A Beautiful Surprise . . .

Yesterday was one of those days.  It was a rough morning, there was a bit of a crying meltdown, some anxiety, and a hyper puppy.  I had planned on meeting a friend for lunch.  I didn't want to go.  I was too bummed out.  

Then I thought that it may help me feel better, getting out of the house, enjoying a nice visit with my friend.  So off I went.  

These flowers were a belated birthday gift and brightened my day.  I had an amazing time. I think sometimes the universe sets things up to give you what you need, what will help, what can heal . . . 

Sending Birthday Wishes To Heaven . . .

This is one of our first pictures together. Dad and I on my first christmas circa 1969. I think I was about 6 months old. Today is his birthday. He would have been 63. Three years ago today was the last day I saw him. He passed away from pancreatic cancer 2 months later.

Our relationship was a difficult one no doubt but in the end none of that seems to matter. My dad was an artist. He liked to sketch and draw but unfortunately life got in the way as did an alcohol addiction and he never utilized his creativity. I think I get my creative side from him. And I never realized this until he was gone and I began creating art! Sometimes I feel sad that he never lived to see my art but I think somehow he does see it from where he is now. Or at least I hope he does.

This photo was taken of us together at my wedding in May of 2003. I am pretty sure we were dancing to a Sinatra song. He was a big Sinatra fan. One of his favorite's was "Summer Wind". These days I try to take some solace in knowing he is now free to fly in that summer wind . . .

Newport Pictures and A Celebration

Hello my dear friends!! Thanks so much for your lovely comments on my last post!! Our weekend trip was fabulous! Despite the wind and cold temps the warm sun was shining all weekend which made Newport all the more beautiful!! We were blessed with great sunny weather! We always stay at a beach cottage that we love and waking up each morning to the sounds of the ocean is always amazing! Oh how I miss it already.

I will be sharing some photos in 2 parts since there are too many as usual! The ones here today were taken along Newport's famed "Cliff Walk". You can walk along the ocean for 3 miles and even see the mansions along the pathway!

This photo is from the top overlooking the edge of the cliff.

These are the "Forty Steps" at the start of the cliff walk. I didn't think I would make it back up! But me and my outta shape legs did just fine!

Lou and I took this photo at the bottom of the forty steps. Today is Lou's birthday so we will be relaxing at home, taking the pug to the walk trail and celebrating with some cupcakes later tonite! It is another sunny day here and I am grateful.

More photos to come! I have missed you all! I look forward to catching up and visiting your blogs soon!! :)

Dreaming And Some Birthday Love!!

First I want to take a moment to wish my new friend Silke Powers a very Happy Birthday!! She is the beautiful spirit who was the first to welcome me to this great creative blogland! I had been a stalker of her blog for a few weeks before I finally let her know I was there! During that time I was admiring her art and enjoying all of her posts! She was the one who inspired me to try painting my own faces!

There is a birthday party going on today in blogland for Silke. Find out more about it at her fabulous blog Metamorphosis (click here) and send her some birthday love if you haven't already!

For today's post I wanted to share my latest face painting "Dreaming".

This is mixed media on 8x10 canvas board. I have to say I had a little trouble with this one. I really wasn't sure where she was going but I really like how she turned out! I was trying to go for an image that would look as though she were by a window looking toward the stars . . .

Silke, I hope all your dreams come true!!