** halloween **

hoping everyone had a super spooktacular halloween!!
right?!?!
fun fun fun???
i sure hope so!!
i just love halloween!!
you may remember last year i was my fairy godmother ..
this year ..
well
i actually was without my baby bird..
my colman flew free from the nest that evening
to trick-or-treat with his friends..
which lead to a sleepover ..
which left me
home
missing trick-o-treating with him..
i know i know
the kid IS 12..
but he is
the oldest ..
the youngest
the middle ..
my only child ...
i'm missing the trick-o-treating already....
but
love the sound in his voice when he calls giggling throughout the night
sharing
his silly 12 year old boy halloween stories with me!

had a few nieces over to play a couple days before the holiday ...
we decorated a gingerbread haunted house..
had a heck of a time trying to get the walls to stay together
i don't like the kind you have to assemble..
look for pre-assembled gingerbread houses..
it will save you a lot of headaches unless you are like me
& we all just decorated the walls and roof un-assembled!!
and of course we played with my costumes!

enjoy fall!!

~ maggie ~

*** waiting ***

so today he laid on my bed...

watching me

nice.. soft.. loving.. loyal
glances..

occasional head lifts..gentle tail wags
&
ear perks
.....
waiting
patiently
for
his walk....

he's so sweet...
my herbie
this is a daily thing
to watch..
wait..
love..

up for grabs here

today i received 2 emails dealing with cancer ..
bernese mountain dogs with cancer
one bone marrow with 6-8 week prognosis
she is 7
another with
lung cancer and a tumor in her neck
she is 8 1/2
there is concern she won"t make it to her 9th birthday in january....
heartbreaking....
lets do what we can to help this beautiful breed
for more information
check out this site

enjoy
~maggie ~

*** something wonderful ***

yesterday i found a glazed chocolate donut in my mailbox..

yes really!
it was in a little bag
no explanation
it just was sitting there...
i love the thought
&
i love a chocolate glazed donut
YUM!!
but it went in the garbage...
i can't just eat random food i find in my mailbox..
i have to draw the line somewhere right??!?!?!

then today it was garbage day..
someone rolled my 2 overflowing cans of garbage to the curb..
have no idea who..
my garbage man has never done that..
maybe a nice neighbor?
or
the little fellow that lives behind the door in my walnut tree?!?!


all i know is something wonderful is blowing through ..
maybe our early snowfalls have cleansed
my house
my spirit
my small spot in this world..

i believe & continue to believe
in dreams.. karma.. angels.. fairies
i am hoping i can entice it to stay!!



little blue houses are on my mind..
* sunset on colbalt lane *
up for grabs here..
enjoy!
~ maggie ~

why not?

you see things; and you say, 'why?' but i dream things that never were; and i say, "why not?"

~ george bernard shaw ~

*** sweet love ***

something about the look
on my dogs face..
the soft loving loyal eyes...
the welcoming barks..
the warmth when they sit by my side..
gentle nudge to wake me up..
hugs when i am happy...
comfort when i am sad..
they just
love
sweet
love

hope you all have a love sweet love....

this is a favorite of mine..
up for grabs..
you know the drill
just click image or
here

enjoy enjoy!!
~ maggie ~

*** maggie-pedia **

ok
so it has been brought to my attention that i
make up words??
me??
huh??
never!!
:)
so maybe i will start my own
maggie-pedia

first word
farkle when my sparkle starts to
fade .. when i am tired..

good huh? makes sense

according to wikipedia
farkle is actually a dice game ..
WHAT??
i like it my way better
:)

enjoy
~ maggie ~

*** cooler than the flip side of a pillow ***

well according to my son i am!!
i was stunned when he said it..

"WoW
ME?
your dorky mom?!?!"

hey
i'll take that any day!!
the song by uncle kracker
~smile~
uses that
phrase in it's lyrics..
&
i love that song..
so
hooray!
i'm cool
:)

i have been playing around with
some of my old favorite things..
painting little quirky houses.
.villages ..
i just love the feel of a
lived in & loved in house..

this one is up for grabs..
*** village harmony ***
click to view
enjoy enjoy
~ maggie ~

ps
i don't want to focus to much on this
but
i must tell you..
it snowed 2 nights ago!!
yes oct snowfall..thank god it melted by afternoon
but
yikes!!!

