get ready.....

since thanksgiving (and even before), television networks like hallmark and lifetime have aired sappy holiday movies.  this whimsical wednesday watch one.  there are lots of channels to choose from or view a dvd of movies like it's a wonderful life, a christmas story (you'll shoot your eye out!  chortle!!......), meet me in st louis or white christmas.  by yourself, with others; enjoying hot chocolate or tea or popcorn.  come on.  you know you want to!

when the whimsey project began, it became necessary to think of an activity for each whimsical wednesday.  i noted early on that it seemed strange to plan for whimsey since whimsey (whim) is typically spontaneous.  however, it has been necessary to plan in order to alert people as to what to expect each week.   a few months into the process i noticed that most weeks the idea for each whimsical wednesday was indeed spontaneous.  often it was sunday night and it suddenly came to me what to offer on monday.  additionally, i thought knowing what was coming might dampen the experience.  however, what i have discovered is the sense of anticipation that comes when something is looked forward to.

on a whim

approaching people is not the easiest action for me to undertake.  i like people and enjoy their company but making the first move isn't my cup of tea.   on a whim i packaged christmas cookies for my neighbors (country living makes them visually close but physically distant) and delivered them right away before i could talk myself out of doing so.  i timidly knocked on each door and wanted to run away before the doors could open.  however, when they did, i was greeted by great people who gave me huge smiles of surprise and happiness.  i also got hugs and merry christmas wishes.  i returned home feeling grand.  on a whim can yield great results.  and remember.....kindness is never wrong.

you'll find me frolicking

a new twitter follower of the whimsey project led me to this website:  http://letsswap.it/, an art source where artists can swap pieces.  what a great idea.  immediately i sent the link to several artists friends so they can participate as well.  already i am thinking of what i might like to offer and bid for.  how grand to have discovered such a neat site.

one piece caught my eye.  it was entitled, "you'll find me frolicking".  instant bond!  it was already spoken for but i do not lament as it's the title more than the piece that endeared me (although the piece is grand).  YOU"LL FIND ME FROLICKING is whimsey, whimsey, whimsey.  in fact, it should be among the words we discussed in july; words that evoke whimsey.  you'll find me frolicking denotes a sensibility of heart, lightness, attitude and approach to the world.  try frolicking through your day today.  and tomorrow.  and the next and the next.  even the most difficult tasks and the most trying days are easier to manage when one is frolicking.  (reality check:  of course easier said than done.  but even the attempt at this frame of mind helps keep discouragement at bay.)

whimsey at work

this morning i got up, made tea and, while enjoying the first cup of the morning, stared at the two small pumpkins sitting on the kitchen counter.  these were in the thanksgiving table decorations and are still in such fine condition i could not throw them away.  not wanting to throw them away but not knowing what to do with them, it came to me.....  out came the festive holiday stickers i use on cards and letters and onto the pumpkins these went.  now the two wee pumpkins, still in fine condition, are ready for christmas!  let the whimsey in you shine.  and giggle at the results.

more snowflakes!

this morning i found a snowflake i cut yesterday and somehow lost as it was found on the floor in an unlikely place.  how it got there is a mystery, however, it was with much rejoicing that it was found!  it was immediately placed with the others on the window.  as i gazed at the grouping of snowflakes i knew another had to be made as there were now eight.  an odd number in a grouping of most anything is more pleasing to the eye. so out came another coffee filter;  a few snipes here and there and snowflake number nine joined the others on the window.  it was grand to prolong the whimsical wednesday activity just a tad longer.  of course, just enjoying the snowflakes in the window prolongs whimsical wednesday.  they remind me that i took the time to engage in an activity that served no purpose other than to delight and amuse.  every week i look forward to the opportunity to give myself permission to do something that matters to nothing necessary.  although, well-being is definitely not nothing!

whimsical wednesday!

