Oh, just look...

 

Oh, just look at that creamy, vibrant red!

My fingers are dirty today as I paint.

It all began early this morning. I bounced out of bed, prepared the coffee and paused to snap this photo...

You see, I always stop at this window, each morning, so that I may peek out at the sky, the pond, and our land. I never want to miss out on any magical happenings taking place on the other side of this window!

Then I saw the assembly line that I placed onto the dining room table the night before. My "to do" for today.

Christmas ornaments.

Yes, it's time if I want to stay ahead of the game. Several of these are custom ornaments for a client who orders every year...and, a year in advance.

I have some fresh ideas and changes coming soon! I will certainly tell you all about it soon!

It has been a very quiet past few days here with my hubby being away and only having myself and two dogs to tend to. We have been outdoors, in the garden...

 

Harvesting salad!

We have been walking, patio sitting, reading, playing, shadow dancing.

Thinking about this guy...

Going through more pictures from last weekend's trip...

I have enjoyed a few naps too!

Enjoy your weekend, my friends!

XO

 

Beneath the big, open sky...

Hello!

I do hope that you had a nice Memorial Day weekend!

We have just returned from a little get-away so this morning I am returning to my routine...

beginning the day with my art journal and coffee, from the patio.

I just cannot get enough of this beautiful weather.

I reflect on our trip to Branson and West Plains, MO.

Nature.

 

An old school house from the past.

One of my favorite tv shows growing up, was "Little House on the Prairie".

Once entering the school house, I was taken back...

And thinking about Laura Ingalls Wilder. I am quite curious about Mansfield, Missouri, where the Ingalls family moved to in 1894 and established home, in which they called, "Rocky Ridge Farm". I must visit Mansfield soon!

To think...

That these desks were once occupied by students in knickers and handmade dresses and school bells rang manually from a one room school house with an out house located behind the building. At times, I believe that I belonged there myself... living a true prairie lifestyle!

There is simply something very grande and uplifting about being beneath a big, open sky with only nature and a few structures...or not.

I always return back home feeling so inspired and more balanced.

Wishing you a wonderful day!

Until next time...

XO

 

Vintage inspiration...

Hello, hello!!!

How was your weekend?

Mine....

just perfect.

This tiny postcard has made me smile over and over again.

I picked it up at one of the many shops located in Kansas City, MO. A place called, "West Bottoms".

My friend, Gayla, was here visiting from Texas and we spent an entire day shopping all things vintage in historic "West Bottoms". Rows of brick buildings, converted into shops, boutiques, diners, and flea markets.

I returned back home feeling so inspired!

There's just a wonderful, warm feeling within that comes from old surroundings, old things, and architectural beauty.

I want to preserve it all on paper so naturally, I have been dabbling in my art journal.

I want to make fluffy paper balls!

I want to sit on this lovely chair and read a good book. But...

For now, I will just paint all of this lemony goodness!

We sipped coffee throughout the day, ate pulled pork nachos for the first time. (So much for clean eating on this day)!

It was such a fun time, indeed.

A memory that will forever be cherished!

Enjoy every moment of life, my friends!

Until next time...

XO

 

History love...

History.

I love it now that I am a grown up!

I have enjoyed learning all about Frida Kahlo this year through books, the Internet, a movie, and her diary. Although we studied Frida in art classes, I was never as interested as I am now.

I'm crazy over art history these days.

I never tire of painting Frida and her colorful wardrobe.

I am also very fascinated by her blue house.

I would love to have a cup of coffee on her beautiful patio, surrounded by plants, texture, color...and possibly a monkey or two?

My own patio is quite lovely and this weekend I have really enjoyed it with the chimes playing beautiful music...

Flowers "shadow dancing" to the beat... feathers drifting in with the slight breeze.

Yes.

We love our prairie patio space.

We did enjoy history in another way over the weekend and had coffee in an old underground Irish Pub.

This is O'Malley's Pub in Weston, Missouri- a must see if you are ever in the area!

I took many photos, but really just wanted to sit, sip my coffee and absorb the smells, sounds, and surroundings. Being underground, this pub does have a musty odor, but don't let that stop you. This was not our first time there nor will it be our last. A favorite place of mine!

So worth it.

Xo