Merry Christmas!

To all of you who read this little blog, support my artwork, love on Brenna and encourage us....

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I wish you nothing but the best for this holiday season and pray that the upcoming year will be filled with all joy and peace. 

Much love,

Advent Season

The Advent Season.

This is something I have discovered in the last few years. 

 I find myself during this busy season longing for something to ground me, to help me focus on what is important to me, to not be swallowed up by the craziness that, unfortunately, is part of the Christmas season.

I'm following along with the Advent Project through Biola University and have found great peace reading through each day's offering.

I'm doing a small journal entry with most days and thought I'd share them with you, even in all their smudges and imperfections.

Here's to finding peace and joy this season.

linking to Paint Party Friday

Little Christmas Offerings

Little soldered ornaments proclaiming HOPE.

Little bitty canvases to hang declaring PEACE.

(dog nose not included)

These are what I've been creating after turning off the news and turning it back on. Off, on, off, on. Staring in horror at newspaper headlines.

Peace, Hope.

Always.

(Hand lettered, hand painted, lots of prayers. Limited amount available November 28)

I'd love to see you at our Shop Small event.

linking to 

Paint Party Friday

Finding The Perfect Gift

It's that time of year.

You know-gift giving, entertaining, spending time with friends and family.

Possibly fall or winter weddings.

(I had a Christmas wedding all planned out in my head at one time.

Too bad I ended up with a July heat wave.)

Do you wonder what to bring to these festivities?

If you are like me, I love to bring a little gift for the couple hosting the event. 

When the good folks over at Uncommon Goods asked me to take a look at gift ideas,

 I didn't need my arm to be twisted AT all to look at product from a company that connects artists to an online market place AND has a program called Better To Give, where customers can choose a non-profit for Uncommon Goods to donate $1 of every order.

I would love come into a couple's home that is all ready for entertaining and bring one of these sweet Literary Candles:

Maybe even pair it with the host's favorite book.

What about these fabulous bowls?

Can you imagine how cool it would be to open these? 

Wait.

I mean how cool it would be to GIVE these. Right. Give them. To someone else.

Oooooh-

What about this cheese board???

So cool. It would look great in my kitchen.

Gaah.

My friend's kitchen. 

I need to focus.

I gotta say, when I saw the coasters, I was thinking of the last wedding I went to and wouldn't it have been so cool to put where the couple's first home is located on the map??

Oh, my gosh-I thought these were fun as well:

Conversation starters. I love stuff like this. 

I fell in love with these gorgeous wine glasses

I don't even drink. But I'm sure I could find something to put in here.

Oh, wait. They are supposed to be a gift for a special couple.

Sigh.

Either way- a gift for someone special or for yourself, 

you are sure to find something at Uncommon Goods!

Time For A Show

Well, in all the craziness, let's do an art show. 

YAY!

If you are in the area, stop by the

Red Dirt Art Festival 

at Smiley Park on Saturday, November 7 from 10:00-4:00.

We have had winds, rain and crazy cold, so the forecast for Saturday is...

perfection.

No, really. We will be back to almost summer on Saturday, so you might as well come out and enjoy the fun.

I'll be there with my birds...

repurposed wood and vintage map creations..

did I mention birds?

Small Truths are in full force this year-

perfect for yourself or a little something for someone else.

An encouraging word or two can make anyone's day...

Hope I see you there!

Paint Party Friday

Being A Light(house)

I love these kids for so many different reasons.

They bring so much life and energy to the equation - and lately?

Well.

Gaaaahhhh!!!

Literally, I am SO. EXCITED. to share this with you all.

My eldest daughter and her husband have been working in South Orange County for a group called The Lighthouse Group. It's a non-profit that brings the young adults special needs population together once a week at a faith-based social group. 

(thelighthousegroup.org)

After living in Redlands for the last six months,  Lauren and Stephen thought, "Why couldn't we bring this group to the Inland Empire as well?"

Why not, indeed.

Lauren and Stephen went to the board of The Lighthouse Group and they generously gave blessing to their idea and now the two of them are in the midst of gathering and planning and expanding.

A group for young adults.

With special needs.

Their very own club.

Here.

YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!!

We have so many kids and parents who are so excited!!!!

Are you asking how you can be involved yet??

Do you want to know more??

You're awesome, and I'll tell you-

First of all, you can come celebrate with us at our first fundraiser at 

The Burrage Mansion

Saturday, October 31

1:00-4:00

Truly, we are blown away at the generosity of the people at this facility! 

To be honest, we are a little more than excited to spend the afternoon doing games, costume contest, raffle, silent auction, face painting and a ton more on these beautiful grounds.

We see God's hand ALL OVER THIS endeavor!!!!

I just see the gates opening wide for us to be able to make this happen for our kids.

If you can't make it to the Fall Festival, head over to 

www.crowdrise.com/thelighthousegroup-ie

Watch the video, (it's just the best) learn more about this incredible endeavor, make a donation, think about volunteering, make a difference.

From the bottom of our hearts,

Thank you. 

Thanks for taking time to read this and go to the website, for all your support and love.

Now, please excuse me while I go squeal some more and think up a crazy costume for the festival!

Catching Up

Well, hello, blog.

It's been a while.

It's been the longest I've ever not posted.

Friday rolls around every week and I'm surprised each time.

What! 

Friday again and I haven't blogged?

Good grief, I tell myself. What on earth could I possibly be doing instead of blogging?

First off, this house project has taken on a life of it's own.

We have been running marathon days getting bids nailed down and along with each bid comes a learning curve.

But we always look for fun along the way.

Do you know how many choices there are for casing?

And what the heck is casing?

It's the molding around your doors.

Oh.

Pick one.

Oh.

Then pick door knobs.

Oh.

And figure out pricing on tile.

Tile?

Which tile?

Pick one.

Oh.

The vision is slowly coming into my head, but being such a visual learner, if I can't touch it and see it, I feel like many times I am playing pin the tail on the donkey!

Some how it turned into fall and became October and with that comes

National Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

If you follow me on Instagram, I'm posting there on this subject.

We are working and getting help and focusing on getting this love more and more independent.

Thank goodness for our team. At 21, she reminds me of myself at that age.

As in, I didn't think my parents knew ANYthing when I was at that stage.

Then there's art and Jesus.

Passionately pursing both in different ways.

Usually with coffee.

More journal time.

More reminders and smaller work.

Sometimes blank canvases,

and one glorious hour filling a whole canvas while at a workshop.

Throw in some dog sitting, working on eating clean and that's my month in a nutshell.

While my newest love is garlic mashed sweet potatoes, I was out so long yesterday figuring out tile, I embraced imperfection at a drive through with tacos and french fries.

Yes. It was good.

Thanks for catching up and Happy Friday!

linking to Paint Party Friday