Easter Blessings

9x12 color pencil

Hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful Easter!

Just completed yesterday. Been busy with wedding things, have an exhibit this coming Saturday, need more art! Still hope to get around to see what everyone's been up to (not enough hours in a day.)

Team Spirit!!!

9x12 color pencil on bristol

I am not exaggerating when talking about how big a rivalry it is between two schools that play next Saturday. University of Alabama and Auburn every year play each other last on their schedule. Bragging rights for the year. Auburn won last year, going on to be the national champions. Alabama is ranked # 2 this year and very well may have a rematch against #1 LSU for the national championship. Too bad the game isn't in Tuscaloosa, home for U of A. It is often referred to as "T-town" which would made for a better tag line. Haven't had much experience doing cartoon type drawings but I really enjoy it!

8x10 graphite and color pencil on bristol

This was a commissioned piece from an old college friend to another old college friend for her birthday. She was originally from Michigan and this is for Michigan State. Both of them were once my college roommates. I mailed it to Florida last Wednesday and heard this morning that she loved it which makes me super happy!

Been busy, Dudley's care takes some time, he is still confined and has improved some. Can tell he feels better but his balance is still haywire, though improved. If we didn't have two staircases, both of which have a gate on them to prevent the Royal One from going up, I might would let him out. The vet mentioned that the antibiotics may upset his stomach but praise be it hasn't!!!!!!

Baking and cooking begins this week. The birthday cake was put off from last week until Thanksgiving, will post photos later.


MUST clean, clean out before the explosion of Christmas decorations go up and sadly I dread it so badly because both the cleaning and decorating is back breaking. My family will help, but it is so much. I love the season but it is greatly hindered (and usually dreaded which I hate to say) by this situation. I cannot tell you how many holidays have been spent in pain or horizontal due to this. Should have been doing it all along but I have a procrastinator....ugh. I will not give up though....me, the tree and glee will conquer!!!!

"I'm a pepper, you're a pepper, wouldn't you like to..."

8x10 acrylic on canvas board

Finished this painting in record time for me, completing both the tomato and this one in a week. I paint at a snail's pace but those new brushes I purchased after finishing the landscape have already been helpful. Presently I am working on an 8x8 in shades of black and white that I started during the ballgame Saturday. Also, working on a color pencil of my niece's family in snowmen to be my sample to take orders for personalized snow people at the street festival. Thanks to each of you that stops by and leaves a comment, it is a great source of encouragement for me. Your precious time is appreciated.

The pulled pork was a hit....awesome, another recipe to add to the list!!!! First time I had made it....there are a couple of picky eaters here. If anyone would like the super easy recipe, let me know! Busy week, much more to do!

Little Bit of Art

Haven't created much art on paper yet but have had many creative days through totally redecorating VolleyGirl's room and baking two pretty large birthday cakes for nephews. I will post them soon. I have commited to a festival so have to kick it in gear.....thankfully, I work better under pressure. Hoping to get around to everyone soon!

Dogs On Thursday

Greetings friends!!!! I've missed you. (In my own, royal way) Here I am this morning contemplating going from the den to dad's office. There she is with that irritating camera. Who am I kidding, moi doesn't have a bad side....if you've got it, don't hide it!
Let yourselves be seen my friends.....Snuffles, Annie, Emma, Luna, Buddy, Dizzy, Penney, Tonka, Hope, Trixie, Bella, Zoe, Chief, Sophie and Snickers!!!!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!!

Wishing all my friends a Happy Valentine's Day!!! Hope you have a day feeling very loved.

Dogs On Thursday: Snowy Edition

These are freshly snapped photos outside my humble abode this morning.

Just around this tree at the corner I did my morning business around 6:30ish.

Last night we had between 1 and 2 inches fall, bringing us to a total of 15 inches this season, HUGE track record for the south, don't recall it ever happening before. Roads are a sheet of ice, no school today, can't get to work today. Seems like a perfect day for this:

Oh wait, I do this each and EVERY DAY. Mom was very disappointed that my snore was miniscule compared to usual. Hope all my buds that are having a snow day, make the best of it.......100 degree days will be here before you know it......now why do they refer to it as Dog Days of Summer?????? Go build a snowdog Snuffles, Annie, Ema, Luna, Buddy, Dizzy, Penney, Tonka, Hope, Trixie, Bella, Zoe, Chief, Sophie and Snickers!

Dogs On Thursday (Late Edition)

Time has slipped by, but sniffing grass has my nub wagging. The green is leaving, matters not to me, it's all about the aromas, baby!Anytime is a good time for some much needed rest....still getting plenty. Last week was filled with an adventurous road trip. It is refreshing to view my subjects from time to time. Wow.....check me out there, looking good! That slick-floored place isn't so terrible....they love to pet me. All in all, it's worth it. Medicine makes me drink and eat even more like a king! Hello! Up extra early for the bathroom please!

Rest. Again. It does a body good.

Enjoy your adventures my good buddies Snuffles, Annie, Emma, Luna, Snickers, Buddy, Dizzy, Penney, Tonka, Hope, Trixie, Bella, Zoe, Chief, Sophie and Budro!

Pride and Funk

Here is the beautiful cover of the University of Alabama yearbook that BigBoy was asked to design. Yes, I am a proud mama!

Sorry to be missing so often, trying to be better. I have not created any art, feel in a rut in many areas, not just art. The hole will not ever be so deep that I will not scratch myself out! Many of you were and are my inspiration, sadly, often it brings up feelings of inadequacy and frustration with myself when I see all the art created daily. Yeah, that was a bone baring comment.....but at the same time it also pushes me to move on past my struggles. Okay, confessions over, time to see what I can do with this day, my blessings are so bountiful!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!!

Hope all of you that may be observing the 4th, safely enjoy your day and make a memory. I have been absent for so long and anxiously hope that when I get back around to everyone that each one of you have been doing well. One note......today is also the annointed one's 4th birthday!!!!!! Happy Birthday Apollo!

Dogs On Thursday: The Arrival

Hey! Hey! Hey! ("mechanical" tail wagging quickly as possible, not very fast) You're back! I missed you, I missed you! Let's play, c'mon, let's play! My best buddy has come home for the summer, too bad mom held the camera at an angle and can't find a way to rotate it. She said something about lying down with a laptop and enjoying the moment, whatever that means.... You see my enjoyable moment, now go have yours my friends Snuffles, Annie, Emma, Luna, Snickers, Buddy, Dizzy, Penney, Tonka, Hope, Trixie, Bella, Zoe, Chief and Sophie!!!

Dogs On Thursday: My Mornings

Look, he's sitting right in front of me, while I am on the couch with mom. Every morning, sitting there, using that weird voice of his, wanting to be petted, teasing me with his blue eyes and that glorious tail of fluff......

Yeah, ....... you better run!

Chased him away! Yesterday, I caught him! It is perplexing as to why he does not enjoy my standing over him......maybe he does......he always comes back.........all the time. Mom tells me he wants to be friends and if I could sniff and run with him instead of standing on top of him it would be fun..............huh, thought I was having fun.

Where is he now? Is he back for more yet? Hey, my buddies- Snuffles, Annie, Emma, Luna, Snickers, Buddy, Dizzy, Penney, Tonka, Hope, Trixie, Bella, Zoe, Chief and Sophie, have some fun......go chase your friends!

Dogs On Thursday: Easy

It's really very easy, it's clearly black and white. You may either simply bow just the head.

The full body bow or curtsey is always acceptable and preferred.

Please, don't make me tell you again. Bow down or just bow wow to your loved ones my dear friends, especially Snuffles, Annie, Emma, Luna, Snickers, Buddy, Dizzy, Penney, Tonka, Hope, Trixie, Bella, Zoe, Chief and Sophie!

