kind of like I was as a child...not lacey or girly, but hanging from trees and roller skating until it was time to go home. Waiting for my father to whistle ~ which could be heard over the whole neighborhood. Scoot home, little one! Dinner is ready.

HONOR

TICKET

Gothic Arch Challenge this week: TICKET

I figured alot of pieces would center around song lyrics or poems with the word "ticket" in them, so I racked my brain thinking of something totally unique and weird. OK, Willy Wonka is about the strangest movie of all time (Gene Wilder's version) and what were those children searching for? The Golden TICKET!

Weird, strange, creepy, and my kinda movie!

PAPER WHIMSY DOOR CHALLENGE

This is my entry for Paper Whimsy's DOOR challenge posted on the blog over there. Go and check it out! Each month there is an image (FREE) that you download, make a collage, and enter it into the drawing for a gift certificate. The images are awesome.

My entry is the image, layered with stamps and images from Paper Whimsy and the whole thing is covered in bees wax. Drips and all! It is called: TO THE MANOR BORN.

HIDDEN TREASURE

A recent hike in the woods brought this discovery....an old bolt, rusted with time, covered in the green blanket of moss. Pearched upon a rock. Waiting to be photographed. I've walked by it before and didn't notice. But somehow this day, this hike, this silent treasure was found.

"Climb mountains and get their good tidings.

Natures peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.

The wind's will flow their freshness into you...

while cares will drop off like autumn leaves"

John Muir