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.

BC Day August 6, 2012

At the top of Mowat and Brash-Allen roads.

Steve and I started out the day with a bike ride . We did the loop crossing the bridge on Mabel Lake road, left on Enderby-Grindrod road, right on Mowat road. I was sure I was going to die riding up that hill, Steve seemed to have no problem. I guess I need to ride more often. Then we took a right down Brash-Allen road and right back onto Mabel lake road. It was beautiful. We started out as early as possible to beat the heat. Then we toiled in our yard and garden. Steve working on his gate.

We have a good crop of plums, looking forward to munching on a juicy yellow plum in the very near future.

Some of the garden is growing some of it is growing in miniature.

This is a watering device. a clay pot turned upside down with a clay saucer siliconed to the top which is now the bottom.  

The grapes are in abundance but not happy.

The sunflowers are giving balance to the front yard. At one time there were two hay bale walls in the front, I do not know the true story as to how the other one fell. With out the second wall in front it was just odd looking, so tall flowers for balance.

The Bee's love the sunflowers. I will plant more next year. We recently watched the documentary "Queen of the Sun".  It was good and a must see. Without Bee's we will not be. 

Double headed Sunflower.

Steve and the new gate, now he will add branches to make a closed in fence on each side of the gate.

Quince, we will have plenty.

Every day we check on the peaches all two of them. Brushing off insects and hoping the birds don't peck at them. Patience.

A brick self portrait watching over the side garden.

Oregon grape grows well in our yard. I don't mind it around the tall  Douglas Fir trees, they are so sappy, the Oregon Grape is prickly so you don't want to get to close to the trees. The grapes make a nice juice if you add sugar.

A single poppy among the tall Evening Primrose and the variety of succulents.

The circle of friends stand on the decaying Balsam stump that the ants are taking care of.

We finished off the day sitting on the front porch watching the lighting and counting the time between the thunder. Matty was hiding in his carrying cage under Steve's desk in the basement.

Garlic Fest and the Green Party

Garlic Festival has come and gone, and everyone had a good time. The green Party booth was very visible under our new tent. However the dogs seamed to get the most attention and it was suggested by Susan that I make Mattie a Green Party T shirt. I'm sure I can come up with something. Greig Crockett our Candidate brought his dog a tiny 13 year old Shelty she was very popular. 

I had no idea how many types of garlic you can grow until I attended last years Garlic Festival, soft neck, hard neck, Russian and the list goes on. 

The sunflower that Dave Poirier grew and donated to the Green Party Thanks Dave

  A Festival must have entertainment and this festival had a stage with music, lots of vendors, food and Garlic contests. The garlic eating contest I think should be done away with, I couldn't even watch that one. But I did enter the cooking contest. Everything was provided, not too many rules and no time restriction. I had a handy cap, one of the stoves didn't have enough fuel so I had to go raw.I cubed some bread, and chopped up carrots, patty pan squash, a few green beans, a bit of green onion, garlic, lots of basil, parsley, and sprinkled with oil, garlic vinegar, and salt.I placed four whole tomato's on top to brighten it up. I came in second.

The new tent

My dish, I got photo's after the judges had had their fill.

Chief #4

the winning dish

#3

Cheif #3

The winner Shirley

Cook # 4 she came with her red hat friends.

Cook # 2 self photo."I only entered for the Chocolate!" Yes the prize was Deep Creek Rock Chocolate!( I didn't know what the prize was before I entered. I would have entered the Garlic inspired fashion parade had I known.)

The three of us stayed all day, we were so green.

A tender moment with Steve and the Sunflower.

Next year I can have something for the garlic fashion parade maybe I could, Oh I won't say what I may do for next year I guess you will just have to come and find out.