4.5mm Isn’t Very Funny

Last week, I gathered all these items I had around the house with the plan to create a Spring Table in my dining room.  It was going to be a symphony of perfection with some high notes and some low notes.  Monday was going to be the day to work on it, but since I had just finished a very busy week returning from an art retreat and working on a niece’s wedding, I decided to wait until the next day.  My beautiful spring table creation would wait one more day.  As I readied myself for a cozy and relaxing evening cuddling on the sofa with my remote and Daisy, I felt a twinge in my side.  Very rapidly the twinge became a major annoyance, and I couldn’t get comfortable.  Walking around, trying to work it out, I realized something was pretty wrong.

Nurture Your Creative Seed Art Retreat

It has been almost two weeks since Nurture your creative seed, the art retreat which I will forever think of as one of the defining moments in my life.  The decision to fly across the country for a few days to attend a retreat without knowing a single person, seemed ridiculously indulgent and harebrained. Indeed, there were whispers and sometimes roars of doubt that I battled once sensibility was discarded and the determination to go, just go, was the chosen path.  

Little Girl, Remember This

I remember taking this picture like it was yesterday.  If you stay with Aunt Teresa,
there will be wildflowers picked, placed in your hair, and pictures taken.

You’re Beautiful, it’s True!

What a privilege I had to photograph two very pretty girls, who just happen to be my granddaughters.  I am afraid that this family is going to need some fool proof tactics to keep the boys at bay.  Actually, these girls are as smart as they are pretty, so I think they’ll be just fine. 

Mixed Metals

I had the opportunity to consult with a couple in New Jersey about their new basement media room.  After meeting with them and getting a feel for their dreams for the room, I started collecting ideas and putting them together on a mood board.  They wanted a real "elegant/glamorous" vibe for the space. One aspect of the plan was the use of mixed metals.  Camel gold, silver, and bronze was the eventual color palette for the room. So many of the items that really spoke to me as being a fit for them were in different metal finishes.  The fabrics were camel gold, cool blue, winter white, and silver. 


Floor plan and Finishes

Happy Valentines Day Old Stump

This morning on the right of way here in Oklahoma City, I fell head over heels in love with this stump.  I wanted to go up to him, and hug him, and have a conversation with him.  “Oh my goodness, you are one handsome stump,” I would say.  He would probably blush and think “who is this woman?”

Where did you say you were? Oklahoma?

I’m in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. I am working. 
I did not know that I would ever say that, but I did.  I’m in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma working.
I was given another opportunity to do an inspection job and what was to be a two week assignment, has turned into almost a month.  While there hasn’t been much time for being an OKC tourist, I have been able to take the occasional quick snapshot of the surroundings.

Lord keep me always tuned in to the beauties that surround me. 

Time you old Gypsy Man

After our son Todd's wedding, I received an invitation to travel to Salt Lake City and spend a week with Cindi and Hugh.  

The view from Hugh and Cindi's rear deck

We would spend a few days at their home and then she and I would drive up to their mountain cabin and have a girl's weekend.  Cindi and I have been sis in laws for over 30 years, but have never lived in the same city.  

If Life Hadn’t Been So Kind

If life hadn’t been so kind to me, I would still be looking for this man.

Today we celebrate the 36th anniversary of our marriage.  Circumstances find us in different cities, in different states, in different parts of the country even, but we have a connection that can never be broken by distance. 

What Went Where

Am I the only person that has trouble remembering what went where the Christmas decorations were?

Give me “Your” Eyes

Do people annoy you?  They do me.  Like today, I was in line ordering my burrito bowl when the guy puts black beans in my bowl.  I didn’t want black beans, I wanted pinto beans.  And when I told him that he didn’t ask which beans I wanted, he was annoyed with me because he had to start over with a new bowl.  I just wanted to lash out and set the guy straight.

