Trout Lake B.C. A Weekend Retreat.

Chocolate was the catalyst that led me to Trout Lake BC for an August weekend. Karina makes the best dark chocolates I have ever eaten, and she has been inviting us to their vacation house in Trout Lake for a couple of years. You know how it is, you want to go but coordinating when you can all go together can be a tricky balancing act. Last weekend worked out to be the girls weekend with Karina, her 6 month old boxer cross, Piper girl,  and myself. Quality girl time.

The community of Trout Lake is south east of Revelstoke BC in the West Kootenay district, at the north end of the lake. Trout Lake city was in it's heyday between 1897 to 1907 when it's population exceeded 2000, with a silver mine in full swing. When the mining shut down the population dispersed. Not that many years ago a molybdenum mine was opened; they had too many cave-ins and could not continue the mining. Now Trout Lake is what I would call a transient community. In the summer it is cottages and RV's in the winter it's heli-skiing, with maybe 20 people living there year round. A lot of Albertan's have cottages on the lake.

Galena Bay on Arrow Lake, waiting for the Upper Arrow Lakes Ferry, this is a free ferry. Check out the people on the rock, jumping into the water.

Piper "pretty girl" loving the walk break after a long drive to the ferry.

The scene from the ferry.

Forestry buildings just down the street from Karina's place, with the Glacier on Saddle Mountain

The Windsor Hotel, 518 Kellie Street, was built in 1892, these days you can't rent a room or eat in the restaurant or drink in the pub unless you are related or know the owner. The hotel hasn't changed much from the outside.

Trout Lake Marina, use at your own risk.

Piper learning how to swim, the next day you couldn't hold her back she loved it so much. 

Beach art to me.

Throw the stick, I'm ready. I couldn't believe how she could catch blue berries when I threw them at her.

The camp grounds.

Wilkie creek.

Kids, dogs, and families so drive slow.

Lots of bears roam the neighbor hood, you can't grow fruit trees, so this cottager has fake fruit hanging in the tree.

The house that Dave built. Check out the carved bear on the post above the porch! Click on the picture for a larger picture.

Many people enjoying the beach sunning, swimming, water skiing, the motor boaters were not respectful to the people on the beach or in the water with their wakes and the quads should not be driving on the beach.

Maxi with Piper trailing behind, trying to take his stick and having the best time.

Fields of wild flowers along the road.

The front door of the house that Dave built. Love this door.

The swing I sat in and read my book "Angela's Ashes" it was like floating, so peaceful. 

I came home a little browner, well rested and with a lot of beautiful rocks, looking forward to my next visit. Thank you Karina and Dave.

As November Comes to a Close

Where has November gone? Being busy getting ready for the "Little Treasures" Art Show is a big part of Novembers demise. My accomplishments are many, yet for some reason I don't feel like I have done much , but finish off series after series on Netflix, get into a morning loop on facebook , get into a morning loop on facebook, get into..the loop. 

The dragonfly's are hung, dazzling the brown wall.

Five dedicated artist spent two days hanging the art show. Saturday the 16TH was the opening and we had rave reviews. The artist at the Courtyard Gallery really outdid themselves for this show. I hope you are able to go and do some shopping for your loved ones at the Gallery. If shopping isn't what you do then I hope you can go visit and take in all that the Gallery has to offer, the inspiration of art.

The cliffs "Winter Cliffs" and "Sunflower Cliffs". Ruth Swenors colorful abstract and Terri Reids "Goats".

The real winter cliffs from our backyard.

It has been cold, by the river the dying grass grows frost in the shadows.

Yesterday I finished a commission that I have been working on for "The Healthy Chocolate Company". When I paint a top I don't paint one I paint as many as I can get on the table. I worked on three. Below are the two tops I painted with the commission. 

Tree Top of random colors, and squash blossom inspired flowers.

Tree Top with expandable paint, giving the tree depth and texture.

Happy Birthday to my Little Sister November 28TH. All the best to everyone, until next time. The road is long, don't forget to relax, and breath deeply along the way.

What Is Your Favorite Art Medium?

 Last night on the way to Armstrong for a Humorous speech contest, I was asked what my favorite art form was. I rattled off, fiber arts, fabric paint, watercolors, foil, wood, acrylics, I couldn't say what my favorite was, but I do like popcorn and chocolate.  Food being slightly off topic, we decided chocolate was an art form, and I will be making vegan chocolate truffles today. I thought I would try them with quince. I forgot to mention photography, I have been busy clicking  flowers still blooming, pumpkins, squash, works in progress. Singing is another art form I love, no favorites, that is why I am the "Master Dabbler" 

I have been busy working with my favorite things, the artist of the Courtyard Gallery are all busy getting ready for "The Little Treasures Show" in mid November,  Courtyard Gallery click the link for more information about the gallery. We had a Monday workshop and hand painted glass ornaments. I have been making rust dyed scarves, painting dragonfly's on wood and sketching for a painting on canvas. Tuesday is Toastmasters, Wednesday is choir practice and the yard is just about ready for winter.

Steve has been busy fixing our leaking car port, It no longer leaks, thank you Steve and his helper Louis.

Small sunflower planted by the birds, the water barrels still need to be drained.

White pumpkin, squash can be so much fun to make into soups, pies, patties and very good for the dog. They make such a lovely arrangement in the kitchen.

Works in progress, wood and foil.

Rust dyed unity scarf, with a view of the cliffs in our back yard.

Lots to do, I just hope I can finish all the projects I have planned. Do you have a favorite art medium? What would that be?

Who won the Humorous speech contest? Enderby's Museum Curator Naomi Fournier. She will be going on to Golden next week, congratulations.

Until December 5 or when we get enough signatures I will be collecting signatures for a petition to hold a referendum to vote on the decimalization of Marijuana. Karina of the Healthy Chocolate Company and I share a booth at the Armstrong and Enderby Farmers Market.  It has been cold in the mornings. 

Hats, Hats and Hats

Hats have been on my mind lately,  they are much smaller to work with and fit in a big box to be transported to and from home and markets. I had fun with Steve's old worn out jeans designing a landscape around the worn knee. My next project is for the ARTBEAT of Enderby, for more information on the art show fundraiser click on Artbeat. 

Cloche with Garlic scape detail.

Medieval inspired with bleached and painted cotton knit and a rocket on top.

The Bee.

Floppy patchy.

Aviators helmet.

This was a special order for The Healthy Chocolate Company.  This symbol is the Mayan symbol for Chocolate.

The symbol on this side is the Mayan symbol for Healthy.

All together, in the foreground are Celtic belt/headbands, and the big dragonfly hat in the back I am still working on.

Had to have something for the Red Hat Ladies.

Cloche with grape vine tendrils. The fabric was dyed and painted by Anne DeVerteuil.

If you have any hat ideas for your own head let me know..............