“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It Goes On.”
Robert Frost

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Joy and Edna

Another bitter cold day here in Minnesota but tomorrow will be better.  Our temperatures have been bouncing around lately.  Just when you brace yourself for the frigid weather it turns downright balmy, well if you can call 20 degrees balmy!

I love when the mail arrives at this time of year!  You might find some cards, a package or a huge tin of three flavor popcorn on your porch! Joy, Joy, Joy! I was especially glad for the latter so that the hubby would stop eating all the Christmas cookies out of the freezer!

Back to the mail, one item that gave me great JOY was a package from my blog friend Stacy - Magic Love Crow!  I had ordered this cute little Baby Crow painting from her titled "Winter Blessings". Isn't she adorable!!




To my surprise she included another darling baby crow titled "Waiting for Santa".  There he is, tucked into his little "nest" all cozy and waiting for Santa's arrival.  Soooo.... Cute!! Thank you Stacy, you are the best!



I was surprised and pleased that the beautiful card that Stacy sent with the kitties on the front, is from a painting called "Decorators" by Persis Clayton Weirs. The art is courtesy of Wild Wings, Lake City Minnesota! How ironic! I'm not even sure she noticed where the card was from! JOY!

Guy appreciated the artwork too as you see in the photo below. He is an avid bird watcher and here he is also cozy in his little brown nest! These photos took place on a day when our temperature only got up to -2 degrees, for you celsius people that is -18. BrrrrrrrrRR!





So what does one do when it is too cold to venture outside for more than a few minutes, well finish the decorating for one.  I of course get sidetracked easily so when I was rummaging about and getting the house ready for house-guests, I found this painting that my husband brought home from an estate sale.  It was leaning on the side of the dresser in our guest room.  I had kind of forgotten about it and that brings us to Edna, another woman who has brought me great Joy ....



The daughter in-law told my husband that Edna had started painting in her later years.  Being the frugal woman she was, she had not invested in a bunch of expensive materials. If you look closely, you can see that it is painted on cardboard. After looking at it a bit, I decided it was actually kind of a neat folk art piece.







I think Edna did pretty darned good with her perspective on this one! I love her choice of bright colors for the house and other buildings.  Snow can be very difficult to paint for new artists and I think she did a nice job.  Edna thought so too, and she signed and dated this original piece of art, which I am now the proud owner of.  The painting is now hanging in our basement family room.





Edna E. Johnson, Red Wing Minnesota - 1963



As I said before, this was from an estate sale, so dear Edna has passed on to her reward and I hope she has an unlimited supply of paint and canvases she can use to creative some stunning work.

So there you have it, a story about two creative and interesting women who bring Joy to life!  Thank you Stacy for your Joyful and Creative Spirit, and bless you Edna for your frugal but Beautiful Soul!

Joy and Peace ~~ Diane



18 comments:

  1. I feel it in my fingers. I feel it in my toes. And the gentle, joyous ambience of the sharing and caring of what can realised at Christmas, sings from the song and from your words.

    Thank you for this. Joy and peace to you and your loved ones. Bless your friend, Stacy. And the memories of Edna that live on.

    Gary

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  2. I love the painting from Edna. It's a very special one with all the colors of Christmas. The red house is so charming against the white snow and green trees.

    What nice gifts from your blog friend, also. Our blog friends are so talented and very creative, aren't they? That is where I get much of my inspiration from.

    Have a merry Sunday.

    Love,
    ~Sheri

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  3. Oh, your Christmas Header is so festive, I love it! It looks like one of the vintage pictures back in the day.

    ~Sheri

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  4. Wonderful fun post! And i love the baby crow painting. So adorable! Merry Christmas to you. And 3 flavored popcorn? One of the best things ever!

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  5. You're positively swimming in beautiful art right now! Keep warm!

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  6. Awww...the crow painting are so great! So unique! But I'm especially loving the vintage folk art scene! I'd love to find a painting like that someday! What a great find. Hope you're staying as warm as you can here in this COLD crazy weather!
    Erica :)

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  7. Love that crow painting! Such a lovely surprise. Stay warm! We have snow and cold here, too.

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  8. Diane - this is such a great post...both pieces of art work are wonderful. As for Guy he looks so cozy all snuggled up watching from a warm spot all the activities that are going on. (By the way do you ever watch Antiques Road Show? I always enjoy seeing those surprises when folks find out something they paid just a few dollars for is worth thousands - that 1963 painting made me think of the show). Have a great day.

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  9. I love that painting and those cards are beautiful!! I want your Minnesota weather :)

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  10. Merry Christmas! Santa is dropping surprises on your doorstep (or hiding them in your house!)
    I was just thinking the other day that a month or so ago 35 degrees felt frosty but now 18 degrees is feeling calm. )Not quite ready to say balmy.) Good thing we adjust to weather changes here in the midwest. Enjoy your house guests! And give the big Guy (kitty) a hug from me.

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  11. I do love that cardboard snowy scene! Art will find a way. :-) Love your kitty's super fluffy tail. Looks like a perfect, warm spot to birdwatch.

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  12. Hey young lady ;o) I am bad, I still haven't e-mailed you!! Sorry, soon ;o) Your hubby sounds like my brother! Mom goes into the freezer and she is like "SHAWN"!!!!!! LOL! I didn't know that about the card I sent you! So cool! I am so happy it went your way ;o) Everything happens for a reason ;o) Give Guy a big kiss from me! I love the painting! You can tell it was painted with heart! Makes me feel cozy inside ;o) Big Hugs ;o)

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  13. I love the cards. And that is a neat story behind the house painting - I would have had no idea it was on cardboard.

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  14. Diane your displaying some wonderful art here !
    Isn't Stacey such a doll .
    Always great to see the kitty .
    The music you play on your blog is so soothing , I love to sit for a bit and listen to it.
    Be Well
    Willow

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  15. Such lovely gifts and the painting is wonderful. I hope it's not too cold for you! :)

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  16. I love all the creative Christmas goodness around your home :)

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  17. I think it's cold here when the temps drop into the 30's. That probably makes you chuckle :)
    Christmas is all around.

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  18. Brrrr! I could never think that 20 degrees was balmy! Love that cardboard painting...so glad that its been treasured all these years! Guy seems to know good art when he sees it! Stay warm!

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