Thursday, December 31, 2009

Empty Nesters...again...

...*sigh*...

I am sitting here catching up on some blog reading...the sigh isn't about that! Blog reading is fun.

The *sigh* is cuz...

(google image)

...our daughter Girly Twirly (aka theLuckiestMrs) and her hubby have already left by plane to get back to KY.
         
           


... our daughter Girly Whirly (aka Little Miss) today, is with their dog Malone driving back up to KY.


...our son Heartbreaker also left today too with Girly Whirly.  He'll be near Atlanta to meet up with his buddies to go camping in northern Georgia.

...and my hubby is at work...
while I am here at home...*sigh*

Massachusetts Christmas (1966 or 1967)

...It seems that when I have been the one to leave after a visit, it's hard...but I think that being the ones left to stay when family or friends leave...is harder.  It takes a bit of time to get back into the "regular, pre-visit" routine.
**********
..for the next few days, I still do not go to work...so, I hope to keep busy. ...put away decorations. ...take a nap. ...do a few more drawings. ...relax. ...organize some things. catch a few winks. ...catch up on some more blog reading. ...sleep.

Sleep sounds like a re-occuring theme here! lol

But first, here's a little clip of what I have to put away! A bit of Christmas cheer...that I'd love to leave up all year round!


...but before I do any of that napping & snoozing...I thought I would finally post an award (aka blog hug) given to me & that I would like to pass on (sorry that it has taken so long!):

This lovely "Splash Award" was given to me by the lovely and talented Mary Anne Gruen at Starlight Blog.  Stop by and say hello! She is an artisan with jewelry, theater actress, and much more!

The Splash Award is given to alluring, amusing, impressive, inspiring blogs. Thank you Mary Anne for including me in your picks.  Now is the hard part...picking only 9 to pass it on to! 


1. The Southern Housewife @ Her Southern Charm...her posts are full of creativity! Lots of variety! In fact, her latest post encourages and inspires one to think of what word that can foster a positive change in our own lives.


2. Angie & Gina @ The Shabby Chic Cottage... simply oozes with ideas! Very impressive! Also a fellow-Etsy-er... so much to see on their blog and they are fully willing to share their ideas.


3. Ave @ MadeinCanarias...ok..I dont know how she managed to do this, (she is amazing!) Ave only started blogging in June 2009 and already she has 299 posts! Wowzer! I am excited if I can get one post a week...and lately, its been one every 2 weeks.  (But while I'm off, I hope to get a couple other posts up...)


4. LV @ Thoughts from Meme's Corner...Love this blogger :o) So sweet! and as her profile says..."I am a young 80 who is enjoying life to the fullest...." I dont know how she keeps up with all the posts that she does!  It's fun to read her posts and see her photos.


5. Teresa @ Teresa's Treasures...very talented and busy blogger! Her adorable grandbabies grace her blog with their sweet little faces. She also has a holiday decorating blog with wonderful ideas.


6. Lynette @ Dancing Barefoot...she is all about family (Her family's adventures are full of fun!)...and her blog is also all about connecting others.  She has a wonderful idea on how to connect other bloggers...with her "Getting to Know YOU!" posts.  


7. Mama M @ My Little Life... oh. my. goodness! I love her sense of humor! I would love to meet her in person.  Her posts are truly delightful! Hilarious! and fun, fun, fun to read!


8. Chari @ Happy to Design...I marvel at her beautiful tablescapes! I do well to get our table set, now that it is just my hubby and me. (usually, I will go ahead and dish up our plates and bring it to the table or the living room, with a fork and a drink.  At Christmas, I did bring out my parent's china).  And she has other awesome design ideas to share.


9. Nan @ MomstheWord...oh my! oh my! You will love following and reading her posts...if you dont already! I love how she looks at things and shares her fun and hilarious moments...of which seems to be a constant affair.  She is encouraging and has many ways and ideas about "Making Your Home Sing".


&&&&&&&&&&

Oh...also here are some of the requests from this post: Ask a Blog Hop Question
(You can click on any image to bring it up a bit larger for viewing).

1. Kathie @ my net finds asked about a fleur de lis... or a cat (I'll show some cats in a future post)...


2. Ave & Heather asked about beach inspired drawings...
Please go to  "P.S. HI & FL Beaches"
and also  "P.S. GA & HI Beaches! Part 2" to see some already posted beach ones.

3. Alicia asked about crosses...




4. Bearly Sane asked about the rooster in color...


5. Becka asked about trees (these are a few) or "fall-related" drawings (I've done some others, but will also show those on another post)...



This was a lo-o-o-ong post... but it has been way past due in getting those requested drawings shown. Thank you for asking about these and for your patience!

HAU'OLI MAKAHIKI HOU!
Happy New Year!
...A blessed New Year's greeting from all of us to all of you!

Blessings & Aloha!

20 comments:

Mama M. said...

Oh my!! Thank you so much!! And thank you for the nice words you said about me! I'm glad you enjoy my blog--I enjoy making people smile!! And, I'm totally honored that you'd like to meet me in person!

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hello Maria...

