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I'm excited to be taking part in a craft fair this weekend in the Elgin Hall, situated on the road to Crescent Beach and White Rock. I've often thought about framing my prints and producing a line of cards, but I must admit that procrastination has always been my steadfast companion!

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This year I took a leap of faith and - a few weeks ago - attended my first art and craft fair as a vendor. It was great fun and I learned a lot.

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 Imagine my dismay, then, when the show booked for this weekend was cancelled by its original organizer.

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Fortunately, a few brave and hardy women jumped in and saved the day.

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Many thanks to Nicci, Amanda and team!

If you get a chance to visit, I would love to have you drop by. All merchandise to be sold is produced here in B.C., and the work of many local artisans is highlighted.

With Christmas almost upon us, I suspect my blogging will continue to be sporadic, but in the New Year, I mean to visit each and every one of my dear online friends.

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I sincerely wish you all love,  peace and contentment in the days ahead....

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HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS SEASON!

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Dona Nobis Pacem

Hello Friends:

Circumstances have kept me from blogging lately, and I've missed my  online friendships. I plan to do a better job of keeping in touch, and today's post seems a good way to start.

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Mimi at 'Mimi Writes' hosts the annual Blogblast4peace,  a celebration of hope wherein we're invited to create our own prayer for a better world using one of the templates she provides.

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Today I make a plea for the animals of the world, caught up in a war of their own as we encroach upon their habitats and push species to the brink of extinction. A visit to East Africa several years ago impressed upon me the need to keep as sacrosanct the open plains that allow animals to be free, as they are meant to be. It was amazing to watch this young lion  laze comfortably on a sun-baked plateau, secure in the knowledge that the wide Serengeti was his to roam.

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I'm also running the globe I posted last year as a reminder that children and animals are depending on us to bequeath them a world where war is obsolete and all living things are cared for.

We must not let them down....

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Please, please stop by Mimi Writes and add your voice to the many who know we can make the world a better place by sharing our prayers and joining ideas. Together, we will make a difference.
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http://mimilenox.com/

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Thanks to Jules for the tech. support, and I hope to visit you all soon!

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Signs, Signs: Beachcomber Mural

My neighbourhood is enriched by this colourful wraparound mural decorating  the outside of a manufacturing plant just minutes from my home.

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Painted by international artist and muralist, Paul Ygartua, it is the largest such work done entirely by hand.  

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Ygartua was commissioned to do this work in 2000 by Keith Scott, founder of Beachcomber Hot Tubs. Titled 'Legends of the Millennium', it recently underwent a touch up by the artist and once more bursts with life.

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 Mr. Scott's vision has provided a piece that belongs  in, and to, the community. As good art should, it gives pleasure, elicits reflection and is accessible for all to enjoy.

The walls celebrate  those who impacted our lives in the last century. Religious leaders, sports heroes and film stars are but a few of those represented in the 31 figures the mural portrays. I wonder how many you can name on sight...I admit that a couple of them still give me pause.

It is stunning to remember in what extraordinary ways these exceptional individuals have enriched the quality of our lives, and more importantly, how they've served to remind us that absolutely nothing is impossible if we back up our dreams with hard work and relentless determination.
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Being a great fan of basketball, I end with Michael Jordan, whose unwavering focus has always filled me with awe... 

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I'm linking this post to Lesley's wonderful 'Signs, Signs' meme. For more signs from around the world, do drop in for a visit!

 http://signs2.blogspot.com/

I would also like to dedicate this post to Klaus Peter, an astonishing wildlife photographer and naturalist. Klaus was founder of That's My World, and owner-administrator of Skywatch.  He will be missed by the many of us who've come to love his work, and the generosity with which he shared his knowledge and his spirit.
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You won't be forgotten, Klaus...
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 http://www.showyourworld.blogspot.com/
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http://skyley.blogspot.com/
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Four Mêmes in One

On Saturday morning, we drove my sister downtown to catch her flight to Vancouver Island.

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As she’d booked a floatplane, we made our way to the waterfront terminal just down from the Trade and Convention Centre.

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Though the day

hesitated between

cloudy and clear, I

happily grabbed my

camera to record the

early busyness as we

waited

for boarding time.

 Boats of all sorts dotted Coal Harbour...everything from sleek, compact skulls to a massive cruise ship docked at the Convention Centre.

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Coal Harbour: North Vancouver Sulpher Works in the background and a marine gas station just off Stanley park.

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Once we'd seen Nikki off, we climbed up to the overview of the Olympic Cauldron, immediately reminding us of 2010's wonderful  Winter Olympic Games.

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This calm, clear morning little resembled the rainy, hectic evening we'd lined up to see the glow of our Olympic torch lighting up the  night sky.

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Promenade to the convention centre with cruise ship in background.

 I wil be linking my post to four wonderful mêmes this week. If you get a chance, do check them out...

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My World Tuesday http://www.showyourworld.blogspot.com/

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Watery Wednesday http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com/

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Skywatch Friday
 http://skyley.blogspot/.

