Friday, 4th November 2023 - Wine, Mike and Bertie

Storm Ciaran kept up with impressive amounts of rain today. We were fortunate just to have a few tree branches broken. Our chickens have very wet tail feathers. It did keep me inside for the majority of the day. I listened to an audio crime thriller and made a very tasty vegetarian chilli to take to a party tomorrow night.

The warmth of the woodburner at Caxton Cottage tempted Tim and I. We were accompanied by a glass or two of wine and nibbles. Back home we watched the new Frasier. I love it already. I have taken up knitting hand warmers to stop me snacking. I have found I can snack and knit!!!

Wine, Mike and Bertie

Friday, 3rd November 2023 - Field Gate

The Met Office told me it was to be a clear day with no rain. I was fooled and headed outside in my wellies. I was drizzled upon frequently as with a spade I cleared rotting wood that used to be a planter. I was pleased with my upper body strength. I thank Camilo Carreiro from YogaBody for this. I have a bit of a crush on him.

This evening I booked tickets for Tim and I to go to Hemsted Theatre just across the road. Persuading Tim with a 2 for 1 ticket purchase. We saw 50 minutes of the most peculiar production of A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings. We left feeling a little mystified. On returning home Tim lit the woodburner while I heated up an unlabeled tub of food from the freezer. Tim being vegetarian ended up with sardines on toast. The surprise tub was a meat spaghetti bolognaise that I had made for the grandchildren and frozen the leftovers. Not the best evening I have planned for Tim. 

We walked into the village this afternoon, and yes, it was drizzling, to deliver half a dozen eggs to Roger. This gate leads into a field that we have walked many many times. I felt the need to paint it. So I did.

Field Gate

Thursday, 2nd November 2023 - Birthday Book with Grandad

In between spells of disgusting wet and windy weather I potted up some bulbs from my sister which are going to give me delight in the spring and some very scraggly looking perennial plants that I had ordered through the internet. I was assured, after sending an email with picture attached, that they are meant to look leafless and twiggy as they are in their dormant phase. I wonder if that is where I have been for the last month or so?

Our grandson Herbie was six yesterday. We celebrated with him and his family with animal shaped sandwiches, presents, cake and candles and Bombay Mix. Such a wonderful little man he is growing up to be. 

Birthday Book with Grandad

Wednesday, 27th September 2023 - Blue Jug and Red Pears

I have been in my studio working on a commission today. Jack Reacher keep me company. He gets into some terrible scrapes poor man.

I am typing whilst waiting for Tom to complete his journey from Northampton. It will be lovely to see him even though it is in sad circumstances. I have treats for Fable. I am looking forward to walks with them both. I haven't ventured into the fields for weeks. It will be good to go exploring.

Blue Jug and Red Pears

Monday, 25th September 2023 - The Viridians Minus One

I am in awe of a very brave friend today. You know who you. Family, friends and The Gorgeous Grannies are with you every step of the way.

I was out with the Viridians painting at Boldshaves. We were missing one of our group due to more important commitments. I did ask myself as to what could be more important than a day out with Clive, Alison, Wendy and myself? It was my first visit to the depths of Woodchurch. An amazing garden run by Peregrine and his wife. I am in awe of what they have achieved and at over 80 are running a holiday let with six bnb rooms with now outside help. We spent six hours interspersed with coffee, cake and lunch, pondering and painting. What a glorious sunny day to share the woes and triumphs of the canvas with other understanding artists. I struggled and fought with willful oil paints. Not quite complete....like so many things in my life. Good intentions and all that.

The Viridians Minus One 

Thursday, 21st September 2023 - Before we Broke for Lunch

 I was having a very angry heated argument with a bearded man when my alarm went off this morning. What a relief.

After collecting our now mended car, thank you Jon, Tim and I parted ways. I went to Smarden and met up with five other artists. We distributed ourselves amongst the gravestones at St Michael the Archangel Church for a few hours. This was our last en plein air outing with the Weald of Kent Art Society. We celebrated a good season of painting with lunch at The Flying Horse. At times Clive looked a little bemused surrounded by our female chatter.

Before we Broke for Lunch

Wednesday, 20th September 2023 - Four A Day

Yippee, our chickens are all laying. Well done girls. I took my mug of tea and sat amongst them while they pecked at the leftover scraps from breakfast. Noisy bunch too. I had a pad of paper, a brush and some paint. The painting I did got splattered into near oblivion by the rain. I topped it up this evening after eating a rather hot chilli that I had found lurking at the back of the freezer. We have some unnamed containers which could be sweet or savoury. We won't know until they are defrosted. Sometimes I feel like I am living on the edge!!!

