"Bella"

I am dog-sitting for my Son....This is his dog..."Bella"....she is really SWEET!..and now....
breads:
banana bread, biscuits, bread sticks, cinnamon rolls, colverleaf rolls, croissants, crumpets, date bread, french bread, french toast, hard rolls, honey buns, hot cross buns, italian bread, jewish rye, macaroni, melba toast, muffins, onion bread, potato bread, pumpernickel,raisin bread, rolls, rye bread, scones, toast, white bread, whole-wheat bread.......
tomatoes, red and sweet
innocent colors of exotic fruits
running after rainbows
wooden beads
raspberries picked in the garden
traveling first class on a train
a barn to make love in
overnight camp picnics
rain barrels
making plans
sunsparkles
bamboo birdcages
twenty shades of green in a tree
basically happy people
letting your hair dry in the sun
driving alone
songs of the meadowlark
a timid tiger
cowbells
kidnapping your lover
cathedral ceilings
wild cherries
Hope everyone has a "Spring-like" Friday....and a warm weekend ! I am getting ready to go to the post office...and the thrift store!

I had to post the photo of this tulip that I took yesterday!!! Is this not beauty or what!!??!! AND...YIPPEE.......the house is almost done...another coat of white trim around the windows...doors etc....then I can fix all my garden stuff around....and it will be finished...I really love this photo of the house because you can see that Italian Cypress tree in the front yard....that is the tallest one I have ever seen...my Dad planted that tree over 40 years ago...for my little Italian Mom....you can see here how tall it really is...it reaches to the sky....and is home to many many little birdies!.

Earring Marathon

I just finished writing a long post..and blogger didn't let me post it!!!!! I hate when that happens! My girlfriend asked me if I would make 40 pairs of earrings for her shop...(she would pay me..of course)...so yesterday morning after running errands the last stop on my list was the bead store...hours later...(and 75.00 more broke) I finally walked in the door at 1pm..started to make earrings...I finished the last pair at 1am in the morning!!! A grand total of 41 pairs! My friend is coming over this morning to see them...hope she likes them!
It rained yesterday..finally...and boy did it rain! We even got some thunder! My sister is coming over tomorrow and we are going to paint the white trim on the house....then we will be all finished!!!! Yippee! I also have more art to finish...and I MUST clean the "you know where"...after my little earring making marathon the place has beads...bags...wires...etc. everywhere! Need to go grocery shopping later..but after being up until the wee hours I feel like a zombie today! The photos above are some of the results of the earring making adventure !

Little Birdie

"Little Birdie"...is the name of this ancestor collage...created for a 5x7 swap in my creative journey group. I finally managed to finish it...even with all the busy painting going on....now..one more to go.....and in the mail to Deb.
Good Monday morning to everyone.....another busy week ahead...it's ALL good!

A Painting Party

It was a "painting party".....and....it went FABULOUS! Everyone started painting about 9:30am.....and by 3 in the afternoon the main part was DONE! All that's left is the white trim around the windows.... that will be done later in the week...(after it stops raining)...rain is due in tonight and tomorrow into Wednesday. I am so grateful to everyone in my family for making this day so fun and productive! It really could not have gone any better than it did...it was in the low 80's....we had the music blaring....and lots of laughter happening...and lots of hard work...but the day went by fast....I will post more photos later! The first photo is Andy (in the background)..Becca and Tami. Second photo is my brother Larry in the background and my sister Tina.....third photo is John...Becca...Tami...and Button...(just getting started)..and the last photo is my Honey Andy painting away......I LOVE all of you!!!!!!! XXXXOOOOO

Friday's Things...and Cherry Blossoms

sweet pea or daisy
not taking life that seriously because it's here to be enjoyed
babies' name bracelets
"once in a blue moon"
newborn puppies with trip-over ears
buying a book and getting lost in a new topic
shades of pink and yellow
chasing an ice-cream truck and feeling like a kid again
the clap of thunder
secret formulas
each inch of a garden revealing some new life
someone understanding enough to hug you soft and close when you cry, and kiss away your tears
the hokey-pokey
the shadows of deep water
white
rainwater on green leaves
winks
granny nighties
a sense of serenity
midnight motorcycle rides
old teddy bears
the toot of a train
eating breakfast on your front stoop
a camp breakfast
searching out a piece of solitude and refreshing yourself with the sound of absolutely nothing
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Another Friday!!! We are getting the house ready for painting today....tomorrow is the BIG day....Spent yesterday getting supplies...busy...busy....I'll be glad when all the painting is done! I'm going to sneak into the studio right now and try to make some progress on my projects...while it's peaceful and quiet...hope everyone is able to carve some peaceful quiet time out for themselves today..even if it's only for a short time....enjoy the weekend! I'll keep you posted on the "painting party".....

