Cheers, my dears!

 

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and we are EXTRA thankful this season - Tom and I are grandparents! Baby Sophia made her grand entrance to the world on Oct 29th at 8:30 pm. She was 8 lbs. 8 oz., 22 inches, and has lots of dark hair and beautiful red lips. The new family is very happy and healthy. We are overjoyed and ready for an exciting new chapter in our lives. Sophia has already starred in her first photo shoot thanks to my fabulous sister in law Donna, who owns Bukalders Photography portrait studio in Wauwatosa and specializes in maternity, newborns and babies. Donna's 17 years as an OB nurse makes her a baby expert from all angles – after watching her at work I can't help but think of her as the “baby whisperer”.

You may have noticed that I changed my tagline to ‘Assorted Random Topics’. I was never really RACY...well, at least not in the blog! And I’m a Glamma Grandma now fercrissakes!!! On Dec 1st I’m setting up a winter exhibit at the Outpost Foods Café in Bay View on 2826 S KK Ave. Stop in and enjoy lunch, coffee, or a tasty dessert before you shop.

 

The lengthy Indian Summer has been outstanding. We put off shutting down the yard and packing up the lawn furniture as long as possible. October was loads of fun. I attended a Phantom of the Opera concert by my old high school friend Gus Barnes, Jr.  We met 40 years ago when I used to play piano for him - it’s such a treat to hear that voice. Listen to some of the highlights here - VIDEO. My niece Sydney (Donna’s daughter) ROCKED in her magic assistant debut at Tom’s Pumpkin Pavilion show. Watch them do a super fast Houdini Metamorphosis Trunk Escape – Wow! VIDEO.

 

There is another batch of windows in my studio that are ready for glass painting. They make great indoor or outdoor art...or gifts! (hint, hint) Check out my latest ones. I also just did a series of “installed art” promotional ads. Clients often pick up art from the studio or gallery, so I don’t even get to see the final home the art will live in. Plus getting good lighting on site is very tricky, so I just created my own promo shots using rooms found on the internet. I took the advice of my favorite blogger Austin Kleon “Steal Like an Artist” and stole like an artist - hope they get me sales!

 

We are hosting 14 for the holiday and with any luck I will find a way to fit them all at tables for a real sit down dinner in our wacky rec room. And since it worked great once, I’ll be attempting a no-baste, no-bother turkey again. Bake at 500 degrees for one hour, then turn off the oven and leave the door closed for 5 hours. Cross your wings.
Happy Thanksgiving to all! Gobble Gobble!

Anita