Hi! I have lots of things happening around here. It’s my busy season with my business… shows and commissions, which are keeping me on my toes and filled with excitement. I have three more slots for commissions if you would like to order for Christmas, and I would love to help you create something special for your loved ones. The cut-off will be December 6th, so I can get them painted and in the mail in time for Christmas, ensuring they arrive just in time for the holiday festivities. I thought I would put my prices on here, so if you’re thinking about ordering, you would know how much I charge. A 4×6 is $20, 5×7 $30, 6×8 $35, 8×10 $40, 8.5×11 $55, and a 9×12 is $60. Feel free to reach out with any questions or specific ideas you might have in mind; I’m here to help bring your vision to life!

What I have been reading… I read Go as a River by Shelley Read. It’s a tragic and uplifting novel of love and loss, family and survival, and hope. The characters are beautifully crafted, drawing you into their struggles and triumphs in a world that feels both familiar and distant. If you liked The Four Winds and Where the Crawdads Sing, you will most likely like this book, as it shares a similar depth of emotion and intricate storytelling. What I have been watching… Christmas Cookie Challenge on Discovery. I love shows like this, especially around this time of year when the festive spirit is in the air. The creativity displayed by the contestants is truly inspiring, and it motivates me to try new recipes and bake delicious treats for my family. What I am making/painting… ornaments, bookmarks, and sometimes a random piece of furniture to put in my booth. Each piece I create reflects my personality and passion for handmade crafts. I enjoy experimenting with different colors, and it’s exciting to see how my ideas come to life. What I am cooking… Last night I made the grossest mashed potatoes. For some reason, I can never get mashed potatoes right, no matter how hard I try. My husband said that they reminded him of when we were first married; that’s not a compliment. It makes me laugh, but I’m determined to perfect my technique.

Today the greats are coming over along with my mom and their mom. It will definitely be a playful time filled with laughter and joy as we all gather in the kitchen. I mixed up a batch of sugar cookies that I thought the oldest great would have fun baking, and I can’t wait to see the excitement on her face as we roll out the dough and cut it into festive shapes. The aroma of freshly baked cookies will fill the air, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that brings us all together.

Before I leave, I thought I would share something neat that happened when I was working at the antique mall last week. A lady bought a Santa that my parents made a long time ago, and it really brought a wave of nostalgia over me. My dad has been gone for years now, so it was fun to see it after all these years and recall the stories he used to tell about making them. Each Santa was crafted with so much love and attention to detail that it felt like a piece of our family’s history was being cherished once again. It’s a mystery to me how it landed at the mall, but seeing it in that setting, surrounded by so many other antiques, brought back some good memories of my childhood. I couldn’t help but smile as I imagined the joy it would bring to its new owner, just as it had to our family all those years ago.

I hope you have a good Wednesday filled with positivity and productive moments as you navigate through your tasks.