Another Christmas Day

...is unbelievably almost over. All day I have meant to mosey on over to this keyboard to wish all who enter in a joyous and memorable day. Pesky things kept me from completing this adventurous goal; you know, opening up lovely presents from husband, family, and friends. And having a fine and traditional breakfast including bacon crisped up to its perfect spot, AND walking the neighborhood (we have the best street in Tehaleh and a view of the mountain, so there), AND getting into some new books, AND having another fine and festive dinner meal so, you know, things like that.

Mt. Rainer looms over the neighborhood

..our street twinkles,  yes it does. 

That's one red chair in there!

But here in the perfectly wintry but not icy cold Puget Sound, it has not yet reached midnight, so I can still qualify this as a holiday wish, for whatever holiday you celebrate. I hope this finds you well and content and filled with joy on this day that comes around so fast and goes away faster still.

Bob and I are blessed and we are so thankful to have health, family, and friends, 

and a country we love, despite its potholes, pranks, and pitfalls. 

More than ever we all will need to work extra hard in the year ahead to

speak in friendly tones, practice our values, be an informed reader and listener

of events and news from trusted sources, 

and hold on tight to optimism and hope but

stay ever aware and thoughtful and assertive. Let us not take
anything for granted and let the past serve up wisdom 

for a challenging future and

a test of our strength for a country we all hold dear. 

A po-em for you

Today's stash ready for their bags of goodies and mailing envelopes. 

What might Alice have seen in the gardens of Wonderland?

What were the strange, unique, frilly or grand?

Well, a dozen are here for two oh one seven

Do not imagine they are not real. Eleven

of them, though maybe rare, are definitely actual.

Botanically accurate? Specifically factual?

You jest. 

I took artistic license, I confess.

And, what would any Wonderland tea party be

without some unreality?

Yes, one pigment of my imagination.

Can you guess which one? 

(Oh, yes there will be a test.)

In case you missed earlier post, you can find information at the website: www.oneredchairstudio.com.  This year's collection is "Gardens of Wonderland."  Flowers that look imaginary but are, indeed, real. Well...mostly. My calendars are prints of original artwork and/or enhanced photos I have taken, combined with digital backgrounds.

The 2017 calendar is ready to ship!

Information is over at the website www.oneredchairstudio.com and at my Etsy shop which you can also access from the website. I had fun with flowers again this year...ones that look imaginary but actually exist!  Well, sort of. Mostly. Artistic license taken.

Pardon me if I crow, but with our move and my overseas trip happening in  September and October, it was looking pretty dim for getting this year's calendar out. I had some of the art started for another project, and that's good, because my original plan just didn't come together. I finished all the artwork, then decided to test my skills with digital backgrounds, picking up the manual again and reviewing my downloaded classes. I think I have been learning Photoshop since the Earth was new, but like my French, I am definitely at the Struggle Level. Well, maybe I achieved Struggle Plus. But I also learned how to set up shop at my website where I can take orders directly, and so I am ready ready ready! On to things on my list that have been neglected. You don't want to know.

 I am reading Michael Connelly's new book, The Wrong Side of Good-bye. I though his last one was the best (The Crossing), but this one even beats it. With my schedule lately, I don't get around to picking it up until bedtime but it's so good, I spend another hour reading it when I should be getting more sleep, darn it. Harry Bosch, my hero. Connelly is a so dang good at realistic dialogue, believable characters, and penetrable plots. Like so many of us, I think he's getting better as he gets older. (Eye rolling allowed.) Highly recommended.

Home again, home again, jiggly jig

Arrived home to the good ole US of A late Sunday (well, late for me, Paris time!) My day was nine hours longer and felt every bit of it. I am always profoundly grateful to arrive home safe and in one piece, especially after a trip with complexities. I had such a wonderful time on the tour and in my solo week in Paris AND I am also delighted to be home to husband and cats, despite the boxes and piles I have yet to organize as I set up my play rooms!

May I also say I am enjoying watching the World Series at a regular hour and in comfortable seating. No more 2:00 a.m. sleep interruptions. Oh, yes, I know what you are saying. But you are wrong. Yes, indeed, I had to do it. There is no choice in the matter.

I have been diligently working on the 2017 calendar. It will be little late this year (mid-November) but having an unplanned house move and a big trip I could not reschedule, I'm proudly patting myself on the back for having one at all. Thank you, past customers and supporters, for hanging in there. I'll be sure to post when it is available for sale on my web site or Etsy.

Here is a preview page of this year's calendar :  Not Imaginary Flowers: an artistic take on real flowers that only look imaginary.

I had this cookie on Monday and it came to me. Pretty amazing. This cookie was on a grocery shelf in Paris on Saturday and I am eating it two days later over 4000 miles from that shelf. Don't you agree...pretty amazing!?

While I was gone, our built-in shelves were completed so I've been busy finally getting our living room in shape and bringing autumn in. Our trees are bare from the record rain the Seattle area has had.  Rainiest October on record. Glad I missed it: Paris and Seattle are on the same latitude, more or less, and experienced the same climate. While I was there, we had some drizzle and rain but mostly it was dry if not sunny. We did not experience the rain that Seattle has had. Oh, well, all the more green, come summer. Here's a peek at a corner or two of the house that is ready for prime time. 

I love my collection of glass pumpkins. My friend Kay got me started collecting them. The sparkly ones are from Pottery Barn, though.