Then it rained. This is the rain in Paris, 2012, looking out a window at the Louvre. It's actually kind of pretty.
We got used to that rain -- it rained every day we were there.
I look at the photo below, taken at Montmartre Cemetery with our blog friend Peter (and if you love Paris, check out Peter's Paris.) There's something extra sad and beautiful about a cemetery in the rain.
There is nothing beautiful about my basement in the rain. The ground is frozen (or at least was, I'm not so sure about now) and it's leaking inside. I will not show you a photo because as little as I get embarrassed about a lot of stuff I probably should, I would definitely be embarrassed for you to see the basement. Instead, I'll share the one who doesn't seem to mind the rain -- because she isn't mopping it up and wringing out towels (because the washer and dryer are both broken -- don't start me.)
It may all be gloom and doom today but in the long run, not so bad. I've been painting a bit -- lots of springy bookmarks, which are good training for bigger pieces.
Here's a start of a collection! They still need their ribbons at the top.
And practicing my winter trees. This one needs work, but I did it based on a Leslie Frehling tutorial HERE for my painting pals.
Before Valentine's Day I made a few of these very cute lace hearts I'd seen on loads of your blogs! I thank MANY of you for the inspiration.
And I made Rick a Valentine's Day book -- a poetry book of poems from our year.
Pretty simple art, but loads of fun.
I needed a little color in the house. First I went for the gold!
Then the purple. Do you sense a Mardi Gras theme here?
And I baked shortbread cookies for Valentine's Day using my molds. The one on the left is regular shortbread, the right is ginger shortbread and hence a little darker.
I ended up dipping the triangles in chocolate.
Then I added coconut to the rest of the dipping chocolate for a few treats.
And all was good!
I hope it stops raining soon because otherwise you'll never hear from me again. I'd like to think this rain is the start of Spring.
But when you live in Michigan, you know you're still dealing with this!
Keep cozy. And dry.
Sharing with Let's Keep in Touch / Pink Saturday
Your creativity is so impressive!
ReplyDeleteI love the cat book mark! Your cookies look wonderful, too.
ReplyDeleteI just love how the cats are never bothered by the weather or any of the other things that inconvenience us. I guess they have staff to deal with the hassles of mopping, carrying groceries in when it's pouring rain, etc. I think I might like to be a cat! :-)
We've been soggy here, too. I'm so over it! My mood plummets and my attitude takes a turn for terrible whenever it's gray and rainy for long.
I hope your washer and dryer are up and running soon!
Yes...We’re all tired of winter...but you artwork is cheery and quite inspiring ..I love the cat/rabbit, hearts and flower themes.They’re very pretty and probably if it was summer you wouldn’t be waterpainting( ha ha)..because you’d be outside gardening... and you wouldn’t be cooking either , because it would be too hot... so if I was going to come over for tea ...I’d want to catch you during this time of the year, since your shortbread looks pretty YUMMY !!!
ReplyDeleteYou have been a very busy beaver ;-) I especially love the painted book marks. So very pretty. I also really like the photo in Paris through the rain. It looks like a painting. Sorry to hear about the leaking though. That sucks. Have a wonderful week ahead. xx
ReplyDeleteYour "fall" painting with the fall leaves reminds me of the illustrations in the "Dick and Jane" books I learned to read by.
ReplyDeleteYour shortbread cookies are beautiful. What fabulous molds you have.
I want H to wear his scarf like Peter does.
The shortbread cookies look good!
ReplyDeleteI hope you've got a dehumidifier.
Water in the basement is not good!
ReplyDeleteHi Jeanie!
ReplyDeleteI've never visited Paris, but I imagine that even in the constant rain is a spectacular place to see. It is definitely on my bucket list to visit one day.
Your bookmarks are very pretty -- perfect for Spring. We had about 6 inches of snow overnight so spring still seems far away here in Colorado. I spent a week in Florida recently, where it was warm and flowers were in bloom, so it was nice to have a little preview of spring.
Your springerle molds are all beautiful! I'm sure your shortbread tastes very tender and delicious.
Wet basements can be a problem. We were happy that our basement here has a sump pump--it has saved us from flooding a few times already!
Your basement problems don't sound good -- hope they are over soon! I didn't really appreciate how much rain is accumulating on the frozen ground until I read about streets closed because of flooding. And now your basement? My brother-in-law, a structural engineer, says "You don't like to see a wet basement? don't go down your basement when it's raining!" Not much help, is he?
