Clear and cool....great flying weather for reindeer...

Merry Christmas, friends and family!

Today I am happy to be working, it means that I have a job to come to.  I am grateful to work for such a generous company, and to have met so many wonderful, warm people, and to feel needed. I am grateful to be able to say I feel strong, I have excellent energy, and that I am able to live the lifestyle that I have chosen.

My Christmas prayers are for my family, young and old, my work friends, and for dear  friends that are struggling with health issues.

Be strong.  Be healthy.  I love you.



Across the canyon....

This morning I had a VERY hard time driving to work.  I needed to be painting.  I felt it with every drop of blood in my body. The air was crystal clear, icy cold, and the trees were shimmering with sparkling droplets. This view across the canyon toward Shake Ridge Road shows the low clouds hugging the valleys. This just begs to be painted....



A sad note for today, Blacqui went to cat heaven. She was nearly eighteen years old, and had been Rick's constant companion. She had been doing fine until just this week when she took a sudden downturn. We will miss her...

...FiddleSong Farm will be extra quiet tonight...

Pink Ladies

OK, I know I bragged about my Pink Lady apples last year. But I LOVE them! They are the tastiest apples that I grow. So far. I did plant a Honey Crisp tree, so next year Pink Lady may have some competition. To go out into my garden and pick a deliciously crisp, juicy, sweet, icy cold apple fresh off the tree, is the most satisfying thing. 

I planted it. I grew it. I picked it. I ate it.

I sound like the Little Red Hen....

Big buck...

This morning on my way to work, I encountered this beautiful buck in my favorite meadow in Volcano. When I rolled to a stop and set my brake, he lifted his head, and just watched me. I carefully rolled down my window, trying not to stare. I raised my camera and adjusted the focus as quickly as I could and captured his image. He didn't move a muscle, although it was obvious that he disapproved.  Body language is a funny thing isn't it? 

There is a storm coming tonight, my elbow feels it.  I may get snow this time.  I can't wait...

I love the snow!

Sutter Creek weekend...

Sutter Creek is hopping this weekend, friends! It is their official opening to the Christmas Season. Sutter Creek is a special place to visit during this time of year. The local merchants are very creative, and work hard to make sure everyone has a wonderful experience. People dressed in Victorian costumes, music ~everyone wears smiles.

I will be manning the Sutter Creek Gallery on Sunday from 10 to 5 and I can't wait!  I love busy days. I stopped by the Gallery today. There were some boy scouts selling mistletoe.  I bought THREE bags. A girl can never be too prepared. 

It was a beautiful sunny day~ crisp and smoky~just the way I like it. On my way home today, I decided to take the scenic route from Sutter Creek. I drove up Shake Ridge and cut over on Hale Road. It was inspirational. The leaves are coming down, and the damp forest smells sweetly of pine and cedar. There is a creek in the bottom of the canyon that I splash across, pausing to roll down my windows to listen to the music in the water. It is very quiet there, and the light is soft and misty.

...all is well, friends

Fiddletown~Residents

"Fiddletown~Residents"

This cow and calf live with their herd on Ostrom Road.  I happened upon them one Sunday afternoon while eating my lunch.  I had bought a slice of pizza at Pokerville Market and had pulled over to enjoy the sunshine near these cows. They were as interested in my pizza as I was!  I enjoyed their presence so much, that I snapped a few reference photos of the different individuals just for fun.  I didn't know there was a painting in this until I was admiring my shots on the computer. How surprised and excited I was that my camera caught these beautiful shadow patterns on their coats!

In this painting I experimented with my composition some by placing the tree directly in the center of the painting and "anchoring" the cow and her nursing calf to it. It's funny how little real black there was on this cow's coat, it was mostly reflective blues and reds. Lots of pen and ink and Prismacolor pencil in this painting.  The original hangs in Sutter Creek Gallery, giclee prints are available.

It was misty and cool today. There is a Japanese maple at work that has the most gorgeous crimson leaves.  (In the summer I plucked several of it's seedlings from its shadow.  They grow in small pots until they are large enough to plant in my garden.) Each day, when I pass it by, I choose one of the leaves to enjoy in my office cubicle. I have quite a collection of leaves right now.  I can't seem to resist the impulse to rescue fallen leaves. Their beautiful shapes help me get through the day.  As I walk through the casino, I am often seen carrying a leaf, now.  I am sure that nobody sees this as unusual behavior....

I am enthralled by Nature....

Mossy Walnuts

Today, I worked at Sutter Creek Gallery. 

I love to be there to greet people and see what they are interested in. It is fun to know that everyone who comes in likes something different! Thank you to Mark and Dee for their purchase :) 

The rain today was amazing. There is nothing quite like a good storm to clear the air and wash things clean. I am enthralled by the power of Mother Nature. The energy of a big storm lifts my spirits, helps me think through problems, and put things in perspective. It's like sitting at the edge of the ocean. If you pay attention, the answers are there. It is a spiritual awakening....

My angels are singing, friends....