Our broken car in now in the safe hands of Jon who is going to restore it to its former glory. Ok it has never been that glorious but at least the exhaust pipe won't be rattling and shaking.

I am going to bed to read a crime thriller. At 9.30pm I always thought it seemed too early until we spoke to some friends and they all seem to be heading to bed about then. By the time we have loaded the dishwasher, brushed our teeth and changed into our PJ's (ooh I have new ones to put on tonight) it can be nearing te!!! It's bucketing it down as I type. I love going to sleep listening to rain.

Four A Day

Tuesday, 19th September 2023 - Lilies from Joe

I have had a peaceful day confined to home. I didn't have a car to transport me anywhere. I could have used the 'Get Around for £2' and got a bus somewhere but the weather has been revolting all day so I stayed in.

This evening I terrified myself watching a psychological thriller while eating a chicken salad. Making a painting with many layers stopped me thinking there was a serial killer on the loose.

Lilies from Joe

Friday, 15th September 2023 -

I had a tingling sensation in my left leg. I was wondering if this was the start of a heart problem. Then I remembered I had been attacked by stinging nettles while tipping the vegetable peelings into the compost bin. That was a relief.

For months and months friends have been extolling the virtues of Tillingham. Tonight we eventually got to visit with Mike and Pippa. I now know why it is so popular. What stunning views and interesting buildings. I loved the wooly pigs. I drank sparkling lemon verbena as my body was feeling a little tender after having friends to dinner last night. Tillingham's serves a very good pizza. I had a spicy one. We are now back home ready for an early night. Tim has already vacated the sofa.

Thursday, 7th September 2023 - 30°C at Least

 I have had to deep dive into my wardrobe to dig out hot weather dresses. It's been so hot my neck has been sweating. Not a pleasant sensation. I have the best way to prevent this is to stay still or take to the shade.

On Tuesday I went out The Vidians minus one who is in France. Wendy and I found Clive having a beer in the shade of an umbrella outside Silcocks Cafe. Alison joined us. The shade of a trio of oak trees made a perfect spot to draw and paint. I did a long long sketch until Clive decided it was time for tea and cake.

On Wednesday my sister and I walked in the shade of the trees to Water Lane for iced coffee and carrot cake. The wasps were very keen to eat the cake but I was only prepared to share it with my sister. 

Monday, 4th September 2023 - Which Rose?

The mornings are getting darker and the nights are drawing in but blimey it has been hot. 

Two of my grandchildren have gone back to school today. I remember the feeling of nerves I used to get. I hope they have had good days.

Tony and Wendy picked us up this afternoon. We walked in the shade of the woods around Sissinghurst Castle Gardens with Tony pointing out his woodwork. The cafe was a good spot to eat stem ginger ice-cream. Our rose garden at home needs an overhaul. Some of the roses are ancient and showing their scraggly age with disease and looking well past their prime. There were lots of roses next to the cafe. We took advice from Wendy, who know these things, that today was not the best time to purchase a rose. It was very tempting as they were on offer. I do like a bargain.

Which Rose?

Pen and Watercolour

 

The Backdrop for a Borrowdale Wedding

Tim and I had a glorious few days in The Lake District celebrating my niece, Alice getting married to Joe. So wonderful to be part of their new journey together.

I took a tiny sketchbook with me and did a few drawings. 

 

Saturday, 19th August 2023 - Moon

I am very very very tired. We had a lovely dinner with Si and Lesley at Nick and Alli's last night but I was in bed by the time the calendar had turned from Friday to Saturday. I drove us home through rain, lightning and steaming roads. I had an early start tending to bnb guests adding to my tired state. Harriet, Herbie and briefly Hetty (Hetty was out with her archaeology group at Smallhythe Place) came to entertain me. We stripped the plum tree into Herbie's tractor trailer. I have made plum and redcurrant jam but it's looking a bit on the runny side as I type. I am hopeful of a perfect set by the morning.

The last day of Amy's challenge was yesterday so mine today is retrospective. The prompt was Moon. I used Daniel Smith watercolour paints Lunar Violet and Moonglow. Very appropriate I thought.

