The Middle

Here we are to the middle of the month again....and the heat is on once again..
It has registered 91 degrees the last three days . so here we go...
It has been a very productive two weeks for me, and I have been doing some fun painting in between the spring cleaning I have been trying to tackle..
I am thinking that the Nola Cola painting may be the one I choose to send for The Million Milf March  http://hotmessmom.com/  http://millionmilfmarch.com/ auction this year. What do you guys think???
The Egret is for work.. It's very nice.....
The car mural can finally be seen again, now that we got the garage cleaned up...
The Bowling Ball House painting is complete but not framed yet..
Go see it live in Safety Harbor Florida.. It's worth it....
We have a party for coworkers coming up this weekend and are very excited to be able to have everyone here for the first time....should be a fun time....
Business has really picked up lately. Thank You! Thank You!... It has been a very good thing.
I can hear the birds preparing to make their nest in the fireplace this morning so once again we get to be a part of this cycle of life....
The yearbook is finally finished as of last night so Amy is ready to relax a bit... a very long process to get through each year and this is something to celebrate..  the finish...
Jenn got through the kidney stone surgery this week, even as Aidan was sick with 102 fever and upset stomach. Andy's brother Joe is there visiting this week and I know they are all enjoying that..
Wy  is not feeling up to snuff this week, but he is hoping things are looking up a bit today...
Okay enough of me playing, It's time to get some more stuff done...
 Bye for now, Hope all are Well and Happy......

Easter 2013

We had the smallest of crowds,but one of the nicest Easters ever this year... 80 degrees with a breeze, all the doors open for a breath of fresh air..
Way to much good food ... We started the eat fest with some hot artichoke dip, Thank you Teresa and Mike, always so good ... with egg salad, deviled eggs and crackers and cheese...( for the first time ever, the ham was not shoe leather dried out)... the veggies were a big hit ...roasted mix of asparagus,yellow squash,carrots onion,garlic,and broccoli, yummy with baked sweet potato, salad and potato rolls.. Dessert, Amy and Eric provided, Chocolate pie and Coconut cake, best ever. Thanks you guys... all while viewing the tribute to Levon Helm video wow...sounds good doesn't it...well it sure was... only thing better would have been to have had the missing members of our extended family here too... Easter baskets all around (never too old for those.)
We did get to see Aidan with his first plastic eggs and tasting jelly beans for the first time.. so cute..so much slobber...
Here we are to April 1st...
The picture of the drink is a Bubble and Fruit.. my first A lady in one of my classes introduced me to it... Yum....

Cool....

I am so enjoying this cool Florida weather..40 degrees this A.M. wow, It will not last much longer,but for now it sure fills good......
Thank You to both Terry and his brother Joe for the work you both did this week in making repairs to our home... A new drain field was dug and laid, and new light fixtures in bathrooms and kitchen, and much more.. thanks to you both..
I was forced by pain in my lower anchor tooth for my right side bridge, to go meet the new dentist..Ms. Elizabeth Dewiess and she is very nice.[well,new to me]
I now have to go tomorrow and have a root canal done on that tooth and than have a new bridge built.. ugh!!!   and the cost is over the top.. too bad I can not do without it ,so... bite the bullet and thank my lucky stars I am working to be able to do it....
Is it really possible that Easter is this Sunday????
I am hosting a small family Easter dinner on Sunday and cannot wait to see you all..It has been a while since we all got together...
The family members that are not here will be missed... Happy Easter to you!!!!
Still very busy at work and very happy about that....
I have even gotten to do a few personal painting, one of which was for Jenn's birthday..The Poolarea,is what we call it... and one that is not finished yet of The Bowling Ball House in Safety Harbor,Fl.
Its coming along pretty well .  I was going to make it a submission for P.W.A.T. ,but have taken way to much time ,so I may try to make another version soon...[ in my spare time???]
I am very excited ,to also be planning a party at our house to celebrate the marriage of one co-worker and the engagement of another. it is the first time we will gather at our house and it should be fun...
Well I have to get busy, so may you all have a wonderful weekend....

Moving at lightning speed

Okay, I realize it has been a bit of time since I was here last, but you have got to give me a break, I did have a day off on the Fifth of March.....but had that day to catch up on chores..not, do some fun painting for me..... more likely....
anyway, hope all are on the right track, moving ahead at a steady pace...
I did hear mumblings of it being a bear of a week last week, and yes I think I had a bit of that too, but it is moving so fast, that it is long forgotten.. the last few classes have made up for any trying ones by a long shot... Thank You !Thank You! for some really fun groups... Last night the group even brought in a photo booth... What??? Oh yes they did..
I have been a complete painting fool.. and still loving it...
The time change always gives me a bit of a fit, but this one is my favorite change.. longer evenings, more light... yeah...
Now I am off to breakfast with friends, before going the grocery store ,and then it is back to work tonight and tomorrow...  I will try to get back to it again soon... ..I sure hope ya'll make the best of the longer evenings and have yourself some fun times...
Bye for now...

