Now that we're home...

“The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time.”
                                                                              - Abraham Lincoln


I'm always telling everyone that our social life in Florida is really crazy and that we slow down and relax when we get back to Michigan.  But so far for this year, it hasn't happened yet.  Up until now I've only unpacked and have made some progress in decluttering our house.  But the best is yet to come!  I decided awhile ago that I wasn't going to take anymore online classes any time soon.  Then Juliette Crane had too good an offer to pass up on her How To Paint An Owl 2...

For one thing, owls are so popular right now and I decided to try and take advantage of this, along with learning so many new mixed media techniques that she uses in her paintings...

Juliette and I first made contact when we both signed up with another e-course (I think I remember which one, but I'm not 100% sure), and during the course she contacted me to find out where we winter in Florida.  Since then we became FB friends and I try and follow her latest paintings.  Her class on How to Paint An Owl 2 begins on Monday, April 15 and goes for 6 weeks...

We can work at our own pace and we have access to everything until June 2014.  I will try to keep up the best I can, but I have many other things going on right now.   But aren't her owls beyond cute...

Our oldest son is retiring after serving 20 years in the army.  In celebration of this, they're having a party, plus he'll be receiving recognition directly from Vice-President Biden, whom he works directly with in the White House Communication Agency.  I'm in the process of painting something for him for his retirement.  Unfortunately, I won't be sharing this with you until after I give it to him because I want to make sure it's a surprise. 

Then the most exciting event coming up for me, personally, is our very first                 Creatives Celebrating Sisterhood Retreat.  Many of my Facebook Fly-Tribe Artist friends will be attending this retreat and many of us will be meeting in person for the very first time!  I'll leave this Wednesday to drive to Lake Geneva, WI where we'll be staying at The Abbey Resort on Lake Geneva.  In addition to having a great time and finally meeting one another, I also signed up for three workshops.  On Saturday when I leave, rather than drive right back to Michigan, I'll be driving straight south to visit another creative artist, Amy Cavaness.  I met Amy through another online e-course, The Business Soul Session taught by Kelly Rae Roberts.   Amy is truly gifted in creating many spectacular quilts and other fabric creations.  You can read more about her right here.  Amy invited me to spend the evening with her and so I'll be returning back to Michigan on Sunday, April 21.  Mr. Cottage and Molly will be bonding with each other until I return.

Needless to say, I'm going to have lots to share with all of you over the next several weeks.