Merry Christmas Card

 

I am posting our Christmas Greetings Card for 2012.  I just finished printing them.  The Watercolor on the front is one that I did of our "table-top" Pointsettia in 2011.
I put together the inside greeting from my Card Program and selected an appropriate verse from the niv (New International Version) of the Bible.
Jesus is the reason for the Season :-)

Beginning the Christmas Celebration at Church

I posted this on the "Drawing in Church" blog, (www.drawinginchurch.blogspot.com) but thought I would put it on my blog today....When we arrived for our  Worship Service, the Christmas Trees, Pointsettias and other decor were all in place.   The hymns were wonderful--very enjoyable.

The Falling Leaves are Gone...

Just wanted to post this to remember how gorgeous the leaves were this past Fall.  I actually painted these leaves a couple years ago and made a note-card with them.  Now our trees are all bare--the eaves troughs are cleaned, the outside water is turned off--and guess what we are waiting for.....snow flurries predicted tonite.

Making Cranberry-Orange Relish

Finally made my Cranberry-Orange Relish today for Thanksgiving next week.  If it's made one week ahead (at least) it "ripens" and turns a beautiful shade of Burgundy ;-)   I use my Food Processer to make it like regular relish.  In case anyone wants the recipe:  1-Navel Orange (cut into at least quarters--it processes better)  1-12 oz. package fresh whole cranberries and 1 Cup Sugar.
Mix WELL together and store in a quart jar.  Yummy with Turkey (or Chicken)
Sometimes I put small amounts in the freezer to take out and have with ANY sandwich.

Some Fruit I picked up today at the Grocery Store

The  colors of the Pears were irrestible today--but I added a banana and a couple of Raspberries for interest.   

Glimpses of Autumn in Michigan

 

We took a little jaunt arount one of our MetroParks--just to see how All the Autumn colors were doing.  Kensington has a huge Lake and a wonderful Bike/Walking Path that goes around the whole Lake....and people really use it!  Lots of walkers, cyclists, Moms with strollers, DogWalkers :-) and some just having a great time walking or jogging.  I went to the Nature Center and sketched some of the waning Fall Wildflowers that are breathing their "last."  Lots of Cattails, Purple Asters, White Asters, Thistle, Milkweed, and an abandoned Duck Box (Birdhouse).  Lots of red/orange Maples, and the Birch Trees are now covered with yellow leaves.  I love Fall, but it is TOO SHORT a Season! 

A Colorful Pond Reflection

We were riding along Novi Rd. a few days ago--and I noticed this pond behind someone's home and they had put up a BirdHouse nearby and the trees were so colorful reflecting in the water........I just had to sketch/paint it.  Trouble is...these colors don't last long.  It's rainy and windy as I type this :-(
There were Purple Asters, Thistle, Cattails, and Wild Sunflowers.

Pumpkins and The Farmer's Market... Farmington, Michigan

We have a great Farmer's Market in Downtown Farmington...Now the Fall produce is all "in" and there are only a few "open" weeks left--I will need to change my outdoor decor from summer to Autumn :-)

Autumn in my back yard

Just had to post this....looking out my kitchen window past the bird feeder.   This Maple Tree is always the first of our "many" in the small woods behind us that turn red!  So gorgeous.
We took a ride along Hines Parkway (along the Rouge River) today and the colors are just lovely!  Today is our 59th Wedding Anniversary and we were on our way to a special meal :-)  I think I'm dating myself :-(
Oh well, I feel like 50?????? 

Favorite Place for a Burger

After our time at the Henry Ford (see below), we stopped for our favorite Burger at Miller's on Michigan Ave. in Dearborn.  The Burger is always served on paper,  & pickles in a jug on the table (along with mustard and ketchup).  And I always get a Vernor's Ginger Ale with mine.  Sometimes I even sneak 2 of Cliff's Onion Rings. 

THE HENRY FORD Museum and Imax

Yesterday we got tickets for the Imax viewing of  "Titanica" -- a documentary of the search for the Titanic (the sinking of the Titanic was 100 years ago - April, 1912).  The Henry Ford honored this historical event with a showing of Artifacts from the Titanic in the Henry Ford Museum....plus they had showings of  "Titanic"
(The love story Hollywood version) in their IMAX theater.  Also showing was "Titanica" (the documentary).
We had already seen the Hollywood version--and wanted to see the "dive" for the parts of the Ship that were found.  It was FABULOUS!  Especially on Imax!  This is the last week--if you live in this area--call to see if you can get tickets.  You won't be sorry.
We visited the Museum store as you can see--I bought some tea in a cannister and some earrings.  The tea is delicious!  Love my earrings too :-)  It's a "fun" store :-)
I sketched the ship from a picture advertising the movie while we waited to get our seats--watercolored when I got home.

Sharp-Shinned Hawk

Thought you might like a look at Mr. S.S. Hawk that patrols my feeder.  He quite often gets one of those Mourning Doves because they are so slow on the get-away!  After he has been here for a visit, I usually see a pile of feathers (all that is left of his meal) somewhere near this Birdfeeder.  The Goldfinches and the House Finches and Cardinals seem to be more wary and watch for him.  BTW, he can swivel his head nearly all the way around!  Usually he hides himself up on a branch of the trees behind the feeder--today he must've felt bold.  Thanks goodness the Rose-Breasted Grossbeaks and the Northern Orioles have already migrated.

