I love Crate and Barrel

I am a book person. I needed another bookcase and I wanted one that would fit underneath a large worktable that I have. I ordered the 44" Kendell bookcase from Crate and Barrel. When it came, I was determined to put it together myself. I laid out all the pieces on the carpet. At the end, the back was 1" too long. I was convinced I had followed the directions. I even called customer service. The man was very nice. He even pointed out that one reason they recommend that two people put it together is that sometimes it takes two sets of eyes. At any rate, I unscrewed all the bolts, and I had somehow transposed the right and left ends. Eventually, I got it together, and moved into the room I wanted it in. I felt such a sense of accomplishment.
~ Bye for now

Check out my new Personal Web Page!

I have a new personal web page for my Demarle at Home business. It is http://sharon.demarleathome.com

Rancho Las Palmas

In mid July, I attended the annual convention for Demarle at Home held at Rancho Las Palmas Spa and Resort, about 80 miles east of LA. I was so amazed on the drive from LA to Palm Springs by the number of windmill farms. And the mountains are incredibly brown. It was so HOT there - but beautiful in its own way.
We stopped between LA and Palm Springs at the Hadley Fruit Orchards. They have rows and rows of dates, dried fruit and nuts, as well as organic grains. I bought some almonds and medjool dates. The medjool dates have a rich mahogany color and a soft texture and the sensation of taste and texture in your mouth is heavenly.
We all learned new techniques at the convention. It was exciting to learn about new products, and to participate in the workshops with chefs. Learning about using the inductive heating plate was very exciting - and it is very energy efficient. The Demarle at Home plant in France is pollution free and the products are green and the flexipans have a lifetime guarantee.

Rose

I attended a 'Survive 'N' Thrive' Single Mothers' Conference this weekend. It was put on by Arise Ministries and the theme was Building a Household of Faith and the question was asked: Who is the architect and builder of your home? Shelley Pulliam was the emcee and Pam Kanaly and Laura Sabin Cabinaillas were the keynote speakers. It was hosted by First Presbyterian Church of Edmond, and they were very gracious. There were many volunteers from churches across town. The breakout sessions covered a wide range of topics and were full of information and insight. We also had a chance to connect with each other and share both our challenges and triumphs, encourage each other and make new friends. Everyone involved made us feel welcome and loved - the volunteers even gave each one of us a rose and we arrived.

~ Bye for now.

Cards

Thought I would share a couple of cards I made this week.

National Cancer Survivors Celebration 2008

The first Sunday in June is National Cancer Survivors Day and is celebrated across the nation. They go around the room and each survivor has the opportunity to give their name and tell how many years that they have been a survivor - last year one woman had just been diagnosed a couple of days prior to the event. I have posted a photo from that day for 2006 and 2007. This picture is from this year's event and is of me and another cancer survivor whom I have come to know in support group over the past several years and his granddaughter whom I have seen grow up before my eyes from a child into a young woman. John always strives to appreciate life and those around him. We all need to appreciate and thank God for whatever time we have on this earth to share with family, friends and all those we can connect with.

~ Bye for now.

Edmond Arts Festival

Last weekend, May 2nd through the 4th, 2008 was the Edmond Arts Festival. Thursday evening, May 1st, some bad storms with high winds and hail came through and some of the artists who had already set up lost quite a bit. On Sunday, I happened upon this painting and it just seemed to speak to me...I think it said "buy me", so of course I did. Actually, the painting said more than that, but I am not good with words, so I won't even try to explain. The artist, Allison Sangree, is quite an open and friendly woman, that you can meet for just a few moments, and feel like you have been friends forever. She grew up in Trinidad, lived in Canada for a few years, then met her husband in college in the United States and they now live in Pennsylvania. They have a son who is a professional photographer here in Edmond, OK and I got the distinct impression that the Arts Festival was a ruse to see their grandchildren. This painting is named "La Voie", which is French for "The Way" and there is alot of meaning behind the painting. I didn't buy the original, I bought a giclee reproduction (I hope I spelled that correctly). I can get lost in that painting.

~ Bye for now.

OU Graduation

My son graduated today from OU. Last night was the Commencement ceremony at the Gaylord Family Stadium. William Cohen gave a very inspirational speech. Today, May 10th, the various colleges held their convocation ceremonies. The Michael F. Price College of Business Convocation was at the Lloyd Noble Center. I am grateful that my son acquiesced to his old mom and agreed to take part in the graduation ceremony.

~ Bye for now.

One year old

My nephew, Daniel Ethan, turned one on March 28th. I can't believe he is one year old already. I haven't been able to see him since he was two months old. His parents live in Fairfax, Virginia and it is just too difficult to get together very often. I will post his picture. I don't have a scanner, so I took a photo of the photo, and I'm afraid my hands were not steady and it is a bit blurry. I am a proud aunt.

~Bye for now.

Stacey Kent at the UCO Jazz Lab

Ah, Saturday night in the big town, as Gary England likes to say. Last night, I had a wonderful dinner with a friend at 501 Cafe, and then we went to see Stacey Kent at the UCO Jazz Lab. The place was sold out, but it is so small and intimate, that all the seats are good. One couple at our table had driven here from Memphis to see her. The show was well worth it. If you are not familiar with Stacey Kent, check out here website. Her husband, Jim Tomlinson, plays the sax and composed some of the songs. She had a wonderful band. I particularly loved her interpretation of Stevie Nicks song "Landslide" - funny thing is, I had always thought the title of the song was "Changes" ;o) Stacey Kent and her husband were both very gracious and signed autographs after the show. I forgot my camera in the car.
But I did take a photo of myself later.
~ Bye for now.

