Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Postcards from the Lake: Settling In


My happy place.


No, I didn't mess with color or filters on this.


Just another night (or couple of nights in Paradise.)


The Duckster family does their nightly duck-rotabtics out in front of the house.


Then they settle down and head to their evening nesting.


Lizzie and I settled into cottage life. She, checking out her surroundings...


...me, taking daily walks ...


...getting ready to plant...


...and painting.


So far, four watercolors done (or nearly. I fuss). This one is Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City, and a copy, more or less from another painting. I claim no originality, only whatever technique I have.


This is from one of my photos -- Martha's VIneyard.


And done. Unless I go put another wash or two of shadow on it. (Yes, I fuss.)


There's work to be done. I've been raking pine needles, weeding the beach and must call to have this partially uprooted tree removed before it falls on something.


But all good. And even better, because now Rick is here. Settling in...


...and life is good.

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44 comments:

Sandi said...

Gasp...I just want to sit here and stare.

La Table De Nana said...

LOve that place and your watercolors are simply lovely!!!Chateau F is not easy!!

Misadventures of Widowhood said...

I can see why that's your happy place! I love inland lakes and the big lakes, even back yard ponds. So much to do and see and smell.

Your watercolors are wonderful! I get so frustrated working in that medium. My hat is off to you for being able to tame them into submission.

Susie said...

Sounds like a fun time at the lake. I like the paintings. Hope it was not too hot. Wow, don't we love our sunsets on the water. Blessings, xoxo, Susie

coffeeontheporchwithme said...

It all looks perfect - especially the ducks! Have you tried painting them? -Jenn

Karen said...

Ahhhhh, life is good at the cottage. I don't think we are going to get to our cottage get away this year. Too many forest fires surrounding the area. Pout.

eileeninmd said...

Hello, love the colorful sky and reflection on the lake. Your paintings are lovely, you are talented. Pretty flowers and I like the duck family. Enjoy your time at the lake.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Your posts from the Lake just make me feel calm. I love your watercolors, well done my friend.

BB said...

Oh, I wish I was there with you. It looks like such a peaceful and healthful place. Love your watercolors. My oldest granddaughter wanted to know where I got the watercolor of Porch Pup. I told her. She loved it. She's a budding artist.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I used to live in Québec. My daughter was born there, in a hospital not too far from Le Château Frontenac. Vive le fait français en Amérique du Nord! Nous allons voyager en Gaspésie le mois prochain.

Iris Flavia said...

Awww, that is such a beautiful lake - or great shots, or both :-)
And you look wonderful, too!
Can you "unlearn" how to paint? It´s been ages, I don´t think I could do it anymore - beautiful work!

Valerie-Jael said...

Enjoy the time at the beautiful lake, it always looks so calm and inviting. Your water colours look great, have fun making more. Hugs, Valerie

Decor To Adore said...

What a joyful post. I have also been enjoying the photos of you and the sweet new addition. Ah, those happy newborn days!
The watercolor of buoys is fabulous!

Lilbitbrit said...

Looks a wonderful place to relax and enjoy. Your watercolors are great.

Danielle L Zecher said...

Those pictures are gorgeous! Glad you're all settling in, and that you're getting to paint.

Red Rose Alley said...

Nature doesn't need filters, and I rarely use them myself when taking photos of it. The sunset photo with the wooden bridge is beautiful. You are sure talented when painting, Jeanie. And I love this picture of you.....a woman of warm, welcoming smiles. : )

~Sheri

ps....thank you for saying hello and welcoming me back to blogging.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I love your paintings! I wish so many times I had that talent! Enjoy your week!

DUTA said...

I like your Chateau Frontenac water color picture. It looks complex and yet the colors add a certain delicacy to the structure.

William Kendall said...

Splendid skies!

Jenny Woolf said...

Oh, it looks perfect! And you have all your art materials there too...

Sally Wessely said...

Sounds perfect to me! Hugs to you. Enjoy the time at the lake. I’m just a bit jealous, but I say that as I rejoice that you have such a place that brings such peace, such joy, and provides a place for you to create and renew.

BeachGypsy said...

