Happy Holidays

Wow, it's been quite a year.

The buns and I thank all of you for supporting our beloved blog.

I am hopping in quickly to let you all know that
I am beginning my holidays now.

I'll be away for blogging for a few weeks...

My honey & I start our holidays tomorrow for 2 weeks...

then I will be back into the studio part-time BUT I won't be back to blogging until February.
(But I will be using Twitter still, so if you want quick updates you can check in with me there.)

I look forward to refilling my creative well.

And after 4+ years of blogging it's nice to know that all of you lovelies who visit me here

will be here when I return....it so fills my heart with warmth and gratitude for you all.

I know 2013 will be full & exciting and that this beloved blog of mine will continue

to record & witness amazing abundance & beauty.

I can't wait to continue in the sharing with all of you shining souls.

Before I go, I must ask that you all send us good wishes & healing energies for our Roo is sick.

He's been sick for 3 weeks, at first we thought it was just a sore leg, then a sore hock but

on Monday after rushing him to the doctors we found out that we are
dealing with 'Hypercalcemia disease', so we've been pretty stressed & scared and
though it's not looking like the holidays will be what we planned or the restful period that we need,
I look forward to uninterrupted time to take care of our boy and to having
Jonathan home 24/7 because he so centers & calms me in the middle of my fears and stresses.

You all know me...the world all but halts to a stop when one of my long-earred babes is not well.

Also, more time for our newest sweet addition is going to be lovely...

though she's nicely settled already truth be told, ha ha.

So as Roo naps in the bedroom and Teela munches away on a big pile of hay and as

 Jin and Jaks are cozied up together watching a winter storm from their window bench
and the house sparkles with Christmas cheer,

We are wishing you and yours the loveliest of Holidays...

See you in the New Year.

XXOO  Mandy, Jonathan, Roo, Jinny, Jaks and Teela XXOO



Teela

We are SO excited and head over heels in love,
And happily announce the addition of a new family member...

We have adopted a new little girl from the shelter.

We've named her Teela.

She is just over 1 year old.

We rescued her a week ago today & she fits perfectly into our little family already.

She's a tiny little babe weighing under 4 pounds...
her nickname at the moment is 'Tiny Teela', ha ha, for she's the smallest rabbit we've ever had.

She has a voracious appetite...We've never seen a rabbit eat hay like this girl, holy smokes.
And water too, we've never had a bun drink so much water either.

She's so lovely & sweet.
She loves cuddles and snuggles.
She's very smart and very clean, we are super happy with her potty habits.
And she's seemed to have settled into her new home really easily and very quickly.
I don't think that the arrival of a new babe in our lives has ever felt quite this easy or relaxed...
not since our Ella Luna anyhow.
(the 'La' part of her name is indeed in homage to our foo foo Ella.)

The only thing, which we've never dealt with before,
is that she has a super serious fear of being picked up...
Many rabbits don't like to be picked up but they either get used to it or tolerate it if done properly.
I don't know what's happened to this little sweetie to give her such a serious fear...poor girl...
It sure will make any vet visits and nail trimming very interesting/stressful!

We are in the chaotic/fun/precious time right now of learning each others routine,
and just spending oodles of time with her to make her feel super loved and safe.
I admit I am pretty much just spending my days going between all the buns & getting little else done,
but I also admit that I don't mind this bunny-full routine one little bit...it fills my heart beautifully.

So now you know one reason why I've been absent from blogging, ha ha.

I'll be posting about my very first shelter visit soon...it was a hard but very positive experience.
And, we can't thank the shelter, her caregivers there, or her adoption agent Kimberly enough.



Happy Day For My Honey

Things have been slightly chaotic around here...more on that later.

But today I had to hop in for a post because...

Today my amazing honey turns 37.

This guy of mine deserves the biggest of big birthday bashes...

but every year he prefers to pass his special day quietly with just his family.

So a couple of awesome birthday gifts are awaiting to be unwrapped...

A homemade lasagna will be lovingly made and a red velvet cheese cake will be enjoyed.

The bunnies are ready to sing happy birthday to the best bunny daddy ever.

It'll be a good day.



But today will be hard for us too.

