Getting back to the routine?

I'm finding myself with no direction as far as working in the studio this week. I think the most important thing is to organize the disorganization I left after I shipped my last order out the week before Christmas. I did paint a few orders on Monday and realized what a disaster the studio area is because of the Scarlett O'Hara mentality I had ( I won't think about that now, I'll think about that tomorrow...because tomorrow is another day) in the busy weeks before Christmas. I just needed to get items made and shipped. So, as I sit here with my cup of coffee I ask myself, "What to do first?"

Maybe after the second cup I'll know where to start!

And The Dog Says...

Yep...Lucy has her eye on you when you walk through our door. But this sign really doesn't apply. She really would approve of anyone who had a kind word and a treat.

A cute sentiment for anyone whose "fuzzy child" rules the house!

The Country Workshop

A little peek at Christmas...

Darlin' D's in his Santa PJ's Christmas morning...he has not quite gotten that there are presents in his stocking. He was very happy to slowly pull the gifts from the stocking and to take his time opening his presents.

Lucy and Holly's dog Dre, on the other hand, had their presents unwrapped and the stuffing pulled out in under 2 minutes.


Dylan actually preferred playing with the gift bag instead of the toys he received on
Christmas Eve at my Aunt's house.

I am hoping that Lou's brother was able to snap a photo of all these cousins, where they are all looking at the camera. However, this photo is truly typical of the conversations and the laughs of this wonderful group. Aunt Dot, Lou's Dad's sister, is in the chair, right in the middle of this
noisy bunch.




We are blessed with a large, loud, wonderful family and spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day going from home to home, celebrating this season of love with the ones we love most.

Wishing All A Wonderful Christmas

Just wanted to pop in and send Christmas Wishes to all my blogging friends.

The past few days have been a busy time catching up on all the things that didn't get done because of the success of The Country Workshop this year, and that is a good thing. Fewer shows but many more online sales. I closed all of the selling venues but my own website well over a week ago. I needed some time to prepare for
Christmas and this was the right choice for me.

The house has been neglected as I have been in the shop 12-15 hours a day for the last 6 weeks. Lucy hair was rolling along the wood floors like tumbleweed and one could write ones name in the dust on the dark wood furniture. The house has been vacuumed and dusted.

Some Christmas decorations have been pulled out and displayed. (I am soooooo jealous looking at the lovely photos of your decorated homes) but I am going to be content with what I have done or I will drive my self crazy. Gift shopping was very easy this year as the family (and we are blessed with lots of family) decided to just do gifts for the small children, and that too was a good decision.

I finally had time to give Lucy a haircut...she looked like a wolf instead of a cooker spaniel. I also was able to give the Hubby a trim, as he was beginning to look like an old hippie and yes I did wash that grey right out of my hair. So we all now look a bit more civilized.

Christmas Eve and Day will be spent with family...

and it looks like we may have a White Christmas.

God Bless Us...Everyone!

Train Garden Adventure

Yesterday Dylan got to go to see the wonderful train garden at one of the local malls with 3 0f his favorite relatives. His Gramps, his Great Grandmother and his Mom Mom. I don't know which of us had the better time...but all of us grandparents just adore this little boy.
The train display was divided into several sections, depicting specialties of Baltimore, such as the Senator Movie Theatre, Ravens Stadium, Old Natty Boh and Martin Marietta. There was also a section that had nothing do with Baltimore...a scene from the Wizard of Oz...oh wait, there was a tornado in that section. I guess that did have something to do with Baltimore...after all we did have that tornado go through our yard two weeks ago.

Darlin' Dylan just loved the trains and all that went with them. I just love being a Grandmother!

Can you see the bright green in the top of the tree in the picture below? When I ran to the shop this morning in 18 degree weather, with snow just starting to fall, I see this fellow hanging in the trees, two yards up from ours. Seems the neighbors decided to have all their big old oak trees cut down after having one snapped off during the tornado. The tree men took down 5 or 6 trees. Seems like over kill to me...how many times will we actually have a tornado in Baltimore County? All the men in trees were in bright green jackets and they looked like monkeys swinging on ropes through the branches. Not an occupation I would ever choose.

I have closed my ebay, etsy and artfire shops until after Christmas and feel that tons have been lifted off of me. All orders are finished and I have 8 or 9 of those orders to package and ship tomorrow. If you hear a big woosh tomorrow morning...that will be my sigh of relief when I set out the final packages for the postman to pick up.

Santa Baby...

While packaging orders for shipping today I had on a local radio station that is playing nothing but Christmas music. Listening to the music of the season certainly did help to fill me with Christmas spirit as I have truly been a humbug! While listening, and singing along I discovered something. No one else who sings "Santa Baby" can hold a candle to Eartha Kitt's version. I heard it sung today by Madonna and Taylor Swift. Just not nearly as good as the original in my opinion. Maybe my choice just dates me.

Eartha Kitt singing Santa Baby

Also I believe Elvis' version of Blue Christmas is far superior to that of Porky Pig, although I do have to admit it did make me laugh.

The Columbia Inn Pine Tree Vermont

While we were at the beach for Thanksgiving, The family watched my favorite Christmas movie "White Christmas" I smiled as I watched my daughters and nieces singing the songs in the movie. The "Sisters" song was especially loud. I always have loved this musical...have always wanted to sing like Rosemary Clooney and dance like Vera Ellen. Unfortunately I sing like a croaking frog and probably that croaking frog could dance better than I do...but one can always dream. As we've watched this Christmas song and dance film over the years, Lou has pointed out the inconsistencies in the editing. He found this website with a list of the goofs

in the movie. For me, I think the goofs make it more endearing...something to look for each time I watch.

I designed The Columbia Inn sign to sit on my mantel for Christmas. I had several of these at the last show I did and was glad to know know that so many guests to my booth love the movie as much as I do. One lady purchased 2 of them...one for her sister and one for herself. Some came in singing a song from the movie.

So how many are with me? Is White Christmas your favorite holiday movie or are you a Wonderful Life fan or maybe Miracle on 34th street?