We Need a Little Christmas!

I love that song. It puts it all words, for me.
The transition from Fall holidays to Christmas prep is not a smooth one. You are tempted to put up a tree before you bought your turkey for Thanksgiving.

These are just a few of the things that I have created in the days before Thanksgiving.
Made from vintage dictionaries, they have that "Old Book" scent.  Mmmmm.
I get to save a book from the trash, and help it become beautiful, again.

Now, sing along with me?

Haul out the holly
Put up the tree before my spirit falls again
Fill up the stocking
I may be rushing things, but deck the halls again now

For we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute
Candles in the window
Carols at the spinet

Yes, we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute
It hasn't snowed a single flurry
But Santa, dear, we're in a hurry

So climb down the chimney
Turn on the brightest string of light I've ever seen
Slice up the fruitcake
It's time we hung some tinsel on that evergreen bough

For I've grown a little leaner
Grown a little colder
Grown a little sadder
Grown a little older

And I need a little angel
Sitting on my shoulder
Need a little Christmas now

For we need a little music
Need a little laughter
Need a little singing
Ringing through the rafter

And we need a little snappy
"Happy ever after"
Need a little Christmas now

Pumpkin Tip.

If you want to preserve your pumpkin you need to do two critical things. You need to keep the pumpkin from drying out and you need to keep the pumpkin from developing mold. The best way to keep the pumpkin from molding is to kill the mold spores. After you initially carve your pumpkin give it a solid misting with a bleach-based spray like Clorox Cleanup with Bleach or mix your own mild bleach mixture at home. From there out, mist it daily with the bleach cleaner to kill off anything that might grow on it.

Pumpkins put out for less than a week, especially in a cool climate, generally don't need to be rehydrated. If your pumpkins are starting to look wilted, fill up a large enough bucket, bin, or bath tub with cold water and throw in a couple table spoons of bleach. Soak the pumpkins in the cold water overnight to rehydrate them and make them nice and firm.

-from Lifehacker.com

So excited about HALLOWEEN!

I love Halloween.  I am lucky enough to live in a neighborhood where 2000 pieces of candy may not make it through to the end of the night. We spent $40 on candy, yesterday. We are half way to our goal of what we need, for the trick or treaters.
Costumes are the big issue. My oldest, who is 14, is at an age where he just wants to scare kids.
The youngest is 7, and thinks that Mom can whip up anything he desires. Truth be told, I'm 40, and  I think that my mom can still make my costumes.   I stopped going to her, a few years ago.
For this glorious month of October, Ill be sharing my Halloween adventures, through art, decor, family stories, and anything links I can find.

Whats your favorite thing about Halloween?

Betrayal, a cartoon blog.

True story!

Font Crafts Shout Out

I had to share a new website with you, and you, and YOU!

Font Crafts!  Its a site by a super talented, super funny, and super awesome
Alexa Westerfield.
Isn't she cute?

Here are a few examples of the magic that she creates.
Beautiful, useful, and fun.

You can also find Font Crafts on Face Book.  Be sure to hit the LIKE button for updates.

A Bittersweet Score

Today, I noticed that a lone house, across from where I grocery shop, had things in the yard as if there was a Yard Sale. It was a Monday afternoon, so it seemed like a strange time.  I have always loved this house.  Its a two story red brick home, that seemed like it wasnt occupied.  I was mistaken.
I parked the car, and walked up to take a peek.  A tiny old lady was sitting on a chair. She reminded me of my Grandma; itty bitty, poufy wig, that casual way of sitting that hides the fact that she seemed frail.  I asked her if it was a yard sale. She said that it wasnt. It was all for free.  I was amazed. There were stacks of books that I wanted to dive into, but I felt awkward.  I asked if it was her home, and she said it was. I told her that I always thought it was beautiful and grand. She said that she and her husband built it themselves. They lived in the garage for five years, while they built it. She added that they were both school teachers, so thats why they chose red brick.  I thanked her for her story, and  wished her well.
Her family members encouraged me to take the books, and I did. Im going to pour through each one, when I have time.
The whole scenario makes me sad.  Getting to the age where you are no longer in control, and you are moved out of the place that you built with your spouse, and put a lot of love into it.  Getting old is wonderful but it stinks at the same time.   Good luck, sweet tiny lady.  Thank you for your story.

I sing to my Cats.

Yes. I sing to my cats. I love to sing to them.
I had a cat named Miss Cleopatra Jones, and we called her CooCooCleo for short.
I sang  her nickname along with the Chia Pet tune. See above.

My current loves are Pinot Noir, and Alice.
With Pinot, I sing a song to the tune of  Thomas & Friends. Gavin was really into Thomas the Tank Engine, so its only natural that I used this song, in my head.
"Pinot, Pinot, Pinot cat.
He is skinny, he's not fat.
He's my little kitty boy.
Spreading lots of kitty joy.
Pinot, Pinot, Pinot cat.
We love you, Pinot cat."

Tonight, I found myself singing to Alice.  It was a simple song, set to Peter,Bjorn, and John's Young Folk.
Just a little meowing along.
"Meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow........ Meow , meow, meow, meow, meow....".

The best thing about the cats; they love to sit with me and my boys, while I read to them.
Reminds me of this scene, from Amelie.

Meow, Meow, Meow and MEOW!

Summer Lesson #32

If You've Come This Far....

If you've come this far, its time for you to check out a link or two.

Celena Martin: Hand Painted Bar Ware, Canvas, and Cards.  This is my Facebook page. If I miss a blog post, here, you can find out the latest, there.  I love LIKEs.

Twee Boutique.  Melanie ( and Patty, who co owned at that time) were instrumental in pulling me out of my art funk.  I owe Twee, BIG TIME. Go and visit the shop, say "Hi" to Melanie, and buy something HAND MADE.

City Arts Gallery   Owned by Joe Osejo, photographer and huge supporter of the arts.  He has a vision for a culture of art, creative minds, and a supportive community.  Add his gallery page to your LIKES.  Open for Art Hop ( first Thursday of each month), and special events. You can even rent out the gallery for whatever you might need a space.    Your event surrounded by art, now thats really cool.

Central Valley Creatives   This group is just getting started. If you write, paint, photograph, knit, work with glass, goats, anything. This is for you. An arts networking group for the Central Valley.

If you have Facebook, go check these pages/groups out.

New Blog, New Outlet.

   Are you ready?  I am.  We will both jump into this blog thing, at the count of three.                                        ONE.... TWO... THREE!!!!
 HELP! haha.
I am not one for blogging, but I am going to give it a try.  It will inspire me to create, shame me into actually 
produce what fanciful things I have in my mind. I need a lot of shaming.
As Mr Jim, my husband , stated, " Maybe this will light a fire under your butt."  Maybe.
 Wish me luck.