Gratitude

 Happy new week all! Again, I know some of you had some crazy, stormy weather again obver the weekend so I hope you got through it without incident. We had our first bout of extreme cold (single digits F overnight and only to the 20's during the day!!) but I cannot complain as it hasn't lasted long, AND it's the coldest we've had....since last March! So if this is the extent of our winter I have no complaints. Oh, and a large group of robins appeared in our backyard on Saturday!!

 I mentioned in my last post that we had some fun things to keep us busy. First I'll share a photo and short video of the Il Volo concert we went to . ( Dear Elizabeth, you may share with Sally - or not. She would have LOVED it!!) They got standing ovations for practically every song, and they were on for 2 hours. The little video snippet doesn't even do them justice! Because of the fabulous light show too it was very difficult to get a decent photo. We'll never tire of seeing them or listening to their music!

  We celebrated our son Todd's Valentines Day birthday on Sunday along with his fiancée and my Mom. His dinner of choice - my meatloaf and carrots baked in tomato soup, mashed potatoes, baked rolls, and of course, chocolate cake! He pretty much always asks for the meatloaf, and since he's been living on his own this is the only time I make it as hubby and I very rarely eat meat any longer.

 Here he's opening gifts- these from hubby and I. I tried to get a bit creative because he always says he doesn't need or want anything. I know how much he loves food so I got him some favorite snacks-Goldfish, Pringles, and M&Ms along with a gift certificate to a local family owned hoagie shop where he has been going to for many years now. As a matter of fact, Kyra stopped there and brought him home a hoagie for dinner from there - Carl's Corner,  on Friday:):) There's wine and water on the table here for the T Stands For Tuesday ticket in;)

 Happy Birthday to you, son!

 Yes, I needed my reading glasses on to light the candles-lol. No decorating as both my icing bags broke after many years and I haven't gotten out to replace them yet. And a plastic bag with the corner cut just doesn't do it for me.

 For my art today both of my journal pages are on gratitude. Love of my friends and their kindnesses and my love of birds and nature.

 Grateful for Nature:

 In my Dina Wakley Media Journal. DW paint (Lime), stencil, Collage Collective, washi tape (heart). Dylusions Ink Sprays- Bubblegum Pink, London Blue, Lemon Zest. Fude ball pen, and some machine stitching.
 I am joining in Art Journal Journey's Challenge (theme is Hearts this month) and Dina Wakley's Monthly Gratitude Challenge (on Facebook or Instagram) for the theme this month of "I am grateful for nature".

 I created this journal page for January's DW Year of Gratitude Challenge theme " I am grateful for kindness":

 Dina Wakley Media Journal, tissue papers, paints. Tim Holtz Paper doll, Chit Chat Stickers. Scrap paper bit, recycled cardboard, scrap of gold string. Speedball Gold ink and Black Marabu ink splattered on page.

 I will also join Try It On Tuesday (theme is "share the love") and Paint Party Friday.

I've been playing a lot with my watercolors and practicing flowers . Been sharing on IG but I know many of you here in blogland aren't on it so I will post them here once I get myself better organized with the files:)

 Looking forward to catching up with you!

"Gratitude makes sense of the past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow."
                                                     Unknown