"Christmas in Pine Valley"
Painting this Christmas scene was so much fun for me. I've been away from painting for quite some time so I decided to start with what I love and Christmas is right at the top of my list. It brings me so much joy and with everything going on in the world today and in our lives this was just what I needed! It took so long to paint all those tiny evergreens on the mountain but it was also therapeutic.
Nestled below mountains covered in evergreens you’ll find a charming village known as Pine Valley. A little snow doesn’t stop families from getting out and having dinner at Ginger Sue’s or doing some Christmas shopping at the Nutcracker Gift Store. Amanda and Clifford, owners of the Pine Valley Inn, greet guests making sure everyone is welcomed and made to feel at home. Worn, wide planked floors lead weary visitors to the cozy dining room where they can order something to eat and sit by the fire or simply enjoy some hot coffee or cocoa before retiring to their room. Snuggling into bed with a good book discovered at the local bookstore under a fluffy, down comforter and an extra quilt is a great way to end a perfect day.
I will be listing this print today in my Etsy shop as well as FineArt America.
Christmas this year is going to be difficult for a lot of people including our family. My mom was moved to isolation due to Covid in the nursing home at the end of October with several other residents. She was in isolation for several days. It was a very difficult time especially since the nursing home has been shut down since March. Once she got out of isolation she was extremely weak. We got a call on November 18th and our family made the decision to bring her home. My sister, husband, and I became her caregivers along with a great hospice team. I so desperately wanted to get the Christmas tree put up for her but that was not to be. She passed surrounded by her family on December 1st. We are so blessed to have spent her final days with her, loving on her and feeding her sweets to her hearts content. She was so very happy to be with us and now she's spending Christmas with so many other family members including my Dad and my brother Joe. She was 1 of 14 children so there's a huge reunion going on in her heavenly home.
Wishing each and everyone of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Rick and I may not come out of 2020 without having gained a few pounds, but baking this time of year is one of my favorite things to do. We are enjoying each and every bite too!
Yesterday I made these Candied Pecans from Lauren's recipe that you can print from her blog.
"Tastes Better From Scratch"
I quarantee you it's fabulous and tastes exactly like the warm Candied Pecans you purchase from vendors at festivals! It says to let them cool completely and store them in a tight container, but they were extra good while they were warm.
I also made some very yummy gluten free pumpkin bread the week before. I used my regular recipe but substituted Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free 1 to 1 flour. I've used this recipe for years and it makes one bundt cake and a loaf. It's perfect if you want to gift one! I don't think this happended this time though, Ha!
A rather large crack developed in the center of the loaf, but tasted great!
My only fall decor has been limited to my crocheted items and a few other pieces. This black and white plaid pumpkin I crocheted a few years ago goes perfectly in my kitchen with my new curtains, therefore I placed it on this old scale.
My living room had a few more pumpkins made with yarn wrapped over cheap pumpkins from
The Dollar Store. Simply cut a hole in the top and bottom of the pumpkins removing the stem. Wrap the thick chenille like yarn through the top and bottom all the way around and add a stick for the stem.
I did crochet a Halloween pillow for myself and my daughter, Amber. You can find the pattern for the pillow here at
TLB Patterns.
This cute plaid garland came from either Michael's or JoAnn's. Isolation is messing with my memory!
These little wine cozies were crocheted using a pattern from
To keep us from losing our minds this summer we got out and went camping at local state parks every month. Even though the last trip this fall was rather rainy, it was still good to get out of the house and into nature. Get creative, bake, or get out and enjoy the beautiful parks around you. You'll be amazed how much better you'll feel.
We like everyone else have had some tough things to go through lately and I won't dwell on that here, but how are you doing and what are you doing to overcome the Isolation Blues?
