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

Wednesday, 2nd September 2026 - Dawn's Posy

As I was waking up drinking my second mug of tea this morning I listened Amol Rajan say his farewells from Radio 4. I will miss his gorgeous voice as much as his charming ways. 

Tony dropped off a roof ladder. Tim is replacing our worn out roof tiles.  I will be keeping my feet securely on the ground while offering words of support and encouragement.

This afternoon Waitrose provided me with strawberries, tangerines and BabyBel. I spent a lovely time with Fizz, my grand niece Ottie and grand nephew George in Hawkhurst. The children have the most amazing eyelashes. Ottie was very entertaining drawing as we shared a tangerine. I left them playing a very hectic game of hide and seek in the garden. So lovely to see them.

While I was making dinner Harriet video called me. During her very busy days I really appreciate the time she gives me with news and stories. 

Day 2 #stradaeasel

Friends came for dinner a couple of weeks ago and I was given a bunch of flowers. I remember a tip from a florist friend to keep them fresh she put them in the fridge. We went to London for a few days. I refrigerated the posy from Dawn. Nearly two weeks later and they are still looking beautiful and the subject for my painting today.