Artist's Spotlight ~ Shelby Scott Photography

It's always a treat to share the creative talents of other artists but none more so than when there's a personal connection.  In this case it happens to be the inspiring talent of Shelby Scott Photography.

The personal connection is through our middle son, shown below in the bottom right. Artists always seem to converge and such was the case as they became good friends in high school, several years ago.  Shelby, shown below with painted face and further down with seaward hair (love that), has since moved on to college where she's just graduated with her degree from the Antonelli Institute.

Watching our kids grow through childhood is filled with so many special moments but watching them emerge into adulthood and begin to pave their own way in this world fills us with pride, wonder, and excitement.  We can only begin to imagine the roads they'll travel and how they'll impact this world through their own talents.

One thing is for certain, we've absolutely no doubt that where ever this gifted artist goes, success is sure to be her constant companion as she journeys through life!

You can view more of her work at: www.facebook.com/ShelbyScottPhotography  and www.shelbyscottphoto.com/

Enjoy~

Saying Goodbye

I had the chance to say goodbye to my friend Linda last Friday.  The card to the right is from that occasion.  You could easily see her kind and gracious heart through her children, husband, and friends.  Making my way around the room I saw a myriad of photos ~ all showing her smiling, laughing, and hugging those she shared time with.  Meeting her sons and husband, I had the opportunity to let them  now what a wonderful affect her presence had on us here in blogland and what an inspiration she was to so many of us.

It was the hug I received from her daughter after telling her I was "Plumrose Lane", that really touched my heart.  I knew the time we had spent writing to one another meant as much to my friend as it had to me.  What touched my heart the most was when her daughter said, "My mother was one of the lucky ones; she got to see her children grow and marry and spend time with her four grandchildren".  I believe the heart of gratitude my friend Linda passed on to her children and shared with all of us here in blogland, is the greatest treasure of all.

Best~

Losing a Friend

We lost a good friend in blogland today ~ Linda of Stealing Mom lost her courageous battle with lung cancer.  Linda was one of those remarkable souls who touched our lives ~ filling our hearts with laughter and gratitude at every turn.

I knew her first as a customer but Linda quickly became a dear friend.  It was her warm generous heart that always seemed to find the happier side of personal experiences that will have the most lasting affect on my heart and mind.  I admired her courage as she moved through the beginning stages of cancer treatment, sharing thoughts and feelings with a sensitive personal insight, laced with humor, grace, and a perpetual sense of gratitude.

It's always so striking to me how profound an affect someone can have on our lives, even if we never meet them in person.  I will finally have the chance to "meet" my friend on Friday when I say goodbye to her in person but like the best of friendships it's one I know will never truly die.  I have no doubt Linda is spreading her own joyous sense of humor and kindness in that vast blogland up above and for all of us still her I can say wholeheartedly that we will miss you very, very much.

Supporting & Sharing

A few weeks ago I posted about my dear friend/customer Linda who was recently diagnosed with lung cancer.  I can't thank you enough for all your prayers and messages on her behalf.

Linda has just started her treatments and as is the case in this day and age, has written a blog post about her first chemo treatment.  I find it so amazing that we really don't  have to travel down any roads alone anymore. With a few clicks of a keyboard we have the opportunity to share our stories with others. This not only helps us 'get through' tough times but it can serve as a beacon for others who are going through similar situations. What a gift.

Linda's sharings are heart warming and humorous and I'm sure you'll find them the same. If you'd like to keep up on her progress and leave some supportive comments you can visit her blog at this link: http://www.stealingmom.com/

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

Prayers & Healing Energy

It's not often that I need to reach out to my blog audience and ask for help for a friend, but my sweet friend and customer Linda of "Stealing Mom and Other Telling Tales" has just been diagnosed with Lung cancer. If you could please keep her in your prayers and send healing thoughts her way, I would really appreciate it.

