Santa’s Workshop Love Mini Painting

I really love painting these canvases. This is a fun and whimsical pink Christmas tree painted in acrylics. I added glitter for a little Christmas magic. This is a 4 inch square canvas that’s 3/4″ inches thick and is available in my Etsy Shop.

What do you think? Would love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Share the Happy 💖

Thoughtful Thursday Hygge

Photo by Ioana Motoc on Pexels.com

I’m sure you’ve seen the word hygge in more and more publications. Hygge is a Danish word, pronounced “HEW-guh.” It refers to coziness and peaceful and comfortable surroundings that invoke a sense of inner wellbeing and contentment.

Most of us may start the holiday season on a slow, joyful note and end up completely frazzled, letting out a sigh of relief that we survived. But it would be so much better if we would allow ourselves the time to just be in the moment. Don’t bite off more than you can chew this holiday season by obligating yourself for too many things. It’s ok to say no and take a little time for yourself.

Why not grab a blanket and cozy up on the sofa reading a nice book while sipping a cup of tea. Or relax in front of a nice, warm fire. Imagine how great it will feel to simply slow down and take in these wondrous moments. It will make your holiday season much more Merry!

A few years ago I came across a publication by Stampington, called the Cozy Issue. It’s an annual publication filled with stunning images and beautifully written words that magically drift off the pages. There are no advertisements in it all. It’s one of my favorite reads to get into that state of hygge. You can find the Cozy Issue on the Stampington.com website, I highly recommend it.

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“Hygge is like a compass, steering us towards small moments that money cannot buy you, finding the magic in the ordinary.” ~Unknown

The Cozy Issue Volume 4 – New!
Stampington Cozy Issue 4

Santa’s Workshop Believe Mini Painting

I was finally able to finish my whimsical mini Christmas ornament painting. It’s a 5 inch square canvas that’s 3/4″ inches thick and painted with acrylic paints.

It will be up for sale in my Etsy Shop shortly.

What do you think? Would love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Share the Happy 💖

Thoughtful Thursday Happy Thanksgiving

Photo by Sasha Prasastika on Pexels.com

Happy Thanksgiving!

It’s hard to believe that it’s that time of year again. The weather has gotten a little cooler, thank goodness and the leaves are changing. But this is a time of warm gatherings and welcoming family and friends into our homes with lots of love. It’s a time to reflect back on the year and give thanks for all that we have.

More importantly it’s a time for you. This is the time to slow down and take in the beauty around you. Catch your breath and nestle in for the winter with warm soups and hot cocoa. Take time for yourself this season to recharge your energy. Find happiness in the simple, small everyday moments. Allow your soul to linger in the joy and peace of the season.

I want to extend a sincere heartfelt “Thank You” to all of you for your love and support. It’s greatly appreciated!

Wishing you a Very Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving!

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“As we express our gratitude we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” ~John F Kennedy

Photo by Johannes Plenio on Pexels.com

Santa’s Workshop Let it Snow Mini Panel

I’m having fun creating these cute mini paintings. This is a whimsical snowman painted with acrylic paints on a 4 x 6 inch panel. I added 2 eyelets in the top corners to hang with ribbon. He would look nice on a tree or just hung on a wall as holiday decoration.

It will be up for sale in my Etsy Shop soon.

What do you think? Would love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Share the Happy 💖

Santa’s Workshop Joy Mini Painting

This is a new mini whimsical painting I made for Christimas. It’s a 5 inch square canvas that’s 3/4″ inches thick and it’s painted with acrylic paints. It’s a little big to be an ornament but is great for some holiday cheer.

It will be up for sale in my Etsy Shop shortly.

What do you think? Would love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Share the Happy 💖

Thoughtful Thursday – Mirror Neurons

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

What are mirror neurons? Mirror neurons are the part of the brain that cause us to mimic or reflect back what we are seeing in another person. For example when you see some one hurt themselves, you may winch and feel their pain. Or when some one yawns, you’ll have to yawn yourself even though you’re not tired. The same also holds true for when some one is in a bad or good mood. Their mood may rub off on us. This is because of the mirror neurons in our brains.

