Wednesday, 20th November 2024 - Cherries

Wow what a beautiful morning. Stunning sunrise over a frosty garden. That got me out of bed - plus the need for tea and a wee. Yes and in that order.

Our chickens are laying an egg a day. Having four hens that is a lot of eggs. My guests had scrambled eggs for breakfast and I soft boiled nine eggs for my lunch over the next few days. The clutch of eggs is receding. Michael Mosley said that a boiled egg is a good alternative to a packet of crisps!!!! Can't quite see the similarity but I have plenty of crisp substitutes in the fridge.

The new audio book I had was like listening to a load of fluff. Total meaningless drivel. I gave up and have started a new murder mystery which is much more entertaining. I needed it while I was printing the last of our Christmas cards.

Tim came home from Brussels with a gift of a bottle of gin, a bottle of Kreik and a bar of dark chocolate. Week 3 Day 3 I have chosen fruit for Kalie Graves challenge. My bottle of Kreik is cherry flavoured.

Cherries
Pen and Watercolour
235/366

Tuesday, 19th November 2024 - Blue and Yellow make Green

I am a little jealous of my son. In Benenden we have had heavy rain and wind. Tom has had lovely snow in Northampton. 

I like knitting but not done for ages. I follow Sabrina-Rose Benedict on Instagram. She makes amazing blankets and more by finger knitting. Quite mesmerising to watch. A few weeks ago she posted 'guess the number of balls of wool' for her Stuffies - adorable animals. Wow, I guessed correctly and she has sent me an Ollie the Octopus kit. It arrived yesterday all the way from the US. Beautifully packed with tutorials and instructions. I will have fun making it. Who will I give it to?

Today's postcard is of my octopus prize. Another day of pushing the boundaries. Kalie Graves challenge choice for today is 'blue'. I needed blue watercolour with yellow to make the green I used in my painting.

Blue and Yellow make Green
Pen and Watercolour
324/366

Monday, 18th November 2024 - Mine all Mine

I bought some red roses to put in the bed and breakfast room. I have kept them for myself. The guests to have alternative flowers.

The Viridians met up today. I couldn't go as I was waiting for a delivery. Do you get FOMO? The frustrating thing was the delivery was late - very late. Damn it I could have been with my painting buddies.

I heard today that another of our friends have had an offer on their house and will be moving away. That makes two recently and I know one other has itchy feet. Makes me think maybe I would like to move? I am very happy where I am and Tim has just painted the windows so I am staying put. I look forward to visiting them in their new homes.

Today is Week 3 Day 1 of Kalie Graves art challenge. I am going with the prompt of floral. I have kept it monochrome to match my mood. I have got blue and vegetable to explore. It has been great seeing the other artists work. Very inspiring.

Mine all Mine
Indian Ink
323/366

Sunday, 17th November 2024 - Mycobiota

I set my robot hoover off and went to have a shower. They are meant to be time saving devices but not when you spend 20 minutes looking for the damn thing to find it has wrapped itself up in the Alexa wire. Maybe there is an assignation going on between the two? 

Tim is in Brussels for a couple of days. I have hinted I would like a bottle of Kreik beer. I will let you know if it materialises.

I made bread and a cherry cake for bed and breakfast guests. They didn't want any cake!!! I am going to have to freeze it before I eat another slice.

I had a dinner of salmon on couscous with a glass of red wine. Even though Tim was not with me I was not alone. Conrad from The Resident kept me company. Nothing better than a medical drama on a Sunday evening.

I have been raking leaves in the sunshine. There was some amazing fungi growing where I dumped the leaves. Week 2 of Kalie Graves art challenge they made perfect well behaved models. Green combined with texture made from cling film.

Mycobiota
Watercolour
322/366

Saturday, 16th November 2024 - Gin for Recovery

I thought it was Sunday today. My son corrected me when I asked if he was having a good Sunday!!! I have an extra day which is excellent.

Adriene took me through an hour long yoga session. Just over halfway through the battery died on my computer. I was very tempted to give up and go and have a coffee. I was so proud of myself. I folded some washing and put our knickers in the drawers. Long enough for Adriene to recharge. I went back into being a warrior and very pleased when we ended with a corpse pose.

I have been printing Christmas cards to send out to friends and family. Little Holt provided me with the space but it was damn chilly. With a bobble hat, thermal socks and a coat I was perfectly warm printing over 130 linoprints. 

Today's postcard is for a very good friend who is going through a difficult time. She loves a Bombay Sapphire and tonic. Just what is needed when times are tough. It also ties in with Kalie Graves art challenge of shiny.

