The End of a Blessed 2013 {...a review of the last couple of months}

I am down with a horrible flu. It went from a bad cold, that lingered for a month, into a flu, complete with 102+ fever! I have taken some medicine to bring my temperature down, and I want to use this little window of time (between uncontrollable napping) to be grateful for all that has transpired since I began my October {31 Days of Celebrating Middle Age} project.





The Preacher and I had the joy of bringing our daughters, their husbands, and our grandbabies to our old family vacation spot...




















Then we celebrated my birthday...



{two of my most cherished gifts - both the grandbabies and the sketches by son-in-love Jonathan Howe}

Decorated (late) for the fall...














Celebrated my wedding anniversary with my Best Beloved...











{We didn't write on the barn...this is a close up of a photograph-encaustic art piece that I created from one of The Preacher's camera shots from that day!}

Had a successful fall launch of my new jewelry and bag designs, as well as a successful local art show...



Celebrated Thanksgiving at my daughter Sarah's home {beautiful table setting, no?}





Went out the next day to get three Christmas trees...


















Took some of the family to our local Fantasy of Trees, benefitting East Tennessee Children's Hospital (money well spent, if you have ever had a child in the hospital, as we have...twice).

















Then, we took each grand baby out by himself and herself to ride the Christmas Train and have lunch...














Enjoyed a Christmas play by our church's drama group...













(Sorry for the blurry pictures...)


And was so blessed this week to receive a Christmas card from an art client I had done a commission for, at my first art show, way back this past spring, in Atlanta...





Somehow, I managed to be sick through almost all these pictures and events. Yet I still count myself blessed and highly favored...

(I know, right? "DUH!" Of course I am!)

I would appreciate prayers for healing - my immune system must be exhausted from the busy 2013 year! And I pray health and good tidings of comfort and joy to each of you, my friends.




{our 2013 Christmas mantel, with its 10 stockings}



{a beautiful nativity...hand made for me this year by a friend}



Have a merry, merry Christmas!


Grace and Peace,

Sheila Atchley

All blog content is the property of the writer, including all "In the Middle" intellectual and visual art property...