Sunday, 27th September 2026 - Another One

My bed and breakfast guests have left. By the afternoon I had the room cleaned, washing in the machine, bed remade and ready for the next guests. I have a few days off and looking forward to morning pottering in my PJ's. Tim has been decorating the fascia board. I admire his energy. I had a doze this afternoon.

I am posting early today. We are off to Si and Lesleys for pizza with Nick and Alli for a bit of holiday planning. I am getting a bit, actually a big bit excited about our train trip around the Basque region. 

Day 27 #stradaeasel

I had an urge to be experimental for today's challenge. The paper is handmade with a lovely rough texture. Paint sits in the little hollows. A box of soft pastels and a palette of gouache paint made me a bit nervous. I had no idea what the outcome would be. Here it is. Another one of Elizabeth's squash captured for eternity.

Another One
Paper, pastel and gouache

Saturday, 26th September 2026 - Sunflowers

I cooked badly behaved fried eggs for my guests' breakfast. They spat at me! The scrambled eggs were much better behaved. I made a bit extra for Fable. He hadn't eaten since Tom left him.  Today was a better day. I put meat on his biscuits. He snaffled the meat and left the biscuits before I got a fork to mix them. A playdate with Fritha, the whippet, in her garden seems to have restored his appetite. There is nothing left in his bowl this evening. 

We came home to a sunny afternoon in the garden weeding, planting geums and dozing. I wasn't the one dozing.

Day 26 #stradaeasel

A vase of sunflowers is having a brief stay on my kitchen table. They are a gift for a friend. I am enjoying them until tomorrow. They were the only choice for today's challenge. 'Kissing the edge' is not a good painting technique. After an Aperol I had forgotten this advice and gone for a full-on snog. 

Sunflowers
Oil on board

Friday, 25th September 2026 - Fable at my Feet

Tom has gone to Budapest for the weekend. Fable is coping very well with his absence. He has acute hearing. Any external noise and he is on his feet expecting Tom to come through the door. He kept me company at my potting bench. I have potted up many pansies and polyanthus to brighten our pots and baskets, along with a heap of salvias. When grown on they will keep black spot from my roses. We have more work to do tomorrow. It is good to have a furry companion.

Bread and chocolate brownie was baked for new bed and breakfast guests. It made the house smell gorgeous.

Day 25 #stradaeasel

I was drinking a mug of tea in the garden. Fable was dozing at my feet. I managed a quick sketch before he moved.

Fable at my Feet
Pen

Thursday, 24th September 2026 - Life Painting

Today has been a pottering one. Nothing of much note but lots of things crossed off my list.

I came home from art this evening and was greeted by a waggy tailed Fable. Tom is off on holiday for the weekend and we are Fable sitting. I hope Fritha is around for a playdate. Tom wants to sleep in his tent on top of his car tonight. I did offer him a bed. I know which one I would have chosen.

Day 24 #stradaeasel

I had the perfect strada easel challenge for today. It was a life drawing/painting session with WOKAS this evening. Chris, our model did four 10 minutes poses (really difficult), one 20 minute pose ( I was feeling more relaxed), then a coffee break followed by an hour pose (I moved from a exp
osed position and did two works in watercolour). What a challenge! I haven't done any life drawing for a long time. It doesn't matter when painting a landscape if a tree is out of place. It does matter when painting a person if a limb is in the wrong place.

Life Painting
Pencil and watercolour

Wednesday, 23rd September 2026 - A Gift for Grandad

Before Tim left me to go to London he did a bit more roofing while I was still pottering in my PJ's. I have been hankering after a plant I saw on an Instagram post. Perovskia has a pretty blue flower in late summer. I found one at the garden centre a few days ago but it was a poor specimen. I voiced my desire to Tim as he was ordering polyanthus from Thompson and Morgan. The Perovskia we found were expensive. This morning a box arrived with three very healthy plants. Two are now in the garden and one growing on in the greenhouse. What a thoughtful husband I have.

My plan chest has become a nesting delight for mice. The tissue paper I use when inking up collagraphs was obviously a very desirable bedding. Today I cleared and washed it out. 

While eating a very wholesome vegetable stew we watched The Great British Bake Off. Nigella Lawson was surprisingly good. I thought she was going to irritate me. They baked my favourite cake, coffee and walnut. I now have a need to make one. Walnuts and instant coffee are on my shopping list.

Day 23 #stradaeasel

Yesterday, as Harriet, Herbie and I walked across Wickhambreaux village green Herbie picked up an acorn. It was a wonderful specimen. He asked me to take it home and give it to Grandad. I am not sure what the reason was but the fact that he was thinking of his Grandad was enough to make it a very special gift. I have made a tiny print for today's challenge. I lazily used an inkpad for the ink. I quite like the unevenness.

A Gift for Grandad
Linocut

Tuesday, 22nd September 2026 - Morning Glory

After my guest left I put a load of washing in the machine and headed over to Wickhambreaux. There were road closures (yes, I did try to go through but had to turn around) along with very confusing diversion signs that disappeared or made no sense. I got lost in the outskirts of Canterbury for a short while until Google maps directed me back on route. I had a lovely time with Harriet and Herbie. We used the writing tablets and drew many complicated battles that stretched my imagination to its zenith. We had a stroll to the park before I headed home with no diversions. I have come back with lots of precious memories made. I was sorry to miss the girls but plan to go back next week with some lamb as requested by Herbie to see them.

Day 22 #stradaeasel

My sister gave me a morning glory a couple of years ago. It has self seeded into plant pots and between paving stones. They flower briefly in the morning. Who would have guessed? Today I had two. I sat on the doorstep to draw them but I could not quite capture their amazing colour. Lindsey has up to 14 flowering at one time. There are seeds beginning to ripen. I will leave them to find their perfect place for germination and next year I may have 14 morning glories.

Morning Glory
Pen and watercolour

Monday, 21st September 2026 - Tangerines

It has been another home day today. They are good days to have. The cupboards, fridge and wine rack are topped up thanks to Tescos delivering this morning. 

I continued with my endeavour to get the garden back into some sort of order. It was hot. I needed a hat and sunglasses when painting the top coat on the soffit board and my nose. Our roof is looking less gappy and more tiled.

Bookings for bed and breakfast and Little Holt continue to keep me busy. The best part is listening to stories of people's lives. Much more interesting than my own. I know all about that.

Day 21 #stradaeasel

Yesterday Tom gave me a tangerine. I love a tangerine. I had two nets delivered from Tescos today. They reminded me of Tom. A good challenge for today that is emotional and physical. This is my second attempt. I drew in the one using a non permanent ink pen. It was going well until I added watercolour. Then it turned a muddy murky brown. That one is in the recycling.

Tangerines
watercolour