I just read your sweet note that you left for me on my "Year in Tablescapes" post. I'm so glad that you came by for a visit...thank you for leaving such a lovely note, my friend!!!

Ohhh my...I don't know what to say! Thank you so very much for thinking of me and my blog in regards to the "Splash Award"! I feel so honored!!! Also...a big congratulations to you for receiving this well deserved award!!! Your delightful blog certainly fits the criteria!!!

Well my friend, I am so happy that your family got to come home for Christmas...I know, it's difficult when they leave! I wasn't able to spend Christmas with my 3 daughters...they are all in Texas and it's so difficult trying to travel this time of year. I'm missing them all terribly!!! Anyway...I sure did enjoy seeing all of your family photos that you posted in your last few blog posts! You have such a beautiful family, Maria!!!

Thank you so much for the New Year well wishes! I can't hardly believe that we're about to embark upon 2010...where did 2009 go to? Hehe! 2009 was a fabulous year though...I'm so happy to have met you and I look foward to our visits in 2010!!!

Blessings to you and your sweet family for a Happy New Year...may the Lord provide all that you have need of, my friend!!!

Chari @Happy To Design

PS...thank you again...sooo much for thinking of me in giving the Splash award!!! You're such a sweetheart!!!

LV said...

I have received several awards, but this one is a really nice surprise to me. You will never know how it touched this old heart. To be included in this elite group you selected is a real honor for me. I have enjoyed our business and blogging so much during 2009. Looking forward to many pleasant visits in 2010. Wishing you and family nothing but the best the New Year has to offer. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart for making a gloomy day much brighter.

mary.anne.gruen@gmail.com said...

Congratulations to all the new Award winners! And Congratulations and Thank You to Personalized Sketches too!

I love all your Christmas decorations! I think your Mother's painted Santa was my favorite. It's clear where you got your talent from. You have a lovely home and family. I know how weird it is to be left alone to put everything away. All you can do is take a breath and slowly start.

Have a Very Happy New Year!

momstheword said...

Your home looks so lovely and all Christmasy! I am in the process of undecorating as well, ugh....what a chore!

I always have help putting the decorations up but it's just me doing the undecorating.

It's just as well, I think my sons would just shove and smash it down and not be as careful.

Congrats on your award and thank you for your sweet comments and for passing it onto me! Have a wonderful New Year, my friend!

~ Nan

xinex said...

Parting is such sweet sorrow and should just be thankful that we got to see family again and just need to look forward to the next get together.I hope 2010 brings you and your family more happiness, love, peace, health and prosperity....Christine

Coloradolady said...

Wishing you a very Happy New year for you and your family, it has been so much fun getting to know you this year, and enjoying your wonderful talent.....blessings in 2010!

Debbie Petras said...

I love your photo shows! You are getting so good at that. I'm sure you will miss your family but it was so good that you had some time with them this year. I always think of you when I hear that old fashioned Christmas song that says Melikaliki ....something like that; LOL.

Happy New Year to you!

And sending another blog hug to you,
Debbie

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year Maria!!!!

I LOVE how the fleur de lis turned out! It's wonderful!

Bacardi Mama said...

Happy New Year Maria! Enjoy your alone time. Just remember what a lovely time you had when everyone was home. Also, thank you again for the lovely drawings you have done for me. Everyone loved theirs.

HeatherOz said...

Thanks for the link to your drawings! Beautiful as always!!
Congrats on your award and Happy New Year!

The Four Week Vegan said...

Your home was so beautifully decorated. I just loved all the wreaths on the outside. That's one thing I would love to have more of here. Congrats on your award. Happy New Year!

Goodies for Mom said...

Congratulations on your award!!! Thanks for visiting our site.

Hugs on a quiet day now that everyone is heading out.

Lois
Making Our Family Complete

More Than Words said...

It makes me sad when I think of my self having an empty nest. I know those years will come up sooner or later...

I just love your sketches. It's amazing how you can do a complete picture with someones name. It makes it that much more personal.

LOVE the crosses!

~ Regan said...

Hi There!! Thanks for stopping by and leaving such sweet comments on my blog! I hope you do try those trees/wreaths- they were super cheap and easy.

I know just what you mean about visitors leaving... :( I am all the way out here in the Midwest, and all my fam are on the East Coast. I agree that it is harder to be the one sending ppl off vs. traveling off yourself!

Love your drawings, they are so detailed! I will come back often to see what you are up to~ ttfn!
:) (Oh, and Happy New Year!!)

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Happy new year! I hope you aren't missing your kiddos too much. : )

~ Regan said...

You are so sweet! I loved reading through your comments! Thanks so much for all your kind words.

Witchcrafted Life said...

There is always so much love and beauty that radiates out through the words and creations that fill your endearingly wonderful posts.

I truly hope that you had an amazing holiday season, my friend!


Big hugs & blissful wishes for 2010,
♥ Jessica

dee dee said...

Thank you so much for visiting my blog! Your sketches are lovely, please join us anytime and post some of them on Art Work Friday!
Dee Dee

Unknown said...

Ah Maria, thank you for the blog award! You made my day. :) I appreciate being appreciated.

Love,
Lynnette

Related Posts with Thumbnails