Spring Beauty

It seems like I have been extremely quiet lately...but the truth is that I've been really busy with new projects...working outside (we are getting ready to paint the house this weekend)....doing lots of weeding...and tending to the flowers....I've also been taking lots of photographs for a year long photo project that I am doing....PLUS...working on art projects (none of which are ready to post yet)...and the usual everyday things...(you know...LIFE around the house). I do take lots of little breaks through out the day and read blogs...sometimes I start at the bottom of my favorites and work my way up...or vice versa....I have so many things that I want to do running around in my head that at times I make myself crazy! So...I make lists! One of my typical lists might be:
1. mop kitchen floor
2. work on art (finish ancestor swap) / start on birds and flowers 4x4
3. scan old photos / write to Alvin
4. go pick up pills at pharmacy
5. put new latches on cabinets
6. clean studio (on going)
7. write letters
8. work outside..more weeding...raking...burning ( buy new garden gloves)
9. plant new flowers
10. find fabric sheets for printing
11. clean up mess in yard made by the neighbors dog...who keeps knocking over our garbage can
12. make Dad breakfast...or lunch...or dinner....take Dad a rootbeer float
13. go thru more mags
Anyway...you get the picture...I get so into doing things...that I don't really have too much to say...(sometimes)...the list above could go on and on. Tomorrow my sister and I are going to go buy paint materials for the big PAINTING weekend coming up...my brother and sisters and all the partners are going to paint the house this weekend....oh...that reminds me...I want to make a big potato salad for that day..and clean one of the ice chests so we can put ice cold drinks in it for the "painting weekend"....see...those lists never end!
I post lots of photos of flowers! I do love them so....and when you look close at a flower through a camera lens something magical happens...so...hope you enjoy all the Spring flowers that are starting to come alive out in my front yard...

The purple beauty is the plant that Dad brought back from the coast for me.....and the green purplish leaves are the leaves of coral bells.

STOP !

The price of gas in Northern California.....

Beautiful Day

We have been enjoying this little mini vacation...here is just one of the reasons why...the house at top and one of the many beautiful views....this was taken yesterday..temps. were in the 80's........its been peaceful and quiet...and we are taking advantage of it.

Happy Things Friday

acres of books
that happy-go-lucky feeling
driving an old pick-up truck
foreign stamps
eating a ripe peach and letting the juice trickle down your chin
buying flowers for home on Fridays
the green shoots of new plants
the pure promise of dawn
going to yard sales early on summer mornings
a place of secret magic where nature alone quietly renews itself
resting under cool trees
a bed of fresh moss
the first day of sandals
echoes in a cave
things that are part of our dreams and hopes
the quack of a duck
the most perfect of any music filling the air
making root beer floats with long spoons and straws
singing in cars
catching a butterfly in the palm of your hand and letting it go
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Another wonderful Friday.....it is very quiet around here...my Dad is gone on a little vacation to the coast with my brother. The animals and I have this huge old house all to ourselves......it's going to be VERY warm outside today. I hope everyone has a "Spring Day"...filled with warmth and brightness.
Another atc above...using the gesso image technique from Bernie's book.

Doodle

Just playing around.....Busy this morning getting my Dad all set to go on his little trip to the coast with my brother. Another very warm day ahead! Somtimes in the evening...I sit and draw...doodle.....color.....while watching TV...this is what I did last night.

Fun with Artist Trading Cards

ATC.....using Bernie's technique with magazine image and gesso....from Bernie's book...Artist Trading Card Workshop....I started messing around with these last night...here is the final product...She was wearing an orange scarf...I decided to crop her hair and dye it blue...more images below.

Here is another atc using Bernie's technique with gesso and a magazine image.

Mona...You've Changed

I've been working on some techniques out of Bernie Berlin's book..."Artist Trading Card Workshop"...This is done using gesso and magazine images. I found a magazine image of The Mona Lisa...after I finished with her...she looks like this! These are really fun to do!

For Blue...Gawpo....and....

