This all has stressed me out, I have stopped watching all news except for when the President and his health team speaks live. and I am staying away from reading much on facebook now-it has gotten to be too negative and really just too much and too many untruths as well. One has to work hard to search out the truth these days-sad.
I hope everyone had a lovely Easter despite those of you that usually enjoy your large family groups. and Passover as well.
And my heart goes out to all of those in harms way from the tornados last night.
It's a new week and I am working on getting things accomplished-opposed to Not haha.
Today we gather with friends for T with our hostess Bleubeard and Elizabeth. You are most welcome to join us, only requirement is to share a drink related photo.
I think I may have forgotten to share last week, that Bluprint has all of their instructional videos for free. (I don't know if this is for everyone or just the USA) I think this goes til the 16th.
They have all sorts of craft and art topics. I have watched several acrylic painting videos my favorite being from the artist Reid he has two classses one on painting water, and another in depth video about trees.
I had purchased a wet palate set up and I really like it-keeps my paints damp for a week or more, and this artist has a large one that he loves using too-so I was happy to know someone else that likes this set up.
I just finished a journal page painting this morning. I used a birthday card for my inspiration. I have worked on this piece for several days now.
As I got into this painting, I discovered I had for sure bit off a bit much for my current painting talents haha. I did stick with it though and got a finish.
I only painted the one butterfly as I wasn't real happy with the one I did and didn't want to do more. I think I wasn't in the mood to practice painting butterflies first. With any of my art I always just "do it" and never sample or practice first. I like this well enough to share at Try it on Tuesday where the theme is Beauty of Nature and also sharing on friday for Paint Party Friday
Inspiration-from a birthday card
(All photos will enlarge just click on them)
Here is my drink reference-a cup of my coffee
I am happy I finished this piece but not sure if some of the flowers make any sense-lol wanted to show movement with the wind as well.
For our Easter meal I found slices of ham in the freezer, and I prepared some frozen green beans with fresh mushrooms and red onion-I really liked this dish sauted in a cast iron skillet. I also steamed sweet potatoes. and I spent the morning first baking two yellow angel food cakes. My Grandma always called this cake that but I have since learned it is also named a Hummingbird cake.
I made a wheat and a gluten free cake
The cake in front is the gluten free cake which does not rise as high, but this one turned out really delicious.
Wheat cake
Gluten free cake
I found these lovely fresh very large strawberries when I went food shopping last week Tuesday
I was playing around with my camera and discovered the date stamp-I decided I didn't like it as too large and distracting so have since deleted that feature.
Last Tuesday and Wednesday I did try painting the chairs and tables. I got several primed and then when I went to use the hammered rust oleum it came out of the can horrible-like it would not mix together. These were very expensive cans of paints that I had bought late last fall but I kept them in the house-so was not happy. Larry had a small can of professional grade black enamel rust oleum that he thought would be especially nice for the tables-well it was til I accidently knocked my paint over and watched it all run down the hill-ugh I did go to the hardware store near us and they had everything rust oleum except for this enamel-so this has put a stop to my tables and chairs project until I fill comfortable to go to a big box store like Lowes. That will be awhile sigh.
My lilacs are beginning to bloom today, there are two small bushes here
Very very cold and windy today-as you can see in the flowers
Do any of you know what this plant is? it is a wood vine that is growing on part of this stone wall
I spun a little over the weekend-it always calms me. This is more of my Yellowstone inspired rovings.
Husband and I have been on a chocolate splurge haha happy feel good food. I picked up mounds coconut minis, and York's dark mint chocolate mini's in the egg shape-these are in a candy jar with Hershey's dark chocolate kisses. So if we need a little lift we just need to walk by the candy jars haha So please help yourself
Oh, and I found a lawn service. Happy Dancing!!
I had someone come out last Friday-he was just a No.
Then I found someone from this area that does this for a living with his father, he came out today and turns out he services someone he said 4-5 houses down from me, so if he can come out the same week for the both of us he can keep the price down. I chatted with him for at least 15-20 minutes and I am so thankful-he sounds perfect. My grass is really getting tall here too-he will be out mid week.
So on a happy note--Happy T hugs to all of you my dear friends in my computer. Hope you are all safe and not going stir crazy in your isolation. Good thing many of us have our art and other activities we can do at home.
Kathy this sounds silly but are you SURE thats a vine? If it was a bush i'd say it was an Golden Euonymus ... I have heard of Hummingbird Cake but never had one.. Yours look yummy! And your painting as always inspires me. Take care my friend.. be safe.. Hugs! deb
ReplyDeleteThanks Deb-this is a really good cake I have baked for years now-always nice especially during spring with fresh fruits.
DeleteThis is growing like a woody vine but since it is on the rock wall could be a bush I will search out the name you suggested Happy T
The cake, yum. Sorry it's been extra stressful. Here's to creating fun things and eating yummy foods and being safe.
