Roger's Gardens and Meeting fellow EHAG Artist Debbee Thibault

At the last minute I read that Debbee Thibault, well known folk artist and fellow EHAG member,

was going to be at a signing event at Roger's Gardens in Newport Beach, CA. 

Rogers isn't far from my home so I headed over to see what I could see.

Every season, Roger's is decorated to the hilt and going into this Christmas season

is no exception. This beautiful nursery is always elaborately graced with fine ornaments, 10ft decorated 

Christmas trees, each with a different color and texture theme set among fine antiques,

 beautiful art work, and plants and arrangements to die for.

I've always stood in front of the display cases that house the works of Vaillancourt, Christopher Radko, and Debbee Thibault with eyes full of wonder and admiration for their fun designs. 

There was a special table set up for Debbee today with a little Christmas tree loaded with her special ornaments, and when there was a slight lul between crowds, I went up and introduced myself as a fellow EHAGer and that brought on a big smile.

She was friendly and most gracious as we chatted about sculpting techniques, and her fun art pieces.

You would think I would have taken a photo... but alas no. Silly me.

In the same room there were some works by another EHAG artist, Vergie Lightfoot. Last month I missed her Halloween signing, and Bethany Lowe's too! (I didn't know about it), by one day! I did get to see the few pieces she had left, (such as the kitty below)... I kind of snuk (is that a word?) this photo.... and

they were so amazing!

Vergi had some very Whimsical and Wintery looking pieces there today and as usual,

those signature kooky Marty Feldman like eyes gazing back at you. So fun!

If you're in the area of Newport Beach, California, you might want to pop over there

to have a peep. The fragrant fresh trees, garlands and Poinsettias will be there in a few weeks.

It's a nice place to visit, especially at Christmas!

Fully blooming Christmas Cactus at Rogers.

I'll close with this photo from one of my aviaries.

This is the Australian flight with Lady Gouldian Finch. A while back I'd shared some photos of some

of the olive green fledglings. This is what the Lady Goulds look like in full Technicolor!

I Won 3rd Place in the Martha Stewart 2010 Halloween Creations Contest!

I can hardly believe it!

"Brimstone the Gourd Goblin" has won third place

in the Martha Stewart 2010 Halloween Creations Contest!

There were so many wonderful and creative entries, and I'm so pleased and honored to have been chosen!

A big Thank You to Martha Stewart Living and to Grandin Road!

This last month has been filled to overflow with various projects, and of course

with the holidays approaching commissioned work and Fall and Halloween art is slowly

shifting to Christmas and even Spring works.

The Morning Glory's are still blooming boldly as many of my garden perennials begin to fade.

This beautiful green spider has set up residence on the last of the Borage and Anise.

The Orange Weaver is in full fall plumage in the Aviary, and fits the season's 

color palette perfectly.

These lovely Sunflowers were a gift from my dear and oldest friend, Connie. We've known each

other slightly more than 50 years, since we were wee tots and she's always ever thoughtful.

 I thought I would share with you and the reason for the flowers, as well as an explanation

for why my postings and artwork have been a bit sparse of late, and perhaps why they may

 be higglety pigglety for a few weeks more.

Recently appointments to the doctors and the subsequent tests have confirmed that

I have IDC (Infiltrating Ductal Carsinoma)/breast cancer. Phooey.

Needless to say these sick breasts and I will need to part ways, but don't despair!

They're not who I am, and I should be able to make a full recovery and get back

 to my gardening, art and horses within a few weeks.

I'm truly looking on the lighter side of things....

 As a rider, I will no longer have to be irritated by bouncing bazooms at the sitting trot!

I only tend to get dressed up once every 10years or so to attend a wedding or formal function of some sort, so that's no biggie because I'm really just a jeans and T-shirt kind of gal anyway.

And my camera strap won't get hung up when I'm traipsing through the forest's

shrubs, twigs and stickers looking for little creatures to photograph.

I'm confident things will work out fine, and I'm looking forward to creating lots of new pieces while recuperating!

Thank you for your healing thoughts and prayers!