Copper Road

Work in Thread, Silks, Metallics and Wools

The Kettlebell

I was visiting Kelly a few weeks ago and couldn't help but notice how great she looked. Her arms were especially toned and overall there was some sort of change. She told me her secret was "the kettlebell". I in turn, with a dumbfounded look on my face said, "what?". As I understand it the kettlebell is a traditional Russian weight looking somewhat like a cannonball with a handle. The kettlebell has become a popular exercise tool in the United States due largely to the efforts of strength, cardio and flexibility. So Kelly took me downstairs to the basement and showed me exactly what it was as well as how to use it. The swinging it around part made me a bit nervous (she uses 18 pounds) as I could see myself dropping it on my head or my feet. Anyway, Kelly sent me some video links as well as this cool blog on Gabi from Hungary who apparently used to weight 240 pounds and is now some expert on the kettlebell.

So last week I picked one up and started very slowly working out with it. Now a few years ago Kelly and I were working out with traditional weights on a regular basis but I never found my heartrate really getting up there enough to do anything for my cardio. The beauty of the kettlebell is that not only do you gain strength and overall tone but you are also accomplishing your cardio goal as well. Cardio and strength training all in one.......you can't beat that. Unfortunately I'm not going to be able to workout with this thing on a regular basis right now as I'm leaving for New York on Sunday, back for a week and then gone again. But I'll do what I can in the mean time. Now don't look for my arms to rival Gabi's or Kelly's anytime soon as I can't see that ever happening. I think I have genetically inherited underarm sagginess from my grandmother, you know when you wave goodbye to someone and so do your arms?.......but who knows maybe by Thanksgiving I'll be giving them a run for their money. Ok, for sure not Gabi as I'll bet she doesn't eat chocolate.

Whirlwind of Summer Plans

Just arrived back from Muskoka this afternoon where we were pampered to the hilt for the past three days. John had his regional conference there and since they love to include the whole family we were invited also. My oldest daughter was off at camp so my youngest was a touch apprehensive about going it alone without her sister who all of a sudden she started missing. Can't remember when that happened last. Within hours I was the one on my own as she found a whole gaggle ( what do they call a group of 13 year olds?) of kids to hang out with. John atttended meetings in the morning was was off for the afternoon so we got to spend some time just taking in the beauty of that part of Ontario.



Today I'm back at home and for once we left the house in perfectly tidy condition......yes, all that decluttering last week really did work. John is in town at a garden center picking up some mulch, the girls are playing basketball so hopefully I can manage to sneak in a few minutes in the studio. My work has just been so sadly neglected this last little while. Tomorrow is a write off as I am busy all day and Wednesday John's brother and sister in law arrive from Iqaluit, Nunavut for a two day visit. Sunday we leave for New York so I can attended my workshop with Carol Shinn and a much anticipated visit with Tracy Helgeson. She has been blogging lately about her gorgeous new studio which I am, I will admit, a tiny bit jealous of. If you saw the space I worked in you would understand. But I am so very happy for her she sure deserves it. Can't wait to see it live.



Here is a link to one of my favourite galleries The Bau-xi Gallery in Toronto They also have a sister gallery in Vancouver. They represent the best of the best. Drew Burnham is represented by them and his work is just stunning.

On A Roll

Reds

Thread on Cotton

Yesterday went better than anticipated so today I'm on a roll. I've decided to tackle our overgrown gardens. Now John was always "the guy" when it came to taking care of all that but he's been unbelievably busy at work these days so the task has fallen upon me. If you saw the backyard you would know it has fallen on me. So this morning I went out and pulled some weeds and did some snipping of deadheads (I think that's a gardening term). There is still a lot to be done but today is a rather wet one and the mosquitoes are out in packs. I feel bad for our rhubarb though as it doesn't always get eaten. Our friend Jennifer who owns "Apple of My Pie" has a booth at the farmers market in Orillia and she sometimes raids the patch so at least in that way someone is enjoying it.

On the art front I've got a couple new galleries I am interested in but the application may have to wait until the end of summer as this one is just filling up too quickly. Check out OENO as it is one of the galleries I'm interested in.

Decluttering............how much of my life do I spend on this?

Purple Fields

Work in Paint & Thread

Sold

I will spend today doing one of my least favourite things and that is decluttering. It seems like I spend a lot of time on this task only to find out within a week or so that the entire house looks like it did before I started. How can that possibly be? It makes me wonder how many hours of my life I've spent on this. Today I've decided I will tackle John's workshop which is in the basement. I don't know why we call it his workshop as he never does anything in there. Oh, the odd time he goes in there to get a nail or a drill but mostly it just seems to be the room that collects a whole lot of junk. If the girls don't know where something goes they just leave it in there. So the most dreaded room in the house is finally going to get a much needed make over. But I can promise you there will be no before and after pictures. I'll have two bags on the go. One for garbage and the other for Goodwill. I think it's going to be a long day.

Most summers are unbelievably laid back for us which suits our lifestyle just fine but this year seems to be the exception. I don't know why we jam packed so much into a couple of short months but I'm feeling really tight on time these days. Surprisingly enough I did finish "Copper Road" and am extremely pleased at how it all turned out. The wools and silks I used just shimmer in the piece. Can't wait to see what it looks like once it's framed.

Hope these summer days are treating you well,

I Love A Parade

Yesterday being Canada Day and all, the village held it's annual Canada Day Parade. I've been attending the festivities for the past 10 years now but have never seen as many people as I did yesterday. The very first parade started out with one float and a fire truck. We had just sat down in our lawn chairs to watch and within 5 minutes we were folding them up again and heading home. But the village really outdid itself yesterday as the entire thing from beginning to end must have been at least half a good half hour. Whoo Hoo!

My friend Joe led the parade with his bagpipes.......





Here are some of the sights from yesterday.

This sweet little girl was standing right beside us and couldn't resist heading out to dance with the local dance troupe.





What's a parade without the local beauty queen?






It can't be a true rural parade without some Johne Deere tractors.










You gotta have a smart car................


When the parade ended everyone walked on over to the community hall where we were treated to some great local entertainment, strawberry cake and ice cream. Here are my friends Andy and Charlie singing "Bring Down The Government" just as Garfield Dunlop our local MPP for Simcoe North walked in the door. They did warn us it was an anarchy song. I say perfect timing.

Fields of Red

Fields of Red

Work in Paint & Thread

Sold

Off to the Silverbridge Gallery to drop off some work. Will post this afternoon.