It's Christmas Day - clearly, I was naughty all year as I did not get what I wanted.
Oh well...  I'm not changing anytime soon Santa, so I guess I won't see you for a while.
I love who I am right now. 

Frankly, I'll be glad when today is over.  
I love Jesus. I give thanks everyday and I ask for forgiveness, every day.. lol 
I celebrate him daily.  

I did get one gift, from Storm and it  made me cry. 
I Thank God for Storm. He said he does not need any gifts:  “I need what’s sitting in that chair breathing” he  remarked to me while I was at my desk drawing last night.  

I do hope  people enjoy a good Christmas..  for those that get right into it (and can afford it) I hope your day is perfect!!  
I hope one day to feel the “christmas Spirit” again,  I certainly do not feel ‘it’ this year. 
I also realize how many people feel the same as I do & do not have anyone in their life to even spend today with- that is who my Christmas Wishes go out to today. 
Feel loved. Love yourself.  Jesus loves you, no gifts required. No attending mass required.  
If you do not believe, that’s fine- enjoy this day of PEACE. 
Instead - 2017.. I’ll focus on that today. 
It’s going to be different.  Big change. 

On a positive Note -I have a bulletin board in my office - I put postcards on it *I love snail mail! As you might be aware. lol  
I put all that people send me during the year- and it becomes full as the year goes on! Postcards Cards from around the world, drawings, stickers, letters people write to thank me. It blows my mind & warms my heart.  lol 
For what? For expressing my love? Trying to help bring an awareness to a injustice - isn’t that why we are here? I wonder sometimes if I make a difference. .. then I glance up- right above my desk and I see your wishes, cards and LOVE.   Thank you.  
I had one letter, putting it all away that brought me to tears, Patrick from Conspiracy Culture wrote me a letter after Jamie died.  That gave me the 'Feeling of Christmas' of love.

I cleared it of 2016 - all goes into an envelope marked 2016’ & now it is ready to welcome 2017! The first thing on it my gift from my son, a drawing of cannabis from Todd I received this week and a reminder to myself : You did not wake up to be mediocre today.


Have a wonderful day. 
I hope Santa was good to you, if not - join the club.  ;)

Have faith
xox
<><

*I already drew '2017 Bud'- & it is super cute!!! lol    If I do say so myself...
OWN IT! I AM.  
​Tomorrow, a bit of love into the universe.  
Back to dreaming.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOX3YQMIkU8 check out this incredible artist! 

Have Faith
<><
xox
​

Joy to the World!  Cannabis is changing for the better!  Yahooooo!!!
Wow, are you watching what's happening with the cannabis industry in Canada? 
I can't keep up.   ;)
Mostly good.. Some  crazy ideas about cannabis and alcohol
- that should never happen. 

Tis the season to be joyful!  I hope more people choose to smoke this season rather than drink alcohol! That being said - if cannabis impaires your ability to drive then refrain, especially if you are NOT use to it.  Alcohol is damaging on several levels & with the season comes 'have another!'   Please do not drink & drive with Alcohol in your sytem.
OR  text!   

Isn't he the cutest little bud!? He makes me smile! I think I'll make some cards! 
Yes, he will be my Chrsitmas card for this year!  I will spead Joy, Truth & Education hopefully the card will be displayed with all the others causing a conversation:

            Tiny child: "hey that's a neat little tree on this card  grandma!"
          Grandma: " yes, yes it is.. my friend Georgia drew that, that little cannabis tree
                                  helps people feel better.  It's a giving medicine tree."

                     & the JOY of a new Christmas tradition will be born!!!

Amen.

A positive note!  
I've spent  the day designing a new logo!  How exciting!
I presented it to the client, his comment   "I thought it would be more cartoony"  
I replied:  "No, I do know how to get a little serious now & then." ...lol      
He "Loved it".                 I knew he would. 
He offerd a couple of 'changes' and I offered my opinion on why I thought otherwise, he agreed.  I do have a bit of artistic experience ;) It's nice to be  appreciated.  Althought, I won't deny - he came to me with the idea & thought it was terrific, so my creating was quite simple.  

