Holiday Glimpses

My friend Jeannine over at Four Rooms decided to show a bit of her Christmas things each week. I really liked that idea, so here are a few things I did around the house yesterday to nudge me into the spirit of the holidays.

I do love to decorate!

This is our first tree in at least eight years. It's around 4' tall and sits on the dining room built-in nook.  Next week I'll show it decorated and lit up. 

~My little French piggy asked for a red ribbon~

~another view~

When we first moved back to Rhode Island, I bought this rooster for Brian.

Rhode Island's state bird is the Rhode Island red chicken.

I bought a candle centerpiece for under two dollars and wrapped it around her neck. 

Quite pretty, don't you think?

I love these vintage reproduction boxes I found at The Christmas Tree Shop,

both under $12 for the set. I'm a bargain hunter!

This adorable little cardinal was found at one of my favorite gift shops that carries my holiday candles: Frasier Fir by Thymes. Pricey, but wonderful!!

The little cardinal has sass, doesn't he? I love him.

And we mustn't forget to add a little holiday cheer to the bathroom!

This glass compote usually holds shells and driftwood.

But now it holds ornaments the color of the sea.

So that's what I did yesterday.

Stay tuned for more as I add things here and there.

Care to join us in sharing your holiday spirit? 

♥xo♥

Illustration Friday: rescue ( an encore piece)

Quite sometime ago Portnoy and Biff met at a no-kill animal shelter in the middle of America.

It seems Portnoy was a renegade that escaped a truck headed for the slaughterhouse. Afraid to go back to the farm, Portnoy walked for days until he met a kindly old gentleman who told him all about this shelter. Unable to properly take care of a pig, the old man gave Portnoy a ride to the door and waved a tearful goodbye. The volunteers at the shelter welcomed Portnoy with open arms and hearts. They brought him to his new quarters but on the way there he noticed by Biff, an old-timer stray dog with a twist in his tail just like his!

The shelter worker saw the connection between Portnoy and Biff right away and asked if they'd like to be roommates. Biff's spirits soared by having Portnoy around. They shared stories of life before being rescued and celebrated every day for the strange twist of fate that brought them together.

Two peas in a pod, those two. Old souls embracing a new lease on life.

(This was used for "IF" in 2007 for the word "twist."  I thought it was time for an encore!)

And I just noticed this is my 500th post!!!

IF: Twist

Quite sometime ago Portnoy and Biff met at a no-kill animal shelter in the middle of America.

It seems Portnoy was a renegade that escaped a truck headed for the slaughterhouse. Afraid to go back to the farm, Portnoy walked for days until he met a kindly old gentleman who told him all about this shelter. Unable to properly take care of a pig, the old man gave Portnoy a ride to the door and waved a tearful goodbye. The volunteers at the shelter welcomed Portnoy with open arms and hearts. They brought him to his new quarters but on the way there he was struck by Biff, an old-timer stray dog with a twist in his tail just like his!

The shelter worker saw the connection between Portnoy and Biff right away and asked if they'd like to be roommates. Biff's spirits soared by having Portnoy around. They shared stories of life before being rescued and celebrated every day for the strange twist of fate that brought them together.

Two peas in a pod, those two. Old souls embracing a new lease on life.

Just for IF, watercolor, Pitt pens and gouache on Canson pastel paper...and lots of struggling with each blasted medium! Click to enlarge.