Most Beautiful

Last Wednesday we had the most beautiful snow of the season.  It started pouring about 9:30 in the morning, and by 2pm everything was covered --- the trees, the roads, the grass ... everything.  It was SO pretty.  And it wasn't cold enough to last very long so it's already gone from the trees and the like.  But we do still have snow on the ground.  I guess we will get to see the ground in a month or two.  Looks like we are expecting more snowy weather next week. Oh, awesome! :-/

In the most recent news from Elk Park, there is very little!  We are still in the waiting cycle to hear the final word on Paul's prospective job.  We know "it is what it is" ... no matter what that turns out to be. But I must admit the waiting game is a bit frustrating and I am not nearly as patient as my sweet Paul is.

I think I've mentioned the 10k coming up, so we spent time at the gym, working on our walking/running ability and times.  Paul is a machine while I remain a wimp.  Perfect!

We had a lovely pottery class on Friday.  Patti always makes the class a perfect end to the week, no matter how grueling the week has been.  Thank you Patti!  Paul's alligator is in the kiln, along with the elephant, and his kayak.  My bowl and platter are in there.  Can't wait to see how they all come out.  Such a fun little adventure game!

Yesterday we attended a service for Charles' grandfather (Edd Green) who was laid to rest in the Green family cemetery.  As is the custom here in the mountains, the palbearers (which Paul was one of) covered the grave after the service.  It is done as an honor to the deceased, rather than some cold machinery covering them, they are covered with respect and kindness.  The cemetery is up on a beautiful hillside of the property which he owned.  As the grave was being filled, I stood by a HUGE tree and marveled at how beautiful the day was (50 degrees, for starters!) with a gorgeous blue sky and a still kind of peaceful reflection time.  It seemed like a perfect day to be laid to eternal rest.  As the Rev. said, we (humans) don't really understand death, but God does.  It struck me (up there on that gorgeous hillside) how it all comes down to just YOU, no matter what your life had materially in it, when it's all said and done, none of that matters.  You are set to rest with just your own self.  Hmmm... (The Rev. was right, death is confusing and it makes my head hurt).

We send blessings to Charles, who will sorely miss his grandpa.  We send blessings to his mom, Donna who will surely miss her precious daddy; and to Charles' dad, Terry, who will also very much miss his father-in-law.  And of course, to the rest of the family and friends.

Today I am hoping to finally get all the Christmas decorations off of the dining room table and tucked back into the attic until next time.  It is supposed to be 50 degrees today! Should be warm enough in the house to make that possible. YAY! I might even be able to vacuum without freezing ... life is good!

So, Shannon and I have chosen several art shows to apply to and hopefully get entered into.  Today I will also make sure all the applications are complete and ready to mail tomorrow morning, bright and early.  It's going to be a great day!

Wishing you all a beautiful Sunday!  Wishing you a PERFECT week!

Cheers!

Paul & Cheri

Maniacal ...totally

I know I haven't posted often lately ... I know it in my heart and I know it because it is being mentioned here and there ... ahem .....

Let me update the situation ...

I have been working/playing at The Rusted Periwinkle.  The pictures above are of the store, which we actually call "the shoppe"!  It is located in Elk Park on lower street where Sherry Holden used to have Mother Nature's, and now is occupied by Tammy Brinkley's The Rusted Periwinkle/Periwinkle Pass Studio.  Tammy is an incredibly gifted mixed media artist and has been very generous in guiding me in my art biz start up and letting me work with her (and for her) at the shoppe.  She has been the BEST inspiration for which I am deeply grateful.  Indeed! (please do yourself a favor and check out her beautiful work at http://www.periwinklepass.com/).

SO ... there lies another clue to why I've been busy.  I am trying with all my might/energy/blessings/imagination/creativity/determination to set up a new blog, etsy store, website, financial plan, business plan, art show schedule and actual art to sell.  It's been busy.  I have a contract for a new Fine Arts Gallery in High Point, NC (Upstairs Gallery) to open March 1.  (enter fear - yikes ...)  More information following ...

