Excuse me....

...but we've taken a few days to remove carpet, tack strip, pad, and glue from the living area of our home. In order to sand and refinish the preexisting, 73 yr old hardwood floors. It was a bit of a task but as you can see, well worth the time and trouble! The total cost was less than $250. Feel free to ask questions if you are considering such a project...we learned a lot this week and couldn't be happier.

Next project....clean out the garage and have a sale! Woohoo!!!

If you need anything don't hesitate to ask, I might have it!

Plan to paint tomorrow and post tomorrow! Until then.....

YOU PICK ?

Which one should I paint?

.....Carter?

....bovine?

...hydrangeas?

.....pink roses?

...old church?

....queen anne's lace?

...sunflower?

...fencepost & fleurs?

...countryside?

.....white house?

Keep your eyes peeled, for beauty is all around us! Step outside today, take a walk, drive in the country. You wont have to go far. May He open your eyes to see Him wherever you go!

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I need your help!

Which one should I paint?

....kindly leave your comment.

...grand girls!

I love these eyes! They belong to my daughter, Beth! ...a beauty, inside and out.

Precious Carter, is all my favorite things rolled into one! A breath of fresh air.

Little Emme, ahh.....what can I say? A scrump-dilly-ump-cious bundle of joy!

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Beth, a lovely wife and mom, took her girls for a little 'bluebonnet' photo shoot. They had so much fun romping through the flowers. Beth got some great pictures! Carter (4) took the pic. of Beth! :) If you'd like to see more bluebonnets and babies drop by for a visit.

EASTER BONNET ........12x12....... Acrylic on Canvas......100+ 12 sh. SOLD

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After sharing the 'love letter' with you yesterday, I was anxious to paint! It was almost time to teach my art class. So I gathered up my stuff, locked myself out of the house and headed to the truck! ooops!...rewind....I locked myself out of the house and out of the truck! ...bummer! I hate it when that happens...so unexpected! But I regrouped...landed on my feet and called Boots! Now I know, that some of you are going to question the fact that I live in Texas and have a friend named Boots but it's true! When she was born her mama named her Beluah (after a wonderful woman...which was so sweet), but some where along the way she became Boots....which suites her well. She is so Precious and so cute! So is her husband, Buddy, who is a big guy who plays the bagpipes and can fix anything, including 'keys locked in your house'. Thank's Buddy! I wish everyone could have friends like Boots and Buddy (but I'm keeping them pretty busy). They are like family, from the first 'hello'!

p.s.Art class went well. Everyone did great and had fun! Easter Bonnet (above) was my teaching demo. I enjoyed painting it with such a great group of girls! Who, by the way, are becoming pretty good painters! We missed you Jo Carol and Jo Ann! ...another class tonight....can't wait!

Though cloudy and rainy, I'm signing off....

Blue skies to each of you today!

.....a love letter!

Last week I took a drive through the glorious hill country of Texas. This beautiful terrain is quite different from the mesquite plains where I live. As indicated by it's name, it is 'hilly' and dotted with large live oaks. This scenic route has become one of my favorites because of it's beauty which makes the time fly!

However, this trip was better than ever for the countryside was covered
in a blanket of blue....bluebonnets that is!



The state flower has never looked better!



Coming home last Thursday, I stopped so many times that I turned a 4 hour drive into a 6 hour drive! Seriously, every bend in the road or hill that I topped took my breath away. I haven't had
so many ooo's and ahhh's come out of my mouth since the fourth of July.



I spent a lot of time trying to analyze this shade of blue and what colors I would use to make it. This is a little game I play in my head, a challenge that keeps me mentally painting when I'm not at the easel. Just about the time I would settle on the perfect formula, the angle of the light would change and have me thinking again.

I hope this spring, you will take time to enjoy the beauty God has so lavishly placed around us....a gentle reminder of His love! His beauty stirs something in my soul, brings tears to my eyes and whispers to my heart.....like a love letter.

One of the many reasons I like having a blog.....

Tonight, Coach took me to eat at The Homeplace. Friends had highly recommended it and boy, were they right! We drove 14 miles south of Abilene, down Highway 84, to Tuscola. It was a lovely misty evening when we pulled up to The Homeplace. A 125 acre working ranch that's been in the same family since the 1920's. Even at glance, you know this place is special. I was so excited and could hardly wait to get a closer look. Everything looks so pretty and inviting. It was almost like home. We walked around the garden enjoying the bluebonnets and all sorts of well placed novelties. One family had helped themselves to a wash tub full of toys placed on the front porch and was playing together in the yard.


