Painting lessons..
The first thing my granddaughter asked after hugging me was, "Did you bring your watercolors?" So finally, Sunday, my dear friend Lizzzzie took the baby off in the stroller for a bit, giving me time with Lilia. We set up a few pieces of fruit on the table on the deck....first, to warm up, we painted the view of the trees and the lake.
We used crayons and watercolor. I told Lilia that she didn't have to paint the colors just the way they looked, a camera can do that....so here is my painting and then hers.



Soon, Lizzie and the baby were back. Lizzie is an artist too. She took up where we were with the fruit still life and painted this (left), Lilia's is on the right. Then Lizzie worked with Lili and they did this one (below).

I think it was a lovely time of doing art and spending time together. Here are some photos of the grandbaby and big sister...you can see why it was a busy time!

As summer drew to a close today, my friend Cheryl came over to bring me more apples recently picked from local orchards....[I think they will keep until I come back from Georgia in a week or so....then I can make apple crisp again!] The evening was so lovely, that we decided to go to the local botanical gardens for a free concert. Mr. Pear came along with 3 lawn chairs and we settled in for a genteel farewell to summer!

A woodwind quintet of music professors from our local university treated us to delightful soft music while evening breezes stirred the slowly opening moonflowers!

When there was a break in the music, we strolled the grounds of the botanical gardens, to study the wonderful plants and enjoyed seeing some botanical art on display. These were painted in oils on scrap metal objects by local artist Gregory Moore....so hanging them outdoors was not a problem....[I will return with my camera to capture more of this art show later!]

* friend Cheryl, Mr. Pear and myself

After traveling for 7 months and visiting 5 other art-makers,



my "round robin"altered book has come home!

I am continually delighted when looking through the pages....

finding roses (The title of the original book was "Watching the Roses"), mermaids, poetry, personal memories and even paper dolls. Altered books are interactive...
sort of like a homemade "pop-up" book for an individual. This one has pockets holding more treasures and tags hanging in the binding.

THANK-YOU, Gayle, Lizzzie, Linda, Julie and Carmen! I hope your round robin altered books are soon home to you and that they bring you smiles of delight!

[NOTE: If you would like to learn more about how to make and altered book and what one is look here.]

The light of a new day comes softly through the window. How will you use this beautiful day?

[Thank you, Gemma, for this rosy pink page in my round robin altered book!]

After the storm went through last night.....

I gathered a small bouquet from the remaining flowers, put them in a McCoy vase and did a watercolor...it is good to be painting!

What's for dinner?

I love making homemade polenta....it takes a bit of watching...but tastes so good!

Since it is still early in the day, I have yet to whip up this dish of Italian sausage and peppers with polenta, having nothing yet to photograph, I had to find a photo from the internet. As it turns out, there is a wonderful recipe along with the photo on this cooking blog.

[Photo by Lindsey Rose Johnson.]

We are having a party tonight to celebrate our new refrigerator which is coming sometime today. [When you have an empty nest, you find new reasons for a party!]

I am making crock-pot Brunswick Stew. The photo above is from the internet and is by Southern Living. But I didn't like the sound of their recipe...lots of lima beans, and bacon too.

I have read several recipes for this classic Southern dish, so am doing a combination of these. I am using chicken, boneless breasts and thighs because these were in my old freezer. I may add a little chopped ham. I will use a small package of baby limas and not just corn and tomatoes. I may throw in a chopped potato. Along with the bay leaf and rosemary I will add a touch of barbecue sauce and Worchestershire.

We will also have cornbread from Gayle and Apple Crisp using the apples that Lizzzie picked. I think Tracie..who is coming straight from work, is bringing a bottle of wine. It will be a simple meal to celebrate the harvest, ending of summer and maybe even a b'day...but most of all, a shiny black refrigerator with the freezer below and a working ice maker!
If you would like to come and join us, could you please bring some vanilla frozen yogurt for the Apple Crisp?!

The weather is cool this week. I think I need to bake these pumpkin muffins!

I could share them with guests who attending an open house and fashion show this evening at the little children's boutique where I work. I will make bite size "mini-muffins". Off to the store for pumpkin and eggs and mini chocolate chips, as I have all the other ingredients.

She wants "Instant Gratification"...

An on-line group I was joining was called "Soul Journal". Each week an art journal page could be made following a prompt from the organizers. The first week's prompt was "Instant Gratification".
I thought of things we grab on to seeking to find joy. And they do work, at least for a time. I haven't done the art page from that prompt yet...but I think these photos relate.
---Going to see "Mamma Mia", 3 times so far.
----Partying with my own girlfriends...including my daughter and granddaughter.
-----Recent E-bay purchases. The kurta (tunic) from exotic far-way India; a silver ring which fits my index finger. [Inspired by the one Donna (Meryl Streep) wears in the movie I've been seeing over and over! LOL!]

Of course, instant gratification isn't related just to shopping and "things". I'd like a "quick fix" of several problems....but of course I will learn more and find true inner peace by learning to "balance" my burdens...whatever they may be.

John O' Donohue mentions finding the point of equilibrium in each burden that we are given to bear."When in patience and in prayer we painstakingly manage to discover the point of equilibrium within our burdens, we are able to carry them more easily." [Eternal Echoes, p.155]

----Now this reminds me of my October birthday and its horoscope sign, Libra. The scales, seeking balance.

... And with self-indulgence being allowed somewhat in one's birthday month, I come back to the "gratification" thing again.

Now off to do the soul collage or some laundry. We'll see.

[Note: my collage about this is on my "ARTY COLLAGES AND DOLLS" blog]

Our rainy weather for the last month has really helped the garden....

For the first summer I can remember, I haven't had to drag a hose around the yard. Here is the little shade garden outside my studio door. The impatiens, many of whom are volunteer are finally blooming.

On the other side of the back door, these container plants have needed a bit of help as they are under the wide eaves of the house. They get morning and evening shade but the full heat of the day at noon. Fortunately, the heat was not bad this August.

Today, I am going in to work a wee bit at a local children's boutique. Then we have to shop for a new refrigerator as ours seems to be dying after 25 years! It's always something!

Browsing through a flea market this afternoon with my friend Gayle, I found
this treasure.....

A mug decorated with birds and blackberries (perfect since Michaelmas is coming up!) AND it was made in Scotland, home of fictional detective Hamish Macbeth!

Any Scottish ancestors would have approved of the price tag, too! Only $1.00!

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More gifts...these apples were picked for me by my friend, Lizzzie. They are photographed on a blue and white quilt given to me by my friend Paula.


It is time to bake something....

so I found a simple recipe. It is wonderful!

As it only used 2 of the apples, I have plenty for making a pie, or putting through the juicer. But first I may need to do a watercolor....of course!

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Another project this week was the making of this small baby quilt. Very simple, soft and cuddly.

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Our outing for Labor Day was a drive to Eureka Springs....and a hike through the downtown and surrounding area. We saw this in the window of and antique shop....which was closed. [Thanks for taking the photo, Mr. Pear!]

I have just been given this lovely award.

Thanks Colette! I am delighted!

....passing this award to others...I could say

that I love all those in the blogroll on the left side of this page! (So if your blog is there, please accept this award!)

1. The winner can put the logo on their blog

2. Link the person you received your award from

3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs

4. Put links of those blogs on yours.

5. Leave a message on the blogs of those you nominated

and here are a few new ones!

Judy Judy Wise

Melissa Garden of Pink Shadows

Neda Papier Colles

Suzanne A Brush with Color

Leah Creative Everyday

Lilla Just Lilla

Being visual and not lingering long over text on the screen, I tend to visit visual artists blogs!