July

Dear friends hope your July has started off well.

Summer is now in full swing at Harmony Hills.  We are in the 90's and the forecast is telling us the heat is to keep us company for the next week or so.

 Like this male cardinal I will be spending more time in the shade...

enjoying all the visitors that come and go...

painting what is in bloom

and catching up with a bit of extra baking.

Would love to hear what you will be doing in July.

Hope you will share.  Have a great week.

Hugs

Debbie

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not men."  Col.3:23 (NIV) 

I am convinced...

Flowering Quince

that there is beauty to be found everywhere...

Daffodils, Tulips, Virginia Bluebells

spring flowers still lighten our hearts...

April 18th page from my sketch journal

keeping a gratitude list does much to raise spirits...

Watercolor in Progress

creating can transport us above our circumstances...

Schindler

and last but not least the concerns of tomorrow will rob us from the joy and love we have today. 

May all of you have a blessed week.

Hugs

Debbie

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, no any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."   Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)

First Day of March

The first day of March brought blue skies...

 Pussy Willows bursting forth...

and loads of sunshine.

Just may be time to put these old boots away.  Hoping so.

May all of you be blessed this first day of March.   Have a great week.

Hugs

Debbie

"...but the cheerful heart has a continual feast."   Prov. 15:15 b (NIV)

Snowed In

Being snowed in has a lovely upside.

One has time to watch the birds...

Gluten Free French Bread

Bake something tasty...

Read a good book or two...

Paint something blooming.

Or when the sun shines venture a snowy walk .

If any of you are snowed in today - would love to hear what you are doing.   To those who are in a warm place - could you send some of it my way.

"He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,'  Job 37:6 a (NIV)

Hugs

Debbie

Zoomed

Oh my the month of August has zoomed by.   It was a busy time here.

While I was bird watching the garden grew wild and tangled.  It definitely could use a bit of pruning.

Those peaches that I thought would all be gone because  the resident groundhog was stealing them...well he left me plenty...the last of them ended up in these peach crumb muffins.

 The neighbor's generous gift of zucchini made its way into pickles.

Some sketching and plein air painting
was done.

Pastel painting and Watercolor sketch

So much for those "lazy days of summer".  Maybe if I hurry I can find them.

Looks like maybe these two did.

Enjoy what is left of August before it zooms by.   See you in September.

Hugs Debbie

Snowfall

Did this fella know

 this was coming?

A gorgeous snowfall - that covered the ground.

Each limb and branch was

coated in white.

It was a wonderful site!


.














Yes I think this fella knew what was coming.



Hope everyone is warm and safe.
Have a blessed week.

Hugs Debbie

Sunday's Pleasures

Warm golden cornbread topped with a bit of honey...

Pussy Willows beginning to open up...

 a creative endeavor...

and to finish...

   a spine chilling thriller with sassafras tea on the side.


Hope your Sunday had some pleasures too.


Take care and God Bless!

Sketching Outdoors

 

When sketching outdoors I travel light.    This little bag holds everything that is needed. 

It is always packed and ready to go.      







The small case holds a 5X7 mixed media sketchpad, a set of basic watercolors with palette, a brush, pencil, micron pen, a handful of watercolor pencils, a few folded paper towels and two 35mm camera cases.  They are filled with water.   A pencil sharpener, an eraser and a tiny spray bottle complete the contents.   

If I am going to be out for a bit I take this small fold up chair.  It has a built in knapsack.   A lunch a thermos of coffee...  

 

   

 and a snack for my two companions fits inside nicely.

Thanks for stopping by.  I enjoyed sharing my sketching ensemble with you. 

 Have a blessed evening!   

Happenings

 Winter may be giving us it's final dance but Mom gave me some spring today.          

                                 

These lovely pink hydrangeas were a "just because I love you" gift.  Something to chase away the last of winter's chill.  May have to get my brushes out and paint a few of the blossoms.


Shelby our new baby is doing well.  Growing like a bad weed.

We are working every day with the lead.

 

Hubby took some quick shots of us stepping out.

 Not a lot of time in the studio but did manage this quick sketch .

 

Used a bit of pen an ink, watercolor and watercolor pencil on stonehenge.   I like this paper.  It takes watercolor washes...has a nice texture for colored pencil, graphite and pen and ink.

 

Well that's all my happenings.    Hope yours are good.   Stop back soon.

God Bless!   

What a wonderful Surprise!

I received a wonderful surprise.   

Laura Moore awarded my blog with the Liebster Award. It was so sweet of her to think of me.

Laura is one of those blogging friends that I hope to meet someday.  She is a very talented watercolor artist residing in the U.K.   

She paints the things I love and does it so well...flowers, landscapes, birds and pieces of nature.   If you haven't stopped to visit Laura's blog - please do.   Thank you dear Laura for awarding me this honor.

With winter on its way out and spring just around the corner I am longing for flowers.  Digging out a photo of bleeding hearts that was shot last May inspired me to do the above mixed media piece.   Raw Sienna ink, watercolors and watercolor pencil were used on hot press paper.   

Bleeding hearts are such a favorite plant.   Their little pink heart shaped blossoms grow tall above their foliage.   They withstand frosty mornings if they are grown in a protected location.   Our woods seems to be a welcome place for them and they thrive here very well.

It will be May before we know it and the cold winds of March will soon be forgotten.    Winter is bidding us farewell.  Soon spring will say hello!  In the meantime let us all find some cheer in knowing the flowers are beginning to awaken from their long nap.  Once again blossoms will dance in the delightful breeze providing nectar to the birds and the bees.

             
                        May all your dreams be sweet!  Have a good night.