Here's the reason why the fire department does not want fires on Irish Beach.  This happened last summer and I forgot to post the pics.

 

Angelina just sold her second painting to someone on Etsy.  Here is the painting and the note she wrote him.  So precious.

She also has her first commissioned piece.  Someone else wants a Four Evil Lemon's painting.

Had a brand new client today for the first time since I announced that I'm going back into massage full time.  Someone I work out with at the gym called this morning and asked if her husband can come in today.  Of course, I took it.  He really needed it, he's been training for a mini triathlon and his muscles were very, very tight.     

If I can do two hours a day, four days a week, that's enough work for us to keep our beach house.  I have two more clients coming in this week.  Regular clients though, no one else new yet.  Still waiting.  Been letting everyone know at the gym about my new business.  This mornings massage was through someone at the gym, so my telling people at the gym is working for me.  It's a start.  Still praying for a miracle.

Heading up to Sacramento now.  All showered up and clean from our painting these cute cabinets today.  Also working on a new jewelry box.  This one is going to be really cute, with chicken wire on the doors even.  Very shabby chic.

Taking a truck load to Petaluma tomorrow to put our things on consignment.  Taking several paintings and  jewelry boxes and things Mike made.  Oh, here are pictures of his first two potting tables.  Can be used indoors or out.  I think they'd be really cute in a kitchen as a hutch type thingy.  Aren't they just adorable?  Everything Mike does turns out great.  He's so handy and definitely not a procrastinator, that's why I fell for him.  He's a doer.  Get's things done.  If I ask him to make me something or do something, he does it and doesn't put it off or make excuses as to why he's so busy.  He's a keeper for sure.

I did finish the book finally.  Started Hunger Games.  This one is going much quicker, already half way through it.  Do most of my reading at night before bed.  It helps me relax and fall asleep.     

Went to the beach house last weekend.  One good thing came out of our short visit, we're not ready to give up completely just yet.  Working hard to rent it out and do other things, such as: 

I made a decision to go back to work doing massage therapy full time.  Going to be busy and soon, I hope.

Going into a little shop in Petaluma on consignment to sell our handcrafted items.  Michael's cute shelves, cupboards and potting tables and my shabby chic jewelry boxes.

And praying for a miracle.

Still reading the same book.  Can you see how slow it's going?  Looking forward to autumn.  Have insomnia right now; 5 am.  Have a lot of things on my mind.

Looking forward to this weekend and seeing Mike's sister, Cathy.  She just moved to Alameda.  Was just in Alameda for my ex-father in law's memorial service a week ago.  I was so sorry to hear of his passing, he will be remembered fondly by many people and by me.  A very generous man, he was.  Unselfish.

Going back to bed to try to sleep so I can be fresh for my workout.  Zumba and Pilates.  Love that zumba, it's fun to dance.  Pilates is good.  Strengthens core muscles.  Not easy though.

Some Good Books

I'm finishing up a book that Shilah gave me to read.  I love reading a book just for the pure enjoyment of reading.  Nothing to study or learn or memorize.  Just pure fiction and fun.

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon.

The year: 1945
Heroine: Claire Randall

Former combat nurse back from the war, reunited with her husband, Frank Randall.  Claire and Frank are on a second honeymoon in the Scottish Highlands.  Frank is very much into history and particularly his family history, learning the names of his ancestor's and what they did.  While Claire is off on a little expedition of her own, she innocently touches a boulder in one of the ancient stone circles that dot the British Isles.  Suddenly she is catapulted 200 years back in time to the year 1743.  She is an 'outlander' in a Scotland torn by war and raiding of clans that border each other, where she meets a James Fraser.  James is a gallant young Scots warrior and he teaches Claire a love that is absolute.  Claire is torn between two lives, the one, with her husband back in the time of electricity and all the modern conveniences, and a land and time that is so very different from where she came.  Claire must make a decision that will alter her life and the lives of those she loves.

I'm enjoying this book very much.  The problem is, I read it mainly at night when I go to bed and am tired.  The going is steady but slow.  On page 635 out of 850.  Not bad.  Almost there. 

Once done with this book, I'm going to start 'Catching Fire' by Suzanne Collins.  This is the second book of 'The Hunger Games' by said author.  If you haven't read The Hunger Games, I highly recommend it.  Good read, pure fiction. 

