Finished

Today I hung the painting that kicked off my blog. It isn't a great photo but I am proud to show it off! I am about to start a watercolor class so I don't want to begin a new painting but it feels odd to have nothing on my easel and to have my paints cleaned up. Lately I have been getting a lot of positive feedback about my artistic talents and it feels nice. Gary and I rearranged the other paintings in the living room and it is fun to have a fresh look. I love to knit but I get a different pleasure out of painting and I thank my husband for encouraging me to paint.

I have my watercolors and watercolor pencils all set up on my big drafting table. I have some reading to do but will start doing some more work on the illustrations on my childrens book. Both my mother and our friend Alexis had some material sent about writing and illustrating my book. Always something to work on, always something to be excited about.

I have about 5" of knitting and it will be time to put my dress together. The last 5" feels like a long stretch and I am very excited about putting it together. It is one of the more interesting projects I have done and I have been knitting for 36 years. It won't be too long now until I can show you that project. Wish there were more hours in the day.

The other big project that I have been neglecting is the major semi-precious stone necklace I started a few months ago. I am at a stand still as I need to learn a few things before I can finish. There is always something to look at around here. I thank all of you for your support.

Two years

Yesterday we realized that it was the two year anniversary of our first date. We are both very romantic so it is odd that we almost missed it. As many of you know our first date was a week in the Azores. It seems like a lot longer than two years since we had our first date and first kiss. How romantic was this for a first date? I had always heard that a couple should get to know each other before they got romantically involved but I had never done that before. Looks like it paid off. The Azores are absolutely beautiful. The lakes behind us in this photo have a romantic yet tragic story about a princess and peasant that fell in love with each other. Each lake represents the tears of each of them as they could not be together.

Gary arrived in the Azores first and found me this beautiful waterfall. We had an amazing one week kick off to an amazing life together. Starting off this way has made all that life has thrown us a lot easier to take. Ups and downs together bring us closer all the time. We are blessed and so grateful that we can appreciate it. Our life has been a mixed bag of great travel, hospitals and cozy home life together. I wouldn't trade away one second of it.

Two years later and Gary's health is holding and looking to continually improve. We have learned to live in the moment and it is an easy way to live.

Hope you have a Happy 4th of July.

Never a dull moment

I have sat on a few animal sculptures in my time and have never given any thought to what the artist would think about it. Anyway, this is in Coure D'Alene. I am in bed recuperating from some nasty Periodontal work, just the beginning unfortunately. Looks like I have a long haul in front of me. I also have a lingering bad infection in my mouth that would explain my lack of energy and motivation to go to the gym. The moose statue ties into my dental work as I needed a cheery image for today.

I almost finished the painting I have been working on. I painted before I let for the dentist yesterday and now all it needs is a coat of gloss medium on it and I am finished. Good timing as I begin a watercolor class soon. Guess I get to knit to my hearts content until my painting class starts. There is a difference of opinion about knitting at my house. My husband sees it as something I just do and a lessor art form than painting. He sort of changed his mind when I was treated like a returning Rock Star at Tricoter, but that will fade soon and he will nudge me to paint. He is also right as it takes less creativity to knit but what does it really matter as long as I am doing something. And today I will be in bed so knitting is not as messy as paint in the bedroom.
I have a happy kitty on each side of me. What more could I ask for.

Home again

Today is filled with laundry and readjusting and smiles and pet love. Two weeks on the road seemed like a long time but it was a wonderful trip. Each part was so very different from coast to city to a lovely visit with my cousin to a race home from Yellowstone. We both knew when we were ready to go. We had the good fortune of seeing Ole Faithful blow (without a wait) and then a race back to civilization. We have traveled a lot in our relationship and it is always a fun adventure as we travel so well together. We took lots of pics which you may be seeing for awhile.

This guy looks like he is laughing, probably at the stupid tourists.

I had the opportunity to visit Tricoter, my favorite knitting store. Too bad it is in Seattle. Brought back lime green silk yarn with silver beads attached. This will be a fun project to create but for now I am ready to go back and paint. After the trip sinks in I believe I have a nature painting in me. For today I am about to hit the paints on an almost completed abstract. I got the confirmation in the mail for a watercolor class I will beginning soon. A dear friend of mine is taking ceramics at the same time so we can car pool and inspire each other for 5 weeks.

