,~Earthly Delights Revisited.~

And so this is what became of the original photograph that I took. I think it is very calming.

.~Earthly Delights.~

Look what I found sitting in the tree in my front yard feasting on berries. Isn't she beautiful?

.~ Another Year Come and Gone.~

.~ Cowgirl and Cowboy Wish You

A Rebarkable New Year Ahead.~

.~Saying Good Night to 2008.~

Tonight's the night! Tonight we tuck 2008 in for the last time. Tomorrow we awake to a fresh NEW YEAR. Here are some things I would like to accomplish in 2009:

(These are not in any particular order except reading my Bible and spending time with God as HE comes first always.)

1. Read my Bible every day (preferably in the morning) and write morning pages to God.
2. Visit my family in California
3. Write and call my mother every day.
4. Be a better friend.
5. Sketch in my sketchbook every day.
6. Create 12 paintings for my Cowbird Series and don't sell them until I have all 12 collected. (That is always the hardest thing for me to do)
7. Create more inventory for my Etsy Store: Original paintings and photographs, prints, cards, post cards, bags... .
8. Help raise at least 2,000 for the Friends of the Shelter
9. Decorate my bedroom
10. Go to Sundance for the Wine and Food Festival for my 50th birthday.

I'd love to hear from anyone who would care to share what they want to accomplish in 2009.

I'm waiting!

.~ Thinking of Everything that is Beautiful.~

I do so love winter. But...I cannot help but think of the colors of spring.
Which is silent now.
But soon it will be in the spotlight. Just not now. But soon. Spring.
Will come.

.~ Dreams Do Come True.~

One of my goals in life was to have my art hanging in the Sundance General Store.
The day came when that happened.
I found a gal who worked for the Sundance Catalog who had a friend that worked at the Sundance Resort who took these photos for me.
Funny how reaching a goal can make a soul feel so content.

.~Bedroom Eyes.~

Since we have moved into our house two years ago, one room that we haven't even begun to decorate is our bedroom. I was searching for the right look, the right feeling, the right stuff.

The other day while at the library, I gathered up some unwanted Better Homes and Garden and Good House Keeping Magazines. Lo and behold, there was my bedroom.

What was especially great was when I showed my husband the picture he just

LOVED it too. Perfect! Now that I kow what I want, the only thing holding me back is money.

Ahhhh....there is always something.

.~Bird's Eye View.~

"If I keep a green bough in my heart, the singing bird will come. "

~ Chinese Proverb

About a week ago, I looked outside my office window and discovered a little bird hopping

around the porch. It was -23 degrees outside. He was all fluffed up and very disgruntled with the weather. However if he was to survive, he had to journey out and look for food. As John Holland so aptly put it, "God gives every bird its food, but He does not throw it into its nest." I think that

is a good reminder for all of us.

.~Sunday Sketch.~

"Bobby, Marilu, Spirro and Amy"

The Family Portrait Christmas 2008

.~September 3rd, 2009.~

This is a photo taken while visiting the Sundance Resort a few years ago. You can see why I want to go back. I am praying to save enough money to be able to spend my 50th Birthday there. My Mom taught me that if you can drean it, you can become it! I am dreaming...boy am I dreaming... .

.~Cowbirds Love Christmas.~

I caught the cowbirds decorating thier Christmas tree this morning on the back of Lena. My camera's batteries are out, so I had to capture the moment is this sketch. Those little cowbirds are just too cute for words.

~.City Mouse vs. Country Mouse.~

One of my favorite living artists is Tascha. She lives in downtown Toronto, Canada. The other day she posted this photo on her blog. She took it from her balcony.

I live on the prarie in Eureka, Montana. I stepped onto my front porch and took this photo.
These two pictures remind me of the story The Country Mouse and the City Mouse.

It's not the story that made me think of the Country Mouse and the City Mouse, it is just the setting.

.~Christmas Cooking .~

Here is how the process began...

Here is how the carrot cake turned out.

.~Give Love - Send Love~.

This time a year we do alot of gift giving. With gift giving comes "Thank-you~ing"

I have 5 Post Cards for sale that would work perfectly to send as thank-you notes! Just think the postage to send them is cheaper too!

All proceeds will go to "Friends of the Shelter." The post cards are 25 cents a piece or 5 for $1.00. To order simply write me a note letting me know which post cards you want and how many. Also include your address, so I know where to send them. Please write the check out to "Friends of the Shelter."

My Address is:

Traci Suzanne Marvel,

PO Box 2303,

Eureka, MT 59917

(Please order soon as I only have limited quantities available.)

Post Cards...Get Your Post Cards...And Become A Friend of the Shelter!

"Cowbirds Snow Surprise"

"Moon Struck"

"Heron After"

"Maye Madness"

"Kindness"

~ Another Work in Progress.~

I am working on this painting for the Friends of the Shelter Winter Warmer Auction. I still have things to rework, but what do you think? These certainly are not the best photos and the painting is much richer in real life.

Do you think someone will bid on it at the auction? Should I put it in a frame? Love to hear what you think.

The painting is called Make a Wish and it is 16" X 20". If you would like to have this painting, but can't attend the auction, let me how much your top bid is and I will do the bidding for you at the Winter Warmer!

.~ Work in Progress.~

This is a little journal quilt I am making for my neice Grace. I have some more handquilting to do on it, but it is almost done. I thought if I put it up on my blog it would inspire me to work on it. Let's see what happens.

.~Ting Ting Tingling Two.~

I am busy making baskets to send out to loved ones who live far away.

Here are some things that I put in them:

1. Socks and toothbrushes

(So they can have a healthy New Year from their heads down to their toes)

2. Assorted Cookies and Cakes

a. Thumbprints

b. Peanut Butter Blossoms

c. Spice Cookies dipped in White Chocolate

d. Banana Bread

3. Post Cards of My Artwork

4. And some baskets get original artwork.

I guess it just depends how naughty or nice they have been.

While searching through a box of disrgarded artwork, I found this little card I made. This one is going into my sister Jami's basket. I just love the bells at the end of the snow girls flip! And my favorite part is at the bottom where it says "ting ting tingling two". I definitly must have been drinking a glass of wine when I painted this one.

.~Merry Christmas From Lee.~

Lee sent me this Snowman eCard. She created it herself. I just love it. He has so much Christmas spirit. Can't you just feel it?

.~Fluff and Buff.~

.~ Let Your Heart Be Light.~

~From Now On May Your Troubles Be Out of Site~