Pictures from Annual Labor Day Picnic in Irish Beach

Our friend, Annette, who took Mom's cat, Chyna.  She  

renamed her: Ali (for alley cat because Chyna reminds Annette of 

an alley cat)  By the way, Annette loves and takes such good care

of her.  Ali is a little spoiled, which is very nice.  Annette always
has a funny story to share with me regarding Ali.

Dear friend, Sonja and her daughter, Mitzi

Irish Beach group

Jerry and Don (BBQ men in charge)

Make it your own: Chicken Salad

The weather has been so hot lately, don't feel much like cooking, so I made up a new chicken salad recipe for dinner tonight.  We just had bread with a little butter to go with it.  Very simple.

It's quite different from the one I usually make that my mother loves.  I'll have to take some of this new one  to her and see if she likes it.  No mayonnaise or mustard is used in this recipe.  Nice and healthy, too.  I will give the recipe for the chicken salad that my mom loves in another post later.  For now, here is the one I  made up today.  Makes a nice side dish or potluck dish.  You can use other seasoning for the chicken if you like.  Whatever suites your fancy. 

2 cups (or so) leftover cooked chicken - cut in bite size pieces or strips
Note: Chicken can be freshly cut and cooked in a wok or pan the same day.
To chicken, add and saute chicken until done:
Turmeric (about 1/2 tsp. or so)
Salt (about 1/2 tsp. to taste) Can be left out for low sodium diets or use salt substitute

In large bowl:

Note: Can add or substitute Chinese pea pods for another vegetable - De-stringed and cut in half 1 cucumber chopped into bite size pieces (not slices)
1 red pepper cut into bite size pieces
1 green pepper cut into bite size pieces (can substitute other colored peppers)
1 cup unsalted, roasted peanuts  (can use almonds in place of)
1/2 cup unsalted, sunflower seeds
1/8 cup sesame seeds (toasted or not)
1 cup sliced celery
1/2 cup red onion chopped in somewhat medium sliced pieces
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onion (the green and white parts)
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 tsp. sesame oil (or to taste)
2 Tbsp. oil (I used olive oil)

Add chicken to bowl of vegetables and toss well.

Isn't it a pretty dish? 

A wonderful fall scarf from my favorite shop, Anthropologie. 
Doesn't this scarf just look so warm and cozy?

These boots are on my wish list of something to have one day.  

Some day gonna have some cowboy, umm, cowgirl boots. 

Gorgeous chair from Anthropologie.  

Again, some day.

Posie Gets Cozy

Take a look at the cool pictures by Alicia.  I enjoy reading her blog.  Love the Columbia Gorge too.

I Love Lucy

Here is a video on YouTube that we did for the Monavie EMV Contest. The more views this gets, the better chance we have of winning a prize.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSyWXglWI5A

Cases of EMV
Trip for two to Brazil to The M.O.R.E. Project
A Monavie Smart car
$2000- Cash

Please watch and send to everyone you know to help us win. I rewrote the script to the I Love Lucy episode of Vitameatavegemin where Lucy gets drunk from drinking the health drink for the commercial she's doing. It's a very funny episode. Well, I don't get drunk, of course, but I messed up my lines because I added some new lines at the last minute, changing the script around a bit and that's what made it kind of silly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSyWXglWI5A

New Song

Check out someone on our team, Randy Northrup. Way to go, Randy. Love your song and the hope and dreams it inspires. Looking forward to going on all the trips with you guys.

Randy Northrup's Song

Orlando and New Orleans Trip

Oak Valley Plantation, a gorgeous historic sugar farm plantation
where you go back in time.  We took a guided tour and got a small
glimpse of what life was like during the time of slavery.

Overseer's house (I think) Something for me to paint in
all of these beautiful pictures.  Gotta get out my paints and brushes
soon.  I keep telling myself that I'm going to start painting
again soon, I do intend to.  The weather is too hot for me to paint still with
no air conditioning.  As soon as the weather cools off more permanently, then
I'll begin painting.  I think I can begin to organize my paints and things to help motivate me.
I'm sure that would work.  Can't you just imagine each one of these beautiful photographs as a painting?
What a lovely inspiration if there ever was one.

From  upstairs balcony, reminds me of Gone With the Wind.

The five of us.  What a time we had!  Dining in the little cafe, home style
southern cooking.  Gumbo!  Red beans and rice!  Yum!
Mojitos and Mint Juleps.  Ummm good.

Steve and Gina Merritt's bus!
Our upline is living the dream!

