tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27239147083960761692024-02-07T00:39:31.477-05:00Cindy Adkins...Art, Books, TeaFinding Beauty in the OrdinaryCindy Adkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01529188086850479173noreply@blogger.comBlogger193125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2723914708396076169.post-40173904681923252282015-07-28T16:44:00.000-04:002015-07-28T16:44:24.718-04:00Honeysuckle Rose<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4937943880531141121" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: #fafafe; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; position: relative; width: 496px;">
<div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 13px;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0YSam7vFlf8DQZOVmtPxyn9Pqy_hTnuuVJqTqT9DofGUobjKQ3GvMW4lprbb40VXY6wSfaRbCrgnTzgRwqeftzhWsN2Pygtj5wU6o7htEfeu49cSXT-mFMdItVZjRUrh_X7jytdhAH5I/s1600/honeysuckle-flower-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #171d7d; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0YSam7vFlf8DQZOVmtPxyn9Pqy_hTnuuVJqTqT9DofGUobjKQ3GvMW4lprbb40VXY6wSfaRbCrgnTzgRwqeftzhWsN2Pygtj5wU6o7htEfeu49cSXT-mFMdItVZjRUrh_X7jytdhAH5I/s320/honeysuckle-flower-1.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 20px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcbfGnzw4MXnynHWpcxRjLnugHBESrrHkuQEkN4FVrwKeaJ3XKRX8BQIvpGH5yj0nhFUimLEvvRSIt1C0M3uXzv6Vo9V1995EcGyMbH7QKnUJJIn6rx75etB0OTySoQaa0LEnIdU3SJk/s1600/Honeysuckle-n-Freesia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #171d7d; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcbfGnzw4MXnynHWpcxRjLnugHBESrrHkuQEkN4FVrwKeaJ3XKRX8BQIvpGH5yj0nhFUimLEvvRSIt1C0M3uXzv6Vo9V1995EcGyMbH7QKnUJJIn6rx75etB0OTySoQaa0LEnIdU3SJk/s320/Honeysuckle-n-Freesia.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 20px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhphkNxD3Gj9oCb2tr3Pld8izaQQA84XJd3KrrmoxzNQQUlTC5uMdyh0tH2T5EefhFzUuevS5ssAbmHHr_2m0Sfu0_hNeu8Lp7hyphenhyphent3BFFL4ZDeIhoBFMQmlMvB9Mo5f3B2zuASjjEy0hzE/s1600/SOAP%252520Honeysuckle%252520ok.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #171d7d; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhphkNxD3Gj9oCb2tr3Pld8izaQQA84XJd3KrrmoxzNQQUlTC5uMdyh0tH2T5EefhFzUuevS5ssAbmHHr_2m0Sfu0_hNeu8Lp7hyphenhyphent3BFFL4ZDeIhoBFMQmlMvB9Mo5f3B2zuASjjEy0hzE/s320/SOAP%252520Honeysuckle%252520ok.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 20px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;">Louie Armstrong sang, “Ev’ry honeybee fills with jealousy, when they see you out with me. I don’t blame them…goodness knows, Honeysuckle Rose.”<br /><br />One of my favorite memories is a trip to the Ohio Appalachian foothills with my parents when I was in my early 20s. I’d persuaded them to take me there because I wanted to see all the places where they'd lived and played as children. The road leading to the hollow where Mom's childhood home stood was a narrow, dusty dirt road. As our car bumped around curves and over hills, I sensed a growing excitement in Mom. The years fell away and she was 15 again, walking the same dusty roads she’d walked to and from church with her first love, the boy she was to eventually marry. “There’s Grandma Barbara’s old home place,“ she said excitedly as she pointed out a two-story, white clapboard house with a wide, wrap-around porch. "And there’s the bridge where I hid my clothes the night before Irvin and I eloped!" After a long, fun day of exploring and reminiscing, we returned to our hotel, which set back from the road up a hill. As we climbed the wrought iron steps to our room , I suddenly stopped as a I caught a whiff of the most incredibly sweet fragrance. “What's that smell?” I asked. “Wild honeysuckle,” Mom whispered, pointing out the arching vines twining through the thick brush. We just stood there together for a few minutes, in the twilight, not speaking, taking in the scents and sounds around us.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;">The honeysuckle flower is a symbol of everlasting love, devotion and generosity - all attributes my mother possessed. Honeysuckle has been mentioned in poems and songs and featured in paintings, including “Honeysuckle Bower,” by Peter Paul Rubens - a double portrait of the artist and his wife sitting beneath a blossoming honeysuckle shrub. Honeysuckle extract is frequently used in perfumes, face creams and soaps. As a curative, it’s also effective for respiratory issues and reducing fever. But, for me, honeysuckle will always be a warm evening in late spring, at twilight, standing on the steps with my mother. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 13px;" trbidi="on">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 13px;" trbidi="on">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixd3zQdbN4s0hNgJnax7cx9td7CWhrVFBVeGqYY0zmk4OZrEuKhNUnDuMRKl50yjDGwpkRoFwVMeVBgypeAs4TCVaD5eI7AHfFG0y3T9QOudN0MAK8lz9tL3diLTWAwIvheuJPY7SxFGM/s1600/honeysuckle-bower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixd3zQdbN4s0hNgJnax7cx9td7CWhrVFBVeGqYY0zmk4OZrEuKhNUnDuMRKl50yjDGwpkRoFwVMeVBgypeAs4TCVaD5eI7AHfFG0y3T9QOudN0MAK8lz9tL3diLTWAwIvheuJPY7SxFGM/s400/honeysuckle-bower.jpg" width="305" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Honeysuckle Bower</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Peter Paul Rubens</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 13px;" trbidi="on">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Cindy Adkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01529188086850479173noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2723914708396076169.post-71164357460378570902015-07-26T21:00:00.000-04:002015-07-26T21:00:24.522-04:00A New Beginning and a Sad Farewell<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">After being MIA for quite some time on this blog, I've decided to come back to it. I missed it quite a lot, actually, and often thought about all of you. Thank you, to everyone who has stuck with me and is still following, I really do appreciate it. In the future, I'll be sharing book reviews, essays and storytelling, artist's profiles, and other fun stuff, such as my art and photography. I'm looking forward to it!</span><div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">But first, I have some sad news. For those who have followed my blog for a long time, you know I often wrote about my 3 cats, Rudy, Buster and Sam. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I lost my precious Rudy last month due to complications from diabetes. He was 13 years old, and until just a few months ago, healthy and happy.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCutlAIDRlEp80Det1lc7LsxZ9DDTlQJpyZJ-ZlsVXOpwchoRBxshEk0ly1sn7mNIYCjMU_uD-wMqJdbHy9KO_BaaD81OtSRYGglAwJABmIPUEM1R0qsXQ5hHTS3Xj2_a-Xt9DX_GbujI/s1600/Rudy3_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCutlAIDRlEp80Det1lc7LsxZ9DDTlQJpyZJ-ZlsVXOpwchoRBxshEk0ly1sn7mNIYCjMU_uD-wMqJdbHy9KO_BaaD81OtSRYGglAwJABmIPUEM1R0qsXQ5hHTS3Xj2_a-Xt9DX_GbujI/s400/Rudy3_crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I got Rudy when he was only 8 weeks old, and I can remember the day I first picked him up, and he nuzzled under my chin, like it was yesterday. Rudy was so special to me, I can't even begin to explain. But, anyone who has loved a cat, or a dog, or any other type of pet, knows the pain of losing them. My pain is still raw...and there are times I still can't believe he's gone. But, as with any passing, I know the pain will ease with time. Rudy will always be with me, though, in my heart and thoughts. He was with me through some pretty rough times, and he brought me such joy! I miss him, though...oh, how I miss him! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Rudy watching a bird video.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AIw0KQ2iTwI/VbV-FjfxP3I/AAAAAAAANKA/-RUbGAHIZyk/s1600/Rudy%2Bwatching%2Bbird%2Bvideo%2BNov%2B2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AIw0KQ2iTwI/VbV-FjfxP3I/AAAAAAAANKA/-RUbGAHIZyk/s400/Rudy%2Bwatching%2Bbird%2Bvideo%2BNov%2B2014.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Rudy's footprints (given to me from the girls at my vet's office.)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiv1cs28yCJod_aec1KLm4o0ITSNW75PdQj2rW8rJr1Vmb6GmY6qG1ltaxOK4QvNnIptQzIG_9IVP6KkE9hA88WtiOTEjdcYLHwfh5arrQkdExL2eGRMFpJ695CrWA-ueJ2cxO-2fkIPU/s1600/9+July+Rudys+paws+from+Edenwood+girls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiv1cs28yCJod_aec1KLm4o0ITSNW75PdQj2rW8rJr1Vmb6GmY6qG1ltaxOK4QvNnIptQzIG_9IVP6KkE9hA88WtiOTEjdcYLHwfh5arrQkdExL2eGRMFpJ695CrWA-ueJ2cxO-2fkIPU/s400/9+July+Rudys+paws+from+Edenwood+girls.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">RIP my sweet angel cat. I'll never forget you.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Rudy 2002 - 2015</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUyr4JLMuG7x7ZAZ3aRlPiaSQyxs7x_nVxhyCCKC7PQi4LR4-TJN4hOxbtMpPeoATii6ge43IHG6vK9llGDWQ8jUcHf0zRR8Ae2H3b16nEprf9gLnpkg2_s1zrWfhUqZ8sWpldRuqKeM/s1600/23+June+I+love+you+my+Angel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUyr4JLMuG7x7ZAZ3aRlPiaSQyxs7x_nVxhyCCKC7PQi4LR4-TJN4hOxbtMpPeoATii6ge43IHG6vK9llGDWQ8jUcHf0zRR8Ae2H3b16nEprf9gLnpkg2_s1zrWfhUqZ8sWpldRuqKeM/s400/23+June+I+love+you+my+Angel.jpg" width="347" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Until next time,</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Cindy</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Cindy Adkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01529188086850479173noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2723914708396076169.post-81342601953026425042015-07-21T00:32:00.003-04:002015-07-21T00:32:54.841-04:00Sea Glass ~<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wWBtUVOrAWEZbCrFFt7pt7nh1NQEf7dfDAGWTRSyA5jNPyleP0NhPYZEsvaLSd1zuAjF3KfQOoSR5cUmmLA3o677C3mBS-3JeIr1hX6urRI7c02JYAHFdWH2alqyPe3MurbdNFuoxQQ/s1600/book+Sea+Glass_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wWBtUVOrAWEZbCrFFt7pt7nh1NQEf7dfDAGWTRSyA5jNPyleP0NhPYZEsvaLSd1zuAjF3KfQOoSR5cUmmLA3o677C3mBS-3JeIr1hX6urRI7c02JYAHFdWH2alqyPe3MurbdNFuoxQQ/s400/book+Sea+Glass_crop.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctbbL_NFNSvGb5oinTFW4JY5pXdV40OxvLB5CEUGs3D8uyqSx900XY88cGr8u2hA59NSk_gyHIB8bS19UBDgu6Qc01MWPuDLwrMARRc4ygdUpVkzu69JjqhW00HHxHAJph-L6CURuwZs/s1600/Sea+glass2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctbbL_NFNSvGb5oinTFW4JY5pXdV40OxvLB5CEUGs3D8uyqSx900XY88cGr8u2hA59NSk_gyHIB8bS19UBDgu6Qc01MWPuDLwrMARRc4ygdUpVkzu69JjqhW00HHxHAJph-L6CURuwZs/s400/Sea+glass2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: large;"><em>On my dining room table is a rose-colored, vintage glass dish filled with sea glass. It was given to me by a beloved Aunt many years ago, and it's one of my most treasured possessions. Sea glass is found strewn along beaches all over the world, worn smooth by years of being tossed in water and tumbled by waves. Colors range from clear and pink to cobalt blue, turquoise, soft green and golden amber. Red is the rarest sea glass, only one piece found in every 5,000. Many people consider sea glass “trash.” Indeed, it does come from broken bits of bottles, jars, windows, plates, and other sources, some of them decades old. But, to me, sea glass is a rare treasure…even more, a metaphor for life. Each piece is unique. Each piece started out as one thing… and years later was transformed into something else. Just as sea glass reinvents itself over the years, so it is with life. I’ve reinvented myself more than once over the years. Some of these changes have been forced upon me, others from the choices I’ve made in life. And, this, I believe, is one of the themes in the novel, Sea Glass, by Anita Shreve.</em></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<em><span style="font-size: large;">I admit I was drawn to the novel by the mere title because of my love of the sea. Also, I’d previously read and enjoyed Anita Shreve’s book, “The Pilot’s Wife,” when it was one of Oprah Winfrey’s picks for her book club. Sea Glass is set in 1929 New England at the onset of the Great Depression. Two of the main characters, Honora and Sexton Beecher are newlyweds who rent a house on the coast of New Hampshire. Shreve cleverly uses the same large, old beach house as the setting that she used in two of her previous novels, “The Pilot’s Wife,” and “Fortune’s Rocks,” and again in a later novel, “Body Surfing.“ She successfully evokes the feeling of coastal life of the 1920s, and creates a story so rich in details of the era that it hooks the reader right from the beginning. Shreve weaves the stories of six main characters as they become involved in each other’s lives. Sexton, a typewriter salesman, loses his job when the Depression strikes and goes to work in a nearby mill, where he becomes involved in plans to form a union. What follows next changes the lives of all the main characters in the book. Throughout the novel, Honora collects sea glass on her walks along the beach, where she goes to think, to dream, to calm herself. After tragedy strikes, Honora must transform herself…and her life…and along the way she finds, as many of us do, that she is more resilient than she ever imagined.</span></em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<em><span style="font-size: large;">"The only problem with looking for sea glass...is that you never look up. You never see the view. You never see the houses or the ocean, because you're afraid you'll miss something in the sand." From the novel, Sea Glass by Anita Shreve</span></em></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqyBR10GIffF8CWrCArExo5ja_eY_4iWTdMjATaIOmhvTV4FCOsiHGzkqBDT8DsRrJnjafv2uQgCmRQrlKj3n9Q3iT6eZP-WLgjbcSqrBMEI6HpjuT42-M7sB00DodSCnRzCQ1usOp4g/s1600/SeaGlassBeach2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqyBR10GIffF8CWrCArExo5ja_eY_4iWTdMjATaIOmhvTV4FCOsiHGzkqBDT8DsRrJnjafv2uQgCmRQrlKj3n9Q3iT6eZP-WLgjbcSqrBMEI6HpjuT42-M7sB00DodSCnRzCQ1usOp4g/s400/SeaGlassBeach2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=arbote-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0316089699&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></div>
