Snow Day 2014

We were supposed to get the brunt of the polar vortex, but instead it shifted at the last minute and slipped just north of us. Still, we received some snow, which for the South, meant Snow Days and no school. Our district, hearing early reports that we would get most of the bad weather, cancelled school before the storm hit. I feel terrible, though, for the students, teachers, and others who were caught unaware and stranded for hours and days at school, at work, or on an interstate (my sister included).

The snow didn't reach us until well after dark, so Hannah and I were up early the next day to enjoy it.

We both were reminded of Narnia as we walked through the woods.

Later, we headed to her grandparents house to try a little sledding.

 

Confessions of a Shop Girl

Confession: I spend what seems to be an inordinate amount of time packaging orders for my Etsy shop. I'm not sure how it happens, but it can take me hours to get them ready to mail. It's fun, though, wrapping threads around packages, designing labels, and creating little thank-you gifts to tuck inside.... I'm sure I'll get more streamlined as time goes on, but for now I'm having fun doing it just the way I am.

I wasn't sure whether to add a few love-inspired cards on my Etsy site for Valentine's Day due to the turnaround time, but I finally decided to offer them for just this week. I only have a few left at this point, but they're there if you want to take a look.

I'm not very talkative tonight. I've been battling a headache today and still have several things to do to get ready for the week. I hope your week gets off to a great start though! Happy Monday!

 

 

It's kind of like birthing a baby...

well, not exactly, but I'm still pretty excited to introduce this little baby to the world!

 

This is my Etsy shop, and it's finally open for business. I've thought about doing this for quite a while, but I discovered that it takes time to get everything in order. Taking photos, checking postage rates, and finally opening the store has been a learning experience. I can't wait to see how it goes.

Right now I'm offering cards that feature my mixed media girls and photography. Later I'll add prints and other goodies to the site. I'm starting small. Baby steps. But it's a start, isn't it? 

You can click HERE to visit. And please let me know what you think. I'd love to hear from you.

"If you let go a little, 

you will have a little peace. 

If you let go a lot, 

you will have a lot of peace." 

~ Ajahn Chah

 That's the plan anyway.

~ Roban

Drumroll, please.... and my word for 2014

She's done, this girl. I've been working on her for quite a while and finally, over Christmas break, put my paint brushes down and declared her finished. I think she's one of my favorites so far, and she certainly represents how I was feeling in 2013. Emotional at times as my daughter crept closer and closer to 18. Worried. Anxious. Yet full of love, so much love sometimes that it hurt. It really did seem like I was wearing my heart on my sleeve. My moods and emotions lying open to the world.

Which leads me to this... my word for 2014. "Let go." I considered several words before accepting this one as the word I need for the year. I need to be able to let go when my daughter heads off to college in 2014. I need to let go of the stuff that is cluttering up my life, my home, my mind. I need to let go of a few pounds I've packed on over the past ten years. Believe me, 'let go' is something I needed to hear, and it's something I need to do.

I'm not sure how it will manifest itself, but I'm willing to play along and see what happens with this whole letting go mindset. 

So, have you chosen a word for 2014? I can't wait to hear from you!