Pining for evergreen ...

So, my mind is planning the de-autumn-izing (new word!) of our home, as my eyes are weary of all the orange and rust that seems to be everywhere. Don't get me wrong ... I love fall. I was so anxious to pull it out and drape it everywhere in August! Now, I am pining for my evergreen! Truly, I could never be one to live in an area that does not receive all four seasons - - they are such gifts! Yes ... our winters do seem to last FOREVER ... but I try to look at it as "longer sled riding weather!" You should see my sister and I race down my mother's hill - - it's exhilarating - but quite a sight! ... especially when I am decked out in my husband's hunting suit - - hey, that baby's warm! And, yes - at first, we all try to hop on the sled - kids and all. But, then - my daughter likes to fly solo and my son - well, he prefers to eat snow. We've guided him against the yellow .... :)

Back to decor - - Realizing that the autumn wall hanging in my living room would not look so great next to our Christmas tree and I really did not want a bare wall (I'm not a sparse decorator by no means) - - I decided to turn the wall hanging over and paint the other side! BTW, the wall hanging is made from the same canvas that I use for the family tree wall hangings.

I wanted a winter scene - not Christmas - as I want to be able to keep it up until spring has sprung. So, I decided on a tree (shocking, I know ...) and the kiddos. Hmmmmm. What shall they be doing? My daughter suggested ice skating - already did that. Building a snowman? - already did that. Humph.

Cardinals - they must be part of it! You see, cardinals hold a very special meaning in our family. They were my pap's favorite bird (as well as my Gram's - didn't want to leave you out!), and every time that the kids and I, as well as my mom and sister, see one - we like to think that Pap had sent it from heaven to remind us that he is still watching over us. Silly maybe ... but it gives us such comfort.

So - we have cardinals. Cardinals = Birdhouse ... Birdhouse hung in tree ... Feeding the birds - - can you see my brain churnin'? LOL.

I settled on my daughter hanging the birdhouse ...

... and my son feeding a bird ...

And, the cardinals? Why, they are nestled in the tree ...

This is the illustration for our Christmas cards this year, as well as a decoration in our home ...

Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.

~Edith Sitwell

Break out those Christmas Carols ...

... because I'm ready! Now, by "ready", I mean that my holiday mindset is in place and I'm feeling all sorts "Joy to the World" nostalgia. I, in no sense of the word, am "ready" by way of preparation! Heavens no! My core make-up is one of a procrastinator ... which usually suits me fine, with the exception of excess of clutter and lack of sleep that usually accompanies such a trait. But, since my husband is incredibly easy-going and my kids seem to fuel their creativity from my paints and pencils strewn on the counter tops - - then, so be it. :)

Now, you may ask ... what prompted my release of sweet, silver bells prior to their airing on the air waves?? Why, illustrating Christmas cards!

I created these for a friend from high school that I was blessed to have just reconnected with (gotta love that Facebook!), and it turns out that we are neighbors! Not next-door neighbors - I'm really not THAT unfriendly! - but another street, a few house down.

She requested an illustration to capture her two daughters baking Christmas cookies and to include her two pups.

So, I popped one of the favorite holiday movies ...

Can you guess which one it is?

Pulled out the ol' Coldpress and began sketching ....

Next, I brought out the acrylics ...

And, about three this morning, I set down the paintbrush ...

A Christmas Illustration for the Comperatore Family ...

(BTW, the movie ... "The Family Stone" ... by far - one of my most beloved films!)

Meredith: So, you never told me what I was doing in your dream ...

Ben: You were shovelling snow.

Meredith: I ... What?

Ben: You were just a little girl in a flannel night gown. And you were shovelling snow from the walk in front of our house. And I was the snow, I was the snow. And everywhere it landed and everywhere it covered. You scoop me up with a big red shovel. You scoop me up.

- Sarah Jessica Parker as "Meredith Morton"

Luke Wilson as "Ben Stone"

The Family Stone