Normally I do links on Saturdays here and there, but since I’m wrapping things up for the year I’ll post a few here now. Then I can wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and catch up with you again when 2015 rolls into town. I’m sure I’ll still be posting on Instagram and Twitter , so feel free to catch up with me there if you’re not following me already.
The last week has been a whirlwind. I wanted to work way ahead with my clients so I could just relax and not have to work during the Christmas break (which everyone seems to have but me), but I still will have to do a few things here and there. Not bad. But I’m hoping to have lots of time to just write (poetry and my novel, hello!) and create some new art.
Last week we celebrated my birthday, and it reminded me of how many ways God blesses me. Often, the things I take for granted the most are my very biggest blessings. Spending time with my mom at lunch on my b’day and coming home to a big cake from my husby just made my day. And they gave me such wonderful, thoughtful gifts.
Books and TV and Movies and Games, Oh My
I’m a sucker for a great storyline in books or other media, and as you know I’ve been binge watching Vera. We’re up to the 4th season. On a separate note, if you’re looking a great docu-series, watch Monarchy. It’s available on Netflix streaming, and I’ve seen it a few times and can’t get enough. Very brief history of all the English monarchs but hits the highlights.
I got the Andy Cohen Diaries for my birthday and can’t put it down. Laughing so hard at his honest thoughts and sense of humor. (Plus, I’m a sucker for any story that has a great dog in it.)
My hubs also bought me Mary’s Oliver’s Blue Horses for my b’day and it made me remember that awesome day when we went to see her. Still one of the best days of my entire life. You’ve got to read this book. (And yes, I did just mention Andy Cohen and Mary Oliver in the same blog post. I’m an eclectic reader.) As I 
was reading her book I kept thinking about how much poetry we need in this world. More poetry, more poetic thoughts, more ways to celebrate the beauty of life in the simplest of ways, choosing just the right word and emotion.
We picked up a card game called Dutch Blitz this weekend, and it’s so fun I want one of you to get it and write me so we can talk about it. It was hilarious fun, and I’m not just saying that because I won every single time. Oh no. It’s “vonderful goot” as the box says. I never thought my knowledge of solitaire would benefit me, but that just goes to show you that anything’s possible. (It reminds me of competitive solitaire, which doesn’t sound fun at all but really is.)
Artsy Blogging Links
Carmi’s Art/Life World
This post features a resin bezels necklace that will out do any ugly sweater!
Cupcake Liner Christmas Trees
Cute cupcake liner Christmas trees are everywhere. In learning to make them, Eileen developed some helpful techniques.
Episode 9: An Undisclosed Location
Catch some holiday cheer with the Crafty Princess in her 9th video podcast. Oh, and check out a super cute crochet monster she just finished too.
Beading Arts
Metal mesh ribbon holds so many possibilities for designing jewelry! Cyndi starts a new tutorial on Beading Arts.
Finally
As a final note, I spotted this thought on The Mind Unleashed’s Facebook Page, and had to share.
Have you ever felt this way? Like you needed to make yourself smaller, hide your creativity or stifle some genuine good news because someone else would ruin it? Make fun of you? Make you feel less than. Don’t.
(Act Justly, signed and matted print available here.)