Gin for Recovery
Watercolour
321/366 

Friday, 15th November 2024 - A Maple Tree for Good Luck and Prosperity

Tim and I planned to go out today. It is now gone 8pm and we didn't venture further than the bottom of the garden. The trees are busy dropping their leaves. We have three acres and over half of it is planted with trees. Many trees many leaves. The garden does look pretty with a carpet of yellow/orange foliage. Unfortunately it ruins the grass and makes the paths slippery. I hate falling over. We raked up five builders bags from the drive today. That's my cardio done for the day!

Week 2 Day 5 of Kalie Graves art challenge I have gone with texture. We have a maple tree in the garden that is stunning at the moment with its show of red leaves. I used a bristle brush for the texture of the leaves as taught to me by Graham Lock.

A Maple Tree for Good Luck and Prosperity
Watercolour
320/366

Thursday, 14th November 2024 - Mylor Churchtown, Falmouth

 Harriet was with us for coffee. I set her to work sticking prices on my greetings cards and winding wool. Last autumn I made myself a lovely chunky knit cardigan. It was enormous. The wool is lovely. I am unknitting it. I plan to get at least two jumpers and possibly a hat?!? I enjoy knitting and look forward to my project. I took Harriet into the dentist for a tooth removal. I was concerned she would be shocked as it was a big back one. The tooth was in much better condition than anticipated. I took her back to our house and set her to work again. I really miss her company from when she lived next door and we chatted over our morning coffee. 

This evening I was with WOKAS at a guided pastel landscape demonstration by Judy Tippler. Not my media so I was feeling apprehensive. I went as I had the tea and coffee bag. It turned out to be one of those unexpected enjoyable evenings. We have a very friendly interesting group of artists that have built up over the past few years. Great fun.

Today's Connected Postcard is of Falmouth where we went in August. I liked the fields and the lonely sailing boat. A hesitant pastel. It is going under the vague remit of 'green' for Kalie Graves art challenge. 

Mylor Churchtown, Falmouth
Rembrandt Pastels
319/366 

Wednesday, 13th November 2024 - Survived the Gastropods

My bed and breakfast guests requested scrambled and poached eggs. Scrambled perfect. Poached was another matter. The water was too hot. I put the eggs in too slowly. The yolk and white departed company. Guess what Tim and I had for breakfast? I redeemed myself with the next ones that were well behaved and the guests were none the wiser.

Harriet kept me entertained while I was making beds with a video call. Thank you for keeping me company. 

Today's Connected Postcard is a combination of Kalie Graves art challenge textile and Amy Maricle's slow drawing mindful session 'pincushion'. Inspiration came from a leggy chrysanthemum that has battled slugs, snails, wind and rain battling on to eventually flower. 

Survived the Gastropods
Pen and Watercolour
318/366 

Tuesday, 12th November 2024 - Eucalyptus to Negate the Negative

Yesterday I saw no one. Today people have been coming and going all day. Tim went out and returned with paint, wood filler, hooks and six bottles of wine. Tony came to collect our rotten window drip bars and gave us an oven ready pheasant. He's going to make new ones. Clive and John came to look at possible lights for the next WOKAS art exhibition.  A very jolly parcel delivery driver who could hardly see out his windows for packages dropped off tins of paint. A rained on Amazon delivery driver gave me a parcel for Harriet's advent calendar. A pair of bed and breakfast guests arrived. Tim went out to visit a friend in hospital who now has a new hip. 

We have had a quiet evening eating soup Tim made and leftover apple crumble. We are watching a new series Paris has Fallen - excellent so far if a bit violent.

Week 2 and Day 2 of the art challenge. I couldn't decide what to do until I was putting out the recycling and saw the eucalyptus tree looking majestic. Its new leaves are round, older ones are ... well leaf shaped. Interesting I thought. That's my model for today. Oh and my chosen word is 'green'. I still have shiny and texture to explore.

Eucalyptus to Negate the Negative
Pen and Watercolour
317/366

Monday, 11th November 2024 - Fields of Green and Pink

My Tescos delivery man had not qualms about delivering my groceries with me in my yoga kit. It's very old and tatty but soooo comfortable. We are now stocked up with delights for the week. Adriene took me through a very stretchy yoga sequence. She praised me for breathing!. I do hold my breath when concentrating so it was very useful to remind me to breath. 

I have been working on a linocut for our Christmas card today. I have had a thoroughly enjoyable time in my studio with Radio 4, then Times Radio and finished with a murder mystery on an audio book. I have great anticipation that it will be delightful. 

Today Kalie Graves has set those who are participating three new prompts for this week. We have green, shiny and textile. Day 8 is going to be green. On our walk with Tony and Wendy on Saturday we wandered through some beautiful countryside. I was taken with this view over Rye Foreign with its pink field. I have been twitching to paint it. That's my postcard for today.