For today our Ella Luna would have been 9...

We always celebrated her birthday on Jonathan's birthday.

So, I can't let today go by without sending a Happy birthday to our angel in the beyond...

we miss you every day baby girl.

And Happy Happy birthday to my honey.

Love ya babe.

Jinster Gets Snugs

 

Every year the rabbits have to get used to the new winter season & not being outside half as much.

They can get abit bored...Jin seems more prone to it then the other buns.

So we're snuggling her up more on the couch when we watch movies

or like in this photo, when I am stitching away.

She goes & sits at Jonathan's computer desk to keep her dad some long-eared company.
She gets extra blankets to play with.
Extra boxes to enjoy...Jonathan moves the box configuration around daily which keeps her happy.

For any bunny parents out there?? Do your hon buns get bored during the long months of winter???

Novembers Edition

The buns and I have been hard at work today

(even with a screaming migraine)

to make sure that the November Bijou's Whimsy newsletter edition still went out on time...



Haven't received it directly to your email box nice and convenient like???

Then do sign up right here.

Or send your name & email address to MandySaile@BijousWhimsy.com

Thanks Everyone,  have a wonderful weekend...see you all on Monday.

On My Desk

I am working away on this coloured pencil...
....and I can't wait to finish her up and show you.



P.S.  My November Newsletter gets mailed out very soon.
If you would like tor recieve it in your email box just sign up right here.
or send your email address to MandySaile@BijousWhimsy.com

Mama's Helper

I have a little helper with the vacuuming today...
How cute is my boy, oh my goodness, ha ha...

He doesn't realize that he's one of three reasons why I have to vacuum so often...
shhhh....we won't tell him.



The days have been quiet...snow has fallen & we're blanketed in white.

Things are moving slowly these last few days for I've been under the weather &

have had to rest up my wrist and a bad crink in my neck...

but my oh my how cozy the studio feels in the winter...ahhhhh.

Toronto With My Munchkin

A few weeks back Jonathan & I took my niece to Toronto for 3 days.

We had a complete & utter ball.  I can't resist sharing some photos here on my blog of course.

We stayed with my best friend Judit & her fam.
It was great for me to have my niece get to know my 2nd family.  She was a star with their 2.5 year old.

We started the busy 3 day adventure with the Toronto zoo.
I took over 1000 photos!
I have something special planned for all the animal ones so I won't show you those ones quite yet!

 We went on a ferry...

We spent a whole super fun & tiring day playing about, biking around
& enjoying a festival area on the Center Island...

We took Karly to the C.N. Tower & for a stroll through the tallest buildings of the city...

 



We took her to my old stomping grounds, to see where her Auntie went to college, at OCAD...

 

We took her on the subway several times and to the Rainforest Cafe...

 

and of course for some shopping at the Yorkdale mall...

She's already getting too busy to spend time with her Auntie...she's growing so fast.
Special times with each other like this are more important & precious then ever.

She counted over 18 'first-time' things over the 3 days, ha ha...
First time on a subway, first time at the CN Tower, first time on an escalator...fun fun fun.

I don't want kids of my own but I LOVE being an Auntie
& I LOVE LOVE LOVE this little Munchkin of mine. She's so special.

Interested in a few more shots from our city adventure?  Just check out my Flickr photo stream.

Cabbriel

Whiles the golden sun set in my upstairs studio

and with a honeyed blueberry tea and sweet bunnies napped near my feet,

I finished up this new little painting.



Here's how he came about...

Do you want to help me name him???

Ideas anyone??? just put your suggestions in the comments section.

........

P.S.  Well just a few names were suggested...Moon Glow, Clover, Aussie, Aurora...
But I like the name my friend Aline suggested 'Cabbriel'...so I'll go with that, it suits him I think.

Prints of 'Cabbriel'  will be available in my Etsy shop soon.

Bunnies On Stairs

Sometimes Jinny & Jaks have no interest in their yard...

They just spend the whole time going up and down the steps...

Up & Down, Up & Down, Up & Down.

And then they never fail to stop and look right at you to say

"Ta-Da..did you see what I just did..."



I could watch them go up and down up and down up and down all day long, ha ha.
They are such special little creatures.
I am lucky to share my life with bunnies.

