Wednesday, February 29, 2012

They're Still Blooming

My potted Camellias are still blooming,
and I'm finding it hard not to clip
the blooms and bring them inside.
They do look mighty  pretty in the garden.
However, while  listening on radio
to the Florida Garden Show,
I've learned a new way  to display
 the beautiful Camellia blooms.
Place bloom
floating in a shallow crystal
bowl of water....


I have just the bowl in mind.
Inherited from my Grandmother, it is
pink in color, and made of  depression glass,
I'm thinking worthy of another post soon.
Have a real nice day everyone........Dee Dee

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

The Civil War Historian

I knew when I walked away from the
Civil War Reenactment this past
weekend, I had a camera full of
inspiration. 

I took quite a few face photos
 of the cast of characters,
finding the  Historian most fascinating.

 This old fella, with the magnificent full white beard
 and  shock of white and black curly hair,
 was in his element.
He really knew how to work a crowd,
and kept us informed of battle expectations.
I got the impression that  even in his
personal life,
our Historian  likely stayed in character.
He seemed a gentle soul
and I tried to
capture that impression  in
 my humble painting/illustration.

Have a sweet ole day......Dee Dee

Monday, February 27, 2012

Civil War Reenactment

This weekend we drove out to Fort Desota
for a Civil War Reenactment.
The Civil War broke out in l86l,
and although this area along the beach played
only a minor role during the war, it is
rich in other military history.
Located on the
Gulf Of Mexico, near St Petersburg Florida,
we were in a perfect setting for the
 reenactment.
Dressed for the part,
in all his costumed splendor,
was a Civil War Historian,  who
acted as our guide.
A few hundred folks turned out
for the occasion, boy scout troops and all,
 and the weather
with overcast skies played in our favor.
I took over a hundred photos and have
found it difficult
 to post with just a few.


Marching along side the Union army was
a small  band complete with drums and fifes.

I was especially fond of this role....
the cast member depicting  a Confederate
soldier kneeling to pray before battle.
....firing and reloading....
I was impressed with the Union Army uniforms..........
And then,
I listened as my son-in-law explained
to our granddaughter, the
rag-tag appearance of the Confederate soldiers.
No uniforms .....and the young fought along side the old.

As I watched this reenactment, I couldn't
help but think of all these men....both sides,
the North and the South, and how
each thought they were on the side of right.
And then.....
I could almost hear the words of  Abraham Lincoln,
from his second Inaugural Address.

".......that this nation, under God, shall have a
new birth of freedom.
.....with malice toward none; with charity for all,
with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see
the right, let us strive on to the finish the work
we are in; to bind up the nations wounds, to
care for him who shall have borne the battle, and
for his widow and his orphan. To do all which may
achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among
ourselves, and with all nations."

The "War Between The States" as the Civil War
was known, pitted neighbor against neighbor
and in some cases brother against brother.
By the time it ended in 1865, 625,000
had died. This is part of America's story. This
is part of us.

Have a blessed day.....Dee Dee
click on photos to enlarge

Sunday, February 26, 2012

The Wisdom Of Louis L'Armour

"We are, finally,
 all wanderers
 in search
 of
knowledge.
Most of us hold
 the dream of
becoming something better
 than we are,
something larger, richer,
 in some way
 more
important to the world
 and ourselves. 
Too often,
the way taken
 is the wrong way,
 with
too much emphasis
 on what
 we want to have,
rather than what
we wish to become."
~Louis L'Armour

This writer of western stories....
this Mr. L'Armour was truly
a man of wisdom.

May our Lord bless you this day.....Dee Dee

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Eat Your Green Leafy Vegetables

Not necessarily a fragrance you'd be  fond of,
the cottage was filled with the aroma of  Kale
simmering on the stove.
Freshly picked organic greens,
I thought them  beautifully made
as the water splashed over
 the ruffled leaves.
A little research produced a few
interesting facts about Kale. Going
back to ancient Greece and Rome, it
is low in fat, has no cholesterol and is
beneficial with anti-oxidant properties.
Kale is at it's best during winter
months....November through  March...
at your grocer now.
My favorite method of preparation is to
season with salt, butter and small
amount of sugar....simmer until tender.
Splashed with a little
apple cider vineger and
taste-tested by the Mister,
they were  given a
two thumbs up rating.

