Artsy – Page 4 – Just An East Coast Girl

Made in China

I often hear people comment about EVERYTHING made in China and sometimes even hear “that crap” comes from China.

I guess I am a little sensitive to comments like that after having lived there. I love China and the culture and people and appreciate so much the labor and skill that goes in to much of what comes from China. There is so much we don’t know or understand.

I regularly get posts and news of artisans making, creating or perfecting their handiwork. There are so many unique things made in China. The Chinese people are VERY talented and highly skilled at what they do!

Here are just a few examples that I’ve enjoyed lately.

Spring Festival is right around the corner and 2017 is the YEAR of the Rooster so many things are rooster themed…

A rooster carving from butter!

15826748_1395099180541895_8209635629956782450_n

Rooster art made with colourful grains 16114566_1414222311962915_5130117037883441562_n 16195115_1414222301962916_6631266697966417858_n

Roosters handprinted on eggs

15781272_1393829974002149_4564261002371665254_n 15781632_1393829970668816_6589176658220054599_n

Rooster from palm

16113004_1406533369398476_1654319254090246322_o 15974859_1406534116065068_6812082726701889110_o Clay roosters

16142313_1412036938848119_3179407608588392621_n A rooster in the snow on a football field at a University in Northern China

And then there’s the light festivals that are so elaborate

16195879_1386369964759106_7916768601353858849_n 16195733_1416387158413097_3195129378490525550_n

And the snow and ice carvings that take weeks to do ( I have seen these in person and it’s amazing)

16252382_1416669258384887_6539150582834231499_o

How about this art work done with a ball point pen? I LOVE these.

16114817_1414022438649569_168723283992853515_n 16142410_1414022451982901_1748858052736824532_n 16195774_1414022551982891_7560325927066479072_n

This is just a small taste…

I am missing China so much these days as I talk to my friends and see these pictures. Spring Festival aka Chinese New Year was one of my MOST favourite times to be there.

240_f_120855638_errfibba9g1npx8isf7jzddkly8hredm

Cosmetic Snow ❄

Our local weather newscaster has a new term for a beautiful light fluffy snow day! It’s called cosmetic snow.

Today I enjoyed being cozy inside and watching the birds in my yard as the light “fluffies” were falling…

Wishing you a wonderful snow day! xo ❤

Quotes you live by

We have so many resources at our fingertips! You need information on a certain topic? it’s just a google away…

I love my computer for tutorials, for recipes, for documentaries, for catching up with old friends and meeting new ones, to keeping track of my “life” in pictures and thoughts, for planning trips…and adding places to my bucket list…and SO MUCH MORE!!! There’s just so MUCH at your fingertips, a plethora of wealth and information. What did we ever do before the computer and internet? What did I ever do before I had my very own computer and we had to share ONE as a family. We are so spoiled. I have a phone, an iPad and a computer that I use very regularly depending on the situation. I feel blessed to have “information” at my fingertips”

As I am browsing and seeking information and learning…I come across little things that make me happy, things that put a smile on my face. For example today…catching up on social media, a friend posted a Bible verse for this week. I smiled because for years this was “my verse” my go to everyday as I woke up. It says so much!!

And then planning my winter getaway in March and looking ahead to summer vacation I found this …

I loved it! I love all the globes! I love to travel so any excuse will do!

And this!

And then reminders pop up…

A reminder to appreciate EACH day and opportunity… BECAUSE stuff happens!

I could go on and on with these little quotes that make me smile…

Leading up to Super Bowl time… who’s your team?

And finally another that a friend posted on social media that made me smile.

There are a few of us that are turning 50 this year. Maybe I should get the T-shirt? You know…” BEEN THERE, DONE THAT, GOT THE T-SHIRT” lol.

Well, I gotta get off my computer. It’s time to go put some information in to use and cook up a couple new recipes.

Have a great day my friends xo

TODAY is THE day!!!!!

b1247e1132b02793360f14555ad4b963 today-is-the-day

tattly_jen_mussari_today_is_the_day_web_design_01_grande today-is-the-day logo1

Sometimes you just HAVE to do a post just for yourself! I’m very sorry. This post will not make sense to anyone but me. BUT, I needed to blog, to have it in writing so I can refer to it throughout the year. Because TODAY January 9, 2017 is THE DAY!

What day is it?

