Painting Rainbows . . .

Thanksgiving is behind us and a week of vacation has come to an end.  Vacations always seem to go by so fast, but I tried to make the most of each day . . . and to not eat too much.  With the exception of enjoying pumpkin pie for breakfast one morning . . . I think I succeeded.  I stayed up late, slept in, wore silly slippers, read books, and drank champagne.  I didn't do everything else that I intended on doing.  I have a couple of projects started . . . but they are just sitting there.  That is mostly due to Charlotte wanting me to read with her or her wanting to paint rainbows.
Never pass up a chance to paint rainbows with a child . . . 

For Today . . .

Outside my window . . . early morning sunshine and early morning chill

I am thinking . . . I really have a lot to do before tomorrow

I am thankful for . . . a week off for Thanksgiving

From the kitchen . . . later today - pies

I am wearing . . . still in my pajamas (I love vacation)

I am creating . . . painted rocks and paper cranes

I am going . . . to relax and enjoy everything about today

I am reading . . . Desperation by Stephen King (I think I need to read another author . . . I went for a walk last                                      night and my imagination went a little "Stephen King" . . . 

I am hoping . . . for some more rain

I am hearing . . . Richard flip through the newspaper - talking to me about the articles he is reading

Around the house . . . paper, colored pencils, markers, color books . . . 

One of my favorite things . . . Charlotte's hands

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . Thanksgiving with family

From my picture journal . . .

charlotte and grandpa . . .

some days are made for wandering . . .

November cranes and doodles . . .

What I'm Reading . . .

"Books are uniquely portable magic."

~ Stephen King

A few weeks ago we were still getting temperatures in the 80's.  Fall finally decided to make an appearance . . . the temperatures have dropped and we've had a few very welcome rainy days.  With the change in the weather I find myself more often than not drawn towards reading.  I sit wrapped in my favorite soft quilt and let myself get lost in a book. 

Stephen King . . . maybe sort of a creepy place to get "lost", but with a couple exceptions . . . I have always enjoyed his books.  Something about his writing . . . once I get into the rhythm of one of his stories I tend to forget I am reading a horror story.  I had not read anything he had written in years until my son got me interested in him again.  

I finally got around to reading one of the books I bought this past summer written by a local author, Armen Bacon.  She was a keynote speaker at a meeting I attended back in August.  Her book My Name Is Armen turned out to be much better than I anticipated and very inspiring. 

 I have always enjoyed reading.  When I was younger I would stay up late . . . not being able to go to sleep until I finished the next chapter . . . and then the next chapter. These days I tend to fall asleep a little easier.  I know when I reread a paragraph a couple of times that it is time to turn out the light.  I tend to go through spurts where I read more often than others.  I am always buying books . . . and I nearly always have a book with me.  I cannot bring myself to read on a Kindle.  Maybe I haven't given it enough time, but I simply like the feel of a book in my hand, and I love my shelves filled with the books I have read.  I love books stores and libraries and opening boxes from Amazon filled with books that I have ordered.

It is getting late and I have a few more chapters to finish . . .   I am reading Can I Get An Amen? by Sarah Healy.  Not the type of book I usually read, but it is an easy read and sort of a tender, heartwarming story.  That may be what I needed after reading a couple of books by Stephen King. 

For Today . . .

Outside my window . . . beautiful sunrise and it is a little chilly

I am thinking . . . today is going to be a wonderful day!

I am thankful for . . . the man who makes my coffee every morning

From the kitchen . . . scrambled eggs (made by that same man)

I am wearing . . . brown dress pants and a rust colored cardigan

I am creating . . . a zombie doll

I am going . . . to a birthday party this weekend!

I am reading . . . Grief Land by Armen Bacon

I am hoping . . . that Lily has the best birthday ever!

I am hearing . . . Lily humming to herself

Around the house . . . lots of fun and commotion (we have Mattea staying with us for 2 weeks)

One of my favorite things . . . coloring pages

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . laughing, coloring, sewing, reading, kissing, and maybe pizza

From my picture journal . . .

In an effort to keep Mattea entertained . . . I bought a coloring book.  I have read where adult coloring can be a good stress reliever.  I am not sure if that is true or not . . . but it it fun and fun is good.  I know folding origami cranes is very relaxing to me . . . so maybe there is something to it.  We are now searching online for more coloring pages.  I think it would be fun to make some of  my own.

There are still a few remnants of Halloween around the house . . . 

and Charlotte seems to find them and make the most of them.

I walk over this heart all of the time . . . but the first time I have walked over it in the rain.

Just a reminder of how much I love to walk in the rain . . . 

and how wonderful it is for us to be getting rain.

just a little more Halloween . . .

I have put most of my Halloween decorations away . . . except for some Day of the Dead stuff that I keep up for a few more days.  I think I may just miss some of those skeletons sitting around.

 Halloween is always such a fun night and this year was no exception . . . and I do believe this little witch is going to like Halloween just like her Grandma.

"And above all, watch with glittering eyes

the whole world around you

because the greatest secrets are always hidden

in the most unlikely places,

those who don't believe in magic will never find it."

~ Roald Dahl