Texture Tuesday - Happy Heart

"Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow.  The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing."  Abraham Lincoln

Linking up with Kim for this weeks' Texture Tuesday.

Lion or Lamb?

It's been cold the last couple of days.  We keep seeing small flurries of snow but no sooner do they start than they stop again.  March came in like a 'lamb' this year but it looks like it might be having second thoughts.  All the more reason for me to stay bundled up nice and warm inside.

Photo-Heart Connection: February

This image first resonated with me because I saw within it glimpses of myself . . . .  reflection and contemplation; quiet reticence; shyness and timidness.

Drawn closer I began to notice the finer details.  The pattern of the feathers, the way the eyelashes so beautifully frame the eye, the little hairs at the side of the beak. 

All to often I get caught up reflecting on the past, what has been.  This image served as a reminder to sit up and take notice of the little things, the every day things, the here and now.

What image did you capture in February that you felt a special connection to?

Visit Kat Eye Studio to learn more about the Photo-Heart Connection Project.

Random Facts

I'd been meaning to share some random facts with you for a while now so when a blogging friend of mine (Kim Stevens) posted Ten Truths about herself it inspired me to stop procrastinating and as Nike would say 'just do it', so here goes . . . . .

1. I am allergic to onions and spider bites.

2. Turtle Neck Sweaters freak me out, they make me feel like I am being strangled. In fact I hate anything tight around my neck.

3. I have an ongoing love affair with chimpanzees and gorillas which started when I was around 4 years old.

4.  My favorite word is 'Discombobulated'.

5.  I like my meat cooked REALLY well done which drives my husband nuts and just for the record I won't eat fat or gristle.

6.  I have strong opinions but don't often voice them so not many get to know the real me.

7.  For some reason the smell of hyacinths make me want to vomit.

8.  I have an insane sweet tooth and think I must be addicted to sugar.  Unfortunately chocolate gives me migraines although I'm ok with white chocolate (yay).

9.  Red is my favorite color and you'll find splashes of it in most of the rooms in my home.

10. I'm not afraid of heights but if I look down without physically touching something solid like a brick wall or structure I get major vertigo.

11. I love the ocean but it also scares me.

12. I cannot walk in a pair of high heels.

Feel like sharing?  I'd love to hear some random facts about you.

Texture Tuesday - White

textured with word, fall in, and then some

"I love cats because I enjoy my home; and little by little, they become its visible soul."  Jean Cocteau

Linking up with Kim for this weeks' Texture Tuesday.

I Blinked & Missed It

I know Winter's not quite done with us yet but I've been feeling it . . . . . have you?  The faint promise of Spring in the air.  I find myself longing for those first signs of life, those moments when everything begins to wake to from its winter time slumber.

Talking of slumber, that kind of sums up my week.  I'm not entirely sure what happened but I feel as though I blinked and missed most of it. I guess some weeks are just like that.  I'm hoping to snap out of it and get creative over the next couple of days but I know better than to make any promises.  Do you have anything nice planned this weekend?

New In The Studio

I had a great time at the Artist Evening on Friday.  Thanks to my friends who stopped by and the other local artists that I got to meet too.  It was a fun way to spend a couple of hours. 

What wasn't so fun was the computer drama that my husband and I had this weekend.  I won't bore you with all the details suffice it to say that I came very close to throwing my machine out the window.

On a brighter note here's a sneak peek at some of the pieces that I enjoyed working on this weekend.

I've also been busy prepping canvases and journals and plan to have new items in my shop soon.  What fun creative things have you been up to lately?

Artist Evening At EarthWorks

EarthWorks, a local store which sells my artwork, has recently introduced Artist Evenings and this Friday I am their featured Artist.  The owners, Penni and Dewey, are amazing and work tirelessly promoting all the art in their store as if it were their own.

Their shop is like a treasure trove and contains beautiful items from over 80 local artists.

Dewey has already began preperations for the big night by creating a 'feature wall'.

