I want to thank all of you for your kind words and support over this past week. I usually handle stress pretty well but these past couple weeks were rough. I think I had gotten myself so stressed worrying about bringing the virus home when I needed to get groceries-every 2 1/2 weeks or so. We eat a big fresh veggie salad every day, and alternate with eggs and yogurt for breakfast so I needed to go in for fresh foods mostly. I did wear a mask, and sanitize-sanitize my car, hands etc.
Then with Larry's accident- that pushed the stress over the limit, and then I had totally forgotten that dark chocolate has caffeine in it-a huge no no for my b/p everything combined sent that really high. It is now back to normal with the pulse a little high-but I think that's normal for seniors will check on that next time I have a doctor's visit.
I want to share a new journal page for the flower theme over at Art Journal Journey. At first I was going to paint, but then I decided to make a collage from saved papers instead. With Mother's Day coming up, it reminded me of my Mom's beautiful flower gardens, and my farm girl Grandma's veggie gardens that always had pretty flowers too.
I have very fond memories of me staying over on the farm during the summer-I loved it there. So this page is in remembrance of my Grandma Jones
I entered this into the journal for my paintings because of the larger pages.
The background paper was a paper bag, pictures are from magazines, and for some reason I have several paper doilies in my stash-so I cut out the middle of one to write a sentiment.
I had started out in a different direction-using roses for the background, but this is more Grandma-I love how it turned out.
(all photos will enlarge just click on them)
I decided to invite our friends over Saturday afternoon for brats. Larry really needs to see people. He has not been off the property for a couple of months (except for the er visit) and now he is really stuck in the house.
They always wear their masks when they have to go to town, no hugging, we kept a bit of a distance. It was a much needed day, especially for Hubs.
Saturday turned out to be a summery 86 f degrees-and wow were there boats on the lake. From sunup to sundown. I sat on the deck very early morning with a cup of lavender tea, and took a couple videos.
By the afternoon-we were all mesmerized with the quantity of boats on the lake-amazing no one crashed into each other. I didn't think to take another video. Everyone that owned a boat and/or lake house was on the water for sure. and we are not in the busiest area of the lake.
Missouri opens up today-Monday-so thinking people just needed to get out and enjoy the day.
I spotted this while enjoying the sunshine
To end the day - across from us someone was shooting off fireworks-a perfect ending to the day.
Come Sunday-a different story. A big storm came through-looked like ocean waves out there for about an hour or so
I do not drink any cola type beverages at all, but I do love root beer floats. Knowing we were going to have a warm weekend I bought the fixins. Everyone was too full Saturday, so I made them for Larry and I Sunday early evening-a nice treat.
Happy T day and those of you that celebrate-Happy Cinco De Mayo day as well-I may just need to make us mango margaritas Tuesday
I am glad to hear you are de-stressing Kathy. What a spring. I do love you journal page. It reminds me of my grandmother too. And I also think of old fashion happiness. Tha cake would be delicious too I bet. I made a chocolate sourdough cake and the end of last week and it is really light and moist. Hope your nice weather sticks around a bit. And no storms either. Hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteyour chocolate sourdough cake sounds like a neat recipe. we had a really bad storm come through here this morning-near our woods home looks like a mini tornado went through-
DeleteGlad to hear you are feeling better, this virus is giving us all a lot of stress just now. Your journal page is beautiful, and being greedy, I love the other page with the chocolate cake, too! Glad you were able to have friends over. I hate being on my own so much, too, sort of 24/7 and it's too much, but we have to get through it! Have a good week and try to take it easy! Happy T Day, hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeletethanks this journal cookbook is all chocolate recipes with these awesome photos-Barbara sent it off to me awhile back. you have a good week too-hugs
DeleteI loved the videos-made me feel like I was right there with ya! We are in the high 30's here for temps-crazy weather! Oh yes! Root beer floats! Yum!
ReplyDeleteYour collage is very sweet, and it reminded me of my grandma too. Stay well, and I'm praying for ya.
Hi I am happy you enjoyed the videos-I wish I would have thought to grab the camera when there were boats everywhere.
Deletewe are much cooler now we will be back to 30s in the evenings by end of week-thank you-hugs
Everything has just been piling on in your world :( I'm glad you found a way to let your hubby have some company. Emotional well-being is important, too. Your views are gorgeous whatever the weather, but I imagine the warmer months when you can be out on that deck more will be a joy. I love your mug :)
ReplyDeleteHappy T Day!
Good morning, we are really enjoying the views allot-we sat in front this morning with our coffees watching all the birds flying around-lots of swallows out there too. thanks this is an handmade pottery mug
DeleteOhh I ´m so happy you feel better now Kathy ! Yes, sometimes we need to "reset" a little, is my expression, when we have a lot of stress on us, or we accumulate it for a while. It is good to think about other things, and see that everything returns, slowly, to the routine that we knew.
