two parts of a trilogy

here's the other two 60cmx60cm canvasses to go with the cockerel in an earlier post. Taking time out to consider whether they might be finished. Nearly complete anyway.

The weather today is ghastly, wet, cold, blowing and miserable. The Farmer is at a Machinery Show (yawn) and so the girls and I are curling up in front of a huge fire for some wickedly idle extra sleeping time. Naughty but nice.

a dog's life

Tonight there's a frost outside. And a fire in the stove...

AND

for my next trick..... a 2ftx2ft chook

working this week on a matching pig, snout first.

mother nature the artist

The baby boy came downstairs yesterday, early evening, to complain. "How can I work with all that going on outside my window?" he said plaintively. Then he picked up the camera and disappeared upstairs again. Here are the results. Sometimes, we need to stop and stare. Gorgeous.

a tale of doors

The farmer and I travelled 40 miles to collect a pre-owned sofa and two large chairs which I had bought on eBay. The farmer skillfully backed the horse trailer down the drive of the house. The sofa was already on the drive and we had it in the back of the trailer in the wink of an eye. The seller looked a bit downcast, and admitted that she could not see how to get the two large chairs through the internal doors of the house onto the drive. The farmer was quite sure that he could do it. He and I tried every which way to get them through the several doorways to the outside. Front door and back door remained irritatingly out of reach. We pulled off the castors. Still couldn't squeeze them around the tight bends of the hallways. In desperation the Farmer looked around at the sitting room walls. "I don't suppose that's patio doors behind those floor length blinds is it?" he asked the seller. She looked puzzled. "Oh yes, I forgot, so it is...." We had those chairs through the doors and out of the house shortly thereafter. She was blonde.

happy new year

The big boy and the baby boy spent New Year's Eve in sunny Skegness celebrating with friends. As men in black (gowns)! What a hoot. They have all surfaced this morning, and promptly consumed rashers and rashers of bacon covered in tomato sauce and clasped inside huge bread buns. And look remarkably well on it. Considering. The farmer and I accompanied aforementioned group of Men in Black (gowns) to the Pub for a few drinks, and then dropped them off in town on our way to another pub gathering. They were immediately photographed for the newspaper. Can hardly wait to see it in black and white! A good night was had by all (including the farmer and myself) and a jaded and weary picture we present this morning.

Feeding the 5000 at 5pm, so potato peeler warming on the starting blocks. Lamb shanks resting and ready for action. The chef's hat is calling, so have a splendid New Year's Day, and speak soon.

This morning's car window screen, and the little boy's rowing cup and medal. Even he is quite proud to have won. No other photos to upload just now. My brother & his wife's 30th wedding anniversary celebration today, which was wonderful. Sadly, I was attacked by a migraine towards the end of a lovely meal. My new meds have worked very successfully. A relief to know I have them for future attacks.

Both boys ensconsed at home for Christmas and New Year. Mess, noise, food dishes (all empty), washing, books, files, shoes and stacks of other stuff have appeared as if by magic. Can hardly pick my way around the kitchen. And its lovely. I really must have missed them! Still have many Christmas cards to deliver (goodness knows when) and I seem to have forgotten to put up a Christmas tree. The general consensus is that we won't miss it this year, so the corner of the sitting room is empty (and uncluttered). The girls (dogs) seem to be in season, to add to the joys of the Christmas season, and may need a visit to a suitor on Boxing Day! Or the day after. Hmmm.

Wishing readers a very peaceful festive season, filled with love and happiness. Thanks for reading. X

20 days to Christmas

Almost written cards, almost all gifts in house. Feel a bit more on top of tasks today. Guess that won't last long. Today's daubing - practicing 'layering' apparently. Shed just a few days from completion, every time I look at it I am bubbling with excitement. My very own space. Yee Haaa!

Youngest chick competed at weekend, indoor rowing! Joy. Not out in the freezing cold and wet. Didn't quite understand results but left with impression he came third (perhaps his Uni, or perhaps East Midlands. Too much information after gin o'clock). Eldest chick appears to be existing incommunicado. Which I don't like. *Sigh*. Guess that means he is alive. More I cannot hazard a guess at. X