Happy Halloween!

I hope you had a fun All Hallows Eve! Mondays at my job at the University of Virginia are pretty busy and today was no exception. I usually have a couple of meetings around grounds and it is nice to be able to get out and see what is happening. In my old position I'll bet I left the building maybe once every 3 or 4 months. But, with the new position, I get to do a lot of walking to go to a lot of meetings and I hope that translates into some weight loss! Another privilege of my new position is a corner office with two large windows that give me an excellent vantage point to view the happenings around grounds.

Today's was U.Va.'s Annual 'Trick-or-Treating on the Lawn' — U.Va.'s trick-or-treating tradition was initiated in the late 1980s by the residents of the Lawn, and is open to all local community members. Children are invited to wear their costumes and take part in trick-or-treating at each of the 54 Lawn rooms. Candy is donated and distributed by more than 70 student groups and other organizations.

The Rotunda and lawn today before the crowds.

 

The students are quite the tricksters and they often dress up the numerous statues around grounds. I may be partial, but I think these guys look just as good with the Halloween masks. What do you think?

Well Hello, Clarice.

This was the view outside my office window at around 4:30 this afternoon. I just couldn't stop smiling seeing these little ones in all their Halloween grandeur!

I hope your day was as good as mine! Happy Halloween!

This Week's On Fire for Handmade Featured Artisan

This week's featured artist is the fabulous teacher turned artist Barbara Rosenzweig! In her own words Barbara "is a most imaginative watercolorist and photographer who is driven by an incredible passion for self-expression through art. Her works are often noted for their unique style, elegance, and technique." In short, I would say her work is beautiful to the eye! and worth a peak! Watercolor has always been my favorite medium for painting and hopefully, I will soon have the opportunity to enjoy one of Barbara's works of art in person.

Enjoy

This week's featured artisan is Barbara Rosenzweig - Watercolors by Barbara. Beautiful creations to add to your home! You can find Watercolors by Barbara on:

http://www.watercolorsbybarbara.com/

http://www.etsy.com shop/barbararosenzweig

http://barbararosenzweig.blogspot.com/

http://barbararosenzweig.wordpress.com/

http://www.twitter.com/barbarasart

 

http://www.facebook.com/WatercolorsByBarbara?v=wall&ref=pdem

 

It's Wednesday!

I LOVE decorating for Halloween! It just makes me feel young again and it brings back so many memories of my childhood. I grew up in a rural farming community and when I was a kid Halloween was a magical night. The world was still a safe place for kids and on that night, we were allowed to wander the streets and roads of our small town alone without our parents and bonus, we got to do it wearing a disguise. Very magical indeed. And we dressed up as characters like Popeye, Woody Woodpecker, Casper the Friendly Ghost, Tweety Bird and Sylvester, oh the list goes on!

In the spirit of old time Trick-or-Treating I wanted to share a Halloween themed giveaway today. I came across a great bog called The Old Cupboard Door and the lovely owner is giving away a fun little Halloween Treat! Willa Croft and her family live in the beautiful Shenandoah Hills of Front Royal, VA and after reading her story, I think she is probably living a perfectly inspirational life. Drop on by her blog and enter to win 2 of these Jack-O-Lantern Pokes! Good luck everyone!

Click to enter here!