RED ROBIN

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!"
- A Famous Song

RED ROBIN It is one of our favorite hambuger place in our city. We eat hamburger there when we are sick and tired of McDonald, Burger King and Jack in the Box. Red Robin's hamburgers are more pricey, taste better and beautifully presented with all the trimmings. On the lighter side, my youngest son is named Robin. He was already born before Red Robin came around our neighborhood. He loves RED too. His first car was a RED Honda sports car. His passion for RED car always caught the attention of the police. He always gets a ticket or a warning for speeding although he was not driving beyond the limit. Policemen have hot eyes for RED car drivers. Today, Robin's car is no longer RED but BLACK.
BIRTHDAY COMES BUT ONCE A YEAR It's true! So here I am blogging about the birthday of Robin. His birthday is coming up on the 9th, but I will be out of town for a week. I am posting this blog earlier. There are many things I forget in life but not the birthdays of my children. Their birthdays are marked RED on our calendar.

HOW AN ARTIST CELEBRATED THEIR FAMILY BIRTHDAYS? Robin is a professional graphic artist but when it comes to celebrating his birthday, he leaves all the planning to me. I remember when my four children were little, I was their party coordinator. I loved doing it. I got many creative and fun ideas. I was never stressed with all the plannings and preparations. I made their parties like a movie production- with coordinating costumes, decorations, games, favors and food. I baked their birthday cakes and decorated them too. Because Robin was born in February he always had a RED theme birthday party. Those born in March had a GREEN theme birthday party. The one born in July had the RED, WHITE and BLUE theme birthday party. Now that they are all grown up, their birthday celebrations are anything goes. Meaning any color or theme would do. I passed that stage in life where I like things matchy-matchy.

ROBIN'S WISH The oil painting above "Reflections Of My Homeland" had appeared many times on my blog. It's a favorite family heirloom and painting that I will pass on to Robin someday. Why Robin? One day, he told me, "Mom, when you pass away, can I inherit that painting?" Since none of my children asked for it, I said "YES!" I love all my children and don't show favoritism. In the future....the rest of my paintings and personal art collections will be divided equally among them. GENERATION GAP This photo was taken one Christmas Day ago. The favorite painting hangs in our dining room. Robin was standing second from the right. He and I like the same things and we get along pretty well, despite of our huge generation gap. Our favorite topic is of course, art. We are both passionate about art. When I was in art school, I didn't have any idea that someday, a sophisticated computer will come around and be used as artists or designers tool. Robin is very good and creative digital-graphic artist. What he could designed on the computer is mind-boggling to me. I admired his many wonderful and modern ideas. I am so proud of his TV ads for Budweiser, Toyota, Reebok, etc., which were shown at the Super Bowl, during the past 2 years. On the brighter side, he is also one of my admirers. He is amazed at my paintings, which are done by hand and brushes. He couldn't understand why it took lots of time and effort to do oil painting on canvas. He's not as patient as me. On the other hand, I am also amazed at the way he could manipulate and design speedily and creatively via computer. We are both amazed at each other's talent and appreciate the differences on how we created out art works.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROBIN!!!

A COLORFUL RED PALLETE

" A friend is a close companion on rainy days, someone to share with through every phase. Forgiving and helping to bring out the best, believing the good and forgetting the rest."-Anonymous

RED MONTH When I think of FEBRUARY the color RED comes to mind. Valentine's Day is around the corner. There are RED hearts and cupids everywhere, reminding us to go shopping again for gifts for our loved ones. I haven't recovered from Christmas shopping yet. I am seeing many RED dresses for sale in the mall with matching RED shoes and purses. I saw a RED Prada shoes. I wasn't tempted to even try them because I know the devil wears Prada. Last Friday, it was National Wear RED Day. Women were asked to wear RED.

