Christmas 2013

Hello, and Happy Christmas!! (I can still say this, because today is only the third day, hehe.) ;)

I'm back in the studio today, with more ideas, notes and sketches than I know what to do with, but before beginning, I thought it might be fun to share a bit of our holiday with you; the first in thirty five years I haven't hosted myself! I must admit to some initial reluctance in letting go of the reins, but once I did, I was able to sit back and enjoy the day as I haven't in years. 

Daughter Courtney her beau Robert went all out, continuing the tradition of our large Dickensian feast (his family does the same, so it's actually a shared tradition)...The table looked so festive...

 

(And that wheel of cranberry/apple/pecan covered brie you see there was just amazing!) The menu included a standing rib roast, Yorkshire pudding, mashed potatoes and gravy, asparagus, creamed onions, carrots and turnips, and a delicious cottage pie contributed by one of the guests. Oh, and wine, lots of wine, and mulled cider simmering in the crockpot, served with a splash of spiced rum. 

Bliss! ;)

Oh, and dessert of Victoria Sponge (you take a slice and drizzle a bit of heavy cream over the top), and Robert's pumpkin pie (the best I've ever had, with a gingersnap crust!)....

As the younger folks prepared the feast, John was in the living room watching Dr. Who, and was delighted to find one of the other party guests was a Whovian as well. As they watched, I accomplished a bit of knitting. ;)

 

Here's a better shot of the beautiful tree, with Courtney's cat Chloe in the foreground...

After a thoroughly enjoyable day (LOVED all their friends, and connected with a few on facebook), John and I settled into a room at the Doubletree in Center City, rather than brave the Schuylkill on Christmas night. Here's the view from the 22nd floor...

Whenever I spend time in Philadephia, I'm reminded why it's one of my favorite cities. The architecture is just breathtaking. But as it turned out, braving the traffic at night might not have been a bad idea. Unexpected snow prompted us to leave early the next morning, and after a quick stop for coffee, we took the Schuylkill to the Pennsylvania Turnpike - where we discovered had we NOT stopped for that coffee, we would most likely have been a few minutes ahead, and involved in a horrific pileup! Multiple accidents on the same stretch involved something like 35 vehicles, and closed the turnpike for most of the day. In the two hours we sat parked (they eventually let us all go via an access road), this was our view...

Not a bad view if one must be stuck. Miraculously, there were no fatalities, and those injured were rushed to area hospitals. They remain in our prayers.

So home again, home again quite late in the afternoon, where we collapsed, did a bit of tidying, and turned in early. Sooooooo, all in all a very Merry Christmas, but an altogether exhausting Boxing Day!

Back to painting today, and back down the rabbit hole (that's a hint, hehe)...

I expect to be back very soon with a peek at what's on the worktable, and also expect to make major headway with all those January commissions!

In the meantime, I hope your holiday was filled with friends and family and feasting, lots of love, and as the movie says "all those lovely intangibles"!

Until next time, 
♥ Carolee

Tomten!

Five of these eight, limited edition, 2013 ornaments have been claimed, with three still available...

They're $47 including shipping anywhere in the US (international shipping will be more) and are available on a first-come basis by emailing me at carolee@kingofmice.com.

Update - all sold now.

Thanks for taking a peek - I'll be back very soon with some kitties! :)

♥ Carolee

Sneaky Peeky...

Just popping in with a quick peek at tomorrow's PFATT Marketplace listing...

"Through the Woods"...
 

The beloved Tomte of Scandinavian legend, riding his folkloric predecessor, the Yule Goat. As in previous incarnations I've painted, he's shown here riding through a birch forest, accompanied by a contingent of cardinals.

He'll be available as always, on a first-come basis, after the Marketplace updates at 10AM pacific/1PM eastern time.

Update ~ SOLD.

God Jul! (Merry Christmas!)
♥ Carolee

Winter Play and Winter Work

Hello, and Happy December! (Fair warning - this could get long, hehe)...

Next to my beloved autumn, this is probably my favorite time of year. I consider us so fortunate to live in one of the few remaining places in the country where life passes in tune with the seasons, and where there are daily reminders of this cycle, this turning of the year. Leaves have long since flown, birds gather at the feeder, and we gather sprigs of holly from our little tree out back. Inside, candles burn, and kettles simmer.

And of course, there's *Christmas*; the season of peace and goodwill, of smiles and kindness, of presents and most of all of *SuRpriSes*!!  I love, love, LOVE surprises, don't you?

Even some rather major challenges and setbacks (car trouble, computer trouble, etc) can't dampen my elf-like holiday spirit. ;)

The season began with a little road trip to West Virginia, where I had a chance to exhibit at Paul Gordon's annual "Friends in Christmas" show. What a fabulous experience! Dear friend and super talented photographer Jennifer MacNeill Traylor helped out at the show and captured some wonderful photographs (you can see more on her flickr page). This is the cozy little front room of Paul's studio, with my small display in the corner...

And this is our wonderful host, in the living room of his enchanting home in Martinsburg...

Paul is not only an incredibly talented artist, but one of the dearest people I've ever met, and I'm so honored he included me in his show. I also met some truly wonderful collectors, people whose enthusiasm for holidays and for folk art is just infectious, and I feel truly blessed my pieces found such good homes. ♥ 

Our dear friend Ann, who had driven up to the show from the Carolinas, had planned to return with Jen and I to Lancaster County for a Thanksgiving visit, but alas, the weather did not cooperate, so she returned home - and just in the nick of time, as we hit quite the snow squall coming home on 81! A few flurries one minute, then a near white-out the next...scary stuff, but such is winter in the northeast. ;)

Since returning, I've been working like one of Santa's helpers, burning the midnight oil to complete holiday commissions, and to offer a few pieces in the Etsy shop. There's La Befana, of course - the beloved character of Italian folklore...

....and quite a few smaller pieces as well. I just want to cuddle this little guy...

and I want to take a bite out of these cupcakes too, but that would be a bad idea given the sparkly glass glitter, hehe...

 

 I also did a little painting on metal this year, and thought these chickadee buckets filled with birdseed would make nice stocking stuffers or hostess gifts...

There's more of course, and if you'd like to give any of these pieces a home, be sure to enter the coupon code HOHOHO at checkout - it will give you 10% off your purchase. :)

And there's much more in progress too...a painting for Tuesday's PFATT Marketplace (sneak peek on Facebook soon), and the last batch of ornaments as well - I've been accepting a few orders for custom ornaments this week (pet portraits), and I think there are one or two spots left, so if anyone is interested, please message or email me. The rest will, as always, be limited edition designs.

Speaking of which, I've been away from the work table far too long here, lol...must get back to it! The Mice President is very kindly making supper while I paint, so I should take advantage of the time and set the paintbrush flying. ;)

If you've made it all the way through this, I thank you for your interest, and I wish you a blessed and joyous season! I'll be back very soon with another peek at some winter inspiration and winter work...and maybe even a little winter play!

Until next time, stay warm...
 ¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`• ~ Carolee