Friday, January 3, 2014

Potpourri


Happy New Year!
I'm still trying to figure out where 2013 went.

Yes, my Christmas tree(s) is still up and will be until at least January 6.


It's so nice to have Nancy back with Random Five.

** 
One of the things I look forward to over the holidays is lunch.
Lunch, you ask?!!
Yep, I have lunch with my friends --
 folks that this year I will make an effort to see more often.
(Resolution Number One and maybe my only one.)
One never knows what will happen at lunch.
It can become an adventure.
Like firetrucks and ambulances and driving down and around streets
 I had never heard of to get out of the traffic jam.
Pulling into someone's driveway to call my pal
 and say "Guess what -- the restaurant is closed".
We did get our lunch.
***
This was the year that I rediscovered watercolor.
What fun!
Here are a couple of my favorites.


Hastings
This is Hastings. I made him up. Perhaps I'm looking for him in the real world!

ICAD Flowers
This doesn't have a title. I did frame it for myself.

****
Last year, after discovering a box of crafty goodies that were my Mother's,
I said I was going to "get these things made instead of buying new projects".
The box is still on my list of things to do and I bought new projects.
I'm not good at resolutions.
I read something in an AARP email that made a lot of sense to me.
Rather than resolving to change myself, 
why not embrace myself.
Embrace my age, love my shape, my looks, everything about the way I am now.
The essence of positive aging.
And yes, I'll try to live healthier.
Perhaps I now have a word for the year: Embrace! 


*****

To all my friends who are living with snow and ice (UGH),
here's a vintage reproduction postcard for you.
The original artist is unknown, 
but it is believed the card was published around 1912.

Young Fellows

I'd like to believe these young fellows are wishing us a happy start to the young new year.

Thank you to Beth for hosting Postcard Friendship Friday.


Wishing you well and much joy!




46 comments:

Anonymous said...

Embrace is a great word, love the post card sitting here with 2 feet of snow. thankfully the light fluffy kind. here's to whatever floats your boat for 2014 . xox

eileeninmd said...

I love all the cute images!! I do not make resolutions, I found they do not last long. It is cold and snowy here. I like the word Embrace. I wish you all the best in 2014, happy New Year!

LeeAnn at Mrs Black's said...

I love the idea of 'embrace'. Life is for living, all of it. And I love Hastings too! I'm sure he is out there somewhere. x

Hootin Anni said...

Your post is a very fun read!! But, if the restaurant is closed, where did you end up going? Am I being blond here? So confused. LOL [so, what else is new...Anni is always confused]

A belated Happy New Year to you Snap!!! Thanks for paying me a visit this morning. You made my day fill with sunshine!!

[ps...ya, I agree...those who live in the cold for winter, I don't get it!! LOL]

Maggid said...

Yes, Yes!!!! I prefer lunch. I also enjoy laughing (including a snort or two) with friends . . AT Lunch.

Your blog is a happy place - packed with JOY . . I am just learning to watercolor . . . thanks for posting your work . . .

Happy Happy to YOU!!!!

Lynn said...

these are lovely watercolours-and embracing who we are is a must! Happy Embracing throughout 2014!

Michelle said...

I really like your portrait of Hastings.

Buttons Thoughts said...

Embrace is perfect. Your illustrations are beautiful. Oh ice and snow is abundant thank you for the cute card:) B

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Embrace! What a perfect year word!

Anonymous said...

Snap,
Your vintage header and snowmen are cute!

I love your idea to embrace yourself. My word for the year is strength. My thoughts on inner strength and your idea to embrace are very similar.

Have fun with your water colors and crafty projects.

Tanya Breese said...

oh hastings is adorable, hope you find him! love the old postcard of the young fellows :)

Elizabeth Edwards said...

i really enjoy the spring colored flowers. so pretty. you do great work! ( :

oh i dislike when restaurants are closed. such a downer when you have picked out in your mind what to eat & them BAM ... change of plans.

change of plans - i am loving the cat shot now ... so life like.

Monkeywrangler said...

Visiting on R5F. Love the two watercolors! I wish I could do something that nice...

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Thanks for your visit today! You have a lovely blog. I quite agree about wondering where 2013 went! I really can't get over how swiftly the days go by. Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

Here is to embracing and enhancing...I'm all for that! xo Happy New Year!

Tina Fariss Barbour said...

Your watercolors are wonderful! I love Hastings. :-) Yes indeed, we need to embrace who we are. Doesn't mean we can't do things to be healthier, but do it in a loving way, don't you think?

Dotti said...

Oh, lovely watercolors! I'm not good on the resolutions thing either so together we'll just ignore all the others.

