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The ordinary arts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest ~ Sir Thomas Moore ~


hOMe is where the heART is …


Wednesday, February 4, 2015

10 things ...

After stumbling across blogs (and blogging) serendipitously ♥ 8 years ago,
I have met so many lovely people all over the world, many whom have become dear friends.
One of those being Mandy, a fellow Canadian who shares her home with the most precious bunnies and cares deeply about the welfare of animals as I do.
Jaks, Emmett, Elsie, Henrie, Flynn, Yuuji, Frenwyck and Teela serve as wonderful inspiration for Mandy's gorgeous  art!
This past Christmas, I was the lucky recipient of one of Mandy's one-of-a-kind felt bunnies which hangs from my inspiration board in Sparrow Studio.  She sometimes sells these in her Etsy shop and they are stunning!
So when Mandy posted a list of "10 things you may not know about me" and added a challenge to do the same, I thought it was a great idea.  Thanks Mandy xo
 
"10 things you may not know about me"
 
1.  I was born in England.
When I came to Canada, my accent was so thick that no one could understand me!
To this day, more than 50 years later, I am still asked if I am from England, Ireland or Australia :-)
I guess the accent is still there :-)
2. I love living where there are 4 distinct Seasons.
Fall and Winter are my favourite.
I especially like rain, snow and cool temperatures.
Heat ... not so much.
3.  I love taking photos
you will usually see me with a camera.
4.  Love snail mail 
and turning photos I've taken into cards to drop a note to a friend.
5. While I live in the City, my heart is and has always been in the Country.
Long walks with our Lab Archer in the country are a necessity for me ♥ I return home feeling refreshed, refueled and at peace ~ always.
6. I love being & living near water.  Maybe it is in my blood having being born near the Sea.
7.  I was involved in a  serious automobile accident.
A fully loaded transport truck ran a red light and t-boned my vehicle.
It left me with multiple injuries including ruptured discs in my neck, nerve damage, years of rehabilitation and chronic pain.
My life was forever changed in that split second taking away from me things I loved and never dreamed I would no longer be able to do (such as garden, which I was passionate about)
I put away my paints and brushes (and at that time, many of my dreams with them).
Years later, when I picked up a paint brush again my "style" of painting was completely different.
The images above are from stories I wrote and illustrated for my children.
Having them published was a dream way back then.  I was working on putting together a "dummy book" when my accident occurred. 
8. Sparrows play a continuous role in my life, and art.
I've written my Story of the Sparrow with a link at the top of my blog if you want to read more ♥
9. Black Labrador Retrievers ... oh how I love them.
Readers of my very first blog posted-from-home will remember Bentley.
We adopted Bentley when he was 3 1/2 and he was simply a joy.
Blessed with 10 years of pure Lab Love ♥
When my husband and daughter headed out to the Shelter that afternoon, Ben had just become available for adoption! Meant to be xo  Having Bentley began our life long love of Labradors.
 
And then we were asked if we were interested in adopting Ernest.
He was 11 years old.  After loosing Ben, I was so afraid of adopting an older dog. I didn't know how I could go through that again!  My wise and very kind husband simply said "lets give him the best senior years possible".  He was right, except Ernest gave US his best senior years.  He traveled all the way from Quebec to join our family just days before Christmas ... what a gift!  I always thought that the spelling of his name should have been EARNEST ♥
Ernest loved to walk ... and was a huge part of my healing process too.  When I think back to all the mornings that I did not want to get out of bed in the morning in such pain let alone walk, he was the gentle nudge I needed.  I think every day, I thanked him for getting me outside and being my faithful companion.
We often say that the only negative to adopting an older pet is less time with them.  The only negative. The above photo was published in our local Newspaper.  We dressed Ernie up in a Canadian bandana in anticipation of the Olympics that year.
 
And now we have Archer.
Archer was found wandering the streets.  When I look back at his photos when we first adopted him I barely recognize him.  His fur was like a bristle brush and skin hung on him.  With shelter dogs you often don't know their story ... sometimes I think that's a blessing.  When I look at him now lovely and filled out with fur that shines like a diamond sleeping at the bottom of our bed it breaks my heart to think of him on the streets or in a cage.  He is my shadow.  Adopted near Valentine's day & because he (and his story) touched our heart and soul we named him Archer.  Our 3 year Anniversary "gotcha day" is coming up.
10. I always wanted to be a Mum.
Now I'm living the saying "If I knew grandchildren were this much fun, I'd have had them first" ♥
Pure joy.
I thought it would be hard to think of 10 things ... but in keeping with my Twenty Fifteen Guiding Word which is Grow, this is perfect timing.  For years I had  tried to form a balance with how to put my Art out into the world AND remain anonymous.  Very difficult :-) 
Here's to always Growing xoxo
d
 

20 comments:

La Table De Nana said...