Spread some JOY this season!
Are you on my naughty or nice list!?
I guess you'll figure it out if you get a card or not!    Ho Ho Ho!  ;)

Have Faith
<><
xox   

When away, I slept.
I did not paint... which is blowing my mind.  3 little sketches, the one I did finish- I learned what 'rain does to Gouache' my meditation frog (below) was washed away..  so was I.
Up with he birds- and the birds were AMAZING!  I was in bird utopia! 
Arrrrgh! I forgot to bring some peanuts. 
From bed to the dock was my first stop each morning as the girls - Daisy & Poppy would need to pee. *thanks to Storm for leaving his dog with me. & I would sit and sip my tea.
I'd wander between the cottage and dock, in at 11 to nap...  deck, dock, bed nap.. lol!
Really.  I needed it bad. Holy cow.
I was instantly overtaken with the  peace and exhaustion- physically & mentally, took hold and said SLEEP. Thankfully, where ever I went, Daisy lay 3 feet away, ever watching me & Poppy. I LOVE my dogs. I love all dogs.  I was so relaxed I slept with all the windows and doors open on the hottest few days and  absorbed the quiet. Satellite Tv- I turned on and thought REALLY!?  REALLY Georgia!? It was in time for the line from Ghost Busters (* which I will watch @ my desk painting) "Do you have any Hobbies?"  - "I collect moulds, fungus and spores."  It cracked me up, lol - that is Storm.  He is anxious for  the fall foray season. ;)  I could NOT stay awake the first couple of days and hardly ate.  
My body was screaming and my mind called the shots. SLEEP
I even started to feel guilty- you're not painting...   oh well, sit back & breath.
I thought about a few people in specific on my mind lately all the time. 
I didn't shed a teaar- also hard for even me to believe - lol, I sat and chilled with Poppy & Daisy. We wandered, I caught a big frog and a tiny one, thew rocks and napped.

Now, I'm home for a bit & paint fumes drift up stairs,  the kitchen, it'c coming. 
Norm goes non-stop.  Bird is happy I am home. 
I tell you what... I feel stronger mentally  & physically :
God has me on the path, I just have to keep walking.
I know what needs to be done, there is no confusion in my mind.
I know what I want & I will have it.  
Focus on what I am here to do.  Draw.

I am drawing - it was an overwhelming desire yesterday - to draw about police abuse in America. Why?  SPEAK UP!! FOR EACH OTHER! We are ONE it should not be tolerated.
It's getting out of control, no wonder people are shooting cops- who does not think that?
Bring attention to it. Yes, there are great police officer out there but the evidence does not lie- thank God for cameras.  More on it tomorrow.
Understand also- I have a few Americans I'm really fond of - hee hee, seriously, I think about them and it's heart breaking. I want to have a few acres and tell them come on up, put up a tent and hang out.  This toon is born of love from my friends and I feel it does speak the truth.

Trump or Hillary?    .. .Hillary. 

A Thank YOU Universe & to my good friend Jim, I love that Guy  & everyone knows it.  
I was telling Storm what a wonderful friend he's been all these years, so many laughs. 
For assisting in providing me with peace & always showing me love.
You know, as I do with  everyone close to me at one time sooner or later it seems...
I put him to the test a few times & he has never left me.  XOX  Thank God.

xox Have Faith  <><

To learn about the eggs: http://www.welovedaruma.com/en/about_daruma.html   Easter and the symbolism of rebirth, spring, new growth, forgiveness & hope.
I feel stronger about this Easter and what it stands for than  I did only a year ago. 

I asked the guys if they wouldn't mind staying home this Easter even though we were invited to the 'family dinner - actually, I said I was staying home but they could go - lol -it did not go as planned... so, I painted  eggs to give to a very 'select few', purchased a new everyday tablecloth,  Norm  helped clean - we picked up some tulips and  Easter dinner  (cooked and catered by mom) was  terrific. Perfect. 

​It  was a peaceful day... leading up to a mini Spring break. 
I've decided to take some time to read and draw, think and draw... spend time with Jesus- as I become less religious.  This Rosary you see is my meditation.  
I sleep with it wrapped around my hand and wake up with it still there many mornings. 
Think what you want- I don't care, it brings me peace.  
It reminds me that miracles happen every second of every day, inspired by LOVE.
Time again to Go within, with Buddha and past time with Poppy as spring gets closer to becoming summer. 

I can't promise I will keep up the blog the next few weeks, I only have a short allowance for internet time, I can promise I will be keeping very creative!
I will post one  'image' a day if nothing else, but this won't include original art work- some of it is top secret at the moment,  a few gifts I don't want people to know about yet...  a couple pieces taking a while to complete and a NEW project -  I'm not at liberty to discuss - yet.  ;) The days are getting longer and I am getting busier!  Amen.
 