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

Love your header pic.

And it is lunchtime.

I shall give myself a little hug, yes, lol! :)

Fun post all around! :)

My Little Home and Garden said...

You've reminded me of the neglected watercolours I purchased and want to learn how to use. Thanks for the nudge, Snap! Happy New Year to you.

-Karen

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

I like your word- embrace. It is perfect for me too- just want to embrace life and be happy. Sweep all the muck out the door!

Gattina said...

As a cat lover and painter, I love your cat painting !!

Mascha said...

Nice pictures, well done... I think, Hastings will comin in the real world -
The cats find us...
Happy new year with the great word

Deanna said...

Embrace is a fabulous word, especially for us that are beyond "young"...lovely watercolor and so happy that you framed the flowers. How bright and colorful they are.

Nancy said...

Love, love your artwork! Just perfect. xo

Willow said...

Loving your watercolor paintings !
I think the you fellers came here , as we got 16 inches of snow since yesterday.
I better get out there and make some snow me :)

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Your watercolours are pretty, the flowers my favourite as a reminder of summer on this blustery day.
Going out for lunch is my favourite meal for meeting friends too, even hubby and I rarely go out for dinner as we prefer lunch dates.
Judith

Latane Barton said...

I love your watercolors. How pretty.

Janet said...

I always enjoy your potpourri posts. I'm happy that I'm back in Blogland to enjoy them again.

I love your idea to embrace things. I think that's a perfect word for the year.

Barb said...

Hi Snap, Love those marching snowmen! Embrace is a good one for 2014.

Nonnie said...

I guess 2014 might bring the winter of SNOW! We had quite a bit earlier in the week, now 6 to 10 inches is forecast for tomorrow evening. (I live in Indiana, so that's a lot of snow for us.)
I decided not to do one word for this year, but I think that 'embrace' is a word much needed for many of us.
first time here, came via Nancy's Random 5. I'll be back!

Nonnie said...

yikes, I forgot to tell you how much I admire your water colors, esp. the cat!

Dianna said...

Hi, there!
Thanks for visiting my blog today. This is my first time here, and I'm going to have a look around!
Yes, it is nice to have Nancy back with her RFF.
Love your watercolors!

Vee said...

That's the most sensible New Year's Resolution I've read lately! Glad that you'll be enjoying your tree through the 6th. Now is the time when we have the time!

aspiritofsimplicity said...

i am one of those living with snow and ice...we have just come through a major winter blizzard. I suppose all snowmen are young fellows as they certainly don't age well.

Jill of All Trades said...

Yes, my tree and all the trimmings is still up. The "plan" is to take it down this weekend, but we'll see! No the necklace piece is still missing. More in depth looking of my car is in order! Ooo, watercolor. I am an oil painter and LOVE it! My art blog is listed on the side of my blog! Thanks for the visit. Carla

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Lunch with friends sounds like fun.
I don't usually make resolutions. I only make them if I'm WAY determined. I made one 11 years ago, and I've kept it all this time :-) That was last time I made one though. Sometimes I do set little goals, for fun.

Sarah Huizenga said...

Such beautiful watercolors, you have wonderful talent. Great word for the year!

Postcardy said...

I love the cat picture. I have a gray and white cat who has been very sick for several weeks.

Pat - Arkansas said...

Love your watercolors, Snap,especially the cat. Wonder why that is? LOL

Buttercup said...

I think embrace is terrific. I am going to try and embrace the snow and cold -- of course with gloves and a down coat. Love your water colors.

Ida said...

Super enjoyable post. - Cute Header. I love your Watercolors. Hastings is a handsome cat (make believe or not) and those flowers are so cheery.
Fun postcard. That 3rd snowman doesn't look to happy about winter. Can't say as I blame him although I can't complain because it's been a pretty mild one here so far.

Nancy said...

Your watercolors are enchanting. "Embrace" is a good word. Aging is inevitable, and I have found that those who choose to embrace it rather than resist it are the more pleasant to be around. I want to be a pleasant companion. :) Lunch with friends is the best. Have a wonderful, embracing 2014.

Unknown said...

I totally love your art, especially your cat using newspaper as a background. In today's computer age, this combination, plus the fact that it's so well done, says something special and more than it would have pre-computer age. Thank you for this:)

Anonymous said...

Love your water color images, and will embrace what the AARP said!

Lisa said...

I think you posted a Fantastic Five! I enjoyed seeing your watercolors. I used to paint in that medium when in college. My passion has since switched to photography.
Visiting from R5F.

My Grama's Soul said...

I LOVE your comment about EMBRACE YOURSELF. That is so perfect.

xo

Jo