Happy Chinese New Year 2021 (The Year of the Ox)

 Today marks the official start of the Chinese New Year, and...it's the Year of the Ox!

(Courtesy of  Maggie Swanson)

For the past few years I have been the lucky recipient of the GORGEOUS Chinese New Year cards that talented artist, and fellow blogger, Maggie Swanson (visit her Shelter Cats blog here), has been creating for TWELVE years!!

Are you born in one of the years listed below?

I am always enthralled when I see Maggie's artwork.  Maggie is a  brilliant illustrator, you can read about her, and see some of her gorgeous illustrations  on  her artist  website:

When I was a little girl, we lived in an apartment over our grocery store. My parents sold the basics: canned goods, bread, milk and eggs, fresh vegetables and meat. Customers sat talking to my father while he filled their orders. Sometimes they read to me or we colored pictures together. I spent a lot of time in my nest under the penny candy counter, drawing pictures and sneaking an occasional piece of candy when the coast was clear. I can't remember when I decided to become an artist. It was all I ever really wanted to do.

After graduation from Rhode Island School of Design, I spent three years at Hallmark Cards. In college I learned about drawing and painting and dreaming. Hallmark taught me to start and finish a job in a timely and professional manner. After that, I started my freelance career, and have illustrated over 100 children's books for many different publishers.

Now I live in Connecticut, USA with my husband Rick and our cats Mickey Mouser and Rufus the Red, and In my spare time I like to read, garden, and volunteer at PAWS, my local animal shelter. I also photograph and keep a blog about the shelter cats that I meet there. 

We can't thank Maggie enough for taking the time to think of us, and for sending us this darling card. Hoping it brings us some good luck!!!