Harvest Time

Harvest Time

This is the piece I did for the weekly art challenge at Inspiration Avenue

This weeks theme is "Harvest".  Living in Iowa, corn is a big deal! With Halloween around the corner, I had to throw a pumpkin in there!  Be sure to follow the link above and check out all the other harvest inspired art work!

Autumn Leaves

My entry for the Music Monday : An art challenge based on song lyrics.
This weeks challenge is based on a jazz song titled "Autumn Leaves" with the lyrics being

But I miss you most of all, my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall

I have four little squirrel friends putting on a show everyday in my yard.  I love to sit and watch them romp around.  Very entertaining!  One day I caught sight of one little fellow burying a walnut in my flower pot.  I thought to myself, Lil' buddy, that won't be there when you want it, as I empty, clean and store my pots for winter.
When I read the lyrics for this challenge, I knew these delicious tiny meals would be greatly missed.   I decided to draw an oak tree because I love their leaves more so than the Black Walnut tree in my back yard.

Be sure to click on the link above the check out all the entries for this challenge!

List It Tuesday

While out and about in blog sphere today I happen upon this cool blog Artsyville 
Low and behold! A "List" day! Every Tuesday!  Yay!  I love list, even passed it on to my daughter who loves them too! A list can be made for any and everything! And we do!

Speaking of list, recently I went to a book sale & what did I buy?  Give up? A "List" Book! No kidding!  297 pages of lists in which you fill out as per topic of the list. How fun right? I bet ~ I hope!

Twenty Minute Challenge ~ Little Pot

Little Pot

Here is a little painting I did for The Twenty Minute Challenge blog I follow.  Painted on a piece of scrap wood, this "little pot" is only 1 1/2" x 1 1/2".  Check out the blog for some amazing 20 minute creations!

The Point Is Sharp

 

 This poor leaf, gently dancing in the wind, cascading softly to the ground, speared by the sharp points of this Yucca plant! Thank God it missed a vein! 

This beautiful Yucca plant has graced our yard for at least the past 18 years. One of only a few of the plants that still exist from my Dad's garden.  My Dad passed on in 1992, prior to last year it had been neglected and was looking very sickly and shabby.

With a little tlc, this beauty has come back to life! It is practically doubled in size, standing approximately 3 feet high now.  Although I have reworked the soil around it and covered it with mulch, an occasional weed will sprout beneath it.  Removal of such weeds should be featured on "most dangerous jobs" for the needle like spikes hurt like heck when they pierce through your skin!

Brilliant Orange

In the morning light

Marigolds gone wild!

Last year I decided to try my hand at gardening.  My Dad had an awesome green thumb and the yard always looked beautiful.  I wanted to bring that beauty back to life.  I sectioned out with a rock border my flower bed deciding on a spot he had used because I knew the soil was good.  I had bought a box of marigold seed from a local dollar store.  It was my understanding these were annuals, therefore, would not be back the next year.  Boy was I wrong and quite surprised when not only did they return but with a vengeance!  They have multiplied greatly and pushed out a lot of other flowers I had planted this year.

Now I am torn between finding a way to rid the bed of these completely or next year just letting them have the whole bed.  Such brilliant shades of oranges and yellows, the butterflies love them, oh, what to do?

Loving the Weather

The weather here (Iowa) has been gorgeous!  I spend most waking hours outside.  I am very happy my Grandson's enjoy being outside as well.  They are all three young enough that computers, video games or television does not hamper their desire to hang out with me in the yard.  Most of the time you will find us swinging, building or crafting.  LIfe is good!

Brody...He could spend ALL day on this swing!

Vince and his shadow

Latest bird feeder under construction

Starburst Wreath we made today

Three Little Pumpkins

Our upside down mini flower pot pumkins

Ghost In The Tree

This one appears to be flying in the sky

They love the hammock swing

Another busy but fun filled day with my Grandsons. How nice it would be to have the energy level they do! Needless to say, I am spent!  But oh what an absolutely gorgeous day outside! As much as I am not looking forward to winter being around the corner, part of me will welcome the "hibernation" time to slow down a bit and recoup.  I already can't wait until spring! lol!

Held By A Twig

A crafty little nature project my Grandsons and I made today.  A very simple yet naturally attract pencil holder.
Materials needed:
Tin Can
Twigs
Twine
2 Rubber bands
Hot Glue Gun
Pliers
Pruning shears
I got a can from the recycle bin, tore off the paper & used the pliers to pinch down the inside lip edge (DO NOT run your finger around the inside of the lid opening! LoL!)
Then we gathered sticks & twigs from the yard.  I used the pruning shears to cut them down to the height of the can.
Placed the rubber bands around the can, one at top & one at the bottom to hold the twigs in place while fitting & arranging them around the can
I hot glued around the top & bottom rims of the can, making sure each twig was glued
Once glue was set I removed the rubber bands, tied a piece of twine around it & hot glued the twine in place
Ta-da! There you have it, a nice twiggy holder.

