I love Chirstmas!  It's my favorite time of year.  As I sit here today, the tree is lit (in the middle of the day, with no one home), vanilla/hazelnut/mocha candles are burning, and the background is filled with the sounds of the rain outside falling steadily, and old fashioned Christmas songs.  It's quite peaceful.

 

The season does seem to bring out the worst in some.  Even in my own circle, there are family members at odds with one another, friends who are facing rough times, and the occasional feud that seems to be simmering in the wings, no matter what.  My wish is that everyone could make that conscious choice to let go of their gripes (for lack of a better word), even if only for that one day, and truly take Christmas into their hearts.  It can't hurt...  and it might help!

 

We spent last weekend hosting an open house for some of our friends and neighbors.  I collaged our invitations -- a good excuse to get into the studio!  It was wonderful to share a few hours with people we don't  seem to see often enough.  The holidays sure are a good excuse to make time for it!  This weekend, we'll be doing the same thing, except it's going to be a house filled with teenagers!  Our children have each invited friends over and they'll be having their own holiday open house. I'm probably crazy, but I'm looking forward to it and hope they have the best time.

 

Before you know it, it will be Christmas Day, and then we'll soon be saying goodbye to 2009.  Can you believe it?  I can't! I need to look back and take stock on the changes over the past year....

Brrrrrrrrrrr... what a cold way December has begun!  This mornings 20s made for a slow start to the day.

 

I've been back in the studio again.  Yesterday I finished invitations for a Christmas open house our family will host.  This year, I've decided to do one Saturday with our friends and neighbors, and then allow the kids to have their own 'teen' open house - each inviting a bunch of friends over.  I'm not sure what I'm getting myself into, but whatever happens, I'm sure it will be fun.

 

I have a friend who's been sharing new music with me lately. I'm glad to have a computer in the studio so I can listen whenever I need that little something that's missing.  I seem to be listening often these days!

 

I missed submitting a weekly journal prompt for my local art group last Sunday for the first time.  I'm pretty sure this is week five or six. I'm not sure how many others are working on a these journal pages with me.  I'll have to get some pictures up here soon of what I've been slowly turning out.

 

Thank you, Sister Moon, for the kudos you left me this week! You know I've always loved your art, too.  I was glad to see you put up a couple of new things yourself. Us creative types always seem to stick together :)

 

OMGosh -- Christmas will be around the corner before we know it! I have many little projects to get busy with. 

I found myself very thankful for friends and family this year. Past, and present. For some reason, I seemed to miss those who are now gone all the more. I suppose that's part of the season, isn't it?

 

I decided to pick up some new music to have in the background for both creating and the holidays. I was thrilled to find a new winter CD by Sting as he's one of my favorites.  Wow! Talk about disappointment! I'm not sure what he was trying to accomplish with some of the songs on that CD,  I will stick with my old favorites. They remind me of good friends, anyway.

 

Thank you also, to my old friend for staying in touch over the weekend. I will have to get my book out to read again. It's much too hard to watch the movie.