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December Hi-lights

Another Christmas has come and gone and while there have been many joyous events over the past couple of weeks, I have to be honest, I'm glad it's all over. I had a difficult time getting all merry and bright this year. I am so blessed and so fortunate and I'm really not sure what that was all about.  Maybe it's the economy? World events?  Congress? (X#%#$Q*****!!!)  the jobless, the homeless, the scary state of the world?  Crime and the lack of concern for fellow man?  Financial worries..our artistic careers and our futures? Yikes! I don't know but for whatever reason I found myself in a funk - just sort of going through the motions and promising to make some positive changes next Christmas... like how about starting to prepare a little earlier, Joyce???  I know, I know... what are the odds of that happening?! Focusing on the positive couldn't hurt either.  Anyway, enough said. Today the tree and the trimmings come down and attitude adjustment begins.  I look forward to a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year! (along with a cookie-free diet)

Now this was fun!  Visiting with Mom, Deb and Jan, Kate and Brian at the beach condo... let the party begin! Sunny Jensen Beach weather and great family... lots of laughs!

Hard not to get in the spirit with Brian and Kate leading the party.  Hats for everyone!

Our very own deer in the headlights

Back home for Christmas Eve dinner and presents with our kids.  Heidi liked her new slippers and undies!

Oh... and how cute is this???!

Courney was Honey's Secret Santa this year and look what she made for her!  Crafty... and a cutie too!

Our English-lit teacher got new shirts and ties in his favorite Gator colors!

Jeff dressed up in his tuxedo t-shirt and Michelle is donning her new scarf from her secret Santa, Leann

From one extreme to the other... Too funny not to photograph!  Courtney and PJ

It's all been way too exhausting...

Less stress please!

Congratulations Leann!!

DECEMBER 15, 2011

Here she is!  Our Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale Graduate!!  I'm doubly proud of her talent and her choice of schools as AI is my alma mater!  She has so much talent and I know better than anyone else that she's facing a challenging journey.  But I also know SHE CAN DO IT!!!

 

(this photo credit goes to her roomie... Kayla)

We Love you Leann and we're so proud of you!!!

 

 

 

 

Don't you just love it...

.... when the UPS man comes?

I got some new pastels... Wheezie got the box!  aahhhh... life is good.  :~))

Her rhym-n' keeps a shine-n'

Maybe some of you do this, but I, myself, rarely take the time to read all the comments left by others on the blogs I visit.  For that reason, I am posting this comment made yesterday by my "sista" Diane in case you missed it.  I have a file of all the limericks she has written for me over the many years of our treasured friendship but this one...well,...too cute not to share! So cleaver and creative!  Love you too, buddy!

Enjoy your day and treasure your special friends! 

 

Our Dad, Ed Metz, Sr.

Where oh where have I been?!  What a month.  I really wish I would just stay up with this a little better.  It's so much work to catch up. Unfortunately the biggest news is the saddest.  Our Dad, Ed Metz, Sr. passed away on September 1st. 

Eddie and I were on our way to an Alaskan cruise and when we landed in Seattle, the first leg of our trip, we got the bad news. After talking with his Mom and brothers we made the agonizing decision to continue on to Anchorage and fulfill Eddie's contract with the people who had hired him for this special jazz cruise.  It was a bitter-sweet trip to be sure, as we wanted to be with the family, but many people had booked the cruise to see these select musicians and he had already been paid so we feel we  made the right decision to stay. 

Dad was a part time musician himself, and we all knew that would be what he would want Eddie to do. It was tough, but we made the best of it. Fortunately, Eddie had spent the entire week previous to our trip with his parents so there was peace in his heart and he was grateful that he had the opportunity to spend that quality time with Dad and was able to be there for Mom as she struggled with the daily hospital routine.  Having suffered long enough we are sad for us but grateful he is finally at peace.

We will miss you, Dad.  Your laughter, your kindness, your generosity, your music and yes, even your lectures!

To learn more about Ed. Metz, Sr. and his wonderful music, visit the Bob Crosby Bobcats website.

We will be going to New Jersey on Sept. 30th to be with the family and bury him in Bath, PA.  We'll spend the week helping Mom with whatever she needs, then head down the highway the following weekend to attend my high school reunion in Whippany, NJ.  The last minute crash diet has now begun!  And what to wear?  Something comfortable and HOT, of course ... not asking for too much there!

Alaska post coming tomorrow!

Two Big Family Events!