RED IN MANY SPLENDORED NAMES It is s a primary color. Sometimes there's no such thing as RED. That's only a small sampling, though, of what you'd have to deal with if you walked into an art supply store and asked for "some red paint, please." "Do you want vermillion, cadium, Indian oxide, alizarin crimson, Acra, Venetian, or Mars? So many choices, huh? When I read novels, I noticed many authors would write sexy RED names like scarlett, crimson and rose? When I go to jewelry stores RED means garnet or ruby. When one is in debt, they say, " In the RED." When one is treated with very grand or impressive welcome, we say "roll out the RED carpet." When I walked into the hospital, I see RED every where, meaning I smell "blood." RED is the color of blood. So many names and terminologies. Could you imagine a world without RED?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!!! In our family we have two birthdays in February. My hubby and youngest son are celebrating their birthdays this month. Tomorrow (February 4th) is a special day, and as usual this blog space is dedicated to my special friend, close companion during rainy and sunny days, and faithful husband for 36 years, who happily turned ???????? years old. Shhhh....sorry, I couldn't disclose how young he is. Last year we celebrated his birthday on board the gigantic Crown Princess during our cruise to the Southern Caribbean last February 2007. Our cabin door was festively decorated with RED balloons. Dinner that night was RED wine and RED Fillet Mignon. He likes rare but I like my steak medium (not too RED). Dessert was jumbo fresh strawberries dipped in brown and white chocolates. My husband is a chocoholic. What a RED birthday to remember!

INTERESTING FACT ABOUT HIS NAME: My husband's full name is Rhodamin but we call him Rhod for short. His father being an artist picked this name. It originated from a RED chemistry color called Rhodamine. This color or dye is obtained by heating an alkyl aminophenol w/ phthalic and hydride. Interesting huh? RED is PASSIONATE color and my hubby lives up to his name. He's passionate about many things- long marriage, big family, grand kids, career, latest technology gadget, huge flat screen TV, church work, Fil-Am volunteer, traveling and cruising. He is supportive about my passion for art but he is not passionate about art and museums. Although all his life, he's surrounded by artists-artistic wife, a father who is a scenic artist and two sons who are graphic artists. RED is a HOT color. He is true to my car's plate # HOT ROD. RED is also a BOLD color. If you ever watch a bull fight, the matador challenges the bull with a RED flag. When my hubby challenges me, his lips and face turned RED too. He's fair and get REDDISH easily. No kidding!
A PAINTING FOR A WONDERFUL HUSBAND My husband is an electronic engineer. He works for a defense company that makes sonar system. One day he asked me to do a painting for him. He wanted me to paint something for his office. So I painted this oil painting ( 18" x 23") entitled "Airborne Sonar AN/ AQS-18 (V)." This painting is now on display in his office. I blogged about this painting last February 2007 and I am posting it again for those who have not seen it and new to my blog.
CLOSE-UP VIEW OF THE PAINTING
I had only done one painting for my hubby. I think I should paint more for him after supporting and loving me all these years. One day, I met a male and unmarried artist in his early thirties. He told me...."You're very lucky to have a husband who could support you, so you could paint full-time. I wished I could find a wife who could support me too and paint full-time like you." Gee, he sounded like Van Gogh. Van Gogh was able to paint full-time because his brother Theo was there to support him most of his life. He didn't take a day job and paint at night. At mid-life, I think it's a good life to paint without financial worries. Thanks to a wonderful husband.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET-ART!

A COLORFUL MONTH

"The woman who works with her hands only is a laborer; the woman who works with her hands and her head is a craftswoman; the woman who works with her hands, her head and her heart is an artist." - St. Francis of Assisi

END OF THE MONTH It's worth blogging on as we savor the last four days of January. Where does the time go? I would love to think that 2008 will be a more relaxed year, one that moves a little slower but the reality is that time really does fly. I am challenged this year to do at least one painting a week. BUT there are endless things to do and my painting project is always interrupted. I find myself driving from place to place and spending more time inside my Beamer, doctor's office, bank and grocery store, than I care to do. Thankfully, interruptions and errands didn't stop me from sketching. Even the very cold weather and non-stop rain this past week. It was so cold that when I go to our garage it felt like I am inside a big freezer. Yesterday, when I woke up, the view from our backyard is so beautiful and refreshing. I am blanketed with mountains covered with snows. This sight is rare in our city. I like to look at the white mountains but not live among snow. The colors of our plants and trees are suddenly bursting with all shades of green. The colorful roses are refresh and breathing well after drinking lots of rain. The myriad rains were showers of blessings too. I was able to work on many preliminary sketches. I tried to focus and concentrate on my painting ideas and not think about hundred other things that need to be done in life. Although life is rushing, when it comes to doing a painting, I take my time. I always start w/ a sketch and don't just throw my oil paints on my canvas and hope for the best. Like a good traveler, I have a road map for my artistic journey this year.

