Lotsa projects going on here...

Tomorrow is "back to school" (my collage class) and so working on finishing my altered book that we have been doing.  I am using words from Lenka's song "Live Like You're Dying". 

"Take every moment
you know that you own them
It's all you can do
Use what's been given to you...."

It is her song "The Show" that they use in the movie "Moneyball".  I just love her music.

And then also working on stockings for Dan's two new girls in his life. I made them for the family last year.   Now, just to sew them together and then everyone will have stockings this Christmas.

Brown for November

November is almost over and it was the last weekend of the month, so running to post my block of the month for the Rainbow Challenge!  Gosh...one more month to go for the year.

Snow flurries!

Letty Mae's Tea Room

Yesterday, Julie and I went with some friends to Morris, Illinois for lunch, shopping and their Home for the Holidays Christmas Housewalk.  We had lunch at Letty Mae's Tea Room in town on Liberty Street.  A lovely place and delicious food. 

Our table was reserved and, a good thing, because it got very crowded with the festive weekend.

Their Christmas tree is adorable, decorated with tea cups and doilies. 

Everyone got a sample of their Strawberry Soup, which was delicious!  And we had pink lemonade with a strawberry slice in it because it looked so pretty.  On their menu, there were sandwiches and salads which were all great, and we had the yummy Creamy Chicken Soup.  Then, for dessert, they brought out "cake samplers" which were round balls of fudgey chocolate cake coated in chocolate frosting, like truffles.  Oh my gosh! 

The little specialty shops in Morris were delightful!  I must tell you about them later.

                                             Happy Thanksgiving!

Thankfulness

This is a wonderful book that Danielle made in school this week.  As you turn the pages the different images would appear.  I'm thankful for.....

the green grass,

the good earth,

the tall trees,

the clear lakes,

the high mountains,

the yellow sun,

the blue sky,

and you!

mom

dad.

A warm holiday get-together!

Tis the season!
On Saturday, my daughter, Julie, and I were getting together with our most wonderful forever friends, Bernie and her daughter, Julie.

We were invited for lunch and oh my...yum!  Veggies and dip.  Fruit and chocolate!

And the most delicious chicken salad.  I think I'll make this for the Christmas Tea...okay, Lois?

Here is "Oliver" and "Hank".  Aren't they the cutest?  They love napping in their pink "suitcase".

And here's sweet "Max", the senior dog in the family.

Pumpkin cupcakes for dessert!  Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Julie and Julie talking over the plan for the afternoon.

Meanwhile, Oliver sneaks in a smooch.

Julie and Julie.  The best friends.  It seems like yesterday when they were playing Barbies all day.

And here we are - Bernie's Julie, me, my dear Bernie, and my Julie.  Together for the day.  No matter how long we are apart, these are the friends that you can just pick up with like you just saw each other yesterday.  Love you.

Getting ready to go shopping in Braidwood at "Countryside Village". 

Whoosh!  A windy day!

A perfect day to begin the winter holidays.

My Day!

Today is my day.  Happy Birthday to me...
                                                         and yes, it's a BIG one!  But, as they say... it's just a number.



A week of Celebration!

This is my birthday week and first on the list has been getting ready for yesterday's Christmas Art Show at The Center.  Christmas music was playing and there was excitement in the air!

I busied myself all week...

and hoping everyone would be in the holiday spirit...

and come to our beautiful Center.  Come one, come all!

Taking time out from creating, I had invited company on Friday.  One of our dear art friends goes South for the winter; we will miss her, and I wanted to have her, and a few other friends, over for dinner...

so we took an intermission from preparing for the show.

I bought some Sunflowers for my table, and then found some dried grasses in my garden to put into the arrangement.  Reminding me of Van Gogh; a celebration of artists!  I had to cook right before serving, as I was making Chicken and Mushroom Marsala (along with Baked Mashed Potatoes w/Parmesan Cheese and Panko Bread Crumbs, Garlic Spinach, and French Apple Pie), and so I set out watercolor paper and watercolor colored pencils to keep them entertained while I cooked!

I think their drawings are wonderful and we had a wonderful time!

Saturday, included a drive out to Wilmington to visit some very dear best friends (pictures later) and fun shopping at "Countryside Village" in Braidwood.  Back by suppertime and I continued packing up for the big day on Sunday!

I made some little gift tags to put in every customer's package.

I packaged note cards...

Glittered gift tags...

Special cards...

"Art by Danielle" ...

 Collage...

and more cards...

And yes, I thought about you "Wilbur".  Always do.  You were my "star' of The Center.  And yes, Laura, Wilbur's cards were there.  They sell my little drawing of him in the Fellowcrafters' Gift Shop.

Here are a few pictures from the day.  I had good intentions of taking lots, but then things get busy.  Here is Denise and Tish looking at the collage class's display of beauties to sell.

Denise and her quilting.

and here's Marge with her artwork.