Just got home yesterday. What a great weekend with our friends. Went to Orlando for Family Reunion Conference with R3 Global. So many from our team were there and we had such a great time bonding. What a flight. On Friday our plane had to make circles in the sky for half an hour because of the lightening in Orlando. Then when we finally landed, about 45 minutes late, we had to sit on the tarmac for another 15 or 20 minutes because they closed the gates and wouldn't let us taxi in. Finally, finally, we get the clearance to come in and we all deplane and go to the baggage claim area to get our bags.

Everyone arrives and it's a long time before the luggage comes out on the belt. Well, here is what happens. Everyone on the plane gets their bags except Mike and I. We're waiting and waiting. Our party, Don, Pam, Beany and Debbie, leave to get a ride to the hotel while Mike and I stay behind to grab our bags. The plan is, we're catching a ride with Jimmy and Randy to the hotel. They, Jimmy and Randy, are circling the airport waiting for our bags to arrive and also waiting for another friend to arrive. Her plane hasn't arrived or deplaned at this point. They had no way to contact her because of the lightening and all. Anyway, our luggage finally arrives. Their friend finally arrives. We all hop in the car, with me in the middle on the console in the front seat, leaning back between Jimmy and Randy. We get lost going to the hotel and it takes us at least an hour or so to finally get going in the right direction. What a great time we had. Lot's of laughs. Jimmy and Randy are a lot of fun to hang out with. Looking forward to more trips with them.

Orlando Family Reunion Conference was a blast. 8,000 people were there and all fired up about Monavie and R3 Global. Brig sure knows how to put on a party! Thank you, Brig and Steve! What a gorgeous hotel he put us up in. Beautiful.

From there, on Sunday, the five of us fly to New Orleans to sight see and visit Tom. He and Patty took us to the French Quarter on Sunday. Oh, lunch was at this place; one of my favorites. Mike and I had been there before with Tom. Great food. If you ever get to New Orleans, you gotta go there.

Monday was sight seeing for us on our own, Tom had to work at the hospital. We took a city tour bus for a couple hours and from there drove out to Oak Alley Plantation. How pretty is that? What a rich history.

Another place Tom took us to on Monday night, and oh my, the food was again, great New Orleans food: Jacquesimos cafe

Things to do next time we go to New Orleans:
Go to Frenchmen's Street and listen to some good live music.
Go to Lebanon Cafe again for sure. Love that place.
Ummm, maybe go to another plantation.

Sample of my new brooches

Camping Trip Last Weekend

Perfect Camping Spot

Kite Flying

Concentrating on Flying

Running Free at the Beach

As you can see, we had a blast at the beach last weekend with Angelina and Aiden. They wore us out and we wore them out. Walked a total of at least five miles. Climbing hills, walking in the sand, walking the campground, walking to the campground store. Whew!

Had a fire every night; roasted marshmallows and made S'mores. Yum!

When we got home on Sunday, after showering of course, I had to lie down and take a nap.

Scraps for Brooches

Been busy cutting and ripping fabric all afternoon. Got a new cute top all cut out and ready to start sewing soon. It's a romantic rose print. Very pretty. Can't wait to get started on it.  It'll have to wait until tomorrow after my workout in the morning. Gotta go to the gym first and do my yoga class and weight lifting class called LIFT. Thursday morning is Zumba, which is so much fun. Dance! Then Pilates. Core strengthening.

Till tomorrow...

Oh, I almost forgot these little cuties, I made them over the last few days. The painting of their little bodies and heads takes the most time. Paint, let dry. Paint, let dry. Touch ups. Let dry some more.

Sparkly Little Flower Fairies:

Hummingbird

Look at this thirsty little guy that sat very patiently while I was snapping some pictures of my apron. He was there the whole time while I worked. Sooo close to me.

Summer's Day Sweet Plaid
Pearls and all...

Do you ever feel in the mood to do something crafty? I've been sewing up a storm the last several weeks. Opened a new Etsy Shop: www.honeystreasures.etsy.com

This shop will have a variety of fun and cool things. Purses, totes, cool shirts for men, romantic tops for women, aprons, refurbished jewelry boxes and some very romantic and pretty little brooches. Just having a ball designing my own things and getting creative.