Fields of Green and Pink
Watercolour
316/366

Sunday, 10th November 2024 - Tarnished

It has been charmingly quiet at The Holt today. I have made smoked mackerel pate from some bargain purchases we got in Jempsons yesterday. Jempsons is a bit like Marmite - you either love it or hate it. I am not totally in love but do enjoy a wander along their aisles as they have some intriguing bits and pieces. They had loads of Christmas stuff. I was tempted by a felt dragon to hang on our tree. I left it for someone else to enjoy. We also have a Bramley apple crumble. I threw in a few dried cherries. We have a massive bag of them bought for a pheasant recipe. Such a rebel. I think I need to get out more!!!

Today's postcard is of a camellia. Mum gave it to Tim years ago and it had been struggling as I planted it too close to an old hedge. The hedge was taken out a couple of years ago and it is now thriving. I thought it was an unusual prostrate form. I investigated it as I cut a sprig to paint. I think is has just grown horizontal due to hedge abuse. It's just a bog standard autumn flowering form. 

Day 7 of Kalie Graves art challenge. I went for metal. I painted a very tiny tarnished silver vase that belonged to my Mum. She used to do the most exquisite cake decorating and won many prizes. This would have adorned a tiered cake with tiny icing flowers in it. 

Tarnished
Pen and Watercolour
315/366

Saturday, 9th November 2024 - Water Works Taproom

I spent this morning in my studio painting greetings cards - robins, bluetits, wrens and long tailed tits. I did a bit of tidying up and came across a box. It contained the ring and necklace Mum was wearing when she died. My stomach and heart did that funny squeezy thing and I shed a few tears. I miss my Mum.

After two soft boiled eggs for lunch Tony and Wendy came and collected us. We drove to Peasmarsh. Armed with a couple of maps covered in many footpaths we headed off. Autumn has arrived. I was glad to be wearing my coat and scarf to keep the chill out. Tim and Wendy led the way across many fields with only a couple of wrong turns. Ten thousand steps later we were back where we started. It just so happened we were right next to the Water Works Taproom. It would have been misjudged not to pop in for a drink and Tony was very thirsty. It was buzzing with wooly hat clad people.

Day 6 of @kalie.graves.art art challenge. Today’s painting could loosely go under the title of metal … there are metal barrels stacked against a wall!!!

Water Works Taproom
Pen and Watercolour
314/366

Friday, 8th November 2024 - Coffee Pot and Mug

 It is just before 7pm and I am sitting typing with the woodburner for company. Tim has gone to the pub with Si and Nick. I have a white wine spritzer so I am not feeling left out of having a Friday night drink. We have found some firelights that are made from wax and wood. So much nicer than the stinky paraffin ones. I was dubious of their ability to light a fire as they are tiny and instructions are for just one. But they are excellent.

Tim and I met Harriet in Cranbrook. We had another look around The Cranbrook Art Show. You must go if you're in the area. It is open tomorrow 10-5pm. We went for coffee in Arthurs. It was full. Wendy's was packed but we found a table. It was so good to talk with Harriet about what they are up to. Very very happy. Very very busy. She is encouraging me to enter some work into The Royal Academy Summer Show - I will if she does. Great fun and exciting.

After leaving Harriet we drove to Merriments. I had read yesterday that they are closing and all the plants are half price. You know how Tim and I like a bargain. There were cars parked along the road, queuing to get into the carpark and a long line of people with plants and trolleys. We turned around and went to Waitrose where I topped up my tangerine supply.

Day 5 of @kalie.graves.art art challenge I chose metaI. Tim’s coffee pot was perfect but damn difficult.

Coffee Pot and Mug
Watercolour
313/366

Thursday, 7th November 2024 - Blue Jug and Tangerines

I had a rescheduled date with Alli and Suzy. We met in Cranbrook and wandered around the Cranbrook Art Show. What a beautifully curated exhibition. I was very taken with the wire birds made by Beverley Drury. There was some abstract work. It is an art form that I find very difficult to make without it looking like a two year old did it. Semi abstract is something I would like to have a go at when I have finished my postcard project. After the show we went to Arthur's for a very long chatty lunch. Such a lovely few hours thank you Alli and Suzy.

For Day 4 of Kalie Graves art challenge the theme of fruit was an easy option. I have a bowl of tangerines sitting on the kitchen table in front of me. I teemed them up with my favourite spotty jug. Perfect partners. 

Blue Jug and Tangerines
Watercolour
312/366

Wednesday, 6th November 2024 - Benenden Village in Misty Grey

Refurbishment of the windows continues at The Holt. I have been aiding Tim by putting the screws back in the hinges while he juggles with the windows. None have been broken yet. It is beginning to feel like the 'fourth bridge'. I am very fortunate to have a very jolly husband who is positive. I would be feeling defeated.

We had a delivery of cinnamon buns and tangerines and medicine for me from Lindsey this morning. All she wanted in return was a mug of tea. The exchange was biased towards Tim and I but the buns were delicious. 

Tim and I went for a walk to post my Connected Postcards. We met Roger and spent a bit of time at Susan's grave together. So many memories. It was one of those incredibly misty afternoons where the cloud is so low it is dripping on you. A perfect subject for Day 3 of Kalie Graves challenge - 'grey'.

Benenden Village in Misty Grey
Watercolour
311/366

 

Tuesday, 5th November 2024 - Waterdrops in Grey

For today's challenge from Kalie Graves I chose grey. I am continuing with my Connected Postcard project. For those who might not know about it every day in 2024 I am paining or printing a postcard and sending it the friends and family. I have had some lovely messages from recipients. Some have been sent on, some kept and some framed and put on walls. 

I am working on a commission for a friend. It is in the final stages and occupying the desk in my studio. I always get slightly anxious as to how it will be received. I get around this by letting the commissioner decide if they like it or not. If they don't I keep it and don't ask for any payment. If they do I get to buy more tubes of paint.

I have had all my cleaning materials out today. Our double bed and breakfast room has beautifully painted windows - thank you to my husband for an excellent job. I needed to get the rest of the room just as sparkly. Now it is ready for friends to stay on Sunday. 

Waterdrops in Grey
Watercolour
310/366

Monday. 4th November 2024 - Pumpkins in Watercolour and oil

The Viridians met up today. We haven't met for a while and needed to get back to serious painting practice. Leelee provided the venue and bread and soup. Clive provided artistic guidance. Alison critiqued our work. Wendy and Ted provided company and entertainment. It was a few hours of hard work with our paints and brushes. Thoroughly enjoyable.

I am doing a three week art challenge set by Kalie Graves. She is an artist I have been following for a while. She works in oils alla prima. Here is today's using the theme of fruit. I could have chosen metal or grey. Maybe tomorrow. I love a challenge.

Pumpkins in Watercolour 309/366

Pumpkins in Oil

Sunday, 3rd November 2024 - Ancient Fushia

My mind is like a ping pong ball. It goes from one thought to another. Sometimes I don't know what is happening but as long it is happy I am happy.

I wandered into the kitchen with while my L'Oreal hair dye was cooking. Tim was making pasties. He made excess filling that he made into soup. I have been totally spoilt today. The soup was delicious for lunch and we had the pasties that had the best crispy pastry. I had an excellent husband.

We are watching The Resident - not a murder mystery but a medical drama. Tim is being very patient letting me watch the series. His choice next.

Today's postcard is of a fuchsia that we have in a tub on our drive. It is very old and has been with us ofr many year and been through freezing winters and steaming summers, being thrown out of its pot by reversing cars. It still comes back with beautiful ballerina flowers. 

Ancient Fushia
Pen and Watercolour
308/366

Saturday, 2nd November 2024 - Happy Memories

I woke up this morning still feeling full of the delicious dinner Pippa had cooked us last night. I was worried I wouldn't be feeling hungry by lunchtime. Steve and Zoe were dropping in and we had a table booked at the Bell and Jorrocks for lunch. My worries were totally unfounded. The Ploughman's was too good not to eat. Shame I wasn't doing any ploughing this afternoon to burn off the calories.

Tim and I bravely left the warmth of the woodburner and walked to the end of the drive to watch the Benenden fireworks. Then we came back and had soup and toast. The soup was served in the bowls and on oval plates that belonged to Tim's Mum. We had many bowls of Brenda's homemade soup at Wendletrap. Happy memories. 

Happy Memories
Pen and Watercolour
307/366

Friday, 1st November 2024 - Foggy Day

 Today's postcard is of the foggy morning we had. Later it turned out to be a beautiful day. Mostly due to it being Herbie's 7th birthday. Wow how far that little chap has come in his seven years. I am so proud of him. We were lucky that it is half term so he could come and see us. Delighted that he chose to come to us on his birthday. We had a very happy few hours. I did a simple treasure hunt in the garden. The end was his presents with balloons on the trampoline. I cleared the trampoline of leaves and debris this morning. It's a strange feeling under your feet. Not sure why the children enjoy it quite so much. Harriet made an excellent birthday cake with a candle fountain much to Herb's delight. I do love a birthday. Happy happy birthday Herbie you are a little wonder.

Tonight we off out to Mike and Pippa's for dinner. Perfect to wind down after playing with the grandchildren. 

Foggy Day
Watercolour
306/366

Thursday, 31st October 2024 - Cosmos for Arthur

I have had another day of doing 'stuff' and very important birthday preparation for Herbie's 7th birthday tomorrow. Tim continued his painting window mission. The scaffolding has now been moved to the rear of the house for the next window refurbishment. 

