Sunday Sketches - Peach Picking

Welcome to Sunday Sketches from England! This piece is done in my art journal (8 1/2" x 11") in watercolour pencil and crayon. She is 'Peach Picking'!

Old Soul

We were at a restaurant the other day and I decided to try this low carb selection, it consisted of a burger atop a nice salad. It was quite filling and the burger was delicious.

I loved this newspaper article about the young 12 year old poet with an old soul.

Paint Party Friday - Social Painting

Welcome to Paint Party Friday!

Daughter L had bought some tickets to a social painting party as a birthday gift to me. We went several weeks after my actual birthday and it was a lot of fun. The photo above represents our finished work! L's is on the left and mine is on the right.  It is worth noting that of the 20 participants, nobody copied the actual work sample, it was more of a creative process.

L and I got iced lattes as the place offered snacks and drinks.

The painting above was my piece as I left the art studio, but I wasn't happy with it and changed it as displayed in the first photo!

Summer Wildflowers

Here are some more wildflowers of summer for you today.  I took these photos last weekend.  I had met my girlfriend S for a quick walk.  We saw 2 dead raccoons on the main road, S thought one of them was a baby.  I tried not to look too closely.

Blueberry Muffin

Husband M and I went for coffee at Panera Bread the other day and shared this delicious blueberry muffin! It tastes like a pound cake stuffed with blueberries and really not that sweet tasting compared to say a cherry danish.

Have a look at this outdoor sofa, on sale for only $13,199.99 Canadian! It's very attractive, but the newspaper actually had it listed for $19,699 when it caught my attention.  Either way, it is unaffordable!

Clogged Kitchen Sink

I took these summer wildflower/weed photos, aren't they pretty?

Pokemon Go has taken our city by storm, at least in our area, the streets are filled with kids hunting for Pokemon characters. My 'kids' age 21 and 24 are just as addicted. It must be just a fad. The escape reality game rooms seem to have been just that, as a lot of them have closed already.

In more mundane news, our kitchen sink became clogged on the weekend. I remembered we had trouble with this many years ago but couldn't remember the details. Sure enough, I was able to search my blog and found that I had recounted the story of that 8 years ago! In those days, the blog was even more of a daily journal of what was going on in my life.

Fail

neighbourhood snail

A lot of the financial investment companies are giving people the option to access their account statements online.  It seems like a good idea, avoiding all the paper statements.  The bad part is you have to keep track of ids and passwords.  The other thing is the initial access you have to set up on their systems.  This particular company has this multi-step process.  Step 1 involves requesting a pin number which they promise to mail within one day.  I waited 3 and a half weeks to receive mine.  It had been so long that I forgot what to do.  I went in to step 1 again and found myself requesting another pin which invalidated the first pin!  It was a frustrating fail.

Luckily this time I only had to wait 4 days to get a new pin.  I was very careful this time to proceed directly to step 2!  Now will I really check my statements online?  With the paper statements at least you just have to open the envelope, not hunt for passwords to look them up online.

Sunday Sketches - Asleep

Welcome to Sunday Sketches! Today's piece is called 'Asleep'. It's done on a greeting card (4 1/4" x 5 1/2") in watercolour pencil.

Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies

Daughter L made these flourless peanut butter cookies and they disappeared very quickly. She said it uses just 3 ingredients: one egg, 2/3 cup of sugar (or equivalent sugar substitute), one cup of peanut butter (she used natural peanut butter). Mix the ingredients together, shape into cookies and bake for 5 minutes at 350F.  They are very crumbly, like shortbread.

I realized I had blogged about similar cookies 2 years ago.  This time I think she found the recipe on Pinterest and modified it a bit.

Paint Party Friday - Mermaid?

Welcome to Paint Party Friday! This is my mermaid maybe? It's done on a greeting card in watercolour pencil and crayon (4 1/4" x 5 1/2").  I had fun colouring in her hair, putting in the darker streaks.  It all goes well with her green eyes.

