Hello 2016 ~

Greetings and Salutations good people!!  (and animals if you are reading over their shoulders). :)

Here I am... cautiously dipping a toe into 2016 ~

 (it's suppose to be cold this time of year, and my toe is confused as to why it's not getting frost bite! )

Of course, "cautiously"... maybe that's not be how you are suppose to do it...?

Perhaps one is suppose to stride boldly ahead, shoulders thrown back, and do that "hair flip" like the super models do??? 

Is caution overrated?

Some people seem to thrive, living life on the ragged edge, and flying by the seat of their pants. 

Perhaps you are supposed to go out and MAKE good things happen, and guffaw in the face of caution!! (do people stiff guffaw?)

Grab life by the scruff of the neck and give it a good shake, like you mean it.

" Be the change you want to see in the world", and all of those sayings people put on posters.

Power of positive thinking and reaching for the stars ~  

... and I should try harder to follow the instructions on the bracelet I wear every day;

"go confidentiality in the direction of your dreams, live the life you've imagined"

Is this it?  Is this what we are meant to be doing?  How do you know?

 I'd ask the Magic 8 ball, but sadly,  I don't have one.  So very many questions in life. 

and 2015....well, it was a curious sort of year, not just for us, but for the entire world it seems,... and yes, I confess ~ 2015 left me a little underwhelmed, as years go... but I guess some years are just like that.  Nothing to be done about it now. 

Maybe (definitely) you are thinking, "blah, blah, blah..." "get on with it", "Do you have a point"... "What has gone on around there since last post, months ago;  show me something fun, stop babbling..."!!  (all right... all right.. already! )

So, let's see.  

We had an infestation of raccoons in our tree one day....not sure why.  They seemed tired, and were draped over the branches like laundry drying on a line in the sun.  They stayed until it got dark and we lost sight of them... and they were never seen or heard from again. 

I brought a small frog inside for the winter (accidentally, hidden in a house plant someplace)...and he peeps everynight (at odd hours)....he hits some pretty high notes, and could probably shatter glass,

but we are getting used to it now.  Sort of cute(the frog, not the noise) in a frog sort of way.

 The Beagle found one of her own kind to play with!

and the dogs play together too!

I got myself a new sweater, because it was awesome and had sheep on it!

The sun rose, and set any number of times... this one was nice, as I was leaving work in the fading daylight.

There was Christmas card making and (eventually) sending....

 and some crafty-ness afoot....

and house decorating... (ours and and the mouse's). :)

and Christmas shopping, and present making...

and wrapping and then there was Christmas itself!  (which was at our  house this year, and may i just say that Christmas at our house is not for the squeamish, the allergic, the non pet person, or anyone dressed in black fabric of any sort.)

 Everyone survived, some unscathed, and others... well.... we'll just leave it at that.

Was I suppose to wear the kerchief, or the cap?

Like this?

Not a creature was stirring...

Since Winter hasn't been very "wintery" here so far....  well, this is what we've had to resort to.

Mud....

Windshield frost.

And what's in store for 2016?   Hmmmmmm......

I am crossing my fingers, hoping for the best, for all of us; and taking the wait and see approach.

No sense in making resolutions... or saying, "This year will be different"... cuz, after all, until it's over ~ we have NO idea what's to come in the year ahead, and resolutions are meant to be broken.  

We can hope for good things, learning from our mistakes,..mending our ways, and eating better, and many other good intentions.... but history shows us, life has a mind of it's own, and we all know about that road, and where it leads.. and what it's paved with.

I DO intend to try "wet felting"... (very soon actually).

Enjoy the animals...

Learn to knit... a least  a little....

Finish my paper mache rabbits...( because you need to.)

...want to draw lots of pictures of the animals....

and vacuum now and again, because you need to. 

 I'll just say I'll try to be more organized, a better person, a kinder person, a better wife, daughter, friend, eat healthier, make more art, and write more posts about the art, and the animals, the small joys and all the wonder that surrounds me daily.... all the while hoping for the very best for everyone the world over, and peace on earth to boot!!!

 I raise my cup of tea and toast to all of you, and all the potential a new year (and clean slate) holds!

Happy New Year my friends!!

xx    Mel