And for something a little different...

Steve is really into dragons. Really. Into. Dragons.

But since dragons are not real (or so they say...), it's difficult to visualize a definitive image of one. Darn.

However, there were Dinosaurs on the planet and their remains have been found and scrutinized and examined and artists have conceptualized them. New ones are being found even today.

Steve is also an artist - not a freehand artist, but what he calls a "technical" artist, and since this is his down time of year, he's been doing some artwork for the first time in over 5 years and he's really enjoying it. One of his favourite things to draw is ... you got it - Dinosaurs! (because they are the closest things to Dragons that actually existed. :-D)

He's just finished a Tyrannosaurus Rex, his 4th drawing this year.

He started with a pencil sketch, then inked it using a fine point felt tip pen. Then he used coloured pencils to bring it even more to life.

Here is Georgina (he says T-Rex females were bigger and fiercer than the males - well, duuuuuhh!), firstly inked only:





And here is Georgina coloured:


To see more detail, click on the images and a new window will open up.

And Sarah, here are a couple of pictures of the Hoya - in bloom in DECEMBER!! I can't believe it bloomed again and at this time of year!!

1st picture - there are four flower clusters:



2nd picture - flower clusters up close. One is starting to fade a bit:

The after the Holiday rest period is almost finished

and I'll be getting back to work on my products. I have been enjoying putting my feet up and catching up (somewhat) on my reading and watching some TV. However, I promised to post pictures of the inside decorations so here they are.

First, though, closer pics of the candy canes and the wreath on the front door:





Now, the inside:

The front hall and staircase - lots of garland and mini lights:



And the Living Room:



The Kitchen:



And we didn't neglect the upstairs, though the decorating was minimal:

On the sewing machine at the top of the stairs:




And in the library:



This picture shows the lights we had in the 4 upstairs windows. They look really good from outside!


So that is the end of the decorations. All the inside trims have been put away and we're working on gradually getting the outside lights taken down.

As always, you can see a larger version of the photos by clicking on them and viewing in the new window that opens.