A Non-Traditional Thanksgiving

I can't believe how long I've been away from one of my favorite things...this blog. The last few weeks have been busy, hectic, sad, crazy, stressful, informative, enlightening, joyful, successful and so much more.

Business at The Market Place has been phenomenal. This time last year, we were praying for customers and they just weren't coming. This year we have people who are literally waiting at the front door before we open.

My boss weathered the storm through a bad economy, the negative opinions of other people, sabotage, frequent bouts of bad luck and The Market Place is stronger than ever. I am very proud of her. Her faith and perseverance have rewarded her with success.


Because we've been so busy, I've been
working six days a week and on my only day off I've been trying to make my own business grow. I finally did open displays of my dolls, cards and Christmas items at two other locations. Some of my dolls are now happily living at "Studio 5 Art and Design" in Sacramento owned and operated by Jan Hollins who is a fabric designer and an interior designer. Her husband, Lawrence Sullivan is an amazing fine artist who paints unbelievable portraits and murals. I will share some of their work on this blog in the very near future.

The third location that will now be carrying "Cre8tiv Glory" designs is "The Flower Collage & Lifestyle Design" at the Brickhouse Gallery also in Sacramento. More about them in the near future as well.

Needless to say, the work has been non-stop and the holidays slipped up on me before I knew it. Thanksgiving was pretty sad for me. I'm having some family problems at home so instead of staying at home and grieving about it, I decided to take one of my mini-vacations to a place that has always had happy memories. I drove 2-1/2 hours to the Bay Area to Coyote Pointe. We had

so many family picnics and get-togethers at this beautiful place. I wanted to put my feet in the 'salt water'. When my kids were small and I was a single parent the car we had wasn't in the greatest shape but I could get us to Coyote Pointe in about 30 minutes. My kids always felt like we had really been somewhere when we went there. Sometimes it was only peanut butter sandwiches and kool-aide in the thermos but we were someplace different than being at home. Later, when my boys were much older, we had huge family get-togethers with cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents, nieces, nephews and tons of family friends. My mom and I would buy and freeze hot dogs, hamburgers, and chicken legs for a few months until we had enough to feed everyone. We had baked beans,

macaroni & cheese, potato salad and anything else that anyone wanted to bring.

So, on Thanksgiving day it was cold, wet, raining, cloudy, windy and absolutely wonderful. A few quiet tears remembering the past and lots of joy reliving the same memories. I felt alive and hopeful for the future that is in my own hands.




I would love to know what these two are talking about???








Could this be another alien abduction?? Just boots, no body.

There is a peaceful symmetry in the shades of white and blue and the repetition of the masts.

These folks also took a less traditional route for Thanksgiving by going fishing.

I wonder if these birds are giving thanks for not being Thanksgiving dinner.

In the midst of so much rain and gray skies, this beautiful sunflower stood out like the sun itself

Even the fungus seems to be celebrating the day.

Gorgeous coy fish in a scientific environment.

The doorway to the future??

Love and celebrate your families with every opportunity you can get. Never let anyone or anything come between you and your families. They are the most valuable thing have.