Rock Painting

In the morning sun

 

 

 

 

Rocks, they're everywhere! Especially in my yard. Piles and piles from much enjoyed rock hunting adventures.  Although my Grandson's do not share the love of hunting, they did love painting them! 

 

A pout on purpose

Inspiration Avenue's Weekly Challenge "Mexico"

Calavera Mask ~ Day of the Dead

This is my entry for Inspiration Avenue's weekly challenge.  Inspiration, Mexico.  While researching Mexico on the internet, I read about these mask and thought they were cool. I had printed off some skull templates for my Grandson to design & color.  Of course, I just had to do one myself.  He thought it was pretty neat, so I thought, why not use it for the Mexico themed challenge?  I couldn't think of a reason not to, so here it is.

Morning Blend

Coffee, tea or a sip from the birdbath?  The latter was the choice of a morning blend for this red breasted robin.  Nestled within the marigolds sits my birdbath.  The birds seem to like it there as it is camouflaged and they tend to blend in well themselves. 

AM Butterflies

In my kitchen window there is a butterfly wind chime hanging behind the curtain. The window faces east, this morning the sun shining in created this silhouette which I thought was cool.

Boob Tube Inspiration

 

Sunday morning while in the kitchen making macaroni salad for a family picnic that we were having later on in the day, I did something I rarely ever do, I  flipped on the television.  Yep! In the kitchen! (A blog for another time) God truly does work in mysterious ways for as odd as it was for me to switch the set on, once I had, I knew why. 

  Joel Olsteen had written a sermon just for me! Heck, he could have just dedicated it to me personally, the message that morning was hitting home. Bullseye!   As his words mingled with the scent of green onions & celery, a wave of gratitude filled the air.  Some call it coincidence, I call it God knowing what you need!  

The message that morning was about positive thinking.  In a weird sort of way it was mirroring all I have seen or read concerning the law of attraction.  (science & religion tango once more!) Just as Joel was preaching though, I too undoubtedly believe, the "universe" is God and what you put out, he will return.  

This particular sermon concentrated  more so on how we treat & look at ourselves.  A reminder I definitely need every now and again and again and again....I am truly my own worst enemy, yet, I had never once thought before this day of my own personal karma.  

Karma is something we tend to relate to the way we treat & do unto others not ourselves.  But why not ourselves?  Who ever is as important than "I"?  I mean, I expect myself to treat others with respect, honesty, care and kindness, why not me?  I believe lots of people fall short here for we would never dream of placing upon others the burdened thoughts & feelings of ill energy.  At least I know I wouldn't, nor should I to myself.

So, through Joel, God gave me some much needed inspiration.  Inspiration to my own worthiness of light, love & all things good.

Capitol not Capital

Iowa State Capitol building in Des Moines, Iowa

This past weekend my husband and I went for a Sunday drive.  We ended up stopping off at the capitol building for a stroll around the grounds.

Nymph to Elder ~ Stages of Life

Sick...I know, right?  This massive pile of box elder bugs were sun bathing on a rock near a grouping of elder trees in my yard.  What I find amazingly cool is every stage in the life cycle of the box elder is present.  A definite sign of the season.  Every fall these harmless pest make their existence known.  They can be found  loitering like delinquent teens on the south side of our house (which happens to be the same side as our door) talk about developing mad ninja skills all in the name of getting in without the little buggers.  Frequently though, if they don't get in "with" you, they will get in "on" you as they have developed their own mad hitchhiking skills.  All in all, as much of a nuisance they can be, they have become as traditional to the season as pumpkins are around here.

For the Birds

Welcome to the Red Roof Cafe!
Today was the grand opening of this sure to be a hit bird feeder located in my backyard.
Ceremonies came to a close with smiling faces, a big (little) "high five" which was followed by a much appreciated "Good job Gramma Gicky!" (from my three year old Grandson, Brody who helped build and paint the feeder with me) We will be anticipating our first visitor that will feast upon a bit of black oil sunflower seed.  My money is on a white breasted nuthatch ~ I have a few "regulars" around about the yard.

Life is splendid!

No Niche

Welcome to my first post here at blogger.com  Mighty glad you are here! 

Ok, so, upon researching this whole blog idea, many suggest finding a niche.  Most days I have trouble finding my car keys, chapstick, remote control, etc. as if finding a niche should be any different?  It shouldn't and it's not.  

Sure, I have lots of interests and ideas, just none in which I feel laden with expertise.  

I am more of a jack of all trades, master of none.  Besides, there is only so much information one can obtain on any particular subject, once learned, information no longer sought.

With that said, I've decided to go with the next suggestion, a blog journal.  Yay!  I mean, who doesn't like to share in one's thoughts and feelings?  Those who have a niche perhaps?  lol!  Ah, well, time will tell if I should find one myself, until then, I will pick my brain, heart and soul and share with you my findings.  Since those are not set in stone, come back tomorrow, I am sure there will be something new in my mental brew.

Click the follow and lets conga or bunny hop, (if you prefer) through the meanderings of my mind. 

Created by Victoria Epping