ReplyDeleteYour Art journal page is wonderful, love the collage you have created. I wish you a very happy new week, Happy T-day dear, and stay safe and well.
Big hugs, Caty
Thank you so much Caty-hugs
DeleteGlad you are feeling better. Your page is a lovely tribute to your grandma. I've never had lavender tea that sounds so lovely especially sitting out on your deck watching the boats. And now I want a root beer float, too. Take care and Happy T Day
ReplyDeleteThank you-this is a tea from Yogi stress relief honey lavender-it is really a nice cup of tea.
Deletethe root beer floats really hit the spot-
I'm glad your stress level is down and that Larry is doing okay, Kathy. But epecially that you can get together with friends again - even if at some distance.
ReplyDeleteThat's a lovely remembrance of Grandma Jones. I never knew my granmdothers and only have their pictures and a few family stories to go by.
Thanks for the videos. Seeing boats out on the lake and people out having fun lifts my spirits. We're still in lockdown here.
Happy T-Day! Eileen xx
Thank you Eileen-it was really good to have friends over-we needed that.
DeleteI was blessed to grow up with two sets of grandparents. I have always treasured them in my life. Missouri is really opening up-too many don't follow the guidelines-I will still be careful when I need to go shopping
And have a happy T day also Kathy!
ReplyDeletethank you-hugs
DeleteVery, very glad to read that you are feeling better and that you got fresh produce. Two most excellent things. Here's to lots of good days ahead.
ReplyDeleteThanks-cheers to good days ahead
DeleteFor sure!
DeleteThat root beer float is my cuppa tea! And brats for lunch sounds yummy. It's great that you got to spend the day with your friends even if you had to keep with social distancing.
ReplyDeleteWonderful journal page!
Happy Tea Day,
Kate
thank you Kate-we needed to be with our friends-finally we are very isolated now
DeleteSo glad you are feeling better. I can understand how these times can get to us. I've been nowhere since March 14, and I am starting to go a bit stir crazy. I just need to get busy making art or working in my yard so I don't just sit around watching tv.
ReplyDeleteYour journal page is beautiful. I wish I could say that looks like my grandmother, but that just isn't the case. It's a really lovely image of a turn of the century image, though. It is perfect for Mia's theme at Art Journal Journey, though.
How nice it would have been to sit with friends for even one afternoon. Larry is lucky in that respect. Sitting on the deck drinking tea would have been fun, too. Of course, I LOVE root beer floats and now I want one. I may even have a root beer or two around here.. Thanks for sharing your art, your videos, your tea, and your root beer floats with us for T this Tuesday, dear.
I am good with the tv-I only turn it on in the evening.
DeleteThe image came out of an old ideals magazine and was perfect, my Grandma lived in an old farmhouse with a porch.
yes having friends over was a morale booster especially for Larry-he needed that.
I Love root beer floats too-
Root Beer Floats!! Oh Baby!! Talking My Language - Crazy Web There - And Love That Mug
ReplyDeleteCheers
Cheers
DeleteThat sounds like a lot of stress and a great way of handling it!
ReplyDeleteI love your work and weeee... the lake!
But I still have to look up root beer floats!
Very best wishes from here and a hug, Iris
Hugs back Iris-root beer floats are the best!
DeleteI'm glad your stress level has gone down. The covid-19 situation alone created a large stress factor, and then when other things happen, like your husband's accident, it compounds things. I like your artwork. The photos of the lake look good. It's nice you had visitors. Masks, distance, and no hugging are all good practices. Connecticut is still on Lock Down, and when we do "re-open" it won't be a full reopening, so we'll still be in a partial Lock Down state.
ReplyDeleteI am hoping Missouri didn't open up too soon but people need to be able to get to more normal-there are guidelines to follow but nothing restricting
DeleteIts good that you are feeling a bit less stressed and that you found a way to have some friends over. this is what we miss as well, even though we can use the phone and have long talks, its not the same as seeing folk close by
ReplyDeleteI liked seeing your videos, what a change in your weather.
Your journal page looks gorgeous, beautiful roses a favourite flower of my mothers and the wonderful image was lovely, Its a great page for Mia's Art Journal Journey page, thank you for linking.
Happy Y day wishes Kathy, stay safe.
Yvonne xx
thank you so much Yvonne-I really enjoyed making this journal page
DeleteHi Kathy, pleased to hear you are feeling slightly less stressed, I feel the same, worried to bring the virus home after shopping.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful videos but what a difference it looks in the storm.
Your journal page is lovely with the flowers and cake and good that you enjoyed some company, we aren't allowed to mix over in Spain yet but it seems our French neighbours think it doesn't apply to them, they have friends round for drinks,they had a party the other afternoon, makes me annoyed when people can't do what they are told, spoils it for everyone else. sorry rant over!
