A Traveling Twist...

Home Sweet Home!

I find myself whispering these words,under my breath, often this week!

A trip to visit my now 50 year old friend, Lori, turned out to be a 9 day journey to 2 different cities in Kansas...

and not really knowing exactly when I would be returning back home since I was a passenger!

We will start the story in Wichita, Kansas.

 

Once I arrived at Lori's house, we did not waste any time in starting on the huge, wood photo booth bus for her hippie themed 50th birthday party!

We painted for two days, on her patio. We had sunshine, we had a few patches of grey, overcast skies. We had 70's music playing.

We had wonderful grilled meals, along with oh so pretty salads.

We had fun and good conversation.

Once the project was completed, we did get out to a few shops in Old Town.

I did not get to stay for the big birthday bash.

My uncle passed away...

So on to my home town I went to attend the funeral service and to enjoy time with my family.

I absolutely love hanging out with my parents!

We spent a couple of days exploring small surrounding towns, visiting antique malls and shops. We dined out, visited friends. Found serenity and I always find a new appreciation for the landmarks that I passed nearly daily for 45 years... but never really observed.

It's the little things and this place, these people...

Will always be "home" also.

Home sweet home.

Back in my own bed at night, loving our newly remodeled kitchen and living room!

Trying to get our home clean now and re-decorated has been my primary focus. Laundry, grocery shopping too!

My wonderful hubby and I catch up over coffee and food from "The Waffle House" on a cold, rainy night in between errands.

I am trying to get back into my routine, but have committed to some substituting at school. (Now just wishing to be done with that because I need my quiet, creative lifestyle more so).

I know me.

I long to just journal with a cup of tea.

No commitments for awhile.

Soon.

Very soon.

I hope that you are loving life!

Until next time,

XO

 

Another day...same dog.

This morning I completed the bulldog painting for friend, Lori!

Yay!

The hot pink may be a bit too much, but I really wanted to keep the painting fun and playful. I have never really painted pets before so I still have much more to learn and improve on. This was a great challenge piece!

I will begin packing my bags on Tuesday, leave for Lori's house on Wednesday. We have some birthday decorations to create and some places to explore before her 50th birthday party on Saturday night!

I am packing my "big" camera and iPad so possibly, I will even do a blog post while there.

It's been a beautiful week here on the prairie with fabulous skies greeting me from our big arched windows.

I do always miss home when I go away.

I am such a creature of habit who prefers her comfort zones.

Hey! We planted our garden yesterday! I look forward to using our own grown vegetables for salads, cooking and juicing soon!

I love to try new combinations in my Breville juicer, however, still prefer the carrot juice with apples and this week, I added locally grown wheatgrass to the blend.

Nothing beats the taste of fresh juice!

Ok, dear readers.

That's all that I have for now!

I am off to varnish the bulldog painting!

Until next time...

XO

 

A Bulldog birthday...

Hello!

I'm taking a little break from painting on this Friday night. Just poured myself a cup of Joe.

I sit back and critique.

I see eyes that need corrected in addition to adding more layers of luscious acrylic paint.

Needs more highlights. Mmmmm hmmmmmm.

But, oh how fun this silly painting is!

A girl and her Bulldog.

You see, next week is my friend, Lori's 50th birthday and I will be taking a road trip to attend her party and to spend a few days.

She loves Bullodogs and now owns three.

I woke up this morning with the idea to paint a whimsical portrait of her and one of her fur babies...

If I hurry, it will be a nice surprise for her!

I started on it this afternoon.

I will continue on with this project tomorrow!

 

Hubby and I went out for Chinese this evening. One of my faves! How about you? I chose the cashew chicken.

The sun has just set.

I enjoy painting by the big kitchen windows at times. I feel more connected to nature from this view. Birds are gleefully singing...

Another super sunny Spring day here on the prairie!

Goodnight, friends!

I'll meet you right back here,

Very soon!

XO

 

Fun art & swapping...

Well, hello there!

How are things in your corner of the world?

Is your weather playing tricks on you, as mine is here on the prairie? One day it is 40 degrees outside but then on Friday and Saturday it was a glorious 70 degrees here! I wore sandals! Oh, joy!!!

Cold and raining today. Seriously.

Perfect days for Happy mail, wouldn't you agree?

I sent this "Bird theme art swap" out just last week.

My recipient did get it and it did brighten her day! I think that it is safe to say that I am enjoying this group very much! I cannot seem to link it to this post, but if you would like to join in on the swapping of art, search for " Art Exchange, Happy Mail Love" on facebook. Several new theme swaps were just posted last week so you will have plenty of time to look them over and select the themes that interest you!

Here is a peek of some ACEO's that I painted over the weekend...

many of them for the theme swaps.

"CIRCLES" theme.

" CROWN" theme.

" DEER GIRL" theme.

And these vintage trailers were painted simply for fun! You see, my best friend, Lori (Also in the " Art Exchange, Happy Mail Love" facebook group), came for a three day stay! Yay!!!

We spent many many hours painting.

We tried our hands at abstract...

sipped coffee.

watched 80's movies.

laughed out loud.

instagrammed.

and painted again and again.

Oh, how I love these girly visits and yes... I got teary-eyed when I watched Lori pull out of my driveway on Monday. I never want the fun to end!

I am so glad that Lori was here to witness this pretty sky. The photo does not show the lovely pink that was quite present.

Breathtaking.

Yesterday I returned to my routine. Smiling as I reflected on the new memories made with my special friend.

Grateful for them and for her.

I do hope that you created your own wonderful memories over the weekend!

I will return soon!

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