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!

The Coffee or The Cup

My father sent this to me and I'd like to share it with all of you. There are times that I do not enjoy "looking into the mirror" and seeing my reflection, but we all must do so, if we are to mature and find joy and happiness in this life here.

The Coffee or The Cup!

This really is profound, I am going to try and keep this in mind the next time I feel "stressed".....

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life.

Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the coffee.

When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: "If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups... And then you began eyeing each other's cups.

Now consider this: Life is the coffee; the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of life we live. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us." God brews the coffee, not the cups.......... Enjoy your coffee!

"The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything." Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.

I DIDN'T LIFT A FINGER TODAY!

Well, of course, I have lifted a finger today! BUT, I did not do any heavy lifting, hammering, shoving boxes, or any labor involving anything beyond what I wanted to do. Wonderful! Once in awhile and especially after spending the last 2 1/2 wks prepping our new home (scrubbing, painting, carpeting, and did I say, scrubbing?) and of course the enjoyable moving itself, one MUST have a bit of respite. And, I am very pleased with the outcome of our new home; it does feel like a place of refuge. Above and below gives you a small peek of the parlor ( giggle.........the living room ).


This morning, a new and dear friend came for coffee and she brought the muffins and we just sat and talked. Getting to know one another better is so important in order for a friendship to grow, I think. I was so surprised and pleased when she brought me a gift of a teacup and saucer from her own collection; what a sweet gift! She also brought me a dishcloth hand crocheted by her daughter. Who could ask for a more lovely friendship?

Let's see.......I did a load or two of laundry, put 3 artichokes in the crockpot to cook, ran a few quick errands, and then curled up on the sofa to begin a new read.

A few minutes ago, I got up and entered my "new watercolor studio" and checked out a blog I've been enjoying reading....Lynne's Little Corner of the World . It's a book blog and if you are a reader, you should visit her there. I think you might enjoy it too.

BTW, I have been contemplating a name for my watercolor studio. I have narrowed it down to 2 possibilities and I would like your opinion. Just so you know, as you can see in the pictures of my studio, on my painting table my water bowl (dish, receptacle, whatever) is an old porcelain enamel "potty", so that is where the inspiration for my 2 choices have come from. I've placed a voting poll on the side, so PLEASE VOTE and help me out!


I wanted to tell you that soon I will have a new 37" Flat-panel LCD HDTV from Best Buy! How's that for positive thinking? LOL! Really, you can enter to win one at 5 Minutes for Mom
Go ahead! Someone will win it!

It is so good to be back! I have been away from my blog for so long and I am planning to blog and paint more frequently now, so keep checking back!

A working computer, A beautiful view, & A good read

1. I truly enjoy logging on to my computer and finding it works like new! I had to take it to be repaired as it just was full of yech! and it was running slower and slower. But, now it runs like new! Woohoo! now I can begin to try to keep up with my blog.

2. Sitting in my window (working on my computer) and having a perfect view of the bay! I figured since I had to send the computer in for repairs, I might as well rearrange the furniture too.

3. In the evenings I love to curl up with a good book....what am I reading now you ask? Alla Prima: Everything I Know About Painting by Richard Schmid
For all of you who love art and painting!