*** i love a birthday party ***

as long as it's NOT mine!!
HA!
not so much because of age..
but i don't like all eyes on me...
i'd rather be in the birthday chorus...
i was maybe...5 in above photo..
this may have been my surprise party where i ran
&
hid in the shower
or
the time i hid under the table at farrels when the drums &
singers marched over to our table!
i was terrible
still am about celebrations like that
BUT
only if it's mine
i love to celebrate with others!

on sunday we celebrated my little niece ellas 5th birthday..
what fun!!
ooooodles of silly little kids ..
i was the face painter ..
until i hired my protege audrey to take over..
she did excellent don't you think??

fun day!!
happy 5th sweet ella sofia
love you!!

enjoy!
~ maggie ~

*** marley ***

so mister marley is on my mind..

my brother & sister -in-laws
loyal chocolate lab...
i adore this dog..
he is a loyal.. howling ..silly old man!

i have this crazy thing for his little white beard
..i love when dogs get those white whiskers..

so when i painted this chocolate fellow
i obviously had marley on my mind.. it isn't him..
or
did i mean for it to be him
i was just doing my thing
&
walaaaa

a loyal.. whiskered.. chocolate.. love

you know the drill
i just listed it
click to bid

it has been raining for a few days now..
i complained about it still feeling
warm & summery
i need to shut my big trap!!
ugh
now it is dreary..cold...
& well
it happened....
fall is here!
crisp ...yet wet fall!!

i think i have had a fire going non-stop for 3 days ..
i love a fire but
unfortunately my furnace is farkling!!
i know can you believe it??
what timing
i had a guy out yesterday to take a peek
he basically taught me how to jump start it!!
& well ..
he left & 20 minutes later
i had to jump start it
&
nothing.......
he said he didn't know how many
times i could get it to fire this way..
i guess
just
once!!

but fire is such a good thing..
it is toasty..
feels
like cuddling
:)

so just a little hurdle ...
until it is fixed
i have 2 big furry dogs to continue to cuddle!!

hope you are all feeling toasty..

enjoy!!
~ maggie ~

*** fetish ***

i have a thing for dressing up pooches..

not sure what it is
but i love
...it...
must be
my
fetish!!

:)

~ witchy -poo~
~ aLa Ka ZaM! ~
they will be on sale tomorrow:)

enjoy enjoy!!
~ maggie ~

*** gumdrop trees ***

i have been doing things behind the scenes..
trying to get the calender for 2010 ready
woooohoooooo
but i'm here
painting
:)
just finished this...
like?

** gumdrop trees **

what a fabulous view from my window!!

:)
enjoy enjoy
~ maggie ~

*** where is fall ***

fall just around the corner
the leaves on my sugar maple are almost
gone
but
NOOO
it has been warm.....
ugh
ruby & herbie are confused..
we want fall
crisp breeze..
fuzzy sweaters..
long walks..
bonfires
pumpkins
the whoooole thing!
we're ready!!!
enjoy enjoy!!
~ maggie ~

**** nuts ****

i know
what was i thinking
started at
$.99!!!!
&
i love it.....
hoping you do too!!
enjoy!!

~ POW ~

:)

enjoy!
~ maggie ~

*** what a day ****

one of those days i just want to crawl back into bed..
but
it's alright
bash on regardless right?
the dryer stopped tumbling...
my oven stopped heating up
& my crown is loose
(tooth not on my head ;)
sooooooo
i have some calls to make...
biggest bummer is it is a holiday weekend..
does anyone else work labor day?
hmmmmm
oh well painted a cute village
i love this
enjoy!
~ maggie ~
click to view here...

to see all my listings
click here

enjoy your 3 day weekend!!

** school already **

yep.. the time has come.. first week of school is underway..
all my 6th grader wanted was to finally sit in the backseat on the bus ..
& it happened!!
wooooo hoooooo!!
remember those little things..
the backseat on the bus .. a ding dong in your lunch...
sitting by the boy you are crushing on
:)
and the awkward moments..
getting called on in class no matter how hard you looked the other way praying
"no no no not me "
having to walk to front of the class & having a wedgie...
having a tickle in your throat & nothing to drink while the teacher talks
on & on & on
while tears start streaming down your face from the stupid tickle...
you zipper is down
locker rooms
first bra
need i say more??

i don't miss school...
i was the wiggly girl ..
had ants in my pants...
chatty chatty
i'm front row 3rd from left
kindergarten
click to enlarge photo
oh the early 70's

i have report cards from 1st grade that say ..
" maggie must have some confidence she doesn't seem to
care if she gets an answer wrong in math "
" maggie is so busy even her coloring looks sloppy "
... too much huh?
i managed a straight A kid that the school counselor encourages
wiggly kids like his mom to hang out with!!
so i figure as a mom

i hit the
JACKPOT!!

