Holiday Market

On Saturday, Doug and I went to the Holiday Market. Santa's reindeer were being cared for while he made an appearance. Not certain if this is Dancer or Prancer.
Santa and elf greet a young toddler. I bought a necklace from this woman. It is a fiery orange/red with the word create written on it. Perfect for me as I am experiencing this new found love for art. I also found a pair of hammered sterling earrings that I wanted and I had them in my hand and turned to Doug and said "would you like to get these for me for Christmas?" There was a woman standing to the side of both of us and she laughed and looked up at Doug and said "yes. the answer is yes, you want to get those for her for Christmas." Doug shook his head and took the earrings, telling me to keep walking and that he "might" get them for me.

Leaving the market, I followed this horse and buggy and shot this photo through my windshield.

Let the holiday season begin!

Come ye thankful people come.

Originally, we thought Doug's family was coming here for Thanksgiving. That was way back when I started to work on the kitchen. Have you noticed I haven't mentioned the work on the kitchen recently? That is because we heard that Doug's family was not coming here for Thanksgiving. Then, I invited my family and they said yes. Too late to get the kitchen done. Oh well.

I stayed up way too late last night finishing cleaning the house. Then up at 7 a.m. this morning. Doug's sons (& Erin) came by for breakfast, then we scurried about getting ready for the second shift. Then my parents and my brother arrived. Then my son. I made this little pilgrim boy & girl many years ago in ceramics class.

So long ago that they are signed, "cl."

table in entry-way hall

Tom, Bradley, Doug, Mother, Dad
le table

This explains that feeling in my stomach...ham, roll, turkey, another roll, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry salad, corn, creamed spinach and sausage dressing.

(not pictured: several glasses of tea, cherry cobbler and pecan pie)

Bradley being contemplative

Chelsea - waiting while we eat

o.k., now you can get into Dad's lap

oh, that feels good!

The fam has since left, I had an hour nap. We ate, we all tried to clean up the kitchen (as I write, it is still a bit messy). We looked at photos, showed everyone Chelsea's latest tricks, I helped my brother upload a facebook profile photo. We also sat before the fire for a bit. There is nothing like a wood fire to warm your bones! My sister was with her daughter's family so she called to say hello.

What am I thankful for this Thanksgiving, '09?

health

Money enough to pay the bills a bit left over for extras and vacation. (notice I didn't say wealth)

job with benefits and health insurance

family (missing you today, Laura!), the fact that my brother is doing a lot better and that I still have my parents, both of my children are successful

friends - old and new

roof over our heads

food in our bellies (a lot of food, today!)

a car that is paid for and still running

animals that adore me, no matter what

my duggles

political and religious freedom

What are you thankful for?

My very first show!

We recently had a lunch-time Christmas bazaar at the university.

It was just a few hours, there wasn't any fee to be there, so it was a perfect opportunity for my first show. my sign
left side of display
right side of display

me

close up of tags

a card to cheer a frazzled colleague

birthday card for a friend

I was so happy when I made that first sale! I made $55.00 total. I was worried that I would set up and just sit there and not have any sales. Even if I had not made any sales, it would have been a great day. I had lots of positive comments, so I felt great! Thanks to everyone who bought from me!
I just started on this art journey a year ago and I have taught, am on a design team and now have sold some of my work. I can't wait to see where this journey of discovery takes me.

(Nicole P.- please take note that I said Christmas Bazaar, not Holiday Bazaar.)