This evening I spent the evening with WOKAS. Our president Graham gave a very in depth and informative talk and demonstration on the do and don'ts of watercolour. Loved his tip on using bristle brushes for texture and splatter. It is still one of my favourite mediums to work in. Alison and I were on tea duty as Jenny-the-tea was away. 

There is a new grandson amongst our friends. Welcome Arthur. Today's postcard is a linocut of cosmos the birth flower for October.

Cosmos for Arther
Linocut
305/366

Wednesday, 30th October 2024 - Cinnamon Buns

 I met with Mercedes and Lindsey. I love listening to people's stories. They are so much more interesting than my own. We had chocolate eclairs and my favourite buns - the ones swirled with cinnamon and sugar. 

Herbie's birthday is on Friday. He wants to come to our house to celebrate. How lovely is that? I am thinking of doing a treasure hunt and went to this amazing toy shop in Hawkhurst and got some fun bits. There was a lady in there buying presents for her family. She had just turned 100 years old. Wow I thought as I noticed her manicured nails, she was amazing.  I should have asked her what tips she had on physical and mental longevity. Now I will never know!!!

Cinnamon Buns
Pen and Watercolour
304/366

Tuesday, 29th October 2024 - Autumn in Portrait

I had a charming morning with Sarah. We had coffee and a shared bacon roll - yes, with chilli jam and then another coffee as we had lots to talk about. Wendy's is our favourite place to meet in Cranbrook. After we headed into the Hospice in the Weald shop. It was packed with people. I had to queue to buy books for my granddaughters and a board game. The volunteer looked shattered and deflated as her colleague said she was off for a sit down leaving the poor woman with a huge queue to deal with. Sarah and I sat on a bench in the sun and tried to decipher how board game for seven year olds worked. It is based on hieroglyphs and has a very cute scarab beetle.

I made the perfect dinner for a Tuesday evening. It was a Michael Mosely thick tasty vegetable soup recipe. Delicious with toast in front of the crackling woodburner.

Autumn in Portrait
Watercolour
303/366

Monday, 28th October 2024 - Autumn Colours

 I love waking up and looking out our bedroom window to see how autumn is turning the trees. Such beautiful colours. Good inspiration for today's postcard.

Tim has been forging on painting our windows. It's been a bigger task with rotten bits of wood needing replacing. They are looking great.

I had a WOKAS committee meeting. We had lunch at The Woolpack which sounds very decadent for a Monday. The crayfish roll I had certainly was. There was an ulterior motive. We were investigating the barn behind the pub to see if would be a suitable venue for our next art exhibition. Looks like with a bit of tweeking it will be perfect.

I love these evenings where we can light the woodburner. We had a new one put in about six months ago. It is going to get good use. There is something very comforting about a fire.

Atumn Colours
Watercolour
302/366

Sunday, 27th October 2024 - Cold Cure

My cold has been hanging on but I have found the perfect cure... an afternoon out with my husband, sister and friends listening to live music played by The Stings at The Printhouse in Tenterden drinking wine... I am cured and feel so much better.

Cold Cure
Pen and Watercolour
300/366 

Saturday, 26th October 2024 - Spindleberry

Tea and Lempsip have been keeping my cold under control. It is still hanging on in there and making me a little grumpy. Tim being very patient with my tetchy mood. 

I have a busy day filling the greenhouse with pots and pots of tulip and daffodil bulbs. Some from Tescos and the others our gift from The Netherlands. I planted them along with lots of worms. They have old plates on top to keep the mice off.  

Tim has been up the scaffolding painting our flaky windows. They are looking very smart ready and protected for an enslaught of the winter weather.

I had a wander around the garden with my coffee and came across loads of spindleberries in the hedges. They are such an odd looking berry with their bright yellow seedy middles. Great for today's postcard.

Spindleberry
Pen and Watercolour
299/366

Friday, 25th October 2024 - Ballerina and Martinette

We had to move an armchair and a sofa out of the kitchen yesterday to make room for a big enough table to seat 16. It does mean that today we have been able to clean places that are hidden under armchairs and sofas. While cleaning I thought about our friends who came last night and what a wonderful group of people they are. We are very fortunate to have such lovely people around us.

The postman gave me a parcel. What a lovely surprise. Guests that stayed with us back in the summer have sent us tulip and daffodil bulbs to brighten up us in the spring. What a thoughtful thing to do. The bulbs are the inspiration for today's postcard.

Tonight's dinner was leftovers of pheasant tagine, coucsous (do you know how easy it is to cook?) and beans followed by stewed apples and nut brittle (eaten with care unless you want a broken tooth). Excellent when you don't feel like cooking.

Dinner Party
Pen and Watercolour
297/366

Thursday, 24th October 2024 - Dinner Party

Happy 66th birthday to Tim. Now the proud owner of a free bus pass. You will see him waving front the top deck as he passes by when there is a bus as they are very few and far between.

