FEBRUARY TRIMMINGS & PROGRESS

Archduke Charles antique rose with one from the Mutabulis rose bush. The white roses are called Ducher The before picture in grey of our future house and with a little work done in yellow below.... The big fat rose bud below is a different rose, salmon in color when bloomed....can't think of the name. The progress on our downsizing has been slow, but the growth of February roses, Ducher antique rose bush to be exact, was progressing like a burst of Spring! We always trim all of our antique roses around Valentines and Labor Day. These roses were what I picked up from laying in the yard before they cleaned all the extra growth they trimmed over the warm winter. I put them quickly in a vase and photographed them for future art or painting, BUT they are too beautiful like this to try and duplicate in a drawing or painting!!! I took the photos inside that evening as they sat by my chair where I work on the computer....the smell was glorious. The pink/red ones are the antique rose bush Archduke Charles, hedge we have in front of the small cottage. They bloom almost all year!!
THEN a quickie photo of the "before 1960's house" on one third of an acre, we purchased to remodel and to downsize to 20 miles away....and "a recent house picture with the addition in front changing the front profile", plus the doors and enclosing of the big garage for my studio! The house is not painted as that is the primed color of the hardy panel....but I am thinking a soft light buttery yellow with white shudders and trim would be so happy looking, especially when I get roses around it!! We will eventually add a nice big porch and other things including a garden in the back...plus the children's play house will go back there. More photos later. We are working madly to get enough done to move into it. We rented a storage unit as we can't seem to throw away enough old goodies.....and are putting people off for a while longer who are wanting to see and possibly purchase the beautiful big house on three acres we built/restored and have lived in for thirteen years ....we don't even have it on the market or appraised yet! We are getting tired and have had two garage sales and will have a bigger moving sale during the Antiques Fair in Round Top.....whew!!!! I am definitely ready for less work and stuff and a little more relaxing!! Blessings to you all. Sorry I haven't blogged...we have been too busy to breathe!

EXCITING NEWS!!!

I know I haven't blogged or posted for a long time....truth is....I couldn't TOP what I wrote below about the "The Wind.... Being Still". Since that post God has ""been moving"" in big gentle giant steps! I am amazed once again how He works...... We have made the decision to downsize and MOVE to a smaller house and smaller yard and in the next town south in a real neighborhood!! We have always lived in the country and always worked really hard at taking care of all that we had. From fifty acres to 3 acres to a third of an acre!!! But we are SOOO ready for LESS to take care of. We have prayed, looked and prayed more.....and have purchased a smaller house on a corner in a neighborhood where I even know the neighbors!!! It is closer to the church, the grocery store and to the Doctors!! Forgot to mention that Dick will be closer to his playground at the airport too!! Another "project" always excites me....although I hope this one is smaller in nature. I will have a large room for my studio.....YAY!!!! ..... and for the kids when they visit.....they want some funky lockers with real locks for their stuff....I have agreed and they will have their very own spot in Mimi's new house!!! I have always heard that saying that "LESS IS MORE".....and I am loving the sound of it!!! It will free me up to just "BE" and have more time with people and with my passion of ART and SEWING. Hopefully some teaching will take place there too!! ....maybe! GREENPECKS will remain open physically here at the shop in Round Top until the house sells and then business will be from the next house....which will be announced later. It is antique weeks, now thru Oct 2, here in Round Top, with many people in the fields during the favorite buying venue of the year. So we have been pulling things from the attics in the house and garage and selling and even giving away!!! IT FEELS SOOO GOOD!!!! "The Apothecary", on the square in Round Top purchased THE ROUND TOP COLLECTION inventory and has moved it "up" town, one block away where it soo deserves to be .....! I read the post below with the "quilt" and can see that He, GOD, heard my heart's desire....again!!!! Now, back to humming praises and packing more stuff to sell or give away!!! Blessings and Thanks on this day!!! Will return soon!!!

Stanley,Tito & the Parrots, Me and New ART!

Pilar was too scared to go in the cage.... but she WAS there too...it was raining so not many pictures.... The smeary original for the above is on the post "Works in Progress" I think I like the original smears above best...?? I can't find the photo of the smeary beginning of this bird...but I like the end result... Well, Stanley earned his visit to the ZOO....we LOVED the parrots!!!! It was a fun surprise when the parrots all landed on our heads.... they were the sweetest birds!! I needed the get away before the big ANTIQUES FAIR that begins in these parts again on March 24th thru April 5th! Thousands of people, and good deals to buy, people set up all over the pastures, dance halls, town squares and yards ..... I have had more requests for the B&B than ever before! ??? ...the economy?! I have added a few antiques to my yearly sale.... among other goodies and more new art and some sculptures.... new to the batch of work from the studio! Remember this one with the paint smeared on the canvas and then set aside to see if I saw a picture in it?...It is on the post "WORKS IN PROGRESS" below .... well, here it is finished with not much done to it....I HAVE TO TRY THIS AGAIN!!! It is "Walking in the Garden"......then the girl's face "Hide and Seek"was the second one and then the bird "My pop-corn ball curtain"was the third one..... NOT ALL GREAT but I have loved the spontaneous process....I have more started.....and of course I have prints for anyone who wants a print....or the originals in the gallery next week. I have written scripture on the backs of the canvases with a personal note....I do PRAISE HIM for the joy I get while painting and creating..... it ministers to my soul. I have been stuck, delightfully, on these scriptures for all my painting last week.....Isaiah 55:10,11. I just love what it says....especially the part that says....."it will not return to Me empty." And I love my garden, and His garden! We are His garden too.....planting seeds, growing, watering and harvesting....beautiful and hopeful. Enough...chat...here are the goods!!! Enjoy!