Tuesday, 7th May 2024 - Day Nine - Shell

It is a while since I have done any yoga. Greet the Day with Adriene made me stretch bits that have been neglected. I felt so much better and virtuous.

I am now up to date with my ironing. My prize was a couple of hours in my studio doing a linocut and print for Day Eight of Amy's Inchie Challenge. The prompt is Shell. There is an abandoned blue tit nest in the pots by the greenhouse. It's a bit sad as it is perfect and has eggs in it. But it fits with today's challenge and postcard in a roundabout way.

You are getting my Blog early today as I am off to The Halfway House to meet Lesley and Alli for book group this evening. Isn't it great going out to eat and not having to think about what to cook for dinner and I get a few hours of conversation with friends. I must look up what the book was before I go.

Day Nine - Shell

Lino cut with Watercolour

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Monday, 6th May 2024 - Day Eight - Inky

I wondered if I may grow quills and turn into Mrs Tiggy Winkle I had so many piles of washing and ironing to do. 

Amy's prompt for day eight is 'Inky'. I got out my homemade inks. Today's postcard is painted with ink made from daffodil flowers, oak galls, copper and avocado stones. Shame you can't smell them. A lovely mix of colours. Tim and I went for a damp misty walk to post yesterday's postcard. We came across a wonderful wood with old rambly trees which inspired my inky painting. My Connected Postcard Project is pushing my creativity. I have now sent 127 little paintings to friends and family. The responses I have had are so lovely. I have had hand written letters, emails and comments on my blog. Some of my postcards have been kept, some framed and some sent on. So encouraging to keep painting and sending.

Day Eight - Inky 

Homemade Inks

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Sunday, 5th May 2024 - Day Seven - Stone 'Gravel'

I breakfasted my guests, cleaned and made their beds. Give me praise for working on a Sunday!!!

Wendy gave me some Russian kale plants that she grew from seeds we gave her at Christmas. They were in the greenhouse and yearning to be planted out. After a barrow full of homemade compost was dumped on the veg patch - thank you tim - I planted them alongside pest controlling marigolds. They are looking rather droopy. I am sure once their roots are settled they will decide to grow vertically.

Ok so I am pushing the boundareis of today's prompt a bit. Amy gave us 'stone' for day seven. This afternoon we had tea and cake with my mate Leelee and her husband Richard. I adore their house and garden. Not in the least bit jealous - they have bee hives and wild bits of colourful beauty and views to views of 32 miles. Their elderly dog is named Gravel. Near enough to stone I thought as I watched him ramble through the bluebells and wild garlic. I think that's ok don't you?

Day Seven - Stone 'Gravel' 

Pen and Watercolour

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Saturday, 4th May 2024 - Day Six - Circle 'of Friends'

We said goodbye to the most lovely people this morning. We met them when they stayed with us as bed and breakfast guests. It has been five years since they last visited Kent. We did meet up with them when we were in The Netherlands last Spring. I have huge admiration for their battle with illness that will never be cured. They remain incredibly positive enjoy every moment of every day. What a fantastic trio.

I pushed through and got both my rooms changed, cleaned and ready for next weeks guests. I did a bit of lino cutting then took myself into the garden to tackle the weeds. Tim took a phone call. One room is now occupied causing me to have a minor brain panic as to whether I had everything needed for breakfast. The bread maker was put into action. A night trip to Hawkhurst to get with strawberries, blueberries and milk. I feel much calmer knowing my fridge is stocked.

Today's prompt for day six of Amy's challenge is Circle. We have a wonderful circle of friends.

Day Six - Circle 'of friends'

Pen and Watercolour

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Friday, 3rd May 2024 - Day Five - Bristles

I have scrambled and fried eggs for guests, made their beds and cleaned their bathrooms. 

Another delivery of plants have arrived. I plugged my ears into an audio book and potted up fifteen aquilegia, five day lilies and three hydrangeas that were free as I spent so much!!!

I did a bit of therapeutic lino cutting which I love before meeting Tony and Wendy at The Eight Bells in Hawkhurst. We were delayed due to three-way works traffic lights, followed by normal queing at the lights at the crossroads and ending with traffic lights at road works. I enjoyed my Big Tom spicy tomato juice very much.

Day Five of the Inchie Challenge and Amy has given the prompt of Bristles. That got my little grey cells working. I ended up doing a Google search and found that crows have bristles near their beaks. One purpose is to prevent insect legs getting into their eyes. I love facts like that.

Day Five - Bristles 

Watercolour

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Thursday, 2nd May 2024 - Day Four - Mountain

Lindsey came for a mug of afternoon tea and supplied me with fruit for bnb guests fruit salad.

This evening Tim cooked pizza for Rick, Ine and Jenny - what an interesting trio. The evening was filled with conversion about everything, politics, health, life and death. Pink Floyd played in the background taking us back to our youth.We finished with rhubarb crumble that I made from rhubarb from the garden accompanied by ice-cream made with Harriet's recipe. I need my bed now.

On day four of Amy's Inchie Challenge. I have painted an abstracted blue mountain.

Day Four - Mountain 

Indian Ink and Watercolour

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Wednesday, 1st May 2024 - Day Three - Love

It was a traditional 5.31 am start to May day on the streets of Goudhurst watching the Morris singing and dancing in the start of summer. I always get a bit emotional listening to the singing  I think it is being with the grandchildren and thinking of their future.

Today's prompt from Amy is 'Love'. I have painted a postcard to show the love of Sean and his dog and the love of his dog for chocolate birthday cake. 

Day Three - Love 

Pen and Watercolour

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