Monday, December 3, 2012

Parties & Painters

Greetings!  I wanted to share with you this painting I did many years ago using ink from an Octopus.  Yes, ink from a real octopus.  Friends of mine that lived in Alaska caught an octopus in their fishing net and collected the ink and sent it to me.  This was my first painting using it and I just love this image.  I did the painting from a photo I'd take of Dayle pulling all 3 of our little children on a sled down the driveway from our first house here in Corbett on a snowy day.  Our liver spotted Dalmatian was enjoying the snow, too. Shawn our older son was on the back of the sled and Amy was in front of him and she's holding the baby, Travis.  Dayle is slipping a bit and is wearing a hat I knitted for him from my handspun alpaca in creams and browns.  Fond memories.
That little girl is now grown up, and has two beautiful daughters of her own.  And she moved 2,000 miles away.  ::sigh::  But here is a photo of the three of them when she took the girls to a performance at a local school of the Nutcracker.  I miss them so so so so so so so so much.  
Yesterday afternoon we attended a holiday party for the board of directors of the Friends of Multnomah Falls.  Here we are playing a fun gift exchange where you roll the dice to pick a gift.  They are white elephant gifts, it's fun! 
Our host, Billie, grew up in Texas and always prepares a lavish feast of Tex-Mex delicacies and this year she tried a new dessert that was out of this world.  It's called Caramel Pear & Cranberry Pudding Cake and it's made in a slow cooker!  Recipe HERE
After dinner and conversation around the table and the gift game, we joined Billie around her prized player piano and sang Christmas carols along with the old time music.   
Billie's husband Kent passed around jingle bells to us all to play while singing "Jingle Bells".  A fun time was had by all. :-) 
They have a wonderful restored juke box.. they played some songs on there for us too.   
Dayle got up early for the painters to arrive, when I arose they had some of the draping up for painting the ceiling.   
I really admire these guys as they are expert at working around people's homes while full of furniture and "things".  Here is Rene painting the dining room ceiling, already you can see how much brighter it is!
Oh boy.. I do hope this gets done soon.  I am losing 2 weeks of decorating for the holidays.  Wah.  I am so enjoying seeing all the decor from my other blog friends.. it's hard not to be able to be sharing my "stuff".  But, I have to look on the bright side, at least we still have a home and that it didn't burn worse than it did or burn all down!  Eek!

❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉
*M*E*R*R*Y* *C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S*!*
❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ 
((hugs)), Teresa :-) 

22 comments:

  1. You have such fun times with all of your friends! Singing 'round the piano looks like lots of fun.

    Oh what a beautiful house you'll have to decorate when all the painting is finished. It's so nice to have things feel new again. It's too bad that it had to be by fire though. It would have been nice to plan the timing yourself. :-)

    Blessings and see you soon Teresa!

    Betsy

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  2. Teresa, so nice to see the Girls!
    It's so amazing how they have grown and so beautifully.
    I know you miss them so much, thank goodness you have your grandsons!
    They are so sweet and cute too.
    Your director party looked like lots of good fun! Music is always entertaining!
    So nice to have someone painting for you! Don't worry able your decorations, maybe you will just put less up this year and till enjoy all the festivities!
    Happy week to you, xoRobin❤

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  3. Incredible ink painting--you are SO very, very talented!
    I understand your frustration about having to pause in your decorating (because of our house probs the last 3 years), but soon -- very soon -- all of this will be a past memory so hang in there:)
    Great photo of the girls--I hope you are planning another visit to them this coming year.
    Blessings,
    Aimee

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  4. Looks like you had a lot of fun! Your ink painting is gorgeous, you do have talent. It must be hard that your daughter lives so far away, I already think it's far away now eldest lives in Amsterdam (110 km). hope the painters will finish soon. groetjes, Gerda

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  5. What a fun night! Gifts and singing Christmas carols really puts everyone in Holiday spirits! All your girls look so lovely and beautiful, I know you miss them. Dayle even looks like he is having lots of fun singing!!!!!. Hope the house gets finished soon....Hopefully not to much longer. Oh and your painting is just gorgeous! You are one talented lady!
    Having another giveaway on my blog...if you have time visit before the 7th so you won't miss out!
    much love,
    Shari

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  6. I am in awe of your talents Teresa. Your painting is fantastic .... Haven't the girls grown up - they're beautiful and look lovely in those pretty dresses. Sad that they now live so far away. Xoxoxox

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  7. I need that guy to come and paint a few ceiling around this old house! Looks like such a fun time with your group of friends.