Linda recently wrote, "My plan is to fight to be a survivor.  If I forget, - please remind me!" You can read her recent post "My Diagnosis Wasn't a Hang Nail" for more info and visit her blog by clicking her blog title above or here's the direct link for those of you using mobile devices: http://www.stealingmom.com/

Best~

Words to Live By~

Recently I lost a friend and sponsor, Tami Lilly of Beyond the Lillypad. This is an excerpt from her birthday wish to me a few months back...

"There comes a time in your life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh. Forget the bad, and focus on the good. Love the people who treat you right, pray for the ones who don't. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is a part of life, getting back up is living. "Being ALIVE is a gift, being HAPPY is by choice!""

Certainly words to live by and she was like that, always thinking of others, always sharing insights, wisdom, and laughs. It makes me sad to feel there's one less person like her in this world ~ we need so many more.

I miss my friend a little more today that usual ~

In Peace

Rest in peace my dear friend, customer and sponsor ~

Tami Lilly

I will miss you, your creativity and your love for life.

Gift from an Angel~

I just received the most amazing 'gift'! My sweet friend Angie of Artangel has been participating in a Pay-it-Forward challenge in the month of April ~ basically she's offered a selection of her gorgeous creations for free through her Etsy shop.

Today was the last day and her offering was this gorgeous "Love" painting/collage. I'm a huge fan of my dear friend's work and have been collecting her pieces over the years.

When I heard she was offering up this gorgeous piece (one of my very favorites) as her last PIF, I just had to stalk her shop and sure enough, I got it!! Whoot!! I'm now the new owner of this fabulous Artangel creation and just couldn't be happier!!

So a huge thanks to the Angie for choosing to participate in this give-forward event and the angel who helped me click that buy button at just the right time♥ What a wonderful gift after this l-o-n-g week!

I'm sure you'll want to view more of Angie's gorgeous creations like this newly finished piece "Unwritten Poem" ...


I just love all the intricate details she includes in her work! This piece along with another will be appearing at an open exhibition in the UK this week, so here are the links to visit her blog and shop ~ www.artangeloriginalart.blogspot.com & www.Artangel.etsy.com to find out more.

Enjoy!

Tagged...

For those of you who follow my blog you know I seldom if ever participate in "tagging" ~ it's just something that's fallen by the waste side after years of continual tagging. Well, I was just tagged by my dear friend Mina over at Green Witch with Sprinkles and while there's really never enough time for anything these days, there are some things (or people) you just make time for ~ Mina is one of those beautiful souls.

So first off, I loved reading Mina's tag posting ~ if you get a chance stop on over and read for yourself, what an enchanting soul she is. And of course thank you so much dear friend for tagging me♥ Now, "answer the following eleven questions" ~ ok, here we go...

1. If you could live anywhere, where would it be? In the woods next to Mina's house. Doesn't count? Ok, fine... the rolling hills of Ireland.

2. Last book you read? Read.. you mean actually finished? Ok, then it would be "The Hidden Messages in Water"

3. What inspires you? Oh my... what doesn't? From a beautiful moment to a gorgeous vivid color to all the beautiful creations I see everyday, there are so many wonderful things that inspire me in this world.

4. Chocolate or Vanilla? Ah... chocolate.... we are talking candy right??

5. If you could have one magical ability, what would it be? Why to fly of course ~ oh wait, I already have that. Ok, then ~ to grant wished ~ then I could help all those beautiful souls that need it so much.

6. Do you dance? Always ~ in my mind.

7. Do you prefer one on one acquaintances or large social groups? A large get-together of my dearest friends ~ that would be lovely♥

8. Favorite food? That which I don't have to cook.

9. What is your favorite season? I love the moments between each when they're changing over ~ that first bud, the first warm day of summer, the first change of color in a leaf, and that first chill in the air when it smells like winter.

10. What is your pet peeve? Shallow, narrow minded people.

11. If you could live in any era, which would it be? When we could barter for everything and didn't need money.

Now I'm not the best at naming others to be tagged ~ quite frankly because that means I would have to narrow down a very, very large list SO... please, if you feel so inclined, feel free to tag yourself and definitely let me know. I would love to see what all of you write and promise to make the time to visit each posting if you participate so leave a comment.

Enjoy~