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