100 Posts! , A Spare Minute, and Love

It has occurred to me that even though I do not have my pc hooked up and thus, no way to load photos here to my blog, that I CAN STILL POST 3 BLESSINGS A DAY! I have to laugh, because posting my art has been the focus for quite sometime now and really this blog was invented with the intention of giving attention to the blessings that God graciously bestows upon me every day.

I have been quite involved with the improvements, clean-up and management of the Sand Dollar Inn for 3 months now. Finally, I am beginning to breathe and I can devote a window of time each day to painting.....Yahoo!!!!!

With that in mind, I will attempt to get my pc up and running soon, so I can show you what I'm doing. But for now, I really have been blessed beyond anything I could imagine to ask for.

1) This is my 100th post! Who would have thought? Although it has taken quite some time to rack up these numbers, I have to say, it has been a ton of fun. Thank you to all who have faithfully returned and read my blog, even when there have blocks of time with nothing new here. Your feedback and loving comments make it all worth it!

2) Probably to some people's dismay, I personally am thrilled that Glenn Beck is back from vacation! His show is one of my favorites on TV these days.

3) Perfect Love.

HAPPY SPRING!

Since today is the first day of spring and so many of us are under a down-pour, I wanted to share this little garden with you....ENJOY! Visit the garden here: http://www.procreo.jp/labo/flower_garden.swf

I've Been Tagged!!!!

Recently, I was tagged by Doudy over at Doudy Sketche. I consider it quite an honor, since I don't see myself as being in the same class of artist as Doudy. He's wonderful. Wow! Thank you. I'm supposed to share 5 things about myself and then tag 5 other people.

1. I have been painting watercolors for almost 2 years.
2. I just recently moved to the southern Oregon coast, where painting fodder is always plentiful!
3. My favorite authors are God (The Bible), Jan Karon (The Mitford Series), Charlene
Baumbich (The Dearest Dorothy Series), Laura Ingalls Wilder and Francis Hodgson Burnett (The Secret Garden).
4. I am the daughter of a preacher and a school teacher.
5. I am the mother of the most wonderful son.

Now, on to my tag selection!

1. Catherine @ In and Out of the Studio
She is a wonderful artist who's style I just adore! She also offers classes and is just a wonder-
ful friend, full of encouragement and inspiration. Thank you, Catherine!
2. Carol @ Paris Breakfasts. Now this is
a woman who has created a career out of what she loves ... painting, traveling, & Paris. Very
inspiring!
3. Jenny @ Jenny Davis Watercolors I don't know much about Jenny, but I know that I just drool whenever I visit
her blog. Wow! to paint portraits like this artist does! Very nice.
4. Michael @ Painting the West I just recently
found Michael's blog and I found it fresh, inspiring, and a place I will visit regularly.
5. Joanna @ Higglety Pigglety
Absolutely adore Joanna's work! And who couldn't love Captain Rupert. Joanna has made
her love of art and a rabbit a lifestyle. Wonderful!

Okay, it's your turn! Each of you, please share 5 pieces of info about yourself and then tag 5 other people. Enjoy!

If I Keep Walking West, My Feet Will Just Get Wet!

After weeks of "disconnect" from this blog and other areas of my life, I have come to a point in my life, once again, where I can take a deep breath and look toward the things I enjoy most. One of them is posting and networking with my friends here on the web. Many of you have been patiently awaiting my return after our move. Thank you!
The move? I recently stepped out of my familiar life (a comfort zone, to be sure) into a new venture. Yes! It was a somewhat scary decision to make. For years now we have looked for a new opportunity; a new job that we could do. And God, being who He is, answered my prayers. One day, out of the blue, we were asked if we would be willing to manage a motel! We thought about it, prayed about it and well, here we are!!
So far, so good. We are in a lovely little community on the southern Oregon coast...Gold Beach, Oregon. Gold Beach is home of one of the most scenic adventures in the Northwest. Since 1895, mail boats have delivered mail and packages up-river to Agness and still do today. Loads of fun and unsurpassed beauty can be had and seen on the Rogue River Mail Boat Hydro-Jet Trips!

Though I have been very busy and focused on the details of running The Sand Dollar Inn, I have managed to do a bit of painting. Actually, just a few watercolor sketches. I will try to get them posted as soon as I can get MY computer set up. I am also looking forward to getting out and about in the art community here. There are 6 galleries here and many artists, so I'd better get my brushes wet and start creating again....oh! how I miss it!

I'm Back!....almost.

After 3 weeks away, I am ready to be back! I have really missed blogging and I have missed the contact with friends I have met here! Let me tell you, the last few weeks have been non-stop and exhausting, to say the least.
Almost 3 weeks ago, we loaded up the moving truck with all of our belongings from our 4 bdrm home and headed down the road to Gold Beach, OR. When we arrived we unloaded the truck and attempted to arrange our things in our new home ... a 1 bdrm apartment! It's really not as bad as it sounds!
We have taken over the management of a local motel. Lots of work ahead of us and the summer season will be fast approaching, but just wanted to let you know that I am still here. I unpacked all of my art supplies today and arranged them in my little corner of the living room (lovingly, of course). I really have missed painting!!!! I need the therapy.....maybe, after a nap.......
P.S. Check back soon for more updates.

Wonderful Support!

I feel so honored to have had so many wonderful and supportive visitors here recently!!! Thank you to everyone who has considered me a friend and to those who are commenting on my blogging efforts. I just love living, walking with my Lord, and painting!!!! I know you haven't seen a painting posted here in several weeks, but rest assured, I am still living (LOL!) and am still walking with my Lord. And Lord willing, I will continue to do so, until I can get back up, painting and posting again. We are in the process of moving and tomorrow my computer connection will be disconnected. I will miss you all! I will be back up in a couple of weeks. So, "pencil me in" to your calendar and come back to visit then.

Support for a Striving Artist

We all have those days when nothing seems to go right. We are not alone! From personal experience, when I am feeling this way I know I need to dig to look for the goodness and blessings that are in my life (right now, today). I always find that I do not need to dig deep...in fact, I have never needed a shovel to find it. God is so good!!!!
I recently found a "new" artist trying to enhance her skills in watercolor and honestly I enjoy her work alot. Very fresh! Visit Doudy Sketche. I think you will enjoy!!!!!

Meet Miss Kitty!

Some of you read my earlier post about Miss Kitty adopting our family and how we were sure she was pregnant. Well, to our delight, she was NOT pregnant, just gaining weight. Lots of weight!!!!! She really is a plump kitty.

Here is her favorite sleeping position.....on her back.

She also is a real sweetheart and we have grown to enjoy her antics very much. I guess you could say she is one of the family now.

A Request for Patience

I am so thankful for those of you who are loyal readers of my blog and who enjoy stopping by to visit and see what I've been up to in and out of The Water Bucket Studio. Thank you, thank you!! If you are one of them, then you have noticed and probably have been disappointed as of late to find that when you arrive, nothing has changed. No new posts! What is wrong with this picture?!
Between the busyness of life, the process of major decisions in our family, illness, etc., I simply have not had time or energy. Sound familiar? If so, then my loyal readers will understand and will keep coming back just to check in.
We have been blessed with a career change that has been much wanted and desired for several years now. It was a huge decision for us. But when you leave it at Jesus' feet and let Him be your guide. What grace!!!!!
The big changes are to take place in the next month and so I will be taking some more time off from my blog in the meantime. Please be patient!!!! And please check back soon and I will give you the full story. If the Lord wills, all will go smoothly and we will just step into place.