New Sketchbooks

I just put together a couple hand-made Sketchbooks. I carefully folded and creased Aquarius II Watercolor paper, then very carefully tore it into the size of pages I wanted (5-1/2 x 7-1/2) and had it put together with a coil (at Staple's). They also made covers
for me with copies of a couple watercolor sketches I did in another book. They enclose these in Plastic, so now I have a
hard cover book.
These are several sketches (done in my book)--one of our table at the Pancake Pantry in TN, the other is a couple in Boyne City, MI; sitting on a park bench overlooking Lake Charlevoix at sunset. I also have an altoids tin box that has about 6 colors of watercolor paint, and a travel brush in my purse. Works for me :-)

Marjorie Kovalenko Mayes

We have a dear friend that sends us a box of Riviera Pears at Christmastime. They are soooo sweet and juicy, and
arrive just in time for us to let them ripen to their tastiest--Yum! We have them sliced, maybe in a salad with Cheese,
but I can't bear to bake these yummies--just eat them in their natural state :-)

I decided to post this picture again since this is what our front walk looks like again....well, maybe there is just a little less snow.
It seems more like January now that we got a few inches to cover all the gray-green. Have had lots of Cardinals (and other birds)
at our feeders (around the back of the house). They are so fun to watch, especially when they nudge each other out of the way!

I just had to post this. It's a Christmas Card my Granddaughter Rachel (age 13) designed for her family. I am only
posting the front of the card. Isn't it just great!
She did a "doggie" card for my birthday, too. Maybe I'll post that one day too. :-)

Christmas 2009

This is a watercolor of an old Barn (it even has a historical marker) located right near our home. I did this painting several
years ago and decided it might make a Christmas Card with a few added pieces of Clip-Art.
I didn't post the inside greetings--that is just for the recipients of this year's card :-)

This little Bear sits on a shelf where we watch TV--it was a gift from our Granddaughter Laura who is now in her late 20's. I decided to sketch and paint it, since it is a Christmas Bear (note the wreath and bow on his sweater). He has been around for some time now, and has become part of the family :-)