Cindy Adkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01529188086850479173noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2723914708396076169.post-46219746489725189162015-07-20T23:29:00.002-04:002015-07-20T23:33:27.244-04:00A Gift From the Sea<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="background-color: #fafafe; color: #191919; font-stretch: normal; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; position: relative;">
<i style="color: #333333; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">"There are other beaches to explore, there are more shells to find. This is only the beginning." Anne Morrow Lindbergh</span></i></h3>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4425857496343096482" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: #fafafe; color: #333333; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; position: relative; width: 496px;">
<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvN0pxbMo31PfOzend2WTL9yHvK6wk4XeRaqmLVZtgEDo90CvIq42KaD6yRe2MsmvAyFgQZMBfdT0EkBGoCoYVYZblsGrA0x56yiBCfUbWggfv51rxz-g9DdRzxBpHmWYOI2xX3WSbfvg/s1600/Gift+from+the+Sea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #171d7d; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvN0pxbMo31PfOzend2WTL9yHvK6wk4XeRaqmLVZtgEDo90CvIq42KaD6yRe2MsmvAyFgQZMBfdT0EkBGoCoYVYZblsGrA0x56yiBCfUbWggfv51rxz-g9DdRzxBpHmWYOI2xX3WSbfvg/s320/Gift+from+the+Sea.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 20px; background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 20px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="239" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39MyafXpvBwg-B15XNVl5-FGVq-EOh2prZNRyuofRlvt5Tx5TyzMANMe2UT3ZzSo15Uwf2Gf_bm7e9DYBLPaFpxKCVv4yAmcOPQDmakIQusZ7Hf8bI8cwmH1N5KIKOaUx4r__8jlhr-4/s1600/Cornwall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #171d7d; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39MyafXpvBwg-B15XNVl5-FGVq-EOh2prZNRyuofRlvt5Tx5TyzMANMe2UT3ZzSo15Uwf2Gf_bm7e9DYBLPaFpxKCVv4yAmcOPQDmakIQusZ7Hf8bI8cwmH1N5KIKOaUx4r__8jlhr-4/s320/Cornwall.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 20px; background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 20px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6FY9LNoK6TOadvEoojBRhlOY6q3YBnOrj7NitB5cftngBHRrB7_As_pzFfDD0r5gMqghFalA2a7Wxjual1pUr9tIM831el4jd1pQ8b9p8ZDJzNyvV9a_dFEexLzUCB8AN0WZNSNFXbI/s1600/sanddollers-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #171d7d; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6FY9LNoK6TOadvEoojBRhlOY6q3YBnOrj7NitB5cftngBHRrB7_As_pzFfDD0r5gMqghFalA2a7Wxjual1pUr9tIM831el4jd1pQ8b9p8ZDJzNyvV9a_dFEexLzUCB8AN0WZNSNFXbI/s1600/sanddollers-1.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 20px; background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 20px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Anne Morrow Lindbergh was an author, poet and wife of famed aviator pioneer, Charles Lindbergh. She was vaulted into celebrity by her marriage, and was not comfortable being in the spotlight - even before the 1932 kidnapping and murder of the couple's first child. The frenzied attention from the press caused the couple to first move to England, and later to the small island of Illiec, off the coast of Brittany in France. They later moved to Hawaii, where Charles died in 1974. Anne wrote her book, "Gift From the Sea," in 1955 while on vacation on Captiva Island, Florida. The book is written in essay style and touches on youth and age; love and marriage; peace, solitude and contentment. The slim volume became a best seller and has sold over 3 million copies and has been translated into 45 languages. Anne moved to a cottage built on her daughter's Vermont farm in the late 1990s. She died in 2001 at the age of 94.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">"The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. To dig for treasures shows not only impatience and greed, but lack of faith. Patience, patience, patience, is what the sea teaches. Patience and faith. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach — waiting for a gift from the sea." AML</span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhatvDh1OMrBNFULLBe1AYjHpyhO19raF1j7IAzMk5lO9XJFnIyogvfLPpM-naVI1kWeUbgv8coHSbiWKuH1KXhyphenhyphenqELA0hj9XVgUs9f0XQtCA442bL5X4qqZcfRJEqHXXJnZAap4tseHfw/s1600/7003424-beach-seashells.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #171d7d; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhatvDh1OMrBNFULLBe1AYjHpyhO19raF1j7IAzMk5lO9XJFnIyogvfLPpM-naVI1kWeUbgv8coHSbiWKuH1KXhyphenhyphenqELA0hj9XVgUs9f0XQtCA442bL5X4qqZcfRJEqHXXJnZAap4tseHfw/s400/7003424-beach-seashells.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 20px; background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 20px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=arbote-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0679406832&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Cindy Adkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01529188086850479173noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2723914708396076169.post-797609046769702002013-09-26T22:33:00.000-04:002015-07-21T01:37:17.553-04:00New Fall Projects<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-tRNysGpMyDMH_Vuzw-SHkbqKKo_fF6xBLGPofs-aBEQBCo8R1on3RD5RMq4yRblRaKQqZexUUboOl2XyGUIJYtFBQNqH3lYBrIr18h-m5B7QNqhyV6zGWYuXH6JBJRxjLnCFTR7TAU/s1600/Autumn+pumpkins.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-tRNysGpMyDMH_Vuzw-SHkbqKKo_fF6xBLGPofs-aBEQBCo8R1on3RD5RMq4yRblRaKQqZexUUboOl2XyGUIJYtFBQNqH3lYBrIr18h-m5B7QNqhyV6zGWYuXH6JBJRxjLnCFTR7TAU/s400/Autumn+pumpkins.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Google Images Autumn Photo</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">A couple of things I want to share with you: I've been asked to be a blogger for a local website that's all about our town! I'm so excited about this opportunity! I'll post a blog twice per month for their website about places to visit in our town/county and the surrounding area. Since taking day trips is one of my favorite pass-times anyway, this is a dream job!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I've also been working on my Zazzle.com shop and have added Autumn note cards and greeting cards that feature my paintings and photography. I've also designed several new iphone cases, as well. I'll be adding holiday cards soon, too - for those of you who still send out cards. (I should take a survey!) I admit, I don't send out nearly as many as I used to, and sometimes I miss sending and receiving them! Here's the link to my Zazzle shop and a sample of one of my autumn note cards:</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.zazzle.com/cindyadkinsdesigns">http://www.zazzle.com/cindyadkinsdesigns</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<a href="http://www.zazzle.com/autumn_note_card-137471956125855069?rf=238257589717447872"><img alt="Autumn Note Card" src="http://rlv.zcache.com/autumn_note_card-r4fa766e490604426907916f1d53a426b_xvuak_8byvr_325.jpg" style="border: 0px currentColor;" /> </a></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.zazzle.com/autumn_note_card-137471956125855069?rf=238257589717447872">Autumn Note Card</a> by <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/cindyadkinsdesigns*">CindyAdkinsDesigns</a> <br />
Shop for a different <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/cards">greeting card template</a> online at zazzle <br />
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">I hope you're enjoying the same beautiful fall weather that we are in northwest Ohio. Have a good weekend!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Until next time,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Cindy</span></div>
</div>
Cindy Adkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01529188086850479173noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2723914708396076169.post-92125470932627898952013-09-20T16:06:00.000-04:002015-07-21T01:38:28.634-04:00Hometown Adventure<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I recently took a walk around my town, specifically to take photos of some of the beautiful architecture and old homes, wrought iron fencing and gardens, etc. I'm on a quest to rediscover all my town has to offer and really look at things with "new" eyes. It's kind of amazing what's really out there...waiting to be discovered, if we just take the time to look. Here's some of what I found: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;">A "secret" garden</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJ75hEIdLCUqtPXVrvRWJ-olSouFIdmRcCI9OeMK-WAaZJFj7GbwiMeMm4YmDCASRlQNAz-Uj4-bUbOFgHf7vWWkeHVIQWOel7LtClB2lintYYAIyGOY2TihSULKcU1P13pYY8xKv07I/s1600/Tiffin+Photos+9-2-13+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJ75hEIdLCUqtPXVrvRWJ-olSouFIdmRcCI9OeMK-WAaZJFj7GbwiMeMm4YmDCASRlQNAz-Uj4-bUbOFgHf7vWWkeHVIQWOel7LtClB2lintYYAIyGOY2TihSULKcU1P13pYY8xKv07I/s400/Tiffin+Photos+9-2-13+017.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;">A "hidden" mansion</span></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbiXTP_4B3m3jyJBhocyTZPT6zEH9ZL9XV4Yx2pOTFJB4YPAV5NRMp94E4_bJs94IrJynKNHs3RlNM5dSnkIhMd-VCNXwr_Vs-dfEjvAt9SNLTEb5J8T4jGwbzPzFIAZuzLC9eigI_Sfc/s1600/Tiffin+Photos+9-2-13+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbiXTP_4B3m3jyJBhocyTZPT6zEH9ZL9XV4Yx2pOTFJB4YPAV5NRMp94E4_bJs94IrJynKNHs3RlNM5dSnkIhMd-VCNXwr_Vs-dfEjvAt9SNLTEb5J8T4jGwbzPzFIAZuzLC9eigI_Sfc/s400/Tiffin+Photos+9-2-13+028.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;">Downtown Architecture</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpEzzPWZBOLo3Mn7bYyl9Zb1gMB1hvf9m1pp0-E3q_BryDtNTOO9RzKMK7c13oUev_J6lKMF8E1N0V_7aSQEMdMY9I1iv83U5k6w_qzgivMtqbsfKEE3PM3BzajBBIP8Ap8Pa0_bFp8tA/s1600/Tiffin+Photos+9-2-13+022_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpEzzPWZBOLo3Mn7bYyl9Zb1gMB1hvf9m1pp0-E3q_BryDtNTOO9RzKMK7c13oUev_J6lKMF8E1N0V_7aSQEMdMY9I1iv83U5k6w_qzgivMtqbsfKEE3PM3BzajBBIP8Ap8Pa0_bFp8tA/s400/Tiffin+Photos+9-2-13+022_crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23FIPzAPhMDcbHLqbYXr5j58AvC1PTpqu0yU9C1dkJxCkbTcfveZ4G8xN9w3qns7QincKjoWfpB8q4CfBiQ7zgDZ_t3j6kFYUSvOLmuuPOy2U9I4y6CYrXgvFeZl5MZ0jUZdwHzoReFg/s1600/14+Sept+Downtown+Tiffin_crop_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23FIPzAPhMDcbHLqbYXr5j58AvC1PTpqu0yU9C1dkJxCkbTcfveZ4G8xN9w3qns7QincKjoWfpB8q4CfBiQ7zgDZ_t3j6kFYUSvOLmuuPOy2U9I4y6CYrXgvFeZl5MZ0jUZdwHzoReFg/s400/14+Sept+Downtown+Tiffin_crop_crop.jpg" width="396" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The home of my town's first millionaire. Built in 1853, and now the site of the county historical museum.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUM6NzM6dEljCIqj9MiBOgN2duA42DgrHMIWM1mmq1jU8lA7E4oirbsb0Lh3AUVaQcfl6IAkuRvMgm8jt3a3V7G_LwVUWAfLf7rTZBjHcz_nb6aO3BNPzyswJYfbTHX-WqJ7ODNE4w0M/s1600/Tiffin+Photos+9-2-13+034_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUM6NzM6dEljCIqj9MiBOgN2duA42DgrHMIWM1mmq1jU8lA7E4oirbsb0Lh3AUVaQcfl6IAkuRvMgm8jt3a3V7G_LwVUWAfLf7rTZBjHcz_nb6aO3BNPzyswJYfbTHX-WqJ7ODNE4w0M/s400/Tiffin+Photos+9-2-13+034_crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircZp1ZB6TSIiNFC5Hh5MgfIFi7s7hCL68mFMeieoIUIZt-umpkh2hAKqOBCB8JMXBzZtIY_IHF_7MaiONEM3KWKcpbxThyphenhyphen7JO5XqWyUuq-w4bh3dgIBNL27vt4Icqeyid4oafSVAKRek/s1600/Tiffin+Photos+9-2-13+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircZp1ZB6TSIiNFC5Hh5MgfIFi7s7hCL68mFMeieoIUIZt-umpkh2hAKqOBCB8JMXBzZtIY_IHF_7MaiONEM3KWKcpbxThyphenhyphen7JO5XqWyUuq-w4bh3dgIBNL27vt4Icqeyid4oafSVAKRek/s400/Tiffin+Photos+9-2-13+033.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Old cobblestones beneath the crumbled blacktop</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFOEs6iXlRgI6oHC6G6BIG1V9at7ORI2JpBLvreSOf6afgnWhb0g56UqVt0emIIO-BC5U50pRMW4i2MPD2ZPNLY3EbErYgg9OtxUBpm6oCjd7yPrInqF13G293vrwVyWOdslk9UAIAQE/s1600/Tiffin+Photos+9-2-13+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFOEs6iXlRgI6oHC6G6BIG1V9at7ORI2JpBLvreSOf6afgnWhb0g56UqVt0emIIO-BC5U50pRMW4i2MPD2ZPNLY3EbErYgg9OtxUBpm6oCjd7yPrInqF13G293vrwVyWOdslk9UAIAQE/s400/Tiffin+Photos+9-2-13+036.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">...and one of the lovely, tree-lined streets.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktwejem7KLkYz-GD8tw4KgXxBcFePRoRMiBY2lJ-Ti5If4Z9GerdCQiOgoChZDQNAw8gA1rNR_vLEmEVu6FK98XizMR56IQhVl8eSYOqkC05mYNxCI9E23tKGA1LPhK9Lb_A-JGnhRwQ/s1600/Tiffin+Photos+9-2-13+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktwejem7KLkYz-GD8tw4KgXxBcFePRoRMiBY2lJ-Ti5If4Z9GerdCQiOgoChZDQNAw8gA1rNR_vLEmEVu6FK98XizMR56IQhVl8eSYOqkC05mYNxCI9E23tKGA1LPhK9Lb_A-JGnhRwQ/s400/Tiffin+Photos+9-2-13+029.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I hope you enjoyed this short tour, and maybe it will inspire you to take a "new" look around your own hometown. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Enjoy your weekend, everyone! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Until next time,</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Cindy</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
</div>
