Mom's Surprise Party (not)

Sunday evening we had my mom's "Surprise" birthday party, only she already knew about it. We incorporated our family with her group: she is the ring leader of the "Common Ground" group and they usually meet at the beach to watch the sunset on Sunday nights anyway, so it worked out perfectly.

It was a beautiful evening- gorgeous weather; warm, and sunny and everyone had left the beach by that time so we had it to ourselves.

My older brother came from Provincetown equipped only with his guitar because his wife and kids were away.

I think he was serenading my mom with a special "I appreciate you" song in this photo. She was thrilled just to see him because we he doesn't grace us with his presence all that often.

Grethe (my sister) helped organize the party with me. I couldn't have done it without her.
My other sister, Odin came too with ALL of her 5 boys (a miracle!). Here are 4 of them, (one knocking his 5 year old cousin down), and my girls were there too.

I was really happy because Brielle moved into college that day but she came all the way back just for the party.
As you can see the cousins all had a good time seeing each other. The older they get, the less it happens. I can't believe how old everyone is- and that some of us have full grown kids already. It seems like only yesterday they were babies playing with a bucket in the sand with each other.

Well, I think my mom enjoyed her party. She just loves to have her whole family together so I know that was special for her if nothing else.

Mom's 73rd Birthday

Yesterday was my mom's 73rd birthday! She insisted that we celebrate by her taking us out to lunch. How could we refuse? It's not too often that we all go out to eat together so it was fun.

Here's the birthday girl- and a very young 73 at that. My daughter said "Grandmom will never grow old". It's true, she just has a young, fun, spirit.
Here's Sienna with her cousin Quince who is 5, almost 6 years old. She had to hug him (and hold him there) to get him to be in the photo with her. Why do boys hate their picture being taken?

Quince, Sienna, my sister Odin and her son Frey....
Odin's other son, Thien and Mom's fiance Leon were all there....
Here's Qena and her mommy (my sis) Grethe. Qena was soooo good the whole time. She's 11 months old now and is walking.

We even had fun with the food she got in her hair and made a little unicorn horn out of it! She's so darned cute! And SEE? SHE loves the camera!

Anyway, it was a fun lunch then some of us went back to Mom's house and she made us her new favorite drink called "Sex at Sunset". She discovered it on a cruise and hasn't stopped raving about it since then. I think she just likes to say the name and watch the reaction she gets.

Seeing that it was made out of all different kinds of liquor, she, Grethe and I decided to split one. (Odin couldn't come) I have to say it didn't really thrill Grethe or myself as much as her, but we drank our obligatory third and then had some chocolate cheesecake that she made for us. Now THAT was good! My mom's a really good cook.

In case you are wondering why we didn't make the cake or anything- it's because Grethe and I already had a big surprise party planned for her birthday (complete with a cake). It got rained out last Sunday but it will be this Sunday. We kind of had to tell her about it though because she would think no one remembered her on her birthday (since this Sunday is after her birthday). So....that's the story, another party on Sunday... more pictures to come.

Glowing Sails

Here's a typical scene around here with our unique Cape Cod architecture. This is in West Dennis- looking across to the 'Fingers' from W. Dennis Beach. (2.5"x3.5")

Here's another tiny one of the sailing ship in Provincetown- the one they take people out on (I forgot the name). The reference photo for this one was from far, far away- the beach actually, so there isn't much detail but what really interested me was the glow in the sails.

This little catboat also has the 'glowing sails'. Yes, I'm having fun with that lately. I'm enjoying making everything glow and twinkle or sparkle. It's all kind of magical/spiritual to me. I feel like every new day is a chance for making magic and miracles; a chance to glow and radiate all that's good from the inside out; a chance to really sparkle. They say you paint what you are feeling- so true.

So now I'm off to make this the most glowing, sparkling day ever!

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Almost time...

I am going to miss these two little babies sooooo much when they leave at the end of the month. As you may recall, I've been fostering them, but unfortunately I have grown very attached...

And even though they turn my "blue room" upside down; take note of the fake tree leaning over- and how exhausted they are.... never mind the paintings that are hanging cockeyed. (I think they may have been swinging from them)...

I'm still going to really miss those loud purring motors and wet noses nuzzling up to me....
And how they love to be held, and are so affectionate, (unlike my two cats. )

How could you NOT fall in love with that face!!! lol

Hyannisport Club Golf Course Painting

18"x24" "View From the Top" (I might name it that.. not sure yet) I really hate naming my paintings. I put so much creativity into the painting itself, there's none left for the naming of it.

Anyway.....This is the painting that I just finished. It's overlooking the Hyannisport Club Golf Course, which is right up the street from the Kennedy Compound. The view from the parking lot is breath taking and it's so tucked away that I really don't think a lot of people have ever been there. That could also be because it's a private golf course. Hmmm I wonder if I was supposed to be up there taking photo's. Oh well, too late now!

This isn't the reference photo that I used for my painting, but it's close. I just wanted you to see the beautiful view. And I'm not sure if you can tell, but I'm standing at the top of a very big hill, already looking down at the golf course. Can you see that little tiny person's head and shoulders?

On this lovely summer evening it was high tide, but take note that the view is totally different at low tide.