A PAINTING WITH A HEART This year, I am working on few small and many large paintings. This month, I finished 2 huge paintings. When dry, I will post some of my paintings. Mean while, here's a favorite Southwest oil painting ( 18" x 24"). I worked on this painting many years ago and gave it to my son Ryan when he moved to his own condo. This is a labor of love. I painted it with passion. I noticed that when I put my heart into my painting, there are many unexpected compliments and gratitude. When my painting touched others, I know it got a HEART.

THREE LAYERS TO CREATIVITY As an artist, I discovered that there are three very different layers to creation: the labor, the craft and the elevation. St. Francis explained the creative process beautifully in the quotation above. Labor in creation is showing up to do the work. Craft is how you go about doing it. Whatever I am doing- painting, blogging, scrap booking, and cooking, I am there in mind, body and spirit. Do I hum while working with the.... ING and KING, enjoying the process of creating? Yes, I do! Passion is present. Passion is the creative energy that induces elevation- that high -five moment in creation when craft becomes an art. Whatever I do, when I put my hands, head and heart into it, I am an ARTIST according to St. Francis. This new year, he inspired me, not to be just an ordinary artist. I'd like to be a St. Francis woman artist, one with a HEART.

PAINTING IN FAITH To keep me motivated, I also read daily inspirational blog like "Writing In Faith" by Sandy Carlson. She's one of my latest blog-mates. Her blog elevates and keeps me going. She often dropped me beautiful comments that are so uplifting. It has some spiritual overtones but not preachy. She's writes beautifully with her hands and heart, plus she puts her heart into it. She embodies the ideal artist of St. Francis. Please check it out here: http://slchome.blogspot.com/

I realized that my artistic dreams and goals in life couldn't be achieved with my own efforts and skills. I needed God's help and the support of my family, friends and art-blog-mates.

THE ART OF DREAMING

"Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it: Boldness has genius, power and magic in it." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

MIDDLE OF THE MONTH OVER Already? It's hard to believe that almost half of the month of January is over. This week I started to prep my canvasses and filed them by sizes. What a great job! Also, I tried to work on many paintings left undone from 2007. If you asked the older people, they reminded me that unfinished jobs from previous years will be added burdens to the next year. The unfinished paintings will accumulate and so forth. So this week, I tried hard to finish all the paintings that I started last year, and the year before. Sounds familiar?
COLORFUL WOMAN PAINTING Here's an oil painting (16 X 20") that I did in 2006. I practiced on this painting. I wanted to try a different style and here's the outcome. This beautiful and colorful woman called "Lazy Daisy" is always dreaming, looking at the yellow moon and hoping for the best. I could relate to her. Sometimes, I am like this colorful woman. Always dreaming of big things, wishing at the full moon, and hoping that the coconut tree will bend to my wishes. Somehow, many of my wishes in life had become realities but my artistic goals have yet to be work-out.
ONE GOAL AT A TIME It's good to have goals and dreams in life. They make life more interesting. I love what Anne Shirley said, "Oh, it's delightful to have ambitions....And there never seems to be any end to them-that's the best of it. Just as soon as you attain to one ambition you see one glittering higher up still. It does make life interesting." How true!

