Christmas Tour of Homes ~ Boomama.net

I'm a few hours late on posting this but better late than never I suppose. As I type this post, I'm listening to the sound of heavy sleet and freezing rain. It was 62 degrees here yesterday and today we are in the 20s...go figure. Tennessee weather is so strange that way. We are under some sort of winter weather advisory and schools are closed again tomorrow. Thankfully, I have lots of Christmas projects to keep my big guy busy. He is really enjoying his "snow days."

This is one of my favorite ornaments. It is a miniature nativity scene enclosed in glass. I won this in a contest at a church Christmas party several years ago.
Another favorite ornament from one of my former art students. She gave me a beautiful ornament every year. Merry Christmas Briah!!!
One of my Department 56 Billy Buttons snowmen. I've collected the figures and ornaments since the mid-90s. They are since retired and much harder to find but occasionally I will luck up on one at a garage sale or thrift store. I love them so much!!!
Snowmen and Stockings among clear lights on our Mantel. I never really had a clear vision of how I wanted to decorate the mantel. I've seen some very elaborate mantel decorations but went with simple and easy and used what I already had on hand.
I've posted this picture just for my sweet niece Avery who is one of my most faithful and regular blog readers. I thought you would like a sneak peek of one of your presents under my tree....betcha' wish you knew what's in there!!!

Under Cover

He shall cover thee with his feathers and under his wings shalt thou trust, His truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Psalm 91:4

I just love this passage of scripture and knew it was "the one" for my latest painting. The wings were inspired by Angie of AGD....scroll down to see her custom painting.

This is a large 16x20 gallery wrapped canvas done in acrylics and features fabulous grungy wings and a glazed background. If you are needing a last minute Christmas gift this painting is completed and ready to ship.
16x20 Acrylic on Gallery wrapped canvas~ "Under Cover"~ 65.00 plus shipping.

Under the Weather

If you happen upon this blog post, please say a quick prayer for me. I've been "under the weather" since Sunday. I woke up Sunday morning with a sore throat but went on to church. As the day progressed, I developed ear aches on both sides, chest congestion, fever, chills, body aches, cough, hoarseness, etc.

I took what antibiotics I had and here I am 4 days later feeling worse than ever. I have literally been in bed for the last 3 days and feel horrible. It hurts to talk and my throat feels raw and I sound like a frog when I do try to talk. I'm heading out to see our family doctor first thing in the morning. I haven't felt this bad since I had the flu back in February.

Of course everything is always worse at night time. It's the middle of the night here and everyone is sound asleep. I'm here with the persistent and loud ringing and swishing sound in my ear and the cat by my feet and I'm really feeling sorry for myself. I'm thinking of the church Christmas play set that I have to paint, the last few Christmas orders that need completed this week and the pile of laundry that just keeps growing with each day that I'm down.

In the midst of it all I am SO incredibly blessed. I know it could always be worse. I know the Lord is with me and has heard every prayer I've prayed for healing this week. I know that this too shall pass. I know that I am loved. Thank you Lord that by your stripes I am healed. Thank you for your love that surpasses anything I could imagine. And...thank you for sending your precious son to be born into this world so many years ago. Thank you that your truth is just as real today as it was then. Thank you that I AM BLESSED!!

Jump ~ Commissioned painting for Angelica Grace Designs

I was commissioned by a dear sweet friend in Indy to do this painting for her design studio. She is the owner of Angelica Grace Designs and Angie Seaman Photography. She is incredibly talented and has an amazing "style" and eye for design. We first met in an ebay design group many years ago and have kept in touch through the years. She has a heart of gold and openly shares her heart and love for the Lord and others on her blog. She has such a gift for inspiring everyone she comes in contact with. I just LOVE her!!!
Angie came up with the idea of the harlequin background with the turquoise splatters, grungy wings and cool quote and we just ran with it. I love how it turned out. It is "so" AGD.

Jump and you shall find out how to unfold your wings as you fall.
This is me holding the finished painting. This baby is massive!! Angie's vision for the grungy painted wings has inspired a new painting......I will post when it's completed. I can't wait to see it come together. Often, I will see the completed painting in my mind before I begin and just have to flow with it. Art is weird that way for me. I can't tell you how many times I've awakened with a painting in my head. I usually keep a sketch book or notebook close by for those occasions. The ideas I don't really have to over think usually end up being some of my best work.

Thank you Angie for entrusting me with your vision for the painting!! I hope you enjoy it and that it helps to inspire you as you have inspired me. Love ya' sista'!!!

Surprise Symphony Date Night

I am squealing like a little girl!!! My husband has surprised me with tickets to the Jackson Symphony's annual Christmas Pops concert tomorrow night. I'm so excited I can hardly stand myself. This year's guest performers are the Annie Moses Band. What an incredibly gifted family they are. Their new Christmas cd is out also and I have it...it's wonderful. I've included links to their website and promotional video below in case you haven't heard them.
Click HERE to go to the Annie Moses Band website.

A real date night....I'm SO excited!! You have to understand, we almost never make plans. We are fly by the seat of your pants kind of people so this is huge...haha.

Whatever you do this weekend just remember to be happy and enjoy the season...don't stress, it will all be ok. God is in control :-) I'm off to wrap Christmas presents....be blessed.

Impromptu Photo Shoot with our Pet ~ Baby Cat

Last night, as I was watching the local news, I saw a story about a photographer in Memphis who only photographs pets. She prides herself in shooting in natural settings or in their homes rather than having a German Shepherd per se posing in front of a boring blue background. I thought I would give it a shot with our family pet who is a house cat named "BabyCat." He is the true king of the jungle around here. Or at least he likes to think he is.