as snow lay over the earth, i was inside happily cutting snowflakes out of coffee filters.  i can't take credit for that good idea.  a few weeks ago my granddaughter was home sick from school and she made several.  those were hanging in the window when i visited shortly thereafter.  once it began to snow here over the weekend i thought of megan's snowflakes and concluded that cutting snowflakes would be a great whimiscal wednesday activity for this week.  throughout the day i crafted seven snowflakes, each one unique as snowflakes are said to be.  they are hanging in the window, just like megan's, so they can be enjoyed. these were such fun to make when i was a child and they still are fun to make.  with very little effort a variety of snowflakes can be made and one can feel quite creative. if snowflakes are holiday decorations, then these are my holiday decorations.  and likely all there will be.  i'm looking forward to the soon-to-be-visiting grandchildren telling me what wonderful snowflakes i made.  let it snow!  let it snow!  let it snow!

get ready.....

the weekend brought  a blanket of snow over all the land.  that event sparked the activity for this week's whimsical wednesday.  let's make snowflakes from any type of paper.....printer, construction, coffee filters.  see how many different patterns you can cut without planning any of the designs.  have fun!

holiday memories at the mall

the whimsey project and times square mall celebrate the holidays.  from november 20th, in time for santa's arrival to the mall, to january 2nd, when ringing in 2011, the community has been invited to visit the holiday memories display.  along with items depicting holidays throughout the year, notebooks are provided for  participants to share their favorite holiday memories and to read the memories of others.  below are photographs of my family participating during the thanksgiving holiday weekend.

whimsical wednesday!

the internet is acting up and i'm not feeling especially perky or whimsical.  however, i did create the holiday card.  it was simple in comparison to the grand plans i had for it.  but it was made and the accomplishment felt good.  a piece of red construction dotted with flecks of silver sparklies was the basis for christmas stickers.  these were special stickers in that they were puffy to create a 3D effect on the paper.  the person the card was intended for benefits from a great deal of tactile sensations.  it was immediately placed in an envelope and prepared for tomorrow's mail.  no doubt, in a few days time, it will be thoroughly enjoyed.  at least that is the hope.

get ready.....

the season of giving has arrived. throughout the month people will be giving to others something from their hearts for all manner of reasons and celebrations.  for this whimsical wednesday, create at least one card for someone who really would benefit from such a creation.  i am already thinking of who for and what the card will be......

whimsical wednesday!

the car motored along the dark interstate for five hours last night.  all along the way, in the distance, bright christmas lights could be seen gleaming for all to see.  the ones that are so very magical to me are the lights glowing on singular homes, like farms, amid a sea of black above and all around.  they seem to be a gentle beacon; beckoning the viewer to come closer.  oh, but that i could.  passing population centers find the landscape filled with lights in all colors, shapes and variety of display.  chicago was the destination and the entire city became one enormous christmas light display to me for the downtown was awash in dots of light with it's usual adornment in buildings and on the roadways!  it was breathtaking to behold.  such a treat for me as my travel to the city is typically in daylight.  what i have missed not beholding this amazing sight after dark more often.  as i traveled to the home of my daughter and her family, i was able to enjoy the christmas lights on individual houses.  some provoke giggles, others astonishment and still others there is no adjective to describe them.  just think.  we shall all be able to enjoy these seasonal wonders for another month.  take the time to look.  i will.

get ready.....

it's after thanksgiving.  that means there's lots of christmas lights shining each night.  wednesday will be a roadtrip for me and mostly in the dark.  let's take this opportunity to look for and enjoy christmas lights glowing in the dark for whimsical wednesday. because i will arrive at my destination very late, i will post my experience thursday.

whimsical wednesday!

it's the day after thanksgiving.  this week's whimsical wednesday activity of gathering nature for the thanksgiving dinner table was definitely a challenge.  all day wednesday it rained, rained, rained.  oh how it poured!  although it kept us inside with no opportunity to collect pine cones and acorns and leaves and bittersweet for our centerpiece, we were all very grateful for the rain.  there hasn't been significant rainfall for several months.  the earth drank deeply as the skies offered relief.  we hoped to have a moment or two to collect our decorations on thanksgiving morning however the weather had other plans as it continued to rain, rain, rain.  the ducks were happy.  we weren't unhappy but anxious to be able to create our traditional thanksgiving dinner table decorations.  finally, my wonderful daughter braved the elements to cut a few vines of bittersweet.  fortunately one grows close to the garage door so there was a bit of shelter as she gathered.   i watched from the window in solidarity.  from the cupboard she found a candle, polished stones and things i didn't even know i had!  along with the lovely bouquet we were given for the holiday, she created a centerpiece to rival anything that could have been purchased from a florist.  our table looked beautiful and inviting.  later in the evening, as we sat by the warming fire in the living room fireplace, i looked out the window to discover that the rain, rain, rain had turned to snow!  snow on thanksgiving.  our most wonderful holiday of the year was most wonderful.