Good Memories

These are two of my favorite photos from many (about 20) years ago. Happy times. My son is the joy, the sunshine in my life. I am so proud of him. He is about to graduate from OU and make his own way in the world. Well, I can't figure out why the top photo is so small. And I can't seem to get it to let me delete it. Hm mm.

Transitions are difficult for me. I am in a new season of my life. Empty nest. Death of dreams of what this time of my life would be like. Realizing that some things are just completely out of my control. You can't control what anyone else does, even when, or perhaps especially when, it's someone you love. Finally facing reality, and deciding to stop living in a fantasy world, although I really didn't want to face the uncomfortable reality, for it was so much easier to live in denial, even though it wasn't healthy. It was easier living in that world of make believe. Roles and dreams are devastating to give up, although necessary at times. Dark, and painful.

Benefit for FaithWorks of the Inner City

Last night I attended a benefit dinner for FaithWorks of the Inner City at the Petroleum Club. It was heartwarming to see how well attended it was. I am a volunteer tutor for FaithWorks of the Inner City. We work with the community south of Bricktown, with the children of Shidler Elementary. FaithWorks is raising money for a Community Center, to be built across the street from Shidler Elementary. The guest speaker last night was Barbara Green, co-owner of Hobby Lobby. There was also a silent auction, and I was able to purchase an original watercolor by Cletus Smith. Sally Goin, a retired Edmond teacher, founded FaithWorks of the Inner City after becoming acquainted with the children and their families while doing volunteer work at the old City Rescue Mission. If you would like more information about FaithWorks, see their website: http://www.faithworksokc.com/

~ Bye for now

Wedding

I attended a wedding recently of two good friends from my church. They each have a large extended family, and it was so wonderful to get to meet them and to see families getting along, each person truly being interested in the other. It gave me such joy to be around my friends in their joy. This wedding was especially poignant for many reasons. After the reception was officially over and the bride and groom left in the limousine, they even went to the local pizza place (with the bride still in her wedding gown and the groom in his tuxedo) and brought boxes and boxes of pizza back to those of us who were remaining at the reception.
They will have problems of course, they are human, but it such a blessing to know that God is the head of their marriage.
I am not posting any photos of my friends out of respect for their privacy.
~ Bye for now

Geese

Spring days. I like to watch the geese. I don't know why. I also like to look at the water. I took this photo the other day. There is just something about geese, watching them fly in formation, seeing the way they land on the water. They innately know what to do. If only we humans always knew what to do...
~ Bye for now

Tour de Palate

I had the privilege last Thursday evening, March 27th, 2008, of attending the first annual Tour de Palate, a benefit for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, held at the Oklahoma History Center. Many wonderful restaurants gave of their time, food and wine. There were also silent and live auctions. And there was a contest with four chefs from the Food Network, who came at their own expense, to compete in a cake decorating contest while we watched. Commentary was provided by Ruth of Ruth's Sweet Justice. Below are a few photos I took of the event. I had never been to the Oklahoma History Center before - the view of the State Capitol is breathtaking.

~Bye for now.

Happy New Year

Just wanted to say that I am looking forward to 2008! I am also happy to finally get back into the routine after the Christmas and New Year break. This week I started back attending my Bible Study - we are working on the second part of the study of Daniel, it is a Precepts class and very demanding, but I love the detail. Also start back this evening as a leader for first graders in AWANA. I listen to the first graders recite the verses they have memorized. They are such fun. And tomorrow, I start back as a volunteer on Thursday afternoons as a tutor for a second grade little girl. She has such a challenge before her as neither of her parents speak English. I have seen great improvement in her reading skills just since September.

I thought I would post our Christmas family photo.

~ By for now.

Christmas

I just thought I would bless you with a photo of a make and take I made for Christmas at My Hearts Fancy in Oklahoma City. This should remind you of the reason we celebrate Christmas.

Ice Storm

Oklahoma has been in a deep freeze, with an ice storm that came through on Sunday, December 9th and which has affected essentially all of the state. According to reports, about half a million people across the state have been without power. We lost power on Monday from about 1:30 until 10:30 pm. Since we have a well, that meant no water as there was no electricity for the pump. And although we have a gas furnace, the fan is electric, so we had no furnace. Luckily, we have a gas fireplace. We have lost alot of trees, but we are so much more fortunate than many people. Monday as I skated down the driveway to get the newspaper, I heard what sounded like gunshots. As I looked up, I realized that the sound was due to a large tree across the street cracking and breaking as its huge limbs crashed to the ground. The city opened the Cox Convention Center in downtown Oklahoma City as an emergency shelter. And now they are predicted snow for Friday evening and Saturday. I guess this is giving me a chance to stay inside and count my blessings! Here are a few pics, although by the time I got out my camera it was Tuesday and the worst of the ice had melted in our yard.

Cards and Watercolors

I'm trying to compare these two cards. I stamped the image with VersaFine. The one on the left is on watercolor paper and the one on the right is on glossy cardstock. Then I used watercolor pencils on each, then applied water. Decided the colors weren't vibrant enough, so I also then used the Twinkling H2O watercolors over the watercolor pencils. I haven't decided which I like better. See what you think. I apologize for the lighting on the pictures.

~Bye for now.

More Metal Work

These pictures just don't do the box justice. This is a wooden cigar box that I painted. I put the metal over a mold, then used metal tools to form the metal into the shape of the mold. Then used wheels for the design around the edges. Then painted the metal, then applied it to the cigar box. Later, I added the vintage look of old postcards to the inside. I did this at a class taught by Lisa Bruno at My Heart's Fancy. TFL. ~Bye for now.