Much To Do

This past weekend was packed full of activities.  Elizabeth's slumber party for her 13th birthday was a big hit!  Having it so close to Halloween we had to go with that theme . . .



Sweets and more sweets!
The cupcakes of choice were topped with bats, black cats and witches on brooms!



Those sweets may have been what kept this group up till 3 a.m.
Whatever the case, fun was had by all.



A request for blueberry pancakes, bacon and fruit began our lazy morning.
The big pot of Ghirardelli Hot Cocoa was a hit!  Topping each cup with a hugh dollop of whipping cream and a dusting of cocoa powder brought a lot of "Yums" from the girls!

 

No complaints here . . .



And then Halloween.  Where we've lived before we were always apart of the Fall Festival activities at our church.  This year since our church had its celebration on Friday night the girls were able to do the "door-to-door" thing.  And boy, was it a "Thing" in our neighborhood.  We had a constant stream of kids come by for treats for a couple of hours.  The handing out of candy went from three each at first, down to two, and then one per child at the end!



Elizabeth went as Ruby the Pirate and Emme was a Jungle Cat.
Wish you could see her long feather boa tail that kept shedding everywhere she went.
Took a while to get the house feather free again!



And last, but certainly not least I was able to get a painting done for my niece, Laura (On.a.Whim at onawhim-laurak.blogspot.com).  She's been helping me with logos and such and as a "trade" I said I would paint her my rendition of a picture she had seen and wanted for her living room.



Three Black Birds
24"x 48"x 2"



Vintage Bowling Pins or Antique Weights?

A while back I came across a picture of some unique vintage bowling pins.  Normally they are plain wood or a solid color.  These particular ones were painted in different colored stripes which caught my eye. I thought the grouping would make a great painting, even if just for fun.  To my delight I found some for sale at a little shop in Mountain Brook this past weekend.  They were $75 a piece and were labeled "Antique Weights."  Either way, they were interesting and had character!



My rendition of the vintage pins.



The antique weights from the little shop.

  

A Little Art & A Whole Lot of Life

Yes it's been three weeks since my very first blog.  Yes I know I'm supposed to be blogging at least once a week, but what can I say - life happened . . .

The excitement began with a visit from Dad and Mom Tew.  I had made a request for a bookcase for my many, many books (11 boxes of books to be exact).  I thought this a simple request because Steve's daddy has quite the workshop with all kinds of gadgets, and that put together with his talent and drive for perfectionism always produces something amazing.  Well - all I can say is that my mouth fell open and my eyes teared-up when the final product was installed in our Master Bedroom.  Talent indeed!  A piece that will always be cherished because it was made with loving hands and many hours of hard work - a reminder to me of the man Steve calls Daddy!





Step one of installation -

Six large pieces and many small
ones brought from
Millry, AL.

 


Step two of installation -

Paint and more paint.

Step three of installation -

Doors, hinges & hardware. 
A masterpiece is born!

And of course, Steve "needs" a larger flat screen tv.








These three weeks have also brought our first family 5k in the Susan G. Komer Race for the Cure, my nephew's wedding and celebrated events, our very own Elizabeth's 13th Birthday, and an unexpected eye surgery for my niece for a retinal detachment.


Steve, Emme and Elizabeth ready to line up.



With my niece, Laura. We were apart of Team Lakeshore Foundation.



We made it!  When's the next one?!?






And may I introduce, Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Diamond!  Welcome to the family Meli!



With family in town for the wedding - a birthday brunch was in order! 
A celebration with friends to come . . .



Elizabeth's birthday meal of choice was French Toast!

Birthday girl & Daisy, along with Emme and Ethan.



Elizabeth with her Memudder and PeePaw.
We are very grateful their health allowed them to make the trip.



And of course, cake and candles!
Happy Birthday my Sweet!

A little bit of comfort food for Courtney who had unexpected surgery for a retinal detachment.  She is doing well and recovering at home, having to lie on her right side for the next two weeks.

Potato Cheddar Soup

3 cups water

3 cups red potatoes, cut into cubes

3 tbs butter

1 onion, finely chopped

3 tbs all-purpose flour

Red and ground black pepper to taste

3 cups milk

1/2 tsp sugar

1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

1 1/2 cups cubed cooked ham

Bring water to a boil in medium stock pot.  Add potatoes and cook until tender.  Drain, reserving 2 cups liquid.  Melt butter in pot over medium heat.  Add onion; cook and stir until tender but not brown.  Add flour; season with red and black pepper.  Cook 3 to 4 minutes.  Gradually add potatoes, reserved liquid, milk and sugar to onion mixture; stir well.  Add cheese and ham.  Simmer over low heat 30 minutes, stirring frequently.  Do not boil.

To serve, you may add extra shredded cheese, chopped green onion, and/or crumbled cooked bacon.  Makes 6 - 8 servings.



Spring Mix & Apple Salad

Organic Spring Mix Lettuce

Red Delicious Apple - thinly sliced

Gala Apple - thinly sliced

Chopped Walnuts

Dried Cranberries

Feta Cheese

Red Onion - thinly sliced

Toss all ingredients together.  Great with Ken's Lite Raspberry Walnut Vinaigrette or Ken's Creamy Balsamic Dressing.

Yes - life happens.  I count it all blessings.

And - yes, I promise my next blog will include a new painting I'm working on!

A Beautiful Day in Birmingham



Tuscan Hills
Acrylic on Canvas
18 x 24 x 3/4
$85



It's an absolutely beautiful day in Birmingham.  Even though the calendar says Fall is here, it is more like Spring with all the bees buzzing around my kumquat tree that is in full bloom.  And with the temperatures in the mid 90s, who can blame them for the buzzing. . .

It's also a great day to paint.  Sunny days make me happy and happy makes me want to paint.  Here are a few of the paintings I've been working on.  All are for sale and more can be commissioned upon request . . .



Little Girl on Beach
Acrylic on Canvas
16 x 20 x 1.5
Sold





Calm Sailing
Acrylic on Canvas
18 x 24 x 3/4
$210 with Frame
$125 Alone



Boats on Water
Acrylic on Canvas
16 x 20 x 3/4
$150 with Frame
$95 Alone