ReplyDeletebest... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
The rain has pored buckets today . . .
ReplyDeleteGreat painting day . . .
Love your book marks . . .
I hope you aren’t in bunches of basement water . . .
It rained when I was in Paris also and it was still the most beautiful place ever! I need to work on some bookmarks like you did. Not so intimidating as a big blank piece of paper!! Hope Spring comes soon!
ReplyDeleteI guess rain is better than snow, but I do know what you mean about frozen ground and leaky basements. Been there- and it is such a pain! I am glad I am not the only one who doesn't have a perfect half empty basement. :) And your shortbread came out gorgeous. Think it's time to pull out my molds and make a batch. Or 2. I've never tried ginger flavored before but I bet it tasted good. And there's nothing better (other than a nap) than some art time on a dark and wet day. I think we have some of that rain coming through tomorrow night. Hope it dries out a bit-oh and love the Paris photos too. Hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteYes, I love your creativity too. The bookmarks and book for Rick are wonderful and then you topped it off with pretty cookies and hearts. So sorry about the wet basement, that one always gets me alittle off when that happens in my basement. I just keep towels in readiness. Oh no!!!
ReplyDeleteThe washer and dryer are not working too. Note a good thing. So sorry!
Great job on the paintings. Bookmarks are great. And the cookies....yummy.
ReplyDeleteWe have the same rainy weather here in Chicago, Jeanie. I do love your Paris photos...big perk up.
ReplyDeleteOh--those bookmarks---precious!
Stay warm and dry.
Jane x
It's wonderful that you have so much rain, Jeanie. It hasn't rained enough this Winter for us. The shortbread cookies look scrumptious, and dipped in chocolate, even better. Yes, I saw one of these lace hearts on another friend's blog. Aren't they pretty? And oh, how I love this picture of you and Rick with the Eiffel in the distance. I think Rick's umbrella adds something to the picture. : )
ReplyDelete~Sheri
I can definitely relate to water in my basement. I just hope it dries soon, so you don't have to mop it up much longer.
ReplyDeleteYour photos of Paris are wonderful and the rain photos don't discourage me from wanting to visit there.
Your bunnies are adorable and I truly love your wonderful paintings. They have truly brightened my day, dear Jeanie.
Forgot to tell you how much I like your cookies. They made me salivate, and I have nothing sweet in my house right now.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! Love all your art today, and sorry if your household helpers have given up on you, that's not good. No rain here, it's just very cold and frosty still. And your cookies have kick started the 'I want one now' theme in my brain and now I need to look for something sweet to eat in spite of my good resolutions. Hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteJeanie, show me the perfect house without issue and I'll show you heaven. Seriously, we ALL have home issues, and water is probably the #1 issue homeowners have to some extent (and my arch nemesis in my history of home ownership. Oh, the nightmares I recall mopping up a deluge one time with the house built into the hillside!). Our sunroom will leak somewhat if the perfect storm of rain and wind hits it just right. Your artwork is the perfect antidote and pick me up, and so are the flowers and baked goods. Carry on, carry on.
ReplyDeleteAh, yes, we are also getting lots of rain here in CT. I find it rather gray and depressing and I try not to go out into it unless I really have to (and, as the spouse likes to remind me: I don't *have* to do anything!).
ReplyDeleteWe had one rainy visit in Paris as well. You are a much better sport about it than we were LOL. When we're in Paris we like to spend as much time as possible out doors and walking the streets - and playing umbrella dodgeball isn't my idea of a grand holiday LOL. Luckily, our visits to Paris with marvelous weather out number the bad ones - and I must say, Paris in the snow at Christmas is truly magical - maybe not as magical as the Spring - but magical all the same!
I love your bookmarks - and your gauzy, soft-focused olde world style painting is charming. I must confess I've been reduced to reading on a Color Nook (my Color Nook now has almost 2000 books - wherever would I store all those?!), so no longer require a bookmark. But I still have a few special ones that I received in online artgroup swaps.
Thanks again for sharing part of your life - I do enjoy seeing you pop up in my inbox! (As a person who lives on Mr. Atkins diet, I am not going to mention how incredibly cruel your photos of sweet treats are! - dipped in chocolate, no less! :)
Damn! about the rain (hope you don't need a dam). Yum! about the cookies. Wow! about your beautiful watercolors.
