Wednesday, October 29, 2014

October's Finish


The ground is covered with October's finish.   Most of the leaves have fallen.   Bare limbs and branches have shed their cloaks of color.

They will remain naked waiting for spring's return.    There is a definite chill in the air.

The sun is setting much earlier now.

Seasons come and go.   Each one brings its own special gifts.



Time to cozy up with a crunchy apple, a great novel, and a warm  quilt.    Soon the smell of a wood fire will fill the house with a lovely scent.

Hot Cider bubbling on the stove with a cinnamon stick  invites one to slow down and savor this quieter time of the year.


Before we know it Thanksgiving will be here.  



 

 
 In the meantime I am wishing everyone a delightful October finish.    God Bless!

Sunday, October 26, 2014

The Moments In Between


In this life there are beginnings and endings.   You cannot have one without the other.

 It is the moments in between that one should not miss.






A perfect blue sky!












A lovely spot!











A simple subject!







A couple of friends!








 




That way when day is done you will have enjoyed the journey and not just the destination.

Hope each of you are celebrating the moments in between.











Have a blessed week!

Hugs Debbie







Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Autumn's Collection

 Some of autumn's collection sits on my studio table.  It is waiting to be sketched and painted.


   When I go for walks this time of the year there are  many things underfoot that find their way indoors.  












                                                                                                            Leaves of different species, berries, and  nuts are just a few of the mementos gathered.    They are rich in texture as well as color.                                                              
All are a wonderful source of inspiration.




What makes this type of collection special is when it fades there is generally more to be found.  That is if the squirrels have not gathered up all the nuts!

  Are any of you gathering some of autumn's collection?   If so - hope you will share.  


Have  a wonderful day - God Bless!







Sunday, October 19, 2014

Angels

Are they among us?   I believe so!   Yesterday hubby and myself may have met a couple.

It was a cold blustery day.  A good time to visit the mall and do some window shopping.   In our walk around we came upon a woman and her yellow Labrador Retriever.    Somewhat unusual to see a canine in this setting.    
 
 
 Being dog lovers my husband and I stopped to talk to this smiling lady.  We asked permission to pet her sweet boy.  Turned out that Junior (his name) was a therapy dog.  He had a huge personality that matched his size.   My husband had some popcorn and asked if a treat could be shared with him.   She said "Only if he works for it".   Junior was told to sit and to shake hands.  He did this excellently.

 In the conversation we learned that this twosome go to nursing homes and facilities that have folks in need of a warm loving touch.  They spend time being a blessing to those who are lonely and hurting.

As we said our goodbyes it came to me that these two were angels in disguise.

 So often one overlooks the evidence of goodness.  It appears in many shapes and forms  Sometimes it is found in four legs as well as two.   If we take time to look we might just see that there may be many angels among us!




 "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."   Hebrews 13:2 ( NIV)


May all of you meet an angel in disguise this week.   Have a blessed evening!

Hugs  Debbie

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Arrived!

The peak of autumn has arrived!   I knew it would ...just a matter of time.   Only a couple days after the hard frost and all the hills are bathed in beautiful colors.
Fall's foliage never ceases to capture my eye.   It is so lovely to view the  yellows, oranges and reds against the backdrop of a blue sky.

       Even on a partly cloudy day these vibrant hues seems to glow.

While waiting for some showers to pass got busy painting some more ACEO'S.  Have really enjoyed experimenting with these small pieces.  Even did a couple on some watercolor canvas (they are on the bottom left and center).  Most are mixed media...pen and ink, watercolor pencil, and watercolor.
Well hope everyone is enjoying the beauty of autumn this week.

 Have a wonderful evening - God Bless!

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Not Quite!

The Neighbors
The peak is not quite here but almost.   We had our first killing frost of the season last evening. That should mean the hills will don their finest colors and give us a lovely show in the next few days.










                                                                          In the meantime we are preparing for autumn's glory.  
Otis

         Otis is looking pretty dapper from his long stay in the shed.   We have brought him out so he can enjoy this beautiful season.











    Naturally there are a few veggies needing to be harvested .  These beets will be delicious pickled.  













Couldn't resist picking some of the remaining annuals.   They will soon be gone.














 

Oh and yes we could not forget the fresh apple cider.   Yummy!

I think we are finally ready now.    Hope you are too.



Have a Blessed Week!


Hugs Debbie


Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Staying out of Trouble!

ACEO

Here's how I've been staying out of trouble.



Painting some




ACEO










 artist card edition originals...






making a fall decoration....















sampling a new butterscotch brownie recipe - very yummy... (naturally no calories)








and marveling at the beauty of the last flowers of the season.




What are you doing to stay out of trouble?   Would love to hear.   Have a wonderful evening!

Hugs Debbie

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Wishing

I think the finches and chickadees are wishing these sunflowers would last a
bit longer.  Once they were tall beauties dressed in lovely yellow and orange petals.   Now all that remains is their top heavy heads.   They are a reminder that time is fleeting.   One needs to savor each and every moment.

This evening I am wishing that all of you are savoring your moments.   Have a blessed week.

"Be very careful then how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity..." Ephesians 5:15-16a  (NIV)

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Experiment

Mixed Media
A few days ago I experimented with a small 1/8th sheet of hot press paper.

It had been soaked in some  left over coffee for several hours.  Then placed on a board to dry overnight.

The butterfly was drawn with a crow quill pen and sepia ink.   Sepia watercolor washes were used on the wings.  A final glaze of quin. gold was used to brighten and bring this winged specimen forward a bit.

For the background a small amount of sepia ink and sepia watercolor pencil finished the piece.

This experiment was such fun that another sheet is waiting for a different subject.   Hope to share it with you later.


In the meantime please stop by for some cookies and coffee.  Would love to hear what you are experimenting with this week.   Will be looking forward to your visit!

 Hugs  Debbie 

Sow

 It is the time of the year when I begin to sow seeds for the coming season.  Discovered a different method on You Tube...they call it "...