And then the other day…

I can’t be addicted

Daggum you Hurricane Sandy!  Being without the internet was hard.  What did you say? I’m not addicted.  Why would you say that?  Who wouldn’t change their clothes three times in one day so that you’re not recognized by the Panera Bread people?  Pfff…  It’s just something I enjoy.  I read the news, the weather, the sports, my daily inspiration, Facebook, funny cat pictures, the Instagrams, and all the DIY blogs I find on Pinterest.   And the videos, I love the videos.  That one about the Sweetie girl who was going out to get a cold pop and thought somebody was BBQing.  Haaaa Haaaa! I die laughing at that one.

Why I'm in New Jersey Part One

Because of the construction economy, Jeff had been working on out of town projects since the first of 2010.   It began when Jeff was talking with my brother who does business with an engineering firm in Boston. They offered Jeff the position of a Utility Safety Inspector for some of their large natural gas pipeline projects. He started in California, Utah, Nevada, and Colorado, and then New Jersey.  So, Scott took over running the company, and anyway there just wasn't enough work to support us.

Peach Cobbler

Now I didn’t can all those peaches this summer for nothing. 

Pumpkin Junction

What we didn’t know when we bought our ticket today on the Black and Western Railroad, was that we needed a kid.  It was a people with kids trip. There may have been clues, OK fine, “pumpkin junction” was our destination.

Plein Air Painting

This fall I am taking a plein air painting workshop here in Stockton.  It is taught by Ty Hodanish at his studio at the Prallsville Mills.  From what Mr. Hodanish said, there has only been one time that he had a student that just couldn’t be taught. Dear Lord, please don’t let me be number two.
Ty Hodanish

Painted Coffee Mugs or Who is “Really” the Most Creative?

My sister in law Cindi and I are both relative newbies to the coffee set and just love talking about all the best ways to enjoy our new little morning friend.  While walking around Ogden, we wandered into a paint your own pottery shop.  Neither of us really needed or wanted to paint a garden frog or chip’n dip, but coffee mugs, why yeah. Let’s stop right here and say that of the two of us, I’m the creative one …we clear on that?  OK, then here’s how it went down.

Temporary Home

One of the ways that I have enjoyed my time in New Jersey is by making this rental loft our home.  The pieces I used were extras or cast offs from our home in Winter Haven.  I finished off the space with a few things people kicked to the curb and spent a couple of dollars on drastically reduced items at Home Goods.  Several of you have asked for pictures, so here you go...

The island was a potting bench that I had on my lanai in Florida and the white dresser was buried in the landlord's garage.

The kitchen...the stools came from my craft room and I chose a new color which I spray painted.

There are chickens in the yard so I painted one of the little ladies.  And I don't know why I felt the urge to do HELLO , but this little cutie now sits on the dresser in my TN guest bedroom.

My artist tool box, had to bring that , and the headboard that divides the living from sleeping space is actually a door turned on it's side.

Weekend at Paper Road Farm

How was your weekend?  Mine started out like this....

Saturday I  had the best time hitting the local flea markets....which

are amazing......

I bought a variety of flowers, herbs, and vegetables to add to my garden.

When I got back home I went inside the farm's little combination potting shed/chicken coop

and I bah-reed some pots.  That's what we say in the south bah-reed and just because I am here in New Jersey, don't think I'll start saying borrowed.

Like my little plant area?   Ah, do....still in southern girl talk.

and the herbs....

 and a shot of the garden....

But hold on, saved the best for last.....I  saw these little guys when I returned from the markets on Saturday.
Did you say Awww in your southern accent?

You'ns Pick?

Last weekend Jeff and I went to our favorite little music spot near our home in Shady Valley, TN.  It is in a little backroads town called Laurel Bloomery, TN.  The Music Hall is located in the old Morefields Country store building.  Seating consists of a collection of cast off sofas and chairs and there is always a crowd so come early for a seat.  Some of the regulars congregate on the front porch and if they don't recognize you they will ask..."you'ns pick"?  This means did you come to join in, because that's how it's done at the Little Ole Opry Store.  The music is down home authentic and if you are fine with a hot dog and some root beer then plan to eat ....I say, nothing finer.

On My Way Back To The Old Home

Afternoon Snow

 These images of Stockton were taken on a snowy afternoon with a slow shutter speed.  I wanted to capture the  old sense of place that is so much a part of this area, especially in the winter. Yes, I did have a hot cup of tea when I returned home.