35

 It's been a year to stretch my heart & soul.

To continue to grow & learn with relish.

To toughen up yet remain my open-eyed tender self.

To fall down repeatedly & to get back up.

To ease up on myself & to be gentle with self expectations.

To more easily accept my physical & mental limitations.

To live abundantly & creatively

& to not feel bad about all of the amazing stuff.

To honour my sensitive heart.

To survive a broken heart.

To stand more surely behind the decisions which I know are so very right for me.

I can admit that really like who I am.

I can gladly say that I love my own company.

I am can be proud of the ferocity with which I love.

I can be so very proud of all of my passion.

I can see that I am learning who I am more and more every single year.

I can rest in knowing that I am constantly moving towards being the person I dream to be.

I can love my creativity proudly.

I can finally embrace my own talent without reserve.

I can allow magic and joy and immense love to soak into the very center of my bones.

I can very bravely offer my heart over & over again even when it's rejected again & again.
I can scream from the roof-tops  I am Unique and know it's true.

Today I turn 35
I am going to celebrate all that I am.

Fergus Fennel

He prefers to swim where it's really quite cold,

for he says the cold cold water helps keep his colours bright & his brain sharp as a tack.

Though he admits that the top hat does nothing for warmth, it's all just for show.

Everyone, meet my newest finned friend...

Fergus Fennel

He is done in coloured pencil on an acrylic painted canvas with a ribbon.

I know many of you like to see the progression of my artwork so I snapped a few shots along the way.

(Mind you some are taken during daytime studio hours & some at night time...you can tell which is which!)

Prints of him are already in my shop.

Thanks so much for swimming along for a visit today.

I myself am in the studio finishing off a green & blue bunny and starting in on a new rabbit lady, yayyy.

Have an excellent & most wonderful day.



Spark & Inspire

I always find it nerve-wracking to be interviewed whether it be for radio, tv, blogs or newspapers.

I know I have to be honest and very candid, that's the only way I'll be 100% happy with my responses.

There's always the worry that your saying the wrong thing or are instigating a negative response.

But I am so honoured to be one of the artists and business owners interviewed for

 "Spark & Inspire" by Robin Norgren

An inspiring and uplifting collection of insight & wisdom

'To Spark Your Business and Inspire Your Soul"

It's the very first book I've been interviewed for.  I can't wait to get my own copy.

 It’s now available for The Kindle

& in paperback.

Why Can't Everyone Just Get Along

Sometimes I just feel like shouting out "Why can't everyone just get along..."

Bonding rabbits is not often an easy feat, it requires patience, alot of time & a few tricks as well.

 

Jinny & Roo aren't super fans of each other yet, Jin is a very territorial rabbit unfortunately.
Jaks and Roo were fast friends on the other hand.  Bonding two males is always easiest.
Jaks does a wonderful job of splitting his time between Jin & Roo...
it's so cute & I feel so proud of him. 

They do have their good days were all three of them get along swimmingly though,
especially on those rainy weekends where all 5 of us cuddle up in bed with a movie marathon.

It's so very lovely & nourishing to the heart to see them all cuddled up & kissy together.

We feel ready to go to the shelter and bring more babies home now....

but we're also not wanting to break up the current progress with Jin, Jaks & Roo.
Our bunnies don't go in cages, we don't believe in that within our little rabbity household
and the house is already mostly claimed by these three right now.
 

It's feeling like a tricky mix of just going for it & not wanting to upset the present equilibrium.
Who would think having a house full of bunnies could be so complicated, ha ha!

Well, it's the weekend, it's been a very busy few weeks and I must admit I am looking forward to nothing more then some of that sweet-bunnies-on-the-bed-with-movies time...ahhh it'll be good.

What are your weekend plans?

Octobers Newsletter in November

My October newsletter has just been mailed out.

It's a day late, sorry about that but head pain derails all the best laid plans,
(this is where the 'accute' part of my migraines plays in...for this morning I felt great).



You can view it right here.

and if your not already signed up to receive my newsletters, please do so right here.
Hope you enjoy...cause I sure do love creating them.

