D= for Daisy in the Sunshine

Well, for who will this Daisy bloom soon?

Of course, who else?!

Teri!

If the sun doesn't shine we can always paint it.

BTW thanks for all your sweet comments on my previous post.

Have a nice Sunday!

♥♥♥

>M<

Animal Wednesday: Pomme and Sarah

One year ago my dad passed away.

After a 10 days stay in the hospital.

He was in the IC unit 3 times and the last words he said to me were:

Marianne there is still food for the cats in the microwave........

I told him that I would get it out.....

His last concern was the care of his cats As a kid he made me believe he detested cats. He would make jokes about it that when he would see a cat cross the street he would pull up with his car. He even did it sometimes untill we screamed in the backseat NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (he was only joking ,he couldn't even hurt a fly if he want to, but still................) (Mom with Sarah) As soon as I lived on my own I took my first cat Anna, a mean devil....... And when I started working for KLM I had to find a solution for her. My dad told me I had to put an add for her. I said I did but couldn't............. Meanwhile my parents took care of Anna and my Pekingnese when I went to work. And I guess he fell in love with her. Anna wasn't a nice cat but in the end he adored her. Later he decided the add was no longer needed and my parents took care of my pets when I was abroad. (Sarah with Koekie and droppie in the garden) Years later there was a stray cat living outside their building trying to survive the winter and after some persuasion from my side he took her in. Hitte was his fist cat. Later he took a kitten born at my home from a rescue cat, which was Pomme. Now 17 years ago. (Pomme learned how to use the petdoor)

When the stray, Hitte, died my parents took Sarah to keep Pomme company. They got Sarah from the shelter, a young and very sick cat.

He didn't want to take a young cat considering his age then.

I assured him that when anything would happen I would take care of them. And so I did one year ago. The cats are doing fine.

(ahhh ......a vitamine D shot!)

I didn't think Pomme would live that long anymore. She could hardly walk and spent the last half year hidding behind the curtainsat in my parent's new appartment.

Pomme has lost 5 kilo's here in the meanwhile and she can walk much better again. (My father took way too good care of them...... ) As it looks now she will live to be a hundred. For the first time in 10 years she comes outside again and enjoys the sunshine. Somehow she didn't dare to go outside anymore in the big city.

(hi there....)

Sarah is having some urinary problems since December, but I think she will be ok with her special diet.

(Pomme with Koekie) (Sarah with a harmless dog)

(Cleaning each other's ears) ( Isn't she cute?)

My father who said he hated cats turned into a cat lover and in his last moments they were his biggest concern (Sarah in the garden) (Pomme and Sarah on my desk. Pomme practically lives there when I am at home)

I hope my dad knows they are alright and I hope I won't disappoint him.

Happy Animal Wednesday Dad!

I hope there are some cats up there with you.........

C= for Cactus Monday!

C= for Christmas Cactus

This cactus will bloom soon in Lisa's home, a dear fellow cactuteer.

The ABC ATC's Around the World have started a new round.

Follow our adventures at our blog!

Happy Cactus Monday!

Hearts for Haiti

This is my heart for Haiti!

Want to help as well? Read the post here at Laure's blog who is hosting the Art Hearts for Haiti ! PS: I am trying to catch up with everything and everybody..... Just returned from a trip and I am only 3 days off so before I will I will be gone again. Tomorrow i will make my blog round and see all what I have been missing ♥♥♥ >M<

Animal Wednesday / Blue Morpho

B= for Blue Morpho

Many Morpho butterflies are colored in metallic, shimmering shades of blue and green. These colors are not a result of pigmentation but are an example of iridescence: the extremely fine lamellated scales covering the Morpho's wings reflect incident light repeatedly at successive layers, leading to interference effects that depend on both wavelength and angle of incidence/observance.

Happy Animal Wednesday!

Cactus Monday / Pictures from Cairo

Pictures form last week Made in the garden of the hotel

With my cell phone

Lots of aloe's

and cacti

more spines

more cacti

in all sorts

and sizes And if you think the green beside the path is grass you are ....

Succulents! That's when I thought about Julie! ;)

I think you would have enjoyed this garden a lot!

The weather was not hot but lovely crispy. I was so nice to walk outside without a coat.

To be in my room with the door open and breath in the fresh air.

Happy Cactus Monday!

Happy Birthday ?????? / A Ridle

Guess who has her birthday today?

Guess who was born one year ago and made a dear friend of mine the happiest grandma on earth?

Congratulations dear ......

Now something about the mandala

.......'s Life path number is 2

LIFE PATH 2 The keyword in your nature is peacemaker. You are extremely sensitive, perceptive and a bit shy. These qualities are both your strengths and your weaknesses, for while you posses enormous sensitivity to your feelings and those of others, the same sensitivity can cause you to hold back and repress your considerable talents. Sensitivity and perceptiveness are among your many fine qualities. Because you intuitively know what people want or feel, you can be extremely diplomatic and tactful. You are also patient and cooperative. You work well with groups, and somehow find a way of creating harmony among diverse opinions. You enjoy music and poetry, and require a harmonious environment. For the number 2 I chose the giraffe, symbol of Grounded Vision, and Farsightedness .

Giraffe helps us explain the expression 'to stick one's neck out.' When we take risks by going further than we ever imagined possible, we see find worlds of possibility. The giraffe's vulnerability when lowering its head to drink, is a reminder to us that if we lose sight of our greater vision and consciousness and sink into a mundane way of life, we risk losing our spiritual connection.