Enjoying the moments......
wishing
for you and yours
 a blessed weekend....Dee Dee

Friday, February 24, 2012

The Stork Is Coming

The stork is coming and
this time more
great-grand babies.
Our family is growing,
and the mere fact that
two little ones are on the way,
has given
me reason not only to paint,
but to bring out the sewing
machine and the baby yarns.


Times have changed when
it comes to making baby things.
This generation no longer adheres
to old traditions of pink for girls
and blue for boys.  I for one am
happy with the changes, loving
the colorful contemporary fabrics. 
It is time once again for
Simple Sewing For Baby.
..... 24 easy projects for
newborns to toddlers.
The  packet of easy to make
patterns tucked inside the book will make
for easier sewing. 
Such good ideas....
Tag blankets, changing pads, burp cloths,
 and sweet soft rattles.
I've learned that one little baby
is a boy....so I can get started now and
will post soon on my progress.

Have a blessed week-end
sweet family and friends.......Dee Dee

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Forever And Unconditional Love

 GRAN'S LITTLE MAN

  I began this little drawing
 of  a  young boy child,
sitting all alone.
As it developed, 
I realized more should be added
 to complete the composition.

A Grandmother's arm caressing
her grandson,
 completed my thoughts.

As I applied the paints, 
a certain
 expression developed on the
woman's  face.
 Her love for this
child spills out of her heart,
and trickles  from the corners of her eyes.

 Grandmothers know these
feelings for grandchildren,
and at any given moment loving
emotions can and will erupt.

From birth, the child feels secure with these
feelings from her, never doubting
that they will always be there.  
He knows  
her love can be  relied upon,
 and that it is
 forever unconditional.

Have a blessed day.....Dee Dee

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Lovin' "Downton Abbey"

Masterpiece Theater's
Downton Abbey, Season 2,
ended  this past Sunday evening.
I let out a sigh....and maybe even
a little whimper.
From the beginning of Downton Abbey,
Season l,  I've been a big  fan of  Downton's
aristocrats and servants.

I'm  excited there will be a  Season 3, 
and  thrilled to hear that Shirley Maclaine
will join the cast.  Perhaps  misguided
spiritually, she is a good character
actress. 
It will be fun to see her interact
with Maggie Smith,
as Shirley plays Lady Grantham's mother.
If you've missed Season 2, you can
see it here for thirteen more days.....


also......
Netflix is showing Downton Abbey
Season l,  in it's entirety.
Enjoy sweet friends and family.....Dee Dee

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

A Slightly Altered Appearance

I'm having a bit of fun with Photoshop
this evening. Having retrieved a little
painting from my archives,
I've set about trying a few
enhancements. 
The drawing/painting came into
existence
back in 20l0.  As you can see,
I was in the beginning stages of drawing,
and knew very little of a
graphics editing programs.
Through trial and error
I can now add a few
  embellishments
and color changes
to my paintings.
Here,  I've added
"butterflies" to my subject
matter, altering her
appearance only slightly
and placing her in a lovely
imaginative garden setting.

Be glad of life, because it gives you the chance
to love and to work and to play and to look
up at the stars; to be satisfied with your
possessions...to think seldom of your enemies,
often of your friends and every day of Christ.
~Henry Van Dyke

Have a glad day......Dee Dee

Monday, February 20, 2012

Tiny Beginnings

Tiny little buds in large
clusters are all over the
Nandina shrubs.
Barely visible are the beginnings
of a lovely  pink Knockout Rose.
Upon closer examination you can
see a tiny Rose bud.
Once planted, the Ruellia
(Mexican Petunia) will grow
in just about any soil
in tropical climates. As you
can see, they are already
reaching for the sunlight.
Before long, this large pot
will be spilling over with small
purple flowers.
I see
sweet tiny beginnings......signs
of early spring here on the
Gulf Coast of Florida.

