So, we made it through the Holidays and my kids are trying to adjust back to wearing pants instead of pjs all day and having to think again!
I absolutely love Christmas but I always look forward to getting back to our routine again. The holidays always feel like a flurry of exhausting, exciting, crazy joyful activity. There are feasts, and drinks, LOTS of cheese, presents, glowing lights, snowmen and carols, friends and family, smiles, and excited anticipation bubbling and bursting. There are secrets and surpirses (that sometimes bring big squeals or tears- or both!) thoughtful gestures and kind words. There are cookies, so many cookies. Peppermint everything- pine. needles. everywhere. There are memories and traditions new and old, love and joy. Then at the end, hopefully there is a very satisfied happy nap, with a Christmas movie playing in the background and maybe a glass of wine.
This Christmas was wonderful, I got my one and only Christmas wish because no one barfed! For the past 4 years in a row someone in my family has barfed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or somewhere around Christmas. If you are a parent you know that getting through the holidays without barf is a huge win!! The only mishap was my husband trying to slice off the end of his finger with a pocket knife opening our daughters precious new horse. Fortunately it didn’t bleed for too long and he was determined not to get stitches. Next year I am adding no barf and no injuries to Christmas wish list! Anyway it was a great time, but I’m really glad the kids are back at school and I am back to painting.
I started off with a painting from a photo I took at the Christmas tree farm.
Every year my family ventures out the weekend after Thanksgiving to cut down a Christmas tree. This year we went to a new place called Woody Acres where they have beautiful evergreen trees of every kind imaginable. It was a 20 degree day and the fields were gently dusted with snow, so I pull out my phone and took off my mittens for a brief freezing minute to snap a photo. I knew I would want to paint this beautiful farm. I am always inspired by nature. Just taking a moment to pause and appriciate the wonder and beauty of it brings me joy. And as I was painting this the song True Colors started playing in my head. You know that one? It was recently sung my Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick for the movie Trolls. (I know I’ve seen every kids movies.) No idea why it popped into my head. But then I got thinking that it does apply to painting. I mean it’s about color right?
“I see your true colors, I see your true colors shining through, And thats why I love you. So don’t be afraid…..”
But then I realized your true colors are more than just colors they are about who you are, right? So when I paint I am being who I am doing what I love and being truely ME. And sharing that is sometimes scary, because I have to show my true colors to others and hopefully they will like it but maybe they won’t. But it’s sort of scary to put yourself out there. But as the song says, don’t be afraid! So my New Year Challenge for 2019 for you is to show your true colors. Find out what your true colors are and live into that and don’t be afraid! Cheers and here’s to a new year of bright vibrant colors! 😊