Thursday, 17th August 2023 - Art-Poem

I packed my painting easel, oil paints, brushes, canvas, watercolours and paper into the car and headed to meet up with other painters from WOKAS at The Trout Farm in Tenterden. I settled under a tree in the shade as it turned out to be a hot and steamy day. A watercolour painting went horribly wrong. I tore it into to four tiny pieces and turned it into my Art-Poem for Amy's Inchie Challenge. The poem is one that my sister wrote on a pottery bowl she made me. I love it very much. And my sister.

We celebrated the warm evening with wine and beer in the garden joined by a bnb guest. He has an interesting job where he works out a person's fat and muscle mass using a Dexa scan and advises how to optimise your body. That is very simply put he explained it a lot better. Interesting.

Wednesday, 16th August 2023 - River

Tim and I combined our talents to get guests breakfasted, then the table cleared (I love my dishwasher), rooms cleaned and a pile of ironing flattened so we would go to London. I left my robot hoover cleaning the kitchen floor for me. I have a Tate Modern membership and can take a friend. Today it was Tim. We went to see an exhibition of Klint - I had never heard of her and not that keen on her work, and Mondrian who I found very inspiring and have heard of. I love a walk along the Thames which was made even more glorious by the sun shining. We sat on a bench to people watch. So many people. I wondered what they were all doing? I thoroughly recommend the ice-cream cafe under the OXO Tower. I had coffee and pistachio which was the best I have ever had. 

Today's prompt from Amy was 'River'. I balanced myself on a pontoon and drew the Thames from four different vantage points.

Tuesday, 15th August 2023 - Fern

Sometimes progress through the day seems slow. It was one of those days today. I cannot blame it on my overindulgent lunch on Sunday still. Can I? My 'To Do' list is getting longer each day. One job crossed off and two more added. It's not been bad day but one where I felt the need to grumble and felt better for it.

Amy suggested Fern today. I got lost in patterns which was the perfect way to end my 'grumble' day.

Monday, 14th August 2023 - Box

I am very nearly ready for my book and bed. It's been a busy day and I am still recovering from the wine infused lunch I had yesterday which I am sure has slowed my progress. One room has been turned around and new guests are settled in. I had a meeting this afternoon with WOKAS. Future plans were helped with tea and custard cream biscuits. I took some dried allium head to scatter the seeds in the garden. On the drive home a lot got expelled onto the seat and floor. Wouldn't it be great if they germinated and I had a car full of alliums in the spring.

Amy's prompt today was Box. All were boxes that had a meaning for me. The lunchbox reminded me of my grandchildren. The tool box of my son-in-law. The Box Moth has rampaged through my hedge. We have bird boxes in the garden even though the birds prefer to nest in a pile of plastic plant pots. 

Sunday, 13th August 2023 - Touching

I squeezed a very quick yoga session in before cooking breakfast for a lovely family of five bed and breakfast guests. 

Tim and I took a train to London Bridge. It was a beautiful morning and we wandered along the river. Wow so many people. We stopped for a coffee and shared a chocolate Cannoli in a Sicilian cafe overlooking an amazing bronze sculpture called the Waterfall. We were then on time to go to The Ivy by Tower Bridge to celebrate Tim's friend and colleague Rowan's 70th birthday. We left five hours later and headed home. The first load of bed and breakfast linen is rumbling around the washing machine as I type.

I drew four Inchies on the train. The prompt from Amy today was Touching. The trees were touching each other as we passed by on the train as were the terraced houses. 

Saturday, 12th August 2023 - Four Knots

I have been doing bed and breakfast for over fifteen years. I still wake in the night to check that I have set my alarm and that I haven't missed my alarm and overslept. All was well this morning and I had plenty of time to prep breakfast.

This afternoon a tackled a very neglected flower bed under our dining room window. The shrubs have been trimmed to reveal a view of the garden.

Day 6 of Amy's challenge was Knot. I didn't know whether to do a rope knot, a celtic love knot, Knot the wading bird or knotweed ....so I did tiny pictures of them all while listening to an audio book. 

Friday, 11th August 2023 - Spill

It was a slow start after a latish night. If I go to bed after 10pm and I struggle to open my eyes in the morning. I am trying to keep the 'old' out Linda but it seems to be creeping in.

I made chocolate brownies and date and walnut cake in anticipation of the arrival of bed and breakfast guests. They declined my offer of tea and cake so we have a well stocked freezer.

I had a lovely time in my studio painting cards for a 70th birthday and a New Home. I could see Tim outside the window raking up leaves. We have a silvery leafed tree that likes to drop its leaves in August and unfortunately again in the autumn making a double leaf collection necessary. We are trying to build a heap of compost akin to the one at Great Dixter.

Today's prompt  from Amy was 'Spill'. I spilt some cerulean blue and then followed the pattern it created. 

Thursday, 10th August 2023 - Magnolia

It has been a sunny day to watch Tim cutting the hedge while I pottered.

A friend of ours set out at 4.30am and swam the channel. Ten hours and 40 minutes later he arrived in France. What an amazing feat of endurance. 

It was warm enough this evening to have a drink in the garden with our lovely tenants who will be leaving us soon.

Today's prompt from Amy was 'Magnolia'. Hmmm I had to think about this one.

Wednesday, 9th August 2023 - Bark

Our four new chickens are settling in well. They now come when I call them. Such an odd way of running. It amuses me. It won't be long before our burnt toast gets recycled into eggs.

Nick and Alli met us in Lamberhurst for breakfast at Teise and Coffee. I had halloumi, smashed avocado, mushrooms, tomatoes, toast and baked beans, oh and a couple of poached eggs - some of my favourite things. 

This evening we went to The Lord Raglan. The Morris danced as the sun was setting which was quite poetic as it was the last night of the season. Not being a singer or able to play an instrument I had a very enjoyable time listening to a great variety of music and watching a tear fall during an emotional rendition of D-Day Dodgers

Today's prompt from Amy was 'Bark'. I had a couple of failed attempts that have gone in the recycling.

Tuesday, 8th August 2023 - Woven

I took advantage of a non bnb morning and took to my yoga mat with a Rinse session with Adriene before my morning shower.

We had a lovely day with hungry Hetty, inquisitive Raffy, full of questions Herbie and their every patient Mum Harriet. I bought them a second hand book about The Wombles. I love the Wombles. We looked for one on our walk but discovered loads of different fungi instead. We found a small patch of Amethyst Deceivers which are a favourite of mine - such an amazing colour,

This afternoon we popped into see Brenda who was in fine spirits and always love a trawl through my latest photos of her great grandchildren.

We carried on into Hastings to The Stag for an evening of musical entertainment before heading home with a bag of chips.

Today's Inchie drawing prompt from Amy was woven. I had a few minutes of mindfulness whilst drawing.

Woven

Monday, 7th August 2023 - Frothy

Tom and Fable came and stayed for a few days. When Tom left I said I would try and get back into making a piece of art a day and write my Blog so we can keep in touch. A 12 day challenge came up on Instagram. It is a kind of mindful/meditation drawing set by Amy who runs Mindful Art Studio. She emails a word prompt each day. Today it was 'Frothy'. On pieces of paper 2" x 2" you let your imagination go. After I had finished cleaning the bed and breakfast rooms and potted up some rather root bound plants I allowed myself to start. I got totally engrossed in my drawing. I am sure it is very therapeutic.

Frothy

Pen on 2" x 2" paper

Tuesday, 4th July 2023 - Kale and a Sweetpea

Months ago my Tim was passing by a local farm shop and came home with black russian kale. It was the most delicious vegetable. In the spring I purchase as packet of russian kale seeds. The black variety I couldn't find. After sowing I had  prolific germination. My many seedlings have been shared to anyone who would take them leaving plenty for me to nurture in my vegetable patch. Tonight we had a crop with fish cakes. The stalks were a bit on the woody side but make good compost.

And my sweetpeas have at long last begun to flower. 

Kale and a Sweetpea

Pen and Watercolour

Saturday, 1st July 2023 - Grandfather and Grandson

Whilst our granddaughters were climbing in Tunbridge Wells we got the pleasure of having the company of our grandson. It was an early start and he arrived on our doorstep at 7.45am ready to entertain his grandparents. Herbie ate the spare poached egg I had cooked for bed and breakfast guests. Pizza dough was kneaded ready for lunch. Plants got watered as well as feet. KNex was connected. He did an interesting painting with water - it was named an 'invisible' painting! The rest of the family arrived later for a romp around the garden. Hetty and I saw so many little brown butterflies amongst the long grass meaning there is some good news on the way.

This evening we went to The Lord Raglan with friends. Earlier in the day I discussed what to have with my granddaughter Raffy. She recommended a gin and tonic and a burger. It was an excellent choice.

Grandfather and Grandson

Pen and Ink

Friday, 30th June 2023 - Rye Roof Tops

 While I was waiting for Tim who was at the dentist I balanced my sketchbook on a concrete post and did a bit of drawing. I have got over the fear of people looking over my shoulder and watching what I am doing. But I do find it difficult to talk and draw at the same time so they must think me very rude.

Rye Roof Tops

Pen and Ink

Wednesday, 31st May 2023 - The Viridians

Over the past few weeks I have had an influx of delightful bed and breakfast guests. After poaching many eggs this morning I had just enough time to stuff my washing machine with bedding before heading out to High Halden. The Viridians are a newly formed small group of oil painters. Today we painted in Wendy's garden discussing all things oily and a lot of talk about green.

Wendy's Pond

Oil

Artists at work

Saturday, 6th May 2023 - Coronation Colours

Tim and I took egg and salmon sandwiches to Fairlight. We drank a fine bottle of Cremont while watching Charles become King with Liz, Keith and Brenda who had watched the coronation 70 years ago. What a wonderful piece of history to be part of.

Back home and Tim spent the remainder of the afternoon taming the rampaging garden. I took to my studio and did a bit of work on a painting I started on Thursday during an outing to Water Lane with my art group.

Coronation Colours
Watercolour

Thursday, 27th April 2023 - Shingle Strolling

Forget Kegels. You just need to drive along our roads. Each hit of a pothole tightens those muscles beautifully in anticipation of a burst tyre.

Si, Lesley, Tim, Alli and I celebrated Nick's birthday on Tuesday with a trip to Dungeness. We had delicious fish and chips in The Pilot followed by a breezy walk on the boardwalk. 

Shingle Strolling
Pen and Watercolour

Sunday, 2nd April 2023

I have been playing around with Instagram reels to try and show my tiny sketch books.

 

Sunday, 12th March 2023 - A Bundle of Evans

We have got back from a weeks holiday with friends in the Alps. I had a happy time sketching and walking while the others skied the mad fools. I had tartiflette which is a traditional dish of the area. It's potato, onion baked in the oven with cheese melted on top with a sprinkling of bacon. Mighty delicious it was too. Good thing I was tramping up and down mountains to burn off the calories. The washing machine and tumble drier have been getting our smalls ready for going away tomorrow.

We missed Raffy's 10th birthday. I felt sad not to have celebrated it with her. Today they dropped in on their way to climbing in Tunbridge Wells. What a wonderful treat. It was lovely to to see them and be able to be with her to open her present. from us. Harriet helped us with the choice. It was an easel with oil, watercolour and acrylic paints, brushes and paper. I am sure Raff will have great fun creating. I would have loved a gift like that.

I am off to pack.

A Bundle of Evans
Pen and Watercolour

Tuesday, 7th March 2023 - Le Brairet to Sixt

I am on holiday with Tim in France. We travelled by train - many trains - which was a very enjoyable way to journey with a packed lunch of salmon rolls. Steve and Zoe are hosting us in their chalet in the Alps. We arrived on Saturday to sun and enough snow for the skiers and snowboarders. After many years of debutant classes, trying very hard but not enjoying being on the slopes I now pack my walking boots and tramp around.

I made a pocket sized sketchbook and walked to Sixt stopping to capture what I saw in pen and ink. Here is a video of my work which has taken the combined efforts of my husband Tim and my mate Fergus to decipher. Thank you to their patience and technical knowledge.

Monday, 27th February 2023 - Coffee at Blossom Home

Linda picked me up to go for coffee at Pippa's. A newly discovered treat was baking in the oven when we arrived. Waitrose now sell ready to bake Pasteis de Nata . They were hot and sweet and delicious. The snow from Kilndown had not followed us so we had a wander up Tenterden high street passing three en plein air artists painting in oils. They were just heading off to the pub for lunch. Not a bad way to spend a morning. We popped into Blossom Homestores for a coffee and lots and lots of chat. It was buzzing when we left. I resisted the temptation of a spotty mug.

Coffee at Blossom Home
Pen and Watercolour

Back home and a phone call sent me into a frantic frenzy of cleaning. I have bnb guests booked in for tomorrow and I wasn't quite prepared. I just need to add daffodils from the garden tomorrow.

This evening our art class exercise was a tonal study in charcoal. I am not keen on copying other artists but this was an excellent evening of learning.

Transcription of An Old Man by Boccaccino 
Charcoal

Sunday, 26th February 2023 - Hastings Stacks

We had tea and hot cross buns with Tim's mum at Old Hastings House. The view from the roof terrace is stunning.

We ate curry made from a jar of Goan curry sauce I found at the back of the larder. We are the first series of Happy Valley.... wow it is addictive.

My studio is spread with interesting experiments going on with knopper gall ink. I will show them tomorrow when they have finished migrating around the paper and dried.

Hastings Stacks
Watercolour

Friday, 24th February 2023 - A Mob of Sheep

My home has wafting smells of baked bread and simmering oak gall ink. An unusual combination.

Tim and I left the house today. We collected Tony and Wendy and drove to Rolvenden. We found a parking spot just outside The Star. An hour or so later we were back to The Star. I had some very lovely cider that they had to descend into the cellar to retrieve it. I thought it rude not to have another one. As we walked across the fields with the pub in our sights the sheep gathered on the horizon.

Back home and we have a plate of homemade bean burgers, coleslaw and chips while watching the first episode of Happy Valley which looks good entertainment so far.

A Mob of Sheep
Watercolour

Thursday, 23rd February 2023 - A Chorus of Crocus

After a catch up with family and friends I ventured into the garden to do some weeding. The flower beds were soggy with rain. It was a grey and cold. I did some vigorous raking to warm up and uncovered primroses and crocus.

My studio was warm and cosy this afternoon. I listened to the radio and did my homework for my art class in my art journal.

This evening Tim is in London having a slap up meal. My beans on toast was delicious.

A Chorus of Crocus
Watercolour

Wednesday, 22nd February 2023 - From Bud to Bloom

This morning I rested my sore throat by researching artists for inspiration and just because I love a trawl through their websites. This afternoon I togged up for some weeding of a flower bed to be greeted with rain. The greenhouse got my attention where I tidied with the company of a frog.

Tim and I are watching The Twelve. Tim has gone out for the evening. I have resisted watching the last 14 minutes until his return.

From Bud to Bloom
Pen and Watercolour

Tuesday, 21st February 2023 - A Nod of Snowdrops

I was driving to a meeting this morning. Road closure notices were all along the way. I carried on regardless and arrived at my destination without diversions. Satisfying being naughty sometimes.

The garden is beginning to burst with daffodils, crocuses and snowdrops accompanied by many varieties of weeds. I have been trying to gain control. It's going to take a while to find the plants under the weedy growth.

A Nod of Snowdrops
Watercolour

Sunday, 19th February 2023 - Siblings

Tim and I are home after an amazing few days away in The Netherlands at Efteling with Tom, Harriet, Brett, Hetty, Raffy and Herbie. We went three years ago. Raffy was not tall enough for some of the rides. I promised we would take her back when she had grown. We got a phone call from Raffy about six months ago to tell us she was now tall enough for the roller coaster rides. Of course we held our promise and took them back. Efteling is a beautiful theme park based around the Brothers Grimm stories. What a lot of memories we made.

There are an abundance of weeds springing up. I tackled a few of them today. 

Harriet and family dropped in this afternoon. Now they have gone.

Tom and Fable have gone.

The house is very quiet and empty.

Siblings
Pen and Watercolour

Thursday, 9th February 2023 - Burning Fallen Trees

I have been alone for the last week. I am not sure how a single person can make such a mess. The kitchen this morning was littered with art materials. I spent the morning going round in circles putting things in their rightful place before collecting Tim from his trip to Atlanta. It is good to have him home. I felt a bit lost without him.

I spent the afternoon at the hairdressers. The last time I had my hair cut by a professional was about four years ago, The hairdresser seemed amused by my husbands hair cutting technique of following the line on my striped t-shirt. I now have short, three toned, intentionally messy curls.

I came home to find a bonfire burning in our woods. We have fallen trees that will make lovely logs for the woodburner. There are loads of twiggy bits that are perfect for burning. I love a bonfire.

Burning Fallen Trees
Watercolour

La Maison Rose, Fongrave

Finding what to give to people for birthdays is fun sometimes a challenge. For Pippa I did a pen and watercolour of her house in France. It is stunning. I will be visiting as soon as my ensuite with running water is complete. You can follow the amazing progress Mike and Pippa on Instagram la_maisonrose_fongrave. 