Treasure this day and
enjoy every minute of it.......Dee Dee
click on photos to enlarge

Sunday, February 19, 2012

We had a little rain......

.......resulting in an abundance of Camellia blooms.....
So now they are  placed all over the house....again.


I placed a few on a
bedroom chest,
beside an antique dresser mirror.
I'm lovin' 
the color combination.
You can see that
  one stem
produced
quite a few blooms,
reminding me of a
Floribunda Rose......

Did you know.....
that Camellias have no fragrance?
I give bunches of these pretty things  to friends
and the first thing they do is bury their
noses in the bloom.
I've become accustomed to surprised
and disappointed  facial expressions. 

Here on the dining table
are Camellias
grouped with silver pieces.
You can see how
splashes of the morning sun
create a beautiful  floral vision.
I never tire of  Camellias
and once again
I share them with you.....

Have a blessed Lord's Day........Dee Dee
 

Saturday, February 18, 2012

On My Desk To Read

Thomas Jefferson, the First Marines,
and the Secret Mission of l805.......has
it caught  your interest yet? 
This book
practically jumped off the shelf and into
my hands, as I browsed in our library
re-sale book store.
Amazon book reviews, yielded
good reviews and it appears I have
found "readable gold."
Some people like suspense novels,
some people like action adventure stories,
and some people are real history buffs.
This book will satisfy all three crowds,
as an engaging page turner.
  Dealing with how
America finally dealt with the Barbary pirates
and their leaders, readers are wondering
where the screen play is.
I'm finishing my book of  John Adams and then
l quickly move on to this more adventurous read.
Have a great weekend.....Dee Dee

Friday, February 17, 2012

Think On This

Day-Break
The morning which is the most memorable
season of the day,
 is the awakening hour....
Little is to be expected of that day,
if it can be called a day,
to which we are not awakened by our Genius....
All memorable events I should say,
 transpire in morning time
 and in morning atmosphere....
To him whose elastic and vigorous thought
keeps pace with the sun, the day is a
perpetual morning.....
Morning is when I am awake and there
is a dawn in me.....
~Thoreau....."Walden."
Yes!
.....Dee Dee
Painting...Kersting l8l4

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Travel Sketching....Great Idea!



Now and then I just need a little retail
therapy....shopping or mostly just poking
around, gaining new and interesting
ideas. Place me in the artist supply section of
the store and there I will linger for a while,
and usually walk away with an arm-load
of good "art stuff."
The
Artist's Journal Workshop....
creating your life in words and pictures
is my new found treasure.
I'm really excited about this book and
will spend hours absorbing new concepts
and ideas for this kind of journaling........
beginning even with day to day life.
 Click on drawing to enlarge.....

I thought of a recent trip to Disney World.
The grandchildren were there,  celebrating two
birthdays. Young four year old and
two year old boys were
impressed by some rather large boots, while
everyone else was posing for the photo.
The boots belong to Woody,
a beloved Toy Story character. 
I am truly in love with this travel sketching idea,
and feel  it gives opportunity to play, practice and
develop as a artist.

Have fun today.....Dee Dee

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Remind Me Of Summer's Wildflowers

I had my choice and I wanted wildflowers,
or at least something that looked like them.

These little purple "filler" flowers
 remind me of summer
road trips through North Carolina,
and the spectacular views
of the mountains.
Take a drive up through the
Smoky Mountains, and the sights
 will take your breath away.
FLOWERS!
Blooming in
 sporadic locations, spattered
along  the highway, as if  God took
a brush and began painting
flower beds.

Oh.....I might be thinking of summer's
wildflowers, but I am content to rest
in the coolness of winter
a while longer.

He hath made everything beautiful
in His time.......Ecclesiastes 3:ll

Have a blessed day.....Dee Dee

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Signs Of the Time.....

Combinations, all together
exerting strong indications
of heartfelt love.....

Hearts

Flowers

Sweets

Happy Valentine's Day
beloved  family and sweet bloggy friends.....Dee Dee

Monday, February 13, 2012

A Pre-Read

For the past few years,
it's become a necessity
to pre-read books before
giving them to our
grandchildren.
What might be acceptable
to some, may not be to others.
Just as movies and television
programs have ratings,
so should books be
 under  scrutiny,  that
our children  read.