Congratulations to our lovely daughter-in-law for graduating with her horticulture degree!!  Yay, Michelle!  We're so proud of you and Jeff too (he worked extra hard so she could go to school)!  We love you both so much!

Also, this same month, PJ has now earned his Masters degree and is ready to teach English Literature to high school kids who will be lucky enough to have him for a teacher!  Congratulations!  We're so proud and we love you so much, Peej!

Eddie and I are so blessed with 5 wonderful children!

Still "Summerizing"

The lovely Pocono Mountains, summer home of my in-laws.... not so lovely this summer.  Rainy and cold for the most part, but Mom and Debbie and I managed to enjoy our time together.  When we get together for this yearly event we eat, take naps, drink wine, eat some more... and on it goes.  One of my favorite things to do up there is go to the Skytop Lodge.  It is the most magnificent old hotel  with spectacular panoramic views from the top of the mountain. It's right up the road from their house.  We like to take our glass of wine out to the big back porch and sit on a rocker facing the beautiful gardens and grounds. There's always a flurry of activity and it's just great people watching fun.

The vast lobby just smells old... and rich!

 

When was the last time you crammed three people into one of these photo booths?! 

"Summerizing" Summer

Where in the world has June, July and most of August gone?  I can hardly believe I have not posted in...like... FOREVER!  Ever have a period of time in your life where you are just waaaayyy too busy? You know, the merry-go-round that just won't stop long enough for you to get off?  

Well, just so I can get a grip on why I'm not getting a grip on anything... here goes.  I don't think I can do it all in one post... certainly  I can't breeze over this first event!

Sometime in June... I begin to help my niece, Kellye plan a wedding in a little over 6 weeks.  No, she's not prego... fiance, Matt got a job offer he couldn't refuse back at college USC, Columbia, where both my talented neices are finishing their degrees in Music.  Matt can get his masters while there, so they decide to push their wedding up a whole year...did I mention we planned this wedding IN SIX WEEKS?!  ... to be held at MY HOUSE?!

A breakfast menu was decided and the theme was set based on fabrics Kellye loved from Jane Sassman's Prarie Gothic collection.   Here's the invitation I made for them.

She ordered yardage and table runners were made, ties were made for the men, luggage tags for favors... just an unbelievable amount of creativity abounded from my two girls.  I was so proud of them!

July 14th... my sister-in-law, Karyn texts me - she's sending the girls up to finish wedding stuff with out her!  Furthermore... the totally re-made dress came in and the bride still hates it and is miserable in general, but Mom needs a break, so she's coming up with my brother two days later!... I tell her if I didn't love her so much, I'd have to KILL her, but well... okay.  Somewhere after that exchange, she had a change of heart and decided to come up with them after all.  I was ever so grateful as I now had an illustration job to complete during this busy week of what was sure to be wedding chaos at my house.

By Wednesday, we were in full swing, last minute craft mode finishing up the decorations.  Always ready to be crafty and helpful, Linda joined the family and a great many large colorful pom-poms were made along with three beautiful roses that looked ever so FABULOUS on the food table.

What's this I see?  A smile on the face of the stressed-out bride?  Could it be bridezilla has been exorcised?  (just kidding, Kel!)

Could there possibly be a better way to show off these beautiful creations than surrounding Uncle Eddie with them?

I happened to capture this sweet moment while the bride and groom are planting flowers for the table top decorations.  Okay, so he was probably threatened with his life if he didn't help do this.... but after all, it's your wedding too, Matt.

Every table was different.  The clubouse was magically transformed as I have never seen it before and the breakfast was incredible thanks to our friend and caterer extraordinaire, Al Romelli.  A grits bar with all the fixin's!... pancakes, fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage... it was so incredibly fabulous!

Good friends Terry Myers on Sax and the magic fingers (and toes) of Jeff Phillips added class to the event with Eddie on the drums between bites.

My brother Joe, about to give his lovely daughter away... or better yet, gain his son, Matt.

We missed PJ and Leann, who could not make it, but here is most of our family.  Love those glasses on the Shelton boys!

...And it all came off with a hitch!

Okay, we all just wanted to lie around in a pile on the Sunday after the wedding and do absolutely nothing, but I had an illustration job to finish and the Natella's had to pack.  How was all this wedding stuff, that came up in two cars, going to go back to Ft. Lauderdale in one car? (now that the bride and groom had the other car) - and - how were 5 adults going to fit in that packed SUV?  It was quite comical watching them haul it all out to the middle of the street and cram it in tightly.

