I painted these hydrangeas last week. It seemed like the perfect thing to post on this lovely spring day. I was a little concerned about the water and glass but it turned out pretty well! In fact, I think I might paint more glass today. I picked a lilac bloom on my morning walk with the schnauzers and put it in a little vintage milk bottle when we got back home. It's so pretty and smells so sweet!


White Hydangeas in water. Oil on canvas. 16 x 20

We'll be gone for a few days of family fun. I'll try to squeeze in a little plein air painting while were in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. Are the bluebonnets bloomimg yet?
Easter Blessings!

Last Thursday, artist and friend Mary Gregory and I drove around the Gregory's beautiful property, in search of something special to painting. We've been talking about plein air painting for almost a year, so it was thrilling to finally try it! Here's Mary with her new tripod, which worked like a charm.

My (eBay purchased) french easel, which I had never set up, was almost as challenging as a Rubik's cube. I just hate puzzels!

We said a little prayer and started painting. Lady Bird, a friendly Basset Hound, keep us company while Oreo, the dutch belted cow looked on. She didn't have a lot to say but her expression tells it

all....plein air painting isn't easy! There are so many things wrong with this painting and perhaps I shouldn't have posted it but then again this is my story, my journey to becoming the best painter I can be. If I'm honest, occasinally I find myself in places of discouragement where thoughts of doubt and fear creep into my mind and I think maybe I'm not talented after all. Unfortunately,if I believe just one of these thoughts, I'm suddenly surrounded by several more. So here I am, trying to be transparent... anxious to grow.

Don't worry though, we're not giving up that easy. We will definitely try it again soon.

My Sister's House!

Tonight, downtown Abilene! My Sister's House Consignment Sale. The doors open at 6:00 and close at 8:00. No pushing and shoving please!


These fabulous window displays...


are the talk of town......

Each, better than the one before....

Seriously! You don't want to miss the fun.

SPRING TABLE DECOR!!!

I love a good challenge and this morning a ran across

something that's right up my alley! It's a $5 spring decorating challenge. I found it just in the nick of time because today is the last day to enter. So it' s not too late if you'd like to join in the fun! Lindsay, is hosting th event and you should drop by and check out all the great ideas. You won't believe the darling cup towel she made!

My entry is Spring Table Decor. I bought 4 glass cylinder vases at the Dollar Tree for $1 each and neatly wrapped them with scrapbook paper. Then I simply filled them with water and blooming branches from our back yard. Pretty nice for $5!

They also make a great candle votive!!! I made personalized wrappers at Blogspot.com!

So are you up for the challenge?

Visit Living with Lindsay for more information.

Beth and Company came home last weekend. Coach and I had a blast! What a 'deep down in the soul' blessing it is to watch your children grow into responsible adults, loving parents and just downright beautiful people! Carter and Emme are adorable grandgirls! I look forward to every fun memory we'll make together.

Beth, who loves to take pictures, just bought a new Canon xsi. She snapped lot's of pictures, documenting our visit, well! The one above is my favorite.

For more goodness, you can visit her delightful blog and while your there, click on the camera to see the 'photo of the day'!

Have a lovely Wednesday....and thanks for dropping by!

Flowers!

As the weather begins to warm up here in West Texas, the fruit trees are budding, quince and forsythia are blooming, daffodils and iris are putting on a show! I recently filled a couple of large clay pots with daffodils, hyacinths, snapdragons, ranunculus, johnny jump ups, thyme, kale and alysium. Now these living bouquets are bursting into colorful bloom!

A couple of weeks ago, when Clint and Jenny got married,

we were able to use flowering branches from the plum tree in the back yard

at the Bridesmaid Brunch. The branches were placed in simple glass cylinders, bought for $1.00 each at the Dollar Tree, and wrapped in scrapbook paper.

The blooms and the homemade strawberry jam that said, " Spread the Love" (thanks Beth!) was a sweet touch to Jenny's special day!

We used the same type of cylinders as votive candles at the rehearsal dinner. Wrapped in a personalized scrap page, made at Scrapblog.com, added a nice little touch.

Texas memorabilia, like domino's, old soda bottle caps, vintage post cards (copied onto card stock), confetti' ed burlap runners on the long tables. The branches from the brunch, served double duty, by filling up an old metal potato chip can! (2 thumbs up Lynnie) .....and by the way! Los Vaqueros, in the Ft. Worth stockyards, did a great job. We couldn't have been happier! I know that was random, but thought I'd mention it.....

