Traditions

Holiday season is upon us, ready or not it is time to get busy and celebrate Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas to name a few major events of the season. How do you prepare?
Do you decorate for each of the celebrations or does your decor blend the best of each? When do you begin decorating for Christmas? Before or after Thanksgiving?

Each year the struggle between tradition and new ideas grows at our house. The traditionalist states, decoration have set times, colors and themes. Apples in September, Columbus Day, the World Series and Pumpkins in October, Fall leaves, Veteran's Day, Turkeys, Pilgrims and Harvest in November, and Red, Green and Gold command December as the decorations and lights go up on the 1st day of the month. The traditionalist goes yet further with the same meals, foods and activities. The one with new ideas and alternative possibilities asks why not this, why do we do that. Or even proclaims we are doing something different this year, using different colors instead of red, green and gold.

Neither is right or wrong. Traditions have a place, marking the passing of time, and even building a rich memory bank for each one present. I feel there is room for both schools of thought as we prepare for the holidays.

Holidays are to be celebrated and filled with joy, not silent stressed filled rooms. Be open to new ideas, be flexible to new possibilities, create memories but more importantly share love, spread peace, and express joy. Enjoy the feasts!

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© 2018 Carol Lane Fleming

Hurricane Michael

We survived Hurricane Michael's fury! We never lost power which was a blessing! We had tons of rain and wind yet, No Damage which was a miracle!!! So many individuals and families have lost so much in the Hurricanes this Fall, it is difficult to comprehend the destruction and the enormous task of recovery efforts ahead.

Praying for all may your recovery multiply your losses 100 fold! You shall rise from these storms and be stronger and better than before.

God Bless each and every individual throughout this recovery and restoration.

https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
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© 2018 Carol Lane Fleming

Tree Frogs

I have been busy in the backyard the last few days preparing the flower beds, transplanting and enjoying the Fall weather as I plan and consider possible changes to include a fire pit and patio. In all of the cleaning and preparations I stumbled upon a visitor, thankfully it was not a snake! Tucked down between the leaves of my Banana Tree was a very large green tree frog, about the size of a small chicken egg. I see green tree frogs occasionally but never this late in the year. Which has me thinking, what other wildlife is lingering and hanging on to the last warm days of the year? It won't be long before we have our first frost and the garden and flowerbeds will have their longer winter's nap.

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© 2018 Carol Lane Fleming

Merry Christmas!

I know, a little early this year for my Christmas Greetings. However since Christmas Decorations have been in a local craft store since May, I can only assume I might actually be behind schedule. Seriously though, I have been 'bitten' by the Christmas bug.

Last Christmas one of my smaller artificial trees dropped more needles and small limbs than a real tree. Not wanting to toss it in the trash, I left it outdoors to weather and hopefully drop the remaining loose needles. This week, I have decided to transform the little tree in hopes of granting it new life. The tree is four feet tall and is secured to a basket with concrete, did I mention it is heavy?

Phase One: Using my all purpose heavy duty work scissors I cut off all of the needles down to the artificial tree limbs. The tree now looks twiggy and has a short scrubby limbs. Basically I gave the tree a 'crew cut'.

Phase Two: I brushed and cleaned the tree scrubbing it down and removed yet more loose needles. Ran to the store and grabbed multiple cans of spray paint, disposable gloves, a box of cat litter and a large plastic planter.

Phase Three: I sprayed the large plastic planter silver and set it aside to dry. Then the transformation~ No more Green Christmas Tree. I sprayed the tree Aqua! Three cans of spray paint was used to cover the trunk, the limbs and remaining scrubby needles.

Phase Four: I placed some of the dry cat litter in the bottom of the planter to raise the tree to the desired level. After I was satisfied with the placement, I used the remaining dry cat litter to secure it in place.

I just LOVE IT! I love when what I see in my imagination works and actually looks better than what I had imagined. Now the hard part, waiting to decorate the tree. Only red and white decorations will be used and the tree will be placed in the center of my round oak kitchen table. I can hardly wait!

How early is to early to set up and decorate a Christmas tree?

https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
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© 2018 Carol Lane Fleming

Summer Reading

Summer vacation is a time to reboot, adjust schedules, game nights, explore, day dream, journey into the unknown, escape, feast upon tasty treats, late nights and reading. A tradition for as long as I can remember, I have binged on books, reading for hours upon hours during Summer vacations. The thrill of trips to the library and carrying home stacks and stacks of books. The cozy reading spots shared with a cat or dog and an occasional horse as company as I read. No lists or mandates of what should be read just the pure pleasure of reading by choice. I've read of far away places, fantasy, the classics, romance, how-to's, historical non-fiction, poetry, travel, an entire series, biographies and.... The list goes on forever. And yes, I have a confession, there have been times I have chosen a book by it's cover. Gasp!

Summer vacations were created for binge reading. I'm headed to the library later today to collect stacks of books. I have snacks prepared and meals arranged for the reading marathon. As we all know the #1 Rule for Summer Vacation is No Cooking!

https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
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© 2018 Carol Lane Fleming

Happy Birthday America!

I have only a quick moment this morning to write as I am quite busy preparing for our 4th of July Celebration. Red White and Blue as far as the eye can see, what a wonderful display of patriotism as the nation is celebrating The United States of America's Birthday. The sound of firecrackers are already popping the anticipation of the firework display is growing!

What are your traditions as you celebrate the 4th of July?

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© 2018 Carol Lane Fleming

Famous Last Words

I think it needs just a little more paint, these were the famous last words spoken before yesterday's mess-terpiece happened. I was alone in the studio preparing supplies for a session of Acrylic Pouring which sounds innocent enough, when suddenly out of the blue there was a flash of fur and the angry growls of 2 house cats fighting on the work table.  Somehow between the tumbles and growls, scratching and snarls there were uncontrolled paint spills. Paint went flying, I'm sure I will be finding splatters in unusual places for some time. Paint on my face, in my hair, some on canvases, and yes, the cats too were splattered in paint. Paw tracks across the table, on the floor it was a real big mess. Some days just do not go as planned yet, in the end, the results are similar. I had hoped to have a session of Acrylic Pouring yesterday, truthfully, I did! Just not in the manner or using the methods I had planned. All was not lost, I was able to use the mess to my advantage creating prints of the spills.

Creativity happens occasionally it is messy!

https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
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© 2018 Carol Lane Fleming