June and a New Journal and an Art Show

It is always fun to start a new journal.
It usually takes me about 6 months to paint my way
through the pages of a Watercolor, Pen and Ink Journal.
I am trying out a new type, Stillman & Birn
and the paper is new, also.
It is not as "toothy" as my previous journal pages
and it is bright white rather than the cream color of Arches.

Here is my first page. I set the Arches paper

along side so you can see the difference.

This is a close up version of the Arches.

This flower is called Love in the Mist.

It starts with a blue bloom and finishes off 

with this wonderful pod. I cut quite a few

pods and plan to dry them for a permanent

arrangement during the winter months.

This is my first page.. I like the way 

the pen slides smoothly on the page. 

But, I am less happy with the way

the colors blend and move when the paint is wet.

 Oh well, one can't have everything!

Some of my paintings are now hanging 

downstairs in The Redwoods' Lobby.

I am getting some very nice comments 

from the residents. Most of them have no 

idea that I enjoy watercolor painting.

It is fun to be able to share a new side of 

my self to my Redwoods' friends. 

Stone Soup - 4th Graders and The Redwoods' Seniors

Today, a local fourth grade class visited 

our Organic Garden at The Redwoods. 

They had several experiences during 

their field trip from learning about the worm bin

at the Compost Station

to planting seedlings, 

to cutting flowers and making bouquets and, 

best of all, making Stone Soup.

Each of the children had contributed some vegetables 

from home. We supervised them as they cut up their 

vegetables into small pieces for our Stone Soup.

We got a commercial soup pot from our kitchen 

and started with  hot water and one stone. 

Then the kids added their chopped vegetables

and watched as I put them into the steaming stock.

We had 24 children add veggies 

to our steaming soup pot.

My job was to keep the soup 

making safe for every one.

I also adjusted some seasonings 

for our soup, adding a

little vegetable bouillon 

and some onion soup mix for flavor.

I supervised the Coleman stove 

and had the children come one 

at a time to see their veggies go into the pot.

Jeanne showed a group of children how

to plant seedlings in the soil.

The veggies cooked as the groups 

went around to their various stations in the garden.

A watched pot DOES boil. I needed to turn the flame down!

Audrey served the children their Stone Soup.

Many asked for 2nd servings. It was a hit!

Eager soup eaters line up to be served. 

Fred collects their evaluation forms.

Each student cut flowers and 

made a table bouquet for the dining room. 

They were very creative, indeed.

The children gathered for a group photo 

before bringing their bouquets into the 

dining room for The Redwoods'residents.

Then, it was clean up time. 

We emptied the big soup pot and 

saved the stone that started it all. 

If you have not read Stone Soup by Marcia Brown, 

you will enjoy this lovely story about 

how there is always enough when 

each of us contributes one thing to the pot. 

It was a fun morning. Both old and young 

had a great time and enjoyed a delicious 

lunch, too!

PS

The Pot Watcher was given a jar of

soup to take home and enjoy.

May Meanderings

The April Birthday Extravaganza is complete. I had fun creating a journal page using images from the cards that my friends and family sent. They all had a nature theme. I think others know me well and know what I love.... here is the page above.

The Mill Valley Community Center has a Senior Art Show each May. This year I entered one of my paintings, Orchard Sunset.

I like this one as it was created by pouring 3 colors and then "finding" the subject. Later I did some negative painting to create a little more realistic orchard.

I stopped by early one morning and some nice lady took my photo with my iPhone. She did not really know how to use it so she did not get the painting in it and I am a little fuzzy.  But, at least, we know I was there :-).

Our Organic Garden now has my mini potting bench. I got a chair for my small deck and no longer have room for this sweet little bench. I like seeing it in the garden and it is being put to good use.

Last week, before Sunrise, I shot this black legged stilt in the marsh area. I had no idea I was going to get this wonderful reflection in the water. It was taken with my iphone so I could to get it larger as I do not have a zoom. I am very happy with the image, especially with the clouds.

My early morning walks are often the best part of my day. Some mornings, it is hard to get out of the door first thing in the morning. But then, at times I am rewarded with sights like this and it makes it all worth while. Also, when I walk my 2 miles first thing, it is done and I no longer have to think about IF I am going or WHEN I am going. I have GONE!

I love this photo of Elsabet and me. It was taken at the Marin Horizon School's Grandparents' Day.

They put on a very nice event and Elsabet did a great job in their Primary 2 play.

