So, Here We Are...

Sunset over Pikes Peak

The same morning view on a crisp clear day...today!!!

The same morning view, yesterday w/ low clouds...so beautiful!!

Instagram pic of above...detailed...

So, here we are at the beginning of 2014. Our birthdays, Christmas and New Year were lovely, low key, uncomplicated. We were grateful. I know that I have said it before. I was grateful that the year had passed, that my birthday 'felt better' than the year before, as it was the first one w/out Mom. So w/ a much lighter spirit, as a Family, we cruised through all of it, quietly. On the 18th of this month it will be 2 years since we left our sweet Dutch Colonial in Rhode Island and made the big move to Colorado Springs. I have literally seen my vision expand w/ the breathtaking skies, the majesty of Pikes Peak, which I wake up to every morning. The sun is brighter (and hotter 6000 feet closer to it's warmth), the sky is bluer. And, now, w/ my new camera (w/ WIFI!!!!) in tow, I can capture more detail from far away, and the close-up/macro shots, well, more 'macro-y'. I am still very much playing w/ the camera and have barely scratched the surface. But, these shots are telling. So, w/ hope in my heart for this new year of 2014, I continue to step forward...

Girl Whirl, sunning...

'But the land, whither ye go to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinketh water of the rain of heaven: A land which the Lord thy God careth for: the eyes of the Lord thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.'

Deuteronomy 11:11-12

Angels, a Do-Over...

'Columbine Angel'
Do-over on top/pink version on bottom

Being 'away' from the drawing board since we moved to Colorado, almost 2 years ago has been a good thing!! I have seen all of my photos w/ a 'new' eye and the proof is in, well, the edits! We had one Columbine plant/flower in the front of the house in Rhode Island. Columbine is the state flower of, (drum-roll please), Colorado!!! I took this pic in the late afternoon w/ that beautiful light hitting this tiny and delicate flower from behind. You can see how  translucent it is, hence, the title 'Columbine Angel'. It  always printed out very 'pink' and some of the contrast was lost. In my mind it was always deeper, I could see the details. However, w/ the new edit, you can really really see what I thought I was looking at all along.

I have made tremendous progress getting ready for the show @ Phelan Gardens, on the 22nd. At the moment 160 cards are, glued, pressed, signed, dated, labeled, and stuffed. They have been added to fill in my inventory. (I have alot of cards!!!) Next up, matting and framing the 5x7's, along w/ listing the 6 new pieces, and the above mentioned, 'do-over' in my Etsy shop, Lilleypics!

New Year, 2013....

This has been a most memorable year, 2012. We relocated from Rhode Island and kissed the ocean goodbye, we said hello to Colorado  and the majesty of her mountains, as we adjusted to living 6000 feet in the air, we lost Mom in August. We gained a deeper faith and hope, we made new friends. We have seen sunrises and sunsets of awesome beauty which were previously unimaginable to us. We saw the Canyon burn, and met heroes along the way. We have wept w/ the nation upon seeing Sandy and Newton, Ct. Yet and still we can say, 'Thus far the Lord has helped us', (1 Samuel 7:12). 'Whether through poverty, wealth, sickness, or health, whether at home or abroad, or on land, sea, or air, and whether in honor, dishonor, difficulties, joy, trials, triumph, prayer or temptation - 'Thus far the Lord has helped!' (Streams in the Desert, December 31).

It is our hope and prayer for you to have a blessed and healthy 2013, with glorious and miraculous prospects!!!!!

Saturday Date

Jimmy and I realized after beach season was really over, that we still had to be 'running somewhere' on the weekend. So, living in the small and historic state of Rhode Island, we have been making the most of it. We decided that each Saturday we would visit a town, city or village, and find the best place for soup...yes, that's right soup. We're talking lobster bisque and New England clam chowder. Although, we did find some amazing sweet potato bisque at 'Z Bar and Grille' in Providence. We're geared up to find the best of the best. It's a great date! We've been to about 6 different restaurants since October. Today, we stayed in Providence, where eateries are plenteous. We have been eying 'Cav' for a long time, we have poured over the menu, discussed our options, brunch, lunch or dinner. The time was right. We had no idea that the ambiance would be so interesting. They have art objects from around the world, all for sale from the finest rugs, to African sculptures and Asian bronze pieces. All with a festive, holiday touch too boot. Jimmy had a big bowl of clam chowder, with fresh clams, visible to the eye, and I had a cup of lobster bisque. It had a smokey taste, with a little heat..interesting. So, we'll keep you posted as we eat our way from one end of the state to the other!!

Gifts in November...

Yesterday it was 64 degrees at the shore in Rhode Island...my husband and I we thrilled to visit our friend, Miss Ocean and enjoy the warmth of the sun, the loud crashing waves, the high tide, the cloudless skies and the long walk which we so love during the summer months...I even came home with some excellent rocks.

We have also seen a colorful autumn, albeit, somewhat late, because of the brutally hot summer we just experienced.

The bottom 4 photos are from the Stillhouse and Pawtuxet Coves, respectively. New England 'charming', at it's best!!

She Sells Seashells....

'Quahogs, Galilee Beach, RI'

'Farm Raised Oysters'


Now that we are in the very thick of summer, my seasonal photography is joyfully shots of flowers, beach rocks, shells, farm raised oysters, just to name a few. These are two of my new cards. I love seeing the pictures translate into a card, with the white border, a name and a date. It adds up to a 'finished' piece, ready for a lovely note or to be saved and framed.
Each card can be found in my Etsy shop, Lilleypics.

Wordless Wednesday

Farm raised oysters at the new Matunuck Oyster Bar in South Kingston, R.I.