A very touching post.
Your art is lovely now..as it was before.
You are so right..In one moment a life can change forever.
I am very happy you are a nana..
Best bestest medicine ever.
Thank you for everything you share~

primrosesattic said...

I loved reading your 10 things. Very personal and lovely at the same time. Love the pics of your labs. We have a black Lab called Theodore he is 6 now and still a big baby.They are such beautiful dogs.
Rosezeeta.

Country Gal said...

A lovely post and photos ! My mum and dad were Brits , they came over after the 2nd world war dad was a British solider .My sister was born in England my brother and I were born here and I was raised on a farm . We were all raised with a lot if not all of the British tradition , lots of my friends have told me I am more Brit then Canadian lol ! I don't know where I would be today if it wasn't for pets or nature as I love both and love photography to . Glad all worked out for you after your terrible ordeal of the accident and glad you are here to share your story with us and your wonderful photos and art . Thanks for sharing , Have a good day !

Julie Marie said...

Oh Deb, what a lovely, touching post... I already know all (I think all) of these things about you, including your terrible accident and the pain you have endured for so many years... your strength and positive attitude inspire me so... and thank goodness for your healing dogs... you and I are such kindred spirits and I am so very thankful for our blogs bringing us together... I look forward to each and every one of your posts, and love your art, illustrations. quotes, tales, and more... Tessy came to us four years ago this Saturday, Feb 7th... and Archer came to you three years ago come Valentines... no wonder our furbabies are sweethearts!... what a beautiful lady you are, thank you so much for the photo of you at the end of the post!... you are so precious to us!... and I am so happy to be getting to know Kate better now as well... sending much love, doggie kisses to Archer, xoxo... Julie Marie and Tessy

kristieinbc said...

What a lovely post! It's so interesting that your style of painting changed. As for dogs, well, they really are peoples' best friends. There have been many days when I have been feeling low, but my Westie Fergus has been able to put a smile on my face.

Mereknits said...

I just love, love, love this post. I had no idea about the accident, you are so blessed to be alive although I am sure the rehabilitation was so hard. Your dogs have all been blessed to have found such a wonderful, loving home. thank you for this post Deb.
Meredith

Jeanne said...

I absolutely loved this posting.
It was so nice to read about you and hugs about the accident and now you resume to paint and create. You are a lovely lady
Blessings

Jeanne

Mandy Saile said...

Oh I LOVE getting to know even more about your sweet soul dear friend:D Don't remain anonymous, your too lovely for that:D And thank you too for the kind kind words about my work, I am honored:D and I am SO glad we've crossed paths and remain friends because of our blogs. Big hugs being sent your way. XXOO Mandy

Mandy Saile said...

Oh Beau is indeed amazing. Wow:D

Deb said...

Monique ~ Thank you so much xo

Deb said...

hello Rosezetta ~ thank you xo
Your Theodore {love his name} sounds adorable ♥

Deb said...

thank you Elaine ♥ I've kept all the British traditions too ...now see my children doing the same including putting on the kettle first thing ♥ :-)

Deb said...

Julie marie xo ~ thank you sweet friend! hugs and kisses to Tessy as her B-Day approaches ♥♥

Deb said...

hello Kristie ~ thank you xo
hugs to you and sweet Fergus ♥

Deb said...

thank you Meredith! my mantra is "the lovely-ness of daily-ness" ... I never take for granted what a blessing it is to be "able" to do things. For the longest time I could not do the simple task of even dishes ~ now I refer to it as "playing with bubbles" xoxo

Deb said...

thank you dear Jeanne xo

Deb said...

thank you Mandy for this lovely gentle nudge to do a "10 things" list & for your friendship xoxo

Deb said...

Mandy ~ Beau was having quite the feast late last night ~ I put out a little "tossed salad" with some corn ♥

Heather said...

Thanks for sharing Deb, it's great to find out more. I love your love of Black labs! I have just discovered your etsy shop. Will you be including cards I wonder? Your art is lovely. X

Deb said...

hello heather ~ I had wanted a beagle from the time I was a little girl and the day my husband and daughter went to our local shelter and found our 1st black lab Ben, I was head over heels in love & it began a life long love of Labradors - such wonderful dogs ♥ thank you for looking at my shop - I do have cards ... you will find them under Shop Section. if you are interested in prints in particular, I can create cards from them ~ let me know and I'd be happy to create some to order ♥