Paintings in progress....yeah!

At last, I feel like painting!
These are off to a good start with these small 5X5 canvases.  Almost finished, as my style is loose!
This one, with the black wrought iron is beginning to remind me of the work of Raoul Dufy....perhaps I should go with that impression and add more black outlines....still work here!

My little corner garden retreat is the inspiration for this next one, but I have decided to make it a fanciful garden, I can paint it however I want, inspite of the drought!  The bubblegum pink watering can is authentic....
I reserve the right to change it's color  (and any other colors!) if I paint a garden chair series....

Maybe this painting could use some black lines too, outlining the man-made objects, not the plants....?

After some rain, the garden is better!

My little garden retreat.  Old chairs and old watering can, repainted....old pots and a sheltering old
cedar tree.

Nearby, tall zinnias are flourishing...

attracting bees and butterflies (so I leave the flowers in the garden, cutting  fewer for the vases in the house!)

Across the yard, in a sunnier area, a red bell pepper plant is happy today after the nice rain Saturday evening!

My prayer flags were made and hung with the need for rain as one intention....so we are thankful and encouraged!

The BEST blueberry pie ever!

Yesterday my friend, Gayle made this and served it to us while we were making the garden/prayer flags......Alaska Lowbush Blueberry Pie recipe ! [recipe is from a former Alaska Senator, Frank H. Murkowski, in a Congressional Cookbook]

Alaska Lowbush Blueberry Pie


Ingredients

4 cups of blueberries
One 9-inch baked pie crust
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
3 Tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 Tablespoon Grand Mariner (optional)
1-1/2 Tablespoons butter

whipped cream

Spread 2 cups blueberries in the pie crust. Refrigerate until well chilled. In saucepan, simmer 2 more cups of blueberries, sugar, water, cornstarch and salt until thickened, stirring frequently. (takes about 7 minutes). Take off heat; mix in Grand Mariner and butter. Let cool. Pour sauce over berries in pie crust; refrigerate until well chilled. Serve with whipped cream.




It is the best blueberry dessert that I have ever had, some of the berries are used fresh and cool, then topped with a blueberry sauce and whipped cream.  Pure heaven!

I'll be back with a pie photo later...if possible!

[Here it is....the photo....not the neatest of whipped cream applications....but VERY tasty!]

Color and fun for the garden

With our weather so hot...101 today....my flowers are struggling to survive.

 I need more color for the garden and these are now helping me in that area!

I used the basic directions from the prayer flag project blog....but used up things which were in my studio in an unfinished condition..an extra quilt block or collage....even a fabric with a grandchild's art work....

I strung them on a long ribbon which I found and and Mr. P helped me to hang them this evening!  Now the breezes can carry the prayers and good energy out into the world (and beyond!).

Saving power and staying cool while baking....

It is a long hot summer but I still want to bake some days!

While looking for recipes to use in my small new toaster oven, I found this one...scone for one

and this one chocolate cake for one.  I adjust the recipe for my own needs and for the counter top oven, not the microwave.  They work beautifully, making enough for 2 people who need a little treat, rather than just one person (in my opinion- why overeat?).

In order for the oven thermostat on this Hamilton Beach Toastation (which I LOVE!) to work well, I made an insulated rectangular "toaster topper" with insulated batting and metallic fabric usually used for ironing board covers.  This, when  placed on top of the toaster slot (which closes during "baking" ) helps the oven to work properly.  Then it works as a hotpad to remove the pan from the oven!

Delicious!
I had never owned a toaster oven before, and am having fun....sort of my grown up "easy-bake" oven.
The "Toastation" also comes in a little larger version which does 4 pieces of toast.  and it comes in black too.

Vacation to visit grandson in Idaho!

We have just returned from a few days in Idaho, to see our family who now live in Boise!

We stopped in the capitol building which was fabulous...all that marble and a lovely old downtown around it!  So much to do but we were there for a reason....


This little guy was the main focus of our trip.....Wes, almost 10 months old!

When we went for a walk around their neighborhood, I was very impressed with the lushness and abundance of the plants and flowers.  It is a high dessert climate.  Here a clematis the like of which I have never seen before!

Cherry trees were loaded with fruit already!

Back at home, he demonstrates a new toy from his other grandparents!  Way cool! It has flashing lights and gears! Playschool!

Another evening we took our long walk in the fabulous rose garden and green space down by the Boise River.

Truly, Boise is a lovely, easy going small city with a lot to offer!

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Saturday we drove to McCall, ID where there was a 2-day mountain bike racing event.  Dr. R  set up his  tent and gave free consultations to anyone looking to improve their well-being!

That night, we headed into McCall for a meal at a Mexican restaurant overlooking the lake. [You can see the lake reflected in the windows!]  Absolutely perfect! (mango margarita for moi!)

Later we strolled by the lake.....

and rested in the cool breeze....

while watching the cutest baby in the world* discover the joys of a sandy beach!

(*the cutest baby in the world is always whichever grandchild you happen to be with!)

June projects and garden

This quilt top is to be donated to local groups whom our quilt guild helps!  I made it at our Saturday sew -in recently!

This wonderful textured piece is scraps from quilting and sewing tied together and knitted with garter stitch on size 17 needles....a really fun bath mat!

Our week of 100 degree temperatures is not helping my almost green thumb!  I do have some zinnias which are quite happy and so am I!

I'm just waiting for my first of the season "Cherokee Purple" heirloom tomato to be ripe!

Almost finished....the front yard that is! (part 2)

 Here is a close-up of our storm door with the reflected flag, yesterday on Flag Day!

We have the flag out most days, especially in the summertime!

The yard of our 1970's house has been transformed since we lost the large elm tree last spring!

 Mr. P has worked very hard!

This is a gravel (crushed rock) pathway he spread to our front steps.

 The roots of the old elm have been exposed and used to divide the area into different planting beds, most of which are covered with bark chip mulch.




Just beyond the mailbox, you can see the young maple which we are hoping will someday shade our yard again!

 Straw flowers, one of the annuals planted near the mailbox this year!

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Transforming the yard has been a huge project for Mr. P!
 Now that it is almost complete, we can get away to see our son and his little guy!  3 generations getting together for a visit close to Father's Day!

We are so excited!

What a difference....part one

Just over a year ago, we lost the ancient elm tree in our front yard! It was a sad event for us, but looking back I can see it was a signal of changes which are on-going....

We planted a maple in the fall (actually planted by workers from the garden center, of course!)......and left it at that.

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Meanwhile, our family was growing in numbers, very exciting......and the older grandchildren now live in world of "baby things"!  Here, 4 year old Bindley sits with a pile of little sisters' laundry (that is lots of ruffled bloomers made by me!)

Twelve year old Lilia is the perfect big sister/babysitter for the 3 younger ones!  [Bindley above and Sophie in her arms then Sophie and Nina, below!]

Mom and I were fortunate in being able to visit this family for Mother's Day!

...which left Mr. P at home,  working on his "opus"....our front yard.

To be continued with more enlarging family [our son's first baby] and the transformation of the yard....

Diamond Jubilee

Best wishes to Queen Elizabeth II on her Diamond jubilee.

I really like this illustration Emma Block of London. Available on ETSY!

It is so fresh and current! [There is that red and aqua again!]