THURSDAY W I P

Another slow progression.

Beginning the basket and flowers.

Basket almost completed.

THURSDAY W I P

These photos show a slow progression.

Here shadows have been added and a little bit of color added to the background.

Shadows have been deepened inside the cup and saucer.

CSA PEAS

For those of you unfamiliar with the term "CSA" it stands for Community Supported Agriculture.  It's a "sustainable" way of life.  Or, as I think of it, going back to the way things were during our grandparents (and parents?) time.  In other words, getting back to basics the way a farm should be - no row crops and quarter million dollar harvesters.

For us this means we are getting summer produce from one of our neighbors.  It's a win/win - we help them start and grow a business and we get healthy food to eat.  

So far there has been lots and lots of lettuce and spinach and chard.  (Not a big fan of the chard, but will give it another go soon!)  The large bag of spinach blanches down into a sandwich bag!  That gets frozen and I will use it in quiches.  I've also blanched the chard to use in the same way.

Each week we get some of whatever is ready to be harvested.  Some turnips this week, along with green onions and - - - PEAS.

Now, I love peas and was so excited to get them.  However, I didn't realize how much trouble and time it takes to get the delicious peas out of their pods. 

This first photo is at the start - washed pea pods on the left in front of a plastic bag of MORE PEAS.  The shelled peas are in the aluminum bowl and the beginnings of the "pig pile" on the counter. 

And here we are - ONE HOUR LATER!

All I can say is, next time I go to the store and buy frozen peas, there will be no complaining about their price!!!

THURSDAY W I P

This next series of Thursday WIP begins - on a Friday, no less!  This week just got away from me.

This painting is from a photo taken many years ago which I cropped way down so that just the piece of the flower basket was in the frame and it is painted oversize.

 Whenever I find interesting or pretty items that I think might make their way into a painting some day, I snap them up.  I think this tea cup comes from Old Tyme Pottery, but could be mistaken.  Just loved the colors in it.

A little miskit here and there, and a light yellow first glaze.

WEDDING - PHASE 2

As promised, here are a few photos of the Celebration.

They are truly blessed to have such a wonderful group of friends - young and old.  Since we have a very small family, Chas told me that he considers all of them his "family".

Enjoy!

The hayride began at 12:30 for a ride to the wedding; then back home and around the lake afterward!

Part of the crowd . . . 

. . . and more.  It ebbed and flowed all evening - and fortunately there was
a good breeze and after the sun went down it cooled off considerably.
As you can see - dress was casual!

There was even a GOAT - for a brief appearance!

Jess' step sister made all of the cookies - darling wedding dresses and cakes and flowers -
and a special one for the bride (which I have no photo of) that was a mason jar filled with mums!
A friend made cupcakes also.  Delish!

THE WEDDING - JUNE 11, 2016

My son was married this afternoon (the hottest day of the year so far).  Finally!  The person who married them began the ceremony (only 5 minutes long, per orders from my son!) by saying "Well, it's about time!"  My hand to God, I was going to stand up and say that at the end of the ceremony, but he beat me to it!

They have known each other 10 years, live together, have a house, what more can you ask for?

Apparently a fine Country Wedding.   Very casual - jeans and cowboy boots!  The Celebration (not a reception, mind you) has begun and I'm staying in the cool house until I'm ready to eat some fresh fried fish (from our lake) and chicken fried by the local Masters of Chickenry!

Beer and booze are flowing (I don't have to be present to know that!) and merriment abounds.

A hayride to and fro for the wedding party - and the party began last night!  This is the weekend he normally has his annual fish fry - so it was a natural for a wedding since everyone had the date penciled in!

Friends and family stepped in to make it a real knock out affair.

I'll post some photos of the "celebration" after they are taken tonight.

In the meantime, here is a photo of him and me and one of the happy couple!

Me and my "baby boy"

Chas and Jess

THURSDAY PAINTINGS

Two of my paintings hanging at the GCWS show

Today I'm not showing a W I P, but sending you the link to go check out some information about the Greater Cincinnati Watercolor Society show which is hanging now at The Barn  (Woman's Art Club Center) 6980 Cambridge, Mariemont, Ohio.

Click here for information.

THURSDAY (W I P)

Last vase painted, some shadows darkened.

Now just have to remove miskit and take my husband's suggestion - gray down my shadows, they are a bit too blue.  I'm sure there will be more "putzing" and then it will be finished.