Anyone else that can remember "Days on the Green"...at the Oakland Coliseum in the 70's...These were taken in 75...Bands that day were...The Eagles...The Doobie Brothers...Peter Frampton...and Robin Trower. The empty seat...that you can see most of...was mine...(I'm sitting next to my sister, Tina)...the row below is my brother (guy with mustache)...and on the end is my other sister, Button. Look at all the people! I do remember it being super HOT...(it was in August)...no wonder...everyone looks crammed in there like sardines! I also remember wearing cut-offs...and a bikini top...what good memories...This all started yesterday when Blue mentioned listening to CSN&Y...then Gawpo said something about seeing them at the Oakland Coliseum....one thing lead to another...I found these old photos last night!
I'm gonna listen to more good music today....another all time favorite...Santana.
I did bake the carrot cake yesterday...also got the Weber going for some BBQued chicken...it was very warm! Today's alittle cooler...but still in the 70's...I'm helping my Dad get ready for his trip to the coast with my brother...which means I get a little mini vacation also...I have lots of projects! Does anyone else have some good memories of concerts they went to ???? Way back when???!!!!

Tumbleweed Connection

I made this cover for the CD by Elton John...Tumbleweed Connection. I think this is one of Elton's BEST!!!!!!! I went off today on listening to GOOD music !!!! I also got the carrot cake baked! YEAH !!!!!!!

CSN&Y Kinda Day (Thanks Blue)...

I was reading Blue's blog this morning...she said she was listening to CSN&Y...NOW...CSN&Y are among my very FAVORITES of all time...( what memories they bring to mind)...I use to live near Stephen Stills in Colorado...but..that's a long story for another time......anyway....I decided to make it a CSN&Y music day....while working outside in this beautiful almost 80 degree weather...doing some ART....and finally baking that carrot cake!
OoooH the song that is playing right at this very minute is "Long Time Gone". Thanks Blue... for the good music today! Great idea!

I made this atc yesterday for a friend....Today will be busy and warm! I have to run errands...bank..post office....do some yard work....and meet my sister for lunch...and bake that carrot cake that I didn't do yesterday! I hope that everyone who lives down in Southern California is okay...wildfires...already in March is a very scary thing..temps. in LA are supposed to be in the 90's today....supposed to be in the high 70's to low 80's here.....I love this warm Spring weather...but we need MORE RAIN!

CHARMED

Here it is! I have it laid out....now I'm going to add more links...attach all the charms...YIPPEE!!!!! I have a new charm necklace with lots of beautiful wonderful charms from alot of different talented artists! I just love this...and can't wait to wear it to show it off...I'm in another charm swap right now hosted by Kristen for our Creative Jouney's group...I'll make a bracelet for that one!
As you can see I've been busy....lots of projects going on...plus lots to do outside right now...the temps have been in the 70's..absolutely perfect days! ....and more daylight hours to boot! My photo project (a year in photos) is coming along...Andy and I were gone most of the day yesterday running errands...I had my camera with me ...it's amazing when you look at the world through "artist eyes...and a camera lens".....
We had a barbecue last night..yummy hamburgers....Andy wants me to bake another carrot cake today...so I need to go to the store!

Postcard swap hosted by Jane....I enjoy making postcards...almost as much as I like getting them! I got these in the mail yesterday from Jane....Felicia...and Bethie! Thank you all...I love them!

Aren't these fabulous~ my 9 atc's from Maryellen's swap! I love them! Thanks to all the talented artists who participated! This was a great idea Maryellen...can't wait to do another!

She goes Where I Go !!!!!!!

I found this little "flying angel" at the thrift store for 50 cents. She fits on top of my car antenna....she goes where I go......

Good Things Friday

the sounds of geese high overhead
when the lakes are high
mail that is not all bills
onion-skin paper
writing your spouse a love letter
tulips bursting into bloom in a kaleidoscope of color
knowing you are absolutely unique
remembering when bubble gum cost a penny, comic books 10 cents, hot dogs a quarter, and water was free
an odd couple
sapphire mountains set into emerald valleys
just happening upon a parking spot in the right place
roses and lace
"hanging out" and remembering why you like each other
heartbreakers
brimming glasses of ice-cold milk
the smell of hot coffee
old silent movies
cobalt-blue bottles
feeling really good, alive, aware; filled with a tingly sense of well-being
Friday's child is loving and giving
loving forever
and...the photo above of a pine tree circle.......
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I can hardly believe that Friday is here already! I started to clean some shelves in the studio last night...one thing led to another..and I'm still organizing...cleaning...dusting...throwing out bags of paper....going thru old magazines....it never seems to end. I'm going to venture off of this mountain today and go to the library and the post office.....I'm taking the camera with me...I decided to do a little project....I'm going to take one photo everyday of something in my life....and at the end of a year...I will have a year of my life in photos. I will keep track of the photos in a journal. Maybe...when the year is over...I'll make a quilt of all the photos.
Hope everyone has a good Friday....filled with lots of laughter.

more charms

Charms I made using tyvek paper. Tyvek beads are fun to make! I sat down and started making these and couldn't stop! Lots of these will be going to my friend, Catherine..who lives in The Netherlands.