Shannon and I are also working on the Clayzaics show schedule, the inventory needs, the show booth necessities and etc.  Good grief! Planning has taken on an entire new meaning!  And requires more hours in the day ... more energy in the hours ... and more mind power than normal.  always unpredictable for me)

And Paul had is pre-employment physical today.  When all the tests are cleared for take off, employment will commence.  At that time I will reveal the company etc.  We are praying (at least I am!) for expedience in this test processing.  Reserves are exhausted and gainful employment will be ever so helpful now, and we will be ever so GRATEFUL!  Of course, we already are grateful .. so more of the same ... only better :-)

Nina is coming to town in March so she and her dad can run the 10k race (Chasing Snakes) for the family homeless shelters in Johnson City, TN.  I put the kibosh on "I'll just show up and run" for Paul, so he and I are going to the gym and working in some walking/running time for training.  It's lovely to work out again.  Wonder what in the world took me so long?  Nice to have a workout buddy, I must say.  I don't  really think Paul is as excited about it as I am, but it's been nice to enjoy the endorphins again.

The cats are learning to co-habitate, but they do not like it much.  Artemis lives for the moments when Sulu goes outside for his morning romp.  Sulu lives for those moments as well, come to think of it.  Spartacus just rules the roost and is well happy unless someone goes for his food - or his mom.  We're still working on harmony.  Spring will be welcomed, for lots of reasons!

Our friend Joe Williams, who was Mr. England in the 70's, will be having his birthday on the 29th.  Joe dear, we wish you a mighty fine birthday!  Cheers, mate!
My dear friend Joanie Stewart is having a birthday on the 30th.  Joanie is the Artistic Director of the Suwanee Ballet Theatre in Cumming, GA.  We have known each other through thick and thin, richer and poorer, lost and found choreography, broken spirits, battered ballet slippers, broken hearts and sweet celebrations of life.  Joanie, happiest of birthdays, sweet lady.  And many blessings to you and yours!

also, my cousin, Georga, who lives in Brooklyn is celebrating her birthday on the 31st.  Georga was one of my six cousins I knew, but she was by far my closest cousin.  We were, after all, the only girls in the bunch and had to stick together.  Also, we were both theater people, and Georga has made a life long career out of acting and teaching children about acting.  Happy Birthday, sweet Georga.  Much love!

So, as we anticipate some more beautiful snow tomorrow, I leave you with good thoughts, sweet blessings and lots of good wishes for a happy adventure through life.

Cheers!

Paul & Cheri

Hello World!

29 years ago today this young man was born!  He came in to this world around noon.  And he's been making his presence know ever since!  Jon Adams.  I love you, honey.  Happy Birthday to you.

And Jon, wishes for many, many more Happy Birthdays to come! Hope all those birthday wishes come true!

Additionally in birthday land, Charles celebrated his birthday on Monday. Happy Birthday, Charles!

As I told you, we are taking a pottery class on Fridays. So here, as proof, is Paul doing his thing in class.

And just to widen the view a bit, here is Paul entertaining the teacher and our sweet friend, Patti.  Patti generously volunteers her time at the senior center where we take our class.  Great FUN!  Patti is a real time potter.  She and her husband, Dan can be found here:  http://www.linvilleriverpottery.com/. Her work is exquisite! Check her out!

 And here is what Paul came up with last week during class --- an alligator!  You just never know what he's going to come up with!  Paul asked Patti why she wasn't making any suggestions to which she replied she'd never had any alligator making experience and then she says to him, "I got nothing", which puts it all in perspective for the way I often feel when dealing with instruction and help for our Paul! 

This is a beautiful and stunning view from Mark & Janine's crow's nest a top Buck Mountain.  There has been so much snow I'm not sure it'll ever thaw.  But meanwhile we just try to appreciate the beauty it adds to our world!

Do hope all of you are having a beautiful world.

Short and sweet today - still working on the art blog, art website, etsy, etc., etc.

Could use some luck and extra hours in the day!

Happy Trails!

Paul & Cheri

Perspective ...

I know January is going to be snowy and cold (11 inches worth Sunday high about 10 degrees).

I know there is a perfect hill to sled/snow board on in our backyard when it snows like this.

I know the views are breath-taking and the peace it generates is magnificent and oh, SO good for the soul.

I know there will be more snow to come THIS WEEK! (oh boy) copious amounts ... another foot or so.

And I know the snow will eventually topple over this poor little bird bath.

But I always keep hoping spring will be here next week.  We were promised by the woolly worms AND the Almanac that our winter would be mild.  They said early winter (Nov/Dec) would be harsh and late winter (Mar/Apr) would be harsh, but the majority of the winter was supposed to be mild. Well, that prediction turns out to be incorrect! I, for one, am tired of being cold, of spending unbelievable amounts of money for propane and electricity, and poor Paul's lower back from gathering wood is mostly just broken!    B U T, let me be perfectly clear on this point, we are GRATEFUL to the brim of our gratitude vessel to have the option to buy propane and electricity, to have wood to gather and to have a stove to fire the wood up in!  We are deliriously content with our home, our lives and our love.  Sometimes it is just a good idea to gather your perspective and realign things.  There!

