A Belated and Truly Thankful Thanksgiving

As facebook friends have read by now, the Mice President (hubby John) has been in the hospital this past week battling his old nemesis, heart failure. Not the way we'd planned to spend Thanksgiving, but sometimes the universe has other plans. ;)

Thursday was spent visiting him as he enjoyed a delicious (not), nutritious Turkey dinner courtesy of Reading Hospital and Medical Center. Later, I curled up at home with the furkids, an old movie and a lean cuisine, reminding myself that he was exactly where he was supposed to be at that moment; that he was well cared for, and breathing more comfortably than he had in days. Not the day we'd planned, but gratitude inspiring nonetheless.

The visiting routine continued for the next few days, and he was released Sunday morning. Daughter Courtney came out to join us for a belated, low sodium feast, which we prepared as he caught up on all the sleep he missed in the hospital. Turkey breast, mashed potatoes, apple walnut stuffing, cranberry-orange-ginger sauce, roasted veggies, and for dessert, baked apples with vanilla ice cream and bourbon-pecan-praline sauce (from Susan Branch's Autumn book, and my favorite part of the meal, hehe). ♥

The entire episode served as a reminder that no matter what our circumstances, no matter what our challenges, we still have much for which to be thankful.

I hope your Thanksgiving was spent with those you love, and that gratitude was plentiful.

Wishing you all the blessings of the season,
♥ Carolee

Emergencies, Challenges and Gratitude

Regular blog readers have read (perhaps too much, lol) about my husband's health issues, and have been incredibly kind and supportive. And this week was no exception as it found us in the emergency room in the wee hours Monday morning, followed by yet another hospital admission. No matter how many of these episodes we have (and with two heart surgeries, COPD and cancer, there have been many) they just never get any easier.

He's a good guy, who's worked incredibly hard all his life, and it's difficult to see him fighting battles on so many fronts...but fight he does, and life goes on...

He's home now, breathing much easier, and I'm back to painting, playing catch-up from the two days "off", and thinking how fragile life is, and how blessed we are despite the challenges.

Just wanted to share an update, and thank everyone who's sent prayers, positive thoughts, and more...We both appreciate it more than we can say.

New work is coming soon - a wonderful, oval, spring piece, and who knows after that - perhaps a jewelry or memory box? Stay tuned. ;)

And in the meantime, if you have someone special in your life, give them a hug and hold them close...

♥ Carolee

The Year of the Rabbit, New Work, and Gratitude

Happy Chinese New Year!

Today (well, today here, but although the same date, a day ago in China) marks the shift from the Year of the Tiger to the Year of the Rabbit; A year of calm and serenity, of peace, and of good luck. Sounds good to me. ;)

In honor of the occasion, I painted two Rabbit pieces this week, both going to live with the same collector, but I had such fun with them I want to share. The first is a tea tray...

And the second is a painting on a framed panel, with a calligraphy accent...

I added the full moon because rabbits are also symbols of the moon. ;)

There will be a few other Rabbit pieces as Easter approaches, but in the meantime, it's Valentine trinket boxes, something Celtic in honor of St Patrick's Day, and some very special HALLOWEEN pieces. Not only for eBay, but for the Ghoultide Gathering as well. :)

On the home front, challenges loom, as John faces radiation therapy at Temple University, and I face combining caregiving with painting and household responsibilities. Another one of those situations where the only way out of it is through it, which is where we're going.

Which brings me to the gratitide part.

I want to thank everyone who's either commented here or on facebook, offered prayers and positive energy, purchased my work, or otherwise made this path a lot easier for us to walk (you know who you are). ;) Despite the challenges ahead, we are truly blessed, and incredibly grateful to have you all in our lives.

That's about it for now, but that's enough. It's just about 11PM and if I'm not careful, I'll turn into a pumpkin soon...

Wishing you a Happy Chinese New Year, and belatedly, a Blessed Imbolc, Happy St. Brigid's Day, and Happy Groundhog Day (I'm told there was no shadow - yay!)

Until Next time,
♥ Carolee