. . . . . and below are just a small selection of items you will find on display tomorrow evening.

If you live in or around Leesburg please stop by.  You'll be sure of a warm welcome.

Artist Evening Featuring Kathryn Dyche Dechairo

EarthWorks

521-H East Market Street

Leesburg, VA

20176

Friday February 17, 2012

6.00 pm - 8.00 pm

Light Refreshments Available

Texture Tuesday - Happiness

Happiness is . . . . .

textured with luminous

. . . . . the contented puuuuurrrrrsss from your feline friends.

Linking up with Kim for this weeks' Texture Tuesday.

Bbbbbbrrrrrrrr

It's been so cold and dry lately that it's left my skin feeling a lot like this leaf . . . . .

. . . . . time to get the heavy duty lotion out and get slathering!

It looks like we're set to have more snow this week but luckily we shouldn't have too much accumulation.  I've been feeling the cold so have been snuggling on the sofa with my hot water bottle and a thick blanket, but then that's what winter is all about.

Hope you're staying warm and toasty in your neck of the woods.

Snowfall

Apologies if it feels as though there have been a large number of bird and squirrel posts lately.  The truth is that I have been in excruciating pain the last two weeks so haven't been able to venture out much.

I love watching them through our sunroom window.  Their antics help keep me entertained and are a welcome distraction.

The squirrels were loving the snowfall yesterday. I had to chuckle at the way the snow seemed to collect behind their ears . . . . and if I'm not mistaken I think that might be a smile I detect.

I'm off to see the neurologist this afternoon.  I'm hoping there is something new we can try to help with the atypical face pain.  Fingers crossed.

Texture Tuesday - Doorway To The Past

textured with pourvous, luminous and confidence

Her hand rested tentatively on the door handle, she paused . . . . uncertain.  Some doors are meant to be opened, others should remain firmly shut.  Which one was this?  She felt the latch give way under her grip and the door creaked slowly open . . . . .

Linking up with Kim for this weeks' Texture Tuesday.

Feeding Time

 I saw the most beautiful female cardinal this weekend.  Would you look at all those gorgeous feathers.

But my heart still belongs to the Tufted Titmouse, they have this wonderful ability to make me smile. 

They've been enjoying the squirrel food that I put out.  I have to laugh each time one of them carries away one of the monkey nuts.  Half the time the nut looks bigger than their head!

Love this contemplative pose.

The chickapees were out too, singing their cheerful song despite the snowfall we had.

Always so delicate in their choice of food.

The wood peckers decided to join in the fun, although they're all about the suet.  First the red bellied woodpecker . . . . .

. . . . and then the downy.

I could sit for hours watching them feed.  Especially on a cold snowy day when it's good to be bundled up nice and warm inside.

Did you have a good weekend?

Weekend Reflections - In The Eye Of A Squirrel

After my post about Archibald it seemed fitting to round the week off with some squirrel reflection shots.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Linking up with James for this weeks' Weekend Reflections.

Photo-Heart Connection: January

Visit Kat Eye Studio to learn more about the Photo-Heart Connection Project.

Of all the images I took in January this was the one I felt a special connection to.  The kind of image that makes your heart skip a beat when it comes into focus at the end of your lens. 

It spoke of so many things . . . the fragility of life, the inevitability of death.  Of hanging on when the going gets tough, of love and hope, of security, of vunerability and of connectedness.

Tell me what do you see when you look at this image?

Archibald

I know a lot of you aren't squirrel lovers but my heart goes out to this poor little guy who seems to be missing a large portion of his fur.  When I searched for reasons online it appears it could be the result of a fungal infection or mange.

Each time the temperature dips below zero I worry about him.  I have the urge to tuck him up in a warm blanket or knit him a warm jacket.

When he didn't show up for two days I feared that something had happened to him.



But then yesterday there he was, my mate Archibald.  He may not be the prettiest squirrel but I love how he rocks being different.