* So far behind I think I'm first ....

All the beautiful hand made cards I received for Christmas ... I have wanted to share them with you!  Yesterday it nearly happened, but alas I had to have a nap ... ha ha.  Today .. well, we will see.  I haven't gotten back to 'Expect Miracles', nor have I been in the mood ... so she is sitting patiently waiting. 

Perhaps today I will get some photographing done.  We will see.  In the meantime I wanted to share my flowers with you.  You know how they make my heart sing.  Lilies and Tuberoses... mmmmm, the wonderful fragrance in the evening helps me drift off to sleep.

Thanks for the visit.  Take care.  xxoo Donna

To be overcome by the fragrance of flowers is a delectable form of defeat.
Beverly Nichols

* The love affair continues ...

For those of you who know 3/8's and 44, and followed their romance last year, this will come as no surprise.  44 has made the long and arduous journey from the US just to see 3/8's here with me.  They are inseparable.  Uncomfortable, and unable to be assigned his own seat on the plane, 44 bravely endured the trip for the sake of his sweetheart.  The story is touching, and to see them together again simply uplifts and allows hope to prevail.  I knew you would appreciate an update.

3/8's and 44

Thanks for dropping by.  Take care.  xxoo Donna

Anonymous
Love is to let those we love be perfectly themselves, and not to twist them to fit our own image... otherwise we love only the reflection of ourselves we find in them.

* Showered with gifts ...

Naturally, Kathleen and Ivan's presence is the biggest present (pun intended) .. ha ha .. however, on New Year's Eve we were overwhelmed and delighted with the generosity and love of true friendship, and gifts galore.

As you know, Habibi has a terrible time tolerating the rainy season thunder storms as well as the fireworks which are very much a part of this culture.  He was presented with a "Thunder Coat".  I don't have a photo of it on his yet as is needs a little adjustment, however it is a hot new item for pets.  It's a beautiful soft coat which fits Habibi's body snugly, fastens with velcro allowing him to feel secure and I'm sure in many ways like he is being 'held'.  Very cool and with another strip of magic fastener it will fit him perfectly. 

I received a magical bag which I adore, fabulous  CD's, incense, which I find difficult to find here and incense holders which are impossible to find here. 

Look at that beading!  ... and the colours.  I am absolutely in love.

The last gift blew me away.  I cannot and will not explain it.  It was a type of miracle which I am more or less still processing.  I did a double journal spread about it today.  For me, it's about acceptance and gratefulness and pure light.  I am in many ways still processing. 

 

It felt good to be back in my Studio today ... can't go too long without creating!  Thanks for dropping in.  Take care ... see you soon.  xxoo  Donna

"The sage never tries to store things up. The more he does for others, the more he has. The more he gives to others, the greater his abundance." Lao Tzu

* Another huge Feast ...

How many huge meals can one consume?!  We seem to be doing pretty well at it.  Actually all of us were absolutely whacked today.  Had to nap, and we are all still tired.  Not like the good old days .. ha ha.

We did, however, manage to consume another huge delicious meal, after which we cleaned up and have now taken to our beds!  I'm not sure what's happening to me, however, I have been thoroughly enjoying cooking.  There has been a long absence of the 'joy of cooking' in my life, so it feels good.

Habibi receiving some serious lovin' from Aunty Kathleen.

"Big Bird".  A huge gorgeous chicken from the local butcher.

Everything ready to serve.  Chicken with dressing, scallop potatoes, fresh carrots and shelled peas in cream, oh and a marinated cucumber and tomato salad you cannot see.  Yes, we were little pigs.

 I had a good look to see what was wrong with my camera last night.  I knew the flash wasn't working, but didn't know why, so I was not getting enough light.  I had loaned the camera out, and the flash had been turned off, which of course I never do, so I didn't have a clue .... anyway, it's all back to normal now for which I'm very grateful.  I have such fun with that camera I would miss her terribly.

Hope you all had a great day yesterday, and another again today.  Thanks for all your lovely New Year's wishes, and thanks for dropping by today.

"People become really quite remarkable when they start
thinking that they can do things. When they believe in
themselves they have the first secret of success."
~Norman Vincent Peale~

Happy New Year!

Our day was absolutely magical in so many ways.  Dinner out was perfectly wonderful and thoroughly enjoyed by all.  Photographs did not turn out and I'm concerned that something is amiss with my camera.  Will check on that in the morning. 


So, one malfunctioned photograph is all which is available.  HAPPY NEW YEAR from Ivan, Kathleen and Donna.  All the very very best for 2012.  Enjoy the first day of the new year.  Thanks so much for stopping by.  xxoo

 

Edith Lovejoy Pierce
We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called "Opportunity" and its first chapter is New Year's Day.

* A lovely day out ...

It was truly one of those lovely days.  Relaxed, unhurried, no expectations kind of day.  Left the house about 10:30 am after our fresh coffee and began with an hour of meditation with a group at Life Path centre.  Came away feeling wonderful.  By then we were hungry so went out for Comida of chicken with roasted vegetables, guacamole and beans accompanied by warm corn tortillas and limonada.  YUM.

