I couldn't resist...

Highlights in her eyes and in her heart

... to enter Illustration Friday at least once this year. I used to participate all the time, but somehow this year was never ready with anything to enter. So, on this almost last day of 2011, here it is!

Another drawing I did for Tam's Fabulous Faces class. I worked from a photo and am really pleased how it turned out. Tomorrow I might add some color...

Wishing you a wonderful evening or morning depending on where you are...

2011 coming to a close...

On Wednesday, we packed Winslow in the car, drove two hours straight south and spent the day on beautiful Amelia Island. What a gorgeous place and so incredibly dog friendly.

Winslow got to come along when we ate at 29 South, an excellent restaurant, where they even brought Winslow his own bowl of ice water.

We are definitely going back there, maybe even this next month to explore the area a little more. It's only a short boat ride away from Cumberland Island National Seashore and also close to Jacksonville.

There'll certainly be plenty for us to do...

These past few days I've naturally been thinking about the beginning of 2012 and about the past year, which was filled with so many wonderful things - visits to and from family and friends, travel to distant places, trips closer to home, art classes, art in general, much knitting and crocheting, good food, and much much more...

I did notice though, looking back, that I spent too much time feeling stressed about small stuff, anxious about things I don't even remember now, and feeling not as good about myself as I would like to.

 Somehow my year had become a "to do" list and much of what was on it I didn't get done, because - you know - life happens when we are busy making other plans.

And because I had that imaginary "to do" list, I seemed to always fall short of what I had in mind and I sort of approached every surprise happening (and there are lots of those in life in general, don't you agree?) with trepidation rather than joyous anticipation.

I want to avoid that in 2012.

Therefore, I hope to look at every day as a blank canvas to be filled with whatever happens that day - some of it planned but with plenty of time to enjoy life's little surprises.

And I want to have fun, especially with my art. I already have a vision of how I want to work in my next etching class - in lots of layers and in color. I want to have as much fun with that as with my "regular" art.

And then my sister and I are taking Tam's Life Book class together, which will be a yearlong fun adventure in mixed media art!

I hope to enjoy Savannah and the surroundings with Daniel and Winslow, especially during the cooler months. We live in such a beautiful part of the country and it'll be good to explore it more.

Most of all, I want to allow myself to relax about things and just take everything as it comes...

 ... without having to figure it all out beforehand and perfectly.

And I plan to savor each moment much more - because that's what it's all about, isn't it?

What are your hopes and dreams for yourself for 2012?

No matter what they are, I wish good health and a full and joyful heart for all of us.

With much gratitude for your friendships, I wish you all a very Happy New Year!!

Sketching

First I'd like to thank you for all your Christmas wishes and visits to my blog! I love getting slowly back into my blogging routine. Although at the moment I find the thought of going through all my travel photos of the last month to show you a few select pictures quite overwhelming. So, I'll do that when the muse strikes me. 

For now, I felt inspired to pick up my pencil and do a drawing for Tam's (willowing.ning.com) class Fabulous Faces. My sister, Caroline (you can visit her blog here), reminded me of Tam's Life Book class that we are both now signed up for. With the year-long Life Book class that is taught by several wonderful mixed media artists, we also got the Fabulous Faces class and this sketch is for week 1. 

It's quite different from my "usual" portraits, but I had such fun with it. Plus, it was soooo good to do some art again after quite a while. 

I'll have to visit your blogs this week sometime to find out what you all have been up to! I have missed you all!!

Merry Christmas!

My dear friends, during the last month much has happened. My dad came to visit us here, we all went to see a bit of Florida including Kennedy Space Center and the Mars rocket launch, then cruised all the way down to the Dutch Antilles where we snorkeled in the most beautifully clear waters before returning back to Savannah.

After a bit more sight seeing here, my dad and I flew back to Germany together where I enjoyed seeing my family, playing with my fun nephews, eating some delicious food, sitting by cozy fires, seeing a bit of the German scenery, experiencing some truly cold, stormy and rainy weather and even a little snow on my last day there.

Now, I am back home. My heart is beyond full and my mind is trying to process it all as Daniel and I are getting ready for Christmas. When I've settled back in I'll have much to share with you.

In the meantime I hope that you are all happy and healthy and wish you Happy Holidays and much love and joy!