Friday, May 6, 2011

Feathering My Nest with Memories

Welcome to my southern Nest!

I have been busy with the thrill of being a grandma
and 
setting up house in a small beach house that we are renting. 



We rented the Nest unfurnished.

It didn't feel like a home
but
I had plans to feather it with wonderful memories.

The walls were waiting to be part of a family,
my family.





This Nest welcomed 50 years of memories.

My grandfather recently passed away leaving
many treasures of his life.

I brought those memories into my blank little beach house
and brought it to life.
A true Nest away from Home.



This painting welcomed me into his home
each time I visited.

The chair sat to the right of my grandfather's desk.

The bookshelves are filled with my grandmother's and grandfather's personalities.

I know many of
the  treasures I wouldn't have selected for myself,
but I think that makes them even more special.

This sofa hosted many naps,


Every time I walk into this room it makes me smile.


Many family stories were listened to while swinging on the porch.


Many meals were shared around this table.


We all have settled in and are enjoying
our little Nest.

Everything old is new again!

Enjoy!

Saturday, April 23, 2011

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!

Monday, February 14, 2011

Love Letters



Twenty five years ago
we were expecting our first child.

My husband traveled ALOT,
he managed several cities in the north east.
Lots of planes and little time for us.

On Valentines Day 1986 
while on his way to airport in NYC
he thought he would have his cab stop
at Tiffany's and pickup a small Valentine gift
that he had seen advertised in the morning newspaper.

Oh so Original!
He was thinking he had Valentines Day in the bag.


Much to his surprise...
hundreds of other men had the same idea.
He needed to make his flight so he had to abandon his plan.
He didn't even have time to stop for a Sweet Treat.



NOW THE PANIC SETS IN

He is sitting on the plane that is due to arrive early evening
and he is empty handed. 
(Honestly, I didn't have my heart set on a gift)

Quick thinking:
He pulls out his 1986 style laptop...
graph paper.

He writes me a letter,
a letter reviewing the past year
and dreams of the year to come.

I am sure he didn't think it would be
one of the most treasured gifts I have EVER received.

I cherish that letter and the 23 that followed.



Each Valentine's Day my husband
writes me a letter that comes from his heart.
The next year he wrote 2 Love Letters,
one for me and one for our daughter.
This year he has 3 letters to write,
we are expecting our first grandchild,
a little girl that will hopefully
have many Love Letters to come
from her loving grandpa.

Wishing you LOT OF LOVE on this Valentines Day.

Enjoy!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Cabin Fever

Cabin Fever

noun


Boredom, restlessness, or irritability that results from a lack of environmental stimulation, as from a prolonged stay in a remote, sparsely populated region or a confined indoor area.

I couldn't have said it better myself.

As a result of cabin fever I put together this collage and poem.


As I sit in the dead of winter, I dream of warmer days.

Green foliage serenading the magic of the forest.

Red roses without thorns providing a velvet blanket

for a new born foal with a gingham bow.

Simply A Few of My Favorite Things

Now you have the proof that I am suffering
from Cabin Fever.

Thanks for visiting and I hope the "fever" passes soon.


Enjoy!

Monday, January 31, 2011

The Magic Returns!

Last night the Magic returned to the Farm.

 At 11:56 p.m. the first foal of 2011 was born.



little guy's big brother, "3-D"
Click here to read about it

Now I introduce you to "Stinky Dirty Levis" a.k.a "Stinky"

I am sure you are thinking what an awful name for such a sweet face.

I must admit that I had a nicer name picked out but then...


I met "Stinky"

I must defend myself a little bit concerning the name.
Traditionally horses are named with the parents names in mind.
The mare is "Dual Me Dirty"
The sire is "Smart Little Levi"
thus "Stinky Dirty Levis".

This foal told me who he is from the minute I walked into the stall.
(I have mostly retired from the actual foaling of the mares,
after 30 years it is nice to sleep through the night during foaling season)


He really didn't want his picture taken.
He was using his ears and tail to do his talking.
Ears back and tail swishing.
He wasn't scared in the least.


He actually wanted to give me a shot from this end.

So that nice little name I was thinking about 
 went out the window.

Regardless of this little "stinker's" attitude the fact that he is
here is truly magical. 
 A little miracle every time it happens.

So let the Magic continue!






Enjoy!


Tuesday, January 25, 2011

I Am SOOOOOOOOOO Thirsty

I am parched.
I am so thirsty.

My beverages of late have been
colored with white, gray and occasionally blue.
As beautiful as they are I have grown a bit tired
of the same old drink.

I have found that I can't go for long without
a drink...of COLOR.

Saturday, I went in search
of a "drink". 


I found such a drink.
An arrangement of roses and gerber daises.


 
The colors of
sunset,
red wine,
purple royalty,
sunshine.


Ahhhhhhhh, it tastes so good.

It has satisfied my thirst for a while.


I hope a little "drink" of color will brighten your day.


Enjoy!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

It's Not As Easy As It Looks

I have found creating and photography
are two very different art forms.



I always thought if I created something
it would be easy to show it to others
 just by taking a picture of it.
Well, I found something gets
lost in the translation.

Currently I am taking a class called
Picture Winter.
Each day we get an assignment
we try it out,
we post our pictures in the "classroom"
and critique each others work.

I must admit that I haven't been
excited about all the assignments. 
For example a couple of days
ago the assignment was
COLD
let's face it
how many of us
have said
"just a minute I need to take a picture of "COLD"

Being the good student I am
I went to complete my assignment
with a couple clicks here and there
and this is the result



Now I know I would have NEVER EVER
 taken these pictures without my class assignment.



I actually like them
Surprise, surprise! 

Creating Vs. Photographing
This has always been a challenge for me.

Today's assignment is CENTER OF ATTENTION.
I thought I would apply today's assignment  to
photographing my art. 

This is what my very wise teacher, Tracey Clark
stated in today's assignment
that "clicked' with me.
Sorry I couldn't resist

"Keeping the background super-simple (yet still maintaining a sense of place and not just shooting against a bare wall) holds our focus on his stance and the way the light subtly outlines his shape. A simple centering of your subject can be effective. Even still, don't lose sight of what is all around your subject. It can make a lot of difference in the end."

I have a few examples of my frustration
the so called "Before and After"

When I photographed this collage, several days ago
I wasn't pleased with the result.

 

The Before

This is the photo I took today.

I made this mannequin over a year ago
and once again the picture was a disappointment.

 BEFORE


 AFTER
I have lots of room for improvement
but I think you CAN teach an
old dog new tricks.

Thanks for visiting,
I'll stop by and say "hi" soon!.


Enjoy!

Friday, January 14, 2011

Being Judged


I don't want you to judge me
Maybe what you thought you heard me say,
may not be what I meant.


Although, I do want to be judged by 12 of you.
I want 12 of you to express your opinion on what you thought I said
I want you to tell the others why that is your opinion.


I want you to have an open mind,
I want you to listen and
consider
what the others have to say
and perhaps...
change your mind after listening to others.


I just did that.
I opened my mind
I listened to others
and I did change my mind
and I changed other minds



Our founding fathers
made sure that I did.
They made sure not just one person
could judge me
they made sure that I AM
YOU are
and others
are INNOCENT until proven guilty.




Have you guessed ?
I have just finished
jury duty.
I admit that I selfishly didn't want to serve.
I thought long and hard why I shouldn't have to serve.
I thought the odds were against me on being picked.
I thought I was just too busy.


Well...I was wrong.
I was picked
I did serve and
I was reminded that I live in a country
where my rights are protected by laws
that are fair and just
and if I have to spend a couple of days
serving on jury duty to be citizen of
that great country
 I should be
 and I am grateful.

Enjoy!
All photos and artwork by Kelley
copyright 2011

Sunday, January 9, 2011

SHARING my book

Every year I host a creativity celebration.
I invite friends that love to create



we SHARE our recent projects


we SHARE  great food,
everyone brings a dish to pass


we SHARE ideas


we SHARE lots of laughter


This year I asked everyone to
bring a copy of the recipe they
brought to the luncheon
and I would put together
a little cookbook
a little idea book
a little friendship book

I want to SHARE
my little book with you

I know you won't recognize
the lovely faces
or taste the yummy recipes but
I hope it urges you
to celebrate the creativity
of those around you


 
  You are welcome take a peek,
to view full page just click on the
little arrow box on the lower right
hand side

I'm not seeking to be a best selling author
I just want to celebrate all the wonderful creativity
that surrounds me.

Thank you for visiting
SHARE YOUR CREATIVITY!



Enjoy!

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