NEST GIVE-A-WAY!!!

When I began blogging my art journey, a year and a half ago, I wasn't sure it would be a lasting endeavor! Technically challenged, nothing came easy! Everything about it was hard...I could barely check my email and nearly gave up on more than one occassion. At this point, I should mention, just in case your interested in starting your own blog, it's not difficult! I was just void of all basic computor and typing skills. But with lot's of help and encouragement from my sweet girl, Beth, I pressed on. The kind words of encouragement from friends Dalia (who started the whole thing & named my blog), Mary, Molly, Amy, Jo Carol, Brandy, Nancy and Jana have pulled me along. . . . thank you girls! Now I can say without hesitation blogging is so much fun!

And so it is with a sense of accomplishment, that today, I celebrate my 100th post! As a way of showing my appreciation to all of you who drop by and visit (whether we know each other or not) I'd like to invite you to enter my 'NEST GIVEAWAY'! This is the nest I painted earlier this week for 'Tuesday Tutorial'. It is a sweet little nest and I'd love to share it with someone who would enjoy having it in their home!

Everyone is invited to participate! Don't be shy! To enter, just leave a comment. . .or become a follower (below left). It's that simple.

Entries will be taken until this Sunday, May 31st, 12:00 PST. The winner will be selected by a randomly from all who enter. I will post the winning entry on Monday, June 1st! Please check back to see if it is you!

Thanks again to all of you for encouraging me along the path to becoming an artist. The future is brighter than ever! Praise God!

Best wishes and blue skies!

Calling all 'budding' artist's!

Today is 'Tutorial Tuesday!' So if you've ever wanted to paint, stop by later today for you very own private lesson.



You will learn, step by step, how to paint an object!

The subject matter will be a surprise. In fact, at this very moment, not even I know... but do not fear! Such are the ways of we art-tees-ta's!



We'll start with something simple. I want you to be sucessful. I'll make it easy. 101! I promise.



See you later! It will be so much fun!

Remember....

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!

America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassion'd stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness.

America! America!
God mend thine ev'ry flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law.

O beautiful for heroes prov'd
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life.

America!America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness,
And ev'ry gain divine.

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears.

America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea.



...and while celebrating with family and friends,
please prayerfully remember those who are not.










For those of you who choose to serve our country, please accept our heart felt thanks!

Good Morning!

Almond-Crusted French Toast

Ingredients
• 5 large eggs • 1 cup whole milk • 2½ tbsp. maple syrup, plus more for serving• 1 tbsp. rum, Cognac, or Grand Marnier (optional) • Nine ¾-in.-thick slices brioche bread or other rich egg bread such as challah • 2½ cups sliced raw almonds • 5½ tbsp. (⅓ cup) unsalted butter, or as needed • ⅔ cup heavy whipping cream, whipped to soft peaks • Fresh berries (optional)

Directions

In a large, shallow bowl, use a fork to beat together the eggs, milk, maple syrup, and rum, if desired. Dredge both sides of the bread thoroughly in the egg mixture. Spread out the almonds evenly on a platter or baking sheet and place a slice of bread down on the almonds, pressing down gently so that the nuts adhere. Turn the bread over and coat the other side. Repeat with the remaining slices.
Heat a large nonstick pan over medium-low heat and add a few tiny slivers of butter. When the foam has subsided, cook the slices of bread for 1½ to 2 minutes on each side, until light brown. Add more slivers of butter around the edges of the pan when you turn the bread—and as necessary when the butter is absorbed—so that the nuts do not burn. Repeat with the remaining slices, reducing the heat slightly if the pan gets too hot.
Cut the toast in half and serve 3 halves per person, on warmed breakfast plates. Garnish with a dollop of whipped cream and, if desired, a few ripe berries. Serve it with crispy bacon and maple syrup. Serves 6.

A favorite place...for so many reasons!

Pink balloon poodles!

I knew I was going to love this store before I ever stepped foot in the door. It was February and my daughter Kimberly Brooke was telling me all about it! The colors, the wall finishes, and quirky displays. She discribed one display that hung from the ceiling, in the middle of the room. It consisted of hundreds of small envelopes, dyed brownish pink and stuck together in very long columns. Multiple columns formed a 3-D screen. Then ever so often, a tiny love note was tucked into an envelope. Cool, huh!! This is the sort of thing that put's this store on my, 'Must stop list!' everytime I'm in a big city. They change constantly, much to my delight, and every store is different! I've never seen so many amazing displays under one roof! It is the Cirque Du Soleil of retail marketing design. You have to wonder 'who thinks of all this stuff?' Obiviously, a team of super creative stylists!

Great furniture!


A...artistry!
N...natural!
T...trendy!
H...home!
R...rocks!
O...outstanding!
P...popular!
O...organic!
L...love it!
O...over the top!
G...gifts!
I...inspiring!
E..exciting!

Lovely windows!

Pure magic!

Jars make great laterns.

Great colors...

Go green!

Cute birds perch on 'chalk' twigs!

Wall covered in boxes of vintage Christmas ornaments.

Gigantic light bulb chandelier!

Great idea! Wall-paper a room with pages from a book!

Woven walls and ceiling!

The Crown Jewels!



Fairy tale sleeping alcove.

Blue paper fern fronds dangle from the ceiling.

Cupcake papers!

Mounted old paper butterflies!

Dangling magnifying glass collection!

...more cupcake papers.

White drinking straws!

A gigantic newspaper beehive with letters buzzing around.








The grass is always greener!

Map and Key display!

Old window art. Great color.

Flocked winter bicycle.

For the birds!

Ball jar track lighting....

Marsmallows !

Eye exam!

A book mobile!










Fresh designs!

...more book art!

Aprons!

Furniture stack!






Random chandelier!

Sweet dreams!







It's time!

How in the world???

Right about now, you may be wondering, 'Do you ever buy anything? ...or do you just walk around and gather up ideas!' The answer is 'yes' to both! After this visual feast, one simply must make a purchase! Mostly home decor...usually on sale!

Are you a fan? What do you usually buy?