Cactus Monday - Potted cactus

Being the lazy bones sketcher that I am...I am showing you a bowl full of cactus as seen in a garden I toured lately. I thought of it as a great sketch yet here it sits in its digital harmony. Happy Cactus Monday everyone.

O is O full of Daisies

This O full of daisies is the ATC sent to Teri for our ABC ATC trade. Our Teri does like her daisies. O seemed to be a difficult letter for me. Hmmmmm I wonder why. I hope everyone is enjoying a wonderful weekend.

Thankful Thursday - 8-27-09

I have so much to be thankful for this week. Lynn sent "me" a gift to celebrate "her" 2nd blogaversary. Thank you so much Lynn. You are such a talented generous lady. Laure is also a generous lady. She sent her letter "J" in a card of her design. Thanks Laure.

The big bang was Teri's visit. I must say I can't hardly tell you how pleased I was to host her and Erv. We had such a great visit. She brought me this sweet little Moleskin Watercolor journal. I took its picture with a regular size so you can see how small it it. It seems this is the perfect size for sketching in church. tee hee...

I have decorated the front page so it is ready for action. I can't wait for an occasion to use it. The stamps I used to decorate the page came from Linda... I just love them too.

Teri, also gave me gift that was wrapped in a unique way. It is a colorful page from a magazine.

Folded like an envelope. It held some ATCs. I had never seen an envelope made this way.

Inside the pretty envelope was a beautiful cactus ATC and a Zen twinchie and an inchie. Many thanks Teri.

When Teri was here visiting this past weekend we took her and Erv to the Dinky Auction House. The big draw of this place is that it is in the heart of Amish country near where I live. I thought we would have fun drawing some of the people and other unusual sights there.

This little group of fellows were sitting right in front of us for a while. I must say I don't do this kind of drawing very often. I need practice. I thought these guys were so cute. The two small boys were with their Grandad(?).In this ring the auctioneer sat behind a desk with the clerk out front were two men catching bids and moving the merchandise along. It seemed that all the men had hats on.

Later, this fellow sat in front of us. Obviously wasn't Amish, at least he didn't have the Amish man's of blue shirt and dark pants uniform on. Maybe he was a fallen away Amish.

There were several auctioneers selling items in several different rings. Everything from Saddles, hay, small animals, household items, tools etc... The women I tried to capture just didn't sit still long enough. I am just too slow for this kind of people drawing. Like I said I need practice.

I can't wait to see Teri's drawings. She is practiced at this kind of drawing as you may recall at seeing her church people. We were sketching away sitting there on those bleachers.

I want to thank Teri for being such a good friend and mentor. She is the one that encouraged me to start posting which has led to my artsy side blossoming.

Animal Wednesday - Gall

While out walking in the park today we found this gall lying under some oak trees. I brought it home and painted it. I also cut it open to see if I could see what kind of larva was in it. It oozed some of the juice from the outer layer. The little wad of worms were in the center. They were quite small. The gall itself was about an inch long and wide at the widest point. I don't know what kind of gall it is but it was pretty. Do you know what kind of gall it might be? Happy Animal Wednesday.

Blooming Tuesday - Wildflowers

This past weekend there were so many Partridge-Peas blooming along the road they rivaled the Common Evening Primrose. Such pretty yellow flowers I tried to capture. Happy Blooming Tuesday.

Cactus Monday - Potted Plants

I feel like I am cheating at Cactus Monday but the truth of the matter is I bought these plants with CM in mind. Why just look at the cactus in the front. It looks like a brain. I keep thinking I would try to paint it but I just can't bring myself to do so. The tall guy in the back is just another drunken sailor. He just won't stand upright. I turn the pot and hope for it to right itself. It hasn't happened yet. Happy Cactus Monday to all.

Teri's Visit

I have been so blessed this year by being able to meet fellow bloggers. When Teri of Teri's Painted Daisies mentioned that she was coming to IN to her niece's wedding I started lobbying for a visit. I didn't want to miss this window of opportunity. Teri, Erv, Gary and I met at the Gasthof for dinner. Gosh I think we ate...we were so busy talking I hardly remember eating.

As we were leaving the restaurant we were greeted by this lovely carriage and horse that we could have had a free ride in but we were anxious to get on over to the auction. When you meet someone you just don't have time to do all you want.

