Spring Has Sprung ....Almost

"Spring Has Sprung ....Almost"  8x81 oil on board

Something I know is there is a shipment of baby trees  coming all the way from Oregon, how do I know?

A lady called Ellen she and her family own a Tree farm. Ellen has been in our lives for quite a while she has a blog that we follow called "growing Gills" she's a photographer and writes about all things in nature and goes along with her lifestyle.

She appreciates everything around her and Spring  I think  is one of her special times, lots going on with the Farm and surrounding areas.

She has the ability to see beauty from her family and where she lives.

She can write poetry so well it can bring you to tears or give you a big smile for the day. We enjoy our long distant friendship and treasure her as something special she even follows our blog!

Ellen this is to go with your afternoon tea I painted this a little while ago as it looks like a fine Spring morning.
Thank you for all you do.

Cheers have a fine day.
Growing Gills cab be seen here  : http://roaring-camp.blogspot.ca/


I had to show it on the blog, this little painting has been on my mind to do for a while and for some reason gave me a lot of problems but I like the feel of it it's bright and cheerful .

Babs

"Fall Fountain"

"Fountain" oil on 11x14 board

Barry Wallace is one of The King Township's best Photographers he  has the ability to see landscapes in a different way bringing lots of colour and interest into the pictures he takes.

September 28 th Barry took this picture Keele Street - South of the 17 th

I couldn't resist doing a study of this one, among a lot of the others he has taken during the last few weeks.

It was a challenge but fun to let the paint go it's own way!

Babs

Barries website is here; http://cameraonking.blogspot.ca/

Friday Afternoon

Sitting out side under the awning on my own with some time, I didn't expect, to myself. It's

roughly 26 degrees very pleasant looking at a newly mowed law and  the greenery around me then looking  at our pink, white, and red peonies. Every few minutes I get a waft of their scent it's delicate for such large flowers and the frowsy loose petals show off their  beauty.


Having a new bird feeder that seems to standing a lot of traffic from some lovely yellow birds mostly coming around lunch time to feed, the chipmunk pops out about the same time for any castings that will give him his lunch. I've watched a black squirrel trying hard to get some seeds from the feeder away at the top which ( thank goodness ) doesn't move.

John has planted pots of red geraniums a Favourite of mine and they are just shooting up very well with lots of buds because of all the rain we have had in the last few weeks, our herbs are doing well too, parsley thyme mint and the bay bush I manage to winter over are enjoying some sun and the breeze.

It's not that often we sit outside, even more so on my own, we rush through the garden more often than not! usually with groceries . Right now I feel very grateful having sat for a while and let nature entertain my mind it"s very relaxing and giving my brain a brief but lovely experience just letting everything slip into the background and taking the time to breath, look and listen like a little vacation that dropped in to say HI wondered where you were!

Babs

Iriae

"Iriae" Acrylic on 45"x22" masonite

Lots of fun and frustration, but I guess all painting attempts are such!
Earlier in the year we decorated our bedroom after the roof leaked and destroyed a wall, but we had a new roof installed and the wall was rebuilt. Then the colours for the walls and bedding and drapes were carefully picked after much "discussion".

The colour scheme is green, purple, white. We had a big sheet of thick masonite which was used as paint tray to stop slops on the floor. So with a brilliant stroke of genius, the wife suggested we paint a picture on it using wall paint, the chosen subject was Irises, using a painting I did a couple of years ago as inspiration, and that we would both work at it.

Well that didn't happen the housepaint is not easy to mix etc, and herself got into painting horses and had no interest in flowers anymore.

So I, brave soul that I am, got out the acrylics and began a journey, with the board flat on the table I sketched, and daubed and using iris pictures from our garden and from a friend's pictures of Iris in his Texas garden (thanks Mike), and some imagination for the leaves and background.

The picture will be hung in the bedroom when we have worked out a method of framing - I just found out one end is 1/2" longer than the other!
John

Christmas Gift Erected and 11 Apartments to Rent!

Bird House with 11 apartments and free suet balls every day!

 Christmas Gift Erected and 11 Apartments to Rent!

We were given a very interesting gift at Christmas a beautiful Bird House, a replica of our own house. However we  couldn't use it till Spring this week,  but on Thursday afternoon a deep hole was dug and a  large wooden 4x4 post erected. A hand made base was fitted to support the house and voila there it was in all it's splendour: a residence  for Purple Martins.

Hanging from the base are two wooden birds holding suet balls.

We are trying to encourage the Martins as it seems they are very keen on Mosquitoes, but birds of any sort really which certainly will be great for us, the flight path is pretty good for easy access, and water is available from the nearby pond which hopefully all goes towards having a comfortable residential apartments with all facilities!

Our son in law Darryl has made a super job and it makes the garden bright and cheerful.
Thanks Darryl, we will enjoy watching the birds in our Guz Over (canopy) while having a cool drink and taking it easy.

Babs & John