Critter Storybook

Happy December Snow has officially arrived! If I had my way it would only snow in December. 
Oh well.

I'm really too late for posting to Eileen's Saturday's Critters
having worked the weekend and during this busy, daily-bustling-happy-adventures in festive shopping experience for all!

In honor of those critter posts I offer
lots of delightful critters today anyway!

Meet Sparkle, one of my daughter's cats.

If cat's are given the opportunity to become president

she'll seek nomination!

I'm sure she could ace our current presidency with her eyes closed.

How does Santa and his eleves keep so fit and incredibly active you ponder?

"We elves and Santa of course always stick to the four food groups,
 candy, candy canes,  candy corns and syrup."

"It takes courage to grow up and become who you truly are."
E.E. Cummings
But sometimes pretending is where the true pleasures reside.

Sometimes you just never know who might be playing with the milking cows!

Who's that peeking in the window? 

Naturally I have a purr-fectly charming helper during this gift packing season!

"The most wasted of all days is one without laughter."

Just yesterday this,

Don't feel offended or left behind just because Gnomes haven't found shelter inside your vehicle yet. Consider what music you're listening to, or lack of?

I still miss this colorful critter that once graced our little downtown.

I've shared this live ornament before, but how could I not offer such an adorable suggestion for you tree decorating.

What's not to love about this charming all-attitude critter?

More and more folks are turning to blue hair as well!

Yes countdowns are still a major thing around here.
Some things never change.

Okay I had to share an incredible scene from nature just a few months ago.  Karina pictured with an Elf-tress or is it, Elf-lady is that what they're called?

"The snow doesn't give a soft white damn whom it touches."
E.E. Cummings

Thanks for stopping by
May your days be blessed 
take good care of you.

Thursday Thoughts More Blessed Less Stressed

We do things for the moment
but also for the memory of those moments.


Wishing everyone a wondrous last day of November as tomorrow we'll be greeting December 1st!

Last Sunday was let's chop down a tree!

Our adventure wasn't anything like the photo below.

Not a reflection of Minnesota, yet anyway.
We know snow is coming, but we're happily rejoicing for now.

Just a few winters ago this was the snowy journey.

Below is this year's snow-less trail!

Is this sunny California?

Nope, pure Minnesota, just outside of Lake Elmo.

Yep, this is my tree!

It's tag name was Nancy Drew, quite fitting actually.

Shall we visit Santa?

Every person has the power to make others happy,
don't forget to use your powers.

What's so funny?

Awe, silly Santa!

Whoa! Slow down bad Santa!

Remember that snowy trail? This was that year's Santa Claus visit.

I think either Jack just told a tall or story, 
or else Santa has a bigger story to tell!

Gratitude can turn common days into thanksgivings.

William Arthur Ward

There is in each of us so much goodness

that if we could see it glow

it would light the world.

What, you want Mama in the picture too?

Okay, smile happy faces!

The very fact of enjoying ourselves 
in the moment 
is such amazing joy for all
to behold!
Me

From the fields of Lake Elmo to our house.

Success!
These munchkins may be growing up ever so quickly
but all the simple joys of childhood 
still shines from their hearts!



O Christmas tree!

Everyday is a new beginning;

take a deep breath and start again.

More smiling, less worrying.

More compassion, less judgment.

More blessed, less stressed.

More love, less hate.

Roy T. Bennett

Instead of worrying, or dwelling 
over those things we cannot change-
change your direction.
Choose wisely your adventures, 
and keep moving forward.
Me

Working Weekend

Working weekends go like this.
Be a worthy, kind worker, but also, be a dreamer and a believer.

No my day doesn't consist of ballet moves but, on Sunday my Fitbit clocked just short of 25,000 steps (just at work) and it isn't even Black Friday yet!

Chilling out by the pond. Oh I wish I could!

Sometimes my thoughts trail off to places I've been or wish I could visit soon, or maybe, did I turn the water hose off? It's one of those automatic things we do.


Okay then out of the blue you smell someone's coffee and naturally it sets off all kinds of senses for me.

Does your tummy spontaneously put notions in your head that it's time for dinner?

How about a bowl of chili? All those tasty spices, and speaking of spices, 
have you ever heard of the Mistress of Spices? If not, you should check her out.

"Each day has a color, a smell." Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni 

It's always good to make food ahead and just toss a salad together!


ART Happens.

Of course there are projects sitting and waiting until there's time for them.
Below are the last of my Halloween decorations. It always seems that they don't have enough viewing time.  

Mr. Gnome staying, he's a permanent decorating fixture!

Smelling of things to come. Paint. Glue. Fresh cut wood. All scents telling me that crafting is here!

These are things left on hold. So many pieces of art in need of paint, and finishing. When is my next day off?

I'd be lying if I said this is my backyard today, when it's actually November 19th, but in 2015, or was it 2016? I actually still had live plants in November!

"Fenugreek, Tuesday's spice when the air is green like mosses after the rain." CBD The Mistress of Spices. Take a moment, can you smell a musty dampness, or wet dirt, but much more unique than just plain dirt?

Gnomes again

Consult your memory so you know what matters most in your life.
 Amit Kalantri

Oh and yes of course, once I return from work, I'll notice the neighbors have been busy, hanging lights getting ready for Christmas cheer!

But what's that I hear? Gobble, Gobble, Gobble says a random turkey crossing the road.

Actually this photo is from Bentleyville "Tour of Lights" in Duluth, and that's me on the left. My daughter took this photo while we were all there celebrating her birthday a couple years ago.

There's my birthday daughter, eyeing the cheesecake her Mommy (that's me) made for her, and delivered by her older brother!

"A birth-date is a reminder to celebrate the life as well as to update the life." Amit Kalantri Wealth of Words

Open yourself to the sight of where you are.  Take everything in.

"Each desire in the world is different. as is each love." CBD


Thanks for stopping in to say hello. Hoping your week is filled with love, happiness and some delicious Thanksgiving delights whatever they may be.

Sculpture Garden on Sunday

Think twice it does matter!

Without Words
Judith Shea artist

It ain't no use to sit and wonder why
your head's too big 
and off it fell
it really doesn't matter it's just art!

As for why the giant blue rooster came to be here at the garden, 
If you don't know by now
read this.

When your rooster crows at the break of dawn

you'll know where to find him.

Spoonbridge and Cherry

Walking up to that lonesome spoon with it's friend the cherry
is one of my long time favorite pieces here.

On a brisk Sunday afternoon we toured the revamped

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

which reopened in June 2017

The evening news showed a photo from a lake in the city without any park goers implying it was too cold for a stroll. However, we were out and there were a good number of other people out as well, and many with their dogs.

Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.

Thomas Merton 

Next is Mark Manders, September Room (room with two reclining figures and Composition with long verticals)

Can you spy the spoon and cherry?

Courtesy of two faces or is it really one?

I'm sharing two of the quote benches, and we actually had to stop reading them, since they were a bit too risque for my munchkin!

Bench and quotes
From the Living Series

Rapture
Kiki Smith

"An artist is one who can see divinity in nudity.

Ramana Pemmaraju

Hephaestus
Matthew Monahan

Don't let him scare you away little one, 
see his friendly smile?

Have a seat, stay for awhile and rest your weary thoughts.



"Always remember the primary purpose of your life
 is living in tune with your energy pattern,
find the true expression for the energy 
and go with the flow."

Ramana Pemmaraju

A cup of Hot Chocolate was in order, to warm up before we headed to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and the comfort of being in a warm building.

Thanks for sharing time with me
take good care of you.