PALMA TAYONA'S FIRST ONE-MAN ART SHOW Who is this young artist? He's one of my blog-mates. He had a dream of having a one-man art show someday. He worked hard and finally his dream became a reality. Last Monday, January 14th, was the opening of Palma Tayona's first one-man show entitled LIVING/Stories. The show features some paintings he had done during that past two years, including those he wrote about in his blog. LIVING/Stories will continue until January 25th. It is held at 1/OF Gallery, end level Shops at Serendra, Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila. How I wish I could be there to see Tayona's first one-man art show.
CONGRATULATIONS to Palma Toyona! I am happy to hear that he had a successful art show. Dreams come true. I discovered this artist when he dropped me a very wonderful, sincere and long comment on my blog. We gradiuated from the same art school (U.P.). I watched his art works as it progress. We clicked too. Later we linked and became blog-mates. His art-blog became one of my favorites. I like his vibrant and modern painting- style. His paintings are very interesting with accompanying stories. I highly recommend his art-blog to you. If you couldn't travel the distance to his one-man show in Manila, checking his blog "Visual Viscera" is the next best thing to do. http://visualviscera.blogspot.com/

ARTISTIC GIFT OF HEART AND HANDS

"Giving presents is a talent; to know what a person wants, to know when and how to get it, to give it lovingly and well." - Pamela Glenconner

IT'S THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY, FA LA LA LA LA LA........ I love to create and paint. Making handcrafted gifts and paintings for those we love can be fun and creative. But only when we've got the time and creative and energy to do it properly. This is not the day to start making gifts, with Christmas just two weeks away. Scary thought if you're the last-minute-type.

WISE TIPS FROM MRS. EARLIE SANTA CLOSE She said.....remember it took nine months to orchestrate the First Christmas, which is exactly what you're going to aim for in the future. Next year, you promise, it will be different. But in order for that to happen, you're going to have to get started on it the last week of December. That's just when you're sooo......sick of Christmas, of course, and holiday novelties at bargain prices. Start planning your handcrafted and creative gifts on January. Enjoy beginning a gift of heart and hands one rainy day in February."

OPEN YOUR EYES, NOT YOUR WALLET I noticed that resourceful and creative people made most of their gifts and start as early as January or summer time when going to the beach is more enticing. You can bring your craft project or painting there, if you want. More inspiring with the ocean view. When you start early, by the end of summer you're half way done and you can relax when Christmas is around the corner, while others are shopping in panic. HO! HO! HO! HO! Don't be a last-minute gift giver. Give with thought and care.

GIFT OF HEART AND HANDS Because I have more creativity than cash, I learned to be very resourceful. I love crafting many of our Christmas gifts. As soon as I finished putting away our truckload of Christmas decorations, I also start planning for next year's gifts. Sometimes, I start painting still life, landscape, cactus, flower or portrait at the beginning of the year, when my motivation is very high. Painting takes time -from prepping of canvas, sketching, painting and then final spraying and framing. I also start scouting and browsing craft boutiques and antique shops for imaginative gift ideas. Where else do you get free ideas? Ideas can snow ball into inspiration. So after summer is over, the cool autumn weather revives me to be creative and crafty with my glue gun and stuffs. For me, a gift of heart and hand is not only more meaningful but also priceless.

BACK TO CHRISTMAS 1997 It was the most creative and artistic Christmas for me. Eleven months prior to that Christmas, I had a cochlear implant surgery at the UCLA Medical Center in Westwood, California. I am an adult hearing person. But during the mid-part 0f the 80's and on to the 90's, I experienced a decade of very devastating, progressive and profound bilateral hearing loss. I could no longer hear and understand the TV, phone, movies, and most people sounded mumbling or eating their words. It was scary .......the world of silence. This was the most challenging experience I had in life. But thank God, I live in the advance world of technology where it's still possible for a deafened artist like me to go back to the world of sound. I had a successful cochlear implant. What is a cochlear implant? It's a miniaturized computer device that helps hearing impaired people to hear the environmental sounds and understand the spoken words. Cochlear implant is not like magic. I didn't get my hearing back overnight. What followed were months of difficult rehabilitation process. I spent hours learning to hear again with my new computerized hearing device. I practiced daily -listening to my tape recorder while following along a kid's book. I listened to the TV and matched the captions with the spoken words. I practiced listening to the phone. I learned how to lip-read. I got involved in a cochlear implant support group. I diligently learned how to use the computer so I can communicate and e-mail my family & friends, while waiting for years to hear on the phone again. Technically, I am still deaf without my cochlear implant device on. Fortunately during these challenging times, I never loss my artistic desire and passion. I continued to paint. Art became an effective therapy when I didn't feel like going on with my difficult life. With prayer, patience, practice and perseverance my hearing improved and I started a new life. As I said before, God (who knows everything) redesigned my new pathway at mid-life. It's been 10 years since I had my cochlear implant. It was like a "Renaissance" period dawned on me. I did many of my best paintings during this difficult period of my life.

