And the Winners Are...

So I did the Random Number Generator thing yesterday which I must confess was just as easy as my sister-in-law said it was going to be...and had to chuckle out loud when the first winning number *20* popped up, because it belonged to my very special friend BrockStreet...who also happened to be my very first follower!

I had been so amazed a year ago when his little follow-face showed up because at the time, all 24 C consisted of was the header, the little picture of the house, and a very minimal profile blurb...there wasn't even a post! Needless to say I was thrilled...but I remember thinking "What have I gotten myself into? I have no idea what I'm doing!". It was that first bit of support though that helped to nudge 24C forward, and it meant a lot! So thank you B, you've been the best...your heartfelt, encouraging comments and your incredible blog have been a continual inspiration as well as the means for meeting some very sweet 'others'...b-mo included!

The second winner was number *7*...and it belongs to a very recent acquaintance and follower...the lovely Andie of Divine Theater! I just recently discovered her beautiful blog and have been completely enamoured with her treasure hunting skills, the amazing antiques she finds on those hunts (which I have to say bring out the covetousness in me), her love of history, and also, her tremendous efforts and huge heart towards rescuing animals in need...a girl after my own heart! I'm looking forward to seeing many more finds that make my jaw drop and to seeing many more adorable and loving animals get the opportunity to be adopted into their forever homes because of her care and the attention to their plights...such noble efforts!

I have to say that Brockstreet and Divine Theater weren't the only winners this week...everyone in the Seattle area, including Miss. Ginger and I...were serious winners due to the astonishingly beautiful, sunny weather that finally decided to come out of hiding and hang out with us.

Miss. Ginger (the little pink blob at the bottom of the pictures) still needed her sweater as the wind was a bit chilly by the water, but none the less... the sun felt so good!

And despite a crazy rainstorm that blew through last night...we're on day three of this long awaited, much needed dose of sunshine and I'm really hoping it decides to stay around for a while!

Thank you to everyone for the wonderful well wishes, and again...for a most fascinating and delightful year. I had no idea that blogging would ever be such a blessing...but it is, and I'm so grateful, you're all amazing!

Brock and Divine...we'll be in touch! ♥

A Beautiful Year

Today is 24 C's one year anniversary (this completely amazes me)...and from the bottom of my heart I want to thank each and every one of you for visiting, leaving comments, following, and mostly...for offering your friendships in such genuine, warm, caring, and thoughtful ways. You have all *beautifully mattered* to me this past year, and have blessed me to no end...I'm so grateful.
This song is a gift to you...a thank you for all the beauty and inspiration that you and your blogs have given to me, and also, for allowing me to share what I believe to be beautiful with you.

This song was written by Sara Groves when she was questioning her artistry and her love of all things beautiful, wondering if it truly mattered or if it was all just a shallow waste of time. Then she learned of Vedran Smailovic, a cellist who after the the siege of Sarajevo would bring his cello out amongst the rubble of what once was a beautiful city park, sit near a fountain that had somehow remained unscathed....and he would play. The beauty of his music it turned out mattered greatly...it broke through the despair and destruction that lay all around him and conquered it in it's own very powerful, lovely, and meaningful way.

Beauty does matter...it can feed the soul, bring pure joy and delight, offer comfort, and wonderfully connect people in a very strong and understanding way who otherwise may never have met. The beauty of your blogs and what you choose to share does matter...greatly...please always remember that, they and you...are a beautiful gift.

One of my most popular posts this past year happened to be the one where I showcased my mother Gitzi's art. I had fallen in love with this floral series of hers and it seems that many of you did too given the amount of comments it received. So as another way to say thank you, I've made up two sets of note cards depicting these images and would love to give them away to two of you.

Please just leave a comment...two if you're a follower, by Wednesday the 23rd. I'll be randomly picking the winners (using that number generator thing - for the first time) and announce who they are on Friday the 25th.

You all meant a great deal to me...thank you so much for a very beautiful and very special year.
xo Jessica

Hearts Towards Japan

The beautiful nation of Japan has been a very special destination in our classes over the years...

one that the students have continually enjoyed visiting, learning about, and becoming a part of through their creations.

A few years ago I had the honor of getting to know several Japanese people...their sweet natures and kind spirits ended up claiming residence in my heart....

and their lovely, unique culture was one I came to admire and love.

Some of you might remember this sushi loving cat from a previous post ...

well that was my version... these are the students', their creativity always delights and inspires me.

Now with heavy yet purposeful hearts, we will once again be focusing on Japan and it's people, but in a different way. The children want to help somehow...so we are going to try to find a way to maybe send some love through their art, and by doing so, hopefully bring a little smile or a bit of comfort to them from abroad.

I know everyone is keeping Japan in their thoughts and prayers. Please continue to do so in the days to come as the devastating effects of the earthquake and tsunami become more and more a reality for these dear people.

(foursquare relief organization)

A Delicate First

And so it begins...

The first planting in the tea cup garden has been established!

I am so delighted to be the caretaker now of this lovely, well used and obviously well loved Limoges tea cup which is so fine and delicate that I honestly don't know how anyone ever had the nerve to use it...but used it has been, and often.

The markings, which I checked for authenticity, indicate that it was made by the Tressemanes & Vogt Pottery at the turn of the century in Limoges, France, sometime between 1892 and 1907. The hand painted flowers look like Carnations, but they might be Pinks (Dianthus), which were very popular during that era. And yes...in case you were wondering, it was an ebay win...which I am thrilled to say was won for only ten dollars, a fact that still amazes me.

I wonder what the home looked like in which this set resided for most of it's life...I can only imagine it was beautiful, and maybe just a bit fancy.

Only One Month...

All this beauty is only one eensy weensy, itsy bitsy, microscopic, little ol' month away!

That's the mantra I keep saying...over and over and over again.

For me, the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, which runs the whole month of April, is the harbinger of spring here in the Pacific Northwest...you can probably see why.



Mount Vernon is the home to this amazing valley where every year farmers plant acres and acres of tulips, daffodils, irises, and more creating carpets of color that stretch for miles.

Surrounded on one side by the Cascade Mountain range and Mt. Baker, which is perpetually ensconced in snow...it is truly a breathtaking sight and is the epitome of what springtime in the Northwest is to me.



Visiting the fields (not on the weekend mind you), and having brunch or lunch followed by an antiquing adventure in the very quaint nearby town of La Connor, is truly my idea of heaven.

The beauty is so magnificent that tears have been known to moisten an eye or two when taking it all in. One month.....

One month...

One month!

(images 1 & 4 here, image 2- here, image 3- here, image 5- here, image 6- here, image 7- here, image 8- here, image 9- here, image 10- here, image 11-here, image 12- here, image 13-here, image 14- personal)