So, on a whim I grabbed my Canon Rebel and proceeded to snap away...all while lying on the floor and cracking up at how the cat stared at me like I had completely lost it. Babycat's new favorite lounging spot is underneath our Christmas tree. If it keeps him off the furniture I'm all for it.
He just thinks that is his present!

I love how the light sparkles in his eyes.

I think at this point he was getting annoyed with me.

He was an easy subject to photograph. My son on the other hand literally throws his arms up in front of his face when he sees me coming his way with the camera.

I hope you all have a safe and blessed weekend!!

Happy Thanksgiving and Christmas is in the Air at Charlene's in Halls, TN

I hope that you all had a happy and blessed Thanksgiving with your family and friends. We had a great time with the James gang in Lexington on Thursday. We have Thanksgiving with my side of the family tomorrow so we aren't done with turkey just yet. It's always great to spend time with your family and recall holiday memories from the past and make new ones as well.

My parents, Reed and I being the adventurous souls that we are, headed out early Friday morning for the earlybird Black Friday sales. We managed to avoid the crazy opening crowds by waiting until 7:30 to hit the stores. It's just too crazy for us at 4 or 5 am. It actually wasn't too bad. We left with what we came for and finished up our shopping lists...woohoo! The game plan now is to simply enjoy the season without all of the stress and rush. I can't wait to get my niece and nephew together with Reed to bake Christmas cookies, attend the Masquerade Theatre production of It's a Wonderful Life, attend local parades, be a part of the Christmas pageant at church, hopefully see the Rockettes Christmas in Nashville, attend Christmas parties, spend time with family and friends and last but certainly not least, reflect on the real reason for Christmas.........Jesus. We are so blessed, so blessed...thank you Lord Jesus.

On Wednesday, we took Reed to Memphis for his bi-annual checkup with his neurologist. We stopped at Charlene's Colony of Shops in Halls, TN on the way. In typical Charlene's style, it was nothing short of fabulous decked out in their Christmas best.

Christmas shoppers in Charlene's.
Charlene's is decked out in Christmas from floor to ceiling!

I loved this blue and brown themed room! I think I could have stayed here all day.

Yummy blue and brown.....love the vintage feel while showcasing a trendy color combination.

Stunning Christmas viginettes awaited around every turn......like a Christmas fantasy land.

Christmas goodies tucked away in every corner, nook and cranny. I could have spent hours here and still not seen everything.

My son Reed and my Mom checking out the ornaments at Charlene's.

I loved this mantel display. Now, I'm just wishing I had the the pieces to recreate the look on my own mantel...hehe.

We are so silly...I took this picture of the 3 of us as a reflection in a beautifully bedecked mirror.

I loved the feel of this room as well. Every room featured a unique theme in it's decor.

Enjoy the rest of your Thanksgiving weekend!!! Blessings to you and yours.

Christmas gifts, new designs and Art for ME!

Happy Monday!! Can you believe it's Thanksgiving week?!

Since getting caught up on custom paintings, I've been working on gifts and even some long planned art for myself which I almost never get around to doing.
I love this design. Christmas is really about our Saviour who came and gave us the ultimate gift of himself. This is a custom for a sweet D'burg customer. I also do different background colors in this one.
I love the blue and brown snowman theme. I did these for each of Reed's school teacher gifts along with a personalized ornament. This is a reasonably priced gift at 15.95.
GO VOLS! UT snowman canvas for my brother-in-law and sister-in-law for Christmas. They love Vols football. I hope they aren't reading my blog...ha. These are also available for 15.95.
Girlie girl snow jeans with lots of glitter! Love these for a sweet girl!! I used girlie colors so these can be worn all the way through February. Custom painted for 45.00.
I have been wanting to paint these coordinating chandelier paintings forever!! They match my palm green, black and white dining room.
Want one for yourself?? They are 16x20 and sell for 40.00. I can also paint them in any colors.
I know the lamp doesn't match...I have my eye on a funky black and white polka dotted lamp at Decor Direct. THE best store ever!! If you haven't been to Decor Direct in Union City it is worth checking it out. Anything and everything you would ever need to decorate your home, office, studio at deeply discounted prices. It's the outlet store for the Kirkland's chain of home stores. Love it!! My favorite lamp in my living room was literally on closeout for $4.25.

I'm off to watch our new favorite tv show..Little People Big World. We love the Rolloffs! They are so cool. Enjoy the rest of your Monday!!! Blessings :-)

Oh how HE loves Us!

Oh how HE loves us! It's hard for us as mere humans to completely grasp just how much God loves us. The Bible says in 1st Corinthians 13:12 "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." I think at times we capture glimpses of His depth of pure LOVE for us but when we see Him face to face someday we shall truly know. This video is of a song that we do in the worship band my husband and I are musicians in at The Gathering Place. Take a minute to listen to the words of this powerful song "How He Loves." My favorite line in the whole song is "I don't have time to maintain these regrets when I think of how He loves me." I lose it every time I hear it. God loves me in spite of my failures, in spite of my sin, in spite of my bad attitudes and even when I find it hard to love myself. Thank you Lord for your true unconditional love that you show me every single day.........no, every single second of my life.

Custom Order Update

Happy Thursday!!
ORDER UPDATE:

I just wanted to send out a quick update to those of you who've been so patiently waiting for your custom orders. All orders to date are completed and on their way to you as of this afternoon. If you don't receive your package within the next 5 days or so please email me to let me know. Whew, I feel better now. I LOVE your custom orders...it just gets a bit hectic this time of year.

Now I'm off to the post office and then back home to make chili for our monthly Ladies Meeting/Get-together at church. It really is chili and soup weather.....I love it.