Cindy Adkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01529188086850479173noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2723914708396076169.post-335972950262892252013-06-02T20:43:00.000-04:002013-06-02T22:14:15.354-04:00Big Sur, California - Two Year Anniversary<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">Today, I've been thinking of when I lived in California. I lived in Sacramento for 17 years, but was lucky to be able to visit the central coast and the Carmel/Monterey/Big Sur area several times a year. To me, it's one of the most beautiful places in the world and certainly one of my all-time favorite places to visit. Since I was thinking about it so much today, I decided to repost my very first blog post, which was something I wrote about the Big Sur area. I looked back in my posts to retrieve it - and was shocked to see I wrote it exactly 2 years ago today!! So, today, is my two-year blogging anniversary and it snuck up on me! Call it coincidence or serendipity, but I think it's so crazy wonderful that I decided to repost this today! So, I hope you enjoy it...and the photos, too (which are mine, unless otherwise noted.) </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeuQg8WpZtaXw9du2jPZixFOJ8L8fn9erswlbH9QOgS0U8TTyu3QGCkWwAurOOaER-qKZ3W8xvbNC1Tk1flosGwYokECeeL5M-AlIzrZ59-pIwC44i95o58X7QZ7_qArLD5Sx-lPSAGTc/s1600/BigSurGlow800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeuQg8WpZtaXw9du2jPZixFOJ8L8fn9erswlbH9QOgS0U8TTyu3QGCkWwAurOOaER-qKZ3W8xvbNC1Tk1flosGwYokECeeL5M-AlIzrZ59-pIwC44i95o58X7QZ7_qArLD5Sx-lPSAGTc/s400/BigSurGlow800.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Photo Courtesy: mikelevin.com</div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><em>It has been said that "Big Sur is as much a feeling as it is a place.” Along this stretch of Pacific Ocean coastline in central California, steep cliffs plunge into the sea and the surf beats endlessly against the rocks. In secluded coves, the sea gently washes in and out, as sea crabs scuttle across the open beach. The area is almost desolate and the only indication one gets of habitation is the occasional mailbox or rooftop peaking through the lush forest. Few homes or roads disturb the landscape, except for the curving Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) that in itself is a wondrous and breathtaking thing that seems "at one" with the beauty over which it journeys. The cry of seagulls circling overhead and the barking of a sea lion is often the only sound one hears to interrupt the constant roar of the surf. Such power...yet such peace. In the words of e.e. cummings: “for whatever we lose (like a you or a me) / it's always ourselves we find in the sea.”</em> </span><br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPzsiRLpH_hZP7dhn8w8kJdWOFtfLMDIng1dAZ79dt_pCSYnl1wDD30AM3a_cDASbW_wj0e14T2tXhqGEZ8V537gfiKgbq3gyIcPheJRSCWqrCpcQflIZxjDrrCaPGq6X_cTNdB5yla0/s1600/Big_Sur2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPzsiRLpH_hZP7dhn8w8kJdWOFtfLMDIng1dAZ79dt_pCSYnl1wDD30AM3a_cDASbW_wj0e14T2tXhqGEZ8V537gfiKgbq3gyIcPheJRSCWqrCpcQflIZxjDrrCaPGq6X_cTNdB5yla0/s400/Big_Sur2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZIZXaRQfUco7UL6L4aWvFrntJOMrISF4YB0WpVXvqqWlZ4EuviZdBBCv_QU_ixC81c0QjPSt2_ChIPwtOz_bMWqrUg79UxnlaS8Sa_YtYsI28Hqpz1HOaKedDVOV2b4tTDsu2f2T_r8/s1600/big_sur_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZIZXaRQfUco7UL6L4aWvFrntJOMrISF4YB0WpVXvqqWlZ4EuviZdBBCv_QU_ixC81c0QjPSt2_ChIPwtOz_bMWqrUg79UxnlaS8Sa_YtYsI28Hqpz1HOaKedDVOV2b4tTDsu2f2T_r8/s400/big_sur_3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTIZANXVcCZM8ZipEygrSY4tbN-iMncd3W-0zITLloLLh7frBinEP5zBBj5CPacTOlEbZ98vk8e0Ju_e49bgdY8afkdI5W33HU_EU_PCEZScyebHyhLr6qx82xL4KrimjF8wzRDkIXUI/s1600/big-sur4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTIZANXVcCZM8ZipEygrSY4tbN-iMncd3W-0zITLloLLh7frBinEP5zBBj5CPacTOlEbZ98vk8e0Ju_e49bgdY8afkdI5W33HU_EU_PCEZScyebHyhLr6qx82xL4KrimjF8wzRDkIXUI/s400/big-sur4.jpg" width="361" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Photo Courtesy: Henry Miller Memorial Library, henrymiller.org</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9u8GV0eAtAWPXrRkObWsY5dinjm-UCjXMHlwiRY6hyphenhyphenNxkJT1sLiFHiRWbsHWW2WR538XWv0Mmm3xo185iHN3fCNZ1rgMLDmR5jGwAQy4xfb6Q0FF8FSDIPBZInQbmHLcgBMT-WMMg_0/s1600/big-sur-pfeiffer-sp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9u8GV0eAtAWPXrRkObWsY5dinjm-UCjXMHlwiRY6hyphenhyphenNxkJT1sLiFHiRWbsHWW2WR538XWv0Mmm3xo185iHN3fCNZ1rgMLDmR5jGwAQy4xfb6Q0FF8FSDIPBZInQbmHLcgBMT-WMMg_0/s400/big-sur-pfeiffer-sp.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Until next time,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Cindy</span></div>
</div>
Cindy Adkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01529188086850479173noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2723914708396076169.post-26797740551277371382013-05-06T14:20:00.001-04:002015-07-21T01:40:04.850-04:00Book Review: Hippie Boy: A Girl's Story<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-2r6wIfKdes99vXJ2vNGCHQkBHdV-YEtYVrDRKJF8BWqPD81GqNHKbZoNG6E_aO7q5DmyA3e829HDA3F-38dwxq9CRrZhPQ497qF4NxUuDBAIV0PTGMtsUtGQ9HWcauzLgVQ8jI8mo8/s1600/HIPPIE-BOY-cover-228x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-2r6wIfKdes99vXJ2vNGCHQkBHdV-YEtYVrDRKJF8BWqPD81GqNHKbZoNG6E_aO7q5DmyA3e829HDA3F-38dwxq9CRrZhPQ497qF4NxUuDBAIV0PTGMtsUtGQ9HWcauzLgVQ8jI8mo8/s320/HIPPIE-BOY-cover-228x300.jpg" width="243" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>WINNER: 2012 eFestival of Words Best of Independent Book Awards (General Non-Fiction)</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><em>What would you do if your stepfather pinned you down and tried to cast Satan out of you? For thirteen-year-old Ingrid, the answer is simple: RUN.</em></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> <br />
<em>Ingrid Ricks grew up in a dysfunctional Mormon family with an absent, freewheeling dad and an intensely religious mother who was desperate to ensure her family's eternal salvation. For years she yearned to escape the suffocating religion and poverty at home by joining her dad on the road as tool-selling vagabond. When her parents divorce and her mother marries Earl--a cruel authoritarian who exploits his Church-ordained priesthood powers to oppress her family--she finally gets her wish. At age thirteen, Ingrid begins spending her summers hustling tools throughout the Midwest with her dad and his slimy, revolving sales crew. He becomes her lifeline and escape from Earl. But when her dad is arrested, she learns the lesson that will change her life: she can't look to others to save her; she has to save herself.</em><br />
<br />
I've been on a reading streak lately. It seems to come and go in spells - and quite honestly, as much as I love reading - a book must grab me at the beginning, or I tend to lose interest. <strong>Hippie Boy: A Girl's Story</strong> did just that! I thoroughly enjoyed this book by Ingrid Ricks (her first novel!) Described as a "coming-of-age story," it made me think about my own 13-year-old self growing up in a middle-class Midwest family, with our own share of ups and downs and difficult times. There's something about that time of life - in between childhood and young adulthood - that is so full of bittersweet memories, yearning and angst. Ms. Ricks captures it perfectly! Although the main character in this book is a 13-year-old girl, this is a very grown-up story - make no mistake about it. It's about the often complicated relationships between fathers and daughters, mothers and daughters and siblings. It's about a dysfunctional family, yes, but how many among us can say there wasn't some sort of dysfunction in our own family growing up? The older I get, the more I realize that almost every family has their own dysfunction in one form or another - and it doesn't mean they don't love each other and stand strong in their support of each other when the chips are down. <br />
<br />
I loved the descriptions in this book of life on the road with Ingrid and her father and the joys and disappointments and heartache that ensues. This is an authentic story and I loved it and could (and probably will) read it again. A great summer read! <br />
<br />
<br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdwLeCGr7GjA8My0RiC954o_OT-HthsjXNzSAgmycBLGQ3cGlRcbs1Akw3Xv5IyMyUAUlVsqV7eSnRLnFV96IUyeFNT0h1rU9_oxkLYNjsNUEftAF6x0tvl0mP7-LjInCQ1G5RskWXTlg/s1600/Ingrid+Ricks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdwLeCGr7GjA8My0RiC954o_OT-HthsjXNzSAgmycBLGQ3cGlRcbs1Akw3Xv5IyMyUAUlVsqV7eSnRLnFV96IUyeFNT0h1rU9_oxkLYNjsNUEftAF6x0tvl0mP7-LjInCQ1G5RskWXTlg/s1600/Ingrid+Ricks.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div align="center">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>About the Author:</strong></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Ingrid Ricks started her career as a journalist, spent fifteen years as a marketing/PR consultant and is now embracing her writing/mentoring dream full-time. She is the author of Hippie Boy: A Girl's Story, a coming-of-age memoir; FOCUS, a memoir about her journey with the blinding degenerative eye disease Retinitis Pigmentosa; and A Little Book of Mormon (and Not So Mormon) Stories, a collection of short autobiographical stories.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Ingrid lives in Seattle with her husband and two daughters. When not writing, working with students, or leading seminars focused on embracing the moment, she can be found accompanying her family to soccer games, ice hockey games, or the beach. She also enjoys hanging out at her neighborhood jazz club or alternating between her two favorite coffee shops. For more information, visit <a href="http://ingridricks.com/">ingridricks.com</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">To order Hippie Boy: A Girl's Story from Amazon.com, click below:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
</div>
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=arbote-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0615383769&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><br /></div>
Cindy Adkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01529188086850479173noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2723914708396076169.post-21286747237480217112013-04-29T18:30:00.000-04:002015-07-21T01:39:29.725-04:00Spring Photos <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hello everyone,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I've been absent from blogging and I have no excuse!</span> <span style="font-size: large;">The days seem to go by so fast and I've had "spring fever." April has been a crazy-weather month, but I think it's finally settling down. Now, the trees have tiny new green leaves and the daffodils and tulips have popped open. I love this time of year! I've started a new daily walking routine. The county just opened a new nature preserve near where I live and today was the fourth day in a row I walked there! Yay!! It has a 3/4 mile, easy trail - which is perfect for me right now. I got lazy over the winter, and I do mean lazy!! So, I'm starting slow....but at least it's a start, right? Walking in the woods is one of my all-time favorite things to do. So, here are some photos from my walk. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Totem pole at the entrance to the nature preserve. It was hand-carved and hand-painted by a local resident.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQbOQPn187bL3EWDYiYOZM4fF5WQ00RoLC1MRC1803_48p2-EYpn5VJpvYv9qt9ELbrq6taiiRNGl0I1QuzTOV4tNQ7nbzYvfKaQxW4qVthp1iqf7AIzFFaQ0-2hi4ku3didp8vzJ9Rk/s1600/26+Apr+walk+in+new+nature+preserve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQbOQPn187bL3EWDYiYOZM4fF5WQ00RoLC1MRC1803_48p2-EYpn5VJpvYv9qt9ELbrq6taiiRNGl0I1QuzTOV4tNQ7nbzYvfKaQxW4qVthp1iqf7AIzFFaQ0-2hi4ku3didp8vzJ9Rk/s400/26+Apr+walk+in+new+nature+preserve.jpg" width="326" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeDYKT4nvd4gdIXaSWTb494B6PCtfH4uX7tYR0f0mxyUO85Hvs7JBsgTpzgi7HkjFCky2Oa_Yhu7zplA_YbXY4NPt6gQEjeGHtE6PV-DDoXGxyQEGUip_GViz02XdgkJJFGP1MOv5s-xY/s1600/29+April+Mercy+Nature+Preserve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeDYKT4nvd4gdIXaSWTb494B6PCtfH4uX7tYR0f0mxyUO85Hvs7JBsgTpzgi7HkjFCky2Oa_Yhu7zplA_YbXY4NPt6gQEjeGHtE6PV-DDoXGxyQEGUip_GViz02XdgkJJFGP1MOv5s-xY/s400/29+April+Mercy+Nature+Preserve.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Beautiful moss on the tree stump</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjdiwE-tRPEMDyE2ssRcCNjQmKXrWsnWcRgRPhQOu9U0jabg0bii4ICwHXlBHJ-sCzLQxNlwIiy3PBWnFaL_TULhtIeJCf4_suZcxEvg52ZSRsqMecZdIDPHKzlF-qWdm_pM9d0Qe9tyc/s1600/29+Apr+Nature+preserve+moss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjdiwE-tRPEMDyE2ssRcCNjQmKXrWsnWcRgRPhQOu9U0jabg0bii4ICwHXlBHJ-sCzLQxNlwIiy3PBWnFaL_TULhtIeJCf4_suZcxEvg52ZSRsqMecZdIDPHKzlF-qWdm_pM9d0Qe9tyc/s400/29+Apr+Nature+preserve+moss.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6KEqbznsJI6vmD5tL8FqpKg5PtejmToYXo3DZqHSwE3DW5Bolup8fPPwQZpPZaBDscXMay8e8USDwj8xezGpIejo70HmO0Z1oxD87VGHzGpJNtgpd3qxxHnlAiZC2WV_KhISarDPHGIs/s1600/new+preserve3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6KEqbznsJI6vmD5tL8FqpKg5PtejmToYXo3DZqHSwE3DW5Bolup8fPPwQZpPZaBDscXMay8e8USDwj8xezGpIejo70HmO0Z1oxD87VGHzGpJNtgpd3qxxHnlAiZC2WV_KhISarDPHGIs/s400/new+preserve3.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;">Woodland Wildflowers</span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjA6f9MtLfEjU0nY8mZtS0-h7S_FzjJdthyphenhyphen5GYVenpZVeXf671Jslhm9V3KgLQmwS2UmN9dd5Nc_Yk345cq8rxGhz0w3Nnt22Bgiyfk3__vGk-6DULYRp349VHtM1NTn9Q0b9D8RUlqhI/s1600/new+preserve5_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjA6f9MtLfEjU0nY8mZtS0-h7S_FzjJdthyphenhyphen5GYVenpZVeXf671Jslhm9V3KgLQmwS2UmN9dd5Nc_Yk345cq8rxGhz0w3Nnt22Bgiyfk3__vGk-6DULYRp349VHtM1NTn9Q0b9D8RUlqhI/s400/new+preserve5_crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I have so many projects lined up (aside from work); gardening, some furniture I want to paint (I'm going to try using chalk paint, I've heard so much about it,) spring cleaning, and hopefully a short trip to West Virginia with my sister next month. What have you all been up to lately? </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Spring,</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Cindy</span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
</div>
