Back to Painting!

When my Aunt Edna was really going down as far as her dementia was concerned I came to a point where painting wasn't relaxing and fun.   I always felt there was something else I should be doing.

I have decided to take up the brush again after about 4 years.

I have started with doing some studies of other paintings to see where I am at after all this time.  I unfortunately could not find some of the artist's names where the paintings were displayed.

So, these are my studies while I am trying to get back in the grove:

This is my study from Kathleen Dumphy's.  She is a wonderful artist.

I don't know the artist that did the original of this.

This is from a photo taken by Simone Archer of Newark, CA.  It is of a rock we all love in Pacific Grove, CA.

Looky who is new to the family!

This is Rouen, my newest grand-dog.  And my daughter, Cathy, is a new mommy.  The whole family is enjoying this little ball of fluff.  He is a Coton de Tulear.  He is so sweet.

Getting Ready for the September Tea

Robert is ready!

Dog Tricks by Coton de Tulear Isy

Still thinking of France and other trips

I enjoyed our visit to France so much and am still catching myself thinking about different aspects of it.

I was thinking of the beautiful red Flanders Poppies and what they represent.  They are so beautiful sprinkled around the countryside of France.  The girls called them the War Poppies.  I bought some seed so maybe they will grow here in the SF Bay Area.

And Monet's garden! (Although this picture is from their web site)  That place is lovely.

And then as my thoughts were wondering, I remember the wonderful times with the grandkids:

In Williamsburg, VA,  the Turkey Leg war

And Luke and I visited the Williamsburg legislature .

 And then this wonderful picture of Ben while we were visiting George Washington's Mt. Vernon!

But then I came back to our camping trip we are leaving on tomorrow.  I remembered back to my little pup tent from our Slice 1 trip.  And wondered what the new tent will be like!

Camping Trip!

Looking forward to going camping with grandkids and their family!  It has been about 5 years since I was last camping....not counting camping in the RV.

The big tent hasn't been used since then when it encountered the huge storm at Mt Rushmore!  The 2 man tent I was using at that time was toooo small and short!  So I now have a brand new 6-person tent and a new air mattress which is higher than the normal one.  With my sore hips that should make it easier to get up in the morning!  Timmy will be sharing my tent with me and I am looking forward to that!  He is packing the most important things for camping:  1. marshmellos, 2. chocolate, 3. graham crackers!

Photos later!!!

Bathing suit finished!

The bathing suit hat is finished so this project is officially done!