currently

noticing:: blustery winds and a light dusting of snow last night and through this morning. Looks like the weather is finally taking a turn to cold and winter. We've been enjoying such a glorious, mild autumn.

smelling:: cozy, stay-at-home days like this always puts me into the baking mood. I mixed up a batch of Challah dough, and with the two extra portions, I decided to make "star bread"--one  cinnamon and the other Nutella. Boy, my house smells divine.

listening:: Bach station on Pandora.

reading:: The Irresistable Introvert: (Chung). 

viewing:: marathon 10 episodes of The Crown (Netflix) last weekend. Yes, hooked, loved, and guilty pleasure.

outing:: Jane and I sure enjoyed our night out on the town Saturday evening. Lovely candlelight dinner at Himalayan Kitchen and then off to Ballet West's beautiful production of Madam Butterfly. (Tickets so kindly gifted to me.) So grateful to spend this special time with her before she and Preston leave for Virginia in January. 

thanking:: Something totally unexpected, joyful, and wondrous happened to me last week that I want to record and never want to forget. I was notified by email that an "admirer and fan" of my work anonymously paid (in September and me just finding out about it now) for an online portraiture painting course in my behalf. Tears. I had previously taken a few drawing courses from the same instructor and others-- focusing and working all year on drawing-- and have now desired and felt like it might be time to go on to the next level with oils, etc, but waiting patiently when the time was better financially.  Also to note: that same week I was grateful to book two massage sessions that provided most if not all ofthe funds for my painting supplies!

I am so humbled, touched, and deeply grateful for angels who have so generously and so personally come to my aid over and over these last few years. All of these miracles and mercies witness that Heaven is indeed aware and does loves me. That my art practice is a gift that needs to continue to be nurtured.