Wednesday, 20th November 2024 - Cherries

Wow what a beautiful morning. Stunning sunrise over a frosty garden. That got me out of bed - plus the need for tea and a wee. Yes and in that order.

Our chickens are laying an egg a day. Having four hens that is a lot of eggs. My guests had scrambled eggs for breakfast and I soft boiled nine eggs for my lunch over the next few days. The clutch of eggs is receding. Michael Mosley said that a boiled egg is a good alternative to a packet of crisps!!!! Can't quite see the similarity but I have plenty of crisp substitutes in the fridge.

The new audio book I had was like listening to a load of fluff. Total meaningless drivel. I gave up and have started a new murder mystery which is much more entertaining. I needed it while I was printing the last of our Christmas cards.

Tim came home from Brussels with a gift of a bottle of gin, a bottle of Kreik and a bar of dark chocolate. Week 3 Day 3 I have chosen fruit for Kalie Graves challenge. My bottle of Kreik is cherry flavoured.

Cherries
Pen and Watercolour
235/366

Tuesday, 19th November 2024 - Blue and Yellow make Green

I am a little jealous of my son. In Benenden we have had heavy rain and wind. Tom has had lovely snow in Northampton. 

I like knitting but not done for ages. I follow Sabrina-Rose Benedict on Instagram. She makes amazing blankets and more by finger knitting. Quite mesmerising to watch. A few weeks ago she posted 'guess the number of balls of wool' for her Stuffies - adorable animals. Wow, I guessed correctly and she has sent me an Ollie the Octopus kit. It arrived yesterday all the way from the US. Beautifully packed with tutorials and instructions. I will have fun making it. Who will I give it to?

Today's postcard is of my octopus prize. Another day of pushing the boundaries. Kalie Graves challenge choice for today is 'blue'. I needed blue watercolour with yellow to make the green I used in my painting.

Blue and Yellow make Green
Pen and Watercolour
324/366

Monday, 18th November 2024 - Mine all Mine

I bought some red roses to put in the bed and breakfast room. I have kept them for myself. The guests to have alternative flowers.

The Viridians met up today. I couldn't go as I was waiting for a delivery. Do you get FOMO? The frustrating thing was the delivery was late - very late. Damn it I could have been with my painting buddies.

I heard today that another of our friends have had an offer on their house and will be moving away. That makes two recently and I know one other has itchy feet. Makes me think maybe I would like to move? I am very happy where I am and Tim has just painted the windows so I am staying put. I look forward to visiting them in their new homes.

Today is Week 3 Day 1 of Kalie Graves art challenge. I am going with the prompt of floral. I have kept it monochrome to match my mood. I have got blue and vegetable to explore. It has been great seeing the other artists work. Very inspiring.

Mine all Mine
Indian Ink
323/366

Sunday, 17th November 2024 - Mycobiota

I set my robot hoover off and went to have a shower. They are meant to be time saving devices but not when you spend 20 minutes looking for the damn thing to find it has wrapped itself up in the Alexa wire. Maybe there is an assignation going on between the two? 

Tim is in Brussels for a couple of days. I have hinted I would like a bottle of Kreik beer. I will let you know if it materialises.

I made bread and a cherry cake for bed and breakfast guests. They didn't want any cake!!! I am going to have to freeze it before I eat another slice.

I had a dinner of salmon on couscous with a glass of red wine. Even though Tim was not with me I was not alone. Conrad from The Resident kept me company. Nothing better than a medical drama on a Sunday evening.

I have been raking leaves in the sunshine. There was some amazing fungi growing where I dumped the leaves. Week 2 of Kalie Graves art challenge they made perfect well behaved models. Green combined with texture made from cling film.

Mycobiota
Watercolour
322/366

Saturday, 16th November 2024 - Gin for Recovery

I thought it was Sunday today. My son corrected me when I asked if he was having a good Sunday!!! I have an extra day which is excellent.

Adriene took me through an hour long yoga session. Just over halfway through the battery died on my computer. I was very tempted to give up and go and have a coffee. I was so proud of myself. I folded some washing and put our knickers in the drawers. Long enough for Adriene to recharge. I went back into being a warrior and very pleased when we ended with a corpse pose.

I have been printing Christmas cards to send out to friends and family. Little Holt provided me with the space but it was damn chilly. With a bobble hat, thermal socks and a coat I was perfectly warm printing over 130 linoprints. 

Today's postcard is for a very good friend who is going through a difficult time. She loves a Bombay Sapphire and tonic. Just what is needed when times are tough. It also ties in with Kalie Graves art challenge of shiny.

Gin for Recovery
Watercolour
321/366 

Friday, 15th November 2024 - A Maple Tree for Good Luck and Prosperity

Tim and I planned to go out today. It is now gone 8pm and we didn't venture further than the bottom of the garden. The trees are busy dropping their leaves. We have three acres and over half of it is planted with trees. Many trees many leaves. The garden does look pretty with a carpet of yellow/orange foliage. Unfortunately it ruins the grass and makes the paths slippery. I hate falling over. We raked up five builders bags from the drive today. That's my cardio done for the day!

Week 2 Day 5 of Kalie Graves art challenge I have gone with texture. We have a maple tree in the garden that is stunning at the moment with its show of red leaves. I used a bristle brush for the texture of the leaves as taught to me by Graham Lock.

A Maple Tree for Good Luck and Prosperity
Watercolour
320/366

Thursday, 14th November 2024 - Mylor Churchtown, Falmouth

 Harriet was with us for coffee. I set her to work sticking prices on my greetings cards and winding wool. Last autumn I made myself a lovely chunky knit cardigan. It was enormous. The wool is lovely. I am unknitting it. I plan to get at least two jumpers and possibly a hat?!? I enjoy knitting and look forward to my project. I took Harriet into the dentist for a tooth removal. I was concerned she would be shocked as it was a big back one. The tooth was in much better condition than anticipated. I took her back to our house and set her to work again. I really miss her company from when she lived next door and we chatted over our morning coffee. 

This evening I was with WOKAS at a guided pastel landscape demonstration by Judy Tippler. Not my media so I was feeling apprehensive. I went as I had the tea and coffee bag. It turned out to be one of those unexpected enjoyable evenings. We have a very friendly interesting group of artists that have built up over the past few years. Great fun.

Today's Connected Postcard is of Falmouth where we went in August. I liked the fields and the lonely sailing boat. A hesitant pastel. It is going under the vague remit of 'green' for Kalie Graves art challenge. 

Mylor Churchtown, Falmouth
Rembrandt Pastels
319/366