Thursday, September 3, 2020

Postcards from the Lake: Just Ordinary Days

Nothing big and overwhelming happens. Nothing awful happens. Not much happens. But life at the lake continues to be peaceful. Even Lizzie has her ying/yan thing going.


We've had some sunshine.


We've had some rain. 


And the temperature has dropped. We're seeing signs of fall and I am so not ready!


But I have to admit, the rows of goldenrod are certainly beautiful.


I've baked a bit. Love the accidental heart in the cookie!


The tomatoes are glorious! (And he tomato sauce I've made with the San Mazano's I got at the farmer's market is delicious! I'll get more next market. It's all going in the freezer for the winter.)


My walks yield surprises, like a kite stuck in the wires.


During the day, Rick works. I paint.

I almost always paint from my photos (or sketches) but I did try some painting from life. This was a quartet of acorns and my dead flowers.


 And some veggies from my farmer's market haul.

I like how this one turned out. 

I got to the post office to mail a set of Christmas (and one birthday) cards that were painted and special ordered.


In the evenings we might play a game, watch a video or read. Rick plotted out his revised bike trip.

Rick got off on his revised bike hike, this one for three days. 

Maybe the second time is the charm!

I'll miss seeing his bike by the door!


But he's having a good ride. Apart from a five hour power failure, time here has been good. I did a little painting, a little cleaning, some cooking, reading, walking... all good. And Lizzie?

She'll do what she does best -- chill out. Or, given that the days are a little chilly, warm up by the fire!

53 comments:

Linda Sue said...

OH MY GOODNESS Jeanie!! this post is a full meal plus desert!! Stunning photos all of them and your painting is exceptional, delicious!! If I had to chose a favorite I would be unable to - all of them I would say.
LOVE the clothing on the line, I can smell the trees!
Fabulous summer you have had, no wonder autumn is not welcome!
LOVELY post!!

Blondie's Journal said...

All in a good day, Jeannie! Starting from the end of your post, that is. And that's what its' all about! I can't deny fall is in the air, and I could care less. I love it! I'm not pulling my flowers out to make room for mums! And I'm not holing up indoors if the temps drop below sixty one evening! We, all of us, not only need to embrace the seasons, we need to embrace all the signs of them appearing, in full force, and waning. And that's way too much to complain about. I know you feel like I do. Cheers to more outdoor days!

Jane x

Iris Flavia said...

Awwww, cute pic of Lizzie!
Yes, not ready for the dark, cold half of the year. At least the cookie loves it (or you). 🧡
I have tomatoes AND mozzarella, thank you for the brekkie-tip! Yay for P.
Good idea to paint from photos. Got new colors and thought, great, now... what? Might try something like this, thank you. Yours turned out great!
Hope the bike ride will be fun and safe.
Oh, it´s a cat´s life, is it 😺


Valerie-Jael said...

I think cats have the perfect attitude to life - they chill. Lizzie knows what's good for her. Glad Rick got off at last and hope he stays safe. Love the paintings, especially the withered flowers and the butterfly. Autumn is marching in here with big steps. Have a great day, hugs, Valerie

Sherry's Pickings said...

hi jeanie
i love your paintings. especially the acorns! looks like you are having a nice and peaceful time of it. you are gearing up for winter while we are now in spring and heading for a long hot summer, i reckon. hoping for some spring rain. yes the new blogger is a pain but i think i'm getting there - slowly. have a good weekend
cheers
sherry

Rustic Pumpkin said...

Total bliss! Unlike you, though, I am ready for Autumn, for I love this season most of all. Your paintings are amazing, you have so much talent.

Deb in Wales

David M. Gascoigne, said...

All in all, Jeanie, this seems like an idyllic time at the cottage. Can you even imagine how those imprisoned in grimy cities might love to experience your routine for even an hour or two? Your art is delightful! I hope that Rick has good travels, without incident, and comes back refreshed and ready to bake bread for you.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jeanie,

Lizzie is looking cute, curled up napping. Our driveway is covered in acorns and the leaves are falling. Your tomatoes look delicious, and the cookies are a nice treat. The pink sky and view of the lake is gorgeous! Beautiful butterfly painting. All your art is lovely. I wish Rick safe travels. Take care! Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy weekend!

Pam Richardson said...

Jeanie, lake life is just what you need during these unusual times...it looks perfect. Wishing safety and a great, but short bike trip for Rick. I always love your art work. Happy Friday!

Joyful said...

The cottage life sounds absolutely wonderful.

coffeeontheporchwithme said...

It all sounds absolutely perfect. That fire is just the thing to stare at, or sit next to and read a book. -Jenn

Marie Rayner said...

