Chocolate Covered Cherries and Daisy

Thinking of Daisy-our dear yellow lab-- today, I have a small story about her love of chocolate and mine.One Christmas I bought chocolate covered cherries and wrapped them as part of our gift to David my brother in law( John's sister's husband). I put this under the tree. Well, Daisy tore into it and opened and ate some. I didn't want to waste any so--- I put them in the center of the plate of homemade cookies I was taking to my mothers for Christmas dinner with the family. :) I would eat them wouldn't you...  ha ha. Needless to say!!! My other brother in law Grover ate one of the candies as soon as we got there and of course I told that Daisy had eaten a few and had her dear nose into the box, snorting around. Ha ha. you should have seen Grover's face fall. Oh my gosh it was priceless!! ha ha. so cute. ( Dogs do not need chocolate but it seemed that Daisy loved everything I did, coffee too.-- I didn't give her chocolate but if she could find a way to sneak some she did.)  What a wonderful companion! I miss her so. Hope you guys enjoy chocolate as much as she did. eat some tonight.. love,Diana

Pie and Maalox and a Pour

Hi,I've decided to paint another "Mad Chicken" after talking to Ed Kuhn and Donna Drew. Ed carves beautiful fish and paints them and Donna and Don Drew make beautiful copper creations. Every Christmas Donna and Don have a Christmas Open House at their studio in Melfa Va. It's very cozy inside and they've asked me and Ed and Pat,his wife, to join them for quite a few years, a few other artists too, It's small and so  cozy with the warmth of the wood stove and loaded with their art and our art, as well as enough food to feed an army. It will be Dec.15th on a Saturday. You are all invited! So when I stopped cleaning I chose a pour that I will turn into my angry chicken!That's all the art I've had time to do today.

 This is my arrangement for the table so far. I picked some bright leaves.

 And my Pie.. Gran used to make French Apple Pie. So I decided I wanted to and tried it. I had the apples cooking on the stove and ran to the computer to discover you don't cook the apples--ooops , then I called Ann Henry my sister in law.. She gave me some directions and I made the crust from scratch.. There might be a few holes I tried to fill them in. ha ha. and now I'm going back to make glaze.. just confection sugar and cream right? We'll hope so. I promise this will not be a cooking blog although it might be a funny one.

 But my recipe for Sweet Potato Wheat Biscuits is: About 1 and 1/2 cups of mashed sweet potatoes ( Yams), 2 cups of wheat flour ( you may use white if you like),1 tsp of salt, 3 tsp of baking powder, 2/3 cups of milk,1/3cup of canola oil and sugar -4 tablespoons or more. mix all together, and roll out and cut. Bake at 400 degrees until brown on bottom and light brown on top. Sherry, this is for you! 

A funny Daisy story about Thanksgiving,when she was a little yellow lab puppy. She liked to grab things and run and hide under the bed. Well I had just put my roasted turkey on the kitchen counter and yes she was tall enough to reach.. oh no. John yelled.. Daisy's got something.. So we all -- the kids too--- started running. Me, of course to the kitchen ,with a "Not MY TURKEY",,,,, ha ha.. no it wasn't my turkey, she had snatched a Bic disposable razor from the bathroom.. and was chomping it up under the bed. We reached her in time--- thank goodness.... and that is why I cry when I open the Maalox chewable pill bottle , it was for Daisy, our vet recommended we keep it for her. She only liked the orange ones.:)

 I'll talk to you tomorrow. Have a great Thanksgiving, Love to you,Diana

Pushing for Inspiration

HI, Well, I just painted what was in front of me. I had brought this shell home from our beach trip. It's a blue mussel, I believe. I just laid it down and painted it and flipped it over and painted it again because both sides are beautiful. I used this iridescent powder.Keep it in old dog medicine bottles,just barely touch it with a wet brush. Add water and it gleams.Margaret gave it to me.

Thank you for your great suggestions. I'm just gonna keep painting. I did do a little gardening, I watered it and pulled a couple of weeds..but nature helps inspiration for me like you said. I'll just push..

I was delighted to find the little frog back this morning and so I took more photos.He? is on the wall by the back porch.

 Look-- This hibiscus is blooming. Before, my Daisy we had Sandy, a golden retriever as she got older she decided this plant was her bathroom.(I loved it so.) It was right by the back porch and I tried to keep her away from it but, no.. so it died.. now after 12 years(after Daisy)--with no signs of it. It has come back and is blooming.. Amazing.. I painted it years ago. I may have to again.

