Bedtime Stories & Winter Wishes

"Once upon a time..."

As Anne of Green Gables might say,  

'Isn't that a delicious way to begin a story?'

    Once upon a time... there was a small fox cub whose heavy eyes and drooping head indicated that sleep was on its way.

    "Time for bed Little Cub." said Daddy.

    "But I'm not sleepy" yawned Little Cub.

    Sitting down in his favourite chair, Daddy took up a beloved storybook and held out his arms to Little Cub.

    "Would you like me to read you a story?" 

    Without a moments hesitation Little Cub leaped up into Daddy's arms and quickly snuggled down beside him in the big, cozy chair.  Daddy opened the book and began to read:

    "Once upon a time..."

    "I love that part of the story!" Little Cub said, smiling up at Daddy.

    "But that's only the very beginning," laughed Daddy, 'You don't even know what happens in the story!"

    "But that's just it - anything could happen! Anything is possible!!" beamed Little Cub.

    Daddy wrapped his arm around Little Cub and gave him a tight squeeze. Daddy loved this time together with his Little Cub. With happy tears brimming in his eyes, Daddy blinked a couple times, looked lovingly at his cub, then at the storybook and began again to read:

    "Once upon a time..." 

"Bedtime Story"

(watercolour, gouache, approx. 6" x 7")

When I finished this illustration last night, I stepped away 

from the table, stood a few feet away and glanced back at it... 

Tears filled my eyes... 

This is a piece I'm completely proud of! 

I thanked God often for the abilities He has given me as I worked on this 

(as is my practice when I draw/paint - He gave me my talents!) 

and I could do nothing but thank Him and praise Him 

when I saw this illustration completed!

This painting is a piece of my heart!

It's joy... It's love... it's happiness... it's contentment!!

God is SO good!! He has blessed us all immensely!!

Grab a bible and read the 148th Psalm -

(if you don't have a bible handy - click the link)

God is SO worthy of praise and thanksgiving!!

I'm laying my paintbrush down for a short time 

now that the winter holidays are so near at hand...

I will likely make some sketches in the meanwhile 

but am focusing my time on my family and spending every 

moment God blesses me with in enjoying their company!

I wish you all a very wonderful holiday!

May you spread cheer wherever you are and wherever you go!!

As Clement Clarke Moore finished his famous story,

I too will finish this last post of 2014 with:

"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!" 

♥ Cath- 

 

One For Me, One for You...

Many, many, many years ago my Mom was baking

holidays cookies and treats well ahead of the winter holidays

and carefully boxing them and tucking them into the big chest freezer

in the basement so that she would have goodies on hand for drop-in guests,

holiday baskets for Aunts & Uncles, and for our family to enjoy too...

Mom felt proud of her use of time, baking on her days off and tucking it 

away into the freezer - the holidays were going to be a breeze!

The holidays drew near enough to begin preparing and delivering

baskets for relatives, so Mom went down to the freezer to collect 

from her supply, only to discover that someone had found her stash.

Apparently my brother had begun helping himself to "just one cookie" after 

school and on weekends for as many weeks as she had been tucking them away.

Needless to say, the abundance on which she had based her plans had 

dwindled to a scant few treats, crinkled wax paper, and several crumbs. 

Yep, that's the memory that came to mind as I worked on this latest piece...

 "One For Me, One For You..." 

(watercolour, approx. 5.5" x 9")  

May you be blessed with enough and to share!

♥ Cath-

Harmony

During a phone conversation with my Dad,

we were discussing my recent winter/holiday illustrations

and he mentioned the following word:

Harmony

www.dictionary.com says:

 

harmony [hahr'-muh-nee], noun:

1. agreement; accord; harmonious relations.

2. a consistent, orderly, or pleasing arrangement of parts; congruity.

3.Music.

1. any simultaneous combination of tones.
2. the simultaneous combination of tones, especially when blended into chords pleasing to the ear; chordal structure, as distinguished from melody and rhythm.
3. the science of the structure, relations, and practical combination of chords.

Dad feels "harmony" is a word that sums up the spirit of the holidays.

We talked about it a little more and before I knew it I had picked up

a pencil and began sketching out some woodland animals 

singing together  - in 4-part harmony!

I found a favourite Christmas song - "Carol of the Bells"

complete with notation for Soprano Alto, Tenor, and Bass...

I placed my illustration atop this sheet music and voila!

     

"Harmony"

(watercolour, sheet music, approx. 6.5' x 6.5")

If I were to put this on a holiday card front I think the interior sentiment would be:

"Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas!"

or

"May your holiday season be harmonious!"

Look around and see what you can do to lend some harmony to this festive season!

Wishing you all the best - always!

♥ Cath-

The Gift Exchange

Dusk settles into the quiet woodland...

 The moon slowly rises in the clear evening sky...

Soon steps are heard in the snow...

Whispers waft through the tree branches...

Giggles dance along the cool air...

Sparkling eyes emerge from the darkness....

Everyone is beginning to arrive...

Gathering under the soft glow of the lamp post...

 for the annual Winter gift exchange.

"The Gift Exchange"

(watercolour, approx. 6" x 8")

♥ Cath-