Kiya Sleeping

I don't have any new paintings for you today. I spent most of the day on the couch sleeping which is totally unlike me. I think I have the flu and I can't seem to muster enough strength to do anything. I have to relate a cute little story however, before I go back to my couch with some chicken soup. While I was laying there today, my cat Kiya (above) came and slept on top of me. Now she NEVER does this, much less sleeps on the couch, so I knew it was especially for me. She has been worried about me since she's heard me coughing, and she keeps 'checking in' on me. She was doing this last week to my youngest who had this thing too. She has always been the Mama kitty, which I find rather cute, seeing that she really isn't that friendly for the most part.
Ok, back to the couch! Send me some good, healing energy, I need it.

Bass River row boats painting

I just finished this painting of boats on Bass River at a West Dennis landing. It an 8"x10" on a canvas panel. I had taken the reference photo this past August. You can even tell because the Queen Anne's lace (white flowers) were blooming near the boats. I remember, it was a beautiful warm evening - perfect for a ride on my motorcycle, and the world seemed to be aglow from the warm summer sunset. This particular landing, which is off of Route 28, was so quiet and peaceful. The only person there was a lone fisherman sitting on the dock, not catching anything (which makes me happy since I'm an animal lover).

Think Warm

This photo was sent to me by a customer, and dear friend in the UK. She was on vacation with her husband and son in Florida and managed to photograph these two manatee's swimming by. I LOVE this photo. It's amazing to me since; Manatee's are not local here in the Northeast, but also the color of them and the color of the water. It makes me want to dive right in! I'm fighting off a nasty cold right now so I wanted to post something that makes me think warm thoughts. This was my #1 choice! Thanks Jane, I'm feeling better already.

Along 6A

Did I mention I just found out about a one person show I'm doing May - July, this year? I guess I signed up for it 2 years ago and then totally forgot about it. I'm just glad I was notified early so now I have at least 2 months to whip of a million new paintings. (Yikes!)
So anyway, I was going to AC MOORE in Hyannis yesterday to buy more canvases, and along the way I detoured since I had my camera on me. I ended up going down Harbor Point Road in Yarmouthport(?) off of 6A. I found out they now have sheep and goats in a little wired pen in the conservation land. I wonder how they are protected from the coyote's, who could easily jump the fences. Hmmmm Yes, we have a lot of coyote's around here. There was a time when we didn't have any, but then they crossed over the bridge (It's the only way to get on the Cape because it's actually an island cut off by the Cape Cod Canal and only 2 bridges that go over it) and now.....they are all over the Cape. Hopefully there won't be any bears crossing the bridge any time soon...

This is the view from the end of the road (see the first photo). It's Sandy Neck Lighthouse in Sandwich. I've never actually been out there. You have to have a 4x4 permit to drive out there, otherwise it's a really LONG walk. It's one of my favorite subjects to paint though.

Conservation Trail in Sandwich

We went for a nature walk in Sandwich recently. Whenever I see a conservation trail I like to see where it leads and this one was very nice. It was right off of Route 6A and the trail lead us through the woods of low trees and cedars. I thought this tree was quite gnarly and beautiful.

We got a peak at the marsh and river once in a while. I'm looking forward to coming here in the summer to take photo's.

Then it came to a spot where you could see all the way to the Bay beach in Sandwich (not Sandy Neck but Ploughs Neck I believe). If you click on the photo you can see the cottages right up to the river which comes in with the marshland. What a gorgeous spot for a picnic. The trail just went around in a big circle and it wasn't very long but definitely worth the trip.

*If you go, wear boots. It's a little mucky in places.

Me and Brielle

My sister just sent me these photo's of me and Brielle on her 18th birthday (in January) which I LOVE.
Today Brielle and Sienna cleaned the house and I mean, cleaned! Brielle was instrumental in getting her younger sister to cooperate willingly, and she also did things that weren't even on my 'school vacation to do' list! Boy is it nice to have a little help around the house! It can get so overwhelming being a single mom with work, and kids, and no time...

That's my girl. How did she get such peaches and cream skin when mine is so olive-ish?

I just got finished teaching a class for the Kennedy Donovan Center. It was for their kids; some mentally challenged, some not. We painted on tee shirts -which all the kids seemed to love to do, and it worked for all the different levels.
It was a big class but luckily there were enough adults to give help when I couldn't. Plus, Sienna decided to tag along today and was a big help. This photo was taken after most of the kids left and we were cleaning up. My little helper. :)

Harwich Cranberry Bogs

I just finished a set of cranberry bog paintings. I was inspired when I took a drive through Harwich and saw the beautiful red cranberry bogs along the way. There are quite a few in Harwich alone.