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  8. One of the most pleasant things to watch at is ...how other people are working! So , i am pretty sure you are enjoying your home's make up :)
    Well, don't be worried, not all yet decorated their homes, like me for example..hehe
    Have a great day!

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  9. What a wonderful painting Teresa....fond memories indeed....cherish them. Your girls are looking beautiful. Your house will be all finished and festive soon..you are lucky to have such clean workers x

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  10. What a beautiful painting, Teresa! The girls are looking so sweet in their pretty dresses, how you must miss them! xxxx

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  11. Gorgeous painting, clever Teresa. Always lovely coming here.
    Loving my new grandson at the moment ♥

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  12. Wow! The girls have grown so much! Such little ladies now...and so pretty. I know you miss them terribly. Hope they get done with the house soon. I think that would drive me nuts.

    The painting is so wonderful. You are such a talented lady!!

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  13. Awww your daughter and grandkids are so adorable! What a great pictures.

    Wow! I am always blown away by your talents. You are such a talented artists. The drawing is awesome...as are all the lovely things you create.

    Blessings always

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  14. Hi Teresa,
    First.....I have to tell you, that painting is fabulous! You are truly, one talented lady! I love it. Next, your photo of your beautiful daughter, and her beautiful girls...so pretty! They have grown so much since I met you!!!
    I know your heart aches for them.
    The party looked like such fun! And the painting looks great so far! I spent yesterday decking the halls, but have not quite finished. Am not doing too much this year.
    XO Kris

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  15. Teresa, I am getting caught up. So nice your insurance company is so good and very prompt at getting things cleaned up. The photo of your daughter and the girls is beautiful. And your painting is amazing, you never cease to amaze me with your many, many talents.
    Sending you and Dayle a special hug.
    Meredith

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  16. Thanks for posting, Teresa! I enjoyed visiting you and catching up on some of your news, and I especially enjoyed viewing your ink drawing and learning the story behind it. Carols and white elephants are fun and a part of what I am involved with in my neck of the woods, too :) Blessings to you and yours. xx from Gracie

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  17. Your ink drawing and its story is a delight, Teresa! Glad the house painting is underway now and don't worry there is plenty of time for xmas decorating and you will soon make up for it! Enjoy your week and festive fun :0
    Helen x

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  18. Your drawing is fabulous Teresa you're so clever and what a lovely memory. The girls are growing and don't they look beautiful. Their red dresses are quite delightful. Love their shoes as well so sweet. Lovely photograph of your daughter as well.Your get together looked such fun. Have just printed off the recipe for the pudding it looks yummy. Anne x

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  19. You are one talented lady! I don't know where you have found so much time to do so many things, and do them so well. Your octopus ink drawing is fabulous, the walk down memory lane of your hubby, the children and family pet, a family heirloom for sure. Isn't it wonderful to fill a house with memories like that, it is what makes it a home.
    (((HUGS))) Susanne :)

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  20. Hello Teresa...Your painting is fabulous and this is such a wonderful heartwarming post. I've just been catching up as I've been away from Blogland for a month or so and your photos are such a treat. I love your waterfall pics in the previous post and most of all the lovely pic here of your daughter and her girls...I can only imagine how much you miss them...I've been so grateful for Skype while my eldest daughter has been away (never thought I would say that!)
    Hope you have a great week and think of all the fun you are going to have decorating your freshly painted home!
    Susan x
    P.S Thank you so much for calling by yesterday and your lovely comments...x

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