When I first started my morning walks I’d smile at strangers and most often I didn’t get much of a response, much less a positive one. But I didn’t let this stop me because I was determined to share my happiness.

As I continued my walks day after day, I’d smile bigger and longer. If that didn’t work I’d follow that with a twinkling wave and a cheerful “Good Morning!” I completely understand that not everyone wants to be happy and that’s ok.

But smiles are contagious and are universally understood. If you smile at some one long enough, you’ll most likely get a smile back due to the mirror neurons. Whether you’re in a good mood or not, the fact that you’re smiling instantly raises your energy and you can’t help but feel uplifted.

After a couple of weeks something magical started happening. These strangers who were not the happiest little campers suddenly became friendlier. I began to get big smiles, twinkling waves and morning shout outs of “Good Morning!” So much so that some would go out of their way to greet me. It made me feel even happier that I was able to share my positive energy with others. I may not have changed the world, but I changed my corner of it, just a bit.

Imagine if everyone tried to “Share the Happy” with those around them. Life isn’t always perfectly happy but when we put more of that positive energy out there, it will surely come back to us ten fold. So what are you waiting for, get out and share a great big smile with some one today 😊

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Share the Happy 💖

“Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.” ~Buddha

Photo by Hernan Pauccara on Pexels.com

Abstract Art Happy

I’m really loving abstract art more and more. This is my newest piece. It’s similar to my other one but painted with brighter and very happy colors. This piece is simply titled “Happy.” Would love to hear your thoughts.

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Thoughtful Thursday – The Magic of Autumn

Photo taken by Maria Vidaurre

Summer is officially coming to an end on September 22nd as we welcome the Autumn Equinox. Here in South Florida, we don’t really experience a change in scenery. The weather cools a bit but there is no major change in season visually.

This was a photo I had taken while hiking 10 miles on the Appalachian Trail in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia with my husband. The air was cool and crisp on the morning we embarked on our hike and the scent of wet leaves permeated the air. Mother nature had graciously painted a stunning canvas of yellow, red, orange and brown for us to enjoy. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking on the trail.

It was a magical hike where I found myself again and remembered what I was made of. There were parts of the trail where I had to dig deep to find courage and endurance to push on. One section had a small brook covered with leaves which were very slippery. Even though I was super careful, I ended up taking a fall but luckily it was nothing major and just ended up with a bruised knee.

The most treacherous part of the trail was a section that was covered with large boulders from an avalanche that wobbled and moved as we crossed them. This part slowed us down considerably and the sun was setting soon.

To say the least, I wasn’t too keen on the idea of getting stuck on the mountain, at night, out in the cold. I much preferred my warm bed that was calling my name back at the lodge. So with all the grit and determination I could muster, I forged on to reach the end of our hike.

As the sun started to set in the horizon, the temperature began to drop pretty fast and darkness was setting in. Just when I thought we wouldn’t make, we came to the end of the trail. I was so happy and soooo relieved. We did it 😅

Looking back on our hike I felt a sense of accomplishment and pride. It was quite the adventure and I loved every minute I spent with my husband. Time on the trail renewed my energy and sense of wonder. It was a great recharge for my mind, body and soul.

We’re going on another hiking trip on the Appalachian Trail this fall but it will be at a different section of the trail and a shorter hike. Really looking forward to seeing all the beautiful colors again!

What do you like most about autumn?

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“Notice how autumn is more the season of the soul than of nature.” ~Freidrich Nietzsche

Photos taken by Maria Vidaurre

Angel Daniela – Watercolor

Meet Angel Daniela, my newest angel in my Strathmore 5.5″ x 8.5″ watercolor journal. I really like the bright green and doodles at the bottom in this one. Hope you do too 💖

Have a wonderful week!

Thanks for stopping by!

Share the Happy!!