Saturday, 28th January 2023 - Gathering at Spring Cottage

Hetty and Herbie came to play this morning. I briefly saw Hetty and Raffy in the car before they adventured off with Brett to Tunbridge Wells to climb. Brett send videos of the girls climbing. They are so agile. I am full of admiration. It terrifies me. I am happy to leave it to the young and flexible members of the family. Herbie is a delight. He has been learning about seahorses at school. He toasted a piece of bread to go with his scrambled eggs. It was a perfect seahorse shape. I learnt that seahorse babies are called 'fry'. I love being educated by my five year old grandson!

This evening we were the first to be invited to a dinner party in June and Barry's new kitchen. What a transformation. With Mike and Pippa, Ray and Linda we did our best with delicious food and copious amounts of wine and port to make it a wonderful inaugural evening of many dinner parties to come.

Gathering at Spring Cottage
Pen and Watercolour

Friday, 27th January 2023 - Yoga Legs

I am typing at my computer. My husband is out. I have a glass of sparkling wine, the wood burner is alight, there is red lentil dhal simmering on the cooker, I love Twiglets, I have eaten a packet while preparing the dhal .... I have a confession .... I am watching The Apprentice!!! What a load of plonkers. I just love it. They are making Bao buns ... never heard of them and they look pretty disgusting. When my husband comes home he will be served an alcohol infused wife serving him a red lentil.

Yoga Legs
Pen and Watercolour

Thursday, 26th January 2023 - Homemade Oven Chips

Dogs, cobras and pigeons joined my on my yoga mat along with a couple of grumpy planks.

I am very happy my phone is working again. A tedious task of making beds is so much easier when I have my daughter to chat to and tell me stories about the grandchildren. 

I was looking for a man's waistcoat. My visit to a fifth charity shop proved fruitful. There was even a choice. I felt very pleased with my achievement.

This afternoon I ate three ginger biscuits during a Weald of Kent Art Society committee meeting. The occasional diversion from the agenda made for a fun couple of hours. The annual exhibition was clarified, an open day being worked out, demonstrations, creative meetings and art challenges discussed. There are a couple of items with my name. The future of the society is looking positive.

We had fish and chips for dinner. Tim made the chips. I microwaved the mushy peas. Not sure the division of jobs was quite even. We watched Nine Perfect Strangers. What a twisted plot. Nicole Kidman gives me the heebie-jeebies. 

I blame my scribbly sketch on being a bit tired. Goodnight.

Homemade Oven Chips
Pen and Watercolour

Wednesday, 25th January 2023 - From Scraps to Eggs

I came down to empty the dishwasher and make a mug of tea. The cat came winding her way through my legs when I opened the fridge to retrieve the milk. I gave her her morning cheese. She didn't eat it. She always eats cheese. I think she was feeling under the weather. This evening she is back to eating her cheese. No trip to the vet needed today.

My water damaged phone has been mended and returned. I am so pleased to have it back. 

The chickens got the cats rejected morning cheese along with some old bread. They are good at recycling.

From Scraps to Eggs

Charcoal and Watercolour

Tuesday, 24th January 2023 - Potted

I harvested and saved the seeds from last years sweetpeas. After soaking on my windowsill I took them down to my potting bench. I have decided on an experiment. Half are in my unheated greenhouse buried in pots of compost. The other half have come into the warmth of the utility room under the comfort of compost. Which are going to be the first to germinate? Which is going to survive the ravages of slugs? Are they going to flower? What an exciting experiment!!!

Potted
Charcoal and Watercolour

Monday, 23rd January 2023 - Knopper Oak Gall

After a long and lazy few weeks I got back on the yoga mat with Adriene. She does a monthly calendar with different exercises each day. I love the variety. I don't think my muscles agree. I am soooo unbendy. 

Back in the autumn I was wondering over the grounds of Benenden School. There was an oak tree heaving with oak galls. They ended up in my pockets. I have a bowl of them waiting in my studio to be ground into ink. My book A Forager's Guide to Natural Inkmaking is off the bookshelf and open with the recipe waiting. I need to find something to grind the galls. I will have a rummage through the kitchen cupboards. I love their spiky appearance and how they cling onto the acorns. They are going to take some prising to get them apart. They make a great subject to drawn and paint.

Knopper Oak Gall
Pen and Watercolour