Time is Drawing Near........

..... for you to sign up for a Fabulous trip to Orvieto, Italy with Tracie and me. If you have been thinking about accompanying us on the Adventure the time to add your name to the list is here. We have fun, excitement and artful experiences planned and would love to have you share time with us in this captivating part of the world.

This will be a small group so we will be able to share many experiences together. Tracie and I will be showing you how to create a memorable journal using finds from the local landscape such as; florals, foods, soil and other unique items. We will be showing you how to relive this experience through looking and feeling the adventure captured on each page of your journal.

Not only will you be creating a artful journal based on the natural surroundings but you will be learning to cook as only the Italians can, as well visiting the local vineyards and tasting the wines.















Sunsets will captivate you and the sunrises will fill your heart with anticipation of the day's adventure.

Please visit Adventures in Italy for the details on this trip. Once you have decided to join us you will become part of our group that shares the excitement and planning for this ....a spectacular adventure.

We would love to begin the new year spending time with you, our friend.

If you should have any questions please contact Bill and Kristin, Tracie or my. We look forward to planning this trip with you.

MY CHRISTMAS WISH

Each year Christmas has a special meaning for me. Not only is it the day to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, but it signifies a new beginning. I always have special memories from the year gone by and This, the Blessed Day, reminds me how precious each moment is. It gives me joy as I look forward to the new year that I will be sharing with family and friends.

I especially love this time of year as my family gathers together sharing fun and laughter and building memories that will last each of us a lifetime.

Tracie shared a Christmas poem and asked if each of us had one to share....here is mine:

Christ was born today to give us hope and joy, as
Heavens rang with songs of love.
Remembering all the moments
I have shared filled with
Special friends and loved ones dear..
Time, that while it is now past..lives in
Memories that gave me strength
And happiness forever in my heart...
Savor the moments and cherish the memories.



My Wish for each of you is that you, too, will Savor the Moments and Cherish the Memories!

Winter's Bitter Greeting

The wind is blowing wildly
And a chill is in the air.

A quilt of snow is everywhere
Covering the earth as gently as a mother covers her child.

White is the color seen from my window
Except for tiny specks of black peeking at me.

I hear a small chirp as the birds anxiously wait
For me to sprinkle seeds atop the snow.

As I enter the door into my house
I hear a sweet song of thanks.

A smile comes across my face
And a warm feeling enriches my heart and soul.

The small gift is appreciated by both the bird and myself.

No Pictures Just Words

Well, today I am home recovering from having a bone graft on my lower left jaw. The past year or so I have had a lot of pain in the area and kept telling myself if was just an ear ache. But when I had my dental checkup and the dentist did an x-ray he said something was going on with the bone. He sent me to a Periodontist who said I had some infection in the bone.

So yesterday I went to have the area treated. The bone area was like a sponge so the Doc had to cut out the bad bone and build it back with some kind of cement stuff. It was the pits getting it done but I can say that I am happy it is over and I am on the mend.

After a restless night last night and a pain pill every 3-4 hours I feel much better today. My dear husband took good care of me last night.

I am hoping that now I can get back to my artwork and get some things done around the house. Of course, it will be a week or so before I can get those things accomplished but it is great to have this behind me. I was dreading the whole procedure and wish I could say it wasn't as bad as I thought - but I can't- It was the pits!

In about a week I will get the stitches out and then I am sure I can say "It is better now!"

Thanks to my family and friends for all the kind words and thought! I cherish each of you!

Have a great weekend!

Marylin