HAPPY NEW YEAR

Wishing everyone a very happy and prosperous and healthy New Year!

Sunday Funnies - "Never Underestimate the Power of a Woman!"

Here's a curious clip of 2 women assembling and riding in an electric car-you go, girls!

Santa's New Reindeer

Forgot to post this before Christmas, but I thought this was a cute photo--looks like Santa has added a new reindeer to his team this year--this is Kenzie--another precious grandchild in our ever-growing family! This little one is not yet 2 years old, but she can count, she knows ALL her colors (and has for months), she knows her shapes and can point out circles, squares, stars, hearts, triangles, etc., and she can play educational games on the computer and IPhone. (She doesn't watch TV yet, though.) She's currently learning her ABCs--she'll probably start college next week! Have a great Sunday, everyone!

CHRISTMAS DAY 2009

"Son of Love, God's Pure Light"

Christmas Eve 2009

Christmas Cards!

I managed to squeeze in some time yesterday to make cards to send to my mom and sisters. These beautiful images of Santa are from a very generous person on Flickr who has shared her gorgeous images. Unfortunately, they will not be available for long, as she thinks maybe a few dishonest people have gone against her wishes and copied her images to CDs and collage sheets for sale. So she is planning to take them off her site. I am so sad that, because of these few, the majority of us who are just so grateful to have her lovely images to use in our personal artwork will no longer be able to do so. I'm hoping to get a few "New Year's" cards made today, since I'm so late doing them for Christmas. Got the grandkids' gifts wrapped and under the tree last night, and was able to do a little baking yesterday, too. Now it's just housework and a little last minute shopping, and taking care of Gabby for awhile today!

Some Reasons Why I'm Behind This Christmas! (And they are ALL very good reasons, by the way!)

GABBY AND AIMIE

STEPH & KIDS

PARKER

JULIA

TYLER


I am so blessed--these are a few of my kids and grandkids--Aimie, my beautiful daughter in the first photo, had surgery a couple of weeks ago. She and I were at the hospital that day for 10 hours--Gabby's other grandma brought her to me there around lunchtime, and so I took care of the two of them from that point on. Aimie stayed with us for 3 days. Then I caught a nasty virus and was sick all the next week. THEN, Stephanie, my other lovely daughter, the one in the photo with the three kids, also had surgery a few days ago, and did not do well afterwards. She and the older two kids stayed with us a couple of days and nights--she had a few complications, and it was tough going for awhile. I had the youngest boy, (Hyperactive Harry I call him, privately!) during the daytimes, and his dad took him at night. (Now I know why people usually have kids when they are young--whew!) So, everyone's back at home now, and Grandma Jann has been busy trying to catch up on 1) SLEEP, and 2) CHRISTMAS--WRAPPING, SENDING, DECORATING, BAKING, ETC, ETC., and so there's been no time for art, of course--hope to make some Christmas cards today!

A Birthday Giveaway!

Rebecca, of Rebecca for Vintage Living is having the most generous giveaway! (Click here to enter!) Please visit her beautiful blog to see all her beautiful Christmas decorations--her home is gorgeous!

Where's Nurse Barbie when you need her?

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile--one of my daughters had surgery last week and I spent a few days caring for her and her little one--then I came down with a nasty cold virus that's knocked me flat for the past 3 days--I'm feeling a little better today, but my other daughter is having surgery tomorrow and I'm going to be needed as mom, grandma, nurse and babysitter for a few more days--in the middle of all this, the countdown to Christmas is getting shorter and shorter--when it rains, it pours, I guess!, but things could be worse! I hope to start blogging again soon. Until then, I hope everyone's having a good week!

GOTHIC ARCHES - "Regal Ladies"

This is my arch for the week - the theme at Gothic Arches is "Regal Ladies" (it's suggested to "think lavish, royal, and fancy.") My image is a portrait of the Queen Mother, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, painted when she was a young woman. In 1936, Elizabeth became Queen of England when her husband took the throne as King George VI, after his brother unexpectedly abdicated. Queen Elizabeth was a very popular member of the royal family, especially in her later years as the Queen Mother, during the reign of her daughter, Elizabeth II, who continues presently as monarch of England.

The Feathered Nest is Having a Giveaway!

Dawn of The Feathered Nest is having a wonderful giveaway to celebrate her 1200th post--and 400 followers--wow, quite an accomplishment! Click here to visit her wonderful blog and to enter!

Santa ATC

My family has left to go home; we had a wonderful visit, and I miss Lily terribly already~today was low-key, and I got a chance to make a little ATC for the Wednesday Stamper theme of Santa Claus. I only used two stamps for this: a miniature snowflake stamp that I used for the background, which I stamped with Colorbox chalk ink and then sprinkled with glitter. The other stamp is a little word, "Believe" and the rest speaks for itself--not too fancy, but good to get back into my art room and play a little!

A Little Joy & Happiness on December 1st!

Thanksgiving Continues!

Here is another reason I'm especially thankful this season--this little darling came to visit us for several days! Lily is 15 months old now--how time flies! We had a wonderful Thanksgiving meal in Lake Tahoe at my sister's and have had lots and lots of fun with family back at our house. Will post more photos soon! Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Amongst all I have to be thankful for, I am so very thankful for my blogging friends~may you and your families have a blessed, safe, and very, very, Happy Thanksgiving!

TMTA - "Blue Bird"

This is a little ATC I made for TMTA this week--the combined color and theme is Blue Bird!

THANKSGIVING WEEK

I have so very much to be thankful for and I was going to find some photos of family and all to post today but got so busy with housework. My mom is arriving here tomorrow for a short visit, and then I will drive her to the mountains to my sister's, where we always have Thanksgiving. My middle sister has been hosting Thanksgiving for many years; she is a lovely, lovely person, and a gourmet cook who loves to celebrate this holiday at her home. My youngest sister always makes the trip with her hubby and family every year from Idaho, yet this year they will stay in Boise to celebrate, as my nephew is on the BSU football team, and they have a game the day after Thanksgiving! I just went outside and got my mail, and this beautiful magnet was waiting for me, along with the sweetest note from my youngest sister, who is another very, very lovely person--saying, "To my wonderful sister, Jann, I will miss you terribly on Thanksgiving! Love you lots." This touched my heart so much, and, well, needless to say, I have to wait until my eyes stop leaking before I can call her! Isn't that just the nicest thing? So, today, especially, at the beginning of Thanksgiving week, I am grateful for my two terrific sisters, who are just the absolute best sisters anyone could hope for!

Sunday Evening Sunset

This afternoon, as my DH and I were running errands, I was really blue . . . I was just missing Idaho so much, and my family there and grousing about how crowded and ugly our town is, here . . . as I continued to hold my very own pity party, (attended by only 3 people, by the way--me, myself and I), and as my tears were falling into my lap, my dear husband said, "Well, if we weren't in California, we wouldn't be so close to the family we have here, and you would be missing them. Our family is the best thing we have here, and it's nice they are close by. Plus, the weather is better in the winter!" When we got home, the beauty of tonight's evening sky was all around us, and I couldn't stay sad when was standing outside basking in the mild and calm air. Even the weeds (those lavender flowers) in the field were beautiful! So I grabbed my camera and thought I'd share some of my pictures! Click on them for a better look! Good night, sleep tight everyone!

Sunday Funnies - "Dancing the Lindy Hop"

Before there was "Dancing With The Stars" there was . . .
The Lindy Hop's Dean Collins and Jewel McGowen

Christmas Tag

This week the theme was "Pink, Brown, and Burgundy" over at Kard Krazy, and so I made a little Christmas tag. To see all the marvelous tags, click on this!

Bird Dog

Here's a photo of my little guy, Baxter. He thinks he's a Super Hero, and is somehow under the impression that the birds that come to our feeders need to be barked at and chased. Fortunately, he is a house-dog/couch potato, and isn't allowed to go outside and harass the birds. He'd sure love to, though! Here are a few more bird pictures, too. The first is of a juvenile Cooper's Hawk who stopped to take a bath, and then a little female House Sparrow who did the same. Then there's the Canada Goose and her goslings I saw on a "nature walk" this past summer. Have a great Thursday!

GOTHIC ARCHES -"Stars"

Goodness--finally, I was able to get this photo downloaded--Blogger was having some problems earlier--The theme over at Gothic Arches this week is STARS. I love looking up at the stars; the night sky has always seemed so magical to me! This theme gave me the perfect excuse to use the "sparkly stuff" which I so love: glitter, a favorite star stamp (in the background), crystal Swarovski embellishments, and those shiny dots by Stampendous. Click on the photo to see the details better! Stop by and see all the magical star arches here!

Sunday Funnies - "Norma Jeane"

Wonderful photos, many of which I'd never seen, of the very beautiful Marilyn Monroe--enjoy your Sunday!

Birds on Thursday?

I have been posting bird photos the past few Thursdays--don't know how that got started--and I have lots of beautiful photos of other things I'd love to share when I find time--but here are a couple of pictures I took at the end of the summer. My daughters and sometimes my husband will often walk with me on a nature trail in our town, and we always see many different kinds of birds. These are photos of Great Egrets, birds that are very common here in the Sacramento area. Have a great Thursday!

GOTHIC ARCHES -"Tickets"

I finally squeezed in some time to make my arch--the theme at Gothic Arches this week is Tickets. The image of the children is from Tuscan Rose, and the ticket images are from Heidi at Shabbychicpapirskatter.

VETERANS DAY

Our gratitude to all of the men and women who serve in our military cannot be measured; thank you, fighting men and women of all of our armed forces. You serve, you protect, you preserve our freedom. God bless you all!

A Christmas Giveaway!

Tami, of South Street Shabby, is having a 75th post giveaway, a very lovely and generous one! Please stop in and visit her blog and say hello by clicking on her name, and you can read about the giveaway here! Happy Monday, everyone!

