sugarland

A reader sent me this photo of her daughter selecting a sweet candy from the JMcLaughlin store in Palm Beach. Wouldn't it make a fabulous sketch? There is something positively girly and sugary about this image. C'mon, let's skip off to sugarland in boots and a cape! Shall we?

Thanksgiving hunt

This original oil painting was a special commission and now I am pleased to offer 5 x 7 note-cards of this image in my etsy shop. Just in time for Thanksgiving, these wonderfully loyal Gordon Setters will bring joy to every hunt. It was a thrill to paint these gorgeous "gun dogs" as they gaze at the prey up the tree.

friday free night

I am looking forward to having a free nite out. I found this little spot in the city and am adding it to my wish file for a date night with my dear husband.

We actually have a gift card which to me means "free night." Gift cards or gift certificates certainly give one something to look forward to. After all, a night out is a gift.

Freeman's looks like a casual way to spend a friday free night!

Don't you just love a good tavern? Good victuals and drink~

Plan a friday free night and enjoy guilt free.

sitting pretty

Today, I will be sitting pretty at a luncheon organized by "Pretty Pink Tulips" along with none other than our very own "Eddie Ross" and Jaithan right here in the land of Westchester.

The above artwork happens to be the latest header that I illustrated for "Pretty Pink Tulips" - You may recall I had illustrated a bike for her with a basket of pretty pink tulips, however since summer is over, it was time to put the bike away.

Did you know that if you put a copper penny or two in a vase of tulips, they will sit up straight? After all, my dutch Mother-law knows all about pretty tulips.

I learned from Eddie that tulips still grow after they are cut. Imagine that!

I love that we can all share so many pretty things with one another here in blog-land.

in clover

Look what I scored at the annual warehouse sale from Waterworks! "The Lawson" in un -lacquered brass. I am thinking the pair will be lovely in a hallway or above my mantel. I feel as though I am rolling in clover! Lucky me!

ARXX blocks

Our construction project is under-way! The ARXX blocks arrived today for our addition. Read all about them here. I will show you more photos as they make progress with the building.

well done

Funny, this post should coincide with a request from Lauren over at Aspiring Kennedy to post about this today! Have you heard about "Charity Water?" I cannot imagine not having fresh water to drink or to shower! Truth of the matter is that 1 out of 8 of us do not have access to clean water. Several bloggers have joined to raise awareness for this special "Charity Water" campaign.How timely, especially since I am considering this "starrglint" aqua walnut wallpaper for my new powder room. Truly, I think it makes for a "well done" water closet and a good reminder to give thanks for clean water.

(FYI, I am planning on giving out little donation cards attached to fresh bottles of sparkling water for the holidays~ ) above image from pretty pink tulips

desire joy

Dedar from Bergdorf Goodman, NY

Did you know that if you desire joy in your life and you postpone that joy it can actually have serious side-affects? Desire can be a tremendous motivator, like a beautiful bright glow that pulls you in.

Jesu, joy of man's desiring

Holy wisdom, love most bright

Drawn by Thee, our souls aspiring

Soar to uncreated light

Word of God, our flesh that fashioned

With the fire of life impassioned

Striving still to truth unknown

Soaring, dying round Thy throne

*goosebumps*

Think about this and really dwell on your deepest desires and resolve to set up a plan in order to achieve joy. It might be a "thing" or a "switch" in your life to bring about -- "goosebumps" or some sort of fire within, waiting to be released.

Last night I had the "joy" of meeting not one but two wonderfully creative women for dinner in New York City. We shared a lovely pot of Fondue! We agreed that our creativity is everything to do with desiring joy.

Desire Joy today~

take note

A thank-you note goes a long way. Thank-you to

"Purple Flowers"

for posting the monogram that I designed for her. Take a look here.

There truly is something special about getting a "custom monogram" - a thank-you note in the mail-( or a post on a blog.)

I cannot tell you how pleased I am. Well, pleased and thank-you'd is more like it. Do you have

custom thank-you notes with your monogram?

dandy chandie

Just spreading the word that Cote de Texas is having a dandy chandie give-away from

Julie Neill.

Hurry up on over there and leave a comment. Last year I illustrated this salon, which happens to belong to Julie.

Look at these fabulous designs from Julie Neill!

Pick the Elizabeth above

or the Ingrid above.

Look how pretty Ingrid looks in this dining room.

Hop on over to Cote de Texas and leave your comment!

I know which one would light up my life!