Feb.

Tomorrow is the last day of this month, What????? how can that be???
 I worked the last 12 days in a row, and really enjoyed having yesterday off to cook a nice dinner and get to catch up with Amy and Eric .
I made my version of Shepard's pie,salad and drop biscuits..Yummy
Amy brought her hula hoop and I had mine, so we hooped it up a bit after dinner...
something I need to do much more of.. I am so out of shape...
Wy got us on video, not a pretty sight but proof that we can do it...
After two weeks of 80 degrees we are going down into the thirties again by the weekend, What???? Just as so many people we know were heading to the beach for long weekend of beach fun...  highs in the upper 40's, the first week of march.. Wouldn't you just know it... oh, well I am sure they will all still make their own fun of it...
One of our Artists is getting married next week, and we are all wishing the couple well .  {I was able to make them some paper flowers}
Here is to a very happy life together... Have a wonderful wedding and a great Honeymoon and be safe in your travels.......
Aidan is getting so big so quickly,and he has discovered climbing... oh fun, for Mom and Dad, trying to keep up with him .
Andy's mom and dad got there last night for a visit and I am excited for them to get to see him in action...
The  other two pictures above, are my next two classes so if you like, come join in the fun...
Well it's time for me to get busy on a pre-paint so I wish all a good end to the month ..... see you soon ...

"One at The Time", as Paula Dean says

Spring is on it's way into our yard and the trees are showing it, one at a time...
Yesterdays full day steady rain will bring the rest of them to that beautiful spring green...
I hope everyone had a very nice Valentines Day ...
I made two batches of heart shaped cookies for my valentines... I got pictures for the people that I had to put them in the mail to... Just in case they arrive as ice cream sprinkles.. This is how they started out, when they left my house...

 

We started having trouble with our water heater this week, and when the plumber came out to replace the elements, he made the comment that he had never seen a water heater this old, still in use... what ??? The ones today are made to last about ten years , what????  Anyway, he was able to get it working until we  can call an electrician to fix the breaker, which must have quit working at the same time...

Thank You ,Amy and Eric, very much for letting me shower before work yesterday. You guys saved the day for me...

Thank You, also for the sellout crowds both yesterday and today at P.W.A.T. It is really fun with a big group...

 Now I have 32 pre-sketches to do before tonight's class so I have to go ...

Have a great weekend y'all...

 

 

2nd. Anniversary Party....

Many games and many prizes and a wonderful time was had by all.. Not even to mention what a great job everyone did with their paintings... A big Thank You to everyone who came to help us celebrate that we are 2 years old now... Yeah!!!!

Painting With A Twist

 

Have I mentioned lately that I love my job ???
It's a Party.... Bring your own refreshments and paint with me and go home with a feeling of accomplishment, plus a painting ,an original piece of art that you did.... Wow..
We are two years old now and having a big party to celebrate that... Prizes included, and the Big One is a Free Class A Month for a Year.. Wow....
 Please sign up now at P.W.A.T. Tampa if you would like to join us ..
It fills up fast... and is going to be a Blast !!!!

 February 9th. is the Day 7:00 p.m. is the Time     This is the painting {Peacock}

Be there or be square, as they say.. but really, I hope I get to see you there...

Feb 1,2013

Wow I took the dogs out this a.m. at 7;30 and found the moon and sun up at the same time... Our temp is 46 degrees. Nice and cool, Beautiful morning... What a sight for sore eye's... I got home from work at 11:15 p.m. so, yes my eyes are sore this morning, I awoke at 6:30... any way....
The two classes that took place last night went well...one was a bachelorette party and the bride to be is getting married tomorrow... The did a painting of three glasses of wine and they all turned out great...and they had a great time!!!
Tonight I teach Cobblestone Walk ,It's a very popular one ..and tomorrow is S.O.S. and I teach a private party from 4-6... busy and fun...Yeah!!!!
I added the third photo of the Bleeding Heart Vine because I loved the light behind it as well as the subject it's self...  and am trying to take better photos...
Head over to Wy Because's blog .He did a new entry yesterday and it's a good one.
Hope this month is a good one.. I will be back here soon, but bye for now...

Days Off

It has really been beautiful these last few days.. 63 this morning 81 with a very nice breeze blowing through the house now.. we are so lucky to be here...
I have had the last two days off and of course I have spent it Painting, only difference is this time I am painting for me...Yeah! I have just finished one ,of my old lean to greenhouse, which has really made me miss it... many good times have been spent playing in the dirt out there....We lost it during tropical storm Debby and though I had not spent a lot of time recently there, I still loved it and miss it....
I happened to walk out to the car at dusk on Saturday night and was thrill to see the full moon peeking out from behind the trees...Wow.... What a sight...
and  then on a different note Wy wanted a picture of Beyonce looking in the front window from where she sands on the front porch... so I tried...
I have been meaning to paint a whole series of the Ragg compound and as the old buildings are dropping like fly's it seems I have finally gotten a good start and will post more as we go... It's midweek already and there is only one more day in this month... Unreal... hope the best for all in finishing the week and month out...
Bye for now....

The Seasons

Ah Saturday, My favorite day... I got to meet Linda for breakfast this morning and have really been missing our breakfast club....
Look what happened in my yard yesterday...
What season is it anyway???
The last two weeks we have been in the high 70's with 50's at night and man did our yard pop out like the Spring time... and now they are talking about a mid week cold front..I am so Happy to have had a taste of nice weather before the unyielding heat comes back at us... Thank You ,Thank You for it being so nice while family was home too....
I am still not up to snuff ,but am back to work and keeping busy.. Tomorrow is Pet Portrait day at P.W.A.T. and we have a full house with a waiting list..That's a first for us and we are happy as a pig in mud about that...
The boy is now walking on his own a bit at a time and I just wish Jenn felt a little better to be able to enjoy his exploration, getting into everything,and climbing... feel better quick because this is the fun stuff for both of you guys....
 I Just wanted to add the picture of the dogs snuggling on the couch..that doesn't happen often.. at least I don't get it on film often..
Anyway..Have a great weekend all!!!!!

IT Went Too Fast...

How can this be the last day of the visit???
Where does the time go when it's good times you are having??? and
How long before we will see each other again????
The End is the hardest part of the trip....at least for all of us it is...
I have not written because, busy and having fun, and this last week not feeling up to par but now on a z-pak and will be better in no time...It's the first time since I have worked at P.W.A.T. that I had to call in sick... Bummer.... The Boss,Marvin Gay was very good about it.. Thank You Marvin....
Ja , the middle, left to go back to Cali..last week and is missed.. and may soon be moving a bit nearer home, which we will be very happy about....
May you line the way with angels as the family takes the the air for the long ride home... travel safe and you will be missed...
It has been a really great visit and we can't wait to plan the next one sooner then later,I hope...
Love you guys....
So many pictures taken, so little space to fit them, now how to choose???
Sure hope all of you have had as good a two weeks as we have, but I can not believe it's the 20th of January already...
 I will try to write again before the rest of the month gets by us...mean while have a good one...

Jenn,Andy and Aidan are in the House

We are all so excited to have the family back together again....
so great to see you out of towners home a last, if only for a bit...
The night before our second Christmas went very well and we are all fat and sassy now in our new P.J.s....Thank You Grand Pa Angelo for the best Strobolli ever...
baby boy is so big,we will soon not be able to put the baby in front of that nic name...
[One going on ten]... Took his first few steps this week... Saying  Hi!
today we do the stocking and gift thing all over again and I am so looking forward to the reactions of everyone .. Small but hopefully good gifts...
Lots of good food and good company ...
I had last night off from work ,but they had 60 people signed up for the Tampa painting... very good Tampa!!!!! sorry I missed that, but glad to be with family....
I included the picture I painted for Wy ,of the view looking down our lane..
I think he was pleased ,as was I...
 well, Hope ya'll have a great week..
.meet you back here soon...

It's Finished

 I was able to finish my sketchbook 2013 and am very happy with it.. now to send it on its way....
It is beyond belief that this is the very last day of this year..Holy Smoke,..did that fly by...
A big Thank You for all the wonderful birthday wishes and fine words from everyone.. I did have a great birthday...!!!!
Thank You, Amy for the best b.day dinner and the book of Aidan's first year..WOW...Nice job...and what a beautiful and yummy cake....
Thank You Jamie and Bruce for the baby crib, the clothes,toys and the fun getting that crib together...Four adults try to put one piece of baby furniture together.. What a scene....   So funny...
I wish everyone a very Happy new Year!! May you have more good than bad, and more happiness than sadness in the year to come.. keep positive and look on the bright side... At least thats what I am  going to be up to... My best wishes to all... See you next year ...same time, same place ...I never get tired of touching base with you!!! so it's just bye for now,
with love ,Sandi