To learn about the eggs: http://www.welovedaruma.com/en/about_daruma.html 
I also made something neat-- going on my ETSY page soon... 
​
Do what you love & the rest will follow!
Believe
xox <>< 

​

The easiest thing to do is get caught up in Christmas & Not the Christmas, the day was invented & celebrated for. Certainly not to the degree of commercialism it has become. Another chance to go further in debt. I get it.  I've been there. 
We want to give!  Only, we have been led to believe that giving only counts 'IF' it has been bought in a big department store. 
Now, I find I am attracted to custom made gifts on Etsy or around stores locally, artists or making  ;) my own gifts of course. As with anything I never, know what to give or even draw for many. Others- I can hardly stop drawing with them in mind.  What a pleasure.

The drawing on my desk now, it won't be published for  a few days...  
I was not in a good place - I went into my office - sat at my desk and 'Forced thought',
if you could go and do anything,  with who and what would you do?'  
The image popped into my head. lol!  I've been researching what to draw...
A smile creeps across my face, suddenly words are forgiven, not forgotten.
It does not matter, because I am NOW doing what I love. 
Draw it. Be it. 
Have some fun. 
Put some love into what ever you do and it will show.
It will make someone smile.
That is a powerful gift you can give.
A smile across someones face. 
;)   

Bake, Plant, Paint, Draw, photograph, knit, crochet, pot (clay kind) lol, blow (Glass kind) ;).
Read to someone, write poetry, drive someone, listen.
Teach.
Inspire.
Love.  

All Gifts, with  no bills in January.
xox
 
Have Faith
xox  <>< 

Here is Randal Ralph the Reality Elf with Tip two!
I don't gift wrap.. well sometimes and only with paper that I have had in my craft room for a decade. I don't buy it anymore. I feel it is like gambling; may as well take that money and burn it - along with the ink, chemicals and trees. 'Reality Elf 'remember.
BUT! If you think I don't like gift wrapped gifts you would be mistaken.

I do like the VISUAL "presentation' wrapping and some people are very creative, I have this friend who's  wrapping would put Santa to shame - her  gifts so visually beautiful, each wrapping was a gift in itself!  I must admit, Norm too has a knack and he loves to wrap.
The majority of us  don't do a great job, or even enjoy the task that much - so:
         Let it Go!!  Tis the Season to Be Jolly! Start a new Holiday tradition!  
Get creative! Tie it in a pillowcase! A Reusable gift bag - I already received (TY Mona! xox) a very cute chihuahua "new library bag", a old drawing! An old cherished T! 
ESPECIALLY for kids who  TEAR it to shreds- Who could care less about  the appearance or thought and only want the gift (we've all been there) - can't we teach them  that until they grasp the concept of environment - we should let them have the choice wrapped or reused.

Never all mind all of that because - the only thing that DOES matter - Is your love, patience and attention during the holiday season and every day of the year.
It's just stuff and it's just stuffed wrapped around the stuff.

Love is all you need, fa la la la la  laaaaalaaaalaaalaa.
Paper or not - I still peek.  TY Mona!  
Have Faith
<><
xox

Yep - it is officially here!!! The leaves are turning yellow and red and a few have fallen to the front lawn! Tis time! Time to pull out the warm blankets, socks (I'm not a fan of them), slippers and toque - Eh! For those brisk morning bluejay peanut runs to the feeders!  Brrrr!
Apples, cinnamon, cider with rum (sometimes) and a pat of butter & brown sugar - yes!
​Cabbabe boil, cabbage rolls and chicken casarols! Bring On Fall!

I apologize for my in between posts but Today is ThankGiving in this house and I can't wait!
My house ei clean! The turkey is in the oven - the other in the garage!  Company will soon be arriving and I hope they sty late! It's going to be great, I can feel it in my head & heart! 

Have a wonderful day... give thanks for those you choose to surround yourself with & for those that we can not - for what ever reason.
Everyone we meet makes us stronger, wiser and hopefully more caring towards everyone.
I am truly thankful for the beasts that gave their lives for the family feast today.

Above all else I am thankful to God for all that has been provided on this Fabulous Fall Feasting Day day!
​
Just thinking of everyone here  has a smile on my face!  THANK YOU!