"TAOS POTTERY"(18" x 24" - Oil Painting On Canvas) Next to Philippine settings, I love painting Southwest themes and scenes. I like the simplicity of Southwest art. I think the "Taos Pottery" is the best Southwest oil painting I have ever painted so far. In deep appreciation for my successful cochlear implant, I lovingly gave this beautiful oil painting as Christmas gift to Dr. Jim. What should I give a doctor who has everything? I have no doubt that a gift of art from my heart and hands would fit.

One day, Dr. Jim told my husband while visiting him....."Tell your wife, thank you for the oil painting. It's so......BEAUTIFUL!!! I displayed it in our family room." I will never forget those nice and kind words. I was so happy and thrilled that he didn't hang my painting in the garage. I am truly honored that this painting is on display in his luxurious family room. I knew that the prettier the painting, the more enjoyable the visual experience.

Over the years, I never regretted giving him lots of my oil paintings. He is the most compassionate ear surgeon I have ever known. I have so many doctors, but none as caring and as nice as him. He's very different because he has "heart and soul." Ever heard of a doctor taking the time to answer a patient's e-mail? Yes, he replies to my e-mail. He even reads my blog. Very rare quality among American doctor's today. How could I forget someone like him? INSPIRATION I saw this ad from a local Sta. Fe magazine and it inspired me to paint the painting above entitled "Taos Pottery."

CHRISTMAS THOUGHTS: As Pam said, "giving gifts is also a talent. Never hesitate to put your personal touch, heart and soul on your gifts no matter how modest. As you creatively craft your gifts, it becomes your work of art. Let love flow through your heart and hands - a gift for yourself and for others, which is priceless.

A GIFT OF BEAUTY

"I do hope your Christmas has....a little touch of eternity in among the rush and pitter patter and all." - Evelyne Underhill