ReplyDeleteI agree-raising my cup of tea to that-hugs
Delete❤️
DeleteThis whole Corona thing sure has so many of us riding a roller coaster of emotions lately....
ReplyDeleteLOVE your painted butterfly garden page- well done Kathy!!
Lovely lilacs. I have double whites but they are just beginning to bud right now. Such a heavenly scent.
Glad you're still finding ways to keep busy and creative too- not to mention that super looking cake;) Happy T day!
Hi Linda, usually when I look at my painting the next day I am not as critical on myself. I am anxious to try painting water again.
DeleteI love lilacs too-years ago I would dry the flowers (no stems) whirl them into a powder and I think I added cornstarch to make into a bath powder.
Happy T
"One has to work hard to search out the truth these days-sad."
ReplyDeleteSo true.
It is sad, isn't it?
Is is very sad-I remember when the news was reading facts not the twisted lies we have now-they must have an agenda so am no longer listening to them
DeleteWhat beautiful cakes you created, Kathy. And with fresh strawberries, too. Wonderful and served with coffee must have been pure heaven. Of course, drinking it while painting can be quite enjoyable, too.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you found a lawn service and got some spinning done. Sounds like a very good week, including the painting. Quite a bummer about the Rustoleum, though. Too bad you can't take the cans back. Maybe someone could shake them on their machine and that would mix them again.
Thanks for sharing your painting, your baking, and your coffee with us for T this almost Tuesday. Keep the "faith," dear Kathy.
I had thought of that-taking them in to get shook up good. I can't find my receipt either so I think it was one that got shredded when I did our taxes. Yes I am working on being positive and keeping the faith this week
DeleteYour cakes look good, yummy. Beautiful painting, too. Glad you are keeping yourself busy. Stay safe and well, happy T Day, hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteThank you Val-you as well
DeleteGreat work, I love it all!
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of those cakes. In my hometown they have - or had- salty cakes with a cooked, colored egg inside. Seesh. I forgot to ask my Brother yesterday, who still lives there.
Cold and windy, too, here, yet blooming trees! LOL. I feel sick seeing all that sweet stuff. Pizza, please!
:-) In your computer, now I feel a tad tiny!
Hugs to you through the wire from Germany.
Hugs back-through the wire
DeleteKathy your paintings are beautiful, I would imagine that makes you feel Relaxed, it’s hard to read constant bad news online and know what is true for false, it does get depressing sometimes, I said last night that when we are inside, having dinner, watching TV in the evenings you could almost think nothing is wrong.
ReplyDeleteKeep thinking positive and hopefully this will soon be over
Jan x
I think with the weather turning cold and stormy these past several days has added to my gloom--I am working on staying positive hugs
DeleteYour painting looks lovely. I'm glad you had stuff to make an Easter meal with. Your cake looks delicious. Your lilacs are lovely. (It's too early here in Connecticut for mine to bloom. They don't even have the flower buds yet.) Good idea to avoid the news, to keep your stress level down. I just check the numbers in the morning. Yesterday I did have to check the news during the day, due to the high winds / storm here. And this morning I was surprised to see that NY Gov. Cuomo actually praised President Trump's response to covid-19 in New York.
ReplyDeleteGood morning Anne, I don't check the numbers-my husband does though. so far we live in a safe county with only one report-but this is mostly a rural area. There are many governors that have praised the President's team members response. The Vice President talks with them most every day I think California has praised their response as well. I think they have done a good job-he gave the timeline of his response to the press yesterday and still they attack that he didn't do his job-I can't remember a time when the press was just so ugly very sad-
DeleteYour painting looks amazing, I can see why you were inspired by the beautiful card too - gorgeous! Limiting news and Facebook time sounds like good advice, there is so much unhelpful negativity around. I'm finding the lockdown ok and staying positive, I think the sunny weather is helping as we get to spend time in the garden 😁. Your lilacs are looking so pretty, ours are still in tight bud at the moment. Wow, that cake looks delicious and would be perfect with my cuppa today ...lol 😉. So nice to have candies too and your yarn is such lovely colours too. Wishing you a Happy T Day and keep well! Hugs, Jo x
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Jo, we have been quite cold,windy and stormy here for several days so that has added to my low spirits-but I am turning that around this week-there are projects and crafts I can do in the house. no sunshine really makes a big difference some times
DeleteThat bush is a euonymous-I have one too. Your painting is wonderful, and you did capture movement in it. Love the butterfly-it's good! They are not exactly easy to paint-applause for sticking with it! Very glad you found someone to cut your grass. Your baking and spinning are always inspiring and fun to read about!
ReplyDeleteThanks Debra, I am going to look up this bush now-it's planted in the wrong spot for a bush. Hoping you and your loved ones are all ok from this virus.
