Rainy day entertainment

What better way to dream and travel than to look at Pictures and remember? I have not been taking pictures for cards lately...hmmmmm

These are England...my souls other home...or perhaps it's original home. I spent yesterday curled up with my cats with my English Trust magazine and memories. I guess rainy days have

ADVANTAGES~~!

A Clear Table~~~Almost

The table is clear. Sweet Thea picked up

spring nests and lots of great things for her store in"the pearl". I have enjoyed making tiny nests in and under glass in various containers. Always a fun way to usher in spring time....even if it is slow in arriving.

That leaves me with the opportunity to begin new projects. It seem that I would rather work on my long table than in any other work space. David and family are so patient with my creative needs. So...on to the next. If you get a chance...visit my art at Thea's and Sixpence[Lake Oswego] Send me strong creative energy and oh yes {SPRING } thoughts and wishes!!!!!

Cat Petting= Joy

" garden wakens in cold...a sun shaft cheers and in my soul...joy rises----sometimes i forget"

I have an unsettled spirit. I am trying to "figure" it out. That's me "figure it out Julie". I want to just settle into me and wait...not force things. There has been a lot happening lately. Funeral,family and memories. I rise to the occasion, adrenalin pumping...I am proud of that. I know how to "solve" problems, fix things. What I don't know,is what to do with the "LULL"....the waiting for the weather to turn, warm the garden to wake up!

Creating has often taken up that "space". Experiencing a "TUG" to what I don't know; from what I don't know. I can avoid the voice by checking face book and blogs but that too often frustrates my need to figure it out. So many out in the "world" seem to have done just that.

I am choosing gratitude...that will be the ladder up and out of myself. I am going to list and bless each thing in my life and be thankful...even the most difficult things.

There is that "glass half full " thing....OK !!! "SNAP OUT OF IT JULIE" I think I am going to pet my cats!

Gratitude~Happiness~Spring

"Happiness cannot be traveled to,owned, earned, won or consumed. Happiness is...the Spiritual experience...of living every minute with loving grace and gratitude."

I copied this from someone somewhere. It's message resonates within me today and every time I read it. A reminder!

The smell of Spring is in the air outside of my back door. The daphne is in bloom..violets and long awaited daffodils. All these are gifts of Grace, it is up to me to provide the gratitude for the abundant gifts that are in my life. Often I rush...forget and loose myself in all the "things" that seem so important at the time. Today I give thanks to my angels that I found these words...this reminder.

SPRING???????

Winter has not quite finished with us! I finished journals while waiting for warmer weather...so I can begin in my garden.

These journals will be taken to "Sixpence" and to "Thea's". I used some vintage wallpaper on some. There are a lot more than shown here.

Next project...nests in glass and..?????

That is Winston helping me>!

Spring Begins

One of the first signs of spring in my garden is the hellebore. Called the Christmas rose but peeking out here after Christmas has past and before the daphne has begun to scent the air near my back door. I have to go looking for them in the chilly air of spring. Well worth the hunt and ever a reminder... look for the beauty even when life is less than inviting.

A new life has entered the world..a sweet new nephew , sad that his grandpa never got to hold his grand sons. Beautiful all the same. My 90 year old Aunt is preparing to pass...the sadness, yes but what an expression of love she has left me in caring for my dad in his last days and allowing me to care for her as she prepares. The cycle of life and the cycle of seasons all a little sad...a lot joyous as it renews itself. I just need to go looking. I thinks I will pick a sprig of daphne bring it in and let it be"forced" to flower a little early. Many things in life cannot be forced but aren't we lucky the gifts of the garden can.

Day of Love ?

I guess today is a day to tell those in our life.....LOVE YOU. Having lost so many of those I love I prefer to spread love more often. Sometimes life gets away from me.... and I guess it takes a little reminder . I do object to the" marketization" of expressing love....although~~~~some people have a hard time expressing how they feel! Would those people benefit from telling their loved ones in place of buying cards etc.? Would all of us look into the eyes of and take a minute to appreciate having those eyes in which to gaze******. One of the great things about getting older is not needing overt expressions of love...or maybe after years of dissappointment at not having love expressed"the way I want"...I have realized 33 years of day to day love beats one day of roses and candy!