ReplyDeleteWe have been getting a lot of rain too Jeanie. We go from cold to hot in only hours. Yesterday it was 80 degrees and very humid. My AC is humming along. When it's this unseasonably warm we certainly have storms folllow. I feel terrible for you about your basement and the washer and dryer. When it rains it pours sometimes (no pun intended). It does sound like winter is thawing in Michigan. Well there are very sunny things to see in your post, pics of Paris in the rain, so romantic, the beautiful bookmarks which are adorable and your shortbread, so pretty and I'm sure delicious! I'm enjoying these last few weeks of chilly weather, I know the hot weather will be here to stay soon! Just like you'll be thinking lake visits before you know it.
ReplyDeleteOh yum, I could go for a shortbread cookie with my coffee this morning. I love the pics of you in Paris!! Enjoy your week, Jeanie.
ReplyDeleteLove the bookmarks..so darn cute:) Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteJeanie,
ReplyDeleteYou are such a talented and diversified artist. Your art work, baked goods and photography always inspire and motivate. A joy to visit you!
Jemma
Your short bread molds are awesome! Your bookmarks are so pretty, too. You are fast...baking, painting, and blogging!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about your issues in the basement.
I'm visiting in Texas and it has rained and rained. Went from cold to warm and now cold again all with rain!
Happy Wednesday!
Hi Jeanie! Your winter tree is stunning! Sorry about all the rain!
ReplyDeleteThe bookmarks are so pretty and of course the lace hearts are pretty awesome too.
ReplyDeleteIt's been ages since I painted and I miss it sometimes.
Have a great day Jeanie, hope it stops raining and the sun starts peaking through the clouds.
It may be raining outside but you've made it so sunny inside...no wonder the cats are happy. We have prayed for rain...had nothing for months and months...perhaps tonight we'll even have some snow...after all, it is still February. :)
ReplyDeleteRain inside is never a good thing. Hope the water ending up in the basement isn't doing too much damage, and it's something you can get sorted out without too much expense and hastle.
ReplyDeleteGlad you've been having fun with craft projects to keep your spirits up in the soggy conditions. Mmm... Shortbread!
Oh I FEEL for you! We had a leaky basement for YEARS and every time it rained or melted like this we knew what we were in for. I hope it ends up not being as bad as you anticipate. Your artwork is beautiful! Are you new to painting? Such a great idea to do those bookmarks. I have a real desire to learn to paint . . . maybe this will be the year! Your short breads are lovely - especially dipped in chocolate!!
ReplyDeleteOh and I'm a new follower! Your blog looks like so much fun to explore!
ReplyDeleteOh, no - leaks are never fun! We had a skylight that leaked for years.....we finally got it fixed AFTER WE REPLACED THE ROOF!! haha! Your artwork is wonderful! So very pretty - the lace hearts are sweet. The shortbread is so pretty, too. I really dislike this time of year. You never know what the weather will do. We are freezing with snow showers. I am so over it. Your pretty painting projects make me remember spring is just around the corner. xo Karen
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh. I want a shortbread!
ReplyDeleteI love the bookmarks and your winter tree.
Lizzie looks so content:)
Sorry about your basement:(
The spring flowers are gorgeous.
Have a pleasant evening.
Hugs
Love your artwork and the shortbread --- YUM!
ReplyDeleteJeanie, those bookmarks are wonderful. You have quite a talent and I am very envious. Cookies look magnificent especially dipped in chocolate. Hope the rain stops for you soon..Happy Wednesday..Judy
ReplyDeleteWe are on our second day of HARD rain here and there is more to come tomorrow. Sadly Storybook Cottage has two major roof leaks so its bucket emptying for me.
ReplyDeleteI still plan on going to our Texas gathering tomorrow. Sure wish you were going to be there my friend!
We have been having rain here too, Jeanie. I have been away from my computer for a bit. We have been very busy with family and friends. Also, my kids have helped clean out the garage and haul stuff away. A lot of the stuff belonged to them anyway and ditto for the basement. Both areas are coming along nicely. I can't wait for it all to be gone so I can paint the basement.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you made some lace hearts. Your hearts look really good and so do your paintings.
It seems as though you had a terrific Valentine's Day. I love shortbread and would have eaten all you had.
Have a good day, Jeanie.
Your cookies are really charming. They look as if they might have been made with the wooden moulds you can buy in Switzerland and Austria, beautifully carved. Paris is one of the cities that looks okay in the rain, although being British I am never that keen on rain, we get too much here!
ReplyDeleteI just received your package - what a lovely surprise! Thank you so much, I am writing to you about it.
