This is a view of the Bay from the deck of my friend Bea. She lives up on the ridge and has a great view. She gave me permission to use her photo.

Well, today is the 12th of December, and we have decided to go to Texas for Christmas this year to be with our Son and his family. Jack has not seen the Grandsons since the oldest was three and he is now 11. So its way past time. I plan on taking my beads with me to get going on my Journals. i am posting another beautiful sunrise. The clouds are strange but beautiful. The sunset this day was also extremely strange but beautiful, unfortunately I did not get out to take the photo until it had faded out too much.

Today is the First Friday opening at the Gallery. Jack and I went down yesterday afternoon and spent five hours setting up my show. Irene moved so many exhibits around in the main Gallery so we could use the pillars. She has such a good eye for displays. I have the snacks ready to take down, and I must say I am not as nervous now that we have everything set up. I was afraid I would not have enough to fill the show area, but everything worked out perfect. Now I just have to get through the opening. Silly isn't it? Now I just need to finish Dahlia's doll and I can start on my journal pages in a serious way.

I am attaching a photo of my beautiful Granddaughters in their costumes they wore for Halloween. Two peas in a pod those two.

Thanksgiving is over, I finished the last piece for the December show today. I am more than ready to start on my Bead Journal, but still have items to finish for Christmas. The weather is still up and down here today. Anchorage is getting hit with heavy snow and Seward is blocked off because of avalanches. Seems a little early for avalanches, but who knows. Well, back to work.

Today is November 23rd, Happy Birthday to our Daughter Kathy. Sounds like she had a pretty nice day. Breakfast with her Sisters, Daughter, Grand Daughter, and Son. Wish we could have been there.

One more project to finish up for the December show, a Raggedy Anne Doll for Dahlia for Christmas and then I can get started on my Journal pages. Can't wait.

I wanted to include this beautiful sunrise photo with this Post. What a way to start the day.

This photo is of our wonderful Nephew, Ryan Williams. Gone too soon.

We lost both of these wonderful young men this year. Our entire family group was devastated by their loss.

Well, I have finally decided on the size of my pages. The beaded part that is. I am going to do them 3X4 1/4 . I am hoping that I am not restricting my designs with this size. I have 10 pieces of Lacy Stiff Stuff already cut and waiting.

I still have to finish up a couple of projects for the December show and then I can get started on my Journals. I can't wait, I am really looking forward to the challenge.

Warmer today, although snow is still threatening. It is 36 degrees this evening. Quite warm compared to up the road 70 miles. 16 below up there. Homer really is the Banana belt.

I am including two photos with this entry. The two young men I hope to honor with my Journals.

I will get the hang of this sooner or later. Second try on this Doll also. This Doll is quite colorful and is a salute to the beautiful Fall we had this year. She has Butterflies to keep her company.

This I believe is Doll number 5. She was going to be an Angel, and she just kept saying no to the wings, so she is now known as the Crystal Ice Princess. She has a great deal of shimmer on her so the photo is not real great.

Second try on this one, I forgot to post her picture the first time. This doll is my "Homer Cabin Girl", who loves to play music with her friends. Music and Art are very big here in Homer.

Before I get up to my workroom I just want to take a few minutes and post the pictures of my other dolls before I forget again.

The lady in purple is Mardi, I have since added more lace and sparkle to her outfit. Haven't updated her photo yet.

Well its Friday and I promise I am going to go to my workroom and get started on my Journals. I have to decide what size I want them, and because I am doing two I will be keeping the pages small. Not too small, just big enough to allow my designs to work well.

Its cold and 10 degrees today and very overcast..snow? Maybe, at least that would warm us up some.

I am posting two of my paintings that will be in the show next month. Hopefully I photographed them ok.

I love the sea and all its treasures. The color isn't as good as I would like it, but here it is.

Today is Thursday November 19th. The day is starting out sunny but cold, 10 degrees. We still haven't had any more snow but it is predicted. It would warm us up some I'm sure.

I am still in the planning stage of my journal, as I am still trying to finish up the last of my projects for the show in December. Very nerve wracking. I'll be glad when its here and done.

I am including a photo of the sunrise over the Bay. It might be a bit dark. More later.

Today is November 17th already. This Month is flying by. Probably because I still have things to finish for the show next month. One day I'm sure I have enough and the next I'm grabbing more beads and starting on more projects. This is my first solo show so I am extremely nervous. Oh well, I guess it will be what it will be. No more snow this AM and the sky, what I can see is pretty clear. The days are getting shorter and I already feel the loss of the sun. Vitamin Time!!

I have my beads and accessories to take to work with me today, just in case it is very slow. Irene, my boss, tickled my imagination with a gift she bought for a friend that collects old sewing items. I thought it was such a sweet little thimble holder, and I am going to try to duplicate it in beads.

Handbag #4. Chickadee. We get these small birds by the hundreds at our feeder in the Spring and throughout the Summer.

This is a CD Case that I beaded for Jack a few years ago as a Christmas gift.

Poppies on Velvet.

Small handbag #2 Beaded on a velvet background.

One of the beaded handbags made for the December show.

This is one of the Dolls that I have created for an upcoming show at the Fireweed Gallery here in Homer, next month.

She has a lot of beading on her, which doesn't really show very well, but she's lovely.

Well, today I am striking out into new territory...the Blog. I have set this up to go along with the Bead Journal Project that I will be starting very soon. I have already sketched a couple of pages that I will be working on, and made note of other ideas that I want to "fleshout" a little more.

My Journals are dedicated to our Grandson Christopher and Nephew Ryan. We lost both of these beautiful young Men this year. Such a void has been left.

By working on the Journals, I hope to find some peace and work through so many conflicting feelings. I dedicate these Journals to their memories.

Beading has always been a great therapy for me, so I am looking forward to starting these Journals. I will try to be faithful to the "Blog" on at least a weekly basis if not daily.

I will be including notes and photos of some of my other interests also.

So...off we go.