Although the head of the giraffe seems dainty, it has 3 horns giving it the ability to deal a nasty blow. One of its horns is a bit obscured, hidden under the skin just above its eyes. This location is similar to that of the third eye in man and reminds us to honour our visionary abilities. A wonderful power animal to have in ones life, the giraffe is a bearer of many gifts.

Do you have any idea who we are talking about?

This mandala is coming your way soon Grandie!

♥♥♥

>M<

Lolo's Page

This is the page for Lolo's Artysoulsisters book, which has travel as a theme.

I started where Soul left off with her beautiful Egyptian page.

I made the page in Cairo, where I started with the pyramides, one of the 7 world wonders.

There are the 7 wonders of the ancient world and the 7 new world wonders.

Of course there are so many other wonders of the world to be seen as well.

I have been fortunate to have seen a few of them:

The pyramides which I did by camel a few years ago (I love riding a camel, a bit touristic I must admit....)

Petra , really one of the most impressive things I have seen in my life! (I have been there twice and I am determined to show it to my children one day)

The Great Wall of China, wow!

I cycled the Golden Gate Bridge, loved it!

Saw the Colosseum and the Christ Remeeder in Rio.

In this page there are a few things I have seen such as Mount Fiji, the Eifel Tower, the statue of Liberty and the big Buddha.

A thing I will never see: the lighthouse of Alexandria, where I have been but the lighthouse is not there anymore.........

A few things I wish to see in the future such as the Taj Mahal , Easter Island (couldn't help the joke there....) and a real Inutshuk.

And a dream to visit Lolo Emma and Bliss some day................(Sjimmie is with them right now that lucky b......)

Who knows, maybe this year, I have seen so many wonders why not this one?

A= for Animal Wednesday and Alligator

A= for Alligator

Since alligators are always swimming in front of Mim's canoe I have sent this one off to do so as well.................He promised to stay in the water and leave the boat alone........ We, a group of 10, have started a secnd round of ABC ATC making. You can follow the fun at our blog.

Just like in the first round I have no theme but I will try to keep the circle included and will try to create something with the receiver in mind. Happy Animal Wednesday!

Greetings from Cairo

I am in Cairo enjoying one of the most beautiful hotels we stay in. I have 48 hours here to relax. No pyramides this time for me. Just enjoying some "me time". I have made some video's and pictures but I have nothing with me to upload them. So I found this on the Marriott site. I am working on Lolo's pages. Soul made an Egyptian page (which is by the way so gorgeous!) and I continue here in Egypt! Is this a coincidence? Hope you are all well! Enjoying the New Year with all it's new possibilities! I like to believe it has good things in store for all of us! ♥♥♥ >M<

Cactus Monday (#63) Monarch on Cactus Fruit

Happy Cactus Monday! Visit Teri for more cactus fun!

Mim's Last Page!

This was not easy. I can't paint/draw human beings so I had to make a collage for Mim's strong women theme. And this is my first collage.

Click to enlarge and see if you recognize any of these 9 strong women (which I grouped in a the shape of a mandala)..............

The back I copied a vintage card of a real strong woman;

Charmion (1875 - 1949), vaudeville strongwoman and trapeze artist

And a poem I found on the internet (could find the source)

Click to enlarge!

I will send Mim's pages later this week together with Lynn's and Lolo's.

hope you have some more patience.........

A Painted Mandala Quilt for Lynn's Book

I painted this mandala quilt for Lynn, Queen of Quilts!

It is for her book in the Artysoulsister's books. On the back I just had to make a few quilted hearts. When I think of Lynn I think of a big heart, because she has one! I also wrote a poem by Judith L. Cox on the back, which I thought was so beautiful. Quilt Of Colors The quilt of colors of these fall days; Bring ooh's and aah's and only praise; For the master's brush wields the perfect blend; All the hues of earth from end to end; And all the wonders without number; That we get to see before earth's slumber; When the world will be caught in the hush Of winter's quiet sleep; While mother nature does her work, and All her secrets, she will keep; Till spring breaks through in all it's glory; To reveal once again the wondrous story; Of the beauty and splendor each season brings; To spark the song that your soul sings. Judith L. Cox

All your pages are so beautiful Lynn, hope you will like my addition ♥♥♥ >M<

Thankful Thursday (#20)

Round ATC by Yoon See

I still have to show you my Christmas gifts

(pictures are at in ramdom order) Troelie inspecting an ornament from Lolo. Approved by Troelie:) Lovely gifts from Lolo! (Do you see the mandala magnet?) I gave myself a present by ordering my favorite painting from Soulbrush! A wonderful mug from Emily! (see yesterday's post)

How to be happy cards from KJ, with special additions from Emily.

Doozey in a Christmas stocking, a beautiful ATC from Teri.

A handmade card from Lynn (with Sjimmie) and a lovely card from Kate. And all the wonderful Christmas cards I received from all over the world!

Gifts from Yoon See.

Special things from Soulbrush. Click to enlarge the Sjimmie ATC's.

I ordered cards from Mim's Etsy shop and got a wonderful extra and a handpainted Ms.Em!

A lovely ornament from Lolo, which hangs perfect on my cabinet.

Emily keeps an eye on ityou see..... A special butterfly trollbead from Marja!

Thanks so much everyone! I am afraid I left someone or something out. It has been so much lately.....

But most thankful I am for the friendship you all give to me! The visits and comments all of you leave on my blog. The support and encouragement. And the thoughtfullness behind the presents and cards is heartwarming. Thank you all for making this bitter winter cold a few degrees warmer! Hope you have lots to be thankful for! ♥♥♥ >M<