Birthdays and Blessings

Our Organic Garden has surprises from time to time.

I saw this amazing Amaryllis out on the table.

I had never seen one with these colors.

I asked if I could bring it up to my nest

so I could do a couple of journal pages.

It was tough to get the colors correct.

God has better paint brush talents

than I do. But it was fun trying.

_________________________________________________

My Birthday has been a month long affair.

Friends and family have taken me out for lunch.

My BFF, Sandra, took my sister, Nancy and me out 

to lunch at Graffiti in Petaluma.

We had a delightful visit over a good meal.

Sandra made me this beautiful beaded necklace.

I love Butterflies and Hearts and this 

is filled with them. 

People say the necklace is "Me".

Here it is.... the colors are lovely.

__________________________________________________

On my actual Birthday, 2 good friends,

Elaine and Pamela, took me on a hike around

Phoenix Lake. It was so beautiful.

Pamela and Elaine could be my daughters. 

It's nice to have younger friends, 

they keep you going!

Later, Pamela and I enjoyed a delicious 

salad lunch at Good Earth in Fairfax.

Elaine, Elizabeth and Pamela

-------------------------------------

Porter, Michael, Kate and I met at a new 

cafe in Marin, named Sana Marin, to enjoy a delicious lunch

and to celebrate 2 birthday's. 

Porter's is on 4/21 and I am 4/30. 

This was my salad.

It tasted as good as it looks.

Kate and I had a lot of vegan choices from

the extensive menu, all healthy and organic.

Here are some goodies I received that day.

Fancy soap, a great 2012  album with

Elsa's photos and a very special quilt book cover 

from Kate. She is creating a quilt for both

Bentley and Davis out of their Mother's jeans

and Hawaiian shirts. I am so happy to have 

some of this fabric that Kate made into a book cover.

It is just the right fit for AA's Big Book.

May Day is the day after my Birthday

and there were even more surprises.

The Mill Valley Middle School came over

with lots of kids and bringing vases of 

fresh flowers. This is a tradition that was 

started many years ago by the school's

guidance counselors' mother. 

Here is her daughter and her granddaughter.

So, now it is a 3 generation tradition 

to come to The Redwoods

on May Day each year.

I got a vase full of Gerber Daisies of 

various bright colors. 

___________________________________________

One of my best Birthday Blessings was an excellent

health report as a result of my annual physical. 

My primary care Dr. at Kaiser gave me Kudos for doing

a good job at staying well. I do take care of myself 

as well as I can with exercise and a healthy eating plan.

Since eating as a Nutritarian  (a word coined by 

Dr. Joel Fuhrman), my weight is good, I have

excellent lab results and I rarely get ill.

But, at age 77, I am also blessed with the gift of 

good health and I never take it for granted.

I do feel my age by having a little less energy

these days. I am loving my naps that recharge 

me for the rest of the day. I rise early and walk 

before sunrise. I find my self out of gas by about 2 PM.

Napping helps me feel good for the rest

of the day. 

God has blessed me in so many ways, this is the

time of year that I count my blessings.

Here are just a few.

My family and friends and faith

My wonderful church, Westminster Presbyterian, in Tiburon

My 12 step Community

My Redwoods Community

My GIM Community

My art community - our Watercolor Journal Group 

Living in such a beautiful place in the world

April Celebrations

This month has had several celebrations.

My birthday is at the end of the month

and it seems to last all month which is a very 

nice thing, indeed.

The Redwoods has a birthday dinner each month.

The guests get beautiful roses and a very 

elegant dessert.

There was still time for some 

journal pages.  Here are two.

My sister Nancy and my BFF, Sandra 

met for a lovely lunch in Petaluma at Graffiti. 

Sandra made me this beautiful necklace.

Hearts and Butterflies, two of 

my favorite things. Several people have 

already told me that this necklace looks 

just like Me.  I like that :-).

Artichoke Journal Page

Our Garden has several artichoke plants.

Look what I discovered this week on my rounds.

The scan of my journal page

did not pick up the color too well.

Here is the real thing.

Marin Art and Garden Center

The sun was out on a Tuesday... hurrah!

Our Watercolor Journal group met 

at the Marin Art and Garden Center in Ross.

So many spring blooms abound. 

I did a quick sketch of this scene.

We have not met for a month so a lot of the

time was spent in catching up with 

one another. 

It was a delightful morning of sun,

fun and friends.

I love this  helibore bush.

The inside of the flower is so intricate.

Maybe I will try an

up close and personal some day.