Puppies are due to be born this Friday but Tammy said her girls deliver a few days early, so I keep checking my email. I'll let you know I promise as soon as I know. I pray they are well and if I may have a light yellow one..some puppy to love.  :)

 talk to you soon.,Diana
so I'm going to fix a large iced tea and take some paper out there and look at the froggie.. thank you,

Tomato Painting

Happy Fourth of July!Here's my painting I was working on today. I still have to put the shadows and touch it up. I found a luna moth too. Have a wonderful  day tomorrow..talk to you soon,Diana

Finished Spider Tulips Painting

HI! Well I just finished. Here it is. I haven't signed it yet- will do that in a minute. It's propped up next to Daisy's rugs. I still haven't moved them. It's been 2 months and 2 days since she died. My sweet girl..

I'm so glad to be finished with this one. I hope she likes it. I'll give her a call in the morning. I want to wrap it in plastic and back it for her.

  I was surprised and happy to see my coneflowers. They actually came back and  are lovely in the morning light.. wow.. I may have to paint them.Are you painting things from your garden?

 The weather here is nice, which is a blessing as our air conditioner broke down this week. The part to fix it is coming in 10 days...It'll be humid and hot in the blink of an eye! :) hope not --ha ha.

 Hope you have a wonderful weekend..talk to you soon,Diana

New Frog Watercolor

Here is the beginning of the new froggie painting. Daisy has been gone 1 month just an hour ago. I miss her so.. so sorry to keep bringing it up. take care, Diana

Eastern Shore Art League Paint Out

hi, We had a paint out..at Harborton,Va.A paint out with the Eastern Shore Art League is a day of painting together.We take dishes to share and eat lunch and today we were at Jennie's home in Harborton,a small fishing village on the shore. Her flowers were in bloom, her chickens and coop provided inspiration and her dear dog Emma( a yellow lab-like my Daisy) was there to welcome us. Her studio and home reflected the warmth of her character.I painted a little and enjoyed visiting with friends who kindly remembered my Daisy,so some tears were shared..It was a loving day. take care, Diana

New Little Landscape

Hi,I started just a little landscape. I got some new frames in last Wednesday when we were zooming up to the vet. Fred was kind-- he left them on the front stoop with a note he hoped Daisy was better. The landscape is of Willis Wharf,a small little fishing village here on the shore. So I've been painting on that today.

The flowers here were a gift--yesterday I judged an art show at Broadwater Academy. I went to school there -just a couple of years ago.. oh ok a long long time ago!The art show was delightful,their artwork was so good and very creative. The art teachers are true blessings to the kids there.Two other artists and I did the judging and they gave us these lovely flowers.

I was sitting painting at my art table and the first female hummingbird flew up to the feeder! They are here!! I've made a large pot of sugar water and will be hanging the rest of my feeders today.

My heart is still aching. I miss her so much.I think of Daisy every day so many,many times. Thank you all for your comfort and lovely words. Love to each of you,Diana

Painted Paw Prints

Today was a difficult day. Thank you all for your lovely words of comfort and love.I finished my wisteria.. which was a struggle. Daisy had made muddy paw prints into the back porch on Tuesday, I wanted to preserve them so I sketched them in my sketchbook(cried)and today I painted them onto the porch..(cried)I miss her so much.. thank you so much for your support. love,Diana

We love you,Daisy.

My Daisy is gone. She was so sick. She passed away last night.We miss her so much as you all know. My heart is broken.Diana

Daisy's so Sick

Hi,Daisy has taken a turn for the worse,my heart is breaking. I know you won't understand if you aren't an animal lover.I hear her bark..but she's not there.. She has been my constant companion for 11 years..yesterday we painted on the porch,working on my wisteria.She's in the animal hospital today. talk to you soon.please forgive my briefness,Diana

New Piggy and Painting late with Daisy

Happy Easter! My son's on his way back home,we're having leftover turkey for supper.Just whatever is in the refrigerator is ok with me. We had a lovely day,church was beautiful,lunch was nice.I took a small walk and painted a little after he left. After I posted last time,I decided Pork Chop wasn't what I wanted him to be... I felt he was too confusing with too many lines going thru the pig.. so I started over. Daisy has been ill. She wasn't feeling well moaning at night and I talked to Amy at the vets, she brought us some medicine for her,she is feeling a little better. You know how much I love Daisy, so when she moaned I got up with her and decided that would be a good time to start my piggie over. So I got my board that fits the recliner,and started. She stayed on the porch in the cool air then came back in and rested by my side. So here's the new piggy which I prefer. My husband likes the first. Which do you like? I'll keep you updated on Daisy. Talk to you soon,Diana

Silly Daisy

You meet the nicest people at art shows. Last year I showed at the Chincoteague Easter and Decoy Art Show. I decided not to do this show.. with my back problems this year. The lady in the booth across from me made gourmet doggie biscuits and she sent Daisy a little stuffed bunny toy. Last night Daisy started growling at it and barking. J. and I thought she had lost her mind.. but she's fine today.(She had hurt her leg trying to plunder in the woods earlier.)

