If I Had Known

Ripe crabapples in the neighbourhood at this time of year:

I came across this most interesting if morbid article in the newspaper earlier this week. It discusses 'how to deal with life as a widow'. It references a blog called 'if I had known'. There is even a website widowed.ca and a book on the topic 'Managing Alone: Your Trusted Advisor's Guide to Surviving the Death of Your Spouse'.  Even young women in their twenties and thirties have had to deal with this, it is not of course restricted to middle-aged and older people.

Paint Party Friday - The Fallen Petals

This piece was inspired by some fallen petals on my dining table. I had received a bouquet of flowers the previous week and they were almost spent.  In fact I had already removed some purple flowers. It's acrylic on cardstock (6" x 6").

Linking to Paint Party Friday.

First Signs of Fall

And here are the first signs of fall in the neighbourhood!

I think I must repeat myself every year, this is what I post last year around this time! And I did pick a small bunch of those grapes peeking out of someone's yard this time! Sweet little wine grapes they are!

I have to try this new recipe I found in Chatelaine magazine. It's for 'nutty green beans' and looks healthy and easy. You blanche the green beans in boiling water, then you toast some crushed nuts and breadcrumbs in a pan, add some butter then finally mix in the blanched beans for a few more minutes.

Who to Marrry? Priceless....

Got this cute one in an email....enjoy!

1. Who to Marry? You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming. -- Alan, age 10 -- No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with. -- Kristen, age 10 2. WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET  MARRIED?  Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then. -- Camille, age 10 3. HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE  MARRIED?  You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids. -- Derrick, age 8 4. WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD  HAVE IN COMMON?  Both don't want any more kids. -- Lori, Age 8 5. WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A  DATE? -Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough. -- Lynnette, age 8 (isn't she a treasure) -On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date. -- Martin, age 10 6. WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS  SOMEONE? -When they're rich. -- Pam, age 7 -The law says you have to be eighteen, So I wouldn't want to mess with that. -- Curt, age 7 -The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do. -- Howard, age 8 7. IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR  MARRIED? It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to Clean up after them. -- Anita, age 9 (bless you child ) 8. HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF  PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED? There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, Wouldn't there? -- Kelvin, age 8 And the #1 Favourite is ....... 9. HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK? Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a dump truck. -- Ricky, age 10

Creative Tuesdays - Teatime

For Creative Tuesdays' 'Teatime' theme, this is what I created!  The sketch started off with some teabags then I thought it needed a teacup to go with it.  The yellow background was added to cover up some pink mistakes in my attempt to make the teabags translucent.  And that is how the painting evolved!

Acrylic on textured cardstock (6" x 6").

Peeking Over and a Video

I was walking by and couldn't resist taking a photo of this sunflower peeking over the fence at the end of the season.

My friend sent me this amazing aging video, if you have 5 minutes to watch it.

Sunday Sketches - Some Designer Handbags

I switched to a darker handbag for the fall season and have been noticing a lot of lovely bags in the shopping catalogs. I was inspired (Ralph Lauren)  to do this piece for Sunday Sketches. It's acrylic on orange cardstock (6" x 6").  Have a great Sunday!