Veterans Day~

~Veterans Day~

We appreciate you and your families.

Our hearts are forever grateful for your commitment

to defend life, liberty and freedom both here in America and

around the world.

Past, present and future~ You're always in our prayers.

Thank you.

Pictured above: My dad, WWII 

Flag Day

~Flag Day~

We went to Stars & Stripes Flag Store this afternoon to purchase a new flag.

The cotton flag I received at my bridal shower has faded a little. 

Has flown strong for almost 26 years!

Not a fray or sign of wear on it.

The Veterans Outreach Center, Rochester NY

All proceeds from the Stars & Stripes Flag Store go to support

our local Veteran community.

Got to spend the day with this amazing lady~

We picked up a small flag to share!

Stars & Stripes The Flag Store

455 South Street, Rochester, NY

The door is so pretty...

Had to share a picture of the pretty wreath!

Land that I Love~

Hope this note finds your hearts happy!

O Christmas Tree~

It is so nice to have a blanket of white on the ground~

Time for the land & crops to rest and picture perfect!

A country drive is always a favorite pastime...

Just up the road from our home is our favorite tree farm!

Snow was floating down softly,  like feathers falling~

Look at all of those babies!

Wrapping the hills as far as the eye can see! (even on a clear day)

They're in their 20's now... but walking behind them brings back

25 years of tree-gathering memories.

Little ones toddling through trees their height~ playing hide & seek.

Little hands hugging 15' giants...

Sitting on the trunk and being carried out~

Some years it has been so warm we were in t-shirts...

Other years there has been so much rain we've been up to

our ankles in mud, slipping & sliding~

Our daughter LOVES wee little trees~

I tend to choose trees that are far too tall for our home!

Baby trees here and there~ replenishing...

We found one!

Wishing you and yours a joy-filled season~

Thanksgiving~

Where ever you spend Thanksgiving Day~

Praying for all to have safe travels,

a warm home,

plenty of food,

love,

laughter,

and wonderful new memories~

(and a little bit of relaxation, too)

Thank you for your friendship~

Wishing your heart every happiness!

Teddy and Honey Bee~

From time to time I open one of my sketchbooks that has

sat untouched for too long.

I glance through the pages and find something new~

As though it wasn't my hand, my heart, that put it there!

Other times a small design sketch will remind me of a collection 

that was manufactured into a gift program!

My most favorite pages are those with notes & drawings

tucked into corners or margins by one of our children.

Their childhood was filled with art festivals, 

Christmas open houses, art shows and sales.

There was always a sketchbook open...

Always a mound of them stacked within their reach and

they were free to look through them.

Their little masterpieces are my most treasured entries!

Hope your day is off to a great start, Sweet Friends~

Thank you for stopping by!

Western Journey~

Hello, Sweet Friends!

Hope your summer has been filled with relaxation, joy....

Laughter and fantastic memories~

Traveled across through this beautiful country with our daughter...

From New York to Arizona!

She will soon be starting classes 'Out West!'

We have family in Arizona...

It is so much fun to explore when you're with people who can

share in similar interests and find their way back home!

We lost a few hubcaps in three different states...

Broke down in Illinois due to a rusted radiator hose clamp...

We had brown dust on our car from the East.

Golden-brown dust on our car...

Red dust on our car...

The torrential rains from wild storms washed some of it away!

Met the most AMAZING people along our journey!

Enjoyed seeing the desert and its inhabitants...

The flowers...

Saguaros, prickly pear, barrel cactus~ so many more!

The days were filled with gorgeous landscapes...

Laughter, reflection, old memories & new memories with Alaina!

The colors are so inspiring!

Although I left our girl in the West to learn, grow & follow her dreams~

I brought home a vision of new colors!

A rich palette!

When the desert shares colors---

They are unfiltered!

They are brilliant!

They are rich!

On one of my last days in the desert it was 117 degrees~

It went down to 50 degrees here last night!

Brrrrrr....

The most amazing journey with the most wonderful girl!

I'm so thankful we made it across the miles safe & sound.

So thankful to have seen more of America~ how I love this land!

It was a joy to meet beautiful and kind people at every stop~

Off the beaten path is filled with wonder!

Hope your day finds you exploring~

My studio 'needs exploring!' 

What a mess!

Wishing your heart joy~