Wish It Were Upbeat News.....

I'm sorry to have teased about news, though each time I posted this week, my mind was often elsewhere. Time was limited in the last week, lately I have been working Thursday and Friday and when the weekend is here, my schedule is different. Hated to post downer news again and was also hoping to have some closure to the situation as well. That occurred late yesterday afternoon.

Monday, of last week, as I was driving back after dropping off VG at school, I heard in a news break on the radio of a young man, 21, missing in a lake in the region after he and two others were in a canoe that capsized Saturday night. They named the missing man and I immediately knew the name, figured there wasn't many with same last name, called my husband at home. He told me a bit more after I arrived home, finding reports online when I arrived home. I searched online and found out he had indeed attended the same high school as my son and knew it had to be a friend he attended school with from 2nd grade through high school. In junior high he and my son spent the night with one another countless times, how many times I had seen him through the years since their class at the Catholic school was less than 30 total. I called my son, he begin to get in touch with friends and before long we knew it was him and who the other two that made it to shore were. March 27th, he and the friends were at the older boy's family's lake house celebrating the older one's birthday because his family was out of the country. Yes, they had been drinking and I don't know what else, went out in the canoe at 10:30 p.m. or so, no life jackets, and the weather windy, a lake advisory, so the water was choppy. Apparently had been out there about 2 hours, canoe overturned when they turned in the wind, two of the boys held on, the other started swimming, thinking he was going towards the bank. They saw him go down. They were screaming at him, some neighbors turned the light on at their dock and the boys realized more where they were with the light but he was gone. Through facebook my son and many of the friends that finished 8th grade together got in touch with one another, shared information and planned to get together this past Friday night. The family planned a visitation Easter Sunday evening and a memorial yesterday even though they had not recovered his body. Our family went to visitation and my son and I went to the memorial yesterday. Late yesterday afternoon they finally found his body after nine days. The is large, much of it over 100 feet deep with trees under the water because it is a manmade lake. But we are so relieved that he was finally found. It has been emotional and heartwrenching for them I know. My son and he were not as close through high school, different interests, doing different things, but that 8th grade class was so close and they have really bonded through this and it has been a blessing for the to reconnect with each other, their families and the teachers that they have seen. One of the other boys was also one of their class members and he is not doing well at all, very, very badly, almost catatonic state. The kids are trying to reach out to him, writing him a card that got to him, sending him messages on facebook.....the older guy is taking it hard and feeling guilt apparently. Sorry, to be so wordy about a stranger, but it's been kind of surreal. Apparently they were having a press conference at the lake today but it is not on our local stations and I didn't find in online. Gotta run, well, hobble to find prom earrings, get groceries......love to you all, hug your loved ones....or send great messages!!!!

Dogs On Thursday: Late Edition

Yes, my share time is a bit tardy but I have found the guiding light now and the sun always seems to shine on me!
How could I be so ignorant to think the amazing light constantly following me was the sun? Blinded by the light, I was, for obviously it is my own royal glow from within that permeates from my soul. Now go out and share your light, especially my good friends Snuffles, Annie, Emma, Luna, Snickers, Buddy, Dizzy, Penney, Tonka, Hope, Trixie, Bella, Zoe, Chief and Sophie!

Dogs On (Last) Thursday

The quilt is very comfy in the morning...it was cold out there! There is more than one, or two ways to relax at the castle. Oh yes, am an avid reader of serious literature, it helps me sleep better. Hope all my friends are having sweet dreams throughout the day.....that means you Snuffles, Annie, Emma, Luna, Snickers, Buddy, Dizzy, Friday, Penney, Tonka, Hope, Trixie, Bella, Zoe and Chief!

Working BREAKING NEWS Away...