This is one of the reference photos I took of the cranberry bog and it amazes me how I actually internalized the colors. I think I 'see' things in much more vibrant colors than they actually are. What do you think? lol

These ACEO's will be on Ebay, starting tonight for a week. http://stores.ebay.com/Cape-Cod-Artist

I love how they are still red even though the cranberries have already been harvested (mostly for Ocean Spray). I also love how they are so neat and tidy. They look like a dark red carpet that was just vacuumed.

Blue Birds

Look at the pretty birds sitting on my Cherry tree waiting in line to get to the bird feeder! I'm so excited that I caught them on film.

They were definitely a couple, but the question is....a couple of WHAT? Does anyone know what kind of birds these are? I'd love to find out.

And here is a photo that one of my lovely customers sent. It's a creek in her back yard in Maryland. It looks like such a nice place. I always dreamed of having a creek/stream in my back yard- it doesn't even have to be this big- just a trickle of water. When I was young I used to dig a trench in the sand of our back yard, then run the hose through it to make my own stream. Then I'd get my pet turtles out and put them in it. Of course the water would just sink into the soft Cape Cod sand really quickly so it didn't work out so well.

Maybe someday......

Brielle and Dad with Peppy the skunk

I just ran across this old photo of my daughter, Brielle, when she was around 11 years old, with sweet Nala. It is such a beautiful photo. Brielle always had a 'knack' with animals. She has that quiet loving aura around her that they respond kindly to.

My dad was like that too. Here he is feeding our pet skunk "Peppy" who at the end of his life became paralyzed (we think because of a rabies immunization). My dad tended to Peppy like he was his baby. He carried him around, gave him baths and showers all the time and let him sleep under the covers right near him. When he had Peppy on his lap, our two other cats used to sit on his lap too- all at the same time. Can you imagine? They all loved him.This is me with my Simby. The German Shepard (above) is actually his 'brother' from another family. (Now maybe you can see- Nala and Simba from the Lion King?) We adopted Simmy when he was about 8 years old. Here I am trying to hold him for a mere second, but he hates to be held. What he does like is sitting on my computer desk under my arms as I type. I pull him close with one arm and although he pretends to hate it at first, he starts to purr. So if you see any typos, that's usually when I am typing with one hand and holding Sim close to me with the other one. Don't you just love animals?

Valentines Day

Happy Valentines day!

I have a quick moment to blog while my hunny runs out for Chinese food. We are staying in tonight and watching movies. Luckily he doesn't mind romantic comedies. I think I'd prefer staying in and watching a DVD on the couch than going to the crowded movie theater and sitting in uncomfortable seats with people talking all around. So we'll make our own popcorn and snuggle up to a sappy movie that will probably make me cry. (Oh, I hope not, I'd rather just laugh) Just remember that Valentines day is not only for lovers, but for loving yourself. So make time to do what you love to do tonight; pamper yourself, watch what YOU want on TV, read a good book, go to bed early, stay up late, or do a fun project. You are special and you deserve to be happy. ALWAYS. No matter what.

Kennedy Donvan Center's Brunch

Today was the Kennedy Donovan Center's brunch for all of their care providers (they are the organization I do respite for with the mentally challenged). It was held at the Daniel Webster Inn in Sandwich, which was beautiful. The whole brunch was really nice and well planned, right down to having a guy playing guitar in the background as we ate. Everyone went home with a goody bag AND we all got to win something in the raffle. I won a (photograph) framed print and a $25 gift certificate to Shaws for groceries (yeah, we're going to eat this week!).
I sat at a table with two lovely ladies, one of which won MY painting that I had donated for the raffle. (I also donated 40 ACEO's for each of the goody bags.) Oh.. also they were doing free 5 minute massages for the providers, so I had my first massage ever! It was very nice. I also ran into someone I went to high school with. I didn't even recognize her, but I guess she picked me right out. (I'm not sure if not changing too much since high school is a GOOD thing.....) All in all, it was a fun day and it did make me feel like the work I do is appreciated -since it pays so little and it can be very emotionally draining.

