A Little Time For Me

I wanted to let everyone know,

 that I am taking a little time away 

from the work

 that I love so much.

I have needed 

surgery for

quite a few years now,

and it is time.

(thank you Affordable Care Act!)

I will be having

 a couple of procedures done 

and I know 

that recuperation time, 

is supposed to take two weeks

for one of the procedures.

I have closed my Etsy Shop

until

March 11th

because, 

if you know me...

I am not one to keep idle.

I am sure that by then, 

I should be able to pack orders!

I am also sure that my Pinterest pins

will grow enormously....

and

my sketch journal 

will probably be full 

of wonky sketches,

as I don't always do so well

with Lefty.

But I am excited to get this done 

and move on.

I have so many characters coming to life

and some new ones ahead...

there are 2 new models of Sleepy Mice

and a new Ratty all stitched and ready to stuff.

It may look and sound like Spring 

is happening at the cottage~

but most of my new friends

 will have a Halloween flair to them.

Oh yes~ 

Sparrow Witches are happening!!!

The Gift Of A Day

We were given an amazing gift today~

a wonderfully warm day....

unusual for Upstate New York

in February.

A record breaking 67 degrees!

What to do, right?

We celebrated...

making Iced Tea~

opening the windows to let the breezes in 

and 

opening the back door; 

allowing the glass door 

to help us enjoy

the sunshine and warmth.

It makes you realize,

 that the promise of Spring

is real.

The days are longer.

We are ready to awaken 

and enjoy our days...

filled with warm sunshine

 and greenery.

I had noticed yesterday, 

our Starling friends 

have returned.

Tonight they filled the trees 

and chattered happily,

as the sun went down.

We will enjoy tomorrow as well,

 as it will hold a similar warmth~

 then we will go back

 to our regular February.

The one that will glide into March...

with cold days....

and snow.

but oh, 

the glorious gift

that we have been given

today!

Life's Pace

We did it.

We have survived 

the first year of retirement 

for Tim.

It is uncharted territory,

both financially and emotionally.

I think now~

of course we survived it fine...

what was I thinking?!

We are enjoying ourselves. 

Tim watches Wee Mackenzie

during the week.

Young Master Thomas

stops by 

on those evenings, 

for a snack

and to blow me kisses

(he blows me over!).

How wonderful to have

all of our kids

 and family 

within an hour and a half radius.

Winter made a strong presence

 this past week~

I am truly a Yankee Girl and 

I love the storms.

Soup simmering and Hot Chocolate!

Add some candle glow to create by...

perfect!

It has all been a nice pace.

We have had our share 

of bumps along the way,

as anyone does...

Everything fell into place

and what a lovely place

it has been.

As the year goes forward,

we do as well.

We look forward to 

all that this phase 

of our lives has to offer.

From the regularity

of  things,

 such as 

Early Work Mercantile;

to

the unexpected.

Mmmmhmmm...

wedding plans are taking hold.

The Battle of Good and Evil

 Well...

Winter is proving to be a trying season.

I am back to not feeling well again.
A set back~

and haven't been around much...

trying to attend to the needful parts of our lives,

above all.

I did have a couple offerings for Early Work.

I know that I won't have

 as many offerings 

as usual this year,

but I promise

to make the offerings

special and imaginative.

I am so honored to be a part 

of this group

and 

even though this past week

 has been spent

trying to get back to healthy~

I am excited to continue this path. 

I am thrilled for the opportunity to make Halloween year round

and show my work~

along side so many artists 

that I have admired

 for so many years....

AND

I am excited for the opportunity to see

many of YOU!

How wonderful to see and meet 

those of you that I have enjoyed

through the years 

and now can say~

hello,

I'm happy to see you....

THANK YOU

& 

give a hug.

Without you,

I could not

do all of this.

Mourning Dove

verses

The BAD crud.

The crud was looking to be the winner....

but yesterday

 and today I do feel better.

I think a Dr. visit

 will still be in order...

but. I am confident 

that the crud 

will give way.

...and I will be fully back on my path.

My Head In The Clouds

I still have a little sculpting on her,
but she will change into a Mourning Dove for September.

Okay...

I am WAAAAY overdue.

I have tried to settle into a new work schedule.

