Celebrating Life with Fantasy: Strixy the Snowy Owl from Wingsong, Danaan Legacy

I wish I had a Strixy in my life. An owl with an unusually long lifespan and legendary owlish wisdom, but most of all with whom I could communicate and even see through her eyes while experiencing her flight. Even though I don't have Lissy's abilities to do so, at least I can still be inspired and captivated by the majesty and beauty of the snowy owl.

 

I love to collect pictures that remind me of Strixy. Here are a few from my collection.

 

Intimidating and majestic at all?
(one of my all-time favorites!)

Photo from National Geographic

 

Gorgeous take off!

Snowy Owl Blastoff by Daniel Behm

  

This could be Strixy, searching for intruders or communicating with Lissy

Snowy Owls Look by Rob McKay

 

 

What do you think this could represent? Strixy's family, friends, planning meeting?

Snowy Owl Parliament

 This could be Strixy guarding Lissy's room

Winterland Snowy Owl by SuliannH on DeviantART

I hope you enjoyed these images! I love being surrounded by the beauty of nature, art or fantasy. I'd love to see your favorite Snowy Owl images. Please share!

Links below for Wingsong and Firesong,

the first two books in the Danaan Legacy...

Click Here for Wingsong Ebook 

Click Here for Wingsong Paperback

 

 

 

Click Here for Firesong Ebook

Click Here for Firesong Paperback

 

ALSO AVAILABLE...

 Click to purchase... Love Signs: Farm Help Wanted

#countrylovin

Celebrating Life: Put Something In: Firesong

Today, I cleaned up barf while other life efforts seemed to drown in a rank abyss. I was once again reminded of my gratitude for cleaners, washing machines, Scentsy, essential oils, and all of you who have made my life a little more joyful, adventurous, or fun by "Put(ting) Something In." (Shel Silverstein)
 
I love those crazy pictures, and reading those nutty poems, I love hearing or singing those mumble-gumble songs, though I must admit, I've never tried whistling through a comb. (Have you?) I love watching loony-goony dances (or better yet, doing one of my own.)
 
On days like this, I feel extra gratitude for you who dare to put something silly/crazy/nutty/loony in the world! And instead of keeping my gratitude to myself, I thought I should share it with an enormous public...

THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!

Cheers!

 

 

-If you've read Firesong, does the line 'do a loony-goony dance 'cross the kitchen floor' remind you of Maggy cooking? I wish I could reach into the story and pull out some of her creations right now!

 

  

Click Here for Firesong Ebook

Click Here for Firesong Paperback

Click Here for Wingsong Ebook 

Click Here for Wingsong Paperback

 

 

ALSO AVAILABLE...

 Click to purchase... Love Signs: Farm Help Wanted

#countrylovin

Love Signs: Kuna Lavender Festival Sampler

Lavender Festival,

held at Marie Willis's farm in the Kuna, Idaho area. (2871 Stroeble Road)

HURRY, WHILE THERE IS STILL TIME TO ATTEND!

Saturday-Sunday, July 11-12 2015, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 
My mom brought over the Kuna Melba News with an article about the festival, and we knew we couldn't miss it. Here is a link celebrating five years of the Lavender Festival. http://www.kunamelba.com/2015/07/lavender-festival-celebrates-5-years/

We were guided to the location by attractive eye-catching signs.

 
After Mom and I parked in a grassy field, fragrant lavender wafted on the slight breeze alluring us to bee-line it over to the lavender fields. While following our noses toward the field, we were able to quickly orient to the festival contents, thanks to these directions...




Including: Make and Take Booth, Food (Don't miss the lavender lemonade!), Artisans, U-pick, etc.

Almost as soon as we saw the field of lavender with its basket-laden occupants, feeding our artistic souls, I realized that there was actually an entire row of artists along one edge!

Of course we had to go visit them right away. While enjoying the diverse mediums and styles, we wished we had time to chat with each artist. Fortunately, we were able to visit with a few and they kindly agreed to let me take pictures and post their projects. (Did you know there is an artist group call Plein-Air Painters of Idaho? Check out their website, which is being renovated, to learn more about the inexpensive classes taught and their painting adventures http://pleinairpaintersofidaho.org/. You can also check them out at Meetup.org http://www.meetup.com/Plein-Air-Painters-of-Idaho/members/)

Artist Sampler...

 Kevin Hughes, 208 377-3961

Artist, Kevin Hughes

Susan Ward, 208-286-9272, sedonasue@hotmail.com

Artist, Susan Ward

Christina Karras

Artist, Christina Karras

 Dee Miller, deemillerart.com, 208 343-3635

Artist, Dee Miller

Nadene Kranz, 360-721-4545

Artist, Nadene Kranz

Les Herman, lesherman.artistwebsites.com, 208-863-7275

Artist, Les Herman

As we walked away, heavy drops of rain rapidly changed from spattering to a deluge. We ran to the nearest booth seeking cover. Protected from the elements, we got to see the artistic endeavors of a glass artist.

Not only are Emmy's (Her business, SurlyMermaid at emmy@surlymermaid.net) creations beautiful, she told us about a place in Eagle, Idaho, where we can go to learn or even just dabble. Projects start at $10 and the staff and setting are reportedly supportive and fun. (Fusions Glass Studio, fusions-idaho.com on 135 N 2nd St, Eagle). Along with jewelry, she has spoon rests, sun catchers, and other dishes. 

 

Meandering to the next booth, we discovered fun creations for my daughter's dolls (Barbie and American Girl Doll) along with other sewn and crocheted projects. I couldn't leave without a cape for her doll (Shhh! No telling! It's for her birthday) and my mom bought a cute gingham smock.