Row Boats

9"x 12" http://stores.ebay.com/Cape-Cod-Artist
When I started this painting the water was darker, more like east coast water, but then I looked outside at the snow, and I wanted to feel warmth so I lightened up the water until it looked almost tropical. Ahhhh, much better. It's fun to be the creator of my own little world.
I took the reference photo at Pamet Harbor in Truro. The thing that drew me to paint it was the way the boats were touching, and how the ropes were crossing each other. It was almost like the two boats were a couple, loving each other, showing it with their body language. (Yes, I live in a very happy little world). I guess you might say this is my Valentines painting.
I'm wishing you all a happy and loving Valentines day too, even though it's not until Saturday.

Aunt Fran is 104 years old!!

On Saturday we celebrated my great Aunt Frans 104th birthday.

She still lives in her own home, (with a staff that comes in to help) and she seemed very coherent at the first part of her party. I think towards the end of the day she started to fade. Here she is with my mom who is her niece. She had a great memory- she asked my mom where her fiance was this year and she even remembered his name! Wow. She was really happy to see my mom. Aunt Fran never had any kids and I think she always felt close to my mom. What a cute picture of them. My mom looks pretty great for 71. She's got that child like spirit. I guess it runs in the family. Maybe she'll live good and long too.
The party was held in her tiny, old house. Everyone was dressed for winter weather and in the house it must have been about 85 degrees with all the body heat. There was lots of good food to eat. Unfortunately I didn't get any because I was too busy trying to get my family genealogy correct while I had all my relatives in one place.

My younger sister, Odin and Sienna. We don't see Odin too much. She stays busy in the next town over with her 5 boys. (She's an artist too!)

Me, my cousin Debbie, Odin, and Debbie's partner, Debbie. I've only met the 2 Debbie's at Aunt Fran's party because they're not from around here. It's nice to get to know more of the family. If it weren't for A.Frans parties I never would have known half my family. Here's my Mumma and Sienna- acting like a typical teenager. What a face!

Beth came with us and loved the stimulation of all the people. Lots to watch and even a few babies to tickle.

Today Beth left after her week long stay (or vacation as we called it). It's been a long week- I had forgotten how much work it is to take care of someone else's every need. Phew! I'm glad my kids are at the age that they are self sufficient.

Happy Birthday Aunt Fran. We love you!

With the addition of a few more inches of snow, I had the irresistible urge to make a snowman. (See it to the left?) My neighbors probably thought I was nuts, but that's OK. I had fun and that's all that counts. Plus when Beths van drove up to let her off from day-hab, they other 'clients' on board got a kick out of it. It was worth it just to see them smile.

I also went out and about to take some photo's when the sun came out. I got lots of arbors and white picket fences.

These houses were all in South Yarmouth. There are some gorgeous homes there down by Bass River and the windmill.

Everything just looked so crisp and clean in the sunshine and the fresh snow.
Here's a classic looking house with the white picket fence and arbor. I think this one's going to end up on a canvas at some point.

Guess what?

Yep. It's snowing again. We're supposed to get 4-8" before it's all said and done and they didn't even cancel school today. I've already been out driving in it - taking Brielle to high school, Sienna the the bus stop and then just out for a joy ride to take photo's, for you viewing pleasure. Corporation Beach in Dennis.

Here's a good pic for all of you people who vacation here. This is what our gorgeous beaches look like in the cold winter.

Looks pretty cold, but actually it is 35 degrees out. Actually just yesterday it was beautiful, sunny and 50 degrees out. You know what they say- "If you don't like the weather, just wait a minute".

Photos' from the Past

Today my mom and Grethe (sis) came over for tea and catching up. My mom brought over some of her old OLD photo albums so I took photo's of the photo's while I could. Anyway, I loved this one of my grandfather (who died before I was born) on his motorcycle. My grandmother rode it too! I guess that's where I get it from. We had a wonderful time looking through the old albums.

If there is anyone out there who knows anyone from Rhode Island (roots) whose last name is Rhody let me know. These are my grandpa's cousins but I don't know how they are related to him.

These are the Alexander's from Rhode Island- also cousins of my grandpa and I don't know how they are related. I need more information!! I'm working on my family genealogy and I wish I had WAY more time to devote to it. It takes so long just to get a tidbit, but it is fun and exciting when you do. You'd think I could just go ask my great aunt, but she'll be 104 on Saturday, so she can't really remember too well these days. I should have started the genealogy a long time ago.