Wishing you a great Monday and start of a brand new week! xo

Sunrise…Sunset…Sunrise…Sunset 🎶

Sunrise sunset, sunrise, sunset,
Swiftly flow the days,
Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers,
Blossoming even as they gaze…

Sunrise sunset…

Soon 2016 will be but memories…Good ones, Amazing ones!!!

My dear husband is back to work for a few days. Yesterday, today and tomorrow he has 12 hour shifts and is very busy overseeing some maintenance work during the holiday shut down. His long days working have been giving me time to do some things at home that I don’t normally get chance to do over the Christmas holidays.

During this time I have also been thinking a lot! Thinking of all the blessings of the past year…we’ve had many!!!! Thinking ahead to what 2017 will bring…

A lot of tragedy…a lot of death and uncertainty in the news the last few days… It really makes you stop and think and count your blessings!

Days swiftly flow…sunrise’s come, followed by beautiful sunsets. I’m not sure which I enjoy more. December has brought some beauties!

I hope you get a few quiet moments before this year is through to enjoy them. Here is one I took…

The rest are beautiful sunrises and sunsets captured by fellow photographers from Nova Scotia enjoying them too! ( Betty Meredith a local photographer is one of my favourites to follow)

15732668_10212087244957791_5366439811059573488_o

15741095_10154085527996120_5590682755498814959_n

15781132_10208383084834883_5750157310065194270_n

15740787_10154731353251093_814419106461995634_n

15732070_1296501277080333_4008003076059378191_o

15799952_1296501597080301_2316318692131628465_o

May EVERY sunrise hold more PROMISE

And every SUNSET hold more PEACE

I pray you are making the most of each day and the opportunities and adventures it presents…

( Sunrise, Sunset…from Fiddler on the Roof)

https://youtu.be/nLLEBAQLZ3Q?t=1m10s

It’s Magical at Christmas 🎄🎅🎁⛄

I love Christmas lights. One of my favourite things to do in December before Christmas is to grab a mug of my favourite coffee or coffee/hot chocolate and drive around to see the lights. I love it!

When we were away our kids went to a magical place and told us about it. It sounded just perfect and tonight David & I and James went.

It was like a magical wonderland…in the middle of the woods!

I just LOVE stuff like this. And after…a candy cane coffee with some treats!

December Moon

Ahh…last night there was a beautiful December full moon! Here is a picture that Terry Conrad took and our local weather broadcaster shared of the full moon over Lunenburg, Nova Scotia last night. I love it!

A crisp cool moon reflecting on clean white snow and shining over the harbour.

On a little side note. Do you know what I noticed about Facebook while I was in China?

Take a look…

In China

And here in Canada

screen-shot-2016-12-14-at-4-06-42-am

Notice the difference?

I thought it was pretty cool!!!

Have a good night!

TWO days!

I NEED 2 days this year to get my Christmas baking done!!

6456820421_109173349c_b

Even though I decided before I went to China that I would bake less this year, and only make a few of our absolute favourites and nothing too fancy that is too stressful…I NEED 2 days, when otherwise I could do it all in one.

I’m just too tired! The jet leg on this end coming back is so brutal. I ALWAYS find it harder!!!

Stay tuned tomorrow I should be able to finish up and post some pics. But right now I need to lay my head down for a quick rest before I continue today’s goodies.

495602660

Hot off the Press!

The first shipment has arrived!

Our youngest son James enjoys photography! He takes beautiful pictures as he travels. He travels almost as much, if not more than my husband and I. Just for fun he thought he would compile a few of those images, ” Dramatic Skies” into a 2017 Calendar. This is the first time he’s done a calendar and they turned out great! A perfect idea for Christmas gifts. There are photos from Canada, China, Brazil, Cuba, Australia, and of course a few from Nova Scotia.

I can’t wait to put mine up!

DWTS

Do you watch Dancing With The Stars? This is the cast for Season 23.

It is one of my favourite shows to watch…it reminds me of my Auntie Bea. It was her favourite show and she never missed an episode. Tonight is the season 23 finale!

There were a lot of favourites to watch on this season and tonight a winner will be chosen between the final three. I loved watching all three of these couples but two of them were so good all through this season and it’s hard to decide who I would like to see win.

The finale is held at the magical place called “The Grove” in Los Angeles. What a beautiful venue.

Will it be Laurie Hernandez, James Hinchcliffe or Calvin Johnson Jr.?