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

 

Sunshine & Serenity...

April.

A month full of surprises.

One day it is raining and the skies are grey. We plan with great caution. Do we begin planting our garden or will there be yet another frost?

Some days we are blessed with bursting rays of sunshine and 70 degree temperatures.

In Kansas it may be a "perfect day"...

Until the wind kicks in and the desire to be outdoors is gone.

I just wait patiently and find my own sunshine and serenity!

I'm reading a new book, getting my exercise, spending quality time with my art journal...

playing with new watercolors.

This past weekend, hubby and I took the dogs over to our playground. The land that we purchased a couple of years ago.

There were traces of Fall and Winter left behind.

Yet colorful flower blooms to greet us and to remind us that Summer is near.

I have been off of my routine these last few months due to a shoulder injury and the launch of my LuLaRoe clothing business so the exercise was much needed. My bones hurt in the mornings lately...

another reminder that I need to stay active!

Back on the treadmill and adding yoga to my days.

Do you create your own tranquility?

Pause.

 

Savor the sunshine.

Love your life!

XO

 

The Joys of Giving...

Hello, dear ones!

How have you been?

All is wonderful here on the prairie.

Slightly cooler days, morning dew on the grass.

I'm getting so very excited for Fall, aren't you?

Before further ramblings, I want to remind you to get on over to my Facebook business page, (click here), give me a "like" (pretty please), and post a comment on the giveaway post!

The drawing is tonight...

I will be giving away this 9" x 12" acrylics on canvas, "I love you to the moon & back"!

Hurry!!!!

I so enjoy giving things away and will be doing this more often!

Speaking of giving...

I must share with you, something that has touched my heart in a big way.

I have a special client who gives so much.

Possibly you have read my blog post about this generous lady who has commissioned me for the entire 2014 year. Each month, she chooses someone for me to paint for. I then, secretly send the painting to the recipient, never revealing who the gift is from. I simply enclose an angel card, explaining to the recipient that someone is thinking of him or her and wanted them to have a gift of art.

Well, to my surprise...

This thoughtful client sent me a box in the mail.

You see, my Birthday is just around the corner...

but I do not expect gifts at my age! (Except maybe from husband), *giggle*.

I opened the box.

Filled with such goodness...

I carefully pulled out one gift after another!

Amazed. Happy. Squeeling...

Yet my eyes began to tear up.

"How can one person do so much", I wondered.

Not just for me...

but for oh, so many others.

 

I loved every single item in that Birthday box.

The following day I went into my art studio and the first thing on my to do list was to paint a special "thank you "card...

Just for her.

I will certainly be thinking of other ways to surprise her, but what this person has added to my life is a reminder of the joys that come from giving.

This wonderful person inspires me to be more giving.

Hey!

How about a peek into our forest?

Husband has been trimming the trees and we can now see the pond better!

Won't it be so beautiful in the Fall?

We hope to be spending much time here.

We are already thinking of family get-togethers, Bon fires, night fishing, and even overnight stays in the house, on the property.

I will also be watching for magical creatures.

A couple of weeks ago we were fortunate enough to find a nest of these darlings...

who grew quickly and hopped away!

Life is good.

Sending many blessings your way!

Xo

 

Love Life!

Good Veteran's Day morning to you!

Thank you all who have served our country.

This glorious country!

The husband and I paired up with another couple for a weekend getaway.

Two Polaris RZRs...

Deep into the woods- Mark Twain National Forest located between Missouri and Arkansas.

Words, not even pictures, can describe the serenity. The beauty.

I played "Miss Photographer" as I walk along the streams of crystal clear water. The sound of crunching leaves beneath my feet, birds singing, and water splashing onto the rocks. This is all that I could hear. All is quite calm here.

I do much thinking.

The bold, red berries made me think of Christmas! I am looking forward to this holiday season, having more time at home to decorate and cook. I enjoy playing Martha Stewart too! Ya know, making things for the home, clever gift wrapping, cards, elaborate meals served on pretty dishes. I must admit, it certainly does take more effort, time, and energy to do such tasks when employed full time.

In just four days, I will be unemployed and much happier!

Friday November 15, 2013 means a new beginning to me. I will create the life that suits my husband and I best.

Choosing a new path is frightening, risky...

But in my case, looks so much brighter already.

We must love our life.

Blessings to you, dear one!

I shall return very soon!

 

The Mushroom Mystery...

Hello!

I haven't much news today, my apologies.

It was a pretty relaxed day. A trip to the grocery store. An afternoon nap. A tiny mushroom painting.

Nothing really blog worthy...

But I wanted to be the first to wish you a wonderful August!!!!!

Now, back to the mushroom.

I painted the red mushroom using Gouache paints. Have you ever tried Gouache?

I like!

They are more opaque than watercolors, yet you use them with water. The colors are bright, rich. I really enjoy them with my watercolors. Please, tell me what you know about Gouache! I want to play with them more!

Ok.

Mushrooms.

You either love them or hate them.

I've always loved mushrooms until I moved to Eastern Kansas and tried a Morel mushroom.

The folks around here hunt for them in wooded, wet areas...

After a good rain.

If they find Morels...

They feel as if they just struck oil!

Seriously, it's a big thing around here and you can even sell your Morel mushrooms for a very nice sum of cash!

My husband found a few when I first moved here.

He dipped them into an egg batter and fried them.

Politely, I tried my first Morel mushroom...

And nicely said to him, "you can have them all, love. They are not what I expected".

(I couldn't help wondering just what the big hype was)????

I have googled Morel mushrooms and read all about them. Many chefs prefer using the Morels in their dishes.

I had never even heard of them until moving here.

 

Hubby found his Morels behind our house...

Deep in the woods, by a creek.

Me- I only found a black snake and vowed never to go into the woods again! Ever!

Although I love living out in the country, by a pond...

I rarely go where tall grass grows due to my fear of snakes!

I go only with the husband or the dogs.

We strolled down to the pond last night to hunt something else...

A critter!

We saw it...

Swimming in the water, but never did see it again.

I allow my imagination to run with this.

Was it the Loch Ness Monster?

(A fun game that I play... Out here in the boonies)!

Possibly it was a visitor from another planet.???

It seemed very large.

So, now we wait. We watch...

In hopes for its return.

Happy August, friends!!!!!

XO

 

Pink...

Hello, out there!

I type to you from my patio paradise! Oh, don't you just love, love, love Summer?!!!

I find much inspiration, right here.

 

Paul and I have been working in our gardens. One particular garden has been named, "The Rock Garden". It's on a slope, along a side of the house. We went shopping for the perfect plants and bushes...

But then something fabulous captured my full attention! PINK.....

Oh, yes!!!! I had to have a pair of those retro plastic, pink flamingos!

I couldn't wait to add them to a page in my Molskine art journal!

Of course, I like to color coordinate. Can't have a pair of pink flamingos without PINK flowers, don't you agree?

The rose bush that we planted, my very first Summer here, is also blooming pink! Yay!

We both really enjoy our patio.

Inspiration does come when we travel too. I quickly did another page in my journal...

Arkansas trip, Memorial Day weekend 2013.

Enjoy your day!