Cindy Adkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01529188086850479173noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2723914708396076169.post-74805118623342810872013-04-09T19:57:00.000-04:002013-04-09T19:57:23.652-04:00Spring in Ohio<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">Spring has finally arrived! Yes, I think we've turned the corner. I feel bad for those living out west (6 inches of snow in Denver...with more to come??!) Yikes...and I thought spring was late arriving in Ohio. Here's a photo of my crocus in full bloom:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0wUwwDMl-KQQ5wb0USljrD1KXAhE5IYizVAllaoizdiE7xuAaU7Xv8dtLHiEkD_zMM1vf_YIjh9dvkYh_RHvYZEvsYEYztzPjjDbKN2fgcxd0mvckFAyetXGkts9pOzXfWIzyd4vz98/s1600/7+April+crocus+in+full+bloom_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0wUwwDMl-KQQ5wb0USljrD1KXAhE5IYizVAllaoizdiE7xuAaU7Xv8dtLHiEkD_zMM1vf_YIjh9dvkYh_RHvYZEvsYEYztzPjjDbKN2fgcxd0mvckFAyetXGkts9pOzXfWIzyd4vz98/s400/7+April+crocus+in+full+bloom_crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">...and another sure sign of spring - Rudy sitting in the open window! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRIVHaX5QLNL_myGJDui4CcW_GWiCBIejllQsjYFllvHRWtXapXOtUjI6N_cFD1qiav0CxLGKKsL0I9IQigRIVE3T9OwS63AANKVn3Mzopi823gh-N2iQnkw7NwpVY8SzKwtQJyYd_Zw/s1600/April+Rudy+windown_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRIVHaX5QLNL_myGJDui4CcW_GWiCBIejllQsjYFllvHRWtXapXOtUjI6N_cFD1qiav0CxLGKKsL0I9IQigRIVE3T9OwS63AANKVn3Mzopi823gh-N2iQnkw7NwpVY8SzKwtQJyYd_Zw/s400/April+Rudy+windown_crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I also want to share some photos of a little log cabin I found on one of my recent country drives. When I need to clear my head...or if I'm bored...or sometimes for no reason at all, except I'm in the mood to get out and explore, I take drives in the country. I remember, as a child, the whole family would pile in the car for a Sunday drive. Back then, it was a form of entertainment. How many of you did that as children, as well? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsm0bOO43o9CLrxPd0R_HDMauUGFDo6Lh6me7k_XD_F5HJG4SyGH6PiqwGTfDKOTOhCW0Qr7CoLy-HIBQAbXhvaq8uMYhIi4MiMTSIjfWK6HNSuMGq_tnzbqJcaLvdV5AeBVxdbCemOw/s1600/Log+Cabin+March+2013+004_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsm0bOO43o9CLrxPd0R_HDMauUGFDo6Lh6me7k_XD_F5HJG4SyGH6PiqwGTfDKOTOhCW0Qr7CoLy-HIBQAbXhvaq8uMYhIi4MiMTSIjfWK6HNSuMGq_tnzbqJcaLvdV5AeBVxdbCemOw/s400/Log+Cabin+March+2013+004_crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hJPWMFcOn_w/UWSoZmtwSHI/AAAAAAAAFa8/77yJ7fhMOOg/s1600/Log+Cabin+March+2013+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hJPWMFcOn_w/UWSoZmtwSHI/AAAAAAAAFa8/77yJ7fhMOOg/s400/Log+Cabin+March+2013+005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hUeNldO70aTXOMldTT6tAAifwU4JWRIMGrkFHH0YVJpOViqk32MG6NFx7aXYsoAlG77Mrc2xBqg2yQ0a2wY33BiutFXx6VV2Hk7DDj28krxM-mJ5ub9SaLYgolT1ibHNHiSlCJTv8ug/s1600/Log+Cabin+March+2013+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hUeNldO70aTXOMldTT6tAAifwU4JWRIMGrkFHH0YVJpOViqk32MG6NFx7aXYsoAlG77Mrc2xBqg2yQ0a2wY33BiutFXx6VV2Hk7DDj28krxM-mJ5ub9SaLYgolT1ibHNHiSlCJTv8ug/s400/Log+Cabin+March+2013+007.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">You'll never know what you might find. I have no information about this cabin. It sits right beside the highway, just outside the tiny town of Melmore. Little house on the prairie? I'd love to know who lived there. Both of my parents lived in log houses for a short time when they were children...but that's a story for another day.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbcgCZ7TQ1VeZiPMBQdV_1YYZTk3rZpX5L6Au8OzUCUCSMQdKRozpcw3L7VRy1f5Zty6bE2zEYr9IHzGbA2TjqgWEDMudju67acH5Q2uG33mBV-oeyKp49ZCbDKrW7T-iIcbvHfBAJkI/s1600/Log+Cabin+March+2013+004_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbcgCZ7TQ1VeZiPMBQdV_1YYZTk3rZpX5L6Au8OzUCUCSMQdKRozpcw3L7VRy1f5Zty6bE2zEYr9IHzGbA2TjqgWEDMudju67acH5Q2uG33mBV-oeyKp49ZCbDKrW7T-iIcbvHfBAJkI/s320/Log+Cabin+March+2013+004_crop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I hope you're all having a good week!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Until next time,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Cindy</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
Cindy Adkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01529188086850479173noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2723914708396076169.post-70355076522820358612013-03-27T22:33:00.000-04:002013-03-30T21:00:40.270-04:00Cake Art<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">Occasionally, I like to share photos of amazing cakes I find on Pinterest or facebook. They fascinate me...and it's hard to believe some of them are actually edible! My sister is a wonderful cook and makes special cakes for her children and grandchildren's birthdays, and I've helped her with the decorating a couple of times. I think I could really get into it...I should consider taking a cake decorating class. Hummm...yet another hobby?? </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">These cakes are perfect for spring and Easter. I've given credit to the artist for the ones where it was listed with the photo , but unfortunately some didn't say. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A pretty peacock</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsGgKjbCSILOGexddy5_HtHLJUAp8DUlq-kv5GH-wgpsgaeodvZRmSkuUkLHAUadnuY4AEx-Xv6ChOm7rUyn8XqDuDsaAH7Oi22NpWBjTXxKHVoEz_BSRaUyyBpCap7tD5bkmGFKezxs/s1600/bird+cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsGgKjbCSILOGexddy5_HtHLJUAp8DUlq-kv5GH-wgpsgaeodvZRmSkuUkLHAUadnuY4AEx-Xv6ChOm7rUyn8XqDuDsaAH7Oi22NpWBjTXxKHVoEz_BSRaUyyBpCap7tD5bkmGFKezxs/s400/bird+cake.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Ready for a spring holiday? How about a luggage cake by Charm City Cakes</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirdAFN5CTs5Ly09GQAFH7APQjAJRbaTWitBdYUaFlhM8Dr-n4GmXac-W-c4fkn2hCgKtQGhNu0fFGpqRqcdGgvzqGwxbJM8NdXHfSNOMwLfwwp95jh9SW_xq-CWp_NuwSo1nr3eqz7oqo/s1600/by+Charm+City+Cakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirdAFN5CTs5Ly09GQAFH7APQjAJRbaTWitBdYUaFlhM8Dr-n4GmXac-W-c4fkn2hCgKtQGhNu0fFGpqRqcdGgvzqGwxbJM8NdXHfSNOMwLfwwp95jh9SW_xq-CWp_NuwSo1nr3eqz7oqo/s400/by+Charm+City+Cakes.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;">This one is by Arty Cakes in the UK...she makes incredible cakes with all buttercream frosting! She can be found on facebook under Arti Cakes.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSgGxIM3GNRlHrKmO3jHoMk63Ki_yKcwfCj1EK8WP8DPunxwzi7fCkeDj5SbNU0myLWD02j9PGxMNSyUrVVDJbA6FxJa6A7P8Dw_Z0RL38q-qZhTNgSgft8JopSGp6zIvWl-9QMbyCQs/s1600/Cake+Arti+Cakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSgGxIM3GNRlHrKmO3jHoMk63Ki_yKcwfCj1EK8WP8DPunxwzi7fCkeDj5SbNU0myLWD02j9PGxMNSyUrVVDJbA6FxJa6A7P8Dw_Z0RL38q-qZhTNgSgft8JopSGp6zIvWl-9QMbyCQs/s400/Cake+Arti+Cakes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;">Easter bonnet cake by Fifi's Cakes </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEN13cEkxpgPZM_BQylZfprG_yd5g2iJr_KA5KE7I9UAbI14CbXjxHbZ8ndRela0DmVKloX-C54IZ7U7HEk-I4YP6oOAShJVnoXCxMP9Q0PYFYVtpHcIiUZRlijUOXgoHD-zE6NAmM858/s1600/Easter+bonnet+cake+by+Fifi's+Cakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEN13cEkxpgPZM_BQylZfprG_yd5g2iJr_KA5KE7I9UAbI14CbXjxHbZ8ndRela0DmVKloX-C54IZ7U7HEk-I4YP6oOAShJVnoXCxMP9Q0PYFYVtpHcIiUZRlijUOXgoHD-zE6NAmM858/s320/Easter+bonnet+cake+by+Fifi's+Cakes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">How about a tea party?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_nv9T9SeVCu2Fn5PYbo4nfOIVZz4sYeg39VbiDnVGMYBXeHBdif8aR-KU65owcylOAnuAHaNsoSWxJk08ne7VU_hcC2sY00SEiWewsGQIHxuMWs0BnrP9Uu0iKW6tVXnLnnAMawO4Ddg/s1600/tea+cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_nv9T9SeVCu2Fn5PYbo4nfOIVZz4sYeg39VbiDnVGMYBXeHBdif8aR-KU65owcylOAnuAHaNsoSWxJk08ne7VU_hcC2sY00SEiWewsGQIHxuMWs0BnrP9Uu0iKW6tVXnLnnAMawO4Ddg/s400/tea+cake.jpg" width="271" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;">Here's one for the fashionista in your life! I really wonder how they made that shoe? Or is it a real shoe??</span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihC3LTCI76gao9ynHGCzYGl9bx8le8uVHXHGteLpCMiyRWv7XKN0Qfh7JpALOoWT9uyCnURAHhCGK7rddTMy3IAARRd49YzotV9scA_sm283nsYLqFRg_GcE7NgJSAQQhXus9Snjp9G2Q/s1600/shoe+cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihC3LTCI76gao9ynHGCzYGl9bx8le8uVHXHGteLpCMiyRWv7XKN0Qfh7JpALOoWT9uyCnURAHhCGK7rddTMy3IAARRd49YzotV9scA_sm283nsYLqFRg_GcE7NgJSAQQhXus9Snjp9G2Q/s400/shoe+cake.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Last, but not least, I think these two are my favorites - they're so, so pretty and spring-like! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkrvZZr0UW8BjRgaDFMnIkzmkWXia9ccBQgt2P4t_Zy8OYdAgvXDd55PcpjWGRx1aG4-bPW4HZdZvKStl_B5uRvD4x9z_kKyXgAAPrlIozaMpNOg9X8P1FWhdwvq6DWypIh6N0YwAx1m8/s1600/lavendar+cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkrvZZr0UW8BjRgaDFMnIkzmkWXia9ccBQgt2P4t_Zy8OYdAgvXDd55PcpjWGRx1aG4-bPW4HZdZvKStl_B5uRvD4x9z_kKyXgAAPrlIozaMpNOg9X8P1FWhdwvq6DWypIh6N0YwAx1m8/s400/lavendar+cake.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;">Love the colors and the pansies!!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCeB3StTmIwtxql0bFwkYV3x5c-Tk1whEJt_0QcZAWvnQ5B28f1lDv6stmccb5i7qVix8mWtgLr3sBjCDx9sHEJeDZ9pHNb4Wfzw47_6wZpnf7GZbmHGCuAYe9Q-Fd2V61suSuifVF8ws/s1600/violet+cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCeB3StTmIwtxql0bFwkYV3x5c-Tk1whEJt_0QcZAWvnQ5B28f1lDv6stmccb5i7qVix8mWtgLr3sBjCDx9sHEJeDZ9pHNb4Wfzw47_6wZpnf7GZbmHGCuAYe9Q-Fd2V61suSuifVF8ws/s400/violet+cake.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Are you a cake artist? If so, please share! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Sweet Dreams!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Cindy</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;">Linking to <a href="http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/">Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">and</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/2013/03/easter-sundayseasonal-sundays-144.html">Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper</a></span></div>
</div>
Cindy Adkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01529188086850479173noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2723914708396076169.post-13779134407490460582013-03-23T01:01:00.000-04:002013-03-28T13:44:10.881-04:00Fiestaware Tablescape<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hello everyone,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I've recently started a new hobby...tablescaping! First of all, just let me say, I'm not the type of person who entertains a lot, nor am I even a very good cook. I mean...I CAN cook, when I'm in the mood and set my mind to it, but most days, given the chance, I'd much rather eat out than cook for myself Anyway, I'm getting off track. In spite of this, I've always loved pretty dishes and admire the creativity of the beautiful tablescaping I've seen on so many others' blogs. It really is a work of art. So, I decided to try my hand at it. I'm calling these tablescapes "Table for One, Please" (because I live alone...other than my 3 cats, and they're really much more interested in WHAT'S in their dish than the dish itself.) So, without further ado...here's my Easter tablescape. Be kind - remember it's my first real attempt.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTE0WV9MZmsqF1-w0t4CbSYEJq4M7QWMpWt0aS4Ks_o9nnz6oXCKHfkpePcuQ6fBoZpr5UEDEbolQ35UDtDHsFb6sv3hxckQjP7fCQW-rCMNAct8xmQDvQRpzZp2k1yPrExhe83aqNQWA/s1600/Tablescapes+2013+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTE0WV9MZmsqF1-w0t4CbSYEJq4M7QWMpWt0aS4Ks_o9nnz6oXCKHfkpePcuQ6fBoZpr5UEDEbolQ35UDtDHsFb6sv3hxckQjP7fCQW-rCMNAct8xmQDvQRpzZp2k1yPrExhe83aqNQWA/s640/Tablescapes+2013+015.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I've also recently started collecting Fiestaware dishes, so this is a fun way to show them off! Finding myself in need of new dishware, I suddenly felt very drawn to Fiesta...addicted is more like it! I love all the different colors, and the artist in me loves playing with color combinations. This setting features the colors rose, (retired) yellow, seamist green and periwinkle blue. I've had the cute, little clay pot napkin rings for years and the white ironstone pitcher is a recent Goodwill find. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKq0P9yvhh9Zzn2Ulxsvkhhkt7RNIh2e2YLsQjhYCCln5VQ1kVODYvZNbZEu_QmaSPvJ0I-SXrE8iWmJMaD1oqfp4BGPjarG62XhfH_K9JFV6bjF5Y925Hh4lGvlUK1CmTmuoD_6zLuVY/s1600/Tablescapes+2013+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKq0P9yvhh9Zzn2Ulxsvkhhkt7RNIh2e2YLsQjhYCCln5VQ1kVODYvZNbZEu_QmaSPvJ0I-SXrE8iWmJMaD1oqfp4BGPjarG62XhfH_K9JFV6bjF5Y925Hh4lGvlUK1CmTmuoD_6zLuVY/s640/Tablescapes+2013+013.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I also love that Fiestaware is made in the U.S.A. by the Homer Laughlin China Co. - more specifically in West Virginia, the state where my father was from and my ancestral roots run deep. This is another "quick" place setting I put together, using the same seamist green, yellow and rose dishes.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzQBp0vt3APkFCsuVkkSPJn4apWpDwKbK4iHNMgxPpMA8O5GQT8bBvSluVSIo9IRuaQukorJOfKYB2L_0cf6NgSliYpwfkZ8VpMFVYMxH8bON0hWbcs4bl7ZD1erQoqc89fLz2hQiZIA/s1600/first+tablescape4_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzQBp0vt3APkFCsuVkkSPJn4apWpDwKbK4iHNMgxPpMA8O5GQT8bBvSluVSIo9IRuaQukorJOfKYB2L_0cf6NgSliYpwfkZ8VpMFVYMxH8bON0hWbcs4bl7ZD1erQoqc89fLz2hQiZIA/s400/first+tablescape4_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl0OSAqjgd2YlKaZklI7Fy3eeZf35cJiPtrGZivndV0F6DYWhS11GaZa-MhiOMYIbHwV6lRt2_BNM0ZCUtZfxtCrVERbhmViHfHWifznwKpVg1smr1-7c00Mx9dYGzW3p-TUAdvld6KU0/s1600/first+tablescape5_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl0OSAqjgd2YlKaZklI7Fy3eeZf35cJiPtrGZivndV0F6DYWhS11GaZa-MhiOMYIbHwV6lRt2_BNM0ZCUtZfxtCrVERbhmViHfHWifznwKpVg1smr1-7c00Mx9dYGzW3p-TUAdvld6KU0/s400/first+tablescape5_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Weekend, everyone. </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;">Until next time,</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;">Cindy </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm linking this to:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/2013/03/spring-pink-saturday-march-23-2013.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Pink Saturday on How Sweet the Sound</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<a href="http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/2013/03/getting-ready-for-easter.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Seasonal Sundays on The Tablescaper</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/2013/03/spring-has-sprung.html">What's It Wednesday on Ivy and Elephants</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Show and Tell Friday on My Romantic Home.</span><br />