What a fun post! I love all your artwork-those bookmarks are adorable.
ReplyDeleteYou are right- there is something really bittersweet about visiting a graveyard when it is raining.
For some reason I cannot get your blog to post on my sidebar. I used the usual method to enter and for some reason I can't get it to 'take'. I will try again later, I guess. I usually read from my sidebar but will sign up to follow via email.
Have a great night- xo Diana
Can't add a thing to the above -- your hearts and treats look wonderful, and that's one calm kitty in the midst of the chaos. I remember wet basements from my midwestern days, and now that you mention them, I remember what a pain they were. Even more of a pain to have that washer and dryer kaput -- but they're easily fixed, even if there's a time and $$$ cost to it. I hope the fixes are easy and cheap.
ReplyDeleteI can't figure out why my neighbor has St. Patrick's Day decorations out already. I was going to knock on his door and tell him it was too soon - -that Jeanie hasn't put hers out yet. But I thought better of it. :-)
Jeanie, I am so sorry about the basement. That is so frustrating. I love Paris even in the rain. Your bookmarks are so pretty, love them. And have I mentioned how much I love shortbread cookies, yours look fabulous,
ReplyDeleteHi cutie pie! Oh, I love Paris an would love to go back some day! Your weather sounds so much like ours! I love seeing all of your paintings and you do such a beautiful job too! Thanks for popping in to see me and hope you're doing well.
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
And you still manage to read, what, 60 some books a year? Do rainy days contribute to that amazing number?
ReplyDeleteLove your artwork and baked goods! Yum!
ReplyDeleteHello, our weather says we will have rain the next 4 days. I think we need it, but it means I will be staying in treadmill walking, reading and catching up on some blogging comments. Your bookmarks are so pretty. I love your artwork! Sweet kitty photo! The shortbread looks yummy, especially with the chocolate! Nice memories of Paris! I wish you Have a happy Thursday!
ReplyDeleteUgh, I am sorry to hear that you are dealing with water in your basement - what a mess to deal with! I hope it has cleared up by now and that your washer and dryer are working soon, too. When it rains, it pours (which is really applicable to your current situation).
ReplyDeleteThose V-day treats all look delicious! And I love that you put together a book of poems for V-day each year!!
mmmm ginger, coconut and chocolate, right up my street. I love your bookmarks and your winter tree. You are so clever Jeanie. Dear Lizzie looks content x
ReplyDeleteYou accomplished quite a bit while it was raining! The shortbread looks so good....I love it, and it's even better dipped in chocolate! :D
ReplyDeleteWe're enjoying the sunshine and eighty degree weather, but I know we'll have a little bit more winter before Easter because we always do.
xo,
RJ
I love all your sweet bookmarks. So talented!
ReplyDeleteoops...meant to add your cookies are beautiful...
ReplyDeleteThat Rain in Paris picture is wondrous. It would make a beautiful painting.
ReplyDeletelove your paintings..
ReplyDeletePlease visit: http://from-a-girls-mind.blogspot.com
Very strange rain in February in Michigan. Your bookmarks are gorgeous. They should get you in the spring mood.
ReplyDeleteI love your springy bookmarks - so pretty and happy! We are halfway to spring already, with plenty of sunshine and the wildflowers out in force.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
It's similar weather in Warsaw at the moment. During the Winter we usually have a lot of snow and negative temperatures. I don't like Winter, I would love to have Spring and Summer only :)
ReplyDeleteAnd now, when the temperatures are little bit above the 0 Celsius degrees it's also rainy and gloomy. I feel depressed because of it, really!
Oh, your drawings are amazing! I love bookmarks the most! I bought water colors some time ago, but I still didn't have any opportunity to try them. I think I'll try it after I return from my trip - for now I need to focus on different things.
I loke your crochet hearts! Can you share the pattern with me? I'll try to make something similar for the next Valentines day, I think my hysband will love it :) And maybe I'll also make something for charity auctions... ;)
I think you're very creative - artistic soul like me haha! :)
That photo of Lizzie brings her close enough to (almost ) smooch. What a honey!
ReplyDeleteJeanie, Knock on wood we've never had water in our basement of our other house or this one. I hope it stays that way. I really love your bookmarks, especially the cat and bunny!
ReplyDeleteI really thought I'd left a comment on this. Those cookies are gorgeous. I love your watercolor project too. So perfect. Thanks for linking with Keep In Touch.
ReplyDelete