Sunday, 30th June 2013 - No Need to go to Glastonbury

Another sunny sunny day. I kept out of the evil rays today as the bits I exposed yesterday are still a little tender.

We went to The Wheelwrights in Matfield to listen to Soul Alchemy perform. Alan, Mary, Nick, Suzy, June, Sophie, Lousia, Lindsey, Lesley (Si is hoizontal elsewhere reattaching his retina), Sarah, Nigel (good some made the effort), Kell and Pat were all there to support and enjoy jiggling along to Barry and Martin. I presume Weather with You for played exclusively for me :-)

No Need to go to Glastonbury
Pen with Watercolour
Langton 140lb not

Saturday, 29th June 2013 - Garden Shed

It was sunny enough today for my exposed ankles to have a little sunburn.

Tim and I did some gardening after the heat had gone from the day.

Garden Shed
Watercolour
Langton 140lb not

Friday, 28th June 2013 - One Potato, Two Potato

Laura Robson and Murray kept me company while I caught up with my ironing.

Tim did some weeding and thought our one remaining chicken would like to join him. She did very much enjoy unearthing our nicely earthed up potatoes.

It is good to have Tim home.

One Potato, Two Potato

Caran D'Ache Watercolour Pencils

Langton 140lb not

Thursday, 27th June 2013 - Been Done Before

Tim is home. I am no longer alone. I have eaten too many peanut butter M&Ms.

I have painted sweetpeas before but I love them and their short season.

Been Done Before
Watercolour
Bockingford 140lb not

Wednesday, 26th June 2013 - Entertained by Murray

I bet there were as many 'ooing' and 'aahing' today watching Murray play at Wimbledon as there were when they read Fifty Shades of Grey. He kept me company while I ironed my mountain of bedding.

Off to Caxton Cottage for fish and chips with Sarah, Pippa and Kath. Sort of book group but Pippa is the only one who has finished Bring Up The Bodies, Kath and I are half way through and Sarah is abstaining.

Entertained by Murray
Pen with Watercolour
Recycled Card

Tuesday, 25th June 2013 - Sunset at Wenmans

Tom has left. Tim is still away. I am alone yet again. Apart from being surrounded by bed and breakfast guests.

I dropped a smelly pink rose at my sister's this evening for her birthday which was yesterday. She has a beautiful house and garden. We gossiped and drank Stella and watched an emotional sun go down.

Sunset at Wenmans
Watercolour
Langton 140lb not

Monday, 24th June 2013 - Providence House

After a busy day of work it was wonderful to go to my art class with Sarah and paint in the most stunning setting. Followed by tea and cake on the verandah looking out over a beautiful view ended a lovely evening. I was so pleased I went.

Providence House
Pen with Watercolour
Paper

Sunday, 23rd June 2013 - No Longer Alone

I went on a garden safari this morning. On my own to Jane's beautiful garden accompanied by a Victoria sponge.

No Longer Alone

Pencil

Saturday, 22nd June 2013 - Explosion at The Holt

It has been another damp and windy day.

I did a little weeding. The seed heads burst forth as I pulled them up and out.

I am alone at home. No invitations to anywhere with anyone. Tom is coming home to see me. At least he cares.

Explosion at The Holt
Watercolour, Milton and Quink Ink
Langton 140lb not

Friday, 21st June 2013 - Blustery Day

I am back home with a glass of red wine and beans on toast after...

- cooking breakfast for six guests and managing to fuse my eyelashes together when opening a hot oven (yes, I have done this before and no, I have not learnt)

- cleaning and clearing (daily untaxing tasks but still tasks),

- taking Tim to the station (not terribly arduous but another little task to add to my burden) and he has gone and left me yet again for warmer climes. 32oF in Denver, I think I prefer our unpredictable weather,

- Mum arriving along with lots of stories, and more stories and then the same stories again.

Then it gets better. Mum and I visited Harriet, Hetty and Arabella. We had a joyous day with the sock monster and in the park where it was very warm but windy. Hetty loves Winnie the Pooh. I love Hetty.

Off to my lonely bed, on my own, alone once more.

And yes the grass is that green. It is astroturf.

Blustery Day
Pen with Watercolour
Langton 140lb not

Thursday, 20th June 2013 - Dealings at Hartley Dyke

After I had served my guests with many delightful breakfasts I left the house and met Pippa, Sarah and the lovely Linda for coffee. I exchanged pictures for money. I am hoping I have not been too generous and shared my cold.

My afternoon was spent up and down stairs getting rooms ready for new guests.

Dealings at Hartley Dyke
Pen with Watercolour
Langton 140lb not

Wednesday, 19th June 2013 - More Oxygen Needed

There are colds infiltrating The Holt today.

It felt like the air had been sucked out of the sky.

More Oxygen Needed
Oil
Oil Paper

Tuesday, 18th June 2013 - Beans-in-Waiting

I have given up doing my timed diary. It has been restrictive.

What a glorious day of sun we have enjoyed in Benenden today. I potted up my bargain plug plants in my bargain Aldi compost while being attacked by mosquitos.

The vegetables are looking rather on the healthy side which is worrying. Could this be the calm before the storm of insects.

I have had a messy evening with my oil paints.

Beans-in-Waiting
Oil

Monday, 17th June 2012 - Sarah's Sister-in-Law's Sheep

I was in Canterbury for most of the day. I was meant to be helping Harriet with the girls but I think I created more mess than was originally there. But we did have a lovely two hour lunch at The Veg Box Cafe.

This evening my art class was at Hallwood Farm, dry but windy.

Sarah's Sister-in-Law's Sheep

Pen

Daler Rowney 110lb not

Sunday, 16th June 2013 - 2:16:36pm - Too High

The show is over.

Some days the mountain seems too high to climb.

2:16:36pm
Too High
Watercolour
Daler Rowney 110lb not

Saturday, 15th June 2013 - 2:13:58pm - Too Cold for Ice Cream

The penultimate day of my show. Very few visitors today but more sales. So pleased that Nick and Suzy were able to come. Shame they did not bring their puppy. Your comment on my blog has not published Suzy.

Last night was a very lovely evening. The company joyous. The food simple. My hollandaise mighty stiff. The pavlova came off its baking parchment. Thank you June and Barry for the Champagne to celebrate my first exhibition. It maybe my last. Luckily everyone felt obliged to purchase a picture.

The weather has been horrid. When Hetty came to stay she and I sat on the sun loungers with the warmth of the sun on our legs, making lots of vitamin D and shared a Peppa Pig ice-cream. We could not do that today.

2:13:58pm
Too Cold for Ice Cream
Watercolour with Pen
Langton 140lb not

Friday, 14th June 2013 - 2:11:20pm - She's Behind You

I am busy cooking dinner for Ray, Linda, Si, Lesley, June, Barry and Tim. Will be in contact later.

2:11:20pm
She's Behind You
Quink  Ink
daler Rowney 110lb not

Thursday, 13th June 2013 - 2:08:42pm - Pink for Girls

Harriet, Hetty and Arabella have returned to Canterbury. I miss them very much.

Sprays of tiny pink flowers have appeared from my mystery Thompson and Morgan bargain perennials. It is still a mystery as to what I have been nurturing.

2:08:42pm
Pink for Girls
Watercolour
Daler Rowney 110lb not

Wednesday 12th June 2013 - 2:06:04pm - Hetty's Pig

What horrid weather but it did not stop people coming to visit my pictures today.

Thank you for all the donations for tea/coffee/cake.

Hetty has kept me entertained much of the day. I don't think she understand why Grandmama laughs so much.

2:06:04pm

Hetty's Pig

Watercolour

Daler Rowney 110lb not

Tuesday, 11th June 2013 - 2:03:27pm - More Flapjacks for Grandad

Hetty and I watered the pots in the garden. Then we came in because it was raining.

Harriet and Hetty did some baking. We have read books, played with toys, read more books and had a lovely lovely day.

An exhausted but very happy Grandma is off to bed.

2:03:27pm
More Flapjacks for Grandad
Watercolour
Daler Rowney 110lb not

Monday, 10th June 2013 - 2:00:49pm - Four Generations

I collected Harriet, Hetty and Arabella from Canterbury. They are going to stay with us for a couple of days so Harriet can gets some rest.

Hetty and I enjoyed a Peppa Pig ice-cream on the sunloungers.

Chris and Mum came and looked at my pictures on their way to Scotland for a weeks holiday.

I did a painting at my art class that has been binned.

2:00:49pm
Four Generations
Pen

Sunday, 9th June 2013 - 1:58:11pm - Unexpected Events

Today has been full of surprises. We have a continual stream of visitors to my exhibition and even some sales. Thank you to all those came, old friends and trail followers.

My subject today is a salsify plant we have in the vegetable patch that was flowering beautifully this morning but at 1:58:11pm it looked like this. I have investigated this on the internet and find an alternative name - 'Jack go to Bed at Noon'. If only I had known this earlier.

1:58:11pm
Unexpected Events
Pen with Watercolour
Langton 140lb rough

Saturday, 8th June 2013 - 1:55:33pm - Tempted by the Garden

My mind and body are very tired as I type.

It has been a lovely day today. The guests we have staying are perfection. The weather has been warm enough for me to doze in the garden.

Not many visitors to the exhibition but again some very important ones did come. Lindsey and a very tired Fizzy came for water. Sarah and Nigel came with posts for our fruit trees and an interesting bottle of pink sparkling wine. Harriet, Brett, sweet Hetty and adorable little Arabella made a brief visit.

The garden is looking at its best at this time of year and seems to be more interesting than my pictures. Hmmmm.

1:55:33pm
Tempted by the Garden
Watercolour
Langton 140lb rough

Friday, 7th June 2013 - 1:52:55pm - Sarah, Your Mother would NOT Approve

Tim has been putting up pictures/posters/and with my mood.

We have had twice as many visitors to our (it is definitely a joint effort) predicted. Thank you to all those who have been and even more thanks to those who purchased paintings.

You know who your best friends are. Sarah made an effort to put in an appearance. Unlike some who decide to take a long holiday in France. Shame about the sunglasses.

1:52:55pm
Sarah, Your Mother would NOT Approve
Pen with Watercolour
Langton 140lb rough

Thursday, 6th June 2013 - 1:52:56 plus 7 pm - Hanging

Tim has been incredibly patient with my artistic temperament.

1:52:56 plus 7 pm
Hanging
Pen with Watercolour
Langton 140lb rough

Wednesay, 5th June 2013 - 1:47:40pm - Clematis

My day has been spent stripping then remaking beds, cleaning and making sure that everything is ready for my next huge quantity of guests.

Tim and I had a peacful time admiring our garden and removing some mighty growths that were smothering three tiny lilacs. The weather is beautiful.

I have had no time to prepare for Friday's exhibition - don't panic!!!!

1:47:40pm
Clematis
Watercolour
Langton 140lb rough

Tuesday, 4th June 2013 - 1:46:02pm - Two Eggs and One Feather

Tim collected Harriet, Hetty and Arabella from Canterbury this morning. Harriet had a very unsatisfactory consultation with her rheumatologist (he does not deserve a capital letter). She needs to get her boxing gloves on and start her fight and we will be with her all the way. Very frustrating.

Hetty collected the eggs from our hens.

1:46:02pm
Two Eggs and One Feather
Pen with Watercolour
140lb Langton Rough

Monday, 3rd June 2013 - 1:42:24pm - Shopping

Tim and I went to our local store.

1:42:24pm

Shopping

Mixed Media

These are from my evening class. The brief was 'The Long and Winding Road'.

Birth to Death

Mixed Media

Kent to Greenwich

Mixed Media

Sunday, 2nd June 2013 - 1:39:46pm - Anguis fragilis in the Bin in the Bin

Last year we had a family of slow-worms in a wooden garden bin we keep netting and tools in. One has returned. I think it is a female after doing a little internet research.

Tim helped me hang 25 of my diary pictures in the dining room. Not sure what the guests will think in the morning.

1:39:46pm
Anguis fragilis in the Bin
Pen and Watercolour
140lb Langton rough

Saturday, 1st June 2013 - 1:37:09pm - Trimmings

I have finished my 12 scrapbooks containing 366 pictures along with text. Nearly ready for Friday. Next on the list is to hang some pictures - very exciting.

Tim tidied up the hedge.

1:37:09pm
Trimmings
Pen
140lb paper not