Girlfriend YOU ARE TALENTED with those pretty paintings!! Love them, my favorite is the Martha's Vineyard, I've never been there, but do so love reading about it and seeing the pictures from there. Pretty sun on the water, were those sunsets or rises? so glad you are now there, you can relax and ENJOY and do things you like. Walks are good for you, and I know you love doing your watercolors, love the pretty picture of them all set up. Did you get any flowers planted? That is definetely fun and relaxing. Looking forward to more pictures....how long will y'all be there this time?

BeachGypsy said...

PS---forgot to say it's gotta be fun to watch those lively ducks! And I'm so glad Rick is there too! ENJOY!!!

My name is Erika. said...

I can see why this would be your happy place Jeanie. It would be mine. Those sunsets over the water are fantastic. Hope you get to enjoy many more days there this summer- and make some more beautiful paintings and just sit and watch the sunset. Hugs-Erika

Pamela said...

Great place and photos!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Bleubeard is jealous of Lizzie about now, and I'm in awe of those sunsets. Incredible photos and lovely paintings. I can tell life is truly good.

Joanne Huffman said...

I love that you're setttled in your happy place.

Tristan Robin said...

Oh, get me a good book, a comfortable chair, a bottle of sherry and a box of Godivas. I'll be on that dock for the next 8 hours!

Looks like the perfect summer respite!

I didn't realize your summer place was on Lake Otsego! Do you attend Glimmerglass while you're there? My sister lives very near there (in Otego) and I spent over 20 years near there while teaching at Colgate (in Hamilton). It's perfect summer weather in that area! I miss it.

I never did comment on your marvelous post from last week with the stunning black and white photos of Paris. It's interesting that Paris - so full of life and color and vibrancy - is most fully captured in black and white, I believe. Probably has something to do with the sense of history.

Anyway - two wonderful posts in a row. Thanks so much for sharing all!

roughterrain crane said...

I like your green painting. Thanks for your comment on my blog.

Victoria Zigler said...

I'm glad you're all settled in, and enjoying your happy place. Or, one of your happy places, since I can think of a certain place with fun workshops you might consider your happy place too. ;)

Sounds like you've been having a great time at the lake so far, enjoying yourself, despite the work that needs doing.

Sami said...

Beautiful sunsets!!
What a great place for a summer holiday.
Loving your watercolours, so talented Jeanie.

Doodle T said...

Stunning. Such a magical place. Enjoy!

Laura Beth said...

Exquisite photos! So many gorgeous shots to choose from... but my favorite has to be the duck butts in the air. :-P

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Oh, Jeanie. Life at the lake looks wonderful. Please enjoy every minute..Happy Summer..xxoJudy

AnnMarie aka Vintage Junkie aka NaNa said...

Your pictures are what I dream of for a vacation at the lake. Just stunning! So happy for you to have such a lovely place to go.

Lynne said...

Looking, sounding WONDERFUL!
Love your watercolors . . .
Rick has arrived . . .
It all adds to . . .
Bliss time, right?

Sandra Cox said...

The sky and water are unbelievable. Such beauty. And those ducks...what a hoot;) Thumbs up on your water colors.
Your place is glorious.

The French Hutch said...

Oh Jeanie, life at the lake looks wonderful! Amazing sunset and I see why you love it there. I know it has to take the stress away and you are doing what you love. Painting and planting. Love your paintings. I see Miss Lizzie is settled in too. So happy Rick is there with you now. Life is wonderful! Enjoy your time there.........

Snap said...

Gorgeous sunsets and the lake is amazing. Love the ducks. They are always fun to watch. Your watercolors are wonderful!

Rita C at Panoply said...

{Sigh}....lakeside cottage paradise.

Running on empty said...

I like the photos and the paintings!

Mary K. said...

Really great photos Jeanie. And the painting of the buoys is also sweet. All those colors bring joy!

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

Beautiful pictures! I'm glad you are getting a chance to escape from the lake. There's nothing like being at the lake in the summer. Life moves more slowly there and it's just so relaxing. I'm glad Rick is up there with you, too!

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

No wonder this is your happy place, Jeanie. It's just gorgeous and peaceful. I would enjoy this too. Sending some chin rubs for sweet Lizzie. :)

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