Quiet Reflections

I love "Tutu's" muzzle. So kissy!

Quiet. Reflective. Painterly.

That pretty much sums up me right now. I sat down at my studio desk last night and didn't really have to force myself to work. I really wanted to paint and welcomed the calming feelings that came with several hours of non stop finishwork.

I tried not to focus on having to put Toby down, but thoughts of me somehow betraying a friend just wouldn't leave. I know it was the right thing. He suffered too long. So, in trying to ease these thoughts I decided I would try and complete two projects I took on a few weeks ago that won't find finish for one reason or another. The porcelain tea light below was one of those projects. It's now ready to meet its new owner and hopefully cheer her up. The thought of it cheering someone up, cheered me up a bit.

So, animal wise we have one less here at the Danza house. I thought it might be fun to get a few photos of all our animals here. I'm going to do that soon. Once the fish wake up outside in the pond and once my new adopted baby ratties arrive in May. All positive and good things to reflect on.

Spirit Jump tea light

Mother-In-Law

Hand painted plates from Italy

The very word brings chills to some spines, but for me the word is a loving word. My mother-in-law is an amazing, selfless and caring person. Always there with a helping hand and good advice. She is having her dining room repainted this week. It is a huge undertaking which caused some causualties when she had to empty out her china cabinet. I hate having to move anything out of my cabinet and she has even nicer and more valuable things in hers so I cringed when I heard the glass shelf fall.

Hand painted detail

In clearing out the cabinet she found a few things tucked away that she had forgotten about. Some items she forgot about were a few old hand painted plates that belonged to her mother. They immediately caught my eye on the kitchen table and I had to touch them and pick them up to admire the hand painting and the crazing. Even the chips fascinated me. When she saw me admiring them she offered them to me. She said that I was probably the only one that she knew that would appreciate them as much as her mother did. I am elated and I can't stop looking them.

I feel blessed beyond words and am so thankful to have such a wonderful mother-in-law. She has inspired me to pass along the elation. So today I'm going to give away a small horse hair tea light. It was featured in a post made earlier this year. If you'd like to try and win it just leave a comment here today about what you are thankful for today.