Friday, December 20, 2013

Christmas in Iowa

Seems like my post these days are very inconsistent...finishing my holiday shopping, 
...work all done .....houses ready to close while I'm gone and ready to close when I'm back, showings set up and paperwork done. And thank you for assistants.
for a week in Iowa with family. Weather makes us think we might be here longer. And that's ok with us😄

 I did manage to finish a couple pieces of jewelry before I left to bring along for gifts. 
Funny thing now is there is a huge winter storm headed our way and family may or may not make it here. We may not be able to fly out to go home....that's ok. We love being here with family. Twice a year is not enough time to spend with those you love. So just having time to be around those you love is a gift. One of the best gifts one can ask for.  I'll try and set one of those New  Year Resolutions to be a better blogger. I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas. 

Thursday, December 5, 2013

One Year Ago



One year ago from today, I set in the hospital room with my Dad during his final moments of life. He fought till the very end. That morning I was amazed that he ate his breakfast and later I found that none of it was going down. His body was shutting down. He was fighting to stay alive. The nurse ask me if he was waiting on someone, because the end was very near. I remember feeling shocked.  I don't know if I was in denial, not wanting to let him go.  I felt we were going to get through this battle one more time.We had made many trips to the hospital over the past ten months.
I called the rest of the family to come. And shortly there after, they moved him to Intensive Care for his privacy....his final hours. I watch his breathing become slower and slower until that one last breath.  One year ago today.

I didn't know if today would be hard. I woke up and thought about him first thing this morning. But, I wake and think of him very often. Sometimes in the middle of the night. Driving down the road. I'm still missing him. We grew closer in the past eleven years after my Mother passed away. I felt a responsibility to look after him. I cooked for him often. His favorite thing for me to cook was roast and potatoes.  So, I felt the thing to do was to fix that meal in remembrance of him. It comforted me.

Monday, November 18, 2013

Home makeovers are one of my favorite things to read about or see. Working as a Realtor, makes it more of an interest because of the many times that I come upon a home that could use some inspiration. Here is one that I just read about in Country Living magazine. It is a Texas farmhouse with wonderful updates throughout the home. Click the link to see the full story.

BEFORE

AFTER



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AFTER

Have a good week,


Friday, November 15, 2013

Sometimes my life as a Realtor gets very busy and my personal life gets put on hold.  However, I have committed myself to doing my art.  There was a time when I needed someone to go with me but, when you are with others making art its like kindred spirits. You get caught up in your own things and share laughter with others as we talk and create.

I have been driving to Oklahoma City taking some evening classes. Its about an 1.5 hour drive, but I just put on my music and enjoy the drive. I would be lying if I said the large town traffic doesn't bother me.

Here is a couple of my latest creations....thank you Jackie for being such a great inspiration and teacher.

You can tell by looking at these photos that its a great group to be part of....I feel blessed. 


Sunday, October 20, 2013

Fall Weekend

Its been an absolutely beautiful weekend here in Southern Oklahoma. We welcomed rain two days last week to our area. You can see signs of fall in the changing leaves. The air is crisp. I love this time of year. Chopin and Monet have their Halloween collars on ready for the goblins.

xoxo

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Friendship

Ron and Debbie...are our very dear friends, they are like family to us. They have been with us to share celebrations in our life and been with us at some of our roughest points in life. Friends like these are rare. We love sharing a happy hour or dinner with each other whenever our schedules allow. It is always a treat to see her decorating trends change season to season. I wanted to share beautiful fall decor...just so warm and inviting. Enjoy!
xoxo

Monday, October 14, 2013

Home for the Holidays…Creatively Made Home


This week, I have enrolled for the online Creatively Made Home {Home for the Holidays} that launches tomorrow, October 15th.  I can't wait to be inspired and connect with such inspiring women in this e-course as the holiday season draws closer.  I think the connection is almost more special than anything else... it's more personal than reading a magazine.  It's wonderful to not only be inspired, but to feel encouraged too. Here is a sneak peak of the first week of Creatively Made Home {Home for the Holidays} 
Here is the information that they published about the course:
“This course will be full of ideas, beauty, inspiration, joy and encouragement... it's about sharing the warmth of your home with family and friends.  It's about creating beauty in little things, opening your home with hospitality, and welcoming others into the love of your family.  It's about so much more than the contents of your home - it's about the contents of your heart.”