hope your first days went wonderfully
:)
~ Maggie ~

ps
still sporting huge markdowns
the economy... eh
so enjoy
click to view whats up on
ebay
&
etsy
& shoot me an email for your requests & commissions

** my favorite coat ***

just wanted to show you my favorite coat...
if it still fit..
i would wear it
:)

*** markdown madness ***

a lot of fabulous paintings are here.. on my walls not yours .. paintings that the economy is keeping collectors from enjoying...right?? i can feel the money whoas .. so i decided it's time for markdown madness

doesn't that sound wonderful?? a sign of the times huh?
so really check often ..i'm listing more buy it now than ever.. & a variety of old school.. new school .. fabulous funky flowers .. & give a shout out if you want to see something..
enjoy enjoy :)
just a peek at what's up for grabs today

cuties huh?
click here to see whats available
enjoy!
~ maggie ~

** after hours at the dog park **

~AFTER HOURS AT THE DOG PARK~
can you imagine?
in come the dancing girls..
the poker tables .. the disco balls ..
the huges bones & lasagna
i don't know what it is but my dogs go nuts for lasagna
:)
and cheese ..
geez can't forget the cheese!!
well this just went up for grabs
click HERE or image to see & bid

enjoy enjoy!

maggie

* fishy fishy *

i love this photo...
his face says it all huh?!?!
THRILLED!!

*** cupcake lady?? ***

****CUPCAKES ****
OH YEA.... I KNOW YUMMM!!!!
yesterday was a cupcake day...
i had little miss ella for the afternoon... she thinks i should start a new business..
even invested in her idea by
purchasing & gifting me a beautiful cupcake book...
& yes ..
this is a design straight from the book ...
but being artists we took
some artistic license with them :) ..
~btw ...anyone know where to buy "runts"
they are a wonka candy?~
so with some licorice, skittles fabulous straw cookies
wa-laaaaaaaaaaaaaa
you like????
colman & ella co-cupcake designers

ok... down to art business... i am listing more items on etsy..
it is always buy it now on etsy
gotta like that!
so check me out there too..
tangerine studio etsy store

just listed these cuties

just click image to check them out ..
both 6x6 cuties on canvas..$35 a piece..
what a smokin deal!!!!

hope you are having a fabulous week!
enjoy
enjoy
~ maggie ~

*** ugly cry ***

not so blood shot & puffy now..

so after what seems days of
crying.. crying
even super ugly crying
my eyes are back to normal.. .. or my face is .. i was a swollen
mess!
the funeral was saturday... i will miss hearing my sisters laugh..
talking to her daily but now she is with me in spirit
painting with me ......

so here are a couple of my latest commissions
sasha & sean...

cute huh?

enjoy!
~ maggie ~

*** love love love ***

ok so i made it to the top 10
whooooooooo hoooo!
exciting huh?
but no ..we did not get selected for the wine label
maybe next year..
thanks sooo much for voting for me!!
i think this is going up for auction.. tonight
so if you are interested .. i could be yours!
this cutie is on now..
* fresh *
you know the drill
click to check it out
enjoy!
~ maggie ~

** empowering ME **

so as some of you may know already
my life has been very bumpy these
last few months...
way to much heartache
both my dad & sister passed away
&
yes
my marriage... divorce is a bitch...
so in this i am trying to
well
do things to remind myself
'hey i can do it .. '
so i signed up for an 8k with my sis-in-law mel ..
who by the way runs & ran it last year ..
we have been practicing .. sometimes walking sometimes biking
but we haven't ran
i'm just happy we are out there moving!
so saturday was the big race..
i woke up at 5am to a loud crashing boom of thunder ..
alarm went off at 6:30am & i was up .. dressed & out the door with my
bright yellow fire mans raincoat..
it was mel & i at the starting line with
about maybe 50 hardcore
'i race in the pouring rain & i race when it is 30 degrees below'
runners ..
we giggled .. stretched & were off!
we ran the first block to impress the nieces & my bother as they cheered
us on from their front door as we ran past their house..

