Friday, July 31, 2009

Blogland Lane # 7 ~ My Dream Home


I've joined KJ and many other friends who have set up 'home' on Blogland Lane. Seeing as my new reality home has hit a few bumps, this is the place I've decided to move my hopes and dreams to. There will be plenty of room for friends to stay without encroaching on anyone's space. This is the front of the house. Someone got carried away with the number plaque, it should just be a "7." I'll fix it later. C'mon, I'll give you the tour.

This is one of my favorite spots in the back yard. I love to sip wine there with friends or just sit quietly with the animals and read a book while I gaze out at the ocean. There are lots of hawks and deer and rabbits who keep me company too. It's really a magical spot.

This is a magnificent old barn that has been renovated into my dream studio and gallery. I also use it for 2 months out of the year to bring in children from poor neighborhoods and give them a free summer of art, good food and a safe haven. The only thing they have to do to be chosen is get good grades in school.

So far this incentive has worked and many children have gone on to win art scholarships!

Finally, this is the long winding road to the house which shows the beautiful view of the ocean. The view is most spectacular from the studio in the barn but the salt air kisses every inch of the house, inside and out.

I think this is quite a neighborhood we've created! Welcome to my home.

Please stop by KJ's place and visit all the other residents!

Skywatch Friday: A Walk In The Park


Brian and I decided to stop at Colt State Park in Bristol yesterday on the way home from running errands. I had forgotten how lovely this place is with it's green grass, lush trees and winding paths along the Narragansett Bay.

Just what the psychiatrist ordered!! Nature has always been able to restore me.


For other skies along the way, check out Skywatch Friday!

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Thankful Thursday: Inch by inch




Well, my dear friend Soulbrush did it again. I swear she tunes into me and knows when I need a little help getting my chin off the floor. Here's a card I got from her this week, and inside it was this wonderful ATC with well wishes written on the back as well as all of these 'inchies' with their own small messages. The whole presentation made me smile! Thanks Soulbrush.

We'll always have that special connection!

It could very well be that Brian and I will be able to stay in this house if we can keep things workable for all parties involved. I just hope the day comes soon when I feel like myself again and not like someone who's been abducted by aliens. I think I'm having one huge out of body (and mind) experience!

Care to join me?

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Animal Wednesday: Bliss's Window


This is my sweet kitty Bliss who had a hard time adjusting to the drive and the relocation. She finally sits in the window that is in front of my drawing table and she loves it! For those of you who don't know the latest chapter, we may have to move again because the landlady decided she needs to sell the house. Sadly, she didn't get the lease to us before we moved in. (Now we know why!)

The saga continues....

Meanwhile, HAW to all of my pals out there!

Monday, July 27, 2009

Cactus Monday: Sepia and Orange


I kind of just let my sepia Pitt pens do the talking today with nothing concrete in mind. I used an orange sharpie for the contrast. Slowly but surely I'm getting my workspace together.

Happy Cactus Monday everyone!!

Friday, July 24, 2009

Skywatch Friday: Along the way


I didn't get a chance to take many photos because of all the road construction while we were driving cross-country, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity at this Utah rest stop. Utah was where I thought for sure we were all going to be killed by those crazy drivers on those hairpin turns through the mountains!

At least the scenery was pretty here and there ;P

For more skies to ogle, go to Skywatch Friday!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Thankful Thursday: The Welcome Wagon

There were a few goodies waiting for me when I arrived in Rhode island. It helped ease the transition of closing one door and opening another.


Dear, sweet Marianne did this small canvas of the sun, moon and sparkling stars. The outer edge of the mandala has seagulls in the sky.I hung it up right away where I get to admire it several times a day.



She also sent my "H" atc for hibiscus, which I love...


...and she surprised me with this cactus rose. Such a soft, beautiful painting.


Then she wrote a "Welcome Home" note of this Frida Kahlo card.

She really knows my heart.

Thank you, dear friend!


This card winged its way to me from a friend I left behind. She and I both love ravens/crows. All of the black writing is hers, playing off that game of "telephone" we've all played as a kid. The inside of the card says "We're not ready to accept your departure." I smiled for days at her humor!