The fancy carriage at the restaurant was just one of many we were to see parked at the auction house. The Amish don't really like to have their pictures taken so we respected them by not taking their picture.

However the horses didn't really seem to mind. There were all sorts of buggies. Open buggies.

There were enclosed buggies.

Who ever had this buggy was young or young at heart they had fuzzy dice and a lei hanging in the window. You notice too that the buggies have some lights on them. At night they are almost impossible to see on the road. There have been several deaths in their community so they did succumb to the modern convience of lights for their buggies to protect themselves.
I hated to see the evening come to an end. Teri is the most delightful person. Such a talented and friendly person. Teri and I had a good time sitting in the auction house sketching all the interesting people. I also sketched a few items that were up for auction. I will post more about that later. I am now looking forward to meeting again today to give Teri a tour of the garden. Luna doesn't want to miss out on the meeting either. Hopefully we can squeeze in some sketching between conversation and I will get my DB to take a photo of us together. We just didn't think about that last evening. So much to talk about and to sketch...

Thankful Thursday

Mz Teri sent me "M" for Mandala for the ABC ATC trade this week. The mandala is on black paper and the mandala is so pretty and shiny. You can't hardly see all the pretty detail in this photo. Plus a Twinchie of a Palo Verde Tree. It is so well done in such a tiny scale. I am going to be tripley blessed by her as she is coming to IN and I get to meet her tomorrow. I can't wait.

Animal Wednesday

We got to meet this Lilac Crowned parrot at a rest stop while traveling. His owners were taking turns holding him while the other used the facilities. He was very friendly and they let us take turns holding him. Such a colorful bird. Happy Animal Wednesday everyone.

Almost...

This is a picture that is almost a bloom for Blooming Tuesday and almost a bug for Animal Wednesday. I found this empty casing of a cicada on the underside of a bud of a hosta. I thought it an unusual place for one to emerge from. Happy Blooming Tuesday to all..

Football Season

We had fun this past week going to the Colts Training Camp. The training camp is held just an hour drive away from where we live. We enjoy football season. I was inspired to do a few drawings after being there. Tonight is the Colt's first exhibition game. They are notorious for losing the preseason games. They try out all the players giving them a chance to make the team. GO COLTS... If you watch football who is your favorite team??

Blooming Tuesday

I must say that Sherry, a friend of mine, has a blog called Q's Corner. She takes the most marvelous photos. I am often inspired to paint one of her photos. Her love of nature just oozes off her blog posts, like this bee on camomile. I hope you all have a great Blooming Tuesday.

Fall leaves

Speaking of leaves. I found our first fall-looking leaf this week while at the park. It just sat there on the edge of the road looking surprised at being tossed to the ground. It won't be long now. Fall is creeping in.

Thankful Thursday - ATC gifts

The letter "L" brought a flurry of falling leaves from Gina in Ireland. From this card... to this "L"ovely ATC.

There was also an extra ATC with lots of "Good Luck" and a sweet kitty.

Not to mention inchies and "L"s.

I also received a packet from Linda the Stampmaiden. She is so creative with her stamps. Not only did I get this card with my very own stamps in it...

King Kyle has arrived in all his splendor.

Many many thanks to you both.

Animal Wednesday - Camel

National Geographic has an article in their latest magazine about camels. I have always been facinated by these creatures. Their eyes are so interesting with those long lashes that help keep out the sand. Happy Animal Wednesday. For more animal pictures go to Teri's Painted Daisies.

Cactus Monday-Gymnocalycium mihanovichii 'slenogonum'

Here is another intresting cactus that has a name way to long to type more than once. teehee...
It is unusual as the flower doesn't open all the way. It looks something like an artichoke don't you think? Happy Cactus Monday. For more cactus inspiration go to Teri's Painted Daisies. Have a great week everyone.

Farmers Market

We have a nice new Pavillion covering the area where our Farmers market is held. This place holds such wonderful produce for the purchasing this time of year. My mouth always waters at the mere mention of the Market. Fresh Peaches were available today. Yummmmm One of the taste treats of the season is Peach Cider. I didn't get it here but the Orchard that makes Peach Cider only has it this time of year when the peaches are prolific. Yummmm.

It is a yummy weekend so far. I hope your weekend is yummy.