Tribute

I'm blessed to have the perfect husband. No, he's not the perfect person, the perfect man or even the perfect father. Although he comes very close in all those roles. But there are two things that matter more than almost anything else that my Steve does perfectly. One, he thinks I'm pretty. Now, don't you laugh. He's not blind. He's not stupid. He's just in love. With me. He tells me I look nice. He notices the little efforts and changes I make in my appearance. He shares honest opinions, without being negative. It's a gift. Mine. Two, he loves to please me. Even though he would rather be doing something else, somewhere else, nearly all of the time, he accompanies me to art galleries and sits smiling in a corner while I chat animatedly with other artists. He'll walk about the gallery and talk with me about the paintings and sculptures, with honest enthusiasm. But then he's done. I never am finished as soon as he is. But he will give me as much time as I want to use feeding my artsy soul. And, although he dislikes shopping almost as much as I like it, he'll putter cheerfully through the aisles of clothing, offering opinions and waiting for me to try on my possibilities. He honors my choices of movies, restaurants or date night activities. But he is happy to make the decisions if I prefer that he do. You see? These traits easily trump any minor flaws that he may still exhibit from time to time. Steven is a perfect husband. And I am perfectly happy to say so.

Beauty is not Optional

Sometimes I forget how therapeutic it is to indulge in a little art, music or nature walk. I've had quite a challenging couple of months--but when we hung this lovely new stained glass window, the thrill and spiritual high buried the grumpies without much trouble. The glass artists are a married couple that fell in love with one of my paintings and offered to do a "trade." Now that's a handy way to get original art that one could not otherwise afford. I got to participate in the design and glass choices. It was quite a treat. I wanted something that said "BOOKEND" so it could introduce our house to visitors. Isn't it perfect?

Put your Little foot right here...

I'm thinking about shoes. One of the happiest parts of this New Year has been a couple pair of new shoes. Now I know that I have a peculiar shoe fetish, but you need to realize how exciting it is to find top quality shoes that fit, are amazingly comfortable and are cute--besides being on sale. I've been blessed with 2 pair in the last week that thrill me, um, from top to toe. I've watched my missionary kids get really fine shoes as part of their equipment. I've seen my husband justify expensive shoes because of his professional requirements. But until lately, I've never been able to "qualify" in any particular way, myself. So, this is a big, uh, step for me. I got 2 pair of high quality, attractive shoes and don't feel particularly guilty, either. And that is the most surprising of all.

Merry Christmas!

I've decided my favorite element of the Christmas season is the music. Something magical happens to the spirit when listening to the traditional carols that praise God and celebrate the joys of family and giving. I was sitting in the Terra Nova Gallery Friday for a couple of hours for a "paint custom ornaments while you wait" promotion; and David, the gallery owner, asked me what kind of music I'd like to have him play while I was there. He said something about the weak department store stuff versus some energetic fresh renditions. And I realized, I really like the weak department store stuff (and most of the new stuff, too). I told him I actually go shopping on purpose to hear it; to see the rushing crowds and grand decorations. He was shocked.

A neighbor brought by his family "gift" yesterday of a CD recording of his band doing some original and traditional Christmas music. What a clever, unique gift, created especially for this kind of giving!

And Sunday was the day our choir sang the songs we've been preparing since September. Having had a cold for a month, I was thrilled to be able to croak out any sound to participate.

I remember, as a child, visiting the Church's tree lot, which was a fund=raiser in the days when the members helped pay for the buildings. Our ward had "Santa's Woods," and I often accompanied my bishop-Dad down there. I learned the differences between a fir and a pine and a spruce. I'd wander through the "forest" of trees, listening to the piped music through speakers all through the lot. It was a sure way to feel the rush of excitement and joy that I called "The Christmas Spirit." It smelled like Christmas. It sounded like Christmas. And it's one of my favorite memories.

So Sing this holiday season. Play those sappy department store melodies, and feel the Spirit! Merry Christmas, everyone.

This is Christmas

I love the Christmas traditions that gather children together for decorating cookies, or making a special craft. I've tried to do this every year. There have been times when I've had to borrow other people's children to keep this tradition alive, so how fun it is to have some of my grandchildren close enough to have them with me, now. Here we are Friday, painting salt clay cookie ornaments while the mom and dad are off on a special date night of their own. Merry Christmas traditions make the holidays so much fun!

Calendar Project

It's funny how spoiled I've become over the years. I sort of take for granted that I can communicate effectively. It's always been one of my "talents," I thought. So, discovering that the printer did NOT share the vision I supposedly painted for him, over and over, has been really irritating. I think he was irritated, too. And add to that, the vision the computer designer person at the printing place had didn't match either of us...you get the picture. Which is why I eventually drew a picture. And even then, the product didn't match exactly what I'd asked for. Oh, there were plenty of valid reasons. And dealing with a technical world I don't normally live in was certainly part of the problem. But, one would think we could eventually come to an understanding. I think we did. But I had to compromise a bit of my vision. Anyhow, the calendars are now available for sale, and we can hope that others enjoy the result. It's certainly exciting to see my work in this format; and I'm happy to have learned something along the way. Next year surely will be easier, won't it?

Art Success

I occasionally have to cheer out loud about good things that happen to me. The Springville Museum of Art is the premier art venue in the state. Therefore, the competition getting one's art in to that place is fierce. And the exhibits are always selected by a jury process. It is so exciting to have had one of my paintings accepted in the current show, there. This is the painting: it's called "His Voice Upon the Waters." (from Psalms)