And now to relax...

"Gift of Love"

(watercolour, Thank you card design, 2007)

    I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas Day... I have a feeling the biggest gift you gave to others was your friendly smile, your warm hug, your helping hands and your appreciative heart - 'cause that is the best gift you could give anyone, anytime throughout the year but an especially cherished gift during the Christmas holidays!

    As I think back on the past two days, Christmas Eve through to the late hours of Christmas Day, the feeling still lingering in my mind is that this years gatherings were not the whirlwind of wrapping paper as in previous years but a more relaxing time with each of our families, appreciating the time we were blessed to spend with them during the holidays!   

    From our family to yours we wish you a BIG box of love and thoughtfulness! May you each know just how loved you are - just for being you!!    

    God bless you!

    ♥ Cath-  

A Celebration!

"A Celebration"

(watercolour, 8x11")

“Oh, Mama, it’s the most beautiful flower I’ve ever seen!” L’il Bunny clasped her paws together and tucked them under her chin in an exuberant, cheerful manner.

“We’ve been waiting a long time and here it is blooming in the winter snow!”  Mama’s eyes gleamed as all the woodland animals gathered to admire the beautiful addition to their forest.

“Mama, I think God has blessed us all!  God is so good!” L’il bunny was so overjoyed she could hardly keep her feet on the ground.

“You are right l’il one - God is wonderful, and we are all truly blessed!”

    We just celebrated the 1st birthday of our beautiful niece - a long awaited bundle of joy and a true blessing for her Mommy & Daddy and everyone else who loves her! 

   

    A few months ago I was inpired with the idea of a rose blooming in the winter representing my niece, and all the l'il woodland creatures gathering to celebrate representing all of us who gathered around when we heard the wonderful news of her arrival!  It's already been a whole year and she's growing and learning rapidly, always more reasons to celebrate! 

   God has truly blessed our family!  We praise Him continually for His goodness!!

    ♥ Cath-

Winter Joys

"Moonlight Skate"

(watercolour, family Christmas card design, 2007)

    This is a Christmas card design from several years ago... our oldest was in her "everything blue" phase and our youngest was in her "everything purple and pink" phase.

   

    I love this design because it reminds me of the need for quiet moments.  When I look at this painting I slow down and I begin to feel the crisp air and I hear only the sound of the girls giggling and the sound of skate blades running atop the ice... and then after a few moments I can't help but release an exhalation of relaxed contentment!  

    I hope as the holidays rush upon us that we will each have time to slow down enough to hear the sound of children laughing, the snow squeaking under our steps, the comforting crackle from the fireplace, and to observe the beautiful purple-blue shadows that stretch across the ground, the diamond-like twinkle of snow on the branches, and to feel the true warmth of a hug from a loved one!

    God has blessed us all! May we share His love and truly reflect His shining light to everybody we meet this holiday season - making it a joyful time of year for everyone! 

    ♥ Cath-

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!



"Let It Snow"

(watercolour holiday card design)

    Many of us are both hoping for snow and dreading it at the same time.  I think most everyone loves the romantic beauty of a crisp white blanket of snow, just in time for the holidays.  We all love the ideal that the snow will fall silently through the night when everyone is snug and cozy in their beds and we'll awake to the twinkling crystaline beauty of it all. 

    In reality we have all created busy schedules for ourselves that often times has us driving from one place to another and so for that reason we may not be looking forward to the snowy weather.  I hope though that we can take some time this month, and through the rest of the winter as well, to stay in one place long enough to be able to relax, and even enjoy the sight, when the snow begins to fall. 

   

    Falling snow is beautiful!! Sometimes when the flakes are big and slow in their descent I enjoy going outside and just standing there, letting the flakes fall on my face and feeling as though I, myself, am in a big snowglobe... it's moments like that that I appreciate the seasons and thank God for the beauty that each season brings!

    ♥ Cath-

These Are a Few of My Favourite Things!

A Few of My Favourite Things

(Sing to the tune: 'My Favorite Things' sung by Julie Andrews in 'The Sound of Music')

Christmas tree sparkling and Christmas wreath hanging,
Fresh cedar garland and jingle bells clanging,
Cheery red ribbon all tied up in bows.
Time to get into my comfiest clothes!

Pure butter shortbread and gingerbread cookies
All the great recipes not used by rookies
The wonderful joys that this season brings
These are a few of my favourite things!!

When Jack Frost bites, when the snow stings,

When I'm feeling low...

I simply remember my favourite things,

and my heart regains its glow!

    I was inspired to write these words when I sat down after a long day of baking crisp, buttery shortbread cookies, helping my children set up and decorate the Christmas tree and decorating the front porch with fresh garland and pretty plaid ribbon.

    God has blessed each of us with so many blessings - we just need to open our eyes and hearts to see them all!!  Gratitude and appreciation for God's blessings will always give us something to sing about!!

"Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe, help to make the season bright..." 

    I made this watercolour design for a holiday card - not everyone 'got it' but I still enjoy it myself!  I loved working on it and using so many fun colours on the light strings.  There are so many fun pictures to paint when you listen to the classic "Christmas Song" (a.k.a. "Chesnuts Roasting on an Open Fire").  This picture reminds me of yesterday - a big turkey (me) being assisted by two cute l'il bunches of mistletoe (kids) helping to decorate the house, making the season cheery and bright! : ))

♥Cath-



A Place of Learning...

♥ Cath-

P.S. I took this photo when I visited the Jordan Historical Museum Schoolhouse yesterday. 

My wonderful friend works there as the "School Mistress". She takes local school children through

a day of school in 1908.  Now that it's December the schoolhouse is all decked out for their 1908 Christmas programme - fresh pine boughs and red ribbon... A little historical tidbit I learned from my friend: red ribbon was favoured in the early 1900's because holly (and its lovely red berries) was not readily available so bright red ribbons were used to acheive a similar cheery affect!