Full House

Here I Breathe

20"x 40"

Acrylic on Gallery Wrap Canvas

This week is going to be crazy busy no doubt about it.  My inlaws arrived yesterday afternoon for Holly's graduation on Wednesday, they head home Thursday morning and then my family arrives for Canada Day celebrations in the Village. It's all quite civilized as we have a parade down mainstreet at 1 o'clock complete with floats and and then a Strawberry Social at the community hall.  The farmer's market officially opens in the village as well and will run until September.  Lots of organic produce, jams, breads, baked goods and we always have live entertainment which comes in the form of someone singing with a guitar.   I will take lots of pics and post here next week.

The above piece is DONE.  I've been working on it for the past three weeks on and off and it's ready to be varnished and sent out to find a home of it's own.  Very pleased with it most especially the water as I was trying to capture what I see when I look out over Lake Superior ... the power and beauty of that extraordinary lake.

John and I headed out on the bikes on Sunday for a couple hours ... it was a great day

Happy Sunday

The Tree

Finding My Place

Work in Progress.............

Trees have always been one of my biggest inspirations.... trees and skies.... hands down! 

I can't even fathom what it would be like to live in a place where I was not surrounded by the beauty of trees.  I'm also in love with the symbolic nature of them ... one of strength, resilence and flexibility.  Many good life lessons there. ........

Today my daughter showed me the trailer of a movie she thought I would be moved by and I was.  Toward the end of  it I could even feel a small tear starting to form ... most of the time I'm just this big emotional  freak.  The last scene in this trailer just about summed it up for me.... nothing more needs to be said....

"How come your not so sad anymore?"


"Well, you have a choice to be happy or sad and I chose to be happy and I am happy"

You can watch it here

A film by Julie Bertuccelli which received a standing ovation when it closed out The Cannes Film Festival in 2010

Rhubarb/Strawberry Crisp

Thanks for the emails.......as promised..........Enjoy!!

This recipe was originally called Rhubarb Honey Crisp but I threw in 1 or 2 cups of  strawberries because..................... 

                                                1.  I love strawberries

                                                2.  I love strawberries

                                                3.  I love strawberries

                                                

Rhubarb/Strawberry Honey Crisp

                      5 cups                                        Chopped Rhubarb

                     1/2 cup                                       Liquid Honey

                     1 tbsp                                         All Purpose Flour

                     1 tsp                                           Cinnamon

                     1/2 tsp                                        Ginger (optional) ... I didn't use it

                 

                   Topping

                   1-1/2 cups                                    Large flake rolled oats

                   1/3 cup                                         brown sugar

                   1/3 cup                                         liquid honey

                   1/4 cup                                         melted butter

                   1 tsp                                             cinnamon

                   1/2 tsp                                          salt

In mixing bowl stir together rhubarb, honey, flour, cinnamon and ginger (if using) until well combined.  Spoon into greased 8 cup baking dish.

Toppiing:  In same mixing bowl stir together oats, sugar, honey, butter, cinnamon and salt; sprinkle evenly over rhubarb

Bake in 375 degree F oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until fruit is tender and topping is browned.

** Easy, peasy recipe but such a fabulous summer dessert.... I served mine warm with french vanilla ice cream.  I also didn't use the total amount of honey called for... I used just under 1/2 cup because I added the strawberries which were sweet and because I like a tiny bit of tartness from the rhubarb.

A Morning in The Village

This morning I took a ride on the "Zen" bike through the village and this is what I saw.............

An absolutely gorgeous morning.  This was one of those days in which the gratitude cup was running over.  I sometimes forget how lucky I am to live here and to have the opportunity to experience this beautiful part of my world.

I just picked some rhubarb from the garden for a strawberry/rhubarb crisp I'm going to make .......this recipe is super delicious so if anyone wants it feel free to email me as I'd be happy to share

Both of the girl's boyfriends will be here for dinner tonight so I  I'll be throwing on my Martha Stewart hat

Happy Friday

Nothing But Blue Skies

Acrylic on Canvas

12"x36"

Enjoy The Day

It's All About The Prom

So art as well as everything else in my life took a backseat on Friday because it was my youngest daugher's prom.  Crazy, exciting non stop day of running and driving trying to do my best to make sure it was a perfect day for her..... and it was.  A 90 minute visit to see my favourite hair stylist Eric at Salon ID where she was treated like a queen ... big thanks to them as always.... eventually we arrived back home to gather her "stuff" then off to her friends where all the girls were getting their make up done then out to the park for pics.  There was a dinner at the local country club and then an after party...and no I don't want to know about the after party .. I can only imagine...

Can't believe my baby is graduating high school ... such a beautiful and exciting journey in store for her...

A Day in the City

Tuesday I headed down to Toronto as I was long overdue to deliver new work to The Village Gallery.....always a pleasant experience as I've mentioned previously how much I like both Megan and Alison.  You simply can't ask for a better representing gallery as they are both so supportive and kind.  My sister came with me and afterward we headed out to this fabulous raw food restaurant  called Raw Aura.  Last year when the gallery had it's opening of Bloom they had Raw Aura cater it and the food was amazing.

Laurie and I ordered the "big salad" which consisted of romaine lettuce, kale, red onion, chickpeas, mixed seeds and avacado.......big time yummy!

I've really come to love Port Credit with all the small shops and galleries.  Lots of condos going up....I guess if I was dreaming big time I'd keep my home here and buy one of these as well........

Although "retirement living" isn't on my immediate radar, these condos look gorgeous.  Then if the dream continued I'd be eating here every night.....

When I got home yesterday the heat was almost unbearable....lots of humidity and crazy storm clouds overhead.  Our power cut out at 2:30pm and then the wind gusts and rain began........really fierce

  Our power was finally restored around 9:30 a.m. and which makes me a happy girl.  Today I'm back in the studio as I've got to finish up work for The Matilda Swanson Gallery.....

There's Just Something About A Sunday............

At Day's End

At Day's End

6"x6"

Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

It's All A Bit of a Blur To Me Now

photo courtesy of Ruth Fletcher

Yesterday was a bit of a blur:

Dropped Holly off at school at 7:45 a.m.

 I had a physio appointment at 8 am. (chronic neck stuff and a bit of TMJ  ... that's what you get for standing over a sewing machine for 12 years)

Headed out to drop off work at The Woodside Gallery  for the show on Saturday.  I thought the gallery was open at 10:00 a.m. (silly me, they don't open until 10:30) but when no one had arrived by 10:20  I had to run.

Met my good friend Diane at  Starbucks ... love the Tazo Chais.  Always a guaranteed good time

Off to Currys Art Supply for some varnish, on my way home heard from Robin at the gallery,  felt like a big idiot

Back to the gallery and ended up meeting up with Janet Donaghey who is the other artist in the show on Saturday

Finally home but spent hours finishing up paintings for a drop off at The Village Gallery on Tuesday

Crashed early but not before John told me he would  come with me to the opening on Saturday .... 

YAY!!!

Rooted

30"x10"

Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas