Thursday, 17th September 2026 - Garden Flowers

I met with Sarah in the charity shop in Cranbrook. I have three books for Herbie. I suggested we share a bacon sandwich with our coffee. It was very delicious with mustard. As we were leaving my niece came in with her new baby. She was sleeping and looked very adorable. I love a new baby. 

Back home I spent a while getting Little Holt Cottage ready for a new guest. It looked charming. I think she will be very happy there. It does have a very peaceful feel.

Day 17 #stradaeasel

It is our first winter meeting of the Weald of Kent Art Society this evening. I am taking my challenge with me. I have a vase of flowers from the garden and my favourite vase that my sister made and my mum's table cloth. I painted over an old failed painting. 

Here it is.

Garden Flowers
Oil on board

Wednesday, 16th September 2026 - Cremant

Brett has a van that can accommodate a five metre soffit board. He dropped it off today. He is looking very well. Being a husband to my gorgeous daughter and amazing three grandchildren must be the reason.

It took over an hour to get to the bottom of my ironing pile. Harriet and Herbie made the job most enjoyable by entertaining me via WhatsApp video. 

I heard water gushing outside our bedroom window. We had swarf in our water tank overflow causing a blockage and the water to gush out. I am very fortunate to have a practical husband who undid the obstruction.

My GP is working on getting my HRT levels sorted. Now with a third hormone added as long as I don't grow a beard and develop a deep voice I will be feeling even more delightful.

Day 16 #stradaeasel

It has been a busy, in a good way, few weeks. Tonight Tim and I are home alone. I opened a bottle of sparkling wine. There isn't much left. Perfect subject for today's challenge. And I cleaned my watercolour palette making the paints clean and easier to work.

Cremant
Pen and watercolour

Tuesday, 15th September 2026 - Little Yellow Squash II

Book group last night was a great evening full of stories past and present. I find other peoples stories very interesting. The book got the thumbs up from us all. I will add another Kate Mosse book to my reading list. I like her way of writing. I find it thought provoking. Unfortunately the Halfway House had no liver and bacon. I had a chicken salad which was probably a better option health wise as we are out to dinner this evening.

It has been a round and round and round day today. I have part done two bed and breakfast rooms and part cleaned the cottage. There are piles of towels, washing and ironing done and undone in many rooms. I am going to have a blast at getting most of it done after I have posted this blog.

Happy birthday to Roger. I left the plant Lindsey and I found in Bumbles and a bar of Tony's chocolate on his doorstep. I hope he is out celebrating.

We are meeting Chris and Ainhoa for dinner in a pub in Linton. As well as having a meal with them because they are lovely friends we have an alternative motive. Ainhoa grew up in the Basque region of Spain. She will be able to give us tips for when we visit next month. Maybe they will have liver and bacon on the pub menu?

Day 15 #stradaeasel

We haven't eaten the little yellow squash yet. Too many evenings eating out. It became my challenge today for an oil painting. I thoroughly enjoyed painting this characterful little fellow with its long stalk.

Little Yellow Squash II
Oil on board

Monday, 14th September 2026 - Feeding Bluetits

Lindsey came and collected me. We took a trip to Bumbles. I got a plant for a birthday present. Many of the plants were looking neglected which was sad to see. We then travelled onto Pets World to get suet balls for my garden birds. What a bargain. Half the price of the last ones I bought. 

I have had some very lovely bed and breakfast guests. And they went home with some cards and bought this painting.

Roses and Stocks
Oil on Board
30 x 40 cm

This evening I am meeting Alli, Lesley and Suzy at The Halway House for book group. We have read The Taxidermist's Daughter by Kate Mosse. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It will be interesting to know what the others say. I am hoping that liver and bacon is back on the menu.

Day 14 #stradaeasel

I took my paints and brushes into the garden. It took a while before the birds landed on the feeders maybe being hesitant about their new food. Today's challenge was trying to draw them. They are very speedy.  

Feeding Bluetits
Pen and Watercolour

Sunday, 13th September 2026 - Little Yellow Squash

Our meal at a very busy Bell and Jorrocks was great. I had steak pie. I chose rainforest nectar ice cream being intrigued as to what it was. I am still not sure but think it may have been mango and honey and delicious. It was good to be with freinds and hear their stories.

I find waking to see the rain turning the lawn green very pleasing. The flower beds were looking bare. Now there are tiny seedlings growing everywhere. It is a mystery to what they will be. Their true leaves will reveal their identity soon.

Today guests have been going, staying and coming to keep me busy. I am listening to a great detective series to keep me company. I am feeling ready for a holiday.

Day 13 #stradaeasel

We had three squash given to us. We ate one. The little yellow one was my subject for today's challenge. And it proved a challenge to paint. 

Little Yellow Squash
Watercolour

12th September 2026 - An Eloquence of Crepe Myrtle

A day of bed and breakfast work for me. A day of roofing for Tim. I visited Tescos for fruit and milk. Some winter pyjamas were added to my trolley. I am very pleased with them.. 

We are off the the Bell and Jorrocks for dinner with Tony, Wendy, Mike and Pippa this evening. I think I fancy chips. I will let you know tomorrow what I have.

Day 12 #stradaeasel

It was August one year we went to a party in Fongrave. Mike and Pippa throw the best of parties. We visited the local towns they had beautiful trees flowering. I have one in a pot that is looking beautiful. The flowers are frilly and very strangely delicate for such a robust plant. We have invested in a bigger pot for an autumn transplanting.

An Eloquence of Crepe Myrtle
Watercolour

Friday, 11th September 2026 - Gerbera

The tiles are going back on the roof and looking very smart.

I was back in the garden weeding with my audio book this afternoon. One third completed and looking good. 

This afternoon - that turned into early evening - we met with Mike and Pippa who are briefly back from France. We went to my favourite pubs, the Ewe and Lamb, for a couple of drinks. So great to catch up with their news. I don't think they have any regrets about moving to France. They have made a venue for visitors.  Maybe we will go next spring?

We had sardines on toast with Lea and Perrins. The simplest of meals sometimes taste the best.

Day 11#stradaeasel

Si and Lesley gave me a charming bunch of flowers last weekend. They needed clean water and attending to and are still looking gorgeous. A gerbera was a bit on the droopy side. After a trim and support of a small vase I used it for my painting today. The vase is a bit wonky. I blame that on the large glass of wine Mike bought me.

Gerbera
Watercolour