Like you, our lives have gotten so much simpler over these last six months. Not much socialising going on with the exception of online. I like the quieter days and not having to rush about, but I miss people. Your paintings are so wonderful Jeanie. You are so very talented. I need to do some of those videos by Petrie and do some painting myself. It is on my "to Do" list! I am really hoping that things will soon be better with this virus, but I fear we have a ways yet to go. Oh, to be a cat and just be oblivious to it all! xoxo

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Jeanie,
Your photos are always so stunning and your painted one simply astound me!! You are very talented as I can barely paint stick figures!! Thanks so much for sharing!!!
Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and for letting me know that you did by leaving a comment!! Stay safe, healthy and happy!!
Hugs,
Debbie

Joanne Huffman said...

This is definitely reflective of a life well lived. A lovely enjoyment of quiet times to be savored and stored as memories. Love seeing your painting and great photos (as always).

shoreacres said...

My favorite photo's the one of the laundry between the trees, and my favorite painting is of the four acorns and the drying coneflowers. On the other hand, those veggies look darned good, too. You really are showing the benefits of practice -- great watercolors.

La Table De Nana said...

Lovely paintings!!I am not ready either..I will hang on till the first snowflake falls!Maybe they removed the P to paint the white..

Misadventures of Widowhood said...

Perfect and typical days at a cottage. I'm so glad that you share them with us even thought they always make me homesick for the good old days when I spent summers at a cottage.

Susie said...

Jeanie, I love the paintings. Love the photo of the pink skies and the lake. A fire already...but I guess the evenings are chilly. It was 55 this morning here in central Indiana. Oh to be a well loved house cat. :):) Blessings, stay safe. xoxo, Susie

Mae Travels said...

We've all been condemned to a life of lazy, lovely, unvaried days with good food to cook, good company, and the fear of a looming disaster.

Except those of us already condemned to a life of hunger, fear of losing our homes, inability to provide education and nourishment for our children, and jobless misery.

what a life?

be well... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Oh, yes -- your watercolor technique is becoming awesone.

Karen said...

So much beauty to see, in art and nature. Lizzie has the right spot by the fire. Enjoy the signs of Fall ~ Blessings to you

My name is Erika. said...

This post just showed up on the reading list- and it is Saturday. Talk about being slow. But I am glad it did show up. I put a thank you card in the mail this week, not sure when you will get it but wanted you to know it was coming. And I am enjoying these views of your day. Looks the the perfect way to spend summer in my book. Have a great Labor Day weekend. Hugs-Erika

R's Rue said...

I want some cookies

DUTA said...

Ordinary is good. I like ordinary days, ordinary pleasures.
I wish I could paint, but I have no talent. I wish I could ride a bicycle, but no, I can ride only a tricycle. I wish I could eat those donuts with a red heart, but I'm afraid to gain weight. Apart from that, I feel good, thank God.

Victoria Zigler said...

Sometimes not much happening is a good thing.

Unlike you, I'm ready for Autumn, because I love my cooler temperatures. But things do sound gloriously blissful with you right now...

Divers and Sundry said...

Your food photos are making me hungry :) I do really like the heat of summertime, but I enjoy seasonal changes. Your paintings are lovely. That butterfly! and I'm impressed with your cards.

"Not much happening" with a view like yours sounds like perfect peace :)

The French Hutch said...

Your painting are lovely and so are the cards you mailed out. You must be inspired more at the lake. I love ordinary days Jeanie, the best! I can't say I am looking forward to pumpkin season just yet, more like Indian summer when the air is comfortable and cool evenings. We do have beautiful Septembeers and Octobers. I did love the fire in the fireplace, already! I know you'll miss Rick, hope he has a good ride. Enjoy the Labor Day weekend......

William Kendall said...

Lizzie looks comfy.

gigi-hawaii said...

Lovely photos. I love the photo of the tomatoes especially.

Himawan Sant said...

Everything looks impressive in the cottage.
Cooking with selected tomatoes and painting to a great finish ... just keep getting excited.
Greetings from Indonesia.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Once again, I'm SO late to the party. I have an excuse this time. I fell (tripped) and fell in my craft room. Sore, yes. Sounds like you and Rick are living the life. Even with your Covid hair cuts. I love the impromptu clothes line. I don't know what I'd do without mine, because I love hanging clothes out in summer.

Sorry you aren't ready for autumn. I'm SO ready for days that don't hit nearly 100F and nights that cool lower than 80F. I bet that's really hot where you live, but it's normal for my summer.

Sweet Lizzie is adorable as ever and your Christmas cards are SO impressive.

Pamela said...

Your ordinary days are extraordinary. Lizzie is so cute!

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

This is nothing ordinary in a day well spent, Jeanie, and so you have been having some extraordinary days at the cottage. At times, we get frustrated by the new realities of life during COVID, but overall we are doing very well and don't consider being isolated such a hardship most times, Like you and Rick we do things separately and together and life is good. Hope the bike ride goes well. Enjoyed all the artwork in this post. Lizzie definitely has the best way to spend time and by the fire is good as well.

Carola Bartz said...

