I started a small collection of orchids in the last few months after buying a grab bag offer from Carters and Holmes. It has been fun to baby them along and watch the plants do their thing.

I've developed an insatiable interest in orchids. There are SO MANY different types. This is the 2nd plant I have had bloom in recent months.

A Hard Year

I havent posted in over a year. On June 26, 2010 we lost our son. He was a Kansas Dept of Wildlife and Parks officer, working a local country music festival, and around 3:16 AM (the same time he was born) he had an ATV accident while ending his shift. He later died. This last year has been one of indescribable pain. But through it all I can see my blessings. He chose his wife Keri well and she has been a rock and a wonderfully stable mother to his two beautiful children which I consider a gift that allows the pain of Lukes' loss to be one that can still be borne. Also my daughter and her family, brother and his family are enough to have me continuing to thank God each and every day. And then, of course my husband Doug, whether we are standing over Lukes grave embracing and crying deep tears, or sharing a beer and laughing about Lukes' eccentric ways, is my life in this world. I no longer fear death, how can we when so many of our beloved have passed before us and are helping Jesus prepare our eternal home?

Daughter of my Heart

I found a beautiful poem today about a mothers pride in a grown daughter that had become a mother and it brought tears to my eyes. I knew I had to use it in a piece of artwork. I had some painted squares of canvas that my grandaughter Laci had helped me paint a while back. It seemed fitting that I use them in a present for her mother (my daughter) April. I have been going through some rough emotional times lately, having lost my Aunt Lorna, one of the ladies that raised me this past January. I miss her terribly and we are getting her house and possessions prepared to sell. It has been hard for me. I didnt know how hard until today, Mothers Day. I always would buy her something she was needing, or plant some flowers in a planter for her. And this year she isnt there for me to do something for...or visit. It was just plain hard.

So during this hard time I found this lovely poem about daughters. I had to take it and make it ours. April took it and hung it immediately in her bedroom. I know she liked it......and it makes it even more special that HER daughter had a hand in making it.

Here's my BABY

Long Cold Winter

This has been a long cold winter, made even more desolate because I lost my beloved Aunt Lorna. She and her sister Verva helped raise my brother and me after our Mother died when we were very small. She was a mother to me and although my mind understands that she had a long productive life, dying at age 89, my heart rejects this and cries out in loneliness for her on a daily basis. I will catch myself thinking...."I have to go check on Lorna" or "I will take some of this soup to Lorna", and I wonder when I will get past that stage. . I have been moping for over a month now and I am ready to quit. I have begun an interest in needlefelting to try and perk my interest in something. The little sewing case I made with recycled wool and embellished with needlefelting by hand. The little tree was my first attempt at needlefelting with my new 7 needle Babylock. This new phase of creativity ishelping me heal. I am going to love this little machine....I can tell..........

MY BEST FRIEND

While he isnt a fan of getting photos taken, and has quite the temper when provoked, the fellow at the center of this picture means the world to me. I cant go on and on extolling his superhuman virtues, because he is just a man, with strengths and shortcomings like any human being. However he is a great husband, father and grandfather. He doesnt smother or give false praise....he believes in helping make his loved ones strong and self sufficent, yet we all know he is there if we need him. He has helped mold our children into individuals that WANT to succeed for themselves and yet still please him. He is our best friend and partner in life and we are so glad to have him with us everyday in spirit, even if he has to travel to work. Thanks my darling for all you do for us!!

I needed an ornament for a coworkers Christmas party this evening. I wasnt sure how this would work out, but I had seen one while web-surfing the other night and decided I had enough old jewelry from an estate sale I attended to give it a try. It was a messy process but I like the outcome. I am not sure how it will go over at the ornament exchange, but my friends love me and put up with my creative whims.

ABOUT TIME

Its about time I started an art journal. I have hundreds of ideas for page layouts in my head and I love to doodle and try painting techniques. I sometimes stall because I dont want to start a whole new project so the art journal is perfect. I can do a page or two at a time. My first entry is about my facination of Traci Bautista's colorful work. I would LOVE to get to her level of creativity.

LONG DRY SPELL

I havent been too creative lately. I have been through a LONG DRY SPELL. I think I have so many unfinished things going on in my life I am wanting to take con

trol and complete something...anything. Usually it takes an event with a timeline to force me out of a funk like this, and my good friend Kathy has a birthday tomorrow so I decided to put some finishing touches on these two items and sleep on which one I want to give to her. I am trying to encourage her to be creative. She and I share ideas for her girls to create 4-H fair projects. I have her read all my magazines...she shares my love of all things offbeat.