My wee friends in the Hedgerow have been inspiring me.

I have tried to concentrate on sculpting....

really I have.

It looks like I will schedule
Carpal Tunnel surgery 

if my insurance stays the same.

Of course, 

I have to be different and do 2 surgeries.

One will move a displaced nerve.

so there will be healing time in between.

Nothing major, 

but it will interrupt my work.

Mostly, I have just had a hard time concentrating!

About two years ago,

I wrote of changes 

and hurdles 

that I had to go through.

It wasn't easy... 

but once done,

...and a couple other 

bumps for good measure~

it finally made it possible 

(after 15 years)

to divorce.

Tim and I have been together,

 however we could be,

 for 11 of those years.

and although we both knew that I would eventually divorce...

I was NOT prepared for this!!!

(you may want to scroll down to the bottom of the page and stop the music on the music video to hear this)

I had no clue!

On a visit North to see my Mom,

Tim asked her permission for my hand.

Both knew that passing on 

her engagement ring 

would mean so much

(I know my Dad was watching!)

~*~

Only my youngest ( now dubbed 007)

and my Mom knew...

So during

the Walsh Family Christmas Party,

Tim called everyone's attention for what I thought was Santa coming...

silly me.

My invitiation arrived!

A few days later 

(and my head in the clouds)

I received a very special invitation

for Bewitching Peddlers of Halloween!

Making another dream even more real.
I am so
VERY blessed!

I really need to make one for me....

I'm still having a hard time fully

concentrating...

as I adjust 

to full time HALLOWEEN creating...

and 

plan a wedding.

I'm trying to plant my feet firmly on the ground...

but when I think of all that has happened and is happening,

I am afraid my head is still in the clouds!

Finishing Touches

The days are flying by so fast.

There are still a couple presents to get...

some gatherings to enjoy

and family to visit.

Snowflakes are swirling about 

and Old Man Winter 

is bringing bitter cold.

A perfect excuse to sip on 

hot chocolate...

a little more than I should.

Annabelle

Marks the end of my offerings for this year.

She is available 

on 

Early Work Mercantile ~

waiting to be that special gift for someone.

She reflects the growth 

that I like to challenge myself with

 in all of my creating.

I am excited to

move forward.

There won't be 

as many offerings

with the New Year~

but 

they will

still hold that magic

that is in my heart.

I am excited to wrap presents

and 

put on the 

finishing touches

for

Christmas and Yule....

just as I have put 

on the 

finishing touches

that 

I have created

this year.

One Last Hurrah!

Olde Kinderhook Gingerbread Man

Blue sky is peeking out today,
with the promise for more.
Winter's cold has taken hold,
making December the perfect dance partner.

Heaven and Nature Adirondack Bear

There are very big changes for me.
I have already started to prepare for my
Bewitching Peddlers journey....

and that will mean,
no local Holiday shows.
no big PictureTrail shows.
The winds of change...

Sleepy Mouse Container

But for all of you,
It will be a great opportunity
to get some pieces that
I have kept or made for me....
Some past pieces~
that I won't revisit
and some special prices on some oldies but goodies.

Just waiting for a wee Mousel to take a nap....

And so....

On Monday Night,

December 5th 

at 

7pm. EST

There will be a Picture Trail Show

which will be the last of 

my large Christmas Shows

as I embark on a new journey.

If you would like to be on the mailing list

for a reminder~ 

send an email to:

thegoodewife@yahoo.com

and if you would be so kind as to put;

"Picture Trail Show"

in the subject area~

I will add you to the list.

Echos

Where is your head lass,

 when you are stitchin?

It is in a time long ago...

in my mind today,

 Tis Downton Abbey that captures me.

Not upstairs...

nay, 

but down.

Not just Downton~

but 

actually more

Hildene...

Robert Todd Lincoln's

estate.

My Great Grandparent's served him

in his fields and house.

The maids and kitchen staff a flutter

 and at the table,

a young maid quickly makes

 tiny repair stitches. 

Her pins on a pinkeep 

made of scrap. 

Perhaps pieces of a uniform, 

long retired from it's obvious task?

I wouldn't be able to create 

in that time.

