Monday, December 11, 2017

Lots To Catch Up On


 How is everyone doing? I have so much catching up to do. First I was MIA because Bill and I went to Cape May for 5 days to celebrate the Victorian Christmas festivities as we did last year. We had mostly sunny and fairly mild (50's F) days. The coolest day was our day on the beach by the lighthouse -the air was crisp and there was a cold breeze. However, that did not stop me from doing this:


 Let me tell you -that water was CCCOLD but I always dip my toes in no matter what the temperature. I didn't last very long though:)

 A few pics about town:



First up- for the gang over at T Stands For Tuesday- after settling into our room we went for a late lunch at Delaney's Irish Pub-a place we always visit at least once each trip. As you can see Bill was praying I get the dessert photo taken quickly :):)



Just two of the many beautifully decorated homes we passed by each night. These were on the way to the caroling and tree lighting ceremony.

                           It was getting very crowded as we neared the park.

The lighted tree. Just spectacular to see in person! Not easy to get a pic as throngs of couples and families were getting pics taken in front of it.

 Sadly when we got home it was only just in time for our great Aunt Betty's funeral. She passed away in the hospital. I had seen her just before we left and had that feeling it would be the last. As difficult as it is, she did live a long (just shy of 91) mostly good life and she will forever be remembered in our hearts.

 Also while away, I did get some wonderful happy mail. I had won another $50 GC- this time to Altenew, and the pkg. arrived! I just haven't had the chance to use anything yet, but once the holiday frenzy settles... I also received my order from the Simon Says Shop - a few dies and things to make Christmas cards. I may only get a few of these done but will keep them in mind for next year:)

 For the Simon Wednesday Challenge  ("gift it"), Try It On Tuesday ("twinkle, twinkle"),  the Simon Monday Challenge ( "Christmas/Winter Holidays") and the new challenge at Tag Tuesday (Christmas Memories) I made this tag:


 As hard as I tried I just couldn't capture the glitter on the snowflake, words or poinsettia. It looks so pretty in person.

 I also have the first part of December's calendar page and art completed:


A close up of the cardinal:


and then I digitally added a sentiment to my page-just for Art Journal Journey hosted by the talented Sheila this month with the theme of "Let's Celebrate!" :


 I am also joining Paint Party Friday later this week. It will be a pleasure catching up and making lots of visits- I sure have missed everyone!

 "Celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving; make every day a holiday and celebrate just living."         Amanda Bradley

52 comments:

  1. Super photos of your trip away Linda, you were very brave dipping your feet in the very cold sea.
    The lights must have been awesome to see in real life.
    The calendar page with the Cardinal looks fantastic
    Thank you for sharing your wonderful twinkling tag with us at Try it on Tuesdays.
    Happy T day wishes
    Yvonne xx

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  2. Oh love your journal page! And your vacation photos are delightful ~ looks like you and hubby had a wonderful time ~ gift tag is so creative too ~ Delightful post and photos and dessert looks yummy too!

    Happy Week to you,
    A ShutterBug Explores
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  3. Love the Christmas decorations photos! Lunch looks good - I doubt I could have stopped hubby from digging in to something so yummy looking - Bravo Bill!!
    I love your cardinal painting but best of all I see a tag for Try It On Tuesday and a lovely on it is too! I have experienced the problem with capturing sparkly bits on projects! Thank You so much for this entry at Try It On Tuesday! Happy T Day! Chrisx

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  4. Love your cardinal!!! Looks like a wonderful visit and Dessert!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Merry to you!!

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  5. Well Linda your cardinal took my breath away.. i just love the coloring you achieved.. so pretty. That darn glitter just doesn't want to cooperate... I wish someone would come up with a good way to take a photo of it.. there are hacks for everything else! I'am sorry to hear about your great Aunt Betty.. Its never easy to lose someone even if they have lived a full life.. Tea day hugs linda... deb

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  6. my teeth are chattering seeing you Standing in the water;) brrrr!! i totally LOVE your cardinal♥.i wish we had These birds over here in europe. that red in the White snow is just unbeatable! happy t-day, linda:)

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  7. Hi Linda welcome back. I'm chuckling at your hubby. That is a gorgeous tag and beautifully painted bird in your art journal. xoxo

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  8. How brave to put your feet into this cold water! Wonderful Christmas decorations photos! The praying hubby behind the dessert is funny!
    And WOW this painted cardinal is gorgeous - I love it! And the quote is super!
    Happy T Day! Rike x

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  9. That looks like a fun little trip. I remember you showed us some photos last year too. Oh yes, good for you sticking your toes in the ocean. :) And the houses and trees looks beautiful all decorated. Let's hope the weather gets a little warmer and drier as it's snowing here again. Not excited to have to drive to work. :( But have a wonderful T day. Hugs-Erika

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  10. It is lovely to see you having fun on the beach and so glad you got your feet wet. I wouldn't have been able to resist that one either. Or that luscious dessert!
    So sad for your aunt's loss.
    And congratulations of your win. Definitely a mixed bag of sadness and joy for you this month!