The RR canvas that I finished yesterday...Marilyn did the background...Karen did the main focus...and my part was to embellish and finish...It gets mailed back to Marilyn now.I had quite a time with this one! Nothing seemed "right" to me...after sitting and looking at it for days.....I finally stumbled upon using some negatives...buttons...and a slide mount.

SPRING.....maybe???!!!

The apricot tree is blooming...and so is the pretty purple vinca...Spring is on it's way....I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn't freeze or snow again...it has been known to happen....Can you tell that I sorta have Spring fever???? I'm anxious to start working out in the yard...get my hands in the dirt and plant some new flowers in the flower garden...I'm even thinking about EXPANDING the flower garden....and starting the veggie garden...nothing like fresh veggies from the garden! We had a light rain last night...which was perfect...it watered everything...and now the sun is shining bright...supposed to be 75 degrees this weekend!
I finished a canvas yesterday for the RR...and made more links for the charm necklace...I'm going to work on that again today...plus clean the studio..I've been working on it...slowly! This weekend is daylight savings time...yippee! Doesn't it seem like you get more done when it stays lighter longer???? Even though no matter how you see it...there is only 24 hours in a day! I'm like a bear coming out of hibernation....all I want to do in the winter is stay inside...all warm and cozy...and eat soups...and stews and "heavy food"....come spring...I want to be outside...play in the dirt...eat veggies and salads....summer arrives, and I want to play in the water...drink lots of ice cold drinks..and eat more veggies and salads....(and ice cream)...shed more clothes...and pin my hair up...in the winter my hair stays down....(keeps the neck warm)....I just love the seasons....and I'm always READY for the next one when it comes...so...I AM READY FOR SPRING! Are You?

Most Yummy Carrot Cake

If you like carrot cake...you will LOVE this recipe. (serves 12-15)
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 teas. baking soda
1 teas. baking powder
1/2 teas. salt
3/4 cup oil
3 eggs
1 teas. vanilla
2 cups carrots, grated
1 cup coconut, shredded
1 cup walnuts, chopped
1 cup crushed pineapple, drained
Preheat oven to 350. Sift together the dry ingrediants. Add the oil, eggs, and vanilla, beating well. Fold in carrots, coconut, walnuts, and pineapple. Pour into a greased 9x13 pan. (I used 3 round cake pans). Bake at 350 for 35 to 40 minutes. Cool cake completely. Frost with lemon cream cheese frosting. (recipe below).
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Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting
8oz. cream cheese, soft
7 tab. butter, soft
3 cups powdered sugar
1 teas. vanilla
juice of 1/2 lemon
Combine the cream cheese and butter. Sift in the powdered sugar, beat well until mixture is smooth. Add vanilla and lemon juice. Frost cake. Oh..Yum...Yum...Yum....

I have been quiet! but ....I'm still here. The last few days have been so beautiful outside and I'm itching to work in the garden and plant new flowers...there is still lots of raking...weeding...burning to do...but if I do some everyday then all is well....I've been working on projects in the studio...here is a little collage I did on a formica tile called "waiting for spring".....I have also created some charms using beads that I made using tyvek paper...also (thinking) about what final embellishment to put on Marilyn's RR canvas...so far I've been stumped on this one....BUT..if I stare at it long enough something will come to me...or it will come to me in my dreams....which happens alot!
I have also been working on the charm necklace...I made lots of "S" links...and now I must arrange the charms on them...and play around with it to see what I like best...I made a yummy carrot cake yesterday.....I'm gonna go cut 2 pieces right now...1 for my Dad....and 1 for me!

Incredible

I had to share these photos...dog in womb.. the first photo the puppy is 52 days old...full coat of light cream hair..whiskers are forming. At 39 days the eyelids are fused to protect them from contamination. The bottom photo is the puppy almost ready to be born.
Life is so precious......ALL LIFE.