Gail McLean, Sewing Art, 208-898-9894, gmcleam68@gmail.com...

Gail McLean,  Sewing Art includes smocks, purses, and other items

 

Sewing Art doll clothing, etc.

While in that booth, we spotted The Hat Lady, Lois. She and her husband run a business called Hats to You, website: http://hatstoyou.us/ where she has fabulous pictures of hats as well as more contact information.

Mom, me, and Lois, The Hat Lady

We had a little too much fun with her hats, oversized headbands, and barrettes. (We did not walk away empty-handed. If you come to one of my book signings, I may be sporting something fun.)

I've heard of felting, but haven't seen it used before with such artistry. These works of art , by Laurale J. Neal, signaturefiberart.com, are everything from collector's pin cushions, to cuffs, to gorgeous purses. My photos don't do them justice. 

Laurale J. Neal, Signature Fiber Art, Felted Purses and Pillows



Last of Laurale J. Neals, five blue ribbons purses left!

I also love the quote she posted...

About this time, my energy fizzled, so it was time to check out the lavender lemonaide. The infused lavender was just right, not overpowering, but complimenting the lemon.

Lavender Lemonaide. Oh, yeah, super YUUUMYYY!

There was so much I wish I had time to see, but as the title indicates, this was just a sampler of what was available. I hope if you don't make it this year, you make it next.



Lavender

By the way, this is just the kind of function my characters, Aunt Kathy and Crystal, from Love Signs: Farm Help Wanted (my clean country romance), would attend with their art and wares.

Love Signs: Farm Help Wanted, 

 seeking and sharing hope and beauty amidst darkness...

 

 Click to purchase... Love Signs: Farm Help Wanted

#countrylovin

ALSO AVAILABLE...

  

Click Here for Firesong Ebook

 

Click Here for Firesong Paperback

Click Here for Wingsong Ebook 

Click Here for Wingsong Paperback

Shine and Fly

Finding sources of light, beauty, truth, hope, and inspiration is one of my great joys and hobbies. (Maybe more than a hobby :D) When one of these treasures finds its way into my life, resonating deep within my soul, it helps me fight other uglier attributes and issues surrounding me. This helps me feel like I'm closer to flying, unburdened (or at least less burdened) by the weight of life's trials and concerns. (Because in my dream world, not only do my thoughts fly, but I can fly, with or without a dragon!)
 
I chose the hashtag key word, #soulflight, to put with posts for my YA fantasy series, The Danaan Legacy (Wingsong, book one; Firesong, book two, and upcoming Watersong, book three) because not only is the main character, Lissy, on her own journey and soul flight, but I feel we all can choose to find ways to help our souls fly, helping others fly by our own journey to do so.
 
What are you doing to help your soul fly? Are you finding joy in your life? Are you seeking light? Have you found passions to pursue? Do you dream? Strive to achieve goals? Are you creating? Beautifying? Are you seeking to honor what goodness others are willing to share? Is your soul flight lifting others as well as yourself?
 
While trying to teach my family, as well as gathering sources to remind and inspire myself, my husband and I decided to daily read a quote with the family for a week at a time during the nine weeks of summer break. Most of these nine quotes are short, so we can wrap our minds around the ideas, but this first quote by Marianne Williamson is well worth its length.
 

 
Every time I read this quote, I am lifted, strengthened, and invigorated. (If you don't believe in God, please insert whatever greater power in which you believe, just please don't dismiss what beauty you can glean from her inspiring words.)
 
What helps lift you? How does your soul fly? Please share!
 

 

  

Click Here for Firesong Ebook

 

Click Here for Firesong Paperback

Click Here for Wingsong Ebook 

Click Here for Wingsong Paperback

 My newest book, Love Signs: Farm Help Wanted, 

is also about seeking and sharing hope...

 

Love Signs: Farm Help Wanted

#countrylovin

Featuring...Shop Hop at Nancy's Quilts: Love Signs

In my romance, Love Signs: Farm Help Wanted, Crystal creates items to sell at her booth at the Farmer's Market. I have a feeling she is often inspired (like me) by her Aunt Nancy (like my Aunt Nancy...funny how that works, *wink*). In my second Love Signs book, Nancy's Quilts is featured during Shop Hop time.

During Shop Hop, each shopper gets a Shop Hop passport and card for discounts and information at the first shop visited. At the last of the twelve shops, the card (with all twelve stamps), is turned into the drawing for a grand prize. Exciting right!

See my blog on Nancy's Quilts to see glimpses of her shop and a few examples of available projects. Remember Nancy's Quilts isn't just open for the Shop Hop! (see end of blog for hours)

This doesn't just feel like shopping, it feels like a party!

Don't forget your treats

or

free prize!

 

or your Linus Block from each shop

after all, it is for a good cause! 

 

Here is a fun glimpse behind the scenes.

 

Nancy and her co-conspirator, Sherry, fell in love with some of the new line of fabrics.

Sherry snatched a few moments to begin whipping a project together. 

I hope to share an update later! (Sherry does beautiful machine embroidery as well!)

 

This year the Shop Hop tour bus came on Saturday.

What a fun and enthusiastic (and polite!) group of quilters!

 

Contact information:

Nancy's Quilts

Website: fancynancyquilting.com

 Regular Hours

Tuesday - Friday

10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

2015 Shop Hop Hours

April 16-25

9 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Love Signs: Farm Help Wanted

also available,

Young Adult Fantasy series

The Danaan Legacy

Wingsong (Book One) Firesong (Book Two)