Merry Christmas and Onward to 2023

MERRY CHRISTMAS

I finally figured out what was up with my phone for emailing, at least I think I did because I was able to email myself the photos of the other watercolors.  

Aren't they cute.  Hope to do some more and play more with the medium this winter.  

Last night The Hubby went with me to attend a Christmas gathering of my high school class, or some of them.  It was much fun but since Roger wanted to start it at 5 pm by 7 I was ready to go home and The Hubby I felt was too, although he said he didn't mind sitting.  Maybe it was just me feeling he was ready.  He seemed to enjoy visiting with several of the classmates he knows and a new one he had not met before.  I'm sure there were others that showed up later on but I just wanted to go home.  WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH ME!!!!!  Am I turning into my father, antsy and wanting to just be home.  Good LORD I certainly hope not but the indications are I am.....NO NO NO NO NO NO NO....

I think it's a bit because of all that is on my mind, the business shut down, baby Max, Min, Snicklefritz being sick with the stomach bug...a lot on my mind.  I can't even seem to focus on reading lately.  I was even up at 4 this morning (yes a nap is on tap for me later.)  

Christmas Eve for us is to hang at the nephew's house this evening.  I've got to get busy and fix my appetizer to share today.  I'm making deviled eggs topped with bacon onion jam, but will leave some without for the vegetarians and hopefully a chip and dip made with non-dairy yogurt for the vegans.  Tomorrow our girls and their family and one of the bro-in-law's will join us for lunch/dinner and opening of presents for the babies.  I'm really looking forward to have my family around me.  

As we step into the next year, 2023 I need and want my family close.  There is going to be so many changes and happenings for us and honestly, except for the unknown for Max I am feeling that this spring and summer will the bright for us.  Looking forward to not having to head to the office but head to the cabin or the studio to spend all our time.  Hang with family and friends, paint, watch birds, be with each other.  2023 for me feels AWESOME!

Merry Christmas to one and all and I will, should post at least one more time this year on my blog that I have been contributing to for almost 17 years.  

 

Merry Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS

It's Christmas trees, presents, ribbon, food and butterfly wings.  Last night was great fun at the nephew's with The Hubby's family.  Little Min had a lot of fun just with the box alone.  

Dinner sitting with her Great Aunt Char.

Only one little hiccup when the sweet little dog, Penny took a snap at Min's cheek but it's only a bruise, thankfully.

me and my girls (Min's momma is the photographer!)

Decided to vamp myself for the festivities and took a quick pic because I knew the curl wouldn't last and I was right.  I even used mousse and hairspray to no avail.  My hair just wants to hang mostly limp.  Not bad for 65 don't you think.  

MERRY CHRISTMAS  dear friends and a Happy New Year!  Let 2022 be the year of new beginnings (and a new hip) and brightness.

 

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas 

Clayton is dreaming away this early Christmas morning.  He tried to wake me up this morning at 3:30 because yesterday I was up at 3:30 and he got to eat early.  This morning I just put him down on the floor and he slept on his new pallet in the living room until about 5:30.  That's more like it.  Update on our little guy is he is much better.  He still has some episodes of spasms but they are not often now.  It was so hard to watch his body spasm and he just cried.  The vet had us increase one of his meds and it seems to have helped.  He's finally wanting to sit and sleep by me on the couch again.  When he first started this the best place for him was on the floor on a thick soft blanket.  He laid so funny on it in such twisted ways but it was what was comfortable for him.  I just knew at the beginning of this that we were going to lose him but again he has rallied.  Poor guy.  He even goes out his doggie door and back in again like a champ.  

This week was another sad time but a must to move on to the future.  Daddy's house, our home at one time is now gone and all that's left is dirt.  I got all kinds of texts and Facebook messages that "the old homestead" was gone, did I know...well, yes I did know it was going to go.  We knew and we are okay with it.  The land will have a new grand home built on it and a new family and new memories will be made in that spot.  I hope all the good memories surround their family and home.  I was also able to disburse nearly all of Daddy's estate to my siblings and myself this week too, Merry Christmas!  If Daddy only knew what he left us.  He thought he just had a little money in the bank but he forgot to take into account the life insurance and the house.  I hope to be able to give some to my girls and the grandbabies for their college funds.  Thank you Daddy.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

 

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!

"Ho-Ho-Ho, Merry Christmas" 14x11 oil on linen

Yesterday, Christmas Eve I of course could not stay asleep so up at 3:45 I was.  After checking out Facebook, my blog, playing a bit on the IPad I decided to paint before the sun came up.  Just to do something since we didn't have to be anywhere till 6 in the evening.  I painted these red roses from a photo I took at Southern Hills Country Club a couple of weeks ago while attending our bank party. I thought it might be fun after the yellow roses.  I'm kind of liking painting roses lately.

And cool, cool, it sold last night to The Hubby's cousin!   

"Christmas Roses" 12x9 oil on senso linen and (SOLD)

I also have not shared the last two because they were gifts and I didn't want the family members to see them yet.  This sweet puppy face is Buddy.  Buddy belongs to The Hubby's brother and his husband and I wanted to paint it for them.  

It turned out so very cute! 

"Buddy" 8x10 oil on senso linen

This photo I took while visiting my mother-in-law a few weeks ago at her retirement place.  These were in the lobby.  I never miss an opportunity to capture a photo of a possible painting.

"Gloria's Roses" 11x14 oil on senso linen

The gifts were huge hits and I can't wait to paint something for more family members.

Aaaaa CHOOOoooooo!

"Ho-Ho-Ho, Merry Christmas"
14x11 oil on linen

Yup, I have a COLD, a head cold.  Thank you The Hubby!  I guess too much kissing.  

Yesterday we went to an open house in which an appetizer was requested to bring.  I was going to make a sandwich kind of thing but realized I had used up my bread for another party this weekend and I JUST COULD NOT go to the store again, at least for a few days.  Soooo, to the fridge and pantry I went digging around for ideas.  What I came up with was cream cheese, sour cream, black beans, Rotel tomatoes, canned corn and cheddar cheese.  I softened the cream cheese and drained the beans and corn, not the tomatoes and mixed it all together.  I didn't have taco seasoning but added cilantro and cumin.  I didn't have any tortilla chips but had pita chips which worked fine as it was heavy dip.  After I mixed it all up I put it a baking dish (a deep pie dish) and put it in the oven at 350 degrees for about 20-30 minutes till hot.  I was a HUGE hit!  Not all was eaten so I brought about a fourth of it home.  

Tonight for dinner, in between trying to swallow on a sore throat and sneezing I thought about making The Hubby take me out but I just didn't feel like getting out again.  I don't really feel bad, which is good.  I had chicken tenders thawing in the fridge and some egg noodles of which I was going to make some chicken and noodles but needed a PIZAZZ and thought of that leftover dip.  I added the dip and man oh man sooooo good!  Kind of a creamy spicy chicken and noodles.  

Mr. Santa up there I painted today at the office.  

"He's Checking His List"

"He's Checking His List"

16x20 oil on Belgium linen

MERRY

CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS 

To One And All