Workshop Week

Recently I participated in a series of free online workshops called "Workshop Week" hosted by Becca Courtice of the Happy Ever After Crafter. This was a series of free workshops, all about 30-45 minutes, that I followed online. There were probably about 25-30 classes in everything from calligraphy and mixed media to painting techniques.

The work I share here is work I did in the sessions and I'm the first to admit that most isn't my best work. That wasn't the point. The point was to create art along with the instructor through their videos (some of which were edited for drying time so they were "working" a whole lot faster than I could!) Consequently, you're going for "learning," not perfection. This bright floral watercolor, from the class taught by Jenna Rainey, is FAR from my usual style -- and I love it, even though it is not without flaw! 

So, It Rained

And it is still raining. All week. (Well, we had a surprise day off on Sunday, but thunderstorms are coming again and scheduled through Friday.)

I feel guilty about this -- being snarky about the rain when those out west are in such desperate need of rain. But when it is in your basement or leaking into your family room, you get a little testy. These hydrangeas used to be standing up. Now you can't walk to the back yard without fighting the flowers.

Every Stitch Tells a Story - In Praise of Quilts

I don't know when my love affair with quilts began but I know I was very young. Perhaps it started with my first quilt, a doll blanket made by my grandmother. The stitches were tiny, simple squares, but it was all that Baa or Betsy Wetsy needed to keep cozy in our Michigan winter.  She also made this one, not long after. They are still in use, if for no more than decoration!

Quiche-a-licious

Back some time ago, I mentioned the delicious quiche I cobbled together from a couple of different recipes. So many were interested I promised to post what I did so here goes!

 

Postcards from the Lake -- The First Visit

With Rick in Dallas and my last physical therapy appointment for a few days under my belt, the time was right -- road trip to the lake for the first visit of the season.

There is something exciting about that first visit. Questions run through my mind. What has changed? How does the house look? Will there be neighbors around? What will the weather be like? Did I bring the right clothes? And then you wheel around the corner and there it is. Home.

From Palette to Paper

I haven't done an art post in awhile so I thought I'd catch up with a few things I've been working on. As you know, I'm very fond of doing pet portraits and I've had a couple of lovely models to work with lately.

The Beauty of Spring-Into-Summer

More blooms! My garden and peonies are faded now, but I managed a few pix before the passed their peak.

At Long Last

What could be better than a perfect day in June? A perfect day spent with the Toddler Twosome and their mom and dad!  Rick was leaving for Dallas to meet up with his brothers and help clean out their mom's house before it goes on the market. The airport is close to Kevin and Molly's home so we went a day early to spend the day with the kids. I'm not sure who had more fun at this moment -- the two boys or Rick! They are relentless, but then, so is Rick!

 

I got to go with their mom to get them from day care and let me say, a welcome hug by this one (who has the best laugh ever!) is like a magic tonic!

There was time for Play Doh, playing Sorry and a story or two. And lots of time on the swing!

Kevin is a wonderful cook and dinner couldn't have been better -- grilled chops, a salad to die for and potatoes in the air fryer. 

The paper straws from Dollar Tree were a hit. I need to buy a bunch of those! 

The Oldest Toddler (who is four) was fascinated by the camera so I turned it over to him. I think every toy in the house is photographed, along with our breakfast, coins from the piggy bank and portraits of everyone. I thought he did well with one of me!

And this is my favorite that he took. I'm printing this one out!

All good things come to an end and the next morning Rick was off to Dallas and I was off to physical therapy. 

We'll miss those hugs till next time!

"Quarant-whine!" The Cork Poppers are Back!

The morning of our Cork Popper reunion, with the theme "Quarant-wine," started with an ER trip for Rick and ended with us all tasting seven wines, enjoying a fabulous feast of appetizers and desserts and having a non-stop, "It's been 16 months since I've seen you!" catch up party!

Strawberry Season Redo!

I'm rewriting my "Strawberry Season" post because I accidentally deleted it (UGH!) Things I learned today -- no way to retrieve a deleted blogger post! I'll try to post-date it so it doesn't show in your feeds but who knows if that will work. If you read that one, skip this one!

It's Really Good That I Like to Lick the Batter Bowl

It's really good that I like to lick the batter bowl. Just one of the "real life" things happening in my world!

I decided that since I had all the ingredients I would make Carol's Lemon-Raspberry Muffins. It would be so nice to freeze them (well, most of them) and have them good to go to the cottage for Memorial Weekend. (Yes, I thought of making them with blueberries too, to go with the weekend color theme but I decided not to get that cute.)

A Long Weekend with Little to Show for It!

In an earlier post I mentioned a New York Times article that discussed languishing and flourishing during lockdown times and I mentioned I was flourishing and, for the most part of the past year, felt much the same. No languishing for me!