a day with Maya Rose , Sabrina Leigh and Hannah Marie

 Candlelight for a snowy winter's evening...
the wind is whipping outside
the whistle of the trees sings this weary song...
candlelight offers a place to be warm and quiet...safe from harm.
blessings.....favorite Christmas dishes ...red wine glasses ...simple rings around the napkins...a quiet dinner for two...
blessings.... on a winter's evening.

 the fragrance in the air is vanilla...
comforting calm scents....
a home cooked dinner for two...
I am so thankful for this quiet still night
with a dinner for two.

 flickering light ...
metaphors for flickering and fleeting thoughts ...
remembrances of people gone past ...
remembering their smiles ...a photon of light...
forever in my heart's memory.

 and Yes this is our simple Christmas tree...
small...living ...fragrant...and soon to be moving to my studio...
hopefully we will plant this hopeful little tree in the Spring...
to grow and celebrate many more seasons of Christmas...
long after we are gone....
whispers in my trees.

 I am drawn to the wax patterns of this honey comb hand rolled candle....sweetness in form and function...so beautiful....

 Sabrina and L took a quiet moment to see and share her new tablet...we are now facebook friends... the world is changing so quickly and our grandchildren seem to adapt to these new tools for communication and learning....amazing ....

 At TJ Maxx's I found some pearlized chalk pencils...and honeycomb patterned silicon hot pads...yes I could use them in the kitchen but all I could do was think of all the ways I can print with these new tools. 

 honeycomb patterns to live on ....
I also found a simple interesting necklace for the price of a song....it will match some details of a purse I found a few weeks ago...on sale ....

Today was dedicated to sharing the after holiday sales at Indian mound Mall,  Claire's, Bath and Body Works, and then on to Toys R Us .   Maya Rose and Sabrina Leigh and little Hannah Marie had all received several gift cards for this Christmas season.  The cards were literally burning a hole in their pockets....or so it seemed.  We all went to lunch at Ruby Tuesdays ....Maya has Fresco Chicken and salad bar, Sabrina and Hannah had their shrimp special with mashed potatoes and fruit.  Ken and I had salad bar and their soups for our lunch.  The mood was festive and I felt in awe of how quickly these three special girls are growing up so quickly...too quickly for me.  I realized we were giving them the greatest gift....time shared with each one...celebrating being free from school schedules and conflicting work schedules ...a time that is rare and precious hopefully for us all.  After the mall we headed over to T J Maxx's and the fun began ...each one searched and selected exactly what they wanted to try on. Ken and I sat patiently outside the dressing rooms and waited to see each child model their selections.  We made our way to the cashiers and then headed over for a Chocolate Peppermint Mocha and a Holiday pie for a mid afternoon snack and pick me up.  I listened quietly to their words...stories and plans for the next couple of Holiday days...and again wanted to stop the clock and hold each one close to my heart.  When we went home I fixed Maya's necklace, watched Hannah explain her new Leap Frog games to Grandpa and cuddled with Sabrina as she shared her new tablet....I have so much to learn but with their patience ...they can teach this old dog some new tricks.  Tomorrow I head back to my studio...I have so much to do...with a show coming up quickly at The Works Gallery opening on January 25, 2013.  Enjoy the few photos...and  seek quiet moments for your heart felt moments.  I wish you all Peace.  Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart