Jingle Jangle

Anyone who knows me, knows that right now I am staying up way too late these days.
And those same people know how much I love this.
It's the time of year when I am painting more than ever - I only do 1-2 shows a year usually & this is when they usually fall....and I enjoy it.
My hands can't get the things in my head out fast enough.
The Garden Market is this weekend. And could go on & on about why I love this market so much. But what I love most about it is how it began.
Wendi & I had paid way too much money to be in a 2 or 3 day show. We set up a big ol tent - I'm still not sure where that tent came from. But it was a poorly marketed show. Hardly anyone was there. And we were disappointed.
But we turned that moping into grand planning. That experience - that crappy market experience - is what gave birth to the market. A Market where our goal was to encourage people in what they do.
We knew right then that we knew people who had gifts that should be shared.
And we decided that we would be a part of encouraging them in their gifts.
We also believe in community - we believe in linking arms with one another to make this work. This video paints a sweet picture of our hope of this market.
People using their gifts - their God-given gifts. Bringing glory to Him by doing what He made them to do.


The vendors are generous - so often we find that the hearts of these artists are so pure & sweet. They are so often letting their gifts be an offering in donating portions of their proceeds towards various organizations. I love to see that.
Jennifer Tanksley, who is in the video above, is one of the artists. She has been with us for a few years now & I love the way she uses her gifts.
Check out the blog & learn about how you can be generous this Christmas, simply in giving your Christmas gifts. You are more than likely going to need a few gifts anyway....might as well let those gifts benefit others.

espanol

OK, so I don't know where to write this down but I don't want to ever forget it...so I'm placing it safely on this blog so I'll know where to find it when I find the right place for it.....

This morning I was painting a little bit & my baby girl (2) & my boy (3 1/2) walked into the room - not even noticing that I was there.
My boy was playing with something & she wanted it.
So she asked him for it.
He said, "You need to ask differently"
She said something back with a "please" in it.
"You need to say it in spanish" he replied
She mumbled something
"That's not spanish"
And that was that.

I'm pretty pumped that I got to witness that conversation.
Made my day.

halloween....FINALLY.

It's been a while.
I know.
I hope we can still be friends.
I'm pretty positive that I am talking to myself here, as who in the world would still be checking on this phantom blog.
I've been busy.
That's all there is to it. Crazy crazy busy.

But it's been good, fun crazy busy. Which I'm so thankful for.

But enough about all of that....here are some long overdue pics from halloween.
Cowboy Woody here with Little Bo Peep who lost her teeth.
Have I mentioned that yet?

She lost another tooth! And she's eating like a horse! I think she's growing.....which is killing me. And I know I can't stop it......but I just want to freeze time a little. Where is it going so fast!? Why is it in such a hurry?
And with all of her teeth falling out - well, now that boy is wanting his teeth to fall out. And the baby tells everyone that her teeth have fallen out. And I just can't take it anymore.

We actually made plans to go to a wonderful place for halloween but had also made big plans & promises for the trick or treatin' for the boy - this was his first year to be able to go & we couldn't let him down.
And you can see by this picture that we definitel pulled through. :)
Or I should say some very kind & flexible neighbors let us go a day early.