summer bbq

a backyard bbq brought together new and old friends...fun day!  Read more here about the joys of planning our first bbq with a baby...

a new leaf turns over & summer begins

The last few weeks have been a roller coaster ride with Max passing, traveling, working, cleaning, being a mom.  You know the drill.  So, I decided to break out of my shell and start a free spirited, carefree, colorful oil (on burlap).  I let the brush do the talking--we'll see where this takes me.  I'm beginning to wonder if I see my shop on etsy becoming real soon...my goal is to have it up sooner rather than later.  Maybe end of Summer?

And, today we enjoyed a fun day of swimming.  Leila loved it...she wondered how her bathtub all of a sudden got so darn big.  Don't worry, dada didn't dunk her. 

I'm off on a road trip the next few days but will return the end of the week!

This is how...

my day looks.  Total chaos.

a night at the greenbrier

We were lucky enough to spend an evening at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, WV...where do I begin?  I am in awe of Dorothy Draper and found this wonderful blog when doing research on her.  I can't wait to learn more...she seems like she was fearless, bold and absolutely amazing.  The design of The Greenbrier is like no other-- it is a magical place you never want to leave.

a new blog for Patch.com

I'm now also blogging for the Westminster, MD Patch.com website!  Thanks so much to everyone for reading, commenting and supporting my writing...I really, really appreciate it.  

Oh, to Sew!

Love this great vintage Kenmore sewing machine with built in seat and drawers.  This was my husband's grandmother's.  How fun was the advertising back then?  Who would have thought needles and thread could be so interesting!  Now I must learn how to sew....

Generations in Black and White

Looking forward to working on a new pencil drawing based on this photo taken of a grandfather with his great-grandson.  What a sweet photo!  Thank you, Abby, for thinking of me for this project.

So Long Sweet Boy

Just one day after my previous post Max died suddenly and without warning.  We are deeply saddened and shocked.  Max was not just our dog, but a best friend, protector, playmate and a part of our family.  I suppose these are the kinds of losses in life that teach you to cling on to those you love, cherish the moments you have and not take anything for granted.

We love you and miss you terribly.  You will always be in our hearts sweet boy.

An Iowa Landscape And A Girl's Best Friend

Working on a small sketch for a painting Lisa and Mike Rossi have commissioned me to complete.  Very excited to get into the grit of this, the subject is so peaceful with bright colors and vast skies...the farmland of Iowa!  The piece is inspired by Lisa's childhood home and family farm so it is very special to them.  The canvas is extra large and has been custom made...the perfect surface and size for this piece.  We'll see how my vision comes to life...more soon! 

Meanwhile, Leila has decided that Max's ears are her new toy...but the more she tugs at them nothing seems to happen?  Literally.  Max just lies there...poor guy.

Baby Hayden

We have been without internet the last week...and the week before that I was in the middle of West Virginia with little computer access.  What did we do before computers?  Really, I was lost and felt disconnected from the world for a good 2 weeks.  But, I feel like a new person and am glad to be back blogging...

Just finished a sweet baby shower gift for baby Hayden out in California.  Was really excited to work on this! The painting coordinates with the little girl's bedding and should make for a sweet surprise for mom come baby shower day!  Thank you, Karen for thinking of me for this:

Drawing in progress

Painting in progress

Final piece complete: 13" x 16" acrylic on paper

Country Roads Take Me Home

We are enjoying a relaxing week in the hills of West Virginia at my parent's house.  No cell phone access and little time on the computer has meant a clear head and lots of calm.  We enjoyed a gorgeous Monday with a long walk along the Greenbrier River, lunch at the Stardust Cafe in Lewisburg, and a stop at The Crazy Baker on the way home.  Also visited one of my favorite places, The Cooper Gallery, where I discovered a new artist, Max Hayslette.  His use of color to capture light amazed me...here are just two of his beautiful pieces:

Secrets of the Hills I

Hill and Valley IV

And a few snapshots of our fun week so far:

 

                                      

The river is high today and the rain keeps coming...

Something Old & Something Blue

Was wishing this beautiful 1930's Mother of Pearl cigarette case, which was my Grandmother's, would be large enough to use as a business card holder.  How unique it would have been, unfortunately it's a smidge too small.  The box it came in though is the perfect size...I am going to use it as a base to create my own card holder.  Will post photo when complete.

Loving this new, but old, wooden box to house my art supplies.  This was my Father in law's toy chest when he was a boy.  Clearly, times were simpler back then...refreshing to think about compared to all the "stuff" that is marketed to children today.

The Lacking Lunch

What a gorgeous day we had today!  Leila and I enjoyed a beautiful drive to historic Leesburg, VA to meet one of her buddies for lunch at Lightfoot Restaurant.  Little did we know this was the furthest from kid friendly her mom and I could have picked.  As we waited to be seated, the gleam of a full service place setting seemed to glare at us from each table.  This would be ok, Taylor's mom is also new to motherhood...AND expecting again (crazy girl!)...so obviously she has no fear. 

So, we were seated.  In the corner.  At the back of the restaurant.  Where the 4.5 of us, our diaper bags, teethers and annoyingly excited to have gotten out of the house selves, couldn't bother anyone.  Because, it seems that once you have a baby any waiter/waitress who thinks they will have to wait on you also thinks you have the plague.

The next hour went seamlessly.  The girls were quiet as could be, didn't drop a thing on the floor...they would have brightened anyone's day.  With the exception of our waitress.  She must have been in her late 30's/early 40's...and she barely broke a smile from the moment she greeted us.  Maybe she was upset she would be inconvenienced by having to reach over the girls to give us our food??  Did my friend and I epitomise everything she resented?  I don't know.  Maybe I should have told her that I haven't been out of the house without pear smudged all over my shirt in days so this was a special treat, DON'T RUIN IT lady!

As we exited the restaurant, other customers literally stopped and said they didn't even realize there were kids in the resaurant...they smiled and commented on their sweet demeanors too.

"Uh oh, Taylor.  They caught us talking about them."

"Nuh, Nuh, Nuh, Nuh, NO.  It was nothing bad!"

"We were talking about how you are the most fabulous mommies EVER.  Just sayin'"

After lunch, I couldn't help but think how much better our experience would have been had she been friendly with us and our babies.  The power of positive thinking!  It really does make a difference...our waitress could have used a dose. 

What I learned from today:  You can't expect everyone to react to your children the way you would.  Just because you think they are perfect (which they are)..some people see them as a nuisence.  And, if you are a waiter/waitress your tip will reflect that.  

Happy Birthday Sweet Leilani

Happy Birthday baby girl!  Thank you for giving us 6 months of the best laughter, love, tears and fun we've ever known.  Mama and Dada love you!

It's official!

Thank you to Whitney Bennett for creating my business logo and marketing piece...now I'm excited!

finito!

                                                                 

 20" x 20" oil on burlap