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  11. It looks like you had such a fun time at Cape May! I love the happy photo of you and I bet your toes were glad to warm up again after the icy dip in the ocean ...lol 😉. It was good to see your hubby waiting patiently for his chocolate cake while you took a photo, my hubby does the same thing too ...lol 😀. The Victorian celebrations look amazing and that Christmas tree is so beautiful! Your red cardinal painting is wonderful, they are such pretty birds and I love the shimmery snow that you created on the branches too - perfect 😁. Wishing you a Happy T Day! J 😊

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  12. Such fab photos, the decorations look amazing !!
    Some great creations, thank you for sharing with us at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge x

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  13. Some lovely art work and photos. No way would I have paddled into the sea at this time of year. We have a foot of snow here and deep drifts, we can't get the cars out of our long drive. Luckily I have a siege mentality, so we have plenty of food.
    Thank you for joining us on Tag Tuesday.

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  14. I dipped my toes in the Pacific ocean on a trip in early March many decades ago, but I wouldn't dip my toes in the Atlantic Ocean at 40o F. You're braver than I am. I had to laugh at your Hubbys expression. That's the look I got when I was with Himself about taking food pictures. :-D Really beautiful Christmas lights. So sorry about your great-aunt Betty. I can see a bit of sparkle and glitter on your stunning tag. I'm partial to cardinals so really love your calendar page. Have a Happy T Day!

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  15. Always so much creativity on your post ~ wonderful how hubby's dessert was?

    Happy Week to you,
    A ShutterBug Explores
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  16. What a magical place you visited. I can see why you would want to return each year. I like your tag and can imagine it being sparkly. Your cardinal page is fantastic. So sorry to know you lost your aunt, hard anytime.

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  17. I'm nowhere near such a large body of water, and I'm sure I'd have been unable to resist wading, but brrrrr! I love those decorations. It looks magical! That's a sweet shot of your hubby praying before the dessert, and the dessert looks delicious :)

    I'm sorry about your aunt, but am happy that you have fond memories of her long life.

    Happy T Tuesday

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  18. So much fun here-loved the beach photos-I can almost feel how cold that was on your feet brrrr. Loved all the photos of the Christmas lighting and the houses. Have not had the chance to enjoy that in some years now-we live so rural now.my condolences and sorry for your loss which is more difficult this time of year.
    The dessert looks very delicious! Happy T Day Kathy

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  19. You are a lot braver than I would be in that cold water. But I guess that's what one does when they visit the ocean and the beach. At least you were grinning, so that was a good sign.

    You got to see some beautiful sights on Cape May and that huge tree is simply adorable.

    Your tag is beautiful. Believe me, I know how hard it is to show sparkle. I must have taken three dozen photos and none showed the sparkle I was going for a few days ago.

    You are another person who puts my calendar to shame. Your gorgeous cardinal is beautiful beyond belief. My entire main floor bath is filled with them, and the one you drew would be perfect in it, too. And to share it with Sheila's theme at Art Journal Journey is fabulous.

    Of course, I had to laugh at the idea of your husband praying you hurry to take the photo. The dessert looked yummmmmmmy!

    Thanks for sharing your art, your time at Cape May, your calendar page, and your dessert and water with us for T this Tuesday. Thanks also for joining us at Art Journal Journey today, too.

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  20. Sorry to hear about your aunt.... glad you made it home in time for the funeral.

    Other than that sad news - a lovely post.

    Your OH looks like he was rubbing his hands together in happy anticipation of his dessert!!! I feel his glee :)

    Such lovely seasonal art Linda.... and congrats on your win. You are still on your lucky streak - good for you :)

    Karen xxxxxx

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  21. You are great to put your feet into this coooold water! so nice again for you and your hubby - looks so wonderful there - hope you really enjoyed it !
    I love your cardinal calendar pages and the beautiful Christmas- Tag!


    Happy T-Day and thank you ver much for joining AJJ dear Linda!
    Have a lovely time before Christmas and enjoy!
    oxo Susi

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  22. And forget to mention - THANK YOU FOR JOINING Try It On Tuesday!♥♥♥♥

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  23. The red cardinal against the snow! - it's terrific. It looks like real glittering icy snow on the boughs, I've no idea how you did that. To see a bird like this is a real cause for celebration. Thanks very much for joining in with the theme at AJJ.
    I love the tag, everything about it, the perfect dark shape and the red and greens. the little red berries and the poinsettia, the words, I love all of it. And the red ribbon too.
    Nice to see you having a little paddle in the sea.

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  24. Beautiful photos from Cape May! My Mom frequently talks about Victorian Christmas in Cape May as they have been there several times. It was nice to see your pictures. Sounds like it would be cold water!! No one will ever get me to do that. Too cold.
    And I love your tag. So pretty!
    Happy Tea Day,
    Kate

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  25. Brave girl to step into that frosty water, but traditions are traditions, right? Good for you! Cape May always looks beautiful.