</div>
</div>
Cindy Adkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01529188086850479173noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2723914708396076169.post-41632721840709090002013-03-20T12:00:00.000-04:002013-03-22T23:33:39.774-04:00The First Day of Spring <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvp5efEwekbxlnBWwokIJqUyQ4S0cFYlmITXiDrgeHby5IB1q-6UzPJnnfMttRM-ACmmKxQxHFjhtsW4rsYU_EEOMn_fbTi1nHc9LXONsptBpwMwQ-NW56u731LLfARXphI-8MWro6O4/s1600/spring+bouquet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvp5efEwekbxlnBWwokIJqUyQ4S0cFYlmITXiDrgeHby5IB1q-6UzPJnnfMttRM-ACmmKxQxHFjhtsW4rsYU_EEOMn_fbTi1nHc9LXONsptBpwMwQ-NW56u731LLfARXphI-8MWro6O4/s400/spring+bouquet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Hello everyone,</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It's March 20th - the first day of spring...and I'm back! I missed my blog...and all of you! Looking out the window here in Ohio, it's a typical early spring day - that is, the sun is shining and it's snowing! That's no lie! It's downright cold outside - you would never know it's spring. But, that's how it is in the Midwest - unpredictable.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">When I decided to take a winter hiatus from blogging, it was for two reasons: I was in need of a computer break, and I was feeling a little confused about why I was blogging in the first place. Has that ever happened to you? I'm a writer, so I'm at my computer most days, but between work, blogging, and staying in touch on facebook and email...I was beginning to feel like I had no life outside the internet. I had to find that "balance."</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I knew very little about blogging when I started. I knew I wanted it to be another creative outlet for me, and I wanted to share some of the things I love with others...so that's how "art, books, tea" came into being. After a while, though, I began to feel frustrated because I had so much more to say and show that had nothing to do with "art, books or tea" so I had to take a step back to figure it all out. What I decided is this: I don't have to change what I've started - just expand on it. So, I'm back with a new look to my blog and in addition to art, books, and tea - you may find a little of anything here! I love travel and taking day trips...drives in the country...photography...creating pretty tablescapes...and of course, let's not forget my cats :) They have their own blog, now, as many of you already know - but I'm sure I'll be talking about them here, as well. In addition, I hope to share some of the challenges and joys of being an "aging Baby Boomer" in an ever-changing world. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I hope you'll find something here that inspires you, or makes you smile, or that you can relate to in some way. Right now, I'm anxiously awaiting the weather to catch up with the calendar - which says today is the first day of spring! Come on, blue skies and sunshine, I'm ready for lilacs, daffodils and tulips!!! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Until next time,</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Cindy </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48ZcQx7BKRtPUNeq5m7qNPzpTw40-W74ZweDItr0VoM7rE-OKkMn4jf_V-DsSh8RC0cvNDpE2p3hwLw2VyRQtv0DxkrBK2CfSMp5EWuQQScd46O28EFmfqQA8kNnIdyGbnLqQ1TCKx3k/s1600/tulips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48ZcQx7BKRtPUNeq5m7qNPzpTw40-W74ZweDItr0VoM7rE-OKkMn4jf_V-DsSh8RC0cvNDpE2p3hwLw2VyRQtv0DxkrBK2CfSMp5EWuQQScd46O28EFmfqQA8kNnIdyGbnLqQ1TCKx3k/s400/tulips.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Linking with <a href="http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/2013/03/spring-pink-saturday-march-23-2013.html">How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/2013/03/spring-pink-saturday-march-23-2013.html"></a></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
</div>
Cindy Adkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01529188086850479173noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2723914708396076169.post-36186304197078781922013-01-29T20:45:00.000-05:002013-01-31T19:19:14.908-05:00Cats on Tuesday - Hello from Kitties!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGrpp148bJeEL0YplUD9hMi02Abrkhhnt0JnTQVlhDci1t_RCyB4ydpudewoi4EQTCnR7X2bO4ORiqWxP_tsLGZtxfe45MKxS7FxPm1l1baXsErs7k_VqFFECw7PlUnmiGkYXWhztzb6w/s1600/Cats+on+Tuesday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGrpp148bJeEL0YplUD9hMi02Abrkhhnt0JnTQVlhDci1t_RCyB4ydpudewoi4EQTCnR7X2bO4ORiqWxP_tsLGZtxfe45MKxS7FxPm1l1baXsErs7k_VqFFECw7PlUnmiGkYXWhztzb6w/s1600/Cats+on+Tuesday.jpg" /></a></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hello everyone,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Rudy here. Mom still taking break from blogging...but I sneak on computer to say hello and hope everyone having pawsome time in winter! I have to hurry before Mom catches me on her laptop! MOL!!</span></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4xt_3iR_QGzG4veBeqZxWz1cQT_TZ0Qluo2EHG7LO7nPhzpGXq356EtX6hRoXgenHkU-1WnHtWqrz9kZGXJMtpGIHNtzxrIhvX9xe3FegMUJD3k3pUaqPuJjYXrCqyJ6E1DM_887rqJQ/s1600/Rudy+blogging2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4xt_3iR_QGzG4veBeqZxWz1cQT_TZ0Qluo2EHG7LO7nPhzpGXq356EtX6hRoXgenHkU-1WnHtWqrz9kZGXJMtpGIHNtzxrIhvX9xe3FegMUJD3k3pUaqPuJjYXrCqyJ6E1DM_887rqJQ/s400/Rudy+blogging2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We are all good and well. Sammy still sleeping and eating most of the time. See for yourself:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zAaI2VuEe2U/UQh2gSjBpGI/AAAAAAAAFKw/3JIL2JXGJc0/s1600/Sammy+sleeping2_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zAaI2VuEe2U/UQh2gSjBpGI/AAAAAAAAFKw/3JIL2JXGJc0/s400/Sammy+sleeping2_crop.jpg" width="372" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Buster still trying to be the boss of me. That's okay. He is a furry old cat, so I let him have his way most of time - except when he try to bite my ears! He think he is boss of Mom, too. One night she get ready to go to bed and find him on her pillow! He give her a look that say "don't you dare move me!" </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFDMw1biHn-y-m04U0RvHqwoi9o6o_xcL-k0t8TIaeRKE6jtcwnuwmk_DVWmhPlO1pNtKxFp2DZsXE73weTL9DAiAv5szwdLI9CMEixreDoqLjTdrnPQ0eL5G4fJxiI_rauiccJFENfE/s1600/Jan+23+Buster+on+frigid+Jan+night+minus+one+degree_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFDMw1biHn-y-m04U0RvHqwoi9o6o_xcL-k0t8TIaeRKE6jtcwnuwmk_DVWmhPlO1pNtKxFp2DZsXE73weTL9DAiAv5szwdLI9CMEixreDoqLjTdrnPQ0eL5G4fJxiI_rauiccJFENfE/s400/Jan+23+Buster+on+frigid+Jan+night+minus+one+degree_crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We have crazy weather. First it was freezing...now it's warm like summer. Here is picture of me sitting in window box...am I a pretty flower?? MOL!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29MKFk-J_iZ8wnwlIH_sS0FtW0xIHCsKvmvwFQF6ELpO7_sKK3duGhXeHarxbUfVD5LewTZ2ALqiM9776un9zx5JnarNOAL5mGqMDUeFx6BWZTxK4eNoEvo1jL0PuJuLA1FMYF7t5EXk/s1600/Rudy+in+window+box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29MKFk-J_iZ8wnwlIH_sS0FtW0xIHCsKvmvwFQF6ELpO7_sKK3duGhXeHarxbUfVD5LewTZ2ALqiM9776un9zx5JnarNOAL5mGqMDUeFx6BWZTxK4eNoEvo1jL0PuJuLA1FMYF7t5EXk/s400/Rudy+in+window+box.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Well, that is all the news from here. I better go now before I get caught on computer! I hear Mom say she is missing blogging already, so she will return, friends. Don't worry. In meantime, me and Buster and Sam will keep you updated on everything. Stay safe and warm!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcwbmFzBnOgRaWMu9O9B7lEBQ8QfQCxtlNFhD9lJmqzTwcWgVnOWAzSRil-wObV33eYctwt_WGPq_UuWk9tpVr3QAqV3chw5kUrY5T2i2tLhvrBQ57BixmFDDgoitRfqgMjPoE43IBfg/s1600/Rudy+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcwbmFzBnOgRaWMu9O9B7lEBQ8QfQCxtlNFhD9lJmqzTwcWgVnOWAzSRil-wObV33eYctwt_WGPq_UuWk9tpVr3QAqV3chw5kUrY5T2i2tLhvrBQ57BixmFDDgoitRfqgMjPoE43IBfg/s400/Rudy+2013.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;">Until next time,</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;">Rudy</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
</div>
Cindy Adkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01529188086850479173noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2723914708396076169.post-73249554604724217082013-01-15T19:07:00.000-05:002013-03-19T23:21:12.921-04:00Winter Hiatus<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hello everyone,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm taking a hiatus from blogging. My job, and other things, must take priority in my life right now, so blogging will have to wait until I have more free time. I truly value all the friendships I've made and thank you so much for following and your interest in my blog. I may return in the spring - perhaps with a new focus for what I wish to share and write about. But, for now, enjoy your winter, everyone, and stay warm (for those who live in cold climates, anyway!) I'm going to try to still visit all of your blogs, as time allows. For those of you who are on facebook, I invite you to join my page there: CindyAdkinsArt. I'll still be updating there and occasionally have giveaways of my art, etc. Would love to see you there! That link can be found <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cindy-Adkins-Art/216983231670806?ref=ts&fref=ts">HERE</a>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Until next time,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Cindy, Buster, Rudy and Sam</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAsGiQsZVVBp9bLgA3V98Y7eJI-6Y5_Pe-z7Q2eMGiKYH-vbOvtm4aUR-mpYweb-iCU20zecT4ACu1cXX3krzIau4rpZgM3-4M5CwGk2fcGVESRMe7G8cUvKY6nZBwyvAN_WyFqNyO7o/s1600/813_001_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAsGiQsZVVBp9bLgA3V98Y7eJI-6Y5_Pe-z7Q2eMGiKYH-vbOvtm4aUR-mpYweb-iCU20zecT4ACu1cXX3krzIau4rpZgM3-4M5CwGk2fcGVESRMe7G8cUvKY6nZBwyvAN_WyFqNyO7o/s400/813_001_crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
Cindy Adkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01529188086850479173noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2723914708396076169.post-38672764442746605912013-01-07T17:09:00.005-05:002013-01-30T15:52:25.128-05:00Cats on Tuesday - Buster's New Year's Resolutions<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8d3rDK9nHxreunjZ9HKhGEaZZCPSDr_V8hLma6pxtgeBpEKv3rMGX2S-uJX-BBdp_NZaHr8wz1K0OBGYqUXSW8E4N71G-3IwXBxwsXBuUmUXqNv3PEfG7AUtf1II0IPsGTJL63jpGap2/s1600/Cats+on+Tuesday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8d3rDK9nHxreunjZ9HKhGEaZZCPSDr_V8hLma6pxtgeBpEKv3rMGX2S-uJX-BBdp_NZaHr8wz1K0OBGYqUXSW8E4N71G-3IwXBxwsXBuUmUXqNv3PEfG7AUtf1II0IPsGTJL63jpGap2/s1600/Cats+on+Tuesday.jpg" /></a><span id="goog_1661735337"></span><span id="goog_1661735338"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hello Everyone,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Buster here. Is time for me to blog again for our special day, Cats on Tuesday. So much has happen in past month, I don't know where to begin. First, this is old photo of me, Buster, on computer. Mom say Blogger not working right and won't let us post new picshures.</span><br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9MMF1ycjRD6JiZBv6gkxk83jKc-C4uKxLG-iSW8sNUdQDdIBeqBCRC9CXrav4qWpbdDXYbR_BfqsHVg-Nu1rqa3qdplCTi99DzUf72uOZCm13ysiKplY9PzYhIqPe9b-qoPTeBiOp3pw/s1600/2_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9MMF1ycjRD6JiZBv6gkxk83jKc-C4uKxLG-iSW8sNUdQDdIBeqBCRC9CXrav4qWpbdDXYbR_BfqsHVg-Nu1rqa3qdplCTi99DzUf72uOZCm13ysiKplY9PzYhIqPe9b-qoPTeBiOp3pw/s400/2_crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: large;">First thing happen was Christmas. This is time when humans bring trees inside house, which I think is very good idea. Only bad thing is we can't climb on it because after they bring tree inside - they hang shiny balls all over it!! So, when Mom not looking, I take a swipe at balls...MOL! Is also time for presents and good food. Mom went to Aunt's house and come home with fresh roast beef and roast turkey for us! Personally, this my favorite part of Christmas. </span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: large;">Next thing happen was big snow come out of sky and cover everything!! OMC! Was so cold outside, would freeze my whiskers! Here is my paw print in snow on patio. Thank COD Blogger let us download this photo, so I can show you proof of snow! </span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFLHbn1b4BO1VNFITJxzS8RPJ7XMldUtl1ZNTNGu-nLb-e663qYm9sgumoC_B6jg88v0fVhaooXeTE1boFYmTZu_bHiwjI5Q3Ku79DL1N69e71KRul2Q1-XITWsQ89b2MGnRShgX5HB45/s1600/Buster%2527s+Perfect+Paw+Print.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFLHbn1b4BO1VNFITJxzS8RPJ7XMldUtl1ZNTNGu-nLb-e663qYm9sgumoC_B6jg88v0fVhaooXeTE1boFYmTZu_bHiwjI5Q3Ku79DL1N69e71KRul2Q1-XITWsQ89b2MGnRShgX5HB45/s400/Buster%2527s+Perfect+Paw+Print.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="left">