get ready.....

thursday is thanksgiving, the most wonderful holiday of all.  at least for my family.  we would rather celebrate thanksgiving together than any other holiday so we make the effort to ensure that everyone comes together at the farm.  it's a wonderful time.  we look forward to, prepare, enjoy, then savor each year.  one of our family traditions is to walk the farm the day before or thanksgiving day, gathering what nature has to offer to create the centerpiece for the table.  we gather leaves, twigs, acorns, dried flowers, bittersweet, pine cones; whatever catches our fancy.  we add a candle or two to what becomes a lovely, impromptu holiday creation.  this whimsical wednesday, we shall gather and create and we invite you to do the same.  even if you live in town, you will be able to find items for your table as nature is everywhere.

whimsical wednesday!

libby and i have been very busy with chores around the house.  time, however, was taken this early afternoon to bake cookies.  ok.  the cookies were ready-to-bake from the freezer but they were warm and soft just out of the oven.  almonds were also roasted.  at three, the kettle was filled and heating on the stove while the table was set for tea.  a candle burned and a very sappy holiday movie was playing on the hallmark channel (libby and i are both willing to listen to if not completely watch this yearly holiday fare) while we sipped tea.  libby enjoyed the cookies while i enjoyed the nuts and sugar free dark chocolate (that's what one does when on a restricted diet....improvise!), talked and enjoyed the afternoon break.  we decided there should be tea during thanksgiving weekend when we are joined by sarah, scott, megan and jacob.

get ready.....

let's repeat tea this week.  even though the tea that was sipped last wednesday was enjoyed, it wasn't as planned.  i am looking forward to afternoon tea wednesday.

whimsical wednesday

tea wasn't what was anticipated when the activity was announced on monday.  my daughter and i are visiting my parents and tea had seemed a nice afternoon sit around the table and talk activity.  however, soon after posting on monday, we received word that a dear, dear family friend had died; his battle with cancer over.  the services were this afternoon.  mom and dad decided we would go to the club for dinner.  while they enjoyed spirits before the meal i had a cup of tea.  it was excellent and the time together festive.  we talked and laughed and shared memories and enjoyed each other's company.  throughout the evening, thoughts of our friend and his sweet wife and the similar occasions that we shared together filled me.   we raised our glasses (mug for me) to them. 

get ready....

this whimsical wednesday, enjoy at least one cup of tea.  make even a single cup an event.  select a blend that is truly enjoyed or try something new.  pour it into a lovely cup with a saucer.  use a cream pitcher and sugar bowl.  have scottish shortbead or other tasty treat with it.  put it all on a tray.  light a candle and play music.  if possible share tea with someone else.  even if tea is enjoyed alone and can only be for fifteen minutes in the day, relax and savor this interlude.  if tea isn't what you prefer, drink coffee! 

whimsical wednesday!

another busy day was upon me so craft making was one of the first activities of the day.  it was decided to make a craft my children made many of in the mid 1980s when they were in early elementary school.  it seems everyone made them and it was truly a fad.  whatever it was we had fun making them together.  that craft was putting seed beads on safety pins and then wearing them on shoelaces.  silver toned safety pins were selected along with three colors of seed beads, cobalt blue, aquamarine and red.  the accent bead was larger and silver toned.  a variety of different arrangements of colors were placed on fifteen medium sized safety pins.  lunch was enjoyed with friends and the beaded pins were shared with them.  they loved them and think i am oh so clever!
giggle.......

get ready.....

it's november!  gift giving time will soon be upon us. remember all the simple gifts we created for our parents and others when we were children?  this whimsical wednesday, create another of those simple gifts for someone; a pot holder, a juice can pencil holder, a jar lid frame to use as a magnet or christmas tree ornament.  everyone made these gifts.  select your favorite or make a new one.  if you select a favorite, tell us about making the original and who was it for.