A "Victoria Day" in the Garden, 2015

Relaxing in the shade by the plum tree, with the cliffs being a spectacular view.

Steve and I spent Victoria Day working and playing in the garden, we were very sore by the end of that beautiful day.

Mattie camouflaged in the sun.

Hosta of brilliance with dying tulips.

Bells hang from the porch.

Just stopped to chit chat and chit chat, chit chat and chit chat.

Steve concentrating on taking off the curled leaves that have a fungus on them, common to peach trees.

Cool place to sit and read beside the plum tree.

Karen taking a brake from planting.

Strawberries, patiently waiting for the first bit.

Peony.

Taking 2014 into 2015

Where has the year gone...it's already January 11th! My daughter Yolanda, her husband Chris, their dog Scout, and my sister Jessica all came to Enderby on Christmas day from Vancouver and Abbotsford. What a wonderful time we had laughing, cooking, eating, playing cards, and walking the dogs. Jessica was very curious about the fact that Sir Anthony Hopkins had recently been in Enderby starring in the movie "Go With Me". The last day of the visit we all headed down to the D&E Diner for a delicious lunch. Jessica's first question to Heather (one of the D&E's owners), was where did Anthony Hopkins sit? She stood in that space and absorbed his energy. 

Chris, Yolanda, Jessica and Steve; a booth for six at the D&E Diner.

We had a big snowfall while they were here, or so we thought, the BIG snow was the weekend after they left, with no way to get out of our driveway for two days, no work, no school, many hours of shoveling and early mornings with a constant be-hp, be-hp, be-hp, of heavy equipment moving snow around. We had so much snow we didn't know where to put it. Getting beyond the volume of snow, the world of snow and ice fascinated my creative nature and the pristine beauty was everywhere.

Having fun with the settings on my new camera. 

This is a frozen puddle made by a car tire, I have never seen ice freezing in the shape of a snow flake.

Before we read the rules, we were ending up with too many cards in our hands.

The big snow, over a two day period we had 50 cm of snow. This is our side gate.

The back of our house, with Mattie sitting on the porch. Steve knocked the many snow piles off the plum tree. A lot of trees lost branches and some communities lost power.

The Enderby Cliffs, behind a snow cone piled on a sunflower.

Dried Echinacea flower and ice.

A dogs eye view, Mattie patiently waiting for us to finish shoveling the snow, so we can go for a walk, if we can.

Pear Pie, paper, Brandy Beans and holiday cards, what piles up on your table?

This pear pie I made for the gathering of the Balkan choir, wonderful time eating, socializing and singing!

Me and my camera. 

January 11, 2015 Shuswap River a misty Enderby Cliffs and the bridge.

Ideas Pop

Ideas  flit around my head, popping up unannounced, expecting me to do something about it. I take them in and roll them around my head, evaluate their necessity or if I need a ladder to get it done. In my life before epilepsy I could pounce on each idea with a reassurance that I would be able to do this.  At least in my mind I don't need a chaperon to take me there. The writing I love has been minimal, it's in there just give it time, it could come in abundance.  When the weeds are shouting, their love for the garden and the sun beckons  you into it's warmth, I will leave the confines of this house and roam the garden, taking in the pleasures of scent, color, taste and the intricate patterns of nature. Then again I might just sit down and read a book, which insights more ideas, and regrets that I push away. How much can I let go? 

On my trip to Trout Lake I collected rocks, this is a small 4" x 4" canvas, inspired by Sheila Peter's Facebook profile. I'm also reading her new book "Shafted" a mystery.

I Have been busy with new art projects, Enderby has been busy too, with some wonderful new art around town.

Another 4" x 4" canvas, reminiscent of Pete's boat "Constant Virtue" "Connie" for short. 

The Enderby downtown breeze way has had a major lift of color and whimsy, you must check it out. This is Todd McCormac  the artist hired by the Arts Council to do the make over of the breeze way. I love how the butterfly has fluttered softly through his head.

This is at the skate board park, if it says something it is beyond me but it looks great, well done!

The Girl Guides of Canada were happy to swamp Enderby this summer, more than doubling the population. Heather was hired to help the girls paint the building that houses the washrooms etc, Thank you Girl Guides for the amazing visit, if I could just inspire you to change your cookie receipt to no chemicals, GMO's and all organic.  

The birds didn't want to be outdone and left and artfully dropped "Yin and Yang".

I finally finished my Creature from a dream. I'm hoping that when I look at it next I don't see another touch up.

My latest 4" x 4" canvas, abstract "Heart Attack".

It is good to pause, step back from progress, do I go straight, do I meander left or right? Day dreaming is a good tool, and I love what it brings, even if it doesn't suit me. Let it in, let it out, stomp on it, embrace it, give it the juice it needs to unfold and give you what you need to live.

Works in progress, if the table isn't a mess, nothing it being created. Where does sewing fit on this table?

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.

72 Hour Photo Project

I was invited to the 72 Hour Photo Project on Face book. It was a challenge getting a photo every hour. The photo's were taken March 25, 26 and 27. Earth hour was March 26.

Starting the day off with Buddy our neighbour and Matty chewing the cat. When you call the dogs it's just Muddy!



Steve is off to visit his Dad in Abbotsford




Lots of computing.




The other week end project, mud and sand (3X) the wall that had been a doorway into the bathroom from the closet.



Sweeping in the shoes that Matty ate, I am wearing them as I type



Walking home from the Farmers Market wearing a fuzzy sweater, love that bread.




Getting ready to paint, the mirror must come off.





Dust masks make my face angry red, A bandanna doesn't bother me at all.



Dinning with the dogs.

Playing with the dogs in the back yard and getting some fresh air.

Matty and Karen's favorite snack.



Relaxing with the Nature of Things.



bed time and Matty is at my feet.



Just walking the dog, when he isn't sniffing every bush...



The top of Stanley St

Karen's favorite, a no no for Matty

More paint prep, I've decided the chipped painted bath tub is shabby sheik

munching a yam chip.

Beans and a root salad

Must be visible when you are walking the dog.

Earth hour.

Wake up!

It has been so long since I made pancakes.

Painting, it took three coats of paint and it is still a touch green.

Steve's man cave. The basement.

The popcorn bowl.

Putting all the parts back, I have had enough of painting in the bathroom.

No more door.

Steve organizing his Cd's



Dusting off the photo's to get ready for the Art Social.



Yam and beet stew yummm!

The Cliffs and the rainbow

The last thing to place and now we can see my funny face.