Wednesday, 9th September 2026 - Herbie's Choice

I had my alarm set. I woke 20 minutes before it was due to go off. Go back to sleep? Unfortunately not. I needed a wee.

The eggs I poached for my guest were perfect and decided to stay beautifully pert.

I went to Wickhambreaux to see Harriet and Herbie. I was so looking forward to seeing them and playing. It was a precious time making memories. Herbie stretched my imagination. I caught a few moments with Harriet. We exchanged gifts. I took chocolate and books. I took a bag full of thoughtful delights to take home with 0% Peroni infused with blood orange (for the days I am not drinking) and a bottle of gin (for the days I am drinking), tomatoes for my easel challenge, seeds to sprinkle on salad and sweets that I will keep in the car. Thank you for a lovely day. 

Day 9 #stradaeasel

I asked Herbie to choose tomatoes for my painting today. Here they are. Three tiny works of art.

Herbie's Choice
Oil on board

Tuesday, 8th September 2026 - Alli's Flowers in Oil

We had a bit of rain outside and inside today. 

I have had a blood test to check my hormones. Dr Griffin will tell me in a couple of weeks how I am adapting to HRT. Nine months in and nothing feels any different yet but keeping my bones strong, mind active and body supple is a good incentive to keep going.

We have two lots of guests in. One from a few yards down the road who is having some plumbing done on his home. The others are from Canada and having a holiday. I felt responsible for the rain and pleased it stopped. They will have a much more enjoyable time exploring in the sunshine.

Day 8 #stradaeasel

I had a mental battle when it came to paint another version of Alli's flowers. I had a blank mind in front of a blank canvas. The joy of squeezing out of oil paints onto my palette was wonderful. I lost myself for an hour or so in a flow state. What a great feeling. 

Alli's Flowers in Oil

Monday, 7th September 2026 - Alli's Flowers

We had guests stay in our holiday cottage last week. A bonus was that Lawrence has a laundry and took all the bedding after their stay. It came back today laundered and ironed. Now on the beds ready for guests arriving tomorrow. Excellent.

Last nights dinner party with Nick, Alli, Si and Lesley was great fun. Just as they were arriving I knocked a pot of yogurt out of the fridge onto the floor. It splattered my tights and skirt. It was mouldy. Thank goodness I didn't spill a perfectly good pot. We had maps to plan our Spanish train trip. There was hardly any health issues talk as we were busy planning places to eat and visit. The potato curry we had last night Tim made into soup for this evening. An interesting invention.

Day 7 #stradaeasel

Alli gave me a charming bunch of flowers yeterday. I tried to capture their beauty but found it extremely difficult and annoying. The watercolour lost its luminosity. Having a grubby palette didn't help. I may try again tomorrow in oil. 

Allis Flowers
Watercolour

Sunday, 6th September 2026 - Strawberries and checks

Can't stop long......preparing for friends coming to dinner.

Day 6 #stradaeasel

The strawberries we having with our tart made it into today's challenge.

Strawberries and checks
Indian ink and watercolour

Saturday, 5th September 2026 - ISA Brown Chickens

A week or so ago Tim harvested our white currants and put them in the freezer. We didn't know what to do with them. Tim searched the internet and found a recipe for white currant frangipane tart. I have made it twice before and a third time today for friends coming to dinner tomorrow. It is so good with homemade vanilla ice cream.

This evening Tim has gone to meet Ray in Hastings. I have an evening of watching Dragons Den while knitting a jumper that is on its second attempt. Watching television while knitting doesn't help with reading the pattern. I missed a whole section on increasing. It was made back into balls of wool. 

Day 5 #stradaeasel

Our chickens were my models for today's challenge. I took my coffee and sketchpad and a seat. I gave them grapes this morning. One of their favourites. They cause a lot of chasing each other for the best grape. They are so entertaining.

ISA Brown Chickens I
Ink and Watercolour

ISA Brown Chickens II
Ink and Watercolour

Friday, 4th September 2026 - Set Design

I must be fully regenerated and rejuvenated following a long night of slumber with only two hormonal interruptions.

I spent the morning crossing off half a dozen things on my list. That felt good.

This afternoon was wonderful. Clive, Alison and myself met at Wendy's. A friend of Wendy's is doing a set design of a village hall. Along with displays for a gardening and cricket club she wanted a board for an art club. We were tasked with painting vegetables for her display. It was warm and lovely enough to paint outside. I had a thoroughly enjoyable and indulgent afternoon. I felt guilty but only slightly for a short while when coming home I found Tim had spent the afternoon up the scaffolding retiling our roof. Moral support is so very important don't you think?

Day 4 #stradaeasel

Here are two of the five works of art, three I am not willing to share due to the rather phallic positioning of a corn on the cob.

Set Design I
Indian Ink and Watercolour

Set Design II
Indian Ink and Watercolour

Thursday, 3rd September 2026 - Orange cherry tomatoes

What a wonderful morning I woke up to. During the night the rain made puddles on our patio. The garden and I am very pleased.

I met Sarah in the best charity shop in Cranbrook. I have books for Herbie and a pizza game for the Evans family. We caught up on stories over two coffees in our new favourite cafe Arthurs. The second one was decaff to control our caffeine fizz. 

I spent the afternoon with a Vicar of Dibley esque three hour art society committee meeting. Loads discussed. The future of the society is looking good. 

After hurling three bags of soft plastic in the cage outside Tescos - I am always pleased that my car keys didn't join them - I bought noodles for Herbie and chocolate to celebrate Hetty and Raffy's first day back to school. I still remember that wobbly tummy feeling. I am so proud of them.

 Day 3 #stradaeasel

Wendy gave me five varieties of tomato plants in the spring. I have had green zebras, large orange, tiny red, one plant produced nothing, the last one standing is an orange cherry tomato that seems a bit of a contradiction in terms. The last truss is my subject for today.

Orange cherry tomatoes
Indian Ink and watercolour on paper