Are these not gorgeous...have already made a card(of the shells), will post once the sun comes back!

Craftopia!!!

I am thrilled to be participating in the first Craftopia. It should be an awesome show!
Come one come all!!!
Sunday, April 11

10-5
Hope Artiste Village
1005 Main Street
Pawtucket, RI

A portion of my sales is donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

The Still Raging Pawtuxet River...Much Worse Today

The Pawtuxet River crested this morning at around 9AM. When I left the Village yesterday the River was at 17', and today when it crested it was close to 21'. These pictures show just how much worse the raging river was today. I was not able to get as close as I was yesterday, because the area had been cordoned off by the police...simply too dangerous. Notice that the first couple of docks have been swept away by the fierce current. Malls are underwater, highway 95 going south is closed, driving is a nightmare, our local supermarket is underwater. This is a very bad situation. Schools are closed and the damage is extensive. Please keep the good people of Rhode Island in your prayers.

Mrs. Lilley Goes to Washington!

Insulin Pump

Many of you know by now, that my son, Edward, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes 8 years ago when he was 12. In these short, but life changing 8 years, tremendous strides have been made for Type 1 diabetics. Edward, and thousands like him have profited by the research in physical, tangible ways. The pump alone has changed the lives of so many with it's high tech ability to infuse micro drips of insulin all day and night. This gives Edward extremely tight control, which helps ward off complications further down the road. Research continues to be the key in our quest to find a cure. Research dollars have to be gi-normous to continue to see such great progress. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation was started by Mom's, just like me, in 1970. Here is a quick overview of what JDRF is:

'JDRF is the leading charitable funder and advocate of type 1 (juvenile) diabetes research worldwide. The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Type 1 diabetes is a disease that strikes children suddenly and requires multiple injections of insulin daily or a continuous infusion of insulin through a pump. Insulin, however, is not a cure for diabetes, nor does it prevent its eventual and devastating complications that may include kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, stroke, and amputation. Since its founding in 1970 by parents of children with type 1 diabetes, JDRF has awarded more than $1.16 billion to diabetes research.'

I became involved with the Rhode Island Branch of JDRF and quickly fell in love with Jenny, Mary Ellen and Nazira. Little by little, I was feeling my way to see 'where I fit best' within the organization. For the past year, I have taken on the role of JDRF Advocacy Leader. I work as a liaison with the JDRF office in Washington, D.C., representing the State of Rhode Island. I set
up meetings with our congressmen and senators to talk about the serious issues involved with the daily health care of a Type 1 diabetic. The D.C. office hosts an annual event they call 'Government Day'. It's more like, 'Government Few Days'. They fly the delegates in from all over the country and the action begins! We will be meeting not only one another for support, but the excellent staff from the D.C. office, top scientists, doctors, PhD.'s, and Alan J. Lewis, the CEO of JDRF! They will be turning us loose on the Hill and in the halls of the Senate to meet with our respective congressmen and senators. I'm leaving on a jet plane tomorrow, thankfully, no snow anywhere in the forecast!!

I am blessed and honored to be included in this dynamic community. As a whole, we continue to pray for a cure as the research continues. I will be away from the computer for a couple of days, although I will certainly have access. I'll keep you posted...

Life is interesting...yes?

Antique Haven

I live near the historic Pawtuxet Village. One of the oldest towns in Rhode Island. I'm talking 1600's old. This is where I do all my daily 'stuff'. When we first moved to Rhode Island 8 years ago, and we began to explore our little New England town, we stumbled up an antique store called 'Antique Haven' housed in the old Slocum House, circa 1760. I was immediately taken by the eye full of beautiful antiques, 'collectibles', vintage jewelry, art work, china, glassware, linens, lamps...the list goes on and on. Little by little I was even more taken with the owner of this quaint gem of a store, Claire Silverman. She exuded such warmth, and a welcoming spirit. She loves for people to take all the time they want or need to look, to touch, or just move around the store. I frequented the store often and as a result, over the past 8 years, Claire and I have grown to be very good friends. We simply love one another. We are cut out of the same cloth, we 'get' one another, and clearly we share a great love for antiques! She has been a tremendous cheerleader for me with the work I do as an artist, jewelry maker and photographer. She recently bought some of my cards and has put them in her store. She wants more for the upcoming Holidays. I am thrilled, because of who Claire is and because she has the best antique store in Rhode Island...seriously! You can find Claire and her store, Antique Haven at 30 Post Road, Warwick, Rhode Island. 401-785-0327.

Wordless Wednesday

Quiet Reflection
Stillhouse Cove, RI

Check out These Babies....

Here is my first photo of the cherry tomatoes. First photo, yes, but we have been eating them for a couple of weeks now. However, with this July being recorded as the rainiest in 100 years, we have been hit with a fungus called 'blight'. It sounds very ominous, because it is. ' A strain of the fungus that caused the Irish potato famine of the 1840's is on the loose in Rhode Island and is damaging potato and tomato crops,' as reported in the Providence Journal. Unfortunately, my tomatoes have been hit with 'the blight', and daily, I have been cutting back more and more of the molded leaves. It feels like a losing battle, even though the tomatoes are still growing and flowering. It is the leaves which carry the mold. The basil, oregano and parsley are fine. I am sitting here looking at some threatening clouds rolling in. Ahhhh, the learning curve of a City girl in the suburbs and her victory garden. I'll keep you posted, as they say!!!

Wordless Wednesday

This is where 'Gal', my famous dairy cow resides....
you can find her in my Etsy shop as well!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Pawtuxet River, R.I.

The fresh river water meets the salt water...bash!

Wordless Wednesday

Drama in the skies over Rhode Island