White rabbit on my work table...

Hello, friends!

Are you as excited as I am, that tomorrow is Friday?

I have completed my first full work week (with students). I must say that it's been quite enjoyable getting to know each and every one of them! When one spends nine months with kids, Monday through Friday, 7:45 am until 3:00 pm...

A very special bond develops. Although it's not always easy, and every day is different with so many unique personalities...

We do laugh often and try to make learning fun!

We have a great group of students this year!

Just as them, our schedules change with each school year so it takes us adults awhile also, to adjust and to know which classrooms to go to once the bell rings.

Dash, dash, dash.

All day long. (Good exercise)!

Still, I come home...

Brew the coffee.

Pour a cup.

And paint...

Or not!

Some nights I prefer to tidy up our house and just sit! (With coffee, of course).

Other nights I may read, as I did last night while eating a yummy bowl of vanilla Greek yogurt.

Tonight I resumed my mini "Wonderland" series. Those itty bitty canvases and acrylic paints.

 

Mr. White rabbit has been the most challenging character so far. Strange, but true.

Layers and layers...

And more to come. It's okay. I paint to relaxe and to clear my mind.

My sweetheart and I will be traveling this holiday weekend. I look forward to that and playing "miss photographer" for a couple of days, in a different state and new cities to explore!

How about you?

Any plans for the Labor Day weekend?

Whatever you do, enjoy and be safe!

Until next time...

XO

 

The Birthday Post...

Hello, dear ones!

Well, today I am another year older!

What a perfect date to begin a brand new art journal, don't you think?

The very first page...

Welcoming another year of life.

It's really been just a typical day. Up at 4:00 am...

Work.

My sweetheart gave me my Birthday gift on Friday. The iPad mini to keep in my work bag. Love it!!! I use my 3rd generation iPad so much, but really did not want to take it to work. The mini is perfect for that!

On Saturday night we indulged in a Birthday buffet.

Treats.

Sweets...

And more treats!

Since my parents had gifted me with a gift card a few weeks ago, to a hobby store...

I purchased some hydrus watercolors, online. They arrived in time for some birthday painting!

Love, love, love!

Thank you, dad and mom! Xo

The colors are very vibrant.

 

I can't believe that I'm now 48 years old. The years are going by quicker and quicker. Yikes!

A short post tonight.

The old Birthday girl is tired. All partied out!

Until next time...

Blessings to you!

 

Create Your Own Wonderland...

Aaaaahhh, Friday!

My first week back to work, completed.

Pure bliss, it is...

To now be sitting outside on our patio, hearing only the birds and the locusts. In my shorts and a tank top...

Exhausted, but quite content.

It certainly was a terribly stressful week with new students, new schedules, new challenges, and much chaos...

But overall, I really do enjoy my life.

At the end of each crazy work day, I remind myself that it's entirely up to me to create my own "Wonderland" kind of life.

For me, it is essential to remain creative, even through the not so pleasant times. Not always easy to do when the mind is cluttered with work thoughts and the eyes are drooping.

A few of the days this week, I forced myself into my art room.

To this journal.

My play journal.

With a cup of coffee very close by and a paintbrush in hand...

Sitting.

Admiring pretty paint colors.

I soon felt my mind and body de-stressing.

I allowed myself to drift.

To a far away land.

 

A place where anything is possible (because I am the creator).

A place where polka-dotted mushrooms grow.

After painting for about an hour each evening, I found that I was able to feel a sense of accomplishment by bedtime. I had made time for my greatest passion and I was able to sleep more soundly.

It's up to us to keep our lives wonderful, through the good times and bad times, right?

Not everyone loves art as I do...

But we all cherish something.

Even the simple things fill our hearts with joy, we just need to discover these things and work them into our daily lives.

 

I noticed that our flower gardens have really bloomed into a palette of lovely colors recently!

We planted and nurtured each one.

Joy.

Yes, each flower will soon disappear once Fall sets in...

But in my Wonderland, I replace blooms with pumpkins. I welcome the new color palette of orange, brown, gold, and red.

I will pamper myself with new hot cocoa flavors.

I will spend many evenings buried beneath a fluffy comforter and a good book.

These are just a few ways in which I keep my life a Wonderland!

How about you?

Please, share!

Wishing you all of fabulous weekend!

XO

 

Saying Goodbyes...

Hello out there!

I do hope that your week is off to a fabulous start!

I'm happy to report that mine is!

Yesterday I was up and brewing the coffee even before my alarm clock buzzed.

Off to work...

A day filled with meetings, silly co-workers who make meetings more enjoyable... And a long lunch break at the local pizza place. I stuffed myself.

I must say, it's very nice to be back on a routine. I come home tired...

But it's a good tired.

I slept better last night than I have all Summer. Truly.

August went by quickly and I did not get as detailed with my journaling.

I have also noticed that when I get to the last few pages of my art journals, I am so eager to start a new journal... I tend to speed through the end!

A bit boring, I might add.

However, we really did grow a great tasting watermelon!

Journal completed!!!

Yes, indeed.

I have a brand new black Moleskine watercolor journal awaiting the next chapter of my life. Oh, what will these pages tell? It will be filled with more day to day happenings, along with sadness. It will reveal happy moments, big events, travels to come, struggles, and triumphs.

