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

 

A Few More Pages...

Hello!

Another new day, typing this blog post from the patio...

Happy birds greet me,

And realize just how much I am going to miss these carefree mornings, outdoors, once I return back to work in August.

Another reason why I like to keep an art journal.

When Winter becomes unbearable, and free time is limited...

I can flip through the very pages of this journal and be reminded just why I work hard.

Travel, fun purchases, art supplies, entertaining, gardening, good meals...

And the joy of doing absolutely nothing!

Yes, this is why we set an alarm, get out in the cold...even when we don't feel well, and go do tasks that often leave us mentally drained.

I love looking back at old art journals!

I also find great pleasure in starting a brand new art journal.

Look!!!

A few more pages remain in this journal, then it's complete! This journal documents the time that I left Maryland and began a new life, here with Paul! Our wedding!!!! What a beautiful story to sit on a shelf...

And read over and over

Through the years.

I like the pocket in the back of the Moleskines...

They hold memorabilia from special even, along with photos, etc.

Do you keep an art journal?

Wishing you a perfect day!

XO

 

Friends, Mermaids, and Starfish...

Good morning to you!

I sit here in the morning light, outside on the patio with a cup of coffee.

Pondering. Reflecting.

This patio has been the host to many memorable occasions!

Over the weekend, it was a perfect place for two longtime friends and a beautiful mess!

Together, we enter into a whole new world where the creativity flows for days and we bounce from one project to another. Even after the sun sets, we remain, under the patio lights...

Working away, like little elves. Building, assembling, painting, talking, and laughing.

A block of clay becomes a starfish...

Mounted onto a painted, wood box.

Some of our projects,such as the box, do not get completed...

Until the next time we meet...

Or, we may work on them from miles apart and share the process by phone- sending text messages and pictures! Either way, the projects are shared together. Isn't it just the greatest thing, to have a friend who is much like yourself and has the same interests as you? I do hope that you have one of these friends... Or two!

A friend who adores a silly little sculpture to set on a shelf!

So, our hands knead and pinch clay for hours...

Until mermaids appear.

Meet "Mable"!

She is my mermaid friend. Lori chose her name. I'm not completely satisfied with her face, but I shall work on her a bit more.

Even mermaids need a friend, right?

Here are the girls, together! Don't they make you just smile big?

Oh, how we enjoyed playing with the clay and glitter!!!! I am now inspired to do more sculpting for sure!

In between projects, we break for a snack.

Zucchini on the grill was a very nice treat!

We brushed each slice with olive oil and then topped with herbs from my garden, freshly grated Parmesan cheese and sun dried tomatoes and peppers. You must try this!!!!

It was a glorious weekend and always difficult to say our goodbyes. ( I still cry when my loved ones leave). Sometimes I do feel so far away from all of my people and familiar places...

Way out here, in the country.

But then my husband returns from his fun weekend in the Ozarks...

He and I take a drive...

And I am reminded once again, just how grateful I am to live out in the country. It's so very peaceful and serene.

We resume our normal routines here today- he back to work while I tend to the home and the gardens...

And of course, the creative projects of my own.

I will grin each time that I pass by "Mable"...

And think of Lori, of course!

Blessings to you all!

XO

 

Priceless Moments Painting...

Hello to you! Are you ready to kick off your weekend?

My weekend began yesterday, when my sweet friend, Lori, drove for three hours to come and stay with me for a few days! We do this periodically and refer to these visits as "girls' retreats" because when we get together, we do a little bit of everything and end our visits feeling so very inspired!

We sip java of all flavors, we cook up yummy foods, we play music from the 70's and do dance a tiny bit...

Just to be silly, of course!

We rest, we talk until wee hours of the night. We also do art!

We plan for our retreats far in advance, and decide on what projects we are going to do and gather the needed supplies. We like to try new things!

Our first project of the weekend:

 

Painting on glassware and porcelain with the Pebo Porcelaine 150 paints.

In all honesty, at this time, I do not love these paints. It has taken at least three coats to achieve a color that meets up to our approval! I even ordered the opaque paints. We had high hopes to create gifts for Christmas, Birthdays, etc,... But I don't know if I want to give these streaked, painted glasses to anyone!

I'm trying to keep an open mind, as we sit here on the patio, and continue to paint... One glass/enamel piece after another.

So, I ask myself, "was this project just a total waste of time and money"?

Absolutely not!

We are enjoying every moment, talking as we paint!

Moments....

Priceless!

Enjoy your weekend, friends!