End of Year 2010 Wrap-up

Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right. ~Oprah Winfrey

 

The holidays came and went quickly, but we had a great time. We feel so lucky to have wonderful family members and friends to come celebrate Christmas with us. Our tradition is to have a huge Christmas Eve Feast. This year I will keep with me the memory of the rattling little red wagon which Meg and I pulled to the house next door (needed more oven space) to pick up our ham. Then the rattling back with a little beagle trotting behind with hopes of an attack or accident. It's a symbol of the sort of quirkiness I love.

 

Our Christmas Day was full of grandchildren opening their presents, the Matriarch (my Mom) coming for the day, toys spread around, food as good as the night before and fond farewells as part of the family left that afternoon. I felt a wave of melancholy as my sister, Janice, drove off with Mother. It seems likely this will be her last trip up to Blue River. She turns 95 on January 9, and her body and mind are pretty worn out. Traveling and having a lot of hubbub are hard on her.

Here's a brief slideshow of the holiday.

 

Rachel on Christmas Eve

 

Meg on Christmas Eve

 

Angelica and Marin opening one gift on Christmas Eve (Noah fell asleep!)

 

Noah and Marin Christmas Morning

 

Angelica and Noah

 

My mom with grandkids

 

Hannah in her Santa gift--a Bumbo chair

And everyone loves a baby. Hannah caused a lot of adults to act crazy for one sweet smile!

 

My sister Janice with Hannah

 

Mike's sister Eve with Hannah

I'm about to hit publish, but here's upcoming news:

I'm teaching a workshop February 4, 5, and 6th at Emerald Art Center. Interested?

We're remodeling our kitchen/family room. Right now it is super torn up! I'll post some photos soon.

I am one of 3 co-chairs to the next Watercolor Society of Oregon's Spring Convention. It's a BIG job!

I hope to enter a painting or two few competitions in the next couple of months.

Cheers to a great 2011!

January 2011 in a Nutshell

I began January with a little bit of art life--hanging a small show at McKenzie River Clinic. I was happy with how well the art looked on the walls.

 

 

Next came the beginning of the kitchen/family room remodel.

 

Dan and Dave tearing down the chimney.

And, of course, the weather turned very cold.

 

 

Mike takes the saws-all to the kitchen counter.

In the middle of this we celebrated some birthdays. My mother's 95th. . .

 

And granddaughter, Angelica's 9th.

 

The birthday girl in her new Western wear.

There was a several day trip to Vancouver, Washington to help out with grandkids.

 

Hannah, Noah and Marin.

I entered a painting in the Northwest Watercolor Society competition.

 

Checkered Past, 21 x 29 inches

When I returned home from Vancouver, I found much of my kitchen out in the carport.

 

And the interior emptied out.

 

And here is where I'm sitting now--my office, workspace. Everything is crammed into our living room.

 

But here is the dream. . .

 

Floor tiles.

 

Patterned stainless steel counters.

 

The wall color, back-splash pebble tile with my art on ceramic tiles.

So we are hanging in there living in chaos, but in a few weeks, we will be enjoying a marvelous new space.