Been doing a little research on tags and such for my garments and things. There is a wealth of information on Etsy and the internet on making tags, never would have guessed. I have plenty of nifty stuff on hand to make these already. Will be keeping my eye out for things at thrift stores and yard sales. That's some of the most fun. Going to the sales looking for little treasures. Yesterday I scored a huge, I mean a huge, roll of some very pretty vintage looking lace. It must be at least 50 yards on this roll. I got it for sixty cents. Yep. The whole thing. What a deal. I was on cloud nine the rest of the day. Not very often that you find that kind of bargain.

Gonna keep looking. Might hit some yard sales this weekend. :)

Once I get my new little shop stocked with some nifty things, I'll try to get back to painting. It's been way, way too long. I want to do another Johnny Depp painting someday. I have some cats to paint someday also. For my very dear friends, Pam and Don. Love those two. I haven't forgotten about the kittys.

Camping: Lawson's Landing

Honey with Angelina & Aiden

Camping Spot

Lady Red Love

Lady Red Love

Dillon Beach Hill we climbed

Almost to the top

Tuckered out

Jellyfish 1

Jellyfish 2

My Honey's

My three Honey's with found treasure!

Labor Day Weekend Camping Trip

Another camping trip to the coast. It was hot inland and so very nice to escape to the cooler climate for a bit. Sharon & Greg with their great big Winnebago RV and Gene & Sally came along and brought their new trailer. We have a Cougar fifth wheel. Love it!

Went to Ocean Cove just north of Jenner. Beautiful place and had beautiful weather. Great food.
Good friends. Good laughs. Good hikes. Great scenery. Doesn't get any better than that does it?
On Saturday we took a drive to Irish Beach for the annual picnic. Kathy had the beach house for the weekend and we got to have a little visit with all of them. They were so cute and it looked like they were having such a good time at Honey's Getaway. I'm so glad they love it as much as we do.

A little story:
A few years ago coming down the coast on our way home, we had our granddaughter, Angelina, with us and we stopped in Ocean Cove Campground for a bit. We met some Russians whom were very friendly and invited us to visit with them. We did visit at their campsite for about an hour or so even though we didn't understand each other's language. We were able to understand a few things and took a picture of them with my granddaughter and myself. I promised them that I'd mail them a copy of the picture to the address in Sacramento they gave me. I did. It ended up coming back to me and I never did find out the correct address. Until now.

This Labor Day weekend while camping at Ocean Cove we happened to be walking around the campground and who do you think we see but the very same gentleman in the picture from that day a few years ago. I never dreamed we'd see them again, but here he, (Michael) and his wife are camping at the same campground. Again we didn't understand each other completely and I wasn't sure he really remembered us or not. The next day we ended up going back to their campsite and they had all the family with them that do speak English. We met their sons and wives and grandchildren from Sacramento. We were able to finally fill in the missing pieces. I was able to mail the picture off that I'd saved after all this time.

Michael with wife and friends from Russia

Precious Grandchildren

New Dalmation outfit made by Honey

Aiden's new shirt

Angelina's new shirt and matching shorts

Aiden's birthday shirt

Angelina's new ice-cream shirt

Camping Trip with our Grandchildren

Is the pool filled yet?

Making a sandcastle with Papa

Bucket after bucket

Busy - busy - busy

Still playing in the sand

Out at the post

At it again!

Back and forth

The Seaweed Princess

Busy having F U N

A Very Hot Day - at the Zoo

Very serious driver

Two lovebirds

Just sitting here cause it's hot!

Ready for takeoff!

Elephant Art

Here is something fascinating that I think everyone ought to see and enjoy. These amazing elephants are painting! So smart! Be sure to read their biographies.

ELEPHANT ART

Be sure to watch this:

Video of elephant painting

I know it's been long since I've posted

It's a beautiful day here in sunny ca. I'm off in a few minutes to run around in my little convertible car (VW Cabrio) donned with baseball cap or else I couldn't see with all that sunshine in my eyes.
I'm taking my little digital camera with me, seeking new things to paint a picture of.

In particular: some houses and trees and interesting light and shapes.

bye bye

Table de Toilette

Palette knife painting
Table de Toilette

Shilah has a blog!

SuperFunMommy.blogspot.com

Shilah is in the process of creating a blog. She's going to be posting recipes and things to do with housekeeping and such. She'll also be putting things on about Angelina and Aiden, to be sure.
Feel free to visit her site if you get a chance.

Angelina Gets Glasses Day!

Aiden trying on some glasses

How bout these?

Testing the fit

How do I look with my new pink heart frames?

Mommy and me.