Sailboat Paintings

http://stores.ebay.com/Cape-Cod-Artist

It isn't too often that you see a sailboat with a red sail, but when you do it really stands out, especially against the green of the trees!

http://stores.ebay.com/Cape-Cod-Artist

Here's another one I just finished- it's a sort of whimsical piece. 2.5"x3.5" . (Both of these paintings are bid on already but have about 5 days to go).

New Angels have arrived

I painted several angels this week and got the inspiration to add some sheen to them. I don't know if you can see it in these photo's but it's there, and they sparkle and shine.

These "Healing Angels" and the others that I painted this week are 2.5"x3.5" and are being sold on Ebay right now. I love painting them so much. I feel so energized when I'm doing it! Why can't I just paint Angels all day, every day? (maybe cuz my kids would like to eat!) lol

http://stores.ebay.com/Cape-Cod-Artist

Sunset

What a beautiful day it was today! The weather has been in the 70's (perfect) and sunny. Tonight I headed to the beach for my walk and snapped off these pics at sunset.

There's nothing like the glow of the setting sun on your face. Well, in this case, MY face! It can make any complexion look good. :)

Happy Friday the 13th! I just got back from a motorcycle ride to Orleans with a friend. The weather was perfect and the scenery exquisite.

It was high tide so we couldn't walk too far but it was just enough to breathe in the beauty surrounding us.

I LOVE nature!

Quiet Morning

I took a little walk early this morning in East Dennis to a beautiful spot that overlooks a salt marsh and a river (as you can see). The air was so clean and fresh, making one feel like the day was full of possibilities.

The birds were chirping merrily, collecting their breakfast from the tall grass and surrounding Queen Anne's Lace flowers.

I walked down this little pathway, just me- the birds, and the perfect quietness of the morning Cape Cod. You may wonder why the quiet is so important to me, but later in the day all the tourists wake up and everything gets noisy and the streets get bogged down with traffic. So I tried to really soak in these few precious moments.

Here's where the path ended up- on Route 6A at this little antique shop. I turned around and headed back to my car. The day started off really nicely. I hope yours did too!

This is the 100th year anniversary of the Pilgrim Monument in Provincetown. (my design)

It towers above all the buildings on the entire Cape and was built to commemorate the first landing of the Pilgrims. (No, they did not land in Plymouth like everyone thinks). They just didn't stay here because the land wasn't fertile enough to grow good crops. Provincetown is mostly made out of sand with large sand dunes. The girls and I went up there last week and had our picnic and enjoyed the day. (this was taken on our way home in Truro)

"Hazy Days of Summer" Paintings

Finished these 3 little aceo's this past week. This one reminds me of a painting my grandpa did. It was of my dad when he was a little boy looking over a dune at Provincetown Harbor at a far away ship. It's funny how things turn out even though you didn't plan them that way.

I love this one. Of course, it looks better in person, but the sparkles thrill me and it has a kind of hazy quality about it- maybe even dream like. Sometimes when I sit at the beach and stare at the sparkles, I feel like I'm in a dream.

Last but not least- the fisherman. He's in my painting so I say, he isn't really catching anything - he's just out there enjoying the sunset and the peacefulness he's feeling.

:)

http://stores.ebay.com/Cape-Cod-Artist (this link takes you to my Ebay store where I have all these paintings and more)

Surfer

8x10
I just finished this painting of a morning surfer. I have this thing about sparkles I guess. I can't wait to do some more! I also love the colors in this painting.

Low battery, gotta go....

Maps of Boston and Nantucket

This past month has been a month of hand coloring maps. I have colored MORE maps then ever in one month! Here are 2 of the most recent. These: Boston and Nantucket are reproductions of antique maps/views, and they are both very large (see the photo below).
You can find these two at Maps of Antiquity in Chatham along with authentic antique maps of every place you can imagine.

Now you can see in relation to Simba sitting in his 'spot', how big these are. And YES, he IS sticking his tongue out at you.

But isn't my plant healthy and pretty? (I just went ADD for a moment, sorry!)

New Foster Kitties!

Just in.... the first pics of our new foster kitties, Leo and Matisse, named after the artists: Leonardo DeVinci, and Henri Matisse (Lucy, who owns them, is an art student). They have already made themselves at home as you can see. They look so mellow and sweet, but don't let these pictures fool you, they were WILD all afternoon. When this was taken they were totally worn out!

They had soooooo much energy and just wanted to play- with EVERYthing! Luckily I have an extra room that they are in right now so we 'cat-proofed' it-removed all the live plants (which they were swinging from), cords (which they tried to eat) and anything else that little babies shouldn't be around.
Leo seems to like people food. He was trying to eat Sienna's Top Ramen noodles. It was like a game for him- nice dangley things in her mouth to try and catch!

Other things he's tried to eat so far...cereal, ipod cord, fake plants, rubber gaskets, hair, and of course a little skin.

My cats are all freaked out. Kiya (the princess of the house) is hissing at everyone and is totally put out. She won't even go near the room they are in. Simba is just scared of them. He's a big fraidy cat, but I think he'll be the first to get close. For now, we are just giving them extra EXTRA attention and love so they don't feel like they are being replaced. We'll see how it goes.

More updates to follow....