Monday, 21st July 2025 - Bean Preview

My runner beans have had a thoroughly charming time during the rain showers. I have been rewarded with many flowers. I look forward to steamed runner beans with butter and pepper. While our dinner was cooking in the oven I nipped out with my indian ink and drew some winding plants. After our fishy bake I added a touch of watercolour. Just lovely.

My days are peppered with looking after bed and breakfast guests. In between guests today I had a lovely time wrapping presents in preparation my my eldest granddaughters 14th birthday on Wednesday.

We are entertained in our homespun evenings watching Slow Horses - absolutely brilliant. 

Bean Preview
Indian Ink and Watercolour

Friday, 18th July 2025 - Stolen View

My sister and I had a marvellous shopping outing this morning. I needed some peanuts for the woodpeckers and asked if she would like to join me on a trip out. I now have a yellow Lantana and pink Pentas from Bumbles that are sheltering in the porch away from the violence of the approaching storm. We got peanuts and fat balls for the birds from Petsworld along with a cowhide treat for Poppy Harriet's incredibly lively dog. The farm shop provided me with a bag of mixed salad leaves and cucumber to have with prawns for dinner. 3kg of wholemeal flour from Sainsburys are ready for Tim to make into a low GI bread which has an interesting addition of Chia seeds. I am very pleased we have found a use for them. I bought them on a whim that they would fill me up and reduce my snacking. I keep forgetting to eat them and continue to snack. We finished with coffee and vintage scones at the village shop. 

Tony and Wendy came for tea a few days ago. They admired the vista that Tim created a few years ago by taking out tree at the end of our garden. We can now see through our woodland onto the field beyond. Wendy said this is known a a 'stolen view'. I dusted off my watercolours and painted it. Stunning view. I love it. Great fun to paint too.

I hope the forecast rain and hail doesn't flatten my hydrangeas.

Stolen View
Watercolour

Thursday, 17th July 2025 - Lake at The Laurels

I have had a marvellous day painting with WOKAS buddies. We gathered at The Laurels nursery in Dingleden. Garden wheelbarrows were very handy for carrying our easels, stools, painting gear and lunch beside a forest of wisteria, past a paddle of Indian runner ducks through a field and down steps between trees to reach a lake. I sat between my mates Leelee and Wendy so we could catch up with news. Silence descended upon us as we concentrated on trying to get the right greens - so many greens. Even the water was green. The weather gave us clouds, followed by rain and ended with humid sunshine. I feel refreshed and inspired.

Lake at The Laurels
Oil on board