BREAKING NEWS: SHAMELESS, BURSTING OFFSPRING PRIDE BULLETIN! Just before going to bed last night, after speaking to BigBoy on the phone, he texted me saying that he forgot to tell me he was asked to design the cover for the college yearbook!!! Apparently someone had told the yearbook staff about him. This is the same university that just won the National Championship in college football.........University of Alabama- Roll Tide!!!!! How did you forget to tell your mother that on the phone!

Working away to get pieces ready by this Friday for the upcoming art exhibit. Both of these fill up an 8x10 space and are in ink. They will probably require my getting a special mat cut for them to be put into a 11x14 inch frame. This is due to the fact that they are on 9x12 paper but are too large for an 8x10 opening. The top one would fit an 8x10 opening but I want to leave a bit of a border around it. Neither is a very good photo......I did receive a brand new copier, scanner, printer from Mr. Unplugged at Christmas but must have him look at it again because I cannot get it to scan. The second zentangle was started in December, originally it was to be for someone else but, duh, I made the border larger than the 8x10 opening of the plexiglass type frame that I like to put these in, makes it look like it is floating. So, I started again on the one that was sold and decided that I would finish this one and frame it differently for the exhibit.

I was scheduled to work 5 hours yesterday but ended up working 8 so as to not leave a newly hired person there alone. I do not work again until Friday but my manager said I could have the day off if I needed it to get ready for the exhibit. While working, there are many periods of downtime where I am waiting for downloads on the computer to complete so I used the opportunity to make notes on all that is needed to be done this week. My big goal is to do 2 or 3 small paintings, one pencil drawing and perhaps a simple zentangle or two. There is one or two framing changes I am going to make, frame the latest work, price, name.....blah, blah, blah! Why am I here, typing you ask? Because I miss all of you....can't believe how it grinds my gears not to check in with you all! So......I will bid you goodbye for now and begin scanning the world for blogs!

HAPPY 2010 !

Happy New Year !!!!

May you all have a safe and blessed start to your new year. Looking forward to another year of continued friendship, making new friends and more art. You have not only encouraged my art but enriched my life as well.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

Wishing each of you and your families a very merry and blessed Christmas! Hoping all have a safe, happy day, with wonderful memories made. I have missed checking in with you this week, it has been a busy one but I have completed my art and baked. Thank you for all your wonderful comments you leave and especially your support! Love to you, your family and your cherished four-legged friends too!

Too Cute Not To Share but then I Bore It Up Some...

Yes.....many already have visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads and perhaps making the grocery list for the Thanksgiving meal but I never got around to sharing these photos of my great nephews, Finn and Eli. Finn, the robot, will be 5 on Dec. 23rd, my mom's birthday, Eli was 3 in early July, he is Samurai Jack (recall, I helped my niece make a SJ birthday cake. They live very close to us but sadly with both our schedules, I do not see them that often. It is a tradition that they are the first trick-or-treaters at our door on Halloween. My niece really enjoyed the fact that Finn was unable to run in the robot outfit......so as not to get waaay ahead of them.

See the little "ponytail" on Eli?

Okay, we all had been in the front yard awhile and they were ready to move on! Those boys have endless energy but they are adorable, at least to me.

Here is the full sheet cake that I made for the volleyball banquet. Not one of my better works but it was done and tasted good!

Spent a full day helping my friend choose curtains, meeting with the seamstress and going to a nearby town to look for fabric.......it was fun, but knee/back tiring.

I have been getting updates from my friend, she may get more definitive answers on Monday.....what I have learned so far doesn't sound very good to me.

Going to have an article in the paper on my show this week....have to meet photographer at the coffeeshop for a photo...grrrrrr.....hate being on the opposite side of the lens!

I am itching, itching, itching to do some art, perhaps tonight!

Thank you all for your wonderful comments and support, you don't know just how much it means to me. I will have some Royal Canine Duties this week, hopefully finding out my start date for my job, doing some drawing, pen and ink too! Try to catch up with comments soon!!!