Tim's birthday present from me was to hold a dinner party. I had vowed never to host more than eight friends. Tonight we had 16 of us seated around a very long table. It was a generous gift.  I love planning the menu. I love doing the cooking. I love having friends over for dinner. I love making the table look charming with ribbons on the napkins and candles. I don't even mind the clearing up. What I do not like is when they leave and I haven't had a chance to talk to them all evening. Thank you to everyone who came and shared a wonderful evening with us. I will catch up on the missing conversation soon.

Dinner Party 

Pen and Watercolour

297/366

Wednesday, 23rd October 2024 - Turmeric Shot

I am recovering from a stinking cold. Lindsey came over with restorative treats. I have healing tea, tangerines with vitamin C, a ginger shot and a turmeric shot. I was a bit apprehensive about the shots but they were surprisingly delightful. Thank you for making me feel better.

Today I have been cooking in preparation for a dinner party tomorrow. I thought of my mum as I was lining the tart tins. She loved cooking. The pheasants are marinading, the coconut tarts cooling and bramley apples stewed. 

Turmeric Shot
Pen and Watercolour
296/366

Tuesday, 22nd October 2024 - Pheasant

It was tempting to hide in the back seat of my guests car. They were off to Dungeness. Unfortunately by the time I had dropped Tim off at the station they had left. I came home with chicken feed, bird seed and four pheasants. Lindsey was on my doorstep which was the perfect timing for a mug of tea. She has given me a book about a Hare. So thoughtful. I can't wait to start reading it.

We have pheasants in the garden. We have oven ready pheasants in the fridge.

Pheasant
Pen and Watercolour
295/366

Monday, 21st October 2024 - Single Rose

Monday has been a good day to catch up with what Harriet and Tom got up to over the weekend. Excellent and too much for write about. We talked about Christmas plans. I am a big fan of Christmas. We talked about Herbie's birthday plans. I am a big fan of birthdays. Happy children make a happy mother.

Do you ever have FOMO. I have it today. My bnb guests arrived. I asked them as to their plans. They are spending three days visiting gardens and evenings eating at pubs. Sounds very appealing. I will get them to tell me about their days and plan my future days out.

I have roses to put in the bed and breakfast rooms. I kept a single bloom for myself and it has made a lovely model for today's postcard.

Single Rose
Pen and Watercolour
294/366

Sunday, 20th October 2024 - Adam and Eve's Pears

The local farm shop has its autumn apples and pears back in stock. Tim likes a soft pappy apple. I like a crisp one. There is no fighting over our fruit bowl. The pears are perfect with a chunk of cheddar cheese.

Not much has been happening outside our home today. The wild wind and rain kept us inside where we have been very busy. Tim has been refurbishing our radiators. We are replacing the steel panelled ones with the older 'school' type. They look much more charming. I have been cleaning rooms, washing and ironing while listening to an audio book. Not the most adventurous day but good jobs done.

We have been watching Capital. I found the finish frustrating. Too many stories left dangling.

Adam and Eve's Pears
Watercolour
294/366

Saturday, 19th October 2024 - Hare

It was our Weald of Kent Art Society open day and art sale in Tenterden today. 17 charming artists set up their wares. The event is to show the folks of Tenterden what we do and to entice in new members. The rain was incessant this morning but a sunny afternoon brought many visitors, sales and new members. A very jolly event. I did a linocut of a hare during quiet spells. I am going to ask Mike and Pippa for an invitation to their house in Fongrave so I can see a real one.

Hare
Linocut
293/366

Friday, 18th October 2024 - Angry Bluetit

I had both bnb rooms to do today. I started with great energy and got one turned around, by the time the second room was vacated I had waned in energy. I wanted to be in my studio getting ready for tomorrow's open day. So I abandoned stripping the bed and cleaning the toilet. My day of arty creating was just what I wanted and needed. 

I had a sandwich in the garden. It was so warm for an October day. I watched blue tits battling with the now feisty nuthatch. The blue bits looked sooo cross. Perfect for today's postcard.

Angry Bluetit
Watercolour
292/366

Thursday, 17th October 2024 - Foraging for Sorrel

My culinary skills were put to the test this morning with poached eggs, scrambled eggs, toasting bread, baking pain au chocolate and slicing fresh fruit salad. I jest. A full English breakfast is a thing of the past that I do not regret taking off my breakfast menu. And now I get to stay in bed for an extra half an hour. 

I have been printing lino prints in my studio. Some have been upside down and back to front. What a messy process. It's very relaxing and pleasing when they come out the right way round. It was text that I was experimenting with today.

A recipe in a soup book got Tim and I on a foraging mission. We were looking for sorrel. The first field yielded very little. Nothing in the woods. A field next to lake was peppered with the delightful spear shaped plants. Our harvest is being make into soup as I type. We are testing a recipe for an upcoming dinner party.