ONLY FIFTEEN MORE SHOPPING DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS Keep in mind that Christmas will arrive on December 25 whether we're ready for it or not. How are you doing?Anxious? Afraid? In that case, you have to calm down. Be of good cheer. Be not anxious, afraid nor angry, for like the angels I bring you tidings of comfort and joy. Today, realize that you can't do everything. Not at all. Period. Choose to do only what you love best about the holidays remain. Cross out two more "musts" on your to-do-list. Don't be a die-hard fan of Martha Stewart, a perfect American hostess and home entertainer.
I notice when I slow down..... there is more time and energy to walk around the neighborhood and enjoy looking at those beautifully decorated houses sparkling with Christmas lights. When I delight myself in the sounds of bells and joyful music, sipping hot green tea, I am more relax. Reading Christmas story from the Gospel while bashing in the fireplace, gives spiritual lift. Yes, these are some of the things I try to do every Christmas time, bring a little touch of eternity into my life in the midst of a busy holiday season.
GIFT WRAPPING Is one of my favorite things to do during Christmas time. I learned professional gift wrapping while working part-time at the Broadway (a department store) in Northridge. It was a very exciting and creative job. Not boring. Gift wrapping is an artistic outlet. I really take the time and thought about my gifts. I plan my theme and color with coordinating tags. I know many people don't enjoy wrapping gifts, but I do. They make lots of excuses for not wrapping their gifts nicely. For me the wrapping is part of the gift. Even if it's just a simple gift, when it is wrapped with creatively, beauty and pleasure, somehow the gift is magically transformed into a dazzling Cinderella. Beautifully wrapped gifts show how much one really cares, especially when the gift is a huge oil painting. Not easy to wrap but it's fun.
GIFT OF BEAUTY I painted this beautiful desert scene during a dry period in my life. In the 90's I experienced a very difficult bilateral hearing loss and my life was..... as dry as the desert. Will write more about this, on my next post. I saw a lively photo of a desert and I was inspired to paint it. This desert scene has glowing sky with mountains, leisurely pathway, cactus, trees and flowers. A desert doesn't have to be dull. This desert is singing with life and beauty. This oil painting (18" x 24") on canvas is my Christmas gift for an American girl friend named Jeanette. We became more than a good friend. She is married to one of my husband's younger brother. Over the years, we spent lots of time sharing lunch together, shopping, letter witting then e-mailing. She selflessly did many "editing" jobs for me without asking for monetary reward. When she sent me a thank you card, she said....."It must be very hard for you to part with your painting." Yes, it was hard, but the happiness I had as a giver was more than enough. I was so happy to give her a gift of beauty and art. I hope it bought a little touch of eternity to her life.
GIFT OF BEAUTY A paintings is not the only gift of beauty. Ther are others like beautiful photograph you took yourself or bought. As often said..."a photo is worth a thousand words." You may not be a good writer or a poet but a photo can express everything you wanted to say. If you are a good writer, writing a book or a poem are beautiful gifts too. How about a nice water color, print or lithograph or art book? Yes. these are beautiful gifts too. As an artist. I always appreciate a gift of beauty. My youngest son is a computer-graphic artist. When he was an art student, he used to create lots of personal digital arts and gave them to me as Christmas gifts. Today, with good incomes my busy sons give me gift certificates from Aaron Brothers (art store) or Michael's ( art & craft store) so I can pick what I like. My children never gave me an oil painting for Christmas gift. I often wonder... why? As an artist, I appreciate others giving me a painting. Many of the oil paintings I have collected for our home are personal gifts for myself. I thought that if I don't get everything I wanted for Christmas, I can give them to myself. That's what I do.
CHRISTMAS THOUGHTS: This Christmas season, let's not rush and spend all our energy shopping. There is more to Christmas than shopping. Take the time to "smell the fire woods, pine leaves, poinsettias" and read the Gospel or other inspirational Christmas stories. Your Christmas season wil not only be beautiful but you will be blessed with a touch of eternity.

THE GIFT OF ART

"Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents." - Jo March (Louisa May Alcott)

CHRISTMAS IS ABOUT GIFTS I just finish reading few pages of Sarah Ban Breathnach book entitled "Simple Abundance." I found her thoughts about Christmas gifts very interesting and inspiring. Let me share some of them with you. She wrote....."Jo's right. Remember when she grumbled about not having any money for presents in the famous movie Little Women? Christmas is about gifts. Always has been. But we feel uncomfortable with the emphasis on gimme, gimme, gimme. Buy, buy. buy. Charge, charge, charge."

She also added the role of gifts in the Christmas story. She said, "those gifts were wrapped in miracles, which is probably why we can't find them at the malls, and mail-order catalog."

Here are the gifts that Sarah creatively worded from the account of the first Christmas story:

1. First gift was from God himself-unconditional love by sending his beloved son Jesus to become a baby and born on a manger.

2. Next gift came from Mary, a frightened Jewish teenager. Her Christmas present was selflessness. The complete surrender of ego and will to bring Heaven down to earth.

3 .The gift of her bewildered fiancee Joseph, were trust and faith. He trusted that Mary wasn't pregnant with another man's child, he believed that it was a Divine Plan.

4. The baby Jesus brought forgiveness, second chance, and great salvation.

5. The angel's gift were tidings of comfort and joy, and peace, the reassurance that there was nothing to fear, so rejoice.

6. The shepherd boy's gift was generosity. His favorite lamb for the baby's birthday present.

7. The innkeeper's wife's gifts were compassion and charity: a warm, dry, safe-place for the homeless family to stay, her coverlet to wrap the new mom and little one, a meal for Joseph, the donkey's fresh hay.