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">After big snow, come New Year. This part I don't really understand, but Mom say is brand new year and time for new beginnings. All I know is humans act crazy for one night, make lots of noise and kiss each other. Mom also say is time for new year resolutions, which is when you tell something you aren't going to do anymore, but most likely will never keep promise. So, this is my resolution: I promise to stop biting Rudy's ears and not eat so much roast turkey. Now, friends, you think I will keep my resolution? tee...hee...hee</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div align="center">
<span id="goog_108726599"></span><span id="goog_108726600"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fQEpQcu8RsWRcXfhb6a9VC5UGfrGhxhKk7VcjPznPbfhqDnAmFR7-lkxd9kJUMNlnWrYoF87uDcSWBSZk01Gz8VZnQJefy4fCr0GpQXuznRQneW-WIyy9fJJmxGyvEPXmZ9g4H_HyRmH/s1600/Buster+Brown3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fQEpQcu8RsWRcXfhb6a9VC5UGfrGhxhKk7VcjPznPbfhqDnAmFR7-lkxd9kJUMNlnWrYoF87uDcSWBSZk01Gz8VZnQJefy4fCr0GpQXuznRQneW-WIyy9fJJmxGyvEPXmZ9g4H_HyRmH/s320/Buster+Brown3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Until next time,</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Buster</span></div>
</div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<div align="left">
</div>
</div>
Cindy Adkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01529188086850479173noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2723914708396076169.post-40160605620464650522012-12-31T23:54:00.000-05:002012-12-31T23:54:11.362-05:002013<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h2 align="center">
Happy New Year!!!</h2>
<h2 align="center">
May Peace and Joy Reign in 2013!</h2>
<h2 align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRPNQkW38YKMjsZv9VBMFco8QwQPO6cLT7r11aLTSDGjwoKxLPHVX4EGZGnIwZep2yisNvVuvkso5NOCcFy-_CIkOqqy0fNLO_H_oCIO_3J2V6XdZy2kGM1XI_dtjWKsj062WMyR_cq8/s1600/2013.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRPNQkW38YKMjsZv9VBMFco8QwQPO6cLT7r11aLTSDGjwoKxLPHVX4EGZGnIwZep2yisNvVuvkso5NOCcFy-_CIkOqqy0fNLO_H_oCIO_3J2V6XdZy2kGM1XI_dtjWKsj062WMyR_cq8/s400/2013.png" width="400" /></a></h2>
<div align="center">
</div>
<h2 align="center">
With Love and Purrs for a Pawsome New Year from</h2>
<h2 align="center">
Sam, Buster, Rudy and Mom Cindy</h2>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9Bof4noWptA-wIW9B8SqL8yT1IALgYC7xZkt5h2wxl1eF95jwAseYuXVzphFW99retzm642KKv2Lkf2OnmFM5M8nsr4Ay8hKmZcgpCcbH142sEpkGQByoJMYDsGi83C9TqqfJdkeL4g/s1600/Blog+Photos2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9Bof4noWptA-wIW9B8SqL8yT1IALgYC7xZkt5h2wxl1eF95jwAseYuXVzphFW99retzm642KKv2Lkf2OnmFM5M8nsr4Ay8hKmZcgpCcbH142sEpkGQByoJMYDsGi83C9TqqfJdkeL4g/s640/Blog+Photos2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<h2 align="center">
</h2>
</div>
Cindy Adkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01529188086850479173noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2723914708396076169.post-83550034516070127842012-12-30T20:06:00.000-05:002012-12-30T20:06:29.315-05:00Snow Pictures and Billy Jacobs Art<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hello Everyone,<br />
After several days of snow, ice and grey skies, the sun made an appearance this afternoon! So, even though it was cold with a biting wind, I put on my coat, hat and gloves and took these photos around my neighborhood. The cute little barn and fence is at a church just down the road from me. Winter isn't my favorite season, I admit, but I do try to see the beauty of it all, and the snow certainly is beautiful on the evergreens and tree branches and everything.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhCYCXWiFjZvXuDKdhl_SrQogR1sRuRLb81svX-lIjXrFjErGUPHOfgh6glzedtv3CtE30rVzcm9qDWRRf3E2AKmqqFb7q7vl6ynI3gN2-15_U0fVkma3gDDJ1QaX_0vBNHHx3Q0pD9Q/s1600/winter4+2012_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhCYCXWiFjZvXuDKdhl_SrQogR1sRuRLb81svX-lIjXrFjErGUPHOfgh6glzedtv3CtE30rVzcm9qDWRRf3E2AKmqqFb7q7vl6ynI3gN2-15_U0fVkma3gDDJ1QaX_0vBNHHx3Q0pD9Q/s400/winter4+2012_crop.jpg" width="276" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31PE0qgLm5KpmrfoyT01iefzcJPqn8Op5O4E4kNrAWU2D8eJeJ31nq0DwxXsleNYIYV5zjj4EXW2PN6M9YiJNvvI8i_uuBswznRD9ITJUS7SEi4s9mdp1ikMRDfxoutEgvPjK8eqzS5U/s1600/Winter6+2012_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31PE0qgLm5KpmrfoyT01iefzcJPqn8Op5O4E4kNrAWU2D8eJeJ31nq0DwxXsleNYIYV5zjj4EXW2PN6M9YiJNvvI8i_uuBswznRD9ITJUS7SEi4s9mdp1ikMRDfxoutEgvPjK8eqzS5U/s400/Winter6+2012_crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFSezHdycSd1y2F8C7t5rgZovGH5a9mG4Gw3SjHf8LWwAzSUthv6_XctBmsAkXhQlSMC9JqTcnHbLIsC8SI5f_loIdwejf2V7mE1-CR1rhiMJ4pK4iainHLGhrHbdaM5KBoqU8lJKQGI/s1600/Winter9+2012_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFSezHdycSd1y2F8C7t5rgZovGH5a9mG4Gw3SjHf8LWwAzSUthv6_XctBmsAkXhQlSMC9JqTcnHbLIsC8SI5f_loIdwejf2V7mE1-CR1rhiMJ4pK4iainHLGhrHbdaM5KBoqU8lJKQGI/s400/Winter9+2012_crop.jpg" width="352" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJagIRahYkUNFJxU9uA78EBKJcT46FjPFM-vQm1Dist_jE4bkEGeJTA4X9BdJ4MLR5cctf0JMAojNtk0WGO7WjcFPB2nBDWYK2yrj-3TF0BmBoJyLulvj8huZmydUhOauxU6G7MAs77Wc/s1600/Winter8+2012_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJagIRahYkUNFJxU9uA78EBKJcT46FjPFM-vQm1Dist_jE4bkEGeJTA4X9BdJ4MLR5cctf0JMAojNtk0WGO7WjcFPB2nBDWYK2yrj-3TF0BmBoJyLulvj8huZmydUhOauxU6G7MAs77Wc/s640/Winter8+2012_crop.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1e2yaptzVmKOZhwWiMPkuilMcmg3AAc1d5YdUvA-rc8YVR37qaX9TX7fp-_aiFx4v4ici1hLlACzhzV6bS4MXaj2doiojdFo9KM_y33FGFWLJfyU_EWxBNG9srgRJYpG4S03rL0HRkI/s1600/Winter7+2012_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1e2yaptzVmKOZhwWiMPkuilMcmg3AAc1d5YdUvA-rc8YVR37qaX9TX7fp-_aiFx4v4ici1hLlACzhzV6bS4MXaj2doiojdFo9KM_y33FGFWLJfyU_EWxBNG9srgRJYpG4S03rL0HRkI/s400/Winter7+2012_crop.jpg" width="325" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I also want to share a few winter-themed paintings by one of my favorite artists, American Folk Artist, Billy Jacobs. Mr. Jacobs is a self-taught artist from Navarre, Ohio, where he has an art gallery/antiques shop. His paintings can also be found in galleries and specialty shops all over the country, as well as online. I think he captures the look and feeling of the midwest countryside better than any artist I've seen. He doesn't just paint winter scenes...but all seasons of the year! You can see more of his paintings at Summer Snow Gallery <a href="http://www.summersnowgallery.com/artists/billy-jacobs/billy-jacobs-biography-of-the-artist/">HERE</a> or by visiting Billy Jacobs Art Gallery on facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/BillyJacobsArtGallery">HERE</a>. Enjoy! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOPPsLuzip-5_qikf606J-HHrW8DVfv8rlR6fiU2gJ2mNGjQPOUSBjrz04U2LhUzOe1ZeVQpaCdzlkOyOCUijjAd_qia4fKcqQroBhcqyqaWGZc_3nsNlVuZWOJlqhxV11WDln_gOOx4/s1600/BJ+First+Snow.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOPPsLuzip-5_qikf606J-HHrW8DVfv8rlR6fiU2gJ2mNGjQPOUSBjrz04U2LhUzOe1ZeVQpaCdzlkOyOCUijjAd_qia4fKcqQroBhcqyqaWGZc_3nsNlVuZWOJlqhxV11WDln_gOOx4/s400/BJ+First+Snow.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXYoAECZ5oTaHiiTyVIh7aIVV7Ge-DUehnVwd7c9owzja_gMECU5QKi-UkoMkVo68RO2iEDxXJDLS5bsrf_FR5KnR5YcL6p8vB7ZCT2q5X1aglwkLyJ-azmgOqsNROSBKEM8A7p42_kwo/s1600/BJ+Peace+on+Earth.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXYoAECZ5oTaHiiTyVIh7aIVV7Ge-DUehnVwd7c9owzja_gMECU5QKi-UkoMkVo68RO2iEDxXJDLS5bsrf_FR5KnR5YcL6p8vB7ZCT2q5X1aglwkLyJ-azmgOqsNROSBKEM8A7p42_kwo/s400/BJ+Peace+on+Earth.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZKsj-7GaHVlUlEwf_Gx8o2XQpy5uw7YR5O-H-0fznGzXaj3NbWNQ3QeF3GxBSab0GG-vVXa9c4yi-cTpH4SyOCOx8vlc1PzKwpDSXE-1p0lxKXR2o75xTe0cVvL-16OZrFbj_OVkUEg/s1600/BJ+Christmas+Times+a+Coming.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZKsj-7GaHVlUlEwf_Gx8o2XQpy5uw7YR5O-H-0fznGzXaj3NbWNQ3QeF3GxBSab0GG-vVXa9c4yi-cTpH4SyOCOx8vlc1PzKwpDSXE-1p0lxKXR2o75xTe0cVvL-16OZrFbj_OVkUEg/s400/BJ+Christmas+Times+a+Coming.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_myFKo2kc6yLqNrZgQzrEDvZdD7qqTLoMdfBoeW_6sCivNCttWcNhBYTpUPRxcR6KRRFp4m-biDQhYyfthd5wZId37ANOHPWCaPUhOXaxwzyZfmwCbmk2nGS54xPbGN2olmI0v_QInf0/s1600/Billy+Jacobs+Silent+Night.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_myFKo2kc6yLqNrZgQzrEDvZdD7qqTLoMdfBoeW_6sCivNCttWcNhBYTpUPRxcR6KRRFp4m-biDQhYyfthd5wZId37ANOHPWCaPUhOXaxwzyZfmwCbmk2nGS54xPbGN2olmI0v_QInf0/s400/Billy+Jacobs+Silent+Night.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Wishing everyone a safe and happy New Year's Eve and best wishes for a healthy, prosperous 2013 filled with joy! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Until next time,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Cindy </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This weekend over on <a href="http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/2012/12/snow-and-snowmen-pink-saturday-december-29-2012.html">How Sweet the Sound</a>, Beverly is hosting her weekly <a href="http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/2012/12/snow-and-snowmen-pink-saturday-december-29-2012.html">Pink Saturday</a> with posts featuring snow and snowmen. So, even though I'm late posting, I want to share these on her blog and also at <a href="http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/2012/12/new-years-reviewseasonal-sundays-132.html">The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays. </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
Cindy Adkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01529188086850479173noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2723914708396076169.post-23671326285684363492012-12-21T16:53:00.000-05:002012-12-22T19:58:41.299-05:00Happy Christmas to All!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hello everyone,<br />
Winter has arrived in Northwest Ohio - not only officially on the calendar, but it's cold and blowing and snowing...it was even snowing sideways for a while! I have a few photos to share with you. Last Saturday was our annual "Girls Christmas Party," hosted by my niece, Lola. (Except this year, we "allowed" the husbands to come also, if they wanted :) Had a great time...enjoyed so much yummy food and lots of laughs over our White Elephant gifts! My sister, Paula, and I made this cupcake wreath for the party - a collaborative effort! The hardest part ended up being transporting it there, as my niece lives about an hour away. We learned something - next time we need to come up with something to stick to the bottoms of the cupcake "cups" to hold them in place! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1ZxwKz6VjnIGgp1KvzZzWcbdcYULtgSY-8F9gfjPGudu4KFl9caILb_n-2F0GB1b4UGOS_xLJs3xQz-BcpgOEJqRTuYnkRGYMGqDUXBwN8ctAc9RhYYTfKTnASjJu36nx0Lfvzdiq1w/s1600/wreath+cupcakes3_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1ZxwKz6VjnIGgp1KvzZzWcbdcYULtgSY-8F9gfjPGudu4KFl9caILb_n-2F0GB1b4UGOS_xLJs3xQz-BcpgOEJqRTuYnkRGYMGqDUXBwN8ctAc9RhYYTfKTnASjJu36nx0Lfvzdiq1w/s400/wreath+cupcakes3_crop.jpg" width="346" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lola's home is always decorated so beautifully for the holidays! Her theme colors were blue and silver this year. Here's a photo of her tree. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7kOVy4KjTdOMlsYZvfR6w-kaYFtSnDlBo3Ji5hphWoRn48eNSujR5-GnAcRPGGyGcZNlC31smtTbVdkjHF0uqYCP2lxsLwKq7twljpotObjHxdRys8Ovri2yD2TBXevf33F8Ye7fkYE/s1600/Lolas+2012_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7kOVy4KjTdOMlsYZvfR6w-kaYFtSnDlBo3Ji5hphWoRn48eNSujR5-GnAcRPGGyGcZNlC31smtTbVdkjHF0uqYCP2lxsLwKq7twljpotObjHxdRys8Ovri2yD2TBXevf33F8Ye7fkYE/s640/Lolas+2012_crop.jpg" width="419" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I loved her use of these old canning jars for decorating. Notice the frame behind them filled with old black and white family photos. Such a great idea! I want to do this, too.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_hZBpZhhn9rxohrjazuZD0I-ttvcMypbcej9KxVNUv4npLS9sTzb2_t1IF_v3WcFJeLud5mpo42oIIgynQqlUTD-WWyBu9XC2wwJZHFKh3Z-Lohsy6SYkhcT3ZSCQ2qmz-I2mlXs4cE/s1600/Lolas3+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_hZBpZhhn9rxohrjazuZD0I-ttvcMypbcej9KxVNUv4npLS9sTzb2_t1IF_v3WcFJeLud5mpo42oIIgynQqlUTD-WWyBu9XC2wwJZHFKh3Z-Lohsy6SYkhcT3ZSCQ2qmz-I2mlXs4cE/s400/Lolas3+2012.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLNX5GhMk5dpvmyUAjE3z8rLwZIsWifS60R0lxaDQyeX_dgDPY_PHMhDmcvnBL6ha4xS7EWDWNjUjNMNlR2C76flkdszJkSpBqcP3KMPgPweSuRXA4lYRYoAvtzNDx84gchxRTFl484o/s1600/Lolas2+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLNX5GhMk5dpvmyUAjE3z8rLwZIsWifS60R0lxaDQyeX_dgDPY_PHMhDmcvnBL6ha4xS7EWDWNjUjNMNlR2C76flkdszJkSpBqcP3KMPgPweSuRXA4lYRYoAvtzNDx84gchxRTFl484o/s400/Lolas2+2012.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The next day, I helped Paula decorate her Christmas tree. It was done in traditional gold and red, which I think are my all time favorite colors for a tree. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9BpfPB6X77eFxI5LOgEz7A0R1dOV1ffj_80nbAS1n_2GpUHsge-HqLAu627rjx_ws-za9FeGjvA5liC_ziA00G_b3Fk90sgKGvAzlXbIy5YKmNB5euJkUagSz031lV8r9DzCsNdZhyVM/s1600/Paula's+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9BpfPB6X77eFxI5LOgEz7A0R1dOV1ffj_80nbAS1n_2GpUHsge-HqLAu627rjx_ws-za9FeGjvA5liC_ziA00G_b3Fk90sgKGvAzlXbIy5YKmNB5euJkUagSz031lV8r9DzCsNdZhyVM/s640/Paula's+tree.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4bzDgWUbzckjf8yRlh3NacNRdV0GMuA0OD6X2MDvKa-518DIgFJlK_9CLPPzghU721sDL4YMtkwBy-XSEUaQt80p1XW9wpChMN3rggA4aYjg8QuzgFm6PnupIc1e3Ol4KGh-gikWMH0/s1600/Paula's.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4bzDgWUbzckjf8yRlh3NacNRdV0GMuA0OD6X2MDvKa-518DIgFJlK_9CLPPzghU721sDL4YMtkwBy-XSEUaQt80p1XW9wpChMN3rggA4aYjg8QuzgFm6PnupIc1e3Ol4KGh-gikWMH0/s400/Paula's.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I confess, I haven't done a lot of decorating in my own home. My only tree this year is a vintage ceramic one I recently found at Goodwill for $5.00! I'd been wanting one for a while and couldn't belive when I walked in and there it stood - in perfect condition, except for a few missing lights. My Mom had one of these back in the 70s when they were so popular. I did a little research on ebay and Etsy after I bought it, and some of them are going for between $70 and $100!! I had no idea! So, I got quite a deal on it!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDYyiuXoeIvOQsI6dvBaBAWHbJ1YA6iZepgbN6pBfy7-hzwZIjMoW5lPjBF_0SL8ozqEQyufa3023Ct3AgwoxkZxXosV6mYXv72pGm8dvcEcxFcNbWXkQcKQl4otLu27wfxEb__LZmFw/s1600/Ceramic+tree3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDYyiuXoeIvOQsI6dvBaBAWHbJ1YA6iZepgbN6pBfy7-hzwZIjMoW5lPjBF_0SL8ozqEQyufa3023Ct3AgwoxkZxXosV6mYXv72pGm8dvcEcxFcNbWXkQcKQl4otLu27wfxEb__LZmFw/s640/Ceramic+tree3.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEQKvO69vmK5a2bLdrmUCP06MeAN1UDUraA-mjLTV4VDhxjWA_SJ6s2gjZr5iotlvUoyp2ZrX9Mj8Te48egcn-EzS9GVEkrKcgTqtt3pkx2R5Ah8I42Iwx44a1DUeHTAzF2JLu5JHmDY/s1600/ceramic+tree2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEQKvO69vmK5a2bLdrmUCP06MeAN1UDUraA-mjLTV4VDhxjWA_SJ6s2gjZr5iotlvUoyp2ZrX9Mj8Te48egcn-EzS9GVEkrKcgTqtt3pkx2R5Ah8I42Iwx44a1DUeHTAzF2JLu5JHmDY/s640/ceramic+tree2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