We visited eight states and most of what we saw was beautiful. We were above 6000' for the majority of the trip. Other than the ocean most of the gorgeous land is at the higher elevations. Beauty aside four days in Seattle confirms the depths of my city girl.

We played the license plate game and found all fifty states in under 24 hours. Gary was talking about where to go next before I could think of another trip but driving through Tahoe has me ready for summer. For today I am grateful to be home and relax, put my life back in order and spoil my pets. Home is always a great place to visit.

Further East

We are currently at my cousin Mimi's place about 30 miles up a canyon from Bozeman. Do not trust your GPS in the country as it tried to take us as the crow flies. In our weary from driving state we followed the GPS up a dirt road about 10 miles until we ran into a locked gate and finally figured out that something was amiss. We had been cracking jokes about no plumbing and no mail. Silly us. My cousin had a good laugh as something was watching out for us and we had cell coverage to find out where in the world we were. Back down the dirt road and on our way to this beautiful place. A nasty cold has been following us so we layed low today and will go to Yellowstone tomorrow.

This painting was in a restaurant in Seattle. It reminded Gary of a painting I did that is currently hanging over his desk. I choice this photo from Seattle as we saw so many friends and I did not want to look like I was playing favorites by showing only one of our gracious friends. Every part of this trip has been a different type of adventure so I can not say what has been my favorite. I will say it was wonderful to see so many people in WA.

As much fun as we are having traveling in the car makes the trip seem a lot longer and it seems like we have been gone a long time. We also lost a friend and a few relatives while we are away. Sad news isn't fun from the road. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the departed.

We are looking forward to a new adventure tomorrow and then heading home. We are thinking of renting a motor home in the near future for another adventure.

The Great Northwest

We left on our road trip yesterday and here is the view from our hotel. The upper Oregon coast is one of my favorite parts of the west and here we are resting and glad to be out of the car. Since our first date as most of you know was a week in the Azores, we figured out we are good traveling companions from the get go. One year of marriage and we are still like we were on our first date.
We are planning on visiting a friend on the Olympic Peninsula, a few days with friends in Seattle and then off to Montana to see my cousin. All of this is very exciting for me and I have a chance to show off my amazing husband to more people. I will keep you posted with news and photos along the way. We left without a true plan nor any reservations, a good ole fashion road trip.

We had oysters in Arcata last night. I don't think I have eaten any oysters since I moved back from the Northwest. They were grilled and quit tasty. Today we stopped and bought homemade pie, a memory of Gary's: Marionberry, Chocolate cream and the fav, Banana Cream. Healthy eating from the road.
Since my blog is about creating, I have been knitting and crocheting when I am the passenger. I brought watercolor pencils so I plan on doing some drawing inspired by the beautiful scenery. Who knows what I will come up with.
Updates and photos will keep you along with us on our trip.

Time Flies

Last week-end I decided to make chocolate eclairs. It was a large undertaking but well worth it. They were delicious. Generally when I am painting, beading or working on another intense project I am not too interested in the kitchen but these I could not resist.

I am about 95 % finished painting the large abstract. I have been working on it for quite some time and I am still enjoying the process (bright colors and palatte knives). I am not always happy about the way paintings look in photographs but there could be a photo soon. First we are doing a two week road trip so don't expect to see anything in the very near future. You will most likely be reading about our travels if we have easy Internet connections along the way.

I am also happily working on my knit/crochet dress. I am adding and changing the pattern as I go along. Looking forward to showing this one to you (and really excited to wear it).

This is my cousin Nancy and her husband Mike cutting the cake at their 40th Wedding Anniversary. We flew down to San Diego to celebrate with family and friends, four generations, a wonderful time. With age I am realizing more and more the value of family and long term friendships. I had a great time with so many of our family that was there and missed family that could not attend. And of course always the company of my wonderful husband.
Hopefully you will hear from me again while we are on the road. I don't remember the last time I did a car trip and I am getting excited about our adventure. I am even willing to trade my Christian Louboutin's in short term for REI hiking boots.