Winter Scene

The paints came out one day last week, and this was the result.

Passing along an idea I clipped from a Country Home Feb 2007 issue. Take an old sweater, cut off cuffs, and slide onto glass candle jars for a wintry look.

I have used the jars on the tiered tray for a winter theme.

 New issue of Flea Market style has lots of ideas. 

Makes me want to get out and treasure hunt once this Arctic blast has come and gone.

 Stay warm, cozy, and well.

Rearranging

In January I like to change things up a bit so I spend time rearranging.

Tassel left the lamp arm for the hall tree hook. 

Globes came out of the utility "schoolroom."

Man in chair painting moved from den to living room wall.

Happy to display DeAnn art canvas on bookcase 

brass dog on top of book stack

This arrangement is back in place.

Years ago I bought the boy bookend at Bojo's Antique Mall in Memphis. I had started a collection of figurines reading books. Last month I came across the matching girl at Outside the Box in Ripley, TN. Nice to have this pair of bookends after all this time.  

TQITB

You have heard that saying " The Quest Is The Best," and it's certainly what I enjoy. Friday afternoon before shopping for grocery essentials like bread, milk, and eggs I went browsing and took my time looking at booth after booth. Here are a few items that caught my eye.

This J was part of the name sign to a booth.

I really liked this narrow architectural piece.

But I talked myself out of it.

This garden angel made me think of spring. 

I picked up two small brass owls and was about to call it a day. Then I went back to one booth I had stopped by earlier. I noticed a basket on the floor with some picture frames. I looked through them and found a piece of art. I recognized the signature and wondered could it be for real. 

The $7.95 price tag encouraged me to buy it.  

When I got home I checked on DeAnn Hebert's Instagram page to review her artwork. For a long time I have loved her depiction of churches, barns, dancers, and cottonfields. I've even tried to copy her style in a few of my amateur paintings. I love the way she uses blues, browns, grays, and golds.

I found the print listed and this information:

10x10 Mini "clarabelle & dolly" gallery wrapped canvas print $95

April 27, 2015

Needless to say, I was thrilled with my bargain find.

So you just never know what you will find as you take part in the quest.

Two loves

I asked my husband to slow down so I could get a picture of this abandoned house.  Once it was a grand residence. Now it is neglected and decaying. We were driving through Henning, Tennessee, surveying the dilapidated condition of its main street. Almost all the storefronts are closed. There's no activity along the sidewalks. It saddens me to see the changes in this small town. But it's happening in so many southern places.

I'm working on another flower painting. It's almost finished.

Yes, photography and art are two of my loves.

So glad to have these hobbies.

Schedules and Plans

If I could develop a regular schedule I believe I could get more done. I seem to be wasting precious time. Motivation and drive have shriveled. Is it because of my age? Do I feel that my most productive years are gone? Do I know what I really want to accomplish anymore?

I hope to spend a certain amount of time in this space every day.

One goal is to be more creative.

After packing away Christmas items I've been bringing back other decor.

Leaves and acorns are always favorites of mine. 

Another goal is to read more books.

Plan to start a new painting now that I'm feeling better.

New Year

Having a miserable cold is not the best way to start the new year. Corkey and I both have head colds and no energy. We watched football bowl games throughout New Years Day. It was good to see the Munford High School Band in the Rose Bowl parade. Those young folks will have a lifelong memory of that trip and its experiences.

 cover to my new journal

Those words appear on every entry page. 

I need to seek daily joys. 

Too often I focus on troubles and worries. 

Love this cartoon strip for the new year!