Green Wellies

Painting up a storm...

Jayne and I had a fabulous time with mom, our brother, Phil and his wife Janet, when we flew to Ontario for a week.  I plan to post more about that trip soon, but when I got home, I decided to finally tackle painting the dark wood in the dining nook, to try and brighten things up and make it seem larger than it really is.  I have to keep going now...I'm walking around furniture obstacles and must get it put back into place, as it's rather confusing for the dog and cat!  They can't figure out why there's a chair on the table instead of the floor.

Here's one wall done...

   

Even the first coat of white paint is making all the difference, but I should have done the ceiling first...I think it's called planning ahead and I didn't!

Taking a little trip...back soon

My sister and I are flying east to Ontario to visit with our mom for a week.  This is the last hurrah of the summer, which has been a busy Grand Central couple of months.  Once the garden is tucked away for fall and the outside work is done, I'll have more time to devote to reading your blog posts and I'm certainly looking forward to it.  Just because you don't hear from me as often, know that you are all in my thoughts and I continue to be grateful for this worldwide web of friendships that keeps on growing.  What magnificent women you are!  Have a great week and I'll be back with photos and stories of our journey.  Peace...

The land of blue sheep and white birds...

The story behind this card began on flickr and involved a blue sheep in Germany and a thrift store Lamb Chop puppet in Canada.  The very talented, creative and inspiring artist Sandra Monat has a constant companion in the form of a sheep called Friederike, who has her own blog.  When I found Lamb Chop, I knew she and Friederike belonged together and so I shipped her off to Germany post haste.  As you can see, she arrived safe and sound... 

In return, I received a surprise package of my own in the mail last week... 

Look at this delightful drawing that Sandra drew showing Friederike and Lamb Chop together, framed and everything.  It's just too cute for words...

As if that wasn't scrumptious enough, nestled in a little brown box, was one of Sandra's birds from her series Free the Birds (#25/50)...white felt, embroidered eyes, wire feet and a tag that reads..."I shall free the birds.  They may now fly freely thoughout my realm.  No man shall hunt them again.  Then may they build their nests in peace." (from a Buddhist legend).

The little white bird was welcomed by others that already lived here...

   

...and then she found a place of honour perched on the bookshelf with the old birchbark canoe.

My life has been enriched more than I thought possible by the friendships and connections I've made with women such as Sandra (and all the rest of you, too...you know who you are).  Thank you, Sandra.  Your little white bird from Germany is in good hands and I know that the little white sheep from Canada is, too!

Hmmmm...

I borrowed a page from Leslie's blog and took the book quiz to help me figure out what I'm on about half the time and it didn't help matters much at all.  Now I'm more confused than ever and wondering if a crazy old man might come into my life...I think I'd like the ring and could pass on the haggard part, but I won't be following him into the wilds...there's bear in them thar hills!  The furry person that I apparently am, is probably due to the fact that I need to shave my legs.  Tea, anyone?

You're The Hobbit!
by J.R.R. Tolkien
All you wanted was a nice cup of tea when some haggard crazy old man came into your life and told you it was time to do something with yourself. Now you're all conflicted about whether to stick with your stay-at-home lifestyle or follow this crazy person into the wild. While you're very short and a little furry, you seem to be surrounded by an even greater quantity of short folks lately. Try not to lose your ring, but keep its value in perspective!
Take the Book Quiz at the Blue Pyramid.