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 Weekend Reflections

 http://newtowndailyphoto.blogspot.com/

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Book Blurb Friday: No Haven Found

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No Haven Found

"With studied insouciance, Molly glanced causally over her left shoulder, then over her right. The coast was clear! Grinning widely, she shed her yellow Wellingtons and traipsed happily barefoot along the sodden path. The explosive blast of a gunshot nearby quickly stopped her in her tracks."

This is our introduction to private investigator Molly Malone, a free spirit whose fey ways lead every new client to question her ability. But make no mistake...on the job, this tenacious girl is a bulldog fighting for every bone of evidence she can dig up.

Third in the Molly Malone Mystery series, this tale of murder, mayhem and mistaken identity plays out at a yoga retreat. In the midst of serenity, a killer is loose. Can Molly stop him before anyone else dies, or will this be her last case?

Hang on tight and expect anything to happen on this riotous and rambunctious ride!

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(150 words)

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I'm linking this to Lisa's wonderful BBF, wherein she supplies a potential book cover and invites us to compose a blurb (150 words or less) so intriguing that potential readers would immediately buy the book. Check out the fun entries at this link...

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http://www.writinginthebuff.net/

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Many thanks to Kathy Mathews for supplying this week's photo!

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http://oregongiftsofcomfortandjoy.blogspot.com/

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Thursday Think Tank: Market Day

Photo supplied by Poets United

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Cool to the touch,

succulent flesh

yields grudgingly

to hands that

reach out and

grasp in need.
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Fingers stroke
soft, lush skin...

imagining how
lips might also

trail across this

naked pleasure.
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Were you mine

my tongue would

taste your juice,

would savour

each fragrant drop

of sweetness.

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Come to me…

my eager mouth

will not rest

‘til I am sated

on the repast

of your love.

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I’m amused to watch the care with which discerning shoppers choose their fruit. They sniff, peer, probe and stroke…no detail is overlooked by those who seek the very best. I find myself wondering if their loved ones are afforded the same intense level of consideration that the dewy peach takes as its due!
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When I saw that Poets United Thursday Think Tank prompt was, "Market Day", this piece came to mind. For more takes on the theme, check out the link below...
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http://poetryblogroll.blogspot.com/
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Where Women Create III

 

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Computer problems caused

me to miss the July 15^th deadline for, ‘Where Bloggers Create III’, an absolutely amazing event hosted annually by the wonderful Karen Valentine of ‘My Desert Cottage’. 
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I participated last year and was thrilled at the chance to peek into the brilliant spaces of so many wonderful artist/bloggers. You should definitely check out the link at the end of this post…I can assure you, you’ll be amazed at what you see once you venture into the rooms where women explore creativity, and share their joy!

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Though too late to participate in the event, I thought to share a few shots of my own tiny corner of inspiration for friends who
stop by.

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In this room, I surround myself with things I love. Settled at my desk under the Tibetan prayer flags sent by my dear friend Sherry Blue Sky, it is impossible not to feel inspiration bubbling up to the surface.
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Mine is a space stuffed to

the ceiling with treasures,

and though tightly

packed, I can put my

hand on whatever

 I need at a moments

notice,

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Colourful boxes help keep me organized, and are cherished as
much for their beauty as for the many items they can hold.

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Pens and pencils line up in neat rows...
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and rubber stamps

stand to attention

against an

art-bedecked wall.
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It's telling that my husband never worries I'll drag him into jewelry stores, but does wince visibly when I suggest a quick look into every stationery department we pass!

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Order is good, but any decent studio
 should contain its fair share of whimsy…

It seems only fitting to me that rulers
reside in boots, and cigar boxes
overflow with jewel-toned buttons.
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While I call this my studio, there is  very little art made there, I’m afraid.
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I do tackle the odd project like this shadowbox

honouring my mother and father...

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an assemblage built around how dearly my mother loved her father...
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and a collage that says how strongly I feel about the need for art in our lives.

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But when pressed, I’m forced
to admit that my studio is
 mainly the repository of
 my many collections!
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Things old and worn call out to me….

Cameras long out of use...

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 typewriters for which one can no longer find ribbons...
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,-.

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and vintage sewing notions stuffed into clear jars.

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Some pieces are loved more dearly than others. I truly believe there is magic to be found in my little storybook tins.
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 I adore this old
pen-nib box,
quickly salvaged
when it was

discarded at work...
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 and I've been collecting
wheeled tins
for so long that
they’re old friends
to me now.

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Discarded film reels,
vintage school primers,
and bright balls of wool
have an intrinsic

beauty that I’m unable
to resist!
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Clearly, I am an incorrigible

magpie!

  

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I share my studio with Miss Prue. 

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A quiet and easy companion, Prudence tends to wear all her jewelry at once and simply pulls on more layers when she can’t decide which outfit to wear...
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As I've been known
 to take the same
carefree approach
to life, we've come to

consider ourselves

'artistic' rather

than 'eccentric'!

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The very best thing about my studio is that it adjoins my library with it's floor-to-ceiling shelves and scores of books.
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A daily wander from one room to the other is the best way to remind myself how blessed I truly am...
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Hopefully, you enjoyed the tour of my little world. I also hope you drop by "Where Bloggers Create III "- it is a true celebration of the friendship, inspiration and inclusivity that makes blogging the true joy it is in our lives.
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http://mydesertcottage.blogspot.com/
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