The adventures of hanging holiday lights

I love my hubby and I certainly know he loves me. Why? Well, for one thing...he's out in 40 degree temps and blustery winds, hanging our Christmas lights.  It was such a sight to see, let me tell you. (Queue chuckle) From climbing ladders (he's NOT a fan of heights) to swinging a long pogo stick through the air in order to toss the lights high up in the tree for me...that's my fab, loving husband. He makes my/our Christmas magical every year.  :)

Sunday Sketches...we're back!

It's so wonderful to be up and about once again. Today is the first day in weeks where I've been fully up and working on various things. We're almost settled in our new home here in Colorado. Much different than back in England but it's certainly cozy and inviting. In fact, we've just started to put up our Christmas tree and other various holiday decorations.

This week I'm sharing a winter scene watercolor painted just before flying out of London. I'm in love with the little yellow house situated among pine trees and fresh falling snow. We had our first snow earlier this week and it was quite lovely to see. Colder weather is moving in next week again so who knows...maybe some more winter magic will come our way! What about you? Do you like the winter season?

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If you're participating in Sunday Sketches, you can grab the NEW Sunday Sketches button HERE.

Submit your artwork by signing up below with a link to your blog. PLEASE make sure to visit each other! One of the biggest reasons for this co-op is encouraging one another in our creative endeavors. Thank you!

On the Road to recovery

(One of many pictures taken during our visit in York, North Yorkshire)

We've been home for about a week now and it has certainly been a journey already. It's been a whirlwind of many things. In less than a week we picked up our car, moved into our new home, had the puppy dropped off - and on top of it all - falling very, very ill. Michael and I were already sick prior to leaving England but thought we were over it all when heading home to the states. Apparently, the change of countries combined with all of the above going on, my body had enough and halted life for several days.

One week later, after 3 days of strict bed rest, antibiotics, a puppy sleeping at my feet, and a wonderful hubby taking good care of me, I can honestly say I'm finally on the road to recovery. Thank you for all of your well wishes. Now...we can begin to truly settle in to our new home and venture off to see the new grand-babies!

Thank you for your patience with being off-line for awhile, as well as having to postpone last week's Sundays Sketches (which is rare for me to do). I look forward to visiting everyone and catching up on all you've been doing.

Sunday Sketches Postponed

My dear lovely peeps. Please accept my apologies. There will be no Sunday Sketches this week as I've been too ill since we returned home to Colorado to do anything. Your thoughts and prayers are much appreciated.

Alexandra x

Sunday Sketches (From England)

It's the last week for Sunday Sketches....from England, that is. It's been lovely hosting it from overseas these past several months but it will also be wonderful so be back home with our family and friends as well.  Starting next week, we'll return to the regular Sunday Sketches!

Above is a quick illustration I put together, joining other illustrators, authors, teachers and librariarians across the world to encourage children that regardless of who they are....the are SAFE! If you'd like to join in, simply create a piece of art with a safety pin, post it to your social media page and tag it with the #kidlitsafetypins.

Michael and I are boarding the train early Sunday morning for London. With me being very sick and on a 2-hour ride, it might be later in the day or tomorrow before I can visit everyone. I will do so as soon as I'm able.

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If you're participating in Sunday Sketches, you can grab the NEW Sunday Sketches button HERE.

Submit your artwork by signing up below with a link to your blog. PLEASE make sure to visit each other! One of the biggest reasons for this co-op is encouraging one another in our creative endeavors. Thank you!

Keep your Head Up. Keep Your Heart Strong

We've created some wonderful memories here in Scarborough. Not just with our family but new people we've met and now consider our friends. In fact, both Michael and my niece (who's lived here for over 2 years) are amazed at the various individuals in whom I wave and say hello to when pottering down high street for coffee or errands. It warms my heart and yet it's hard to believe we'll be leaving here this Sunday morning. Our friends here have become such a special part of our life and as much as we're looking forward to returning home to Colorado, it's going to be hard to say goodbye.

But life continues to move forward and so must each of us regardless of the change(s) touching our lives. Some will be good while others, not so great.  This is how life must be for us to (continue) learning and growing...even as adults. We'll celebrate together the good and we'll cry/hold one another during those challenging and difficult moments. That's kindness, love, forgiveness and acceptance, regardless of who we are.

In closing, for anyone out there who feels you're utterly alone with no family or close friends. No one to lean on. I've been there. NEVER give up! YOU are LOVED! Always remember that and always remember to keep your head up and your heart strong.

The reinvention of Daily Life

Routines. We all have them. Some we follow every day for years. Others, come and go, depending on life circumstances. For us, we reinvented our daily life routine when moving here to England back in July. It wasn't easy at first, but we certainly did it and I'm in love with that (new) routine! I love our early morning walks down to the coffee shop where we cozy up with lattes in hand, catching up from the day before and all that lies ahead for the day at hand. Bliss. Utter bliss to have that needed and wanted time with my husband - a man in whom I've had the opportunity to learn even more about while tucked away in Northern Yorkshire with him and his family over these past few months. He's an angel and he's my rock.

In less than a week we're returning home and are faced with reinventing that daily life routine once again. Add to that, other new things as well. Such as, a new home. Although we absolutely loved our darling yellow town-home where we built many memories together as a couple, with the kids and our friends, we made a tough decision before leaving the states to leave it behind. We'll be building new, cherished memories in a new home - and that's OK! We're looking forward to reuniting with our family and friends, meeting our new neighbors, cuddling our 3-week old grand-babies...and more! Life is filled with adventures and changes. Embracing them is the best thing we can do. Finding ways to reinvent daily life when those changes come allows us to always find joy in the journey.

Sunday Sketches (From England)

I'm feeling like a little nap-time is in order here. Thus, influencing the above illustrations and a brand new series to fill my shop over the next week or so. With the cloudy weather and gusts of wind/rain, it seems fitting to simply stay under the covers with hot water bottles, drinking continuous cups of tea! But who could resist the beautiful seaside weather and smell of the ocean air today? Not I! Especially when we'll be boarding a train in just one week, returning to London for the holiday lights and then flying home to Colorado a few days later. We'll be reuniting with family and friends we've not seen or hugged in four months!

We've been spending the day cozied up in a few of our favorite coffee shops, sipping on lattes/tea, nibbling on the occasional cake and tucking our scarves snug around our necks in order to stay warm on this soggy Saturday. With Michael knee-deep into work and me working on a special Christmas project announcement, it's been quite the productive yet, relaxing day. Life can be crazy at times, so I'm thankful for days such as these.

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If you're participating in Sunday Sketches, you can grab the NEW Sunday Sketches button HERE.

Submit your artwork by signing up below with a link to your blog. PLEASE make sure to visit each other! One of the biggest reasons for this co-op is encouraging one another in our creative endeavors. Thank you!