Sold

Son K took these used video games to the EB Games video store at the mall. They will buy your used games. Unfortunately, they would only give him $10 for both. He felt they were worth a lot more, so he decided to list them on Kijiji, the free classified website. Within a week he found a buyer and got $30 for both. The only trouble is that sometimes you have to go a little out of your way to find a meeting site that is convenient to both parties. He was able to do the swap at a mall that wasn't too far away.

Have you sold anything on Kijiji or Craiglist classified websites?

Soofa Bench

My friend S told me to try these mini cucumbers, used for making pickles. She is right, they are so crunchy, fresh and delicious! Have you ever tried them, other than in pickles?

And have you heard about these soofa benches?  The first one is being rolled out in our province of Ontario.  They are benches equipped with solar powered charging stations for phones, tablets and such.

Creative Tuesdays - Little Body of Water

Welcome to Creative Tuesdays! The current theme is 'Little Body of Water'. My piece was done in my art journal (8 1/2" x 11") in watercolour pencil and crayon. This could also be my 'Happiness Pond', I decided to snap a photo of the clouds to use as a reflection in the pond. It was neat that the sun was also captured within the photo so I decided to use it as well. The sun was more white, but I used artistic licence to make it a pale yellow!

Poor Bird(s)

Can you see the poor bird in the photo? He crashed into my patio door. At this point, he had righted himself and sat there stunned and recovering for quite awhile. Then we noticed he had relocated under some hosta plants. Eventually, he moved on so I am happy to think he survived. I have stickers on my patio door but maybe I need bigger ones.

Then, several days later, husband M heard a thud against the bathroom window upstairs. The curtains were drawn. So he went downstairs, certain there would be a bird lying on the patio. Here he is, he sat stunned for a short while then he was okay.

Husband M decided to put a plate of water out, and this bird immediately started bathing and fluttering around it. It was a day when the squirrels were again looking quite exhausted from the heat.  I used to have a bird bath then I got rid of it at the time the west nile mosquito virus was scaring everyone and they were warning us against standing water in our gardens.

Sunday Sketches - Just Relaxin'

Welcome to Sunday Sketches! Today's piece is done in watercolour pencil and crayon in my art journal (8 1/2" x 11"). It's called 'Just Relaxin'...by the beach, in this case!

At the Hairdresser

neighbourhood flowers

I was at my hairdresser last week, I've been seeing him for what must be over 30 years by now.  He told me his wife passed away last month, it was a bit of a shock.  She had been ill the past year from a lung ailment.  He took her to the hospital on a Saturday and she died the following Tuesday.  Fortunately she did not suffer.  I think they are in their mid-sixties.  He told me to take a couple of his Chatelaine magazines home, they were new issues and that his wife always told him to give them to me because I like that magazine.  I was touched and made sure to take them home this time.  When I got home I ordered a fruit basket to be delivered to his store as a token of my sympathy.  He called me as soon as the basket arrived to tell me it was much appreciated.

His Syrian assistant had been working that day.  She is a pretty young woman who left Syria with her young family about a year ago under a refugee intake program.  She was able to move in with her sister.  She told me she had 2 children when I asked, ages 6 and 9.  They love it in school and they have learned English very quickly.  In fact, she is worried they will forget their mother tongue.  Her mother in Syria is also concerned because soon they won't be able to communicate with her.  They just want to speak English now.

Paint Party Friday - Cute Baby

This was supposed to be a greeting card, then after sketching it out, I realized I had drawn on the envelope! Oh well, here it is anyway. Happy Paint Party Friday!  The envelope will hold a (4 1/4" x 5 1/2") card and I used watercolour pencils for the piece.

Joys of Summer

This photo of luscious, extra-large cherries embodies the joys of summer for me! The peaches are also very sweet and juicy at this time of year, not to mention the strawberries. Daughter L went strawberry picking recently and reports a tremendous harvest of large, juicy fruit (think jams, pies and really just eating them plain).

breakfast scratch and save

I got this scratch and save coupon from a restaurant where husband M and I often go for breakfast. So we had the waiter scratch the coupon and it entitled us to a free fruit smoothie. I chose the kale mango smoothie and it was quite delicious, I was afraid it would be too sweet but it was perfect. Breakfast was good too.