Anyway I bought some daisies and basil at the grocery store today and noticed they were called "Darling Daisies".. so I had to take a photo of both Darling Daisies!

Then I painted on the porch. I've decided to replace the bird with a tiger swallowtail.. Will show you later. I'm looking forward to class this Saturday! talk to you soon,Diana

Guess Who's Birthday--

It's Daisy's tomorrow. She's 11..here is her baby picture and no that is not my leg. :)ha ha
Talk to you soon and have a great weekend, Diana

Ready for Sunshine

HI! Well I've painted a little and hope I've finished this chickadee painting.I am looking forward to warmer weather. Today we had a perfect day,sunshine and the pansies have started blooming. Sorry I haven't blogged as much. This blasted headache is still with me-- 10weeks now.It will go away.. perhaps that should be my mantra..I feel like painting some bright colors.. It's gotta be simple right now.. Daisy,our Lab, and I sat on the steps for a few minutes and soaked up some sun.. talk to you soon,Diana

Emergency

I was all packed. The car loaded, had my coffee,ready to go and in the blink of an eye my day changed. A raccoon attacked Daisy,our lab on our back porch. She had him in her mouth shaking him. I bolted out the door with the only thing I could grab a flashlight, I threw it at the raccoon and then toppled my bike on him. He ran. Daisy and I ran. He got away but we immediately called Amy! She works for our vet and said come up for a booster of her rabies shot. Daisy's shots were up to date this is just an extra one. SO I had to cancel and not participate in Harvest Festival. J. unpacked the car, I heaved Daisy in and away we went. The health department just called and said that is what was necessary--the booster shot after a good record of rabies shots and she should have 0% chance of rabies..but we have to watch her for 45 days. WHAT a day. But Daisy is healthy and I do have another show on Saturday. I did this sketch of her in the backyard a few minutes ago. Just a quick one. take care. and get your animals their rabies shots.. talk to you soon,Diana
ps I wrote the little poems as I was sitting there( I'm not a writer but enjoy nature so much)

Owl Watercolor

HI! Finished my owl painting. Just now. Daisy snored the whole time! talk to you soon! Diana

Painting Together Outside

Daisy and I painted together on the front porch today. She pressed up against me as I started painting this geranium. I had sketched it last week when it was gorgeous. Now I need to use my imagination a little to fill in the blooms.. hopefully it will come back as lovely as before. As I was painting a female hummer came and hovered about a foot away. I plan to add a hummingbird to the bottom corner of the painting. It suddenly turned dark and started rumbling so we had to move in. We do need the rain but it's so nice to paint outside and enjoy the day. talk to you soon,Diana

Checkerboard Garlic Watercolor

Hi,well I just finished this little garlic painting! I enjoyed doing the peaches last summer this way so I thought I'd give it another go. This one I made the cubes bigger. I like it. I framed 2 paintings yesterday for the show this weekend. Still have 5 more to go.. This is the Annual Thoroughgood House Spring Festival,Saturday April 9th from 10am til 2pm. As you can see I had help with the painting, there's Daisy by my foot snoring away. Talk to you soon,Diana

Striped Daffodil Painting

Hi, well Daisy is waiting for her dinner. We just took a lovely(short-she can't go too far) walk in the nursery. They have the most amazing camellias. My favorite is Pink Icicle.. big,floppy and pink.Gorgeous.We have permission, Daisy and Dusty were the "BUNNY PATROL" to help chase sweet little bunnies, and mice ,too, ok, and 3 foxes, away.(The dogs could really run when in the mood and of course I was attached to them with leashes -so I was attempting to keep up-- a hilarious sight!) It feels like Dusty is walking beside us when we go walking.

Today I've been working on this little almost abstract daffodil watercolor. I started with one of my pours and sketched the daffodils, then blocked in some colors to create negative space and threw in some stripes for the fun of it. It's definitely different!! ha ha.. I like it. Is it too silly??

take care and talk to you soon,Diana