However you may celebrate, I hope you have happy holidays! From my heart to yours, I truly wish you all the peace and love that this season represents. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Until next time,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Cindy</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Buster, Rudy and Sam, too! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm linking to the following blog parties:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://romantichome.blogspot.com/2012/12/christmas-decor-galore-show-and-tell.html">Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/2012/12/home-for-the-holidays-pink-saturday-december-22-2012.html">Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/2012/12/christmas-luncheon-seasonal-sundays-131.html">Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
Cindy Adkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01529188086850479173noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2723914708396076169.post-45573759312142636602012-12-16T18:45:00.000-05:002012-12-16T23:59:18.590-05:00In Memoriam<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="center">
<strong><em>Sandy Hook Elementary</em></strong></div>
<div align="center">
<strong><em>Newtown, Connecticut</em></strong></div>
<div align="center">
<strong><em>December 14, 2012</em> </strong></div>
<div align="center">
<strong></strong> </div>
<div align="center">
<strong></strong> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJy1zWhhlip8ZYbseEIh3vXioSI1nLeDOH56NCKUkI0SJroCTlP-9DH_5ZMiiwsEqaZuvAhMXH-DYt-Bsofg52c7io-OfH51mYfpQmSdWcB9fyl7ZpQ3MFWrtwK3y0WWlu6RsjnmEUhDc/s1600/angel.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJy1zWhhlip8ZYbseEIh3vXioSI1nLeDOH56NCKUkI0SJroCTlP-9DH_5ZMiiwsEqaZuvAhMXH-DYt-Bsofg52c7io-OfH51mYfpQmSdWcB9fyl7ZpQ3MFWrtwK3y0WWlu6RsjnmEUhDc/s400/angel.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTf26awzWkONhLYKHY03qTFmouX5B3_b0ncr0_7a08MOeb_DJz8LADWGKpOWj12-y43GmVeOqBRx_hChyphenhyphenHrp8hOTRUGei3KhCqgtH1DI11YsE_bHMiT8aQKIfD0d110eCgSB4iDYK0gQA/s1600/Sandy+Hook.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTf26awzWkONhLYKHY03qTFmouX5B3_b0ncr0_7a08MOeb_DJz8LADWGKpOWj12-y43GmVeOqBRx_hChyphenhyphenHrp8hOTRUGei3KhCqgtH1DI11YsE_bHMiT8aQKIfD0d110eCgSB4iDYK0gQA/s400/Sandy+Hook.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="userContent">"The only way to end a culture of violence is to proactively create a culture of peace." </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="userContent">Marianne Williamson</span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
</div>
Cindy Adkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01529188086850479173noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2723914708396076169.post-7830525268841423792012-12-10T20:20:00.001-05:002012-12-10T20:41:48.124-05:00All Aboard the Birthday Cake!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've been neglecting my blog lately. I have no good excuse, other than being busy with work and family, and the holiday season, of course. But, we're all busy this time of year, and, honestly, I don't have it nearly as bad as some. So, I promise to try to do better in the future, and I'm looking forward to getting caught up on all your blogs and seeing what you've been up to lately!<br />
<br />
Now, I want to share this awesome train cake, made by my sister, Paula, for her grandson Jaxson's 2nd birthday. I've shared some of her cakes in the past...and I think this is one of her best! Everyone loved it, especially Jaxson!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjali8hmbdsUN_zGy3qkuHxuhPBpkxT4AymvqKw1fikrYRbW_DGJgWFH0oMJBrV0un1GfmIjbiBriwTIhKVZE1cbtcobGZGoXMxjMeQKVNEk2Gd7vpiOn7O9X3hB44eI74411IOXEpAmgbr/s1600/Jaxson's+train3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjali8hmbdsUN_zGy3qkuHxuhPBpkxT4AymvqKw1fikrYRbW_DGJgWFH0oMJBrV0un1GfmIjbiBriwTIhKVZE1cbtcobGZGoXMxjMeQKVNEk2Gd7vpiOn7O9X3hB44eI74411IOXEpAmgbr/s400/Jaxson's+train3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCivNCnI2VH4xjncEYp1wlRmhG8l4YwxYRPwUhN4T0qIObydVPo18C04_6TPcjwQpElgBZdr6nlvqPzlEXCg1vPmjpTgDMDRNNfoRuHpH25vPn69HufDRxbBjbCr4QUSFG5cp5OrQJRll5/s1600/Jaxson's+train2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCivNCnI2VH4xjncEYp1wlRmhG8l4YwxYRPwUhN4T0qIObydVPo18C04_6TPcjwQpElgBZdr6nlvqPzlEXCg1vPmjpTgDMDRNNfoRuHpH25vPn69HufDRxbBjbCr4QUSFG5cp5OrQJRll5/s400/Jaxson's+train2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7OLHUFvNFRRVg7E7A3cl7-mvV35RYwhUI6tGTYaKnrdq351hyhlNnMBFzLKaE8Y1c6foPytjQcURe22rI2mXpzFxtwnF6UZv5-gYHuyNrgYNeCpJ30P_UnvzmHVzRQMwJSYRjPJnZVbn/s1600/Jax+train.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7OLHUFvNFRRVg7E7A3cl7-mvV35RYwhUI6tGTYaKnrdq351hyhlNnMBFzLKaE8Y1c6foPytjQcURe22rI2mXpzFxtwnF6UZv5-gYHuyNrgYNeCpJ30P_UnvzmHVzRQMwJSYRjPJnZVbn/s400/Jax+train.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifk-SAsDWgR3wEBf3oXCi6hYx3G6ivPYEhyphenhyphenN26ovb2qLT_kZfIg3nLIctcucuqnrct9cLB_QbfdIXEHiMdayzz_ybwZVILR3wzufmu3qQY9GtfIokR5uAq6nVb_z40NEwGl_Zh6K03-xPT/s1600/Jaxson's+train3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifk-SAsDWgR3wEBf3oXCi6hYx3G6ivPYEhyphenhyphenN26ovb2qLT_kZfIg3nLIctcucuqnrct9cLB_QbfdIXEHiMdayzz_ybwZVILR3wzufmu3qQY9GtfIokR5uAq6nVb_z40NEwGl_Zh6K03-xPT/s400/Jaxson's+train3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And here is the birthday boy himself, my great-nephew, Jaxson Lee! He is absolutely adorable!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlDhd7TjG6oYxIygYMEcETaZTnvN3WzVIOHjUCvOgNfuofVbjEunPzrcug9GmYvCVL43QNFKPeJKILPKWG6NQzsqkrCI5H3-zCkhb5w198yutHq2oylMfGYbR3PZOvWZ9yX9HvoTC_b79/s1600/Dec+2012.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlDhd7TjG6oYxIygYMEcETaZTnvN3WzVIOHjUCvOgNfuofVbjEunPzrcug9GmYvCVL43QNFKPeJKILPKWG6NQzsqkrCI5H3-zCkhb5w198yutHq2oylMfGYbR3PZOvWZ9yX9HvoTC_b79/s400/Dec+2012.png" width="293" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnEyxsdzy92ZHBlX_Qr3dygTMF24sP1j-kFYXY4UA-yjGyvDOkEfjNtz8Oi59hmFbAlw8gi38bMUBUH9PMT9o9PdYpk4QFSysS3yWpqtCrIBDmaRQOBKGc2t83l1FAkxn222dAZbbNVfd/s1600/Jax+Christmas+2012.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnEyxsdzy92ZHBlX_Qr3dygTMF24sP1j-kFYXY4UA-yjGyvDOkEfjNtz8Oi59hmFbAlw8gi38bMUBUH9PMT9o9PdYpk4QFSysS3yWpqtCrIBDmaRQOBKGc2t83l1FAkxn222dAZbbNVfd/s400/Jax+Christmas+2012.png" width="293" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I bought an early Christmas present for myself - a new sketch pad, colored pencils and oil pastels. I've been in the mood to sketch and draw, rather than paint. As many of you know, drawing is entirely different from painting, and I haven't done a lot of it...not since I was a teenager, so we'll see where this takes me. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8N3XOkj2jlxWSviXI9LqD8IawNDxkdkc8ZRae-QC5psJ0JKq39L8kRlc_Z2FLrdrfXMc9v_Oj2hY9oqNfrrjhuYiwMPco3arawfN5tIeTpS0w2lWXYgY2ctJA3dZf673AuvbFfSegHM6y/s1600/sketch.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8N3XOkj2jlxWSviXI9LqD8IawNDxkdkc8ZRae-QC5psJ0JKq39L8kRlc_Z2FLrdrfXMc9v_Oj2hY9oqNfrrjhuYiwMPco3arawfN5tIeTpS0w2lWXYgY2ctJA3dZf673AuvbFfSegHM6y/s400/sketch.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
I truly hope you've all been well and enjoying your December so far. </div>
<div align="center">
Until next time,</div>
<div align="center">
Cindy <br />
<br />
<br />
Linking to the following blog parties:<br />
<a href="http://myricandreasen.blogspot.com/2012/12/passion-parade-and-diy-tree-skirt.html?">Passion Parade at Petites Passions</a></div>
</div>
Cindy Adkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01529188086850479173noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2723914708396076169.post-76151387593166267422012-11-29T12:13:00.002-05:002012-12-31T22:40:37.313-05:00Daydreamer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hello everyone,<br />
Today I'm sharing an oil painting I did several years ago called "Daydreamer." This is not a self-portrait, but I DO enjoy daydreaming. I always have since I was a young girl. I can sit for hours looking out the window at the sky, clouds, trees and birds <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqfXM432CXKQG09mrEuQpnt_kKO9Ot_Bs0-AwNo_9W4m6f2qMkLlmlJd36GkWaK1yMlWNJ-jPoUZaGESTW2W2i83i7ccx04Xk6bIhEgZgFPPi3J2_sF1BPHUfzna0SkW9OVQ9P7zxs8yY/s1600/Daydreamer3_edited-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqfXM432CXKQG09mrEuQpnt_kKO9Ot_Bs0-AwNo_9W4m6f2qMkLlmlJd36GkWaK1yMlWNJ-jPoUZaGESTW2W2i83i7ccx04Xk6bIhEgZgFPPi3J2_sF1BPHUfzna0SkW9OVQ9P7zxs8yY/s400/Daydreamer3_edited-1.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This image is available on mugs and note cards in my Zazzle store, and today only, all mugs are 40 percent off! Everything else on Zazzle.com is 15 percent off. My recent snowmen paintings are also available on mugs, as are several of my other paintings. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.zazzle.com/daydreamer_mug-168731588814646421">http://www.zazzle.com/daydreamer_mug-168731588814646421</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's bright and sunny...but chilly, here in northwest Ohio. I've put out a few Christmas decorations, but am not "fully" in the holiday mood yet. How are your decorations and plans coming along? Or, do you wait until later in the month to decorate? For me, I don't do as much as I used to, but usually get more in the mood the closer it gets. For now, it's time to get back to work...although I'd rather just sit and look out the window and daydream. :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJWN6WI4HmYfyLe663TWhFqQP-Jhsb6RgUnSBTld-eGUVVOpPPZPcQCO3oPooUPAMYDPr3i6xJtt-6EvsOl_d_aKscBjuuCIxng_GoaAFHtycqaIPOEflm9k9Xz3GxdcvKkcUjpj8zVZi/s1600/Daydreamer3_edited-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJWN6WI4HmYfyLe663TWhFqQP-Jhsb6RgUnSBTld-eGUVVOpPPZPcQCO3oPooUPAMYDPr3i6xJtt-6EvsOl_d_aKscBjuuCIxng_GoaAFHtycqaIPOEflm9k9Xz3GxdcvKkcUjpj8zVZi/s400/Daydreamer3_edited-1.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Until next time,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Cindy</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Linking to the following blogs:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.com/">Paint Party Friday</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://romantichome.blogspot.com/2012/11/heirloom-ornaments-show-and-tell-friday.html#">Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://romantichome.blogspot.com/2012/11/heirloom-ornaments-show-and-tell-friday.html#"> </a></div>
</div>
Cindy Adkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01529188086850479173noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2723914708396076169.post-49933732781090539902012-11-21T22:02:00.001-05:002012-11-21T22:27:44.593-05:00A Norman Rockwell Thanksgiving...and the Winner Is!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
Hello everyone,<br />
I've chosen the winner of my <strong>snowman painting </strong>the old-fashioned, random way - by writing everyone's name who entered on a piece of paper and drawing one out of a bowl. The winner is...<strong>drum roll please</strong>...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-CSGgXEQlUMT7yBf8Uobwr_4tgFbu4UNPaek9Tv3KX-oEyuJ6fuV0bnL13XPug4rKewkcWCWEs_T9KSKs-V9fWEahgOf_KeNVjFA8meNJroB_FGI1ziDCIuWoQs1n7WIkhCV1Kw2qvNE/s1600/Jolly+Happy+Soul2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-CSGgXEQlUMT7yBf8Uobwr_4tgFbu4UNPaek9Tv3KX-oEyuJ6fuV0bnL13XPug4rKewkcWCWEs_T9KSKs-V9fWEahgOf_KeNVjFA8meNJroB_FGI1ziDCIuWoQs1n7WIkhCV1Kw2qvNE/s400/Jolly+Happy+Soul2.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>LV of "Thoughts From Meme's Corner!"</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong></strong> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://livinatmemescorner.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHAVMTZi33SL-lfyiWcMTy3J4wI6HaDexX4Qz2rPdot72Pgz96CEMc387fIWeGpBT6dtG_ys2i7F8h66vEFjlx7nOFITOwKUVct2PF_moBVW6IKzz9eQ535ZP_o-2JgIRLGH0VSdIszc6/s200/Memes.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong></strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong></strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong>Congratulations, LV</strong>! Thanks to all who entered and for the sweet and kind comments about my painting...and thanks to those newbies who signed up to follow my blog. I really do appreciate it and hope you'll enjoy your visits here. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong>Happy Thanksgiving </strong>to all my American followers. I'm spending the holiday with one of my nieces's and her family (at her home) this year and I'm really looking forward to it. I sometimes hear people say "life isn't a <strong>Norman Rockwell</strong> painting," and of course, that's true. Life can be very difficult sometimes. I don't think anyone would argue with that. But, I believe when Thanksgiving rolls around, it's the ideals of family, faith, community and love...sharing a meal and the simple things of life that Mr. Rockwell's paintings depict that everyone holds so dear. These are the very things that keep us going during those rough times. So, enjoy these Norman Rockwell paintings, and as we count our blessings, everyone have a<strong> </strong>safe and happy weekend. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZUkR1AjSGOQRXS8YRIuOhWR0aUQ_mPYL6Ubk3L1Ei5v7i4ngIx1eqQ86kvoGUlHEZYfmxfcT39G6wKIfuA0U-V2idRX4q9e1zMHW9E1yjXc1Ixev9UkkU-t9n-inXI4eoafc1Ji7-q71/s1600/NR+Thanksgiving2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZUkR1AjSGOQRXS8YRIuOhWR0aUQ_mPYL6Ubk3L1Ei5v7i4ngIx1eqQ86kvoGUlHEZYfmxfcT39G6wKIfuA0U-V2idRX4q9e1zMHW9E1yjXc1Ixev9UkkU-t9n-inXI4eoafc1Ji7-q71/s400/NR+Thanksgiving2.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>Thanksgiving, The Saturday Evening Post, 1935</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLcE8nFLQLVfCpRKm-je1IAO97gpGDcRUnNkgh6IvC98Yu8AJkHUus33KBIHce5lNpihGIE8trN5CS5VPv1EHZVS518l5U1nERM_I8UkM2f2xPfoGE4F2aPDSlU2phiPkjMFtNWoYbgQ-d/s1600/NR+Thanksgiving.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLcE8nFLQLVfCpRKm-je1IAO97gpGDcRUnNkgh6IvC98Yu8AJkHUus33KBIHce5lNpihGIE8trN5CS5VPv1EHZVS518l5U1nERM_I8UkM2f2xPfoGE4F2aPDSlU2phiPkjMFtNWoYbgQ-d/s400/NR+Thanksgiving.png" width="312" /></a><br />
