Here we are...Christmas Eve...

Are you ready?

It's so hard to believe, but Christmas is only a week away....are you ready?

Rockin' around the Christmas tree...

Garett and I joined in the fun at his DayHab Christmas party yesterday afternoon. The festivities included dancing to a lively mix of music, sing-a-longs, and yummy chocolate cake!!

Rounding out the day....

What better way to end a girls weekend than with oysters on the half-shell. There's nothing better than a few Wellfleet oysters and a glass of wine - and a crab cake (not particularly Capeish, but delish nonetheless). Now we're off to see a movie before heading back to Canton.

Strolling with Lorna on Nantucket

Yesterday Lorna and I visited Nantucket for its annual Christmas Stroll; part of the island's month long celebration of Christmas. I find that the many Christmas trees along the streets, decorated by youth groups and school children, to be one of the most charming and welcoming parts of the stroll. Each tree dons a display themed to the island, and what could be more appropriate than whales?!
Nighttime brings another layer of ambiance to the setting...so lovely and quaint.
It was an enjoyable day with an enjoyable friend.

and the count down to Christmas begins...

Here we are again, at the beginning of another Advent season...and so, too, here I begin another set of Advent ATCs. This daily discipline of creating an ATC may seem a bit much during such a busy season of the year, but it actually keeps me centered and focused - providing me with quite time for thought and reflection. Though these bits of art do not depict the real "reason for the season," I hold those thoughts in my heart as I create and count down the days to Christmas.

Another class painting as demonstrated by our instructor, Eileen Smith.

Another round robin journal...

This journal's owner provided participants with unusual phrases, from which we selected one to use as inspiration in creating a page.

Sunset over the flats...

This painting was an exercise in using a mask to create the waves and splash...and creating grasses a blade at a time...

Boat at rest....

Cindersisters...

Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty were the subjects of an art journal which recently came my way. The owner provided an assortment of images and templates which, interestingly enough, made the job both easier (didn't have to search and obtain) and more challenging (had to stay within the prescribed limits). I chose to focus on the stepsisters in the Cinderella story, and wonder if there would be a story without the stepsisters...

Happy Birthday, Chris!

The Nest was a hub of activity on Saturday as we celebrated Chris's 30th birthday. Buttons the Clown even stopped by to make balloon hats and toys and paint faces. Lots of fun, food and fellowship!

Dune shack

Having passed by this dune shack so many times when we have driven out over sand, it was a pleasure to paint...

Summertime...and the livin' is GREAT!

Gee, it's been a long time since I've posted a Reyn's Nest update...but needless to say, things here are wonderful. Visits from family and friends, fantastic weather, lots of prayerful & peaceful walks on the beach, daily swims and time to nurture my creative spirit! A new endeavor for me this summer is watercolor painting. I am taking classes from a local artist and learning so much. She is a great teacher and is nudging that watercolorist in me that I've always wondered about. Here is one of my first paintings, which I am actually quite pleased with.

The third journal...

This journal's owner requested a recipe...so I decided on this favorite snacky thing...which was always made for my family by our dear Auntie Nell.

Another page for the postal journal....

Mother's Day gift...

Is this the greatest or what!!!

A round robin journal...

The next journal is in my hands. The owner has asked participants to select a postage stamp (from a selection provided) and incorporate that stamp on the page created. My page, shown here, features a bee stamp and includes a favorite ATC. Having collected stamps at one time, I really enjoyed this journal...especially browsing through the stamps she sent for us to choose from.

and here you have it...the alphabet completed!

Thanks, Joey, for suggesting that I post these...doing this compelled me to complete the alphabet...and I'm so glad I did!