True confession.:  As I waved goodbye to my brother and his family, I found myself laughing out loud. The vision of Randy Quaid finally pulling away with the packed R.V., kids and dog in "Christmas Vacation" popped into my mind!  I still laugh at just the thought of it!  Guess you had to be there.  Love you all... It was fun and exciting, but all good things must come to an end so they say.  Seeya...bye!

Out with the elephants

Monday night we took Heidi to the Circus for her birthday.

Couldn't resist posting this photo in honor of yesterday's historic event!

What a great day it was!  I worked at the computer all day while tuned into the inaugural festivities with my favorite news guy... Charlie Gibson.  Such an amazing time in our history!!  I'm so pumped and excited! Obama fever seems to have swept the nation. I was so proud to have been part of the process and feel confident that I made the right choice in the voting booth. I thank you President Bush, for all the good things you have done and recognize that you did the best you could under a most difficult and turbulent time in our history.

Anyone catch the interview on NBC with Colin Powell?  What an eloquent, brilliant and classy guy!  He expressed my sentiments beautifully.  Still a republican, but happy to live in a by-partisan country.  Time to embrace our differences, look for compromise and work together for the good of the country.  Whooo hoooo!!!!!

He can't help it... it's in his blood!

My, my...how time flies!

Nothing like trying to cram three months into one post!  It’s hard to believe Autumn and the holidays have come and gone.  If I make no other resolution for 2009 than to stay current with this blog, I will be happy.  I am so far behind.  Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!  (Note to self... it’s not as overwhelming if you post on a regular basis!)

For the past three months I have felt so out of control of my time... like a hamster on a wheel... spinning, spinning, spinning and getting nowhere fast. Try as I might, I just could not seem to catch up or feel prepared for the holidays this year.  My mother always says, “It comes the same time every year”.  (I hate it when she’s right). Now that the season is behind us and the stress is over, I vow to concentrate on moving forward with the hopes of being better prepared this year.  After all, anything is possible :~)  So here is my feeble attempt at trying to record the events of my life for the past several weeks.

We were blessed with some real cold Florida weather early in November.  Even the Wheezer needed to cozy down! 

Thanks, Janie and Joe, for hosting The annual pre-Thanksgiving Gathering at Houston's dock.  It was crisp so it felt like fall and the sunset over Lake Fairview was breathtaking!

Nothing like good friends to help ring in the season.

The Clearwater Jazz festival was a fun weekend.  Good music and more great friends!

Susan thinks this should be the next Bill Allred Classic Jazz Band c.d. cover.  (The band may have a different idea)

Eddie worked at Disney on Thanksgiving, so I enjoyed helping with dinner over at Mom’s retirement apartments in the community room.  It felt weird not cooking a turkey dinner, but I was swamped with work and we were leaving on a jazz cruise the following Saturday.  I did miss smelling the turkey cooking in my house and the family not being together.  Next year I'll do it differently.

Christmas comes early at Disney World.
Cinderella's Castle at the Magic Kingdom... magic, indeed!

This could be the reason I started out feeling behind!  I am thankful to Giftcraft for wanting to repeat a successful line but 100 new Teaparty designs with a two and a half week deadline was a bit overwhelming!

But did I let that stop me?

No way... off I went on a December Cruise!  My flight to meet Eddie in LA took me through Minneapolis of all places.  Nothing like leaving 80 degree Florida weather, landing in snow, and back to 80 degree California weather... not to mention a few different time zones!

Okay, maybe not the smartest thing to do... go away for a week in December, but the cruise was so relaxing after several weeks of long days at the drawing board.  Who could pass that up?

Cabo San Lucas.  One of the beautiful stops along the Mexican Riviera.

The guys played at this great outdoor restaurant for lunch one day.

Will play for food! 

Meanwhile... Back at home, Christmas was well underway.  (Note to self... re-think those December cruises)!

 

Decorations had to go up mighty fast.

 

Disney days went into full swing for Eddie. 

 

The band and the dancers depend on him to lead the “Twas” show which takes place several times every day during the months of November and December as part of the celebration for “Micky’s Very Merry Christmas”.

 

Linda and me... backstage with the stars!

 

Holiday lunch and a little shopping with best friends, Pam, Linda and Diane

Followed by girly-girl party and Silly Santa exchange at Veronica’s! 

 

By God.. we WILL enjoy Christmas this year... and we’ll do it all in one weekend!

Let’s cram some Christmas baking into the weekend too!  YES!! There will be Christmas spirit in this house after all!

 

Why not drag everything out and really make a mess?

Alas... the big day is here.

