New Years Rockin Eve 2009

Without Spenser here to do our annual New Years Eve Challenge Mini Golf game, Tom graciously agreed to stand in for Spenser in the annual challenge match.  We went to the course near our house in Spring.  The weather had cleared up and was a beautiful day at about 65 degrees. We first ate lunch at Grimaldi's Pizza in the Woodlands which was very tasty.  Then off to golf. We both had a hole in one, but Julie was victorious this year in the scoring.

Christmas gift 2009 and tablescape

This is the christmas tablescape.  Just the two of us, but wanted it to be festive none the les

This looks like one of those shots where some one is standing there with a gun.  The sweeper works great.  Light and easy to use.

Happy Birthday Gus

Gus is 5 years old today.  Happy birthday Big Dog!

Vacation - Texas Style

Tom and I managed to get away for a few days to Corpus Christi, Texas.  We haven't explored Texas much since we moved here, as usually for vacation I am content to stay home and sit in the back yard.  We finally found someplace to board the dogs so we were free for a few days.  We just jumped in the car and started driving.  No reservation, no real plan.

We stopped in Wharton, and found the Tee Pee Motel.  We didn't stay, but what a sight it was. It has been restored after many years of abandonment.

 
We went to the Aransas Wildlife Refuge on the way to Corpus Christi.  We were attacked by mosquito's.  They swarmed outside the car and came into car and we were batting them trying to kill them as we drove.  We were glad to have the insect repellent so they weren't biting us, just circulating

Tasty Treats

This is for the weekly challenge of Different Strokes Blog

Didn't get the frosting the way I wanted.

No Place Like Home

This is my husband's childhood home in CT.

It is painted on a 6 x 6 panel.  Hard to work so small, and wanted it to be "painterly".

Mush

Greta and Eve on a summer night.

Eat Your Vegetables

I was too late to post this on the blog Different Strokes Blog but I did use the posted challenge photo for this painting. It is 6 x 6 on panel.

Familiar Streets

Here is my latest submission to the painting blog challenge
http://differentstrokesfromdifferentfolks.blogspot.com/

Never painted a street scene before.

I don't like painting on canvas, but I am trying to use up what I have.

Hot Time Summer in the City

Here is the temp with heat index. The dog days of summer. Only a cool 118 with the heat index

Old Man take a look at yourself

This painting was my submittal for the blog, http://differentstrokesfromdifferentfolks.blogspot.com/. This was my first submittal, to the weekly challenge to paint the picture that the group will paint. I have not painted people before, well that is a lie. I did try one before and the little girl I was trying to paint looked like an alien.

I just continue to try and hope to someday improve. Learning how to photograph the paintings is also an entirely other skill to learn.

Will we be able to flush for long?

NOTICE

Stage 2 water restrictions in effect for The Woodlands:

Because of excessive water use in The Woodlands stemming from the excessively dry weather conditions, Stage 2 voluntary water restrictions are in effect. All Woodlands residents are urged to limit outdoor water activities like filling ornamental fountains, filling pools and washing vehicles. Residential irrigation schedules are as follows: addresses ending in an odd number (1, 3, 5, 7, and 9) are limited to Wednesdays and Saturdays. Addresses ending in even numbers (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8) should water on Thursdays and Sundays. Irrigation guidelines include no more than 1 inch per week in no more than 2 applications per week. All watering should cycle during the nighttime hours and be completed by 4 a.m.

If water use does not subside, Stage 3 mandatory restrictions will be implemented.

Will we be forced to only flush for #2? The lawns are turning brown. It has rained since April. Climate change? I suspect.

I guess they will see who has a green lawn and issue tickets.....

Cherry Delight

6 x 6 on panel from a photo.  I like the way this turned out.  I think I really like the smooth surface to work with

Juicy

Oil on canvas panel from a photo.  Size 4 x 6

The Heat is On

Summer has come to the Gulf Coast. It is hot and steamy today. True Houston weather. The weather I remember as a child growing up here. I can remember hanging out with friends in high school in the summer, driving around with the sticky air giving no respite even at night. You are so happy to have sleeveless cotton shirts and shorts in this climate. Who cares what the thighs look like. It is all about comfort. I stuck my foot in the pool tonight and should have jumped in. It felt good but I was consumed with getting the tiki torches I just bought out in the yard for a test. I was on a mission to simulate the tropical jungle theme for real in the back yard.

Summer Snack

Oil on board, 6 x 6 from a photo.

Berries

Strawberries from a photo on board.

Pepper Practice 2

Another pepper practice on board 4 x 4.