DeleteOh lilacs. I'm jealous. It will be at least another month before they bloom here. And sorry to hear about your spray paint. It's frustrating and a waste of money too. And glad to hear you had a nice Easter. I think your cake looks good, even if it didn't rise as much. Yummy with strawberries I bet. Hope you have a wonderful T day and are staying safe. Those storms have been horrible and hope none come your way either. Hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteThank you Erika-I was very excited to learn we had lilac bushes here - I have always loved them too
DeleteWow your painting turned out great! So bright and cheerful. Your lilac bush is amazing ~ that must smell soooo good. Your cake looks yummy too. I'm glad you found someone to do your lawn and that you started on the furniture ~ Yes, stay busy and off the news! ~ Blessings
ReplyDeleteI agree stay busy and off the news-for sure this is what I am doing from now on.
Deletethanks about my painting I like it better today. the cakes are really good-they make a nice snack now and we still have some strawberries left. hugs
Oh no, please don't feel stressed. It's no good feeling stressed over something you have no control over. Let it go...
ReplyDeleteThink of all the things you are now getting accomplished.Your butterfly painting is beautiful, and I can see you are enjoying it.
Shame about the paint for the chairs, but hey, those chairs ain't going anywhere. You can do them later.
Thank you for offering some chocolate and candy. Look at those huge jars! I don't think I could have those within eye sight. I would not trust my self discipline.
I'm so impressed with your cake baking. Both cakes look (and no doubt taste) wonderful. Well done you!
Are you spinning again? That yarn looks really lovely. I wish I could touch it and fell it. It looks so soft to the touch.
Oh the lilacs! Do they smell nice? I used to have a little lilac tree in remembrance of my dad who loved them. It was so fragrant. It also always reminds me of the songe by Elkie Brooks called Lilac Wine. Do you know it? It's from the late 70s and my (first) marriage was becoming a disaster and I used to drink my sorrows and I identified with that song at the time. It's from her album Pearls, which is her best in my opinion.
Sorry, I digress.
Happy T-Day,
Stay safe, stay healthy, stay home.
Hugs,
Lisca
Thank you Lisca, I don't usually get this stressed-I am a worrier for sure but not usually stressed out-is there a difference? haha
DeleteI am enjoying the painting, Yes I have going by the chocolate jar too often this week I realized that too about the table and chairs-when I can get the paint I will get back on. thanks so much for your postitiness-hugs
I am going to look for the song on you tube as I don't remember the name
Deletefound it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0RfTsZvk4M
DeleteI forgot to say that, yes, lamb is expensive here too, so that it why it is a special treat for Easter.
ReplyDeleteyes lamb does make a special dinner
DeleteYour new painting efforts are already taking on a style, for me it’s realistic but with a folksy flair. I think all your flowers erss make sense given that style. I mean, pick out any one of them, and what else could it be? Great painting, worthy of being on the wall!
ReplyDeleteA lovely post to read Kathy, you are not alone feeling stressed with the problems we all face just now. We limit ourselves to one news update a day, so much gloom and doom makes it ten times worse, some positives would be good for moral.
ReplyDeleteYour cake looked delicious and the lamb dinner sounds good as well.
We have lilac in the garden , but it is nowhere near to bloom yet, not that I have been up close to it yet as its still very cold where we are in the north of the UK.
Stay safe and well
Happy T day wishes.
Yvonne xx
Hi Yvonne, I am surprised my lilac is blooming as we had a couple freezes last week and it is still cold here too.
Deletestay well-hugs
Kathy I am so happy you shared your beautiful butterfly project with us at Try it on Tuesdays, sorry I am late mentioning it.
DeleteStay safe.
Yvonne xx
Your lilacs are beautiful...I can almost smell them. :) I love your spinning. That is something I'd love to try someday...I need to get rid of some other crafts first though...too many things...too little time. Maybe I just need to try it at a workshop class that way I'm not committing to buying a bunch of supplies.
ReplyDeleteI watched Trump's briefings every time until he started bragging about his ratings, and I just can't go there *sigh* I watch video of it afterwards. It does take real effort to search out the truth these days :( And there are more commentators now that there's 24/7 broadcasting and much less straight news reporting. Commentator and news reporting are completely different things. I think there's room for both, but we have to understand the difference.
ReplyDeleteI love all your wonderful butterflies, and the cake looks like a real treat. The flowers are lovely! Thanks for the mounds bar. They're one of my favorites.
Happy T Tuesday!
Hi yes agree with you that there is room for news reporting and commentating-and the mainstream news media has crossed the line for me into half truths and taking things out of context.
