Friday, 17th January 2025 - Lizzie's Pot

Sarah and I have had to find a new coffee venue for our intermittent catch ups. Wendy's in Cranbrook, where we have shared many a bacon roll with chilli jam, is shut. We met in Tenterden at Nutmeg - lovely coffee but no bacon rolls with chilli jam. 

I went back to the car to find my keyfob wasn't working. With over the phone instruction from Tim I unlocked the passenger door, clambered over the seat ready to head home. My Nissan wasn't going anywhere. I had left the headlights on and the battery flat. Tim came with his extra long jump leads and got me back on the road. 

Our kitchen is like being in a sauna from simmering Seville oranges. I have two preserving pans of marmalade on a rolling boil that will be served to delighted bed and breakfast guests. Squeezing the bags of pith and pips I imagine is a bit like milking a cow.

Day 17 #stradaeasel

Today I have painted hyacinths that Elizabeth gave us. They smell gorgeous. When the bulbs are long gone we will still have beautiful bowl made by Elizabeth. I think it will be perfect for crisps with a glass of cold wine in the summer.

Lizzie's Pot
Pen and Watercolour

Thursday, 16th January 2025 - Sevilles at the Ready

What we had planned today didn't occur. The flu virus put paid to our plans. Dammit. Tim and I are fine. 

Day 16 #stradaeasel

It is that glorious but short lived time of year to make marmalade. Delia's recipe is the best. I couldn't think of a better subject for today's painting. I reverted back to my comfort zone using pen and watercolour.

Sevilles at the Ready
Pen and Watercolour

Wednesday, 15th January 2025 - Alison's Pots

I was slow to get going this morning. I need to set an alarm to get myself up as I am getting later to bed and later to get up. I will be back to doing bed and breakfast soon. Time to reset my body clock.

Late afternoon I plugged in my audio book and fought with the dead plants in the garden. I came in to cook dinner. I made white onion sauce to go with our pheasant. Mum used to made onion sauce. I had a reminisce of those days. Sooo good.

Day 15 #stradaeasel

I was with The Viridians at Alison's today. We had a still life set up to tackle. After four hours painting including a break for a soup, bread and cheese lunch we packed up our brushes. I had another battle with oil paints that caused me a raft of emotions. I took photos of my process. Interesting to look back on

Tuesday, 14th January 2025 - Sprig of Carnations

Tim and I spent the afternoon in the garden clearing, tidying, planting seeds and chopping logs in the sunshine. If felt good to begin to kick the garden into shape

We came in wondering what to cook for dinner. It turned into a impromptu evening. We went to see Conclave at the Kino. Alli and Nick were going and gave us the idea. Even better Tuesday is half price. What a great film with an interesting twisty ending. We planned to head home for baked beans on toast. A quick drink in The Queens resulted in pizza for dinner.  

Day 12 #stradaeasel

I was later to my painting than expected. I had a twig with lichen on in preparation for today's painting. Too complicated after a tummy full of pizza. So I have painted a sprig of pretty carnations that are left over from a bunch of flowers that Tom had bought at Christmas. I do love drawing in Indian ink with a twig.

Sprig of Carnations
Watercolour and Indian Ink

Monday, 13th January 2025 - Jelly Sweets Gift

It has been a quiet day. Tim went to London. Tescos delivered and restocked my cupboards for the week. I did a bit of yoga. Brought in some logs. Lots of 'stuff' got done. Then I rested a painful shoulder.

Day 13 #stradaeasel

A friend of ours got a treatsized bag of Haribo in parcel they received. Being diagnosed with diabetes the sweets were off their menu. I have been gifted them. I decided they would make a good picture for today. It was much harder than I thought. I was a bit frustrated that I couldn't get the translucency of them. Their punishment? I have eaten them!

Jelly Sweet Gift
Watercolour

Sunday, 12th January 2025 - Church in the Snow

Tim and I had a slippery drive to Dingleden to meet Tony and Wendy. We ventured out the back of their house into the woods, along some very icy roads, creaky iced paths that took us to The Woodcock. I needed a hot chocolate. We walked through Standen Apple Orchards that smelt of cider from the fermenting apples. 

This evening we had a most delicious chilli. It was made even more tasty by the fact the Tim cooked it. Perfect food to refuel after a 12,000 step walk.

This evening I have been researching plants/animals/symbols for January birthdays. I fancy doing some linocuts. I now have a list for inspiration.

Day 12 #stradaeasel

I set myself up in the same spot by the Catholic Church as yesterday just in front of our house. Today I had my watercolour palette. I seem to lose time when painting. I get so engrossed in what I am doing the world around me stops. It was another freezing session under my feet. I had to find another pair of handwarmers with a very charming red fluffy band. Yesterdays got covered in oil paint. I had a wonderful time. Working outside I find challenging. I am learning to cropping and simplyfying the view. It is so tempting to put in everything.

Church in the Snow
Watercolour

Saturday, 11th January 2025 - Benenden Catholic Church

Day 11 Stradaeasel Challenge

I have been following other artists doing the #stradaeasel challenge. Wow, what an amazing group of artists and so inspiring. Some have been out doing en plein air work. I can do that I thought. So, today I ventured outside while the snow and frost was still on the ground, the sun was shining  and it was beautiful.  Tim helped me set up, bit wobbly on the leafy ground. For nearly two hours I painted. What a fabulous time. I was totally  engrossed in an art zone. It wasn't until I had finished and started to move that I realised that I was frozen to my toes. Not a Picasso but I felt his passion. Learnt loads. I don't like a dark palette - can't see the tones. I need a husband to bring me warming tea. I feel very privileged that I could indulge in my passion.

This afternoon I ironed bed and breakfast bedding and a couple of shirts and blouses. A couple of drinks at the Ewe and Lamb followed by a frittata (our hens are prolific) was a good way to end a Saturday.

Benenden Catholic Church
Oil on Board