New Things

Getting ready to add some new things to my Etsy. Some very pretty little pendants I made.

Some are oil paintings. Imagine that, a miniture oil painting. I love how they turned out. Very pleasing.

Some are created using ephemera items that I recycled and turned into something usable. Turned out very pretty as well.

One other thing, Angelina's busy painting some original art to put on her Nina's Shop. Cannot wait for everyone to see her cute stuff coming soon...

The Clark Brothers

I don't know if anyone who reads this saw the t.v. show, "The Next Great American Band", but oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! The Clark Brothers were my favorite from the beginning. Love these guys. Can they sing, and when they do, they are so moving to listen to and watch. The Clark Brothers puts all of their heart and soul into the music they make. I love them. Here are two links:

The Clark Brothers

Good Morning. It's a lovely rainy day today. The kind of day to stay inside and enjoy painting, crafting or whatever and drink hot cocoa. I love these kinds of days. Lazy. Slow paced. All snug and cozy indoors.

News Flash: Angelina is opening up her own Etsy Shop. The link to it is right below my HoneysColors Shop. I'm very excited about helping her get started on making some art and things to sell. She is going to save the money for her college education. So, if anyone wants to check it out once she gets going, please do.

I encourage everyone to make the pledge to buy Handmade.

I've made a vow to buy everything I can (especially gifts to others or myself) handmade. Why not? Don't you just love the uniqueness of things handmade and appreciate the time and love that went into creating it, making it a special one of a kind gift? :-)

Aiden and Angelina

Haircut at Papa's Barber Shop

That wasn't so bad.

Wacky Dress Day at school.

Wacky Hair back.

Aiden's been acting up a little whenever Shilah took him to get his hair cut. Mike said bring him to me and I'll do it. Aiden cried and kicked and put up such a fuss. Shilah got a few pictures of the whole thing. When I asked Aiden if he liked getting his hair cut at Papa's he said, "Yes, I loved it!" Does it look as if he enjoyed it?

Angelina's school had a Dress Wacky Day. Shilah fixed her hair up to go with it and she was quite a hit with that hair!

Someone rear ended our little Cabrio yesterday at the barber shop. It was a hit and run. There was a witness that wrote down the license plate minus the last number and got the make and color. The police came to the shop to take a report and Mike said they just made jokes and laughed. They said they couldn't do anything to find the person who hit our car. What's up with that?

Trip to Irish Beach

We drove to the coast to stay at our house in Irish Beach, 'Honey's Getaway' this past weekend.
What a relaxing trip this was. Poor Michael had a little work to do under the deck in the back and he did a little bit of transplanting some of his 'fish pond' plants. Note: see picture of fish pond at left.

Irish Beach Pond in Fog

Rabbit for Michael to carve

Close up of twisted sea kelp

After Storm: Navarro Beach #1

Navarro Beach #2 (see basketball under log)

Navarro Beach Sea Kelp Twist

After Storm: Irish Beach Driftwood

Here are some amazing pictures of all the driftwood on Navarro Beach a little north of Irish Beach; and then Irish Beach driftwood. Note: There is always a ton of wood on the beach at Irish Beach, but this was even more than usual due to last weeks storm. Also, the big fort that some guests of ours made a couple years ago was wiped out as was part of the beach. The reason I know they made the fort is because they said so in our guestbook.

Kitchen Towels

House - Domino Lamp - Vase & Flowers

Houses and Vase with Flowers

Vases with Flowers

My Domino Lady and Lamp

Brown and Orange Vase with Pretty Flowers

Everyone came over for dinner to our home yesterday, eleven of us total. Michael roasted a beef roast in the garage. Had some Au Gratin potatoes, green beans, corn and garlic bread. For dessert I made a chocolate cake ice-cream roll with mint chip ice-cream. Ummm it was delicious.

Ate the last piece of ice-cream cake roll today while reading the newspaper. I don't know what it is about that (reading something while eating or snacking) but that's a little thing I get pleasure from. Sounds a little silly maybe. Is there anyone else that does that or enjoys that? Don't know if it's something that runs in our family or if it's just me. When I'm eating alone, I like to read, look at some magazine or something. Maybe there could become a danger of getting FAT from THAT; because before you know it, I've gotten up to get more food in order to keep eating and reading. Better watch it now that I'm getting a little older :-(

Here are some pics I took later in the evening. I wish I had gotten my camera out before Nancy, Patrick and Tom and Michael (Shilah's Michael) left. I would've loved to put a group picture of all of us here on my blog. Next time I will try to remember to do that.