The talented contributors will be sharing gift-giving ideas, recipes, decorating tips, and family stories…and I’m certain we will all be impressed and blessed once again.
 WHAT IS INCLUDED
  • Each week you will have amazing truthful videos from the nine teachers.
  • There will be 30+ project videos.  These will be incredible videos that include everything from cooking, gift giving and decorating.
  • Tons of beautiful house photos from each of the nine women.
  • Supply lists and PDFs for each project.
  • A digital recipe book of the recipes shared in this course.
  • You will have access for one full year.
The e-course will launch October 15.
Course registration is $58
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO Click over there to see the sneak peak of the first week & PURCHASE THE E-COURSE

I hope you’ll join me in taking this wonderful E-Course,
and let’s enjoy being HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS :)
xoxo

Saturday, October 12, 2013

A Room with a View

Have you ever ask for a room with a view? And get up to your room to find that your view looks out onto the rooftop of the hotel looking at the air conditioning system. While in Paris we stayed at the lovely boutique hotel and when we arrived, I ask if there was a chance of having a room with a view. They kindly replied that they were totally booked and had no other rooms available. That was fine…hey! I was in Paris! We got to our room and if this is a room without a view, I can't imagine what one with a view was like. I was very happy with this view….such a beautiful city.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Everyday, Dave & I talk about our visit to France. One of our discussions have been about allowing our minds to be closed and not open to discover on our own. How many times have you heard, "The French hate the Americans" or "The French are rude!".  Once again, we allowed ourselves to believe what others had told us, and did not choose to find out for ourselves. Luckily, we did. And we found some of the kindest, most beautiful and warm people in the world in France. Everywhere we went, the French were helpful and were understanding to our language barrier. It warmed our hearts. Thank you Corey and Yann for allowing us to experience this. It has inspired us to go back, explore more. Learn more about different parts of the country. 

Here are some more beautiful pics from France.

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Tuesday, October 1, 2013

South France

We took a day trip to Cassis, a small fishing village near Marseilles, know for its small coves lined with steep, dramatic walls of white limestone. This town does not receive the publicity of Nice or Cannes, yet it is absolutely stunning.

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We took a boat tour and was able to go into the inlets and experience these beautiful clifts which are France's highest coastal cliffs. Our guide spoke in French, as well as everyone on the boat with us. But it didn't matter, the beauty was enough for us to experience.

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With stunning views of the Gulf of Cassis we walked the streets and shopped in the quaint shops along the water. 

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 There's also a nine-mile drive along the peaks with plenty of turnouts so you can stop and take pictures. A beautiful day and a beautiful place I would love to come back to again.

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Thursday, September 19, 2013

Yesterday, we went to  Aix-en-Provence, known simply as Aix, is a graceful, lively city, is known for its thermal hot springs, art schools and universities. We went to a market that had clothing, shoes, fabrics, tablecloths, jewelry, & other items at a fraction of the cost that it is sold in the states.

A favorite site was the Cathedral de Saint-Sauveur dates to thirteenth century and offers an interesting mix of styles including a largely Gothic structure, a Merovingian baptistry with Roman columns, and a Romanesque Cloister.  





Wednesday, September 18, 2013

South France

Dave and I arrived yesterday, in the late afternoon in South France, at the home of our host Yann and 
Corey's. They  made us feel immediately at home. I wish you could see their beautiful home. It is 
full of beautiful furnishings and decor items that Corey finds at the brochantes.
We already experienced picking up fresh bread daily for the meals....amazing.
Today was a day spent in Cassis, a beautiful town on the Mediterranean. The weather was beautiful. 
And the French people are so kind. All I could say is Merci! When they were so helpful everywhere 
we went. I will post more photos for all my friends that have ask me to share. 
Here are a few more...and more wii come!





Sunday, September 15, 2013

The Time is Here


The time has finally arrived and we are making our final preparations for our trip to France. I'm sure some people are getting sick of me writing on Facebook and on my blog constantly talking about this trip. I know, millions of people have been to France, and to many other fabulous destinations.

I've dreamed my entire life of traveling the world. This is both our first trip to Europe. We are both like two little kids filled with excitement.

I think that in losing both of my parents in the past ten years has taught me so many things about life, and how truly precious, every single day on this earth we are given to appreciate it.  Hope to be posting some great memories made in the next few days.




Sunday, August 25, 2013

52 Cards Continues

I'm still on a roll making these cards, experimenting with different techniques 
Sweet husband brought in an altoid tin for me to put my ear phones in for our upcoming trip. It was a little boring so, I had  to add some life to it. What do you think?


Saturday, August 17, 2013

52 Card Pickup

Got the great opportunity to meet Stephanie Ackerman after reading her blog for several years. She was teaching at My Heart Fancy, in Oklahoma City. She is probably one of the best artist in creative style lettering that I have ever seen or met. I have taken a couple of her online classes, but so loved the time in taking a class with her in person.  Learned lots of great new technique styles with the Tim Holtz distress pens and using the Claudine Hellmuth Studio medium that I never knew. The class was "52 Card Pickup" actually using playing cards and distressing them. Got lots of great items flowing from this projet.


This project allows you to add what is ever on your mind. Thoughts, prayers, inspiration...good for sharing on packages, in cards, gifts, the list could go on.
It was a good class with good friends and some good memories.
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GreatThings are Planned for 2024!

 2024 started off with Dave being honored as Chisholm Trail Art Council's Ambassador Award Recipient at the 2024 Area Arts Hall of Fame ...