Chalk and Koi

Sunday was all about relaxing, drinking iced tea and drawing on the sidewalk.

We decided to make our front sidewalk into a pond.
(When I say we, I'm speaking of my husband and I, not the voices in my head.)

Starting with a grey scale outline


My honey made his Koi Green

I went with Orange

Unfortunately it was too dang hot to finish. If we ever do complete our idea there will be photos.

There's Gold in That There River

Friday we decided to go to a river and pan for gold...yup...no kidding. My honeys brother has been trying to get us to go for some time.
I wasn't sure what to expect, but we ended up having a great time.

The spot we went to was about a half mile hike up a beautiful wooded path.




Even our 5 year old tried it.


Beauuutiful! And not a soul around.


I wonder what this building was used for.


The hike back up the path was also pretty.


This is what we came home with....I think maybe we will go buy that 900sq ft castle.


It's not a way to strike it rich (not that it's impossible, just unlikely). More like a fun activity to do while cooling off at the river.
I'm sure we will go again.

Castle Life

I wouldn't know anything about it.


I came across this web site of a company that makes castles! The web site could be better, but the castles look very cool. There are lots of pictures of one under the castles for sale section.

It's about 3 million for a large castle, I wonder how much it would be for a 900 sq ft one....hmmmmm

Oh Alice

I do so hope that this movie is as good as it's expected to be, it would be so disappointing to be disappointed.

Cadillacs, Beaches, Impressionism and Stabbings

In the early afternoon on Saturday some friends came over to go see a small classic Cadillac show with us. I am not a car buff so I don't have any details about any of the cars, but I took a bunch of pictures.
My husband did a really nice chalk drawing on the sidewalk while we waited for our guests, it's taken from a painting by Edward Potthast called "At the Seashore".
Out of all the cars,I think this pretty shiny red one (which matches my toe nails by the way) may be my favorite.

This reallllly classic one is pretty snazzy too.

The underside is all exposed, with gears and chains...very steampunk.

This hearse was pretty interesting. It was in pristine condition.

After the car show we all went to the beach. It was the perfect day for it, warm with enough of a breeze so that it's not uncomfortable.

After the beach we came back to our house for a barbecue...that's where the stabbing comes in.
Nothing too horrendous, I just stabbed my hand while trying to separate frozen hamburger patties. I guess that's what I get for being lazy and not making fresh.
It was deep enough though, that I had to go to the ER to have it washed out and glued together. I took a picture with one of those hazardous waste symbols in the background, but I will leave it off for those that are not into blood and gore.

Was that a bit anticlimactic? Sorry.

Grand Adventure

An artist named Swoon and her crew of 30 put this project together and crashed the Venice Biennale. What an amazing adventure this would be.
All photos are credit to Tod Seelie. (tons more on his site if you want to see)

I came across this via Blood Milk, check it out.

Where are the Bananas?

I know I just bought some bananas! I know I put them on the counter in the kitchen where the bananas always live when I have them....where the heck did they walk off to?
Ohhhhh of course

they are on the windowsill in the living room, one of the joys of having a busy 5 year old. I'm just glad I spotted them before they spoiled.

Summer Weather

Summer in Washington is an off and on affair.
Some days are made for drawing on the sidewalk

Learning to ride

Knitting dishtowels in the yard

Then the rains come

Wash everything away and give a fresh start and a fresh canvas

More Space Please

I have been displaced. When we moved into our home I had my own studio, painted a nice pale blue with lots of light and french doors that open up onto a balcony. Sigh. My husband that works at home was going to work in the studio/shed out in the back yard. That lasted about one month, it was too cold, too dark, and lonely. Sooooo now he is in the coveted office space, he needs a room where he can be off by himself so he can concentrate while he works. He works on computers, doing web sites, networks, programming type stuff, and needs to be where he has some quiet. I completely understand, and he IS the bread winner in our family.
I now keep my art supplies in the pantry...



I am still working on getting things a bit more organized...maybe one day soon I will commandeer one of the other rooms for my studio. I would probobly still end up working at the kitchen table anyway.
At any rate I am still getting things done. I have finally set up my Etsy shop and bit by bit am getting things listed. I have 8 items up now and a whole tray of colorful barrettes waiting to have their pictures taken.

A Lovely Weekend

What a busy weekend! Fireworks, Bbq's, Birthdays, Oh My.

It was really nice, we had an active 4th of July with picnics and swimming during the day, then just a few friends over to watch the fireworks from our deck. Our landlord told us that there was a perfect view from there, but we didn't really know what to expect....Wow, it was quite impressive.

Sunday was my Fathers 78th birthday, we had a peaceful birthday brunch and I think he really enjoyed himself (he specifically requested something restful this year).

Happy Day after your Birthday Daddy, I Love You!