<strong>Freedom From Want, 1943</strong></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Qnh_RlubHzZnP6P12Psg_LuUkat10BtthpadtzkmQvJtk54zZNv5yTnSrdX8inymnSw0eBjwljYm_ZeoZbjQP9XwIiSK1bKfXenMii0g9VsxfDgVhwnmFO9fGfWe41mNvKDbboBJrxL2/s1600/NR4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Qnh_RlubHzZnP6P12Psg_LuUkat10BtthpadtzkmQvJtk54zZNv5yTnSrdX8inymnSw0eBjwljYm_ZeoZbjQP9XwIiSK1bKfXenMii0g9VsxfDgVhwnmFO9fGfWe41mNvKDbboBJrxL2/s400/NR4.png" width="321" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><strong>Thanksgiving, Mother and Son Peeling Potatoes, 1945</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center">
Until next time,</div>
<div align="center">
Cindy </div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
</div>
Cindy Adkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01529188086850479173noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2723914708396076169.post-36049418439963951832012-11-14T21:13:00.000-05:002012-11-17T20:11:15.027-05:00I'm Having a Giveaway!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hello faithful followers,<br />
I've decided to host <strong>a giveaway</strong>...just because I feel like it and because I love you all! So, to kick off the holiday season, I'm giving away my <strong>"Jolly, Happy Soul"</strong> painting:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPYEtDYUy7Ce5bq43RpyPcV7_4MVMRvhmkTVpVoic1xEw773jSrP613lNODymjI0zw-m7RaWv3D9qpWvRDeI8eXyGZzKjpIpHa1jiJquS4nOpNA-J5ALDCdUyrWqOQmElLQNwcAVdBLPu/s1600/Jolly+Happy+Soul2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPYEtDYUy7Ce5bq43RpyPcV7_4MVMRvhmkTVpVoic1xEw773jSrP613lNODymjI0zw-m7RaWv3D9qpWvRDeI8eXyGZzKjpIpHa1jiJquS4nOpNA-J5ALDCdUyrWqOQmElLQNwcAVdBLPu/s400/Jolly+Happy+Soul2.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This miniature painting meaures approximately 5 1/2" by 4 1/2" and is painted with acrylics on a wood plaque, ready to hang or sit on a decorative easel. It's signed and dated on the back. To enter the giveaway, all you need to do is leave a comment on this post. If you aren't already a follower of my blog, I'd really appreciate it if you'd also sign up to follow me. I'll announce the winner next Wednesday - the day before Thanksgiving. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkDpgZXahrWGy5RaxL-nijY2WDlzABTXa5t61yuPGfdDUCzXgR_94cB7O8Ih_LwsMOzVWxFJYofCnQbt3u83ppc0u5Vsc3nMytQ0jQ2kiWwll_VUkSH4wKhWbL2MK-kqdUKyhOSZQfwLd/s1600/Jolly+Happy+Soul2_edited-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkDpgZXahrWGy5RaxL-nijY2WDlzABTXa5t61yuPGfdDUCzXgR_94cB7O8Ih_LwsMOzVWxFJYofCnQbt3u83ppc0u5Vsc3nMytQ0jQ2kiWwll_VUkSH4wKhWbL2MK-kqdUKyhOSZQfwLd/s400/Jolly+Happy+Soul2_edited-1.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Speaking of giveaways, I also want to share a couple of things I won recently! First, this wonderful painting by <strong>Tracey Fletcher King</strong>. You all know how much I love my tea, so this was perfect for me! I'm going to frame and hang it in my kitchen. To see more of Tracey's artwork, visit her blog <a href="http://traceyfletcherking.blogspot.com/">HERE</a>. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCdfHYTrxQ5qVubCvtlDK5lbz82E5Mx4jUuTFPtEzTbQgUiLjKrUTCdUnq8TjyH1DzfqLeYGq4PF99dt1DVefVrDp6tHSIFfJzDp-NLA3M4OkDSGAha71ET1JgaDd-1TQ_b5CLwioYNQQ3/s1600/cup.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCdfHYTrxQ5qVubCvtlDK5lbz82E5Mx4jUuTFPtEzTbQgUiLjKrUTCdUnq8TjyH1DzfqLeYGq4PF99dt1DVefVrDp6tHSIFfJzDp-NLA3M4OkDSGAha71ET1JgaDd-1TQ_b5CLwioYNQQ3/s400/cup.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
If you visit her blog, you'll see why I adore her work! She paints lots of tea cups and tea related items. Here's another example of one of her watercolors...need I say more?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhct7_iyUzI3XvPYTDbpuq8bk5evlVRcjPKhxPqrEH6fgS3I4dYQ8ZytLd57RmuhHT00Tt4PAf2bJNzln-eCh5mRRN9lB1trIX5za23R_4arNPF6Li2mlL6u1kf-87KLSM_bCs8FT7eqGv0/s1600/Tracey's+art.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhct7_iyUzI3XvPYTDbpuq8bk5evlVRcjPKhxPqrEH6fgS3I4dYQ8ZytLd57RmuhHT00Tt4PAf2bJNzln-eCh5mRRN9lB1trIX5za23R_4arNPF6Li2mlL6u1kf-87KLSM_bCs8FT7eqGv0/s400/Tracey's+art.png" width="292" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Her work is fabulous. Again, <strong>Tracey Fletcher King</strong>'s blog can be accessed <a href="http://traceyfletcherking.blogspot.com/">HERE</a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I also won this necklace from a website called <strong>"Whatever Is Lovely".</strong> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8LV2KQxIn0DHCBnkYO96ukj6HC_CX6iLlL2iJOh44PFHBhpQjiu9AXHriFPYmnBq1kYrfeb2viAF303mWmUhFbLcJZL5RpcoL14mewkpN3jWheuIu_4YE3E7DyfhC_jg_EheRCS8feTN/s1600/Necklace_edited-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8LV2KQxIn0DHCBnkYO96ukj6HC_CX6iLlL2iJOh44PFHBhpQjiu9AXHriFPYmnBq1kYrfeb2viAF303mWmUhFbLcJZL5RpcoL14mewkpN3jWheuIu_4YE3E7DyfhC_jg_EheRCS8feTN/s400/Necklace_edited-1.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD08bNloJcbyzBTrGFcehmK7FaAho5ICCYemQLg5DjSEOjwkkGSw63Lq_2uDwEDe4ctv0EQXuRH9fQD-eKM3cHe97dehsQXnI-ZDXh1UQpwD9Z5OtMU_86mlka0YU2IwZlGLg-Tx7T2ySs/s1600/necklace+in+cup2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD08bNloJcbyzBTrGFcehmK7FaAho5ICCYemQLg5DjSEOjwkkGSw63Lq_2uDwEDe4ctv0EQXuRH9fQD-eKM3cHe97dehsQXnI-ZDXh1UQpwD9Z5OtMU_86mlka0YU2IwZlGLg-Tx7T2ySs/s400/necklace+in+cup2.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I discovered <strong>"Whatever Is Lovely"</strong> on facebook, where I entered the giveaway. If you love <strong>antique and vintage items</strong>, you'll really enjoy browsing this shop. They have very unique jewelry, handbags, hats, home decor and more. Their online shop can be found <a href="http://www.whatever-is-lovely.com/">HERE</a>. The following photo is from their website, and it gives you an idea of some of the lovely things you'll find there. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZunRo-AugeQ-nvAtvygB4CNg6mTalPQ69CuBv8kG8trdzVvDddMatExavKUjFdvJrNPR4v_R3Ilw4A8aXKgjwqbvpZoOWj_aa6f9sBj2VHpFwl6K0CN7EzYki1_zsvuqdALY_pRE1e8i0/s1600/untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZunRo-AugeQ-nvAtvygB4CNg6mTalPQ69CuBv8kG8trdzVvDddMatExavKUjFdvJrNPR4v_R3Ilw4A8aXKgjwqbvpZoOWj_aa6f9sBj2VHpFwl6K0CN7EzYki1_zsvuqdALY_pRE1e8i0/s400/untitled.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Photo courtesy of: Whatever Is Lovely</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>Don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win my snowman painting!</strong> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPYEtDYUy7Ce5bq43RpyPcV7_4MVMRvhmkTVpVoic1xEw773jSrP613lNODymjI0zw-m7RaWv3D9qpWvRDeI8eXyGZzKjpIpHa1jiJquS4nOpNA-J5ALDCdUyrWqOQmElLQNwcAVdBLPu/s1600/Jolly+Happy+Soul2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPYEtDYUy7Ce5bq43RpyPcV7_4MVMRvhmkTVpVoic1xEw773jSrP613lNODymjI0zw-m7RaWv3D9qpWvRDeI8eXyGZzKjpIpHa1jiJquS4nOpNA-J5ALDCdUyrWqOQmElLQNwcAVdBLPu/s400/Jolly+Happy+Soul2.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your week!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Until next time,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Cindy </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Linking to the following blogs: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.justaddwatersilly.com/2012/11/artists-play-room-35.html">The Artist's Play Room at Just Add Water, Silly</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/2012/11/one-good-turn.html">What's It Wednesday on Ivy and Elephants</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/2012/11/happy-pink-saturday-today-our-theme-is-we-gather-together-you-are-welcome-to-share-your-gathering.html#comments">Pink Saturday on How Sweet the Sound</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/2012/11/thanksgiving-is-upon-usseasonal-sundays.html">Seasonal Sundays on The Tablescaper</a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
Cindy Adkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01529188086850479173noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2723914708396076169.post-83217793650983456252012-11-07T17:38:00.000-05:002012-11-10T22:26:15.623-05:00Snowmen Paintings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hello everyone,<br />
I have two new snowmen paintings to share with you that I just listed in my Etsy shop today. They're both miniature paintings that measure approximately 4 1/2 inches by 5 1/2 inches. I painted them on "recycled" wood plaques from the thrift store. Both images are also available on coffee mugs, which you can purchase from my Zazzle.com store <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/cindyadkinsdesigns">HERE</a>. <br />
<br />
The first one I call "In the Meadow We Can Build a Snowman." It's a long title for a painting, I know, but that's what this trio of caroling snowmen is singing! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYVy0R7AskeOfyKNOt3jd0UHRFXPZRypYV21WoKPtGL_hdA1wZnYUl6zMCMZtFM_S1hKGmcgUBCF9SZovb0hnsflsVR9QBRxKdt7caRnhuG9YU_i67LcQQb1R13aBKRMSTS_xI_T26k55g/s1600/Iin+the+meadow.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYVy0R7AskeOfyKNOt3jd0UHRFXPZRypYV21WoKPtGL_hdA1wZnYUl6zMCMZtFM_S1hKGmcgUBCF9SZovb0hnsflsVR9QBRxKdt7caRnhuG9YU_i67LcQQb1R13aBKRMSTS_xI_T26k55g/s400/Iin+the+meadow.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
...and this one is titled "A Jolly, Happy Soul." </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZzkHdmB8VW5J6Z3kAGnxrdKrUejleproRCvoidpF_BoBlLz-5FgdLqJVGXnbwMQi3xqRjvSrWDgIUAHX90YPw5EBt5sOJ10h-eqleLfTEspGTQf6I3oQBgYE9xIqmtCYU9Kz69pV3O_BK/s1600/Jolly+Happy+Soul2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZzkHdmB8VW5J6Z3kAGnxrdKrUejleproRCvoidpF_BoBlLz-5FgdLqJVGXnbwMQi3xqRjvSrWDgIUAHX90YPw5EBt5sOJ10h-eqleLfTEspGTQf6I3oQBgYE9xIqmtCYU9Kz69pV3O_BK/s400/Jolly+Happy+Soul2.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'll be listing several new paintings and items in my Etsy shop in the next two weeks (the link is on my sidebar.) I really can hardly believe it's time to start thinking about snow and Christmas, but our trees are almost all bare and the color is gone. I usually don't think of decorating for the holidays until after Thanksgiving, but I must admit, I'm looking forward to the lights and pretty decorations to brighten up the grey days. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Speaking of brightening up my days...look who I found admiring himself in the mirror this morning! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Buster!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGpZ6SSH5AugSmQuBQMjf5FDo5BpSmMsPwYI4322lNbdQLv4SC7I99JMnvqtDStJO-5l8YTn-ioJdELE1QUnrfIUdDaVFj66OMs25Pwu3RldRffubVlIQOVtpHTU8HY9Y4A4sZ5o8_dEpz/s1600/Buster+mirror2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGpZ6SSH5AugSmQuBQMjf5FDo5BpSmMsPwYI4322lNbdQLv4SC7I99JMnvqtDStJO-5l8YTn-ioJdELE1QUnrfIUdDaVFj66OMs25Pwu3RldRffubVlIQOVtpHTU8HY9Y4A4sZ5o8_dEpz/s400/Buster+mirror2.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
He does this most mornings and it just cracks me up! I think it's his morning ritual - to admire his handsomeness in the mirror before he starts his day! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I hope you're having a good week so far...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZzkHdmB8VW5J6Z3kAGnxrdKrUejleproRCvoidpF_BoBlLz-5FgdLqJVGXnbwMQi3xqRjvSrWDgIUAHX90YPw5EBt5sOJ10h-eqleLfTEspGTQf6I3oQBgYE9xIqmtCYU9Kz69pV3O_BK/s1600/Jolly+Happy+Soul2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZzkHdmB8VW5J6Z3kAGnxrdKrUejleproRCvoidpF_BoBlLz-5FgdLqJVGXnbwMQi3xqRjvSrWDgIUAHX90YPw5EBt5sOJ10h-eqleLfTEspGTQf6I3oQBgYE9xIqmtCYU9Kz69pV3O_BK/s400/Jolly+Happy+Soul2.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYVy0R7AskeOfyKNOt3jd0UHRFXPZRypYV21WoKPtGL_hdA1wZnYUl6zMCMZtFM_S1hKGmcgUBCF9SZovb0hnsflsVR9QBRxKdt7caRnhuG9YU_i67LcQQb1R13aBKRMSTS_xI_T26k55g/s1600/Iin+the+meadow.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYVy0R7AskeOfyKNOt3jd0UHRFXPZRypYV21WoKPtGL_hdA1wZnYUl6zMCMZtFM_S1hKGmcgUBCF9SZovb0hnsflsVR9QBRxKdt7caRnhuG9YU_i67LcQQb1R13aBKRMSTS_xI_T26k55g/s400/Iin+the+meadow.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Until next time,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Cindy </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Linking to: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://romantichome.blogspot.com/2012/11/show-and-tell-friday.html">Show and Tell Friday on My Romantic Home</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.com/2012/11/paint-party-friday-week-35-year-2-check.html">Paint Party Friday </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/2012/11/life-goes-onseasonal-sundays-125.html">Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
</div>
Cindy Adkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01529188086850479173noreply@blogger.com17