It snowed all day in Seattle today. There was a " skiff " of snow here on the ground in PT when we left but with the weather man saying it was going to warm up to 40 ish I was truly surprised and delighted to see the snow in the city. It was quite beautiful and as we ate lunch at Ivar's on the pier in downtown Seattle ( I love Ivar's; it was the first restaurant I ever ate in Seattle. ) we watched the giant flock of seagulls around the dock of the restaurant. They are great fun to watch and with the snow coming down and sticking to their backs; it was like watching snow gulls instead of snow men. I only had one regret; I didn't bring my camera. I swear I will get better at keeping it with me!

It is so cold and white outside this morning that all I can think is snow! I love snow but I want the universe to understand that I do NOT want it to happen now before I leave for Tucson! I need to be able to get to the airport without ice and snow! So with the hope of warmer days, no snow and a child's eye view of the world; I leave you with a picture Jacob painted in first grade. I love the artwork of children. So happy and simple and wonderful! How can you not smile? Off to the shop!

This is a new mixed water media painting that I am working on. Of course, it has sunflowers as a theme because like that gorgeous full faced flower I am always reaching for the sun. Not the heat, mind you, just the light!

My Studio Mates

My two loyal and faithful studio companions while away the day on the wool carpet in the warmth of my work space. They aren't much for commenting on designs but they do love to share lunch!
I have been working like a mad woman, as you all know, on getting things ready for Tucson. From early in the morning to late in the evening; I am making jewelry, sorting charms, printing signs and above all else, thinking of the show. How will the show be? Will I make money, sell charms, receive a good response to new designs, see old friends and customers? Make new frIends and new customers? Will I remember to have a good time, that life is short and today is what I have? We will see.

Off to the shop right now because even though I am swamped with show work, the shop is my number one priority and I truly enjoy myself while there! Have a wonderful day!

God bless this man and give him the strength and wisdom to lead this country and help us find peace, health and prosperity. There is so much work to be done by every US citizen!

This is a tree in the garden outside my front studio window with a lovely wintering bird in it. This is a funny tree. It looks all normal now and will be so pretty in the early spring and then it looses its' oompf and looks like an autumn tree, slightly discolored, shriveled and dying back by mid summer.
This is a picture of my oldest son, Michael on his Christmas morning so far from here. Isn't he handsome? I have been thinking of him a lot and when he had chicken pox. It was just he and I and he was so very sick! I kept the fire going in the woodstove around the clock because he was so cold.It seemed like he had those spots forever but it could not have been more than 2 weeks.Now I am reliving that experience all these years later with Jacob.
At last! Some sun actually appeared in the sky today! I think it is the first time we have had sunshine in weeks around here. We opened the front door on the building and breathed deeply the fresh air streaming through the lobby. It was wonderful and it seemed as if everyone's spirits lifted.

There is so much to do before leaving for Tucson that I can quickly become stymied and then I just do nothing. Or rather my take on doing nothing which is actaully quite a bit of something. I need to work tomorrow at the shop and then next week it is nose to the grindstone and work, work, work! I sure hope we see more sun tomorrow but for right this moment; I am content to see the stars in the ink black sky.

It was a swell kind of day today with a bunch of terrific customers in the shop, a tasty lunch with Marlene and a nice dinner at home. A day where off and on I worried about Jacob and his chicken pox and ran about visiting with other shops and enjoying the company I was with and the work I was getting done. Now it is rapdily approaching my drowsy time of the evening and I am winding down the day and contemplating reading a good book in bed.


I get up every morning determined both
 to change the world and have one hell of
 a good time. Sometimes, this makes
 planning the day difficult.
E.B. White

   I like this quote quite a bit as I found it while jumping around on the internet tonight. I love the twinkle and humor in it. It also goes a long way to explaining why I HAVE to eat some chocolate everyday.