Tim has planted up hanging baskets with pansies and polyanthus ready for a riot of winter colour. Thompson and Morgan delivered some very healthy looking plants. They have been a bit hit or miss in the past. These look great. The pansies are already beginning to show their faces.
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| Winter ready Pen and watercolour |
I enjoyed the challenge of making a piece of art for the month of September. I have learnt a lot and it is a great excuse to continue experimenting and doing something I love....so I am continuing with my daily diary in words and picture.
Running a bed and breakfast means the need for a plethora of teapots and coffee pots. Here is a watercolour of three of the cafetières that today were filled with decaff and not decaff coffee.
I was very brave and had my flu jab. I am now needing some sympathy for a sore arm ...?
Herbie entertained me via WhatsApp video while I was cleaning the windows in the dining room. He opens up the world to me. I love that boy so much. Guests will be having breakfast in there tomorrow. The room is delightfully sunny in the morning but shows up a grubby window.
Very happy birthday wishes to my gorgeous son Tom. A beautiful baby has turned into a beautiful soul. St Leonards is a great place to celebrate being 39. I feel the need for a party for his 40th next year.
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| Three Coffee Pots Pen and watercolour |
It was chilly enough this morning for me to brush the cobwebs off my denim jacket. After a ferret around the charity shop, Sarah and I went to Arthur's cafe for coffee and shared a bacon sandwich. We sat in the garden to catch up in between holidays.
I have just returned from an evening with WOKAS. Juliette Dodd showed us how to draw speedy portraits. She started by demonstrating three in less than an hour: front, side and three quarter. After coffee and biscuits, made beautifully by me as Jenny who usually does it is on holiday, we sat in groups and had three 15 minute sessions to draw each other. I was a model and got to do two portraits with a feeling of panic with so little time, it did make me focus. Great fun.
PS I am waiting to hear if I have won my Strada Easel.
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| Two Panic Portraits Oil pastels |
My day started with tea and a text to my sister. I am not sure if she is checking that I am ok or I am checking she is ok. Whichever it is I like our morning messages.
I needed wipers for the rain as I drove to see Lindsey and Mercedes. We had coffee, chocolate brownie, almond slice and a very delicious apple cake that was warm from the oven and made even more delicious with a dollop of very thick cream. We swapped many stories about children and grandchildren who are of great importance and delights to us all. I wasn't hungry for lunch!
It was hot and humid when Tim and I walked into the village this afternoon. We had a wander around the village green and posted a birthday card I drew for Tom's 39th birthday on Friday.
Day 30 #stradaeasel
Today is the last day of the strada easel challenge. I think it is about the fourth time I have done it. I am ready to receive my easel prize after painting from life every day in September. Well done me.
I have finished with a sprig from a spindleberry tree in our garden. It is covered in pink fruits with bright orange seeds. A favourite of the spindle ermine, a very spotty caterpillar and moth. In folklore it symbolises the completion of lessons. I thought this was very appropriate for the last day of the challenge that has taught me a lot about observation and given me some extra frown lines.
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| The Completion of Lessons Pen and watercolour |
I am up to date with bed and breakfast 'stuff'. I can now get on with getting the garden charming when it is dry and very much looking forward to playing in my studio when it rains. I love our unpredictable weather. It makes planning an impossible conundrum. Tim went to Rye this morning. We both like it very much. It has so much to offer and is so pretty. I might have a quick rummage on the internet for a small house with a picturesque garden where we can wander into the town.
I went to my GP about HRT this afternoon. Maybe I will start blog called 'Let's talk about HRT'. There is so much to learn especially about testosterone. Really interesting research into how much it can help women just as much as men.
We went with Tony and Wendy to my favourite pub. The Ewe an Lamb in Rolvenden Layne. I love Elsie the landlady. She has made the atmosphere just perfect.
We are watching Marble Hall Murders. I want to be Susan Ryeland - I love her character, I love her clothes. I need to concentrate so I will be back with you tomorrow.
Day29 #stradaeasel
Here is a sketch of our anniversary gifts to each other. I think I have come off better. Tim won't drink the cocktails or sweets he gave me but I will happily have some of the Tony's chocolate I gave him. We have been together for 42 years but we only got married 9 years ago in the lighthouse at Dungeness, partly due to financial reasons, but of course mainly for love.
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| Happy Anniversary Tim Pen and Watercolour |
Tescos delivered various lamb parts as requested by Herbie. I took them to him after a morning digging and planting in the garden. I had a circuitous drive to Wickhambreaux. The road I needed to travel was closed...again. I thought I could remember the diverted route from last week. I stopped to activate Google maps just to be sure. Unfortunately, there was no signal on my phone. I carried on. I must have missed the turning I needed and ended up on a roundabout. I went round but none of the exits were where I wanted to go. So I went round again. I told you I had a circuitous route. On the third trip round I took an exit that turned out to be in the right direction. I had a lovely afternoon with Harriet. We managed to catch up while Herbie was reading about Mario characters. Herbie and I ate chips and battled with lego characters. He has a very infectious giggle. Hetty and Raffy came home and joined in our battle. They give the best hugs. A rainy drive home meant I didn't need to do any watering of plants when I got home.
We had fish fingers in rolls for dinner. Sometimes the simplest of meals can be the best.
Day 28 #stradaeasel
A quick watercolour for today's challenge. I didn't have to search very far. A vase of flowers on the table where I paint made a good subject for my tired mind and body.
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| Simple Flowers Watercolour |
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.
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| Another One Paper, pastel and gouache |