    Your Twinkle, Twinkle tag looks lovely. I had the same problem with my entry. Anything with shimmer always looks better IRL. Frustrating. I don't know what the trick is, but if I ever figure it out, I'll be sure to share ;-) Love your cardinal on the showy branch. Your shading is great.

    Sorry to hear about your great aunt. It's always hard to lose loved ones.

    Happy T-day! Hugs, Eileen

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  26. Sorry to hear about your aunt, loosing loved ones, no matter how, is always so hard, and even harder at this time of year.

    Love your adorable tag and the photos are so festive.
    Happy T-day

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  27. So sad to read about your aunt, feel with you (i'm in concerns of my sick mother, will she turn her 91 in january or not?).
    Looks like a great travel.
    Have a good time

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  28. What a lovely tag!! Thanks for joining in the challenge. Happy Holidays!

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  29. Your photos are all so lovely. Looks like you had a good time. I'm sorry to hear about your Aunt. My condolences. I love your tag and journal page. They are both so pretty! Thanks for joining us on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge.

    Cathie ♥

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  30. Always wonderful to have you visit and your sweet comments ~ Hope you are cozy and warm ~ Xox

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  31. Oh my goodness, just looking at that water makes me chilly! But what a treat the sunshine is this time of year - even when chilly. That cardinal is just darling! I love seeing your paintings. The snowwoman you did in your last post was also very sweet. Thanks for dropping by my blog - happy holidays to you my friend!

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  32. A wonderful post

    Thank you for joining us at Try it on Tuesday

    Have a wonderful weekend

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  33. I have tried twice to leave a comment and it keeps disappearing....Lovely post and photos and beautiful art. Thanks for joining us at Tag Tuesday and at TIOT. Happy PPF, hugs, Valerie

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  34. Wow, what a wonderful post, a Victorian Christmas sounds perfect to me, such fun! I love your pictures at the beach too! Wonderful post. Hugs, sorry about your Aunt, wishing your family love and comfort.
    Gorgeous art, your beautiful cardinal steals my heart!!
    Wishing you a magical holiday season!
    Victoria

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  35. Lucky you!
    Have happy Christmas time 💕

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  36. Love your cardinal on the branch! Isn't it awesome the way we all express the same image differently. Mom (Latane) and I once did a plein air painting sitting side by side of the same subject (a hillside in the woods) and boy were our paintings different! :-) Sorry about the loss of your Aunt. Looks like you had a great time away....we all need that for rejuvenation time and again.

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  37. What wonderful Holiday photos! We have cardinals that winter here and you have captured them beautifully. That tag is gorgeous. Happy PPF

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  38. Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos and art Linda
    Happy you dropped by my blog today
    HAPPY PPF

    much😇love

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  39. What a happy post Linda...so glad you got away again this year!!!My Cupcake is like you about the ocean she always dips something in no matter what the temperature!! Love the light photos...we were on the same page this year. I love seeing decor from different parts of the world!! My deepest condolences for the loss of your aunt. Love your cardinal...and tag, so pretty!! Enjoy making cards!!

    Peace Giggles

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  40. ooh ... sun and sand and sea .... how I'm longing for it! I love the tag you made, wonderful contrast between the bright green and the vivid red. And a great journal page as well. That snow on the branch looks so real!

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  41. What a gorgeous Xmas card you created ~ love it ~ thanks, xox

    Happy Weekend to you,
    A ShutterBug Explores
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  42. Lovely art this week Linda. RIP to your Great Aunt Betty. And congrats on your win!

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  43. hope u had a great trip and lovely art!

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  44. Love your little Cardinal And the beach!!!

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  45. You probably aren't going to believe this, but I was working on a small and inconsequential Christmas gift for you which was NOT going as planned. In frustration, I took a break and checked my mail. You will NEVER guess what was in it. OK, I guess you will. I haven't opened it yet, but will do so as soon as I send you this very important THaNK YOU in advance. I simply ADORE the tree on the envelope, so may just stroke it for a few minutes (grin). Again, thank you.

    BTW, if things go as badly after my short break, it may be after Christmas before you get your little gift.

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  46. Great critter ~ the beautiful cardinal ~

    Happy Weekend,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  47. What a beautiful cardinal painting! I'm glad you had a nice trip. My condolences for the loss of your great aunt.

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  48. A great festive tag Linda and a wonderful cardinal painting too.
    Looks like you had a wonderful time away, great photos,
    Thanks for sharing with us at TioT
    Avril

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  49. Wonderful holiday fun. The ocean always calls me too. Love the Red Bird. . .I have one in the bushes this time. . . might be my other blog. I have a photography blog too. https://jkwgalleries.blogspot.com Blessings, Janet

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  50. Missed you Linda!! :)
    Can see that you had a great time!Lovely pics!
    Congrats on the win...enjoy!!
    That cardinal is so lovely!

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Thank you so much for your comments; it's a pleasure to connect with you!