Five and Fabulous!

Morgan – excited to be five and having a Princess and the Frog birthday party! Happy Birthday!

USA! USA! USA!

I spent many an early morning and many a late night in the stands in those cold arenas cheering for hockey teams! Good thing I love my son and the game! It was exciting to cheer last night but from the comfort of a warm sofa with a glass of wine in hand it wasn't quite the same.

Here are two sketches. The first one, from last night, is the EDM 261 challenge, draw something from the Olympics. I had forgotten how hard it is to draw hockey players in motion!

The other is of my son. It was done probably around 1987. He played from the time he was eight until his sophomore year in college when he gave up his hockey scholarship to come back to Chicago and major in art.

Clueless in Chicago

I have no idea what kind of succulent this is but I really like its graphic quality. There is a new florist in the neighborhood, Christine Noelle Designs, and as I was walking by the other day I spied it in the window and couldn't resist.

The new floral studio is beautifully designed and the flowers are out of this world. I complemented them on such a wonderful space etc. and asked if they had other locations. "Yes." they said, "Dilly Lilly." LOL! Ten years ago, Dilly Lilly did the flowers for my daughter's wedding and, though a little out of the way for us, has often been our "go to" florist for very special occasions! Lost in the conversation, I didn't get the name of the plant!

EDM 257: draw a house plant

Caretake This Moment

Each year when I begin a new journal I, like many people who journal, choose a word or phrase as the journal's focus. In the past I've chosen grace, savor and intention to name a few. This year I've chosen the phrase "caretake this moment" from the poem by Epictetus.

Caretake this moment.
Immerse yourself in its particulars.
Respond to this person, this challenge, this deed.

Quit the evasions.
Stop giving yourself needless trouble.
It is time to really live; to fully inhabit the situation you happen to be in now.
You are not some disinterested bystander.
Exert yourself.

Respect your partnership with providence.
Ask yourself often, How may I perform this particular deed
such that it would be consistent with and acceptable to the divine will?
Heed the answer and get to work.

When your doors are shut and your room is dark you are not alone.
The will of nature is within you as your natural genius is within.
Listen to its importunings.
Follow its directives.

As concerns the art of living, the material is your own life.
No great thing is created suddenly.
There must be time.

Give your best and always be kind.

It's prompted me to, again, start the Every Day Matters drawing challenges. Here are two I've done lately. The first one is a little over worked. I'm trying to loosen up in my watercolors. We'll see how I progress!

Happy Birthday to Me!

I spent a delightful birthday "day" sketching at the Field Museum with our Monday sketch group. My intention was to focus on the architecture but I was quickly distracted by the people and exhibits. Maybe after ALL these years I should just accept that that's who I am and what I do. LOL
The second sketch was done waiting for the bus home. I huddled in the shelter. These brave souls stood out in the late afternoon cold!

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

It's cold in Chicago! The sun did come out for about five minutes today.

Even though our Christmas decorations are down I just can't remove the holiday greenery from the planters on the back deck. Since we moved to the Midwest my favorite color has become red. I think it counteracts the long gray winters. Those berries will keep me smiling for awhile!

I want to thank Raena for reminding me how long it's been since my last post. My apologies to all who stop by to visit! One of my goals this year is to post more often - not off to a good start but that leaves me plenty of room for improvement. How's that for spin?

Merry Christmas

Let the heavens be glad and

the earth rejoice

for the Lord comes

to rule the earth.

Psalm 95

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I thank you all for stopping by and for your generous comments. Those of you that have blogs, they are great inspiration to me!