Monday, February 14, 2011

Happy Valentine's Day


Happy Valentine's Day!

I had it in my mind to have new posts for both SdG Studio and The Daily Bird,
but, much to my dismay, I'm sick again with more ear infections.
I need to get better, so I'm taking a break and only doing those things
that are most important - like taking my dad for his last surgery on
Wednesday.  I'm hoping to be back in blogland by Thursday so I'll
see you then dear friends. 

Wishing you a wonderful Valentine's Day full of love and inspiration.

Hugs,
Susan

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Where I am From...

The other day I was searching around for some inspiration and my search, as it often does, led me to Quill Cottage and Sandy Babb.  As I explored her blog, going further and further back in time, I came across a post that struck me so deeply that I've found myself thinking about it since.

Her post is a poem, based on a writing exercise by George Ella Lyon and undertaken by other bloggers, including Sandy.  You can read Sandy's poem Here and follow her links to the blogs that were her original inspiration.

Here is my version:  I Am From...


I am from tall trees and dark forests,
sand dunes and big water.

I am from brown oak trees and acorns,
and the blazing colors of sugar maples.

I am from winding rivers,
and a wedding under autumn leaves.


I'm from the east coast and the west coast,
and the "mitten" in between.

I'm from smokestacks and haystacks,
sidewalk hopscotch and dog walks on a country road.


I am from big straw hats and strings of perch,
shallow streams and petosky stones. 

I am from baseball broadcast from a transistor radio,
and the roses in my grandfather's garden.

I'm from fields of wild daisies and grasshoppers,
tall grass and fire flies.


I am from spotted dogs and long haired cats,
herons at the pond and bats in the night.

I'm from stories read from books by my mother,
and stories told at the kitchen table over coffee.

I am from ballet and disco,
rock-n-roll and singing the blues.


I am from old dogs and silly puppies,
pansies and peonies in my garden.

I am from the sound of a sewing machine,
and the smell of fresh bread baking in the oven.

I'm from wrestling with brothers and braiding sister's hair,
swimming lessons and life lessons.


I'm from Buster Brown shoes and Buster Brown hair,
old movies late at night and rocking chairs.

I am from needle and thread, paint and paper,
and singing in the choir.

I'm from laundry hanging on the line,
and necklaces hanging around my grandmother's neck.

I'm from white gloves and Sunday school,
and "Midnight in Paris" perfume.

I am from the comfort of a roaring fire,
and backyard picnics on warm summer days.

I am from Louisiana and Arkansas,
and small towns in Canada.

I am from loss and opportunity,
sadness and joy.


I am from the multitudes and solitude,
the goal attained and dreams lost in the mist of time.

I am from the chosen path and the road less traveled by.

I am from love and deprivation,
family and strangers that passed in the night.

I'm from going it alone and a journey together.


I am from generations past,
and babies that would not be.

I am from renewal
and hope for the future.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Old Projects and New Posts

You may remember that I was going to try my hand
at mixed media painting or collage.

I pulled all these things together and that was as far as I got.
Well, I'm going to take another stab at it.  Wish me luck!

If you have time, hop over to The Daily Bird, there's a new post.

Hugs,
Susan

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Blizzard Essentials and Cards

We're under a blizzard warning here, as are many others in several states from Oklahoma to the Atlantic.  The snow is already falling and the wind is starting to howl.  Living in the country we can lose our power at the drop of a hat, so today was spent in preparedness mode. 
  • Plenty of wood by the fireplace - check!
  • Water bottles and pitchers filled - check! 
  • New batteries in the lanterns and matches set next to candles for easy access - check!
  • Stove top percalator for coffee - double check!
  • Very important -- We have a well and septic system that don't work when we lose power, sooo...bath tub filled with water to flush the toilet - check! 
I guess we're ready.  Oh wait...I almost forgot the most important part:

This hopped into my shopping cart along with the milk and bread.
Why do we always buy milk and bread when they forecast bad weather,
especially when what we REALLY need is inspiration?

I finally got my heart for the Heart from the Heart swap into the mail.  My heart has been done for several days, but I just couldn't seem to get it in the mail.  First, I missed the lobby hours at the P.O. on Saturday.  Then, I drove right by without stopping yesterday while I was out.  So today, I finally made it -- just in time for a blizzard to delay delivery.  What can you do but laugh and hope it makes it on time?

Here are some cards I whipped up to include:  (I scanned these so the images are terrible.  Sorry!  Next time I'll think to take photos instead.)

I got this image from The Graphic Fairy.  Originally it had a
different caption.  I erased it with Photoshop, then added my own
caption to send it to the recipient of my heart.


I'm not sure where I got this millinery trade card.
I probably found it at The Graphic Fairy.
I just love her blog!

Anyway, this card is for Deb, who is hosting the swap.
I tucked a little surprise into the box just for her. 

I'll be posting on the The Daily Bird tomorrow.
If you don't see a post, you'll know we're sitting in the dark and cold.
So keep your fingers crossed!

Hugs,
Susan