January joys. . .

The huge fluctuation in weather has our French pussy willow tree full of silvery catkins already.

I think we will be cutting branches sooner this year to catch them at their peak.

First time ever seeing a scurry of squirrels!

I was checking to see if we had mail the other day and to my surprise started seeing squirrels, one after the other running down the road in front of our house.

A mixture of grey and black squirrels following each other  ... I quickly started counting and while I'm sure there were more, I spotted 15.  Only wish I had my camera handy.

Did a quick google search and read that it's very unusual to see this and it's the result of squirrels nesting together to keep warm in frigid temperatures.

Happy to be at the right place at the right time.

I love creating inspiration/affirmation collages and have done this since I was a teen.

I keep a basket filled with old magazines just for this purpose.

My January collage has found itself amongst others in the wonderful

January Ageless Possibilities newsletter.

Thank you Helen!

I

My "guiding word" for 2024 chose me.

The word Ardent spoke to me originally after spotting it but I wasn't sure if it was the word  

Ardent: expressing passion, spirit or enthusiasm

It was the word Joy that showed up over and over.

 I was writing "January Joys" down 

while writing in my diary . . . 

then I looked down at my new monthly planner and there it was ... 

today, choose joy.

I like that!

Wishing you a joyful day,

Thanks for stopping by.

d xo 

 

Happy New Year . . .

Happy New Year 2024!

One week into one of my favourite months :-) which is filled with so much of what I love . . .  

a brand new year * fresh calendar filled with boxes of potential * my birthday * my daughter's birthday* the month I met my husband (47 years ago ... yeah us!! ) * snow (we had our first snowfall last night) * hockey & watching our goalie grandson in tournaments * winter walks * cozy nights in * comfort food *baking* soups simmering on the stove*the smell of hazelnut and vanilla coffee beans freshly ground* turtleneck sweaters* hats and scarves* flannel everything* heating blankets* dinner for two by the fireplace* new books to read* . . .  

"The bright New Year is given me.

To live each day with zest.

To daily grow and try to be

my highest and my best!

I have the opportunity once more

to right some wrong,

to pray for peace,

to plant a tree,

and sing more joyful songs!"

~William Arthur Ward~

Such a wonderful way to begin the year ~ I am the Cover Artist for The Country Register of Michigan

with my painting "Warm words on a cold day" 

Thank you so much Leslie for this wonderful opportunity and supporting me/my art for many years!

"One kind word

can warm three Winter months."

~Japanese Proverb~ 

 Happy New Year ~ Happy Everything!

Thank you for stopping by 

d xo