After doing some banking, Ivan went home to consult with a client while Kathleen and I continued our exploration of centro.  The atmosphere was electric today, the place full of people and happiness.  It felt so good.  We shopped.  We sat and had coffee.

We walked and shopped and walked and finally sat in the jardin to read the paper to see what was going on in San Miguel.  Took some photos.

Creche was up in the Jardin

Centro was buzzing, busy and happy.

looking up

Tomorrow is New Year's Eve!  We are going out for an early dinner and home to relax.

Hope whatever you do tomorrow night you thoroughly enjoy yourselves.  Thanks for the visit.  Take care.  xxoo  Donna

The most sacred place dwells within our heart, where dreams are born and secrets sleep, a mystical refuge of darkness and light, fear and conquest, adventure and discovery, challenge and transformation. Our heart speaks for our soul every moment while we are alive. Listen... as the whispering beat repeats: be...gin, be...gin, be...gin. It's really that simple. Just begin... again.
Royce Addington

* They have arrived .....

Spent a busy day yesterday doing last minute errands etc. for Kathleen and Ivan's visit.  They will be here with us for a few days until their rental house is ready.  It was one of those days when nothing went quite according to plan ... hairdresser had a little note on her door she was on holiday, the mail I was expecting is nowhere to be found (nothing new there), Habibi choked on his food he was so excited and his throat went into some sort of spasms which made it hard to breathe, and after I was dressed, I decided to fix the logs in the fireplace ... well .... SOOT from one end of me to the other.  I had no idea that stuff was so hard to get off!

Habibi snuggled in the sheepskin 'waiting'.

  Anyway, after a few mishaps on this end, they arrived after smooth sailing, about 11:00 pm.  First order of the day was to 'get comfortable', so here's a darling photo of Kathleen coming into the living room with her nightie on.  We drank champagne and ate brie until 2:30 am.  Nice!  Very very nice!

Terrible quality photograph, but too 'cute' not to publish.  

Oh so fabulous to have them here. 

Good Friends:  "“We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.  After that we are there for each other, no matter what.”  (I thought that was sort of a cool definition and in many ways very true.)

* My Muse is BACK! YEAH!

I painted all day.  Couldn't stop.  Finally dragged myself away about 5:30 pm.  "Expect Miracles" has come a long way.  She informed me she wanted jewels.  Not just any jewels.  Rosary chain and Our Lady of Guadalupe medals hanging from each end.  She wanted them in her head dress.

I asked her what she would like to be presented to her in the outstretched hand.  No answer.  I was just opening my box of old jewelry and junk and what fell out?   A milagro (miracle), namely the 'big miracle' ... Our Lady of Guadalupe.  Quietly I heard her say, "What else would I want in the outstretched hand if I am Expecting Miracles.  That was the end of our conversation!

I worked like a mad woman.  I was driven.  The jewels are in her head dress.  I love them there.  There is still more work to be done on her neck/shoulders and the outstretched hand as well as her crown and halo.  Who knows what is to come.  We made real progress today and I didn't struggle one little bit.  Amazing.

It's difficult to see the jewels.  There are rhinestones in her earrings, and down the right side, rosary beads and two medals are in her head dress.  So difficult to get a good shot because of the light.

OK, so I baked some banana bread tonight!  A truly amazing event as I have not baked since arriving in Mexico.  Mine does not look anything like the 'real thing', which you will find HERE, on Suzeque's blog, along with the recipe and mouth watering photographs which make mine look like a home economics class beginner.  ha ha.  The thing about this banana bread which is different is that it has coconut in it and an incredible LIME GLAZE drizzled over the top!  Here's my version -- now go over and visit Suzeque!

 Thanks for the visit.  xxoo Donna

The true miracle is not walking on water or walking in air, but simply walking on this earth. ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

* Might have had a break through ...

I think my muse might have poked her head into the studio for a moment or two today.  "Expect Miracles" has made some progress, although she's still very very quiet.  I made a correction to her face, so the "blob shadow" on the left side of her face will be corrected, hopefully tomorrow.  Still don't know what she wants or what is in the outstretched hand before her.  Obviously, it's not her hand, so someone is offering her something.  What?  I'll let you know when I find out.

 

Thanks so much for dropping by.  Have a great day.  xxoo  Donna

I'm very interested to see how this new painting will go - I know I want it big and stark, and as I said, I follow the muse, and that's when it always works perfectly for me.
Jackie DeShannon

* Christmas Day 2011

A beautiful day, full of sunshine, began with a fabulous home cooked breakfast with Wendy and Sal at Wendy's ... just a short walk away.

Wendy's Christmas cards .. living room.

Breakfast table

card for a friend

Christmas Eve journal spread

Thanks for the visit.  Hope your Christmas was a lovely one.  xxoo  Donna

What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace. - Agnes M. Pharo