(Click to read it. Pavels is a local bakery in Pacific Grove.)



The next piece of mail to put a smile on my face was Mr. Grouper, my "G" atc from none other that Mim. I just adore her drawings!



She wrote a sweet note on the dragonfly card by Lynn. Thank you Mim!




Speaking of Lynn, she sent my "I" atc card with none other that that hoochy-coochy Inspiring Ismerelda! She's one of my favorites! I'll bring her out every time I need to channel my diva ;)


She mailed her in another one of her beautiful cards. Thanks so much Lynn!!





Inside this wonderful card from Lisa B was my....




..."J" is for Jackdaw atc. The Jackdaw is the crow of the old world. I love him!

But wait....


She also sent this long box. I hope you can read the writing if you enlarge it.

Inside it was this....




...AMAZING hand painted crow's feather depicting the great plains where Ibis and (my totem) the crow are often found. WOW! Thanks so much Lisa!

You're so very thoughtful ;)



And yesterday I went to the post office and found this wonderful card that says it all from KJ! And the bonus of my first week here so far has been meeting KJ face to face. Yay!! It was easy-peasy, like having my sister stop by. Now our friendship has taken on a new dimension and has gone beyond virtualness.Is that a word? Anyway, it felt good to finally connect. I'd love to meet all of you one fine day.

I hope I haven't forgotten anyone.

Whew, what a first week!! One to be thankful for, for sure.







Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Animal Wednesday: From my new roost


I finally uncovered a scant few art supplies so I could paint a quick 'something' and get back in the loop. This was painted in minutes in a dark room, but hey, I tried!

I've been in the new house in Rhode Island for a week and a half now. Right down the street on the same side of the road is one of my favorite places, One Hundred Acre Cove in Barrington. It's a river with marshes and a zillion birds. Okay, not quite a zillion but I'm awakened each morning by the most beautiful variety of sounds including loud, baritone bullfrogs. I was thrilled to see the posts put up for the Ospreys to nest on. Cape Cod started that years ago to get the Osprey population back up. So now I have them in my back yard. I'm grateful for that. (Mim, you'd love to kayak there.)

I'm trying to re-adjust to the climate and humidity and the awful mosquitoes who are eating me alive! Other than that, the house is coming along nicely, the animals are finally adjusting and it's good to be so close to family and friends, new and old. Well, I guess I'm officially back. That feels good too because I've missed being a part of things here. Thanks for waiting! xoxo

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Hi Honey, I'm home!!!




Hey, I've missed all of you so much! Thanks for your well wishes and inquiries along the way. It's been one hell of a ride!!


I'm exhausted but safe. The animals didn't love the trip (which stressed me big time) but we all endured the trek nonetheless. I drove every single mile, all 3,713 of them. I'm a much better driver than I am a passenger. Brian agrees.

Anyway, today we finally got hooked up to internet, TV and a land-line. Woo-hoo! Once I find pots and pans I may cook a meal. Uh, maybe.

Here are a few pics of the new homestead we're renting in Rhode island. It has a lot of charm and a lot of drawbacks. Kind of like most of us.

Soon I'll be meeting a few blogger pals to be named later ;)

I'm sleepy and hungry. I hope to get caught up on posting and commenting soon. Please don't take it personally if I seem absent. I'm just busy with life changes. Thanks for understanding!

Yay...terra firma!
xoxoxo
Lolo










Friday, July 03, 2009

Illustration Friday: Shaky


I'm still on the road heading towards our new home, but I miss participating in "IF" so I thought this was a great word to repost an illustration of my dog and how she looks since we've been on the road. Actually, it was only the first day she was a wreck. The cat too! But now they're understanding that we ride in the car for a while and then we sleep in a new room. We have at least another week of this life to go!
Have a safe and happy 4th to all who celebrate it!
I'll let you know when I reach my destination ;)

( I was unable to post this to Illustration Friday because I have no means of resizing to post a thumbnail.) Oh well, some of you will see it!