Although I did not start on my life journal today...

I did pull another journal off of a shelf and played.

I think that it's wise to have several journals. One to document your life. One or two to really play in. Romp, explore, and learn.

I buy these brown journals at a hobby store. The pages are handmade watercolor paper, but I'm not fond of the way that the paper handles watercolor. I find fuzzy balls in my paintings!

Since this is a fun journal, I'm okay with that. I'm not so concerned about making mistakes.

I am very fond of the unique sizes that these books come in.

This one is long and skinny!

Perfect for full-bodied girls!

So, today I relaxed for awhile and got lost in my art world. I painted with gouache.

 

Saying goodbye to Summer...

And a completed journal.

Embracing new!

Blessings to you!

XO

 

Sunday Cheers...

Hello and a happy Sunday to you!

It's been a most relaxing day here. My husband cooked brunch... Super delicious breakfast burritos, which we ate outside on our patio table. After brunch I decided to burrow back in bed for a while longer! Oh, so very nice. As I lay in bed, I tend to think. I reflected on this best Summer ever! Many memories made, and as I return back to work tomorrow I get excited thinking of the Fall events and new memories to come! Summer vacation has ended...

But I do also love the ever changing seasons!

So! I say "cheers" to a brand new school year... Minus the wine.

Aren't these just fun and silly?

 

Another project that Lori and I shared together during her visit. I'm not pleased with the faces, but possibly one day, I will try again. Glass painting is quite challenging.

Should you try your hand at it...

Allow yourself plenty of time. Hours and hours of painting, but is much fun with a friend and conversation.

Later this afternoon...

After some tv viewing and a big bowl of popcorn...

I returned to the itty bitty "Wonderland" series.

These two are completed now... Oops! I just need to sign them!

Cheshire Cat & The Queen of Hearts.

I am ready to move on to new projects! I've prepped 12 canvases today. Ready for evening painting. Although when I work, I don't always feel like creating...

But when I do, I now have the canvases organized and primed. No waiting for gesso to dry. (Putting time management into practice)!

This box of goodies arrived in the mail last week.

 

I've played with them just a little. I do have some ideas!!!!

Have you used these inks? Please, tell me more!!!!

Off now to savor some time with my sweetheart and have a cup of tea.

Until next time,

XO

 

Summer stuff... and Fluff!

Hello to you!

The weekend has just arrived and this girl is too exhausted to stay up much longer! It's all good. You see, during Summer vacation...

every day is like a weekend. No alarm clock. No sense of time. Good company comes to visit. Art takes place consistently throughout the Summer.

Patio painting, under patio lights after dark.

The buzzing sound of locusts in the trees.

My dear friend, Lori, made another trip to share some time before I return back to the working world on Monday.

I painted the girl on canvas as we talked for hours.

Music from the seventies in the background.

Messes...

Lovely art messes!

Always a full pot of coffee in the kitchen.

On Thursday she and I went into the city and browsed some unique shops, sampled some Indian appetizers, sweet desserts, and yes...

Delightful coffee!

Once again, saying goodbye this morning was sad...

But then at lunch time, my sweetheart arrived home and announced that he had taken the remainder of today off from work! He was ready to get out and play! It's so wonderful to be married to someone whom you love to hang out with!

Someone who also shares my passion for java!

(Someone who also wears reading glasses to see the menu)! He would not be pleased about this photo being on the Internet, but in my eyes...

He's darling! He eats whipped topping with a spoon before sipping. Cuteness.

He lifts my spirits...

and patiently waits as I explore beautiful boutiques.

He smiles when I blurt out, "Omg, these boots are to die for"!

Aren't they fabulous?

I then wait on him to fulfill his big moment.

He finally convinced one of the shop owners to allow him to peek into the eery underground city (off limits these days). A city of tunnels with much history- Leavenworth, Kansas. Rumor has it that the tunnels were used back in the terrible days of slavery. We shall research. That's what we do...

Us history buffs who enjoy seeking out such places.

Now, back home after our day trip.

Both tired and ready to savor some rest.

Then java again in the morning!

Happy weekend to you!

XO

 

Wonderland...

Hello!

We have just returned home from our overnight getaway with my family! It's always so nice to spend time with them.

Once I unpacked, re-organized, regrouped...

I brewed a pot of coffee and settled into my art room as if I had never left. I'm still adding layers of acrylic paint to the first mini paintings of my "Wonderland" series!

Would you like a sneak peek?

I have wanted to do this series for quite some time now, and yes... They will be for sale!

I thought that these mini canvases would be a perfect way to start.

How cute these would be in a child's room or in an art room! Or...

Hanging in a covered patio or sun room...

surrounded by some colorful flowers, plants, and mushrooms!!!

An office space!

A laundry room!!!!

I just love all things Alice and her magical wonderland, don't you?

I'm having a ball painting these!

Well, my beautiful niece is now in her new wonderland with many new adventures awaiting her. She will start college very soon, sharing her first little house with roommates.

I wish her great success!

She gave us a tour of her new city ( and of course we stopped for lattes at her favorite coffee house).

She's growing up and spreading her wings.

Life and wonderlands.

I pray that hers is fabulous!

Blessings to you all...

XO