Tonight I am off to watch Tom Marsh demonstrate something in oils with the WOKAS group. 

Foraging for Sorrel
Pen and Watercolour
291/366

Wednesday, 16th October 2024 - Sweet Chestnuts for Wisdom

I woke up alone. Tim had left and gone to London before my eyes had opened. A mug of tea kept me company to start my Wednesday. 

I have been going through photos to make up a poster for the WOKAS Open Day on Saturday. Seeing pictures of the grandchildren as babies, toddlers and the antics they got up to and the defeats they have made me feel squeezy of my heart - I love them so much.

The trees are turning and the ripening sweet chestnuts are being closely watched by the squirrels.

Sweet chestnuts for wisdom
Pen and Watercolour
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Tuesday, 15th October 2024 - Favourite Fields

I have been in my studio (I love my studio) printing linocut cards for the WOKAS open day this coming Saturday in Tenterden. We are in Highbury Hall that is not the most exclusive of venues but excellent for its location. Pop in is you are passing.

I have been experimenting with our air fryer. It cooks fish tastily. I tried chips to go with our cod. They tasted more like crips. I will persevere. 

Today's postcard is of a view of fields that we walk frequently. Sometimes alone, sometimes with Tom and Fable, sometimes with family and sometimes with friends. I would like to show it to Tom's friend when she visits next time.

Favourite Fields
Watercolour
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Monday, 14th October 2024 - Two Scottish Otters

This morning Lindsey dropped in. We had tea. I love hearing about her weekend adventures.

Later Ray came by with a misbehaving phone. It mended itself! Over coffee we chatted about 'to move or not to move'. 

Tim and I went for a misty walk through the soggy fields of Benenden this afternoon. We both needed to stretch our lazy legs.

Bill, my bed and breakfast guest, knew of my passion for making art. He paid with a Scottish ten pound note as he thought I would like the image on the back of two otters. I did and do. Today's postcard is my linocut interpretation of the otters. Thank you Bill for your thoughtfulness.

Two Scottish Otters
Linocut
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Sunday, 13th October 2024 - Nigel's Russets

We had an excellent meal at a very busy and friendly Salehurst Halt last night. Sarah and I shared a many layered starter with crispy choizo, black pudding, avocado, black beans on a tiny round of flat bread - absolutely delicious. The rose wine was pétillant which I like very much. I had short rib baised beef with a rich sauce and polenta with shavings of parmesan. Chatting with friends is a lovely way to spend a Saturday evening. I slept very well and had to set my alarm so I was up and ready to poach eggs for our bnb guests.

Tim has been hedge cutting. I gave a hand with the clearing and started a bonfire that quickly turned from flames to smoke to nothing at all. It needs to dry out a lot. I love a bonfire. It is ready for attention on another day.

Nigel gave Tim a bag of his favourite apples. They are russets. The perfect model for today's postcard.

Nigel's Russets
Watercolour
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Saturday, 12th October 2024 - Hesperantha coccinea that's not coccinea

 Lindsey gave me this plant a few years ago. I have divided it and have four pots in my greenhouse. At this time of year it sends up spears of pink flowers. It should be put out into the garden but so many plants disappear in our flower beds I don't want to risk losing it to the slugs/snails/deer or rotting in our water clogged clay. I might be a devil and plant one out as an experiment. It's name is and isn't correct. It is a hesperantha coccinea but coccinea means red and mine is triumphant in its pinkness.

We have sparkling windows, weatherboard and cars. Tim got his brush with its hose attachment out!!!!

I must go and change my blouse and put on my green necklace. We are off to dinner with Sarah and Nigel at The Salehurst Halt. I am very much looking forward to an evening out. Tim had lobster risotto at The Savoy last night. That is probably not on the menu this evening. I will tell you any intriguing stories tomorrow.

Hesperantha coccinea that's not coccinea 

Pen and Watercolour

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Friday, 11th October 2024 - Lucky Black Cat

Lindsey and I headed into Tenterden this morning. We were on a mission to find a small gift to post to our brother. He's not feeling at his best and had to cancel a trip to see us a while ago. We both love a wander around the shops. We were examined the glorious books in Waterstones. I returned a blouse to White Stuff and got cash back in my wallet. I returned a bag to another shop and left annoyed that I had been given a credit note. Brett and James are replacing some very very rotten timber beams in one of the shops. Brett came up with the marvellous idea of getting Chris some Tiger balm. Excellent. We found it in Boots with vitamin D tablets and a little gift for my advent calendar collection for Harriet, this is a secret so don't tell her!!! The Grape Tree added to our shopping with roasted nuts. Nutmeg was a perfect place to stop for frothy coffee and a shared pork roll. Thank you Lindsey. I was just a bit envious of Lindsey. She was spending the afternoon making an autumn wreath.  BUT I remembered that I have the charming lavender wreath that Alli made me on my door so wouldn't have room for another. Enviousness averted.

