"Tis the season for . . .

hot chocolate . . . .

scarves . . .

photos with the BEST sisters ever (!!!) . . .

good movies (Flipped, the Pacific, the Bourne movies), although not as fun as time with family . . .

sugar cookies . . .

homeade bread . . .

coconut cake . . .

puzzles . . .

fun times with sisters . . .

good music (not everyone agrees that Tobymac is satisfactory) and extra time to read . . .

Curious George picture books . . .

sewing projects to complete (or start) . . .

a lopsided Christmas tree . . .

time with relatives . . .

homeade cinnamon rolls . . .

and time with friends and family.

This Christmas break was a lot of fun, but there is a time to get back into the routine. As my sisters get older I apprecitate the time I have with them and my Mom and Dad more and more.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Projects

Over Christmas break I was able to do a lot of painting, drawing, and sewing.

It was really freeing to finish a baby quilt that I have been working on FOREVER-or at least it feels like it. It is also the first quilt I have made! I was postponing sewing the binding of the quilt because I have never been that nuts about hand sewing. But it turned out to be a lot of fun!

The next project that I worked on was a Tiny Toons cartoon, pictured below. I also posted the video that I drew it from (hopefully it plays for you!).

It took me two days to draw and color it and I love how it turned out!!!

Sumi art sign for Breanna and her roommate.

~

Last night I taught Breanna and her friends how to do block printing and stamping. Below, are the tools to use for carving.

First you pencil your own design onto the blocks; then you carve out along the lines.

The snowmen block I did previously, Breanna carved the branch with berries, Heather did the snowflakes, and I did the oak tree.

Then you ink the blocks with a mini brayer (far left corner) and ink.

And the finished products.

"Blessed is the one

who does not walk in step with the wicked

or stand in the way that sinners take

or sit in the company of mockers,

but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,

and who meditates on his law day and night.

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,

which yields its fruit in season

and whose leaf does not wither—

whatever they do prospers."

~Psalm 1:1-3~

Thanksgiving just isn't complete without . . . .

Turkey,

 lemon basil carrots 'fresh from the garden',

SNOW,

(this photo is a reminder that not everyone likes snow as much as I do)

nice table-settings with turkey napkins,

 Brussel sprouts,

 a competitive game of shuffle board,

 a plate of delicious food (turkey, lemon basil carrots, cranberry relish, salad, stuffing, potatoes, rolls and brussel sprouts),

                                                sledding down the hill outside our house,

                                                                   Apples to Apples,

and pumpkin pie with whipping cream!

I have so much to be thankful for!



Psalm 136:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. "His love endures forever." 2 Give thanks to the God of gods. "His love endures forever." 3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords: "His love endures forever." 4 to him who alone does great wonders, "His love endures forever." 5 who by his understanding made the heavens, "His love endures forever." 6 who spread out the earth upon the waters, "His love endures forever." 7 who made the great lights-- "His love endures forever." 8 the sun to govern the day, "His love endures forever." 9 the moon and stars to govern the night; "His love endures forever."

Music Covered Canvas

 I followed a tutorial on this blog --which is where I got the idea-- and I am so happy with how it turned out!  It was a lot of fun to see it come together!

I even found one of my mom's clarinet practice books from high school that fit perfectly with the rest of canvas!

The Egg

I wrote this for school the past week. I am hoping to draw pictures to accompany it, hopefully I'll post them soon!

When I turned on my bedside lamp last night, I was startled to find a large "something" on my bed. I wasted no time in inspecting it, only to find that it was the shape of an egg, a bluish greenish color, very hard, and very smelly. Now I was left to ponder what to do with IT. After all, I couldn't just climb back in bed and go to sleep. I would have to move it. As it was heavy, I eased it onto the floor and then contemplated again what to do. I couldn't leave it in my room . . what if it hatched while I was sleeping? No, there was no other option. It would have to go into my sister's room. I rolled it across the dark hallway. IT seemed to hesitate at the door, as if unsure if this was an safe place to be. But hearing loud snoring coming from within, I nudged it along, confident of my choice.

I was awakened that morning by a loud, cracking noise, followed by a scream. Then silence. I smiled, rolled over, and snuggled back into my bed and reflected on my lack of compassionate love for my sister.

Fall Pictures