déjà vu 4

here’s my fourth try for the series.  recyclables and backyard leaves. UNAVAILABLE

i’m working on #5 now.  i started the fifth one with only one idea ~ it would be browns and greys.  i guess i did assume it would be clean, clear browns and greys, but in fact it’s getting pretty dirty and ragged.  i may hate it in the end, but i’ll post it anyway in a day or two and maybe some of you will give me a “crit.”

actually, that’s something i would very much appreciate.  i’m alone in my “classroom” with no prof to pick my things apart.  james is too tender-hearted to be brutally honest.  so, anyone up for a crit?  you may comment under anonymous if it makes you feel better.

p.s.  happy happy happy new year! it’s my favorite holiday.

déjà vu

UNAVAILABLE

six 8 x 10 canvases were shipped to us by mistake.  when james called to make arrangements to ship them back, he was told to just keep them.  he then gave them to me.  well, thought i, maybe i’ll make a series.  maybe i’ll use recycled “trash” and old journal pages and such.  maybe i’ll call the series déjà vu because it’s all stuff  we’ve seen before.  this is actually the third one i’ve made.  the first two didn’t please me  so i think i’ll cut them up and reuse the parts i like on another one.  (déjà-déjà vu.)

peace

(this ornament is unavailable)

&rew’s stars

andrew of urbanpaperarts sent me three of his stars for my star tree! they look wonderful with my green and gold stars ~ THANK YOU ANDREW!

and to all those who celebrate, i wish you a happy festival of lights!

my minimalist christmas

a fragrant wreath  (a gift from friends)

one small tree (my stars this year)

candlelight (these metal camels a gift from a friend); and a ceramic nativity (created by our talented niece).

 

“manny” hangs out year-round in our living room, changing positions when no one is looking.  at christmas he becomes angelic.

o. henry’s “the gift of the magi” is one of my favorite stories.  we bought this lisbeth zwerger-illustrated edition in 1982 and every year i cry over it again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

that’s all i’m pulling out of the christmas box this year.  we just add music, food, and people we love for our simple christmas.

now i  have a question for you:  i’d like you to tell me your favorite christmas movies.

1924-2008

mama

my mother was a seamstress.  she loved flowers.  she liked robert frost, thus the lines from “the tuft of flowers.”

gift

you’ll have to use your imagination for this one.  no photo available.

a couple of miles from my suburban home is a small park i often walk to with my friend lynn.   a walkway leads around the little playground, ending down by a small pond.  a murky little pond almost surrounded by native trees, virginia creeper, underbrush and litter.  we usually see turtles there, sometimes a few mallards, often cardinals and other birds.

when we arrived there this morning at 8:30, an area across the pond was lit up by sunlight, with a perfect reflection cast on the still pond.  bare trees, some autumn leaves, dry grasses, in a beautiful, symmetrical work of art.  and in the center of this bright vision, standing  just at the water’s edge, a huge, beautiful heron.

after a few minutes, we turned and walked back to our homes and families. 

simple gifts are the best after all. 

wishing you simple gifts shared with people you love.