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.