Angelina's doll 'Rose Ann' and Aiden's giraffe 'Jeffie' were made by me for their Christmas presents.

After the Storm

Birthday Girl

Honey's Bags

Here is my first 'honey' bag for my Etsy Shop. It was a lot of work, but fun. Pretty in Pink Tote is truly that, pretty. The doily, each flower and each button; sewn on by my hand.
Comes with a matching cosmetic bag.

Camping Trip

Went to Wright's Beach over the weekend. On the first night we had a gorgeous sunset and some of my homemade spaghetti. The two went together beautifully.

Saturday drove into Sebastopol for some antique/junk store browsing. I got a whole big bag of vintage strung pearls perfect for crafting for $1- can you believe that? Great find! Made my day!
Found another shop with tons and tons of good junk. Just the kind of stuff I'm looking for, and the prices were pretty good, but we had to go just when it was getting good. Everyone else had had enough of wandering around, except me. However, Michael promised me he'd bring me back. That made it better, something to look forward to with anticipation.

Leaving town, driving down this unfamiliar road, Michael suddenly announces he'd gone the wrong way. Turned around, drove back into town, but wait! What's that? Andy's Produce Stand! Gotta go check it out. What a great thing to get lost! We never woulda found Andy's Place. What a great find that was. They had the best produce and whatnots ever, and the nicest people, too! Decisions, decisions. Had to pick out what kind of pie to buy. Apple, Bosenberry, Apricot, Blackberry, and Mixed Berry were some of the pies to choose from. In the end, picked the best Raspberry and Apple combination pie with a pecan crumb topping, homemade locally. Very good pies, there at Andy's. Gotta get another one some day.

Christmas Pastime

I've been busy making all sorts of pretty Christmas ornaments for my Etsy Shop. Here's a few pictures. Hope you enjoy them as much as I.

All the Colors of New Orleans I'm in love with

Green and Red

Green Swamp

Beware

Beautiful Swamp

Bayou

Shack in Swamp, Swamp Reflections

Washboard music

Trio

Wedding Procession

Shop Window

Wild Thing

Tom's place

Street Corner

Staircase

Artist at work

Live Jazz

Street musician

Tab Benoit

Our New Orleans Trip Columbus Weekend 07

Mike giving his son, Tom a haircut

Jack

Tom's new office

Tom's new office

Mike and Tom

Our Honey's Getaway landscaping growth

My lavendar

Seagulls Michael carved

Michael's side

Some paintings I did awhile back

The one above was a practice I did off of another artist's painting

Here's another poem I love, written by my Grandpa

I Need You

I'm feeling sad, I'm feeling blue
I need someone, someone like you
Your voice drives all my cares away
Your smile turns night into day
I need you-

When everything seems so upset
There is just one thing I can't forget
I can't forget my love for you
I can't forget my sweetheart true
I need you-

When all alone without a friend
When troubles seem to have no end
It's then I know, when I think of you
That behind the clouds the sky is blue
I need you-

I need your arms around me tight
I need your smiles to make things right
I need your love so tried and true
I want nobody else but you
I need you-

John William Tackett

Visit from Omaha, Nebraska

Bob Judy Michael

Michael's cousin, Judy, and her husband, Bob, from Nebraska came for a short visit. They are the nicest people. We had a great time and some good laughs. Looking forward to next year when they can stay a little longer and we can take them to Irish Beach; Honeysgetaway

Picture of me I took with digital and colored & brightened

Self portrait I just started to work on-will try to post as I go....

Camping at Lawson's Landing again

This weekend we took Angelina camping with us and found a beautiful spot near the water. Great weather and a great time. Good food; homemade buttermilk cupcakes with butter cream frosting, which we all enjoyed.

We took our bikes and went for a couple of short rides around the campground with Angelina on Mike's handlebars. Saw some people fishing for crabs. Angelina collected some sand rocks and lined them all in a neat little row along a log. Played in the sand and the three of us built a sandcastle. We decided that the next time we are going to have a plan to build our next one.

Angelina learns to ride a bike without training wheels.