DeleteI wanted to catch the weather report last night as there has been storms and rain and cold-and wanted to know if we have a warm up coming-I had to turn it off the local news was first of course and I couldn't listen to it-since I watch things live and know when the news is not reporting it right-at our woods house we got springfield mo local news and it was that-local news period now we are just past that area and getting Columbia and Jefferson city mo news-very disappointed in them--oh well I have the choice to not watch it
your welcome for the mounds bars I rarely buy candy bars but we like these two so got them for easter for us
Local news drives me bats lol Too many "human interest" stories about things that happened nowhere near us. I've given up on it except for the local channel that has expanded coverage of the local coronavirus news. That's helpful. I get weather on my phone app and a local weather FB page and the U.S. National Weather Service FB page. Finding reliable sources for information is a challenge.
Deletewe don't use smart phones but with our move to the lake we now have wifi which has opened a new world for us-streaming haha so we watch everything live now get it from the source. I will go to weather sites online for my weather now
DeleteBusy and interesting week. The cakes look awesome and I'd park myself by your candy jars.I love the Mounds (and Almond Joy candies) Your butterflies are so very pretty. I think you're too hard on yourself. Good that you found someone to take care of the lawn and at a reasonable price, too. Take care. Happy T Day
ReplyDeletethanks CJ yes I think I am being too critical of myself too-takes away from the fun-I am working on that -hugs
DeleteI don't watch the news, even before Corona-19. Overall, it is depressing and the media tends to exaggerate. Especially right now, they are very good at inciting fear. I think our economy is going to have a hard time recovering from all this. We stick with getting the numbers right off the CDC website.
ReplyDeleteSo glad that you found a lawn service. Good, reliable help is difficult to come by nowadays.
Your cakes look delicious especially with those strawberries. I would lOVE a slice!
Your painting looks fantastic. What a great way to keep your mind occupied!
Happy Tea Day,
Kate
Hi Kate yeah I haven't been watching national news for quite awhile now but when the virus arrived here I went back to watching again for information-Not yes the cdc is a good site as are the live ones from the governors and the President. This is one of our favorite cakes. yes painting is a real stress reliever-hugs
DeleteSometimes it is better not to think too much, and focus on what we like the most every day Kathy, because in the end, we end up exhausted, and, certainly, we have to be strong, every day.
ReplyDeleteI love your cute Art journal page, it's Gorgeous! I really like all those beautiful flowers, and the butterfly is great, Bravo !!
Happy T-day! I see that you have some magnificent lilacs, how lucky! And that cake is super yummy.
Enjoy the little moments dear friend, I send you big hugs,
take care,
Caty
Thank you so much Caty I so agree with you and working hard this week to not stress so much-it will all be ok in the end. yes I am so happy to have these lilac bushes here at our new home-hugs
DeleteHonestly Kathy, I like your painting better than the card that inspired it. But you already know I love this style.
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame about the enamel paint. I'm glad you found a lawn service! One less thing to worry about.
Take care and stay safe.
Happy T-Day! Hugs, Eileen
Thank you Eileen-I appreciate that-I actually like this better now-I agree with CJ I am too hard on myself.
DeleteI know I am upset with myself losing all the paint-now it will be awhile before I feel safe enough to shop at a big box store. the one I would go to has allot of virus in that area-so nope it can wait.
you stat save as well-hugs
I'm calling back Kathy to thank you for linking your beautiful journal page to the Natures Beauty theme at Try it on Tuesdays, it is a lovely scene you created.
ReplyDeleteKeep safe.
Yvonne xx
thanks so much Yvonne-you keep safe as well-hugs
DeleteAnd I forgot to mention earlier how beautiful your painting is. It really came out wonderful Kathy. Hugs again-Erika
ReplyDeletethank you Erika-hugs
DeleteLove all your fabulous photos! Cake, chocolate, wildflower painting, threads and lilacs!! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you Dianne
DeleteI'm with you on not listening to much news! We get the headlines in the morning then avoid news all day until the government team comes on in the afternoon.
ReplyDeleteI am not on Facebook and only occasionally see personal views on Instagram.
I love the page you made for Try It On Tuesday! I really want to bake but with so little flour at the moment daren't get carried away!
I love the idea of your treat jars! Hubby got some yummy chocolate online the other week(we had tried a sample bar ) and this week he has an offer to buy more with free postage...just in time - one bar has been eaten!
Your Lilac looks to be delight and I can imagine that it smells beautiful too!
Stay Safe and Belated Happy T Day! Chrisx
Thanks Chris where we lived before at the woods home I loved shopping at Aldi store around christmas time they sold these jars filled with candies. so I saved them each year and now I have a collection
ReplyDeletewe love trying different dark chocolates too Happy T
Your painting is taking on a style all your own, I love it, and your depth is right on! I’m amazed that you were inspired to use such a busy picture as inspiration. It would have intimidated me!
ReplyDeleteLovely butterfly art and the cake looks good!
ReplyDelete