Tolentreasures

Since I opened the shop in Smicksburg, I have wanted a work area.  I have filled it with vendors and left no space to work. Honestly, I never thought that the shop would be as busy as it is and thought that there would be time to fill. I guess that was a happy surprise. However, winter is here and things do slow down a little. So, when I had a vendor leaving in a prime spot  for a workspace. I took that opportunity to create a three month work space for all those faithful workers that help me out so much. Yesterday, I took advantage of it. Can't wait to see how each worker uses it!

Logan and I will be starting our fifth puzzle of the winter. Gracelyn made her first garment on her sewing machine, from a pattern!   These kiddos made s'mores and hot dogs in the fireplace.   This one has been visiting me every Thursday.   Persevering through a "not too bad" winter.

They are the last... the last warriors to hang on. Clinging to that last little bit of sunshine, that last bright day. Almost drowned in fall's leaves, they persevere, giving us that last little bit of bright color, surviving freezing nights cuddled up to our home's warmth and  shielded from the frost  by Fall's debris.  They will soon be gone, blanketed in the beauty of winter,  sleeping, regenerating, waiting, for  Spring. I am going to miss them!

  Yesterday, we returned dishes, visited and rode around in the snow.   The top picture is the view across the backyard when we returned home. A Deer in someone's yard. An Amish farm,   with laundry on the porch.   Sort of makes one thankful for a dryer. Another deer. This is what most of the roads we were on looked like, but then, we sort of chose the back roads.   Although, I am not a huge fan of winter, it was a really pretty day.   

Not the apple tree, Not this tree that has not lost it's leaves yet, Not the gerber daisies, And certainly not the burning bush. Not the snapdragons, or the marigolds, and certainly not these hearty mums still perky as ever. Not the petunias, or the beautiful fall leaves, or this little guy and the impatiens wondering what happened to fall.... And most assuredly... NOT ME!!!!

Way back a few years ago I had that title for another post. Description of an Accident It just so happened that Dianna had not told her husband of that incident. He read it on the blog. Oops! Not a good way to make mother in law points. I think all parties know about this one now so here is Gracelyn talking on the phone to me. And this is how she described the incident. "Mamaw, Mommy and me were coming to see you yesterday and Mommy drove Daddy's truck into the woods." "And when Papa came to help Daddy get his truck out of the woods,  his (Papa's) truck ran away from him" Of course I had to have Mommy get on the phone and explain that. Apparently her Papa got out of his truck the truck slid down the driveway without him. Out of the mouths of babes. And if you happened to read the first description of an accident.... I think that the three year old might just have a better description than the 28 year old. Sorry Di!

Supplies: Decoart Americana paints Cocoa Milk Chocolate Hauser Green Medium Black Antique Gold Antique Maroon Butter Bleached Sand Heritage Brick Tangelo Orange Evergreen Country Red Assorted brushes. Star Stencil Start by painting the center area of the board with Cocoa and shade with Milk Chocolate. The outside edges are painted with Hauser Green Medium and shaded with Black. Stencil stars in the corners with Antique Gold. (I like to stencil using cosmetic sponge wedges) Add some checkers with Antique Maroon using a 1/4" brush. The trick to these is thinning your paint, but not using a lot of paint on your brush. Too much paint will cause them to look rounded. Sketch in your snowman face and hat and letters with chalk. Then base in the face using Milk Chocolate in the darkest areas, Cocoa for the medium and a brush mix of Butter and Bleached Sand for the lightest areas. Blend and dry brush with the Bleached Sand. Repaint the start with Antique Gold and shade with Milk ...