Labor Day Weekend

Phoned Michael at the Barber Shop on Thursday afternoon to ask if he'd like to get away from all this heat we're having and go camping on Friday for the weekend to Dillon Beach. "Yes, of course", he said. He was so excited to leave on Friday that he took off work at noon and off we went. What a great relaxing time we had with one of those rare weekends of gorgeous coastal weather. How lucky we are. Here are a few pictures from our weekend at Lawson's Landing. We love that place. Never know how windy it'll be, most of the time plenty of wind. However, we had great weather and what a relief from the heat! When we arrived on Friday around 2pm and the place was packed. We drove around all over looking for a spot to park our 5th wheel. Right around the time we were thinking we would either have to park next to the dump station or leave and go home; we ended up going all the way to the back of the park by the water to see if there was anything there. We never camped over on the back side before. There it was, one space, one slice of heaven. I rolled down my window to ask the guy standing nearby if it was available. It was!! We think we got the last spot in the whole campground. We had great neighbors next to us on both sides and met some very nice people. Going back soon and forever we're hooked on the water side of the park. If we can help it, never again will we camp in the cow pasture. Our first pick will always be the water sites. Loved it.

Old Brown Fishing Boat

Florence, Oregon
Small painting 5x7

Another new painting I'm working on

'Nicasio Valley Road' 8x10 on gallery wrapped canvas

Mediterranean Greek Salad

I was at the gym working out with Shilah this morning and what do you think we watched on t.v. while working out? Food Network! That's right, we were watching them cook all this fabulous food and drooling all the while because we were hungry. Couldn't wait to get home to make this one. Although I changed the recipe a little because I didn't have any white wine. The real recipe.

My recipe (not really a recipe, I kinda winged it and didn't measure anything)

One container of cherry tomatoes halved
Some sliced red onion
Some sliced English Cucumber
Fresh basil chopped coarsely
Fresh Italian parsley chopped
Olive oil drizzled over all ingredients. (I used some basil infused olive oil)
White balsamic vinegar mixed in (not too much, do it to your taste)
Freshly ground black pepper
Kosher salt
Fresh Feta cheese cubes

Here is one I just discovered today as well. Scott Hargrove- you can watch him cook and give away some of his recipes. Great stuff on here, his Southern Fried Chicken looks and sounds delicious. Note to Kathy & Cecil: Makes my mouth water for that great fried chicken we had in Agness, Oregon on the Rogue River when we went on Jerry's Rogue River Jet Boat Tours. If anyone ever gets a chance to go- make sure you pick Lucas Ranch in Agness to eat at. No kidding, it is THE BEST FRIED CHICKEN EVER!

Yesterday

My beautiful daughter

Angelina

Aiden & his 'Nina'

Two New Paintings Finished

Cows in road 6x12 SOLD

Old Farm 16x20

Last Night at the Fair

Uncle Seth & Angelina

Fast as lightening........

We had such a fun time at the fair last night. Here's a few pictures of Angelina and her Uncle Seth. Angelina on a the little roller coaster and teacup rides and Aiden was mesmerized by the roller coaster.

Puzzle

Today is Fair Day!! Going to the Napa Town & Country Fair tonight to see all the art entered along with my four paintings that got accepted in the juried show.

Here is a PUZZLE for you to try out for some good ol' fun.

Sunday's Sundae in San Francisco

Sundae - Mmm.

Delicious!

S.F. Street Man

Windmill we bought
Jewelry shop window
Sunday we spent the day with our good friends Sharon and Greg. We always have lots of laughs with them. Went to the Alameda Antique Flea Market on the old Alameda Naval Air Station held the first Sunday of each month. Great finds. We bought an old rusty windmill for our backyard. From there we went to Memphis Minnies for some good ol' bbq food. Saw them featured on 'Check Please' a show on channel 9 that reviews Bay Area restaurants. One of my favorite shows to watch. This restaurant was a good choice for after the flea market, we went the long way through Golden Gate Park, needless to say we got there with appetites. The food was good but Michael didn't like it, little too spicy for his sensitive stomach. From there it was Gheridelli Square for some ice-cream sundaes. Mmm.

Saturday

Saturday Michael and I drove up to see Cecil for the afternoon. Glad he's out of the hospital and able to eat again. Please keep him in your prayers. He will be going through some chemo and radiation most likely, and needs to gain some strength before he can do that. Lost quite a bit of weight, 60lbs. We love you Cecil and if you ever need anything we will be there. Never will we forget the fun trip we had with you and Kathy camping down the coast of Oregon. The CA State Fair and eating our way through. Terrific memories for us. We Love You.