Waiting for the Sunset

When we were in Petoskey, Michigan for my Sketchbook/Watercolor Journaling Class, Catherine suggested that we sketch something that evening for practice.  So we (husband photographer & I) were down in the Park on the Bay waiting for the sunset, I decided to sketch the sailboat and fisherman and a few seagulls.  I watercolored it when we got back to the Hampton Inn (for relaxation :-)  We had some beautiful sunsets that week (see below).

Sunsets in Petoskey during Watercolor Journaling

 While we were in Petoskey, Michigan at Catherine Carey's Journaling class--we (my husband & I) went down to the waterfront every evening to "catch" the Sunset.  The day after the Cloudy one, it rained quite a bit....but we painted and journaled (see below) on one of the huge porches in Bay View.  I can't begin to paint these sunsets--they are too beautiful!

Making "Accordian-Folded" mini-watercolor books

I learned how to make these Watercolor Folder "Mini-Books" --easy to slip into your purse -- from Brenda (a friend from Watercolor Journaling Class).  She is a "dear" person and reads lips perfectly to learn at Class.  She had one of these that she had made and I loved making them.  As you can see, you can make up your own sizes.   Let's see, how many Watercolor Journals do I have now???? 

"Loose" Watercolor

This is from one of our Watercolor Journal Classes last week in Bay View, Michigan with Catherine Carey.  It  was a fun week as I mentioned above--getting together again with friends from past classes!  I don't know how to post 2 pictures at once, so I will post again above :-)  I need some "Techie" Blog help !!!

Red Geraniums on my Deck

I thought I would sketch/watercolor my Geraniums that are sitting in the Wrought Iron Stand on our Deck.  We are going Up North on Sunday--and when I return, they may not look quite the same :-(
All of our flowers will be "on their own" while we are away....the Grandkids could come over and water, but
the summer is almost "spent" and so are a lot of our other flowers.  In fact, 2 days ago, we looked out back at our "Million Belles" plants (hanging on a double hook-type holder), and there on the Deck railing was a Ground Hog eating off every one of the blossoms--Wish I had a BB gun!  No wonder they are so Fat!!!

The Iron Gate (Also known as "Beverly's Gate!")

I just had to post this gate that I painted a few years ago (up in Bay View, Michigan) at our Journaling Class.  Catherine Carey posted her version this week and it was so-oo simply done and beautiful.  I am always struggling with "painting too many details."  Anyway, this is a lovely spot and the flowers are gorgeous.
BTW, I'm glad you liked your wc painting on the front of my freshly-bound book, Catherine :-)
I love it!

Binding Watercolor Journals

I just finished binding these two books with watercolor pages.  I like the smaller-sized one because it is easier to carry around.  The larger one (about 5 x 7) has part of a Catherine Carey painting on it--I put the window part of the picture on the front because it was more colorful.  I put the main door on the back of the book...love this scene. 
When is this hot (over 90 degrees) weather going to let up???

Summer Cooler

I actually sketched/watercolored this a few Summers ago--but was reminded of it on Catherine's blog and since it has been so unbearably hot, I thought it was a "cool" thing to post.  :-)
Our Air conditioner died (after only 22 yrs :-) and we had another one installed several days later.  The day before it was installed, we had 102 degree weather so we stayed at the local Hampton Inn.   Now we are really "cool."  Today is Tuesday and tomorrow there is a High Heat Warning for our area :-(

Geraniums and Hollyhocks

Last year I bought two Hollyhock plants at our local Farmer's Market.  They do not blossom the first year, but they grew and made it through the winter and this Spring they really started growing, and getting buds on them.  They blossomed starting last week and I am very pleased with the colors.  The (almost) black ones are a deep Merlot Wine color.  And the light ones are a (almost white) light pink with maroon centers. 
Also, my husband picked out a different-looking Geranium with bright pink petals with maroon centers.
I had difficult keeping my hands off the wet watercolor border :-)  Just klutzy, I guess!

Clematis Time

These are my Clematis--I have a pink one on the Trellis and below it on a smaller Trellis is a Purple Bell-Shaped Vine with loads of Purple Bells.   Around the side of the house I have a large flowered Purple with a white Star-type Center.  I think this one is called some kind of Etoile????  Love These bloomers right now.

White Petunias and Pink Impatiens

I love white Petunias--I think they highlight other plants of color.  I planted them among some other flowers that needed some "white."   I had an empty pot and white Petunias left over, so I combined these with bright pink Impatiens and planted them together today.  They are so pretty-looking.  I put them up on my brick wall so "everyone" could enjoy them. 

Spring Roadside Flowers

Here we go doing Roadside Wildflowers again....the Phlox are so pretty among all the green on the Road sides right now.  Even spotted a few Daisies on the way home today.  The Dandelions have come and gone (to seed) already.