I must take this opportunity to thank my sister Lynnette for all of her help! Unforunately, I cannot begin to tell you all the things this beautiful woman has done for me. Thanking Lynnette(click and see for yourself), is a like thanking your mother for raising you. She has done SO MUCH. SO OFTEN for SO MANY! The truth is she helps everyone! She never tires and is always joyful ! God has given her the gift of hospitality and it is amazing to watch her in action. Inspirational really. I wish she could be your sister too! Everyone should be so fortunate. Lynnette, I love you with all my heart.

Treasure Tray....

I love anything old! I always have. I collect all sorts of random stuff, simply because....

Once upon a time I found a silver-plated meat platter. Despite the tarnish and the funny 'tree', design intened to catch the juices of the meat, I liked it and bought it. Having no earthly idea what I would use it for but fairly certain it would not be for it's intended purpose. I'm not sure how long it took, but eventually the idea came to me. I would bury some of my treasures on the surface of the platter, turning into a tray of treasures.

Look closely and you will see a cast iron leaf that fell off a porch bracket. Also a wine cork, a prisim, a handful of seashells, and a couple of old marbles.

A futher look reveals a pearl necklace, a skeleton key and my grandmothers rouge compact.

I still love to open it up!

In the center, there is a little sheet music in a mirrored framed which happens to be a great place to sit a jar candle.

Also my grandmothers car keys, an earring and a rhinestone brooch. What an enjoyable way to display these sentimental items.

All treasure was attached with Liquid Nails and left over night to dry. The next day, I used sanded tile grout in a neutral shade to fill in and cover the glue. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

There's nothing quite like a lazy, Sunday afternoon. Everyone is kicked back and relaxed, just watching the golf tournament. It's a beautiful day, almost 80 degrees. Later, I'd love to take a walk but right now it's quiet time! Think I'll join Coach and the Schnauzers in the family room.

I walk into the room, and I notice Coach is pushed back in his chair........enjoying the low quiet voices of the sports commentators as well as the soft applauds of the crowds......

...........Mitzi's curled up on the sofa...........

......Abby is snoozing on the floor.............. .and much to my surprise,

.......................so is this little guy!

OH MY GOSH!!!

What the heck! Coach has no earthly idea it's there! His feet, are obstucting his view.! Frozen AND FRANTIC, I ask him in amazement, how is it that he has not noticed THAT THERE IS A DEAD SQUIRREL AT HIS FEET?

Mitzi and Abby watch as Coach takes our 'visitor' to it's final resting place. R.I.P.

SKY HIGH......... 12 x 12........... oil on canvas.......... $ 100

Blue skies were big and bright today in West Texas!

When I started this blog, two years ago, the purpose was to journal my adventures as an artist! My dreams were big, my hopes were high! I've wanted to paint for so long and one day I realized I was the only one stopping me. So I cleaned out my garage and got ready but extreme temperatures and low light became a distraction. So, I moved into my kitchen, which worked for a little while but eventually drove me crazy. Finally my pursuit and patience has paid off... I've got a STUDIO!!! It's a large room , in the historic Roberts building, with two walls of windows and central air and heat. It is perfect! A dream come true! ...and best of all, I'm painting!!! Yippee!

Tonight, my doors will be opened for Art Walk. I'm pretty excited. Drop by if you can.....

Yippee!!!

After a fabulous wedding and weekend celebration, in the historic stockyards of Ft. Worth, it's official! Jenny and Clint are married!

...and we couldn't be happier!

Their beautiful life together as, Mr. and Mrs., has just begun. Oh, to be young and in love, with your entire future ahead!

I wonder what valuable advice you might give them? What words of wisdom you might share?

*you can see and read more at www.bethandcompany.blogspot.com/ !

All grown up!

It's hard to believe, but my little boy, my baby, is getting married this weekend! If you haven't experienced the phenomena of raising a baby into an adult, this may sound dorky, but excuse me, I can't help it! I pushed him into the world (all 8 pounds) 25 years ago and have adored him everyday of his life. I fed him, bathed him, dressed him and spanked him.

I wrote down his first words and recorded every precious thing he did! He was my buddy....always at my side. He's always been a good kid, little brother , only son. He grew up to be a hard worker, respecter of all persons and unafraid of challenges. He loves his Father and his family. He has a strong unshakable faith! I've always thought he'd be a good husband. Having two older sisters has given him lots of skills. He knows how to communicate, cook, shop and sing. He can make just about anything!

His strength and determination, have touched my heart and made me proud!
His style and good looks compliment his charming sincerity.

So it is with great pleasure and no reservations, that I release him into the arms of his lovely bride, where he will continue to grow into a Godly man that will love, protect, provide and lead.

Clint, it's an honor to be your mother. I have been blessed many times over! I have no doubt that you will be a good man, husband and father. I will be cheering you on in prayer. Trusting God to faithfully finish, in you, all that He has begun. Passing on to another generation, the hope that lies within you.