Life would have been spent with many more needful duties,

and 

creating would have been made in small, 

stolen moments.

I wonder sometimes if my heart held memories, 

over years greater than I.

Could the stars and heavens

 have kept glimpses 

of another era

reflecting

that heart?

A Busy Season

As the sun was making it's way to sleep

I scurried to finish

 my Early Work offerings 

and capture the sunset colors

through the picture window.

My inspire was home...

and family now gone.

Now they will live on,

 perhaps unknowingly

with their new families.

If you get a chance, 

do stop by

EarlyWork Mercantile

to see the offerings ~

along with others 

from my friends.

What better gift,

than a handmade piece for 

someone close to your heart!

I have been fast at work

creating for a local show

and 

trying to get better.

Sometimes,

 it just takes more than one try

and some ruling out.

So today,

it seems that my Asthma is the culprit~

and not willing to leave so easily.

When the Dr. stepped into

the room

 I said,

"just call me Rerun".

Apparently my age is not helping either.

I was so into that 

age is just a number thing...

One thing is clear 

however,

I 

refuse

to 

grow

up

!!!!!!

I am enjoying my create time

despite

healing and visits.

It will come together

and I hope 

my local friends will

visit 

at a new venue for me~

I hope you will stop by!

Over The Moon!

When I first met my husband

in 1988,

I was welcomed to a family that

loved

Halloween.

A visit to a nearby

Haunted House 

that raised money for the town's

volunteer Fire Department,

sparked my husband and his brothers.

What a fun way to raise money 

for the Fire Department 

in their own small town!

The years passed. 

My husband and I separated,

but I remained a part of 

the Halloween fund raiser, 

until my caregiver duties demanded that I leave.

As I took the journey 

to create primitives,

Halloween was a strong love~

and a natural subject.

This past January,

 I decided that I wanted a stronger 

art presence 

and focus

in 

this world 

and passion of mine.

It has truly 

been a place that 

my heart lives.

And so.....

it is truly my honor,

to share that I will

be joining 

the most amazing Halloween Artists.

(by then my pinch marks should be healed)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ghoultide Gathering 

now has different wings to guide it,

but the same faces remain.

It will be under a new name as well~

The Bewitching Peddlers of Halloween.

Mark your calendars

for

the 30th of September 2017

at the

Chelsea Michigan

Fairgrounds!

I look forward to meeting everyone!

A special thank you to my beloved, Tim.

My daughter's Bailey and Jess

as well as 

my family and friends 

for being such wonderful supporters 

as well as secret keepers.

It is with many

that dreams can come true.

I am soooo

over the moon!

Merrye Hallows Eve

The days are shorter...
and the smell of the fallen leaves
is just heavenly. 

I am creating 
but it is a very slow process it seems...
As I am recovering~
Some minor surgery 
and some seasonal
stuff that 
wants a bit more attention...
have made October
just a bit tough.




I won't have an offering for EHAG tonight...

I am an unwilling captive
to medicated rest!

I will be enjoy the day quietly
and I look forward 
to the children tonight.
...and while I may be held a bit captive~
I am working
 towards some 
goode news
and 
a surprise ahead.

October Surprise

Yesterday was simply glorious...

and today is no less.

We hit a record breaking 84 degrees

 here in our little spot, 

not far from Albany.

Just one last taste of Summer.

Today is just as glorious. 

It is not quite as warm however,

 gray clouds are dancing

 with cobalt skies 

and make the changing leaves

 look stunning.

Golden leaves have been dancing

 in the breeze this morning...

occupying my time 

as I enjoy their pretty dance.

Over the past two weeks...

Snowflakes have danced in my head~

as I prepare for the season ahead 

and one local show.

Sleepy mice

and ginger men

 have started to appear~

Along with an Angel theme...

I am wrapping up around 

Christmas Carols to guide me~

taking a cue from the wee ones 

that I loved last year.

While October 

may have given us a day or two of a surprise,

I am enjoying her gift~

as yummy wools

and pretty flannels

dance in my head.

Brown cardboard packages

may not be tied up with string...

 but oh how they hold

 my most favorite things~

there is magic happening 

with each stitch

and

 although this will be the last day 

of our

 October surprise~

there is plenty of magic

to be had at the Cottage.