Mac & Cheese Soup

It's a rainy and gloomy day...
And my head doesn't hurt, ahhhhh it feels so good not to have a sore head, ha ha.
After I get my October newsletter out, I am giving myself the rest of the day off.
It's the perfect day after all to get all cozy, crack open a great book or pop on a favourite movie

and to settle in with a nice big bowl of comforting soup...

Mac and Cheese Soup



To Make:

Cook up 3 shallots, 1 big carrot & 1 celery stock, all chopped up in abit of olive oil.

Add a pinch of pepper and salt.

When cooked thoroughly blend all of this up and add to your pot.

Then you'll add 33/4 cups of vegetable soup stock

11/4 cups of milk

6 ounces of Cheddar cheese

1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese

1/4 of all-purpose flour (add when the rest of it is hot, add slowly and stir constantly till mixed in).

Add in 4 ounces of already cooked macaroni.

Heat all of this up nice & slowly and cook for maybe 10-15 minutes.

Then serve in your favourite bowls piping hot but not before

adding thick pieces of baguette & fresh tomato slices on top of the soup.

It's perhaps not all that healthy, ha ha ha but for rainy days it sure is yummy.

Enjoy & have a wonderfully snug as a happy bug cozy day...I am sure you deserve it too.

Crewel

Happy Monday all,  I hope your weekend was better then mine!
I was stuck in bed with a bad migraine pretty much all weekend and it really sucked.
I am hoping this week is a pain-free one.

Anyhow, onto some crafty stuff. 
I found this crewel embroidery kit at a thrift store sometime last year.

I loved the design for it looks Hungarian folky to me...

Over the last few rainy days I worked away at it and then put it in this lovely frame.

One of my very dearest friends is from Hungry so I know it'll be a hug to my heart every time I see it,
cause it'll make me think of her and our soul warming friendship.

...I am quite content with how it turned out.

What are you all up to this week???
Is anyone in the path of the hurricane?  If so, well wishes are going your way.
We are only suppose to get strong winds and mixed flurries here, thank goodness.

Rabbit In Black & White

It's so rainy and gloomy out there today, I wish I had a splash of bright colour for you as usual.

But, I do have a new image to show you.

I've been playing abit more with my new Prismacolour markers.

I was thinking of adding some colour to it but I actually think it's a stronger visual in black & white.

I think this would make a really cool t-shirt image.  Do you think so???

I'd like to put some words on it too, like

"ANIMALS, For Love & Friends NOT Food or Fur".

Would you buy such a T-Shirt???



A Weight Lifted

I am a very happy camper today.

My neurologist just called

and told me that my brain scan was completely normal and fine.

So my horrible migraines & headaches are not coming from any kind of brain tumor or aneurysm.

Can I just let out a big huge....

PHEW

I was pretty sure I was fine...

but you never know and of course there are the whispers that 'maybe it's a tumor',

so after awhile, that scary thought sort of sinks in as a possibility!

Now I can shout it from the rooftops....

IT'S NOT A TUMOR.

(just like Arnold in one of my favourite movies ever)

ha ha.

Pink Bunny with Gold Button

Some light popped out on this gloomy day just long enough

for me to get some shots of my newest felt wearable.

It's handmade, hand-stitched & one of a kind goodness.

You can buy this little lovely right here.

LMT Connection

We were lucky to see the awesome group

LMT Connection

They are thee epitome of funk/r&b/soul jazz.

They play jazz that just wraps warmly around you whiles you groove to the smooth funkified tunes.

This group has been together for 22 years, have played over 4500 shows

& have toured Europe eleven times over the past seven years.

They play at The Orbit Room in Toronto every Wednesday night.

Boy oh boy that's where you'd find me every Wednesday night if I still lived in the city! 

Leroy Emmanuel, the lead singer is one of my favourite jazz musicians to see live.

His voice is deep and rumbley and seductive...he really makes the music extra special.

He has preformed with the likes of Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, BB King, John Lee Hooker, T-Bone Walker, Al Green, Funk Brothers & Dionne Warwick.

I really think even those who don't like jazz would find it really difficult not to dance & groove to these guys.

Anyhow, I just wanted to show my favourite photos from the concert.

Hope your having an excellent weekend.