TGIF - "Alice in Wonderland"

The challenge for TGIF this week is to make an ATC, and the theme is Alice in Wonderland. I have a very old edition of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, with illustrations by John Tenniel, the original artist; the image I used on my ATC is a copy. I wish the red glitter showed up more, but it's there, nonetheless! The story of Alice has always held a special magic for me; it's always lovely to escape to a fantasy world through reading, isn't it?

Happy Thursday - A Few Backyard Visitors!

If Thursday is here, then can Friday (TGIF!) be far behind? Here are a few of my "friends" that visit on a daily basis: a female Anna's Hummie, a Yellow-billed Magpie-- (in all the world, the Yellow-billed Magpie is found only in California), and a little House Finch. Click on the photos for a closer look!

TMTA - "Brown"

The challenge at TMTA this week is to create an ATC using only the color brown. Here's my attempt--hard to use just one color, but a great, fun challenge! By the way, the little word, "elle" came from a very old, 1840's era French novel. I have collected antique books for many, many years, and have always been very reluctant to alter any of them because most of them are in good condition. However, the pages of this one are starting to crumble, and the story is soooooo boring, I thought I'd be able to salvage some of it if I used it in my artwork. (I use that term "artwork" loosely; I still don't consider myself good enough to be called an artist--maybe I should say I want to use the pages of the book in my crafting.) The image is of a Gibson Girl that was provided by Suzee Que on Flickr. You can see all the entries here.

GOTHIC ARCHES-"Lord Frederick Leighton"

The subject of the Gothic Arches challenge this week is the artwork of Lord Frederick Leighton, an English painter and sculptor, who lived during the 19th century. I chose to use an image of one of his paintings, titled "Light of the Harem." My background paper for the arch was an insert from an old Somerset Studio magazine; I used gold embossing powder to emboss the edges of the image and the stamped swirls. I added some glitter, and a little "bling" with embellishments called "Center Kisses" by Prima Marketing. The flowers were originally clear, but I tinted them with Tim Holtz Adirondack Alcohol Ink by Ranger Industries. I edged the arch with a gold leaf pen. Sorry I can't get a better photo this morning--I've tried! It looks better in person . . . Stop by Gothic Arches to see all the lovely entries this week!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

HAVE A FUN AND SAFE HALLOWEEN, EVERYONE!!!!!

TMTA - "Halloween"

Well, I'm a bit late for TMTA this week, but I wanted to get a little ATC done, so here it is! The little witch is from Digital Collage Sheets.

Happy Thursday - Another Backyard Photo

Here's the "Mr." to this post's little "Mrs." They are Anna's Hummingbirds, and stay in the Sacramento area all year round, which is a real treat for those of us who live here. The photos were taken in my backyard at one of our feeders, and they are unretouched. You can get a close look at this little guy if you click your mouse on the photo. I'm hoping one day to get a better camera because I love taking pictures, especially of nature. Have a great Thursday, everyone!

Ten on Tuesday - "10 Favorite Movie Moments"

There are so many movies I love, but here are the scenes that came to mind this afternoon: by the way, check out Ten on Tuesday when you get a chance and see what others had to say in answer to this theme!

1. The scene in Dr. Zhivago where Yuri and Lara, (Omar Sharif and Julie Christie), walk into the summer house in the middle of winter, and everything’s covered with ice and snow, and it looks like something magical out of a fairy tale.

2. Atticus Finch’s, (Gregory Peck’s), courtroom speech in To Kill a Mockingbird.

3. The car scene in Wayne’s World where they’re all singing to Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody—hilarious!

4. Jack Nicholson’s speech to Tom Cruise in A Few Good Men—“You want the truth? You can’t handle the truth!”

5. The scene in Pride and Prejudice when Emma Thompson gets the guy—so sweet!

6. Albert Molina, (a.k.a. The Mayor), laying in the storefront window with chocolate all over his face, in Chocolat.

7. The last scene in To Sir, With Love, where Sidney Poitier is saying goodbye to his students.

8. When Christopher Reeve first kisses Jane Seymour in Somewhere in Time-so lovely and romantic.

9. In Dances With Wolves, the battle where the Native Americans come and rescue Kevin Costner from the U.S. Army, where they’d beaten him and chained him up in that wagon--a wonderful moment where you just have to stand up and cheer!

10. The scene in Chinatown when Faye Dunaway is saying to Jack Nicholson, “She’s my daughter, she’s my sister, etc.” Very dramatic and noteworthy!

PS--My hubby's all-time favorite movie moments are 2 scenes in Young Frankenstein -- the one with the revolving bookshelf, (Terri Garr and Gene Wilder--"Put the candle back!"), and the scene where Cloris Leachman is asking Gene Wilder if he wants anything before retiring for the night--"Oval-tine?" He NEVER fails to crack up when we watch that movie, no matter how many times we've seen it!

GOTHIC ARCHES-"Orange and Black"

In honor of Halloween, Gothic Arches this week has posted the theme of "Orange and Black"--you can see everyone's creative arches here. (The bat image is a wonderful freebie from The Vintage Moth. The lovely lady is one I found in a folder of vintage women I have, and I can't remember where I got her. The crow, skull, moon, and word images I used in my arch came from Digital Collage Sheets, a great and inexpensive source of wonderful vintage images!)