Ribfest 2016

This past weekend, I went with the family to the local Ribfest 2016. There are a bunch of ribbers who compete for the best tasting ribs and we get the opportunity to purchase and taste some of them ourselves. We got there in the late evening, the weather was cooler and windy. There have been years when it was so sweaty hot. Our favourite this year was Gator ribs but they were all good. We also tried Billy Bones and Bad Wolf ribs.  Bad Wolf ribs likely had the best flavour but I felt they were slightly under cooked.  We also got cornbread, it's terrible for husband M's diabetes, but he can't resist having a bit of it.

Wise and Mature

I took this photo yesterday, and saw the leaves on this tree. Could these be signs of fall already?

Hope your weekend was good, I had a lovely, quiet day yesterday and the weather was wonderful.

Arnoldo posted a quote from his 20 year old daughter yesterday concerning the recent shootings in the U.S. and I thought it was so mature and wise for her age. “There should be no argument as to who’s right or wrong. It all comes down to the same fault: people were killed senselessly. There are families hurting on both sides due to hate and violence. My prayer is for Peace in this country. Gracious, Everlasting, Unifying Peace.”

Sunday Sketches - Contest

Welcome to Alexandra's Sunday Sketches. This piece is my contest entry logo idea done on textured green cardstock (8 1/2" x 11") in acrylic.  I like painting trees so this idea came together very quickly.  Scones with jam and clotted cream is my English item!

A Birthday

Husband M celebrated his birthday on Canada Day last weekend. The kids got him his favourite cake which happens to be just a plain white supermarket cake. He is diabetic but still loves the occasional small piece of cake.

Paint Party Friday - Mountain Scene

Welcome to Eva and Kristin's Paint Party Friday! I did a mountain scene for you today, on good quality textured blue cardstock (6" x 6"). I used acrylic paint.

Unfortunately

Art by my mom

 My mom who has some dementia, goes to an adult 'daycare' at a senior home in the area for a couple of days of the week.  My sister sent me a photo of some art she did at the facility and I think it looks quite good!  I like the colours she used.  I don't remember her being artistic, but she used to knit very colourful blankets.

Ikea is recalling millions of dressers after children were killed in the US in case you haven't heard. Unfortunately we own a couple of these that we purchased several years ago. We were able to return them for a refund, no receipt was required.

On the topic of Ikea, I saw an article about their new museum opening in Sweden, I have to put that on my bucket list, would love to see it as I have been buying Ikea furniture for over 30 years.

The Mac n Cheese Burger

Son K was at a restaurant with friends recently and shared this photo of a Mac n Cheese burger that he had. He said is was so delicious!  Can you see the layer of mac n cheese topping the burger?  It looks very creative.

Creative Tuesdays - Fish

Welcome to Creative Tuesdays! Michael's current theme is 'Fish'. My piece is done in my art journal (8 1/2" x 11") in watercolour crayon and pencil.

Graduation 2016

Weeds in Full Bloom

Son K officially graduated and received his college diploma last week! Husband M, daughter L and myself attended the ceremony. It was well-run and went off without a hitch. One of K's friends turned out to be the valedictorian that day and the young lady gave a wonderful, inspiring speech.

K has also just started a new part-time job that he really likes.  We will keep our fingers crossed!

Happy July 4th to the Americans!

Sunday Sketches - Placemats - $2.99

Welcome to Alexandra's Sunday Sketches! This piece is done in my art journal in watercolour crayon, waterproof black artist pen, and washi tape. The piece evolved from some photos I saw in a department store brochure. I am calling it 'Placemats - $2.99' why not?

Alexandra is having a wonderful contest for next week's Sunday Sketches, please check it out!

Scent of Lilacs

The scent of lilacs is in the air when you pass by these trees:

My birthday has passed but the celebrations continue as daughter L booked spots for us at a local Paint Party event in a few weeks. You choose a picture, buy a ticket and they provide canvas, paints and instruction. I will let you know how it goes! I have never been to one of these.

Paint Party Friday - Beach Scene

Welcome to Eva and Kristin's Paint Party Friday. I did a beach scene for you today in my art journal (8 1/2" x 11"). It's done in watercolour pencil and crayon.

Happy Canada Day to all the Canadians! We are having a long holiday weekend.