happy new year ...

happy new dreams

happy new days

happy new desires

happy new ways

happy new year

xo

my guiding word for 2019

~unfurling~ 

verb: make or become * spread out from a rolled state* especially in order to be open to the wind*

"unfurling a sail"

Dogs & December ...

He sat on the sofa basking in the sunshine, warming up.

We had spent a good couple of hours walking through the woods … I was picking up pine cones...

he was picking up scents :-D

Meeting up with a few younger dogs, he tried to catch up as they ran for balls running circles around him  …

His 10 year old legs prefer walking to running these days. I watch him with a smile on my face … what is it about your own dog? there is just none like them!

The white around his eyes, muzzle, chest and paws is more visible against his shiny black coat.

What a handsome boy he is!

Once home, I make a cup of tea & spend the remainder of the afternoon creating boughs to hang around the garden.

Cedar and pine cones simply tied with twine for the country look we love. Outside {and indoors} decorating is all finished now.

"my sunshine doesn't come from the skies. It comes from the love that's in my dog's eyes"

Brown eyes watching every move I make.

My Velcro dog x

"some people don't understand why my dog means so much to me.

That's ok, my dog does"

time flies ...

~hello~

I'm not sure where the time has gone …noticed that  more than a month has passed since my last blog post … stats show that you are all still stopping by for a visit … thank you x

I have been posting {almost daily} on my Instagram account however {link is on my sidebar}

Due to a rotating Canada Post Strike, I haven't added many Christmas themed items to my Etsy shop this year {although I have been painting … a lot!} … will take some photos & post those here soon :-) 

The Christmas boxes have made their way upstairs and decorating has begun … it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

d xo

Sunday serenity ...

an October afternoon

from my little corner of the world

As I walk,

as I walk,

the Universe

is walking with me.

Beauty

is on every side.

As I walk,

I walk with beauty.

~Navajo Prayer~

October hush ...

"all we have, it seems to me,

is the beauty of 

art and nature and life

and the love

which that beauty inspires"

~Edward Abbey~ 

It's one of those October days

where the wind is blowing, the leaves are dancing

it's misty and foggy and yet so very soothing and cozy...

You bundle up and head out to one of your favourite spots and walk … 

and although you've walked there many times, you spot something new and magical & smile

~ life is change … flow/grow with it~

embracing the seasons

into the wild 

similarities and yet each unique 

"promise me one thing

wild child,

never filter your soul

to suit a mould"

~Nikki Rowe~ 

a beautiful tangle

nature's weaving

"some are born to play it safe

others are born to live it wild"

~Nikki Rowe~

"life is a balance

of holding on

and

letting go"

~rumi~ 

Archer … let's take our hearts for a walk in the woods

and listen to the magic whispers

of old trees …

autumn stories ...

my favourite season is showing in my paintings :-)

acorns and changing leaves are falling off my paintbrush as quickly as the trees

there have been surprises in our garden

where the bees are still enjoying the cosmos

and a hummingbird stopped by the other day!

garden bunnies are nibbling the rose of Sharon

 our maple tree is dropping leaves

 revealing the nests that have been built in her

on morning walks with Archer we have spotted both owls and coopers hawks

regal and magical filling me with inspiration

and of course...

sparrows

enjoyed a get away to beautiful Old Montreal

to watch a hockey game

&

see

Sir Paul McCartney in concert!!!

forest walks

and the blessings of rainy days for quiet contemplation 

and before the garden is tucked in for the Winter, I've been taking coleus clippings 

which now sit in little jam jars on a sunny window

~my autumn stories~

***

"Everything is held together

with stories.

That is all that is holding us together.

Stories and compassion"

~Barry Lopez~

friday thoughts ...

"you're gonna be happy"

said life

"but first

I'll make you strong"

my garden is filled with happy, strong bees buzzing about

this summer I have been followed everywhere I go by dragon flies

~they are so beautiful ~ 

sweet little chip 

I never pass up an opportunity to make a wish

"they say

a person needs just 3 things

to be truly happy 

in this world.

someone to love

something to do

and something to hope for"

~Tom Bodett~ 

***