8. The Magi (three kings) from the east traveled and on camel's back were treasures -gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Oh, yes! Christmas is all about gifts. Nothing but gifts. Gifts that transform the ordinary into the miraculous. Gifts that nurture the souls of both the giver and the receiver. Now that we've accepted that giving gifts are the center of Christmas, deciding what to give and how to get it comfortably and affordably deserves some thinking. I am glad I didn't rush out the day after Thanksgiving to do holiday shopping with the rest of the world. I got sick with bad and terrible cold and aching throat. Actually this year, I am very healthy and full of energy. With so many travels, surprisingly, I was never sick away from home. Somehow this cold bug loves me so much, and afflicted me for more than a week. It was a blessing in disguise because I was able to rest and reflect on the spiritual side of Christmas. While recovering I was able to think of what gifts are more meaningful to me. Of course, my personal choice are artistic gifts like my paintings and other handcrafted stuffs. I don't give my paintings away to everybody but for few special people and other charities that I care about.
A MIRACLE GIFT Let's go back to Christmas 1997. Back then, I didn't have a blog yet. I have many beautiful Christmas memories and I love to tell this old Christmas story about our first grandson, Simon. Here's the story behind this Christmas Tree. It was a special Christmas Tree that I specially decorated with mini bottles, diaper pins, rattles, tiny gifts in blue and pink (not a typical Christmas color) like red or green. The tree top was a silver basket with a baby sleeping on it. This tree was place in the hospital beside Simon. He was a miracle baby and truly a Christmas gift from God. He was born a preemie on September 2,1997, at 23 6/7 week old (almost 24 weeks). At birth he was only 1.5 lbs. or 680 grams. He was born at Seton Medical Center in Daly City and transferred to CPMC in San Francisco, Ca., six hours later. He stayed in a warm, heavenly place named Hospital Incubator for four months. And also he spent his first Christmas not in a manger but in the cozy hospital tiny white crib (in neo-natal wing) with angelic nurses and compassionate doctors. He came home to his dad and mom the day after Christmas. Since my hubby and I live in So. California we didn't get to visit him in the hospital on Christmas Day. After Christmas we drove to San Francisco for eight hours to see this miracle baby. No camels could take us there faster than eight hours. We could fly but we had to deliver so many gifts from good shepherds like aunties and uncles. And so we drove our car loaded with Christmas gifts for baby Simon. Simon turned 10 years old last September. This Christmas will be his 10th Christmas. WOW!
AFTER-CHRISTMAS (1997) One of my favorite Christmas memories. This photo was taken in San Francisco, California, where my eldest son lived at that time. A little bit of a "manger scene." Our first grandson Simon was wrapped in blue blanket. He just came home from the hospital after fighting for his life for four months inside the incubator. At four months old, he looked like a newborn baby. This was his first Christmas on earth. Oh well...my first Christmas as a grandma. I couldn't believe this. And my husband's first Christmas as a grandpa. On the right side is my eldest son Rodney, the father of Simon. This was his first Christmas as a dad. That Christmas, I gave him this beautiful oil painting of the "Golden Gate Bridge." The Golden Gate Bridge is an awesome engineering wonder to behold. I know Rodney will always think of me every time he sees my painting on their living room.
FROM MOM WITH LOVE Another view of the Golden Gate Bridge. My son Rodney is also very artistic. He is an information technology specialists but also a computer -graphic artists. He loves painting and sculpture. He gives me lots of honest compliments and positive suggestions to improve my art. You can view his latest sculptures on:
http://www.resella.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=19

GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE IN SAN FRANCISCO This is a lovely page that I cut out from a calendar. My inspiration for the painting above. I copied and painted it meticulously by hand like old masters used to do. It is not what others call "original" but today not many artist can copy the real thing by hand. I tried to paint Golden Gate Bridge as realistically as shown on the photo.

TREASURED GIFT For me a gift of art is one of the most meaningful gifts I can give my family and special people in my life. I am sure it will never be returned or exchanged after Christmas is over. It will be treasured FOREVER. Believe me.