Concert at Creekwalk

Friday night we went to the Creekwalk in Vacaville to hear the Time Bandits play. Cathy was here for a visit and came along with us. It was a huge crowd. Every Friday night is a free outdoor concert to live music. Angelina and Aiden sharing a Popeye. Had some fun shopping at the outlets with Cathy on Friday. She helped me spend a little $

Another poem I love, by my Grandpa

WYOMING

Far away from the city's roar and din,
Where cactus stick in your feet like sin
Where sage brush grows, oh, several feet high,
And coyote yells go clear to the sky.

Far away from Iowa's big flat bins,
An eight by ten is what I live in,
Where Alkali dust is what you can see
And buffalo grass grows clear to the knees

Away from the T and N's puff and spit
Where the Q goes through lickity split
Where prairie dogs live and you can't run them down
Because they always find a hole in the ground.

Where the ranchers grow big, tall and slim,
No fat office man puffing because he's all out of wind,
Where broncos buck with a twist in their backs
And the cowboys all wear big, broad rimmed hats.

Where the big rattlesnakes bask in the sun
And whenever one bites you just figure you're done
Because first he will rattle, and then he will bite,
And your spirit will go soaring higher than a kite.

Out where the homesteaders little shack
Looms up like the hump on a camel's back,
And what he eats is spuds and bread
He throws a quilt on the floor and calls it a bed.

Out where the big rocky red topped buttes
Curl around like manawas, chute the chutes;
And Iowa's bluffs with them in size
Looks about like a flea in an elephant's eye.

Out where the sage hens fly with ease
Where the big ground mice do as they please
Where the little grass birds like to sing,
This is the state called Wyoming.

John William Tackett

Weekend in L.A.

Jamie's B's Purse Party

Rick working at Big Bear cabin

Mike helping out at Big Bear cabin

View of mountains from hwy 18

Opps! Ended up on Route 66. Little detour.
Check out the bottle art.

Van Gogh

Portrait of Armand Roulin (painted by me)

Portrait of Armand Roulin (painted by Van Gogh)

You Tube Video Clip

Hey Everyone,

Take a look at one of the coolest video clips I have seen. I'm sure you'll be amazed. I love creating art and this looks like soooo much fun!!

Picnic at the park today

Shilah, Angelina, Aiden, Haley and Samantha

enjoying the weather at the park.

Butterfly

A few weeks ago we helped Sharon & Greg clean house at a cabin in Cobb Mountain. A pretty little butterfly landed on my finger and stayed there about 10 minutes or more. Lisa Dolezal took these pics of him.

Sly Park

View of our site from across the cove on the trail.
View of the lake from the Ward's campsite.
Friends! That's what I'm saying. We just had a wonderful weekend camping at Sly Park with our friends. Just hanging out, relaxing together and having a good time. That's what it's all about, right? Our fifth wheel is all nice and clean now, ready for the next camping trip to Lawson's Landing.

Here are two of my newest paintings, chic French Apartment style florals. Love yellow and pink together.

Impasto: paint put on very thickly with a palette knife. The one on the left is done entirely with a palette knife.

Grandpa's Poem

The Happy Bachelor

Tis nice to be married and have you a wife
And go moping around the rest of your life
But it is better to be single and always be free
Well it's a bachelors life for me.

I've seen men with wives and kids, six or seven
Ask them about them, they'd wish them in heaven
And always they would answer, if ever I'm free
You can believe it or not but it's a bachelors life for me.

A dear wife is nice to bake pies and cakes
And worry and fret and show you your mistakes
And spend your dollars by five and ten
Until you'll have to steal more and land in the pen.

And then at night when from work you are free
You'll sit around the fire with a kid on each knee
And listen to your wife's tales of want and woe
That if she can't have more money she'll have to wash and sew

But the happy old bachelor, he comes and he goes
And where he will be next there is nobody knows
From all of lifes worries he seems perfectly free
So you can see of course it's a bachelors life for me.

You can tell the old bachelor by his bachelor smile
It never wears off and you can see it for a mile
But when a married man speaks well you think it has thundered
So all married men have certainly blundered.

When your wifes relations, their friends and their kin
Some Sunday for a family reunion come in
And the bank roll goes flat, you just wait and see
What poor man will say, it's a bachelors life for me.

So give me the life from all troubles 'be free'
Just by myself with no kids on each knee
No dear wifes relations to go round and see
So first, last and always it's a bachelors life for me.

by: John W. Tackett