This sounds really good to me. We don't always need something to happen (indeed, I'm quite happy of not much happens right now as too much has been already happening). I like your paintings, how lovely that you can be so creative. By the way, those "dead" flowers in your painting aren't dead at all - the seedheads of the rudbeckia are a great source of food for birds. And they might even re-seed and you will have more next year.

Lowcarb team member said...

I so enjoy ordinary, quiet days.
We have so much to be thankful for and these sort of days make me appreciate it more.

Lovely post - your photographs and paintings.
The tomatoes look terrific and very tasty.
Hope Rick has safe travels.

Take care, stay safe and well.

All the best Jan

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

What a lovely post of your days at the lake. I can feel the peace you must feel by the pretty lake. Water always does that for me. Your paintings are beautiful! You are so talented. I love your use of your photos!

Cielo said...

Oh what a nice post! I love everything. Baking amid the pandemic has also been my past time and it's fulfilling :)

Please check out my latest post, too? I'd love to hear something from you! :)
www.cielofernando.com
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM

BeachGypsy said...

Maybe "just ordinary days"....but put them together and you have a great week then a nice month, THEN A blessed YEAR.....and before you know it.......a wonderful life, right?! Love all the pictures and hope Rick is doing great and having a safe time. I love that you can have a fire burning there already.....it looks SO COZY!!--love it.Happy weekend my friend!

BeachGypsy said...

PS your cards are beautiful

Sami said...

Beautiful photos Jeanie, the sunset one is so wonderful.
Already getting cool on your side of the world, when the fireplace is on. We are on opposite ends, so getting warmer here, even though today we had a winter's day - windy and wet!
Hope Rick has a lovely 3 day ride, very brave of him.
Cats so love to sleep :)
Love your beautiful cards.

anno said...

Ahh... the pleasures of ordinary time -- this sounds idyllic, Jeanie. Your watercolors continue to enchant me, and I love the new series that you're doing from "real life". Any chance of a web-based store this autumn?

Glad to see you & Rick enjoying yourselves so fully. Happy Labor Day!

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

I hope you get some more warm weather before fall settles in for good! I’ve been enjoying the cooler temps but would probably feel different if I was at the lake and wasn’t pregnant! We are having the perfect weekend here - cool mornings and warm, sunny afternoons! Can’t complain!

Those special order cards are beautiful!! It’s hard to think of Christmas right now but it will be here before we know it!!

Anca said...

Aww, the first picture with Lizzie is gorgeous. She looks like she is having the best nap ever. It's quite relaxing to see how our funny pets sleep, isn't it?
Hugs xx

Sandra at Maison De Jardin said...

Jeanie, this post is all good. I have a question. Does Lizzie ever have a bad day? I think I would like to be her for a little while.

Love your vase of wildflowers and your cards. You are such a talent.

I am wishing Rick a safe and happy bike ride. I know you will be glad when he is home. Have a great week, Jeanie.

Louca por porcelana said...

Delightful pictures!Love your paintings!

SingingRiverSoulSpa said...

Your lake life rhythm always moves me.
I love your paintings (and that you paint them).
The one with the acorns has my heart:)
Enjoy those sweet mellow evenings as September gets ripe,
Jennifer

gretchenjoanna said...

It looks lovely to me! Turns out, my vicarious enjoyment of your lake life will have to suffice for me this summer. How long into fall can you/do you stay?

Jenny Woolf said...

That looks lovely to me. I'd love to be somewhere like that, preferably without television or internet! (well, maybe email....). I know Rick is back from his bike ride, and so glad it was good. What is that "sign of autumn" which you pictured? it looks like some kind of a seed, but reminds me a bit of a tiny pineapple! Never saw anything like it before. I hope you keep enjoying this special time for a while yet.

KarenW said...

thankfully, we haven't needed a fire yet

Marilyn Miller said...

Glad Rick got his bike ride in.
If you were close I would give you an over abundance of tomatoes.
Love your painted cards. My favorite is the acorns in a row with flowers down below. I really have thought Christmas card yet, but bought my first small gift yesterday and that felt good.
Love seeing Lizzie too.

Amy at Ms. Toody Goo Shoes said...

Oh, those tomatoes! There's nothing like a perfectly ripened tomato! Love the painting of the flowers in the vases, and although you're not thrilled with the beach painting, I think its beautiful. Hope Rick has a safe, and fun bike journey!

Lynne said...

You are uplifting on Life Is Good . . .
Is Lizzie a cuddle, for you?

Lynne said...

You are uplifting on Life Is Good . . .
Is Lizzie a cuddle, for you?

Tracy said...

What a delicious post, Jeanie... just love coming to the lake with you during the summer! And VERY glad to see that P back up at your neighbor's! LOVE you paintings--sooo beautiful! Glad Rick was able to get biking after all! So glad to see all is good there... and see Miss Lizzie! Our life hasn't changed much these many months, really, much is the same, perhaps a bit more simplified. It's been strange not going to places we normally would during the summer... but maybe next year! Gotta hope it's all gonna be all right! ;) ((LOVE & HUGS))

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