Have Faith!
xox <><

It's the weekend and we have a to do list that must get done.
I am an early bird! I try to keep quiet on the weekends so Norm can sleep in but he usually follows around 8:00 a.m.,  & before 9 this morning I had 'us' crafting! lol  
I have an old kitchen table and chairs, at least 3 families before me have owned it - I will have a harvest table of my dreams - as soon as Norm gets around to building it.  ;)  
In his spare time.  There is no way we are paying $100's when I know eventually... the one we have will be beautiful and made with TLC  in the meantime - we have a table and chairs that frighten some. Mostly me. 
The seats - I couldn't take anymore - I had an idea- We covered 4 chairs & handmade TWO  * one 12' long table runners for ThanksGiving for $20!  They turned out terrific if we do say so ourselves! Have a  peek below. 
Again, I make it look soon easy - I do have private contractor by my side the entire way - hee hee hee...  he does al the hard stuff. I paint, take photos & make coffee.
Thanks to Norm for his assistance on this project.

Norm and I also visited the  "thrift store"  I found a few tiny projects I thought would be fun to show you some 'before and after creations'!  Amazing what a bit of paint can do & something old is new again! Be watching the blog for them.  I might even give one away - to brighten someones day! 

A few other things on my mind.. while I create...
`I saw an old friend today I had not seen in about 15- 20 years.. he gave me the best hug ;) 
How neat. 
`I have 2 accounts on FB and I decided to delete the the other the other morning, it's more work, more messages and more time stealing..   I decided - enough - after I posted on my sons page to wish him a happy birthday, I would delete the page.  
Not realizing the one post vanished.  ;( .
 I was glad I wished him a happy Birthday on my Georgia Toons page! Whew! 
Sure enough I am reminded I have no feed...  I out of curiosity logged in since deleting the page and there it was. Not deleted. Still there.
​Waiting.
What to do .. what to do....

I'll decide another day... it's time to go and paint.
Have Faith!
 <><

Baaaaaaaack at it! 
Norm came home the other day and had to go back to work on an emergency..  I usually 'unwind' with Norm, we watch a movie together and then off to bed,  but with him back to work - I thought - why not!  back to work for me too!
Into the studio/painting room and there was this white chair, it had been white for at least 6 years, time to just add paint! No sketches, no thoughts of what I was even going to paint... it did not take long for my sheep to appear, the rest...  just felt good. 
I did remember to take  few photos as I went along.  Norm arrived  home but by this time I was in my groove - lol.. he went to bed and I stayed up painting past two.
 
I need the chair! I'm having company this thanksgiving!!  
I asked thinking, it's been a very difficult year for this family with the death of Jim*,  and I know  sometimes we don't want to celebrate much - let alone holidays - so I would have been be fine either way, it was for my cousin to decide  & Elly said "Sure! A change will be nice" and I AM THRILLED!  I'm painting chairs and on PIN for decorating ideas!  
I cannot pull it off anymore by myself (not even close) - so it's a pot luck too! (the food kind) I need a chair(s) and the white was simply too boring for the day! 
I already feel truly blessed to be having our Fall Feast here!  
I wish I could invite more, really! lol  My house will be full as it is! 

                                   Family, friends, Dogs and LOVE = FULL HOUSE!
 
I mailed out the invites and now that they have seen them all and said YES! lol 
I can show you! Hand painted on HEMP cards of course.
It's weeks away but I have much to do! Today I'm transforming my kitchen chairs, finishing a custom made garland, painting the Turkey giveaway & more!

My son has gone away for the weekend, I was teary when he left, I tried to hide it but was not completely successful - it bothers me  that I am physically unable to go with him. 
I thought maybe this year.. he left reminding me 'your having better days than last year mom...'  after he pulled away I burst into tears.  Then, I said to myself - fell sorry or go create something  that WILL make someone smile.  That has become my job - lol. 
It's not like I get paid to draw or paint every day,  and I have  been blessed by all of you - to realize - money means nothing - as usual.  
I have been blessed, thanked and reminded a thousand times over now.
It is ALL about making others SMILE & occasionally - think.  ;)  

Time to go paint. I will be waiting until he comes back home for my hug and to hear what fish he caught in his new BIGGER net. I am so proud of our son, who ventures out on his own - exploring the world - not waiting for others or even life to 'wait until it's convenient'
He certainly is not afraid of much.  Bears beware. ;)

Have Faith! 
<><  xox  -

* Jim (Elly's husband) died earlier this year in a terrible accident. Golfing.
I will continue to educate on this subject as long as I live. It should NOT have happened.
We all miss Jim very, very much.  xox    

You can read about it by clicking on the tag Jim Smith ? Golf cart death.