At 5:00 sharp, owner Lynne Keys, opened the front door and warmly welcomed everyone inside. Lynne, instantly recognized Coach, who is a bit of a local celebrity due to the popularity of west Texas football and struck up a friendly conversation. After a few minutes of conversation I felt as though I had a new friend. Inside the house was open, bright, fresh and sparkling clean.

The Homeplace took my breath away! Homemade yeast rolls, cornbread, home style vegetables, chicken fried steak tasted great, just like grandma made. We were so impressed and pleased we spent the entire time making plans to come back often and sharing the good news with all our friends! So hear I am, off to a good start and shouting loud and clear.




So the next time your hungry for a little bit of home, take your apetite to
The Homeplace!

325-554-9610
thehomeplacerestaurant.com

Blue skies
Smiling at me
Nothing but blue skies
Do I see!


I love skies! They are beautiful, yet so mysterious. Vast and endless. Constantly changing. Always drawing my eyes upward...in anticipation. Looking for something wonderful. Hoping to catch a glimpse of glory.
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BLUE SKIES.........16X20.........ACRYLIC ON CANVAS..........$ 125.......plus $15 s/h

Original art, fresh off the easel! Just leave a comment and your email. Thanks for your support.

Thanks to everyone who entered the Art Giveaway. Wow! There were 131 entries! It was nice to meet you and hear so many encouraging comments! For those of you who asked, all of my art is for sell. If your interested in something pictured on this blog just leave a comment, ask and leave your email address. I'll post new art as I complete it. Also, I will soon have an Etsy Store and this summer a website, but for now this blog is the best way to keep up with me.

The winner of the White Geranium's painting is Heather of Heather on the home front! Congratulations, Heather! Hope you enjoy the painting and may blessings flow on your family!

A new POST is coming quick! Probably today! Thanks again for visiting and have a lovely Friday! Big hug!

I'm giving away ART!

No, I haven't lost my marbles! I'm simply feeling generous! Thankful, really......grateful and appreciative and hoping to brighten up some one's day!



Very soon, one of you will be receiving this 12 x 12 painting of White Geraniums, in the mail!

I painted it recently to celebrate Spring! It is truly a breath of fresh air to see God's creation budding forth in bloom! My soul is touched by His beauty! Captivated by His love which He has so lavishly bestowed upon us. Look closely and listen carefully. All around us nature sings His song. He's alive! He is good! He cares! Life can get pretty hectic and crazy, full of worries and fear. All of which can hide the Truth, but spend a time of solitude outdoors surrounded by His handiwork, enveloped by the symphony of nature and you will hear Him whispering, " I love you". It is a powerful message. The one we need most. It is a seed of hope that with His light and living water, springs forth into a new life.

Okay! Are you ready!!! There are three ways to win!

1. Leave a comment and you will have one entry!

2. Leave another comment letting me know you are a follower and you will receive another entry.

3. Leave another comment letting me know you have posted about my giveaway on your blog and receive yet another entry.

That's three chances to win!

I'll draw the winner next Friday, April 16th, by Random Counter.

Spring blessings, sweet blog friends

Times up!!! Thanks everyone for entering my Art Giveaway! The winner is announced on the post above.

art giveaway.....

Tomorrow, I'm giving away art! I've been painting a lot and I'm happy to share.

If you happen to be downtown for Art Walk tonight, I hope you'll drop by and say 'hi'! I'll be painting a huge West Texas skyscape from 6 - 8:30. My studio is in the Roberts Building #8, above The Leaf.

... until then!

Little Dipper.....................6 x 6.......................acrylic on canvas board

Tried something different today. I didn't have much time, so I set up this little still life on a vintage tablecloth and worked quickly! It's not perfect, but I like it and had fun painting it.
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I also painted Lilac's again today. I think I liked these better! .....maybe not? I'm so confused.

Keep your eye's peeled! I feel a 'give-a-way' coming.

Lilacs in Water.........................12 x 12...........................acrylic on canvas......$100

A few days ago I was walking Mitzi and Abby through the neighborhood and noticed a pretty shrub covered with pinky purple blooms. I had never seen one before but one wiff I knew it was a Lilacs.

So today, as I was driving to my studio, I cut a few stems for my class to paint.

Marsha and Christy did a great job today. I'm impressed with their progress. I really like both of their paintings a lot!

Here is Christy's painting.....

Here is Marsha's......

Both are beautiful! Great job, girls!

Below is the one I painted, today. Teaching while I demonstrated each step.

Lilacs in Water.....................................12 x 12...............................................acrylic on canvas $100

Hope your week is off to a great start. So glad you dropped by!