This evening I am alone as Tim is at an awards dinner at The Savoy. I hope he brings me home a truffle. I watched a stupid romance that made me cry while eating a steak that caught fire under the grill. It had a nice charred crust. When I had stopped crying I spread myself out on the dining room table with my lino cutting blades and spent a happy time cutting a cat. This I will send to my cousin Susan as she is a lover of cats.

Lucky Black Cat
Linocut
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Thursday, 10th October 2024 - Nuthatch and Portraits

I am home from a portrait session with WOKAS. Thank you Wendy for giving me paper and pencil. I have a glass of white wine and binging on a Sci-fi film. 

These are my portraits. They don't look very much like Cliff but at least they look like a man.

Portraits of Cliff

The birds are very busy in the garden. There was a nuthatch being bullied by a bluetit on the bird table. Today's postcard is of the feisty nuthatch using watercolour crystals.

Nuthatch
Watercolour crystals, pen and watercolour
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Wednesday, 9th October 2024 - Salmon

I had an excellent yoga session with Adriene before meeting Gay in Cranbrook for coffee. Her youngest daughter has just got married. It looked like a wonderful celebration. Congratulations to Rhi and Ollie. Gay wore a red and blue trouser suit that was fabulous. I am just a little bit envious. She looked amazing, 

Tony dropped some bits of wood round yesterday. Tim is making shoe racks. Our shoes have been congregating by the back door for ages with no home. They will now reside vertically in our utility room. I made him tea and baked cinammon buns that we ate at our garden table that is soon to be packed away for winter. These last few sunny autumn days are glorious.

We had salmon for dinner. I cut a lino interpretation of our salmon while watching a detective series this evening. The salmon was my inspiration for today's postcard. 

Salmon
Linocut
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Tuesday, 8th October 2024 - Cyclamen for Love and Affection

The winter cyclamen have started to flower under the trees in the garden. They are lovely bright little patches of colour as the garden fades to autumn. They are a symbol of love and affection. We can all do with a bit of that.

I am really enjoying doing some lino cuts. I need to colour the lino so I can see the cuts better. My latest attempt at using green acrylic ink looked good but came off and I was left with very green hands. Going to try acrylic paint next.

As I type this evening the rain is hammering down outside. It is so loud it is making it difficult to listen to The Resident. Lots of drama this evening in the ER.

Cyclamen for Love and Affection
Pen and Watercolour
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Monday, 7th October 2024 - Spiced Cauliflower with Pea Yogurt

Fish and lizard were today's yoga poses with Adriene today. I tried my best and didn't pass out from holding my breath in concentration. Great fun even if my head wont get anywhere near my knee.....yet.

It has been a day of jobs. Emails and ironing top of my list. Done and crossed off. The bnb rooms will have to wait until tomorrow as I had no enthusiasm to tackle them. My arms are sore from flu and covid vaccines.

This evening I made roasted spiced cauliflower with pea yogurt to go with last nights fish curry. It reminded me of Tom as the last time I made it was when he was with us. I miss our talks and walks with Fable.

Cauliflower and Pea Yogurt 

Pen and Watercolour

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Sunday, 6th October 2024 - Benenden Allotment Open Day

Tim and I spent the sunny part of the day gardening, clearing and weeding. We have exposed part of the garden that has been overtaken by brambles and exuberant treelings. I planted a couple of hydrangeas and a little shrub that has lost its label which makes it all the more intriguing.

This afternoon we walked into the village to find Tony and Wendy. They were at the Open Day for the new Benenden Allotments. It was a drizzly but the tea and chocolate cake made up for it. It was impressive what keen gardening and a lot of spade work can be achieved in less than a year. As we were a little damp from the rain we decided to pop into The Bull for a warm up before we ventured the walk home.

Benenden Allotment Open Day
Pen and Watercolour
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Saturday, 5th October 2024 - The Brede Steam Giants

What a glorious sunny morning for a bit of weeding. I tidied up around our pond. Tim did some more major bramble and sapling removal. The plants in our garden must be related to triffids they grow so fast.

We had an unusual afternoon. With Lindsey, Tony and Wendy we parked by Brede church and walked to see The Brede Steam Giants. They are water pumping engines. One is an impressive 35 feet high. The day got better with tea, cake and cheese scones in the cafe. I learnt a lot about how water was drawn out the ground and pumped from Brede to Fairlight. It was much more interesting than I anticipated. We plan to take Herbie our grandson in the future he would be fascinated. We walked through cattle filled fields to The Red Lion for a couple of drinks. The food looked good so we plan to return. Thank you Tony and Wendy for suggesting today's outing. 

The Brede Steam Giants 

Pen and Watercolour

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