Gone Coastal!

I have gone
COASTAL!

I am still in Florida and
enjoying every minute it of it!!!

The beach has become my playground.

OH NO!

My blog has been so neglected but....

 I did declare earlier this year that this would be a stress free, guilt free blog.

 I love and APPRECIATE those of you that visit and love to touch base with so many "blog" friends even if it is not as often as I would like.

My decorating has taken a tropical route.
I have taken every liberty from the Jimmy Buffet school of decorating.

Can you see this stuff in northern Michigan?
It would look just plain SILLY!

Even my mosaic projects have gone tropical.
I recently transformed these thrift store stools for my daughter's kitchen

I must admit my heart strings are being tugged by all the new foals that have been born this spring.

I have yet to pet the little velvet noses and discover each personality. 

Although I know they are being well taken care of
 ( yes, I'm taking about my Fairy God- Manager, Jona)
 I get updates almost on daily basis and pictures as soon as the little ones are born.

How cute is this little guy?

Look at all those spots.

His daddy's name is "SPOTS HOT" so...

how does the name "3 Hot Spots" sound?

This little girl is the last of the foals this year.

A real beauty!

She reminds me of one of the greatest beauties of all time.

Grace Kelly.

Naming her after the late Princess of Monaco

 she would have really big hooves to fill.

Maybe too much pressure:)

I am taking time to smell the flowers, or roses, as it might be.

I have never been one to sit back and enjoy the present.

This year I am trying to change that.

I think I am succeeding.

It's amazing how growing older changes your perspective

 on what is important in life.

As my time in Florida is moving into the

Sunset Mode.

I'll say...

"See ya later"

and take off to Northern Michigan.

In the meantime you can find me on the beach.

I hope you are doing well

and thank you so much for visiting this "sometimes" blogger.

Enjoy!

Fun Alert x 3

One Palm Tree

Seeing
Double, Double?

 Nope,
Triple,
Triple,
Triple?

Why on earth would I have 3 paintings of the same palm tree?????

I have never ventured into the world of painting on canvas,

lots of walls have seen my handy work

but actually painting a subject

has always intimated me.

Last week I was invited to a

PAINTING PARTY

hmmmmm...I liked the idea of the PARTY

but the PAINTING part I was a little leary of.

A local artist Beth Williams teaches art

in a rather unusual way...

check out Beth's work at

bwilliamsstudio.com

 One individual

 coordinates the PARTY (class)

invites, directions, etc.

The actual class is held in the home of the artist, Beth Williams.

After a very warm welcome we are all invited into her home

to the wonderful ambiance of candles, snacks and yummy deserts.

Followed by a home gallery tour of her wonderful work.

and then.......

we enter the classroom....

serenaded by crazy fun music,

a twirling mirror ball reflecting a rainbow of lights.

YEAH,

 we are now in the mood for a crazy party but...

it is time for the reluctant artist to be discovered.

Each of us is given a canvas,

paint brushes,

and of course,

 paint, then....

Beth talks us through painting a palm tree

and this is the result!

Each of us had a little different interpretation but

LOOK

they all look like a Palm Tree.

YEAH!!!!!

Not only did we have a fun evening together, 

we also have a fun little painting to

remember it by.

I must admit I was simply

AMAZED that I could paint

something that could be identified.

Oh I almost forgot.

Why do I have 3 paintings?????

My Mother and My Daughter

 also attended

the party so....................

we have a 3 generation gallery:)

I apologize for my absence but

the beach has been calling my name!

(my granddaughter's too)

Happy Early Spring!

Enjoy!

Happy Hello and A New Year

A New Year!

What will it bring?

One can never know.

I do know this past year has given me many gifts:

A granddaughter that brings me great joy.

The opportunity to become a "snowbird", living in Florida 5 months each year
 where my daughter, her husband, granddaughter, mom and dad reside.
 Four generations within 10 miles of each other.

The blessing of wonderful people that make that possible.
Thank you Jona and Joe. 

The friendship of so many

 within my actual community and 

 Bloggers from Everywhere in the World. 

This year I hope to revisit the friendships I have made by blogging.

  The past year I was "in and out" of blogging and it is not until recently that I realize that
 true friendships were made and I often  think about those that I "connected" with.

I must admit I was feeling that
"blogging"

 had changed so much in the past year that
 I could never return.

  I read about this blog or that blog and how many followers, advertisers and hits they have.

 If this is the new standard I am not a successful blogger.

Although I have realized we all blog for different reasons and the blog friendships I have made in the past 4 years
 are still blogging in the style that I started with.

I am stepping back into the "blogging ring"
 and I look forward to it. 

 I will not feel the pressure to "blog" unless it comes straight from my heart.

Happy New Year!

Baby Vs. Blogging

Hello Friends!

I have missed you and the magical world of blogging.

My absence is due to entering another magical world,

being a grandparent.

I look forward to returning soon,

when Mommy feels like herself again

(those darn c-sections take a bit off a girl)

and the snow promises to leave the cold Midwest.

So for now am enjoying being a Granny and Florida sunshine. 

I hope to visit you soon and catch up on your world. 

Enjoy!