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*Yesterday was our niece, Sara's birthday.  Happy Birthday Sara!!!!

*I've been given a challenge to open my Etsy shop by Friday.  I suppose you won't hear from me until Friday (or Saturday) as I am going to be working on the art biz set-up.  However, I would appreciate any good thoughts you might have just sitting around!  I'm a bit of a nervous Nelly trying to get my head wrapped around all of this and get it done, be in the moment, and carry on with all those pieces of art I have in my head!  It's all so very exciting, invigorating and scary as any unknown territory is!  Big BREATH!

*Paul has been working on his pottery elephant!  He is quite good (don't tell him I said that) and I'm always very impressed with his art work.  Smarty pants! (I'll post a photo when it gets finished)

Until we meet again . . .

Stay warm, dry and keep your perspective in check!

Many blessings to you all,

P and C

Today

 Christian, the rock star

 Christian the snow boarder

Christian, the sled monster!

Warning: these pics have nothing whatsoever to do with this post!

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Paul & I took a pottery class at the senior center from our sweet friend Patti.  It was great fun! Paul began work on an elephant tea pot --- or something elephant!  I made some mosaic tiles ... I hope. I cut them out, we'll see how it  goes! It was such fun, it doesn't matter.  Thanks, Patti.  We had a great morning!

Then, we all went to a memorial service for a 26 year old woman who passed away New Year's eve/day.  We have a core group of adults that get together for things like solstice parties, 4th of July celebrations, and the like.  Tony and Cindy out of that group are the parents of Jessica, who passed away.  Our hearts are just broken for them.  Watching the room filled with people struggle with grief was one of the most wretched feelings I can remember experiencing since last spring when we attended a different (yet similar) service for another young woman, Eleanor who passed away.  Her parents are Barbara & Ellis, also in our celebratory group.  What are the odds that in a group of 20 or so adults, 2 sets of parents would lose an adult child?  Losing a child always goes against the grain of the way things are supposed to play out.  It seems so absolutely unforgivable ... and yet to whom do you offer the "I will never forgive you" curse to?  Grief is SUCH a raw emotion, and so very hard to understand how to process.  Most of us have had the unfortunate opportunity to experience the raw feelings.  Most of us struggle with processing grief for the duration.  I wish for these two families more love and support than they ever knew was possible.  I wish the same for anyone and everyone dealing with grief. Blessings to you all.

It seemed appropriate today for the snow to fall ... and fall and fall and fall.  It cleanses the air.  It's quiet and peaceful.  It's beautiful.  And it's beyond comprehension ... just like the subject at hand.

So I leave you with this, which I am always saying anyway.  Enjoy your life. Love with your whole heart.  Laugh with all your might.  Never miss an opportunity to spend time with your loved ones.  Love life.  It's amazing, precious and you just never know when it's over.

Blessings to all,

Cheri (I'm not signing Paul's name b/c these are my personal ramblings, but he wishes you all blessings too!  Along with a cuppa tea from his elephant tea pot when it is built :-) )

And the New Year begins ...

 People with my DNA (l-r, my daughter Jennifer, her son Christian, my son Jon, his sons Austin and Cade)

The three amigos, (l-r) Austin, Cade and Christian

My hippie Nutcracker, as promised. Thanks, Beckye! We love him!  Even my grandson Christian thought he was a perfect Nutcracker for our collection :-)

 I've been making lots of fabric journals with creative art insides.  They are FUN to make and pretty cool, if I do say so myself.  Tammy Brinkley's beautiful art is on the cover ... you can view her art at the http://www.periwinklepass.com/ website.  She is brilliant!

This is the commission I was working on.  I LOVE the way it finished up! It's for a little boy and was so much fun to make! I loved doing this piece because of it being for a child. Something very new and different for me!

There are lots of new beginnings for us this year.  I will be kicking off a new blog for my art this week if all goes as planned and will explain there some of the new endeavors.  Some very cool and exciting stuff!

Paul is in the interviewing process for a new and exciting opportunity.

We have so many blessings to count!

Stay tuned for more!

And once again, to one and all,

Happy New Year.

Blessings to everyone!

Paul and Cheri