..my brother even commented on us running ... he was impressed ..
then it was a steady walk
:)
2 minutes into the run
downpour
we were drenched
2 miles in the winners & leaders of the race passed us ..
going the opposite direction ..
on the last leg of the race already!!
we hip-hip-hoorayed them along..
through out the race
we bounced back in forth with 3 women for the tail end race position
only for them to pass us on the final stretch...

giggling in the rain as the orange cones where being taken
down & the water stations were closing

we crossed the finish line
i was dead last
yes
last ...
but i tell ya ..
we did it!!

we giggled in the pouring rain on sunday morning for
1hour & 13 minutes

i empowered me
:)
enjoy
Maggie

** owl find you a home **

i can't believe i forgot to tell the great owl story ....
thanks for reminding my sydney .. here we go..
it is actually being told my my sister-in-law mel .. :)

Hi! For those that have emailed about Hooty, yes, it is an amazing story and yes, we are so happy to have her safe & sound! thank you for your kind wishes!

I received a status update today and she is feisty and mean, which is really good in "raptor" language! She has some bruising on her elbows and they are keeping her a few more days to see what develops. I can call to check in on her.... They will release her back here if she has a quick recovery. It sounds like that will be the case....

While talking about Hooty, they asked if we would be interested in hosting a "foster" owl?? Uhm, YEAH!!! Great Horned Owls don't know or care how many babies they had...if another one enters their "territory" they will take care of it as if it is their own. I guess this is uncommon in the animal and raptor world. I got a call a few hours later asking again if we would be willing to have a foster owl brought in...they would be here between 7-8.

Julie, the director of the center, arrived around 7. Binoculars in hand and birdwatchers in tow, we set out searching for the owls. (They have become much harder to see over the past week or so with the trees in full leaves.) An hour later, no luck. She wouldn't leave the new owl without visually seeing the other mom, dad, or baby. She did show us several instances of evidence of where they were...and feathers of what they ate. It was an education! But no drop. This owl was younger than our Hooty and was unable to fly. He was a crawler and they had to make sure there was an owl connection in the area.

Julie and the little baby owl left, promising to come back around nightfall.

She did, and after about 30 minutes of many eyes looking, they were heading back to the car. They heard baby "clucks" but could not visually see a baby or an adult. Some of us were over by the pond where I had seen them dozens of times...and heard it! The baby called out! We ran!! As Julie was coming up the trail, we were running down. This way! Binoc's in the air...listening, looking, chatting...so many questions! Colman (with no binoc's) and just turned 12 years old, observed the area and said, "there it is." Matter of fact. There she was, sitting on fallen tree debris. COLMAN the HERO!!!! The owl flew to a neighboring tree and waited..........................

We ran back up the hilll and to the baby. Julie took the baby owl out of the cage and let us take pictures of the extra fuzzy baby owl. This one was much younger than Hooty. Then we walked her, neighborhood now in tow, down to the fallen tree. Julie gave us one more photo opportunity, then went to the tree and released the babe. We had to be very quiet. Mission successful. She must feel like a celebrity!!! Actually, I asked her, she laughed!

On the way back, she told us more about the Great Horned Owl and how unique it is. If you ever find an animal in trauma, please don't rely on your city for information. Please call a center that can cater directly to the animal in question, like the Raptor Center. Share this story because you might be able to have an impact later...my Nordy shared his story which ultimately saved our Hooty.

Once home and kids in bed--ultra late!, I spent some time on the deck just listening. I heard the baby clucking and tooting...Julie said a mom Great Horned Owl will provide for all babies in the area. 3 is about the most they can provide for...we have the sibling of Hooty, hopefully Hooty back soon, and now our new foster owl. Listening to what she was saying, I said, "I guess Hooty's tangle was great timing!" She wholeheartedly agreed, it was indeed great timing. They had been looking for a home for this baby Great Horned Owl. We have named this foster owl T"Tooty."

so that is way cool huh?
we are so proud:)

enjoy enjoy
~ maggie ~

so i can hardly stand it.. my painting for the wine label made the finals!!!!!!

totally exciting huh?
THANK YOU FOR VOTING FOR ME!!
i think i find out tomorrow....
it has been so sticky & hot..herbie has his face
permanently planted right up against the air conditioning vent..
so his big head is blocking all the air & freezing his brain!!
HA

last night i had a slumber party at my place..
all my nieces but one attended..
she is in kansas..
one popped in & had to leave .. she had to work in morning
& one had a fever so she came.. had cake..& started to feel better !!
my cake has that effect on people
:)
so she stayed a couple hours
so mom & dad could have a b-day dinner ...
colman was the guest of honor ..
we had a blast..
well i made my first mini bundt cakes...
so cute & yummy
here's the birthday girl & ella the girl my mini bundt cake healed..
at least for a few hours
:)

and one of the cutest photos in the batch audrey loves doing dishes..
so have at it right?
so there she is with miss ruby
helping clean up


enjoy enjoy !
~ maggie ~