Turkey anyone?

In spite of the added stress including a lost “Ben Franklin” while wrapping on Christmas Eve, the big day arrives and a good time is had by all!  (Ben has not shown up yet, so he either found his way to someone more needy, or will surprise us one day when we least expect it.)

Now, the decorations are down, the celebrations are over, and a new year begins.  Let us all pray for peace, prosperity, good health and the ability to enjoy each and every precious moment of every day to it’s fullest. I am continuously grateful for our many blessings.

As for resolutions... not for me.  I refuse to make them.  The word itself just invites disappointment.  Instead, I create "to-do lists".  (okay, kind of the same thing with a different name) I'm in a very bad habit, though, of creating these lists on more than one legal pad which turn up in various locations throughout my house.  What good is that?  Maybe this year I will vow to write my lists in only one place.  Yeah... that’s it!  That “resolution” just about covers it all for me.

Happy New Year to all.  Enjoy the journey!

(Whew... looking forward to some shorter, more regular posts!)

Birthday Queen

In an effort to do some catch-up blogging I'm going to start with the most important event in November.  I know... everyone thinks the election was the most important event, but I beg to differ.  On the day we elected our 44th President, my beautiful Mom turned 80!  This is no ordinary woman, mind you.  She makes the Energizer Bunny seem like he's going in reverse!
You are wonderful, Mom and we love you so much!  Keep on going, and going, and going....

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!

It's good to be QUEEN!

We started with a family dinner at her favorite Italian restaurant. 

She thought that was it, but we had a surprise cooked up for her back at her apartment complex where all of her friends and neighbors had gathered for a surprise celebration.

....well, if the crown fits.....

Happy Place

Feeling battered and beaten by unfortunate family events as well
as tropical storm Fay, this image is only one of many "happy places"
I have tried to imagine myself in, over the past week. 

What was supposed to be a 5 day vacation for Eddie's parents, has
turned into a bad dream for all of us.  While filling his plate in the
food line at Eddie's birthday party, Dad fell and broke his hip.
It's been quite an exhausting week filled with some difficult ups
and downs but we are learning to just take it one day at a time.
In the meantime, I will continue to take myself to many other
"Happy Places"... at least in my mind.

It was a great surprise 4 days before the party!

Lots of good family times...

Even my "nephew", Oliver was ready to party!

Happy Birthday, Baby!

"And I Helped!"

It's summer time and the school load is light so lately I've had a lot of
help in the kitchen!  We had to explain the origin of "And I Helped" to
our 14 year old, Heidi.  She's too young to have seen the old
Shake and Bake commercials! Have you ever seen a cuter helper?!

We made this yummy shrimp pasta dish with roasted red peppers, tomatoes
onions, garlic, mushrooms, zucchini and fresh basil from our herb garden.

Hello Joe...whaddya know?

We grabbed Mom and headed to Ft. Lauderdale on Friday for a weekend with my brother Joe and his wife, Karyn.  A great time was had by all!  Meet my brother Joe! 

And his "baby"!  He's responsible for building this huge upscale shopping center at Gulfstream Park in Hallendale. We're so proud of his accomplishments and so happy his job has finally moved him and his family close enough for more frequent visits. 

I remember when he used to build with Lincoln Logs and Tinker toys!

We can't wait to see this finished project... sometime in Feb. 2009

It was a gorgeous day so a trip to the beach was in order.

Eddie may have even found a new gig!  Well, at least the hat fits!

With their girls both away at college, Annie has taken over the empty nest.  She is the most adorable little bundle of fur you have ever seen.  Notice her little bowls off to the left?  Well,nothing beats the tasty morsels of her big brother Oliver's food!

In Search Of Art Schools

It's been a busy week so I'll so my best to catch up!  We took a field trip on Wednesday to visit Ringling School of Art and Design with Eddie's daughter, Leann.  She is about to graduate with her AA from Valencia Community College this July and looking towards the next step on her chosen career path. ART!!!
I know... try as I might... I couldn't seem to talk her out of it!  This is just the kind of stubborn attitude she needs to make it, so we are 100% behind her all the way!!!  GO Leann!  We're so proud and she's so happy that she got all those icky academic credits behind her so she can now follow her passion.  Check out Leann on her brand new blog!

It's a beautiful school with lots to offer. ...hummm...maybe?

Lunch was great but check out the bakery we found while walking back to the
car in beautiful downtown Sarasota! 

Now this was the highlight of the trip for sure!  This inspires me to do a pastry illustration. How about you, Leann?