Happy T Day, Jan x
I so agree with your rant. many of the younger generation here just don't get it that they are more likely to carry and spread the virus-and don't follow the guidelines either. the worse was New York City-didn't listen I think I read they were up to over 20,000 deaths now-
DeleteI'm so glad you are feeling a little bit less stressed. (It ain't worth it!) And Larry seems ok too, that's a win-win. Great that your friends have been able to visit. That must have done you both a world of good.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to see the lake videos. I felt i was there with you.
Your 'Grandma' collage is so gorgeous. I didn't have a grandma with a farm and have no such memories. They are precious.
Root beer floats. I have no idea how root beer tastes and I've never seen a 'float'. Is it cream? Is root beer sweet beer? Hang on, I think I spy an ice cream tub. So it must be ice cream. If I were visiting you I would certainly try it. It looks really nice.
Happy T-Day,
Hugs,
Lisca
Hi Lisca-root beer is like a soda it does have a history from the old days-I am going to do a post about it--and then you layer ice cream with the root beer til you reach the top-add a straw and a spoon-enjoy
DeleteThe collage in memory of your Grandmother is lovely. I’m sure she is smiling! Lake living always provides changes, and I enjoyed your videos. I don’t think the first one looked very crowded, summer will bring more boats. You could paint the second one. Choppy waves!
ReplyDeleteYou had a perfect way to destress a bit with some company, good weather and that beautiful view of the lake. Just being able to see the water makes me happy. But- what a difference from one video to the next with the change in atmosphere and the color of the water...
ReplyDeleteLovely collage art and memories of your farm stays with your grandmother- that vintage image perfectly depicts it. And root beer floats- haven't had one on years-mmmm! I used to like root beer popsicles too:) Happy T day!
thanks Linda-I need to try making some root beer popsicles
DeleteLovely collage and memories. I haven't had a root beer float since I don't know when. Maybe when the nearby A & W root beer drive in closed. Did they have those in your area? Glad you are releasing some of that stress.
ReplyDeleteYes as a kid growing up A & W was a family favorite-they brought the food and mugs of root beers to the car-so fun
DeleteIt's easy to get stressed under the circumstances so that's understandable 😀. I'm glad that you are de-stressing and things are getting back to normal for you! Loved seeing the lake videos, wishing you a very happy T Day! Hugs, Jo x
ReplyDeletethanks Jo, glad you enjoyed the videos-hugs
DeleteI am glad you now feel better, Kathy. It is my dream to live in a house in front of water (lake or sea, I do not mind). You are so luck to live there. Even with the storm, I see the lake and I relax. Thank you for the videos, I enjoyed them. And thank you so much for entering your beautiful collage page in my challenge at AJJ. Hugs, my friend.
ReplyDeleteso glad you enjoyed the videos-I am really enjoying the views at our new home-hugs
DeleteA root beer float sounds yummy! It's amazing the change in views between a sunny day and a storm over the water ~ very cool contrast to see. I'm glad you got to enjoy a visit with friends, and your journal looks terrific! ~ Keep crafting ~
ReplyDeleteThank you so much-we are in the season of very changeable weather for sure-hugs
DeletePleased you are de-stressing - the journal page looks like a great way to do that. Love the flowers around that lovely vintage image! So good that you could have friends around, sure to lift both your spirits I think! That was certainly some change in the lake - do you have views front and back? I don't think I have ever tried Root beer - is it like Dandelion and Burdock! I have been known to have an occasional coke float though! Belated Happy T Day! Chrisx
ReplyDeleteHi Chris the views of the lake are just in the back-from our whole wall of windows in the living room area-out back is where we see the eagles in those trees.
DeleteI am glad you are de-stressing and with that beautiful Lake House I should imagine it is something you can do. I so enjoyed the videos, gosh wasn't that boat travelling at speed! I am a little bit edgy at the moment too, I think this virus is getting to us all now and with a pending hospital check on the horizon my stress levels are rising. So you are not alone, take comfort from that please.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a lovely journal page I do like the blue and white drawing at the left hand side, such a comforting picture and surrounded by those sweet smelling flowers the page is a delight.
Take care, Hugs, Neet xx
thank you so much Neet-hope your hospital visit when well hugs
DeleteLovely journal page with some beautiful flowers! The cake page got me though - lol! My stress levels rise and fall - it is getting harder to get them to fall though. I think I need to get out and go do something like visit somewhere different or see some different people - but we are scared to do that. Maybe just from our car would be good.
ReplyDeletethank you so much for visiting. Yes this spiral cookbook of chocolate was a gift from an art friend-and the photos always make we want chocolate haha
Deleteyes these are trying time for all of us. driving around in a car would be good for getting out of the house