There...I have written my
explanation for reading a
most enjoyable children's book,
 from the Dear America series.
It is titled
Across The Wide And  Lonesome Prairie
the Oregon Trail Diary
of Hattie Campbell l847

January 20, l847, Wednesday
I hide this diary under my pillow,
but take it out often to look at.
I love the smell of its coarse paper
and have decided to use my new
hair ribbon as a bookmark. The
blue looks pretty lying across the page.

The book has passed the test and
I'm ready to place it in the hands
of one young lady....a very  eager-reader.
I think she'll find Hattie Campbell's
journey fascinating. 

Have a blessed week.....Dee Dee

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Fun With Watercolors and Pencils...


"Uh.....Uh....
Will you be my Valentine?"

Holding a box of chocolates behind
his back, so painfully shy, blushing
from ear to ear,
he somehow finds the courage needed.

Have a blessed Lord's day everyone.....Dee Dee

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Think On This

Antonio Stradivari in his workshop
Painting by Edgar Bundy
both successful with their God given talents.....

The days come and go like muffled and veiled figures
sent from a distant friendly place, carrying gifts,
and if we do not use the gifts they bring, they carry
them silently away. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

 We have no time to waste, each day
brings new opportunities.

Words  to ponder.....Dee Dee

Friday, February 10, 2012

Repairs For "Ooooof"

Named "Ooooof"
when he couldn't
say elephant,
this little stuffed toy 
  belongs to my four year old grandson.
Terribly attached to
poor ole Ooooof, young grandson
 has nearly loved him to pieces.
This being the case, on
occasion he's developed  holes, lost stuffing
and has actually lost  body parts.
Yesterday I was asked  by a concerned little boy,
to bring Ooooof
home with me for a few repairs. This
is the third time this  has become necessary.
Believe me, the  little elephant  was all bedraggled.
He had three holes, was  missing his  tail
and had  a  leg torn completely off.

"Will you have him home by bedtime?"
.......he asked with a worried look on his little  face.
"I will, and Ooooof will be almost
good as new."

I'm thinking there's a story to tell  here,
and already I can see the illustrations....

Have a blessed day......Dee Dee 

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Inspired By The Advanced Style

A while back, I came across
a fun Blog.....

Now and then, I stop by and am
completely entertained and quite
impressed by what I see.
Now these ladies have it
 "goin' on."
Although advanced in years, they are
 beautifully adorned with
all that is "fashion."
They inspire me......
I love how they dare to
be bold in their choices of style in
clothing, hair, accessories, hats,
and shoes.
Some have stories to tell, and I
think you'll  enjoy them....so
treat yourself and stop by Advanced Style.

Blessings.....Dee Dee

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

I'm Seeing A Lot Of Pink

We cut these Snow Bushes
back in the fall of the year.
January or February.....mid-winter,
we begin to notice......

tiny pink leaves sprinkling
themselves all over the plant.
I call the colors  pink, but as you can see
the leaves  vary in color,  somewhat.  I
see shades of green, variegated
pink and green  leaves and
lovely salmon colors.......


My good fortune is that Snow Bushes propagate.
 I see evidence of new plants scattered about
 and, they all seem healthy.

Hmmm....looks like an early spring....Dee Dee

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Nature Can Be A Challenge Sometimes

I haven't been out to
Honeymoon Island State Park
in a while, and do I ever miss it!
 Today was warm for February,
and I'm quite sure the island had lots of
northern visitors.  The shoreline has changed
a little and they'll  be sad to see the erosion
taking place there on the north beach.
I took these  photos  back in the summer.
Lying  there in the sand are the remains of
what was once a thriving and beautiful
Sea Grape plant.
I remember when the park rangers
planted the Sea Grapes along with
several palm trees.  I had thought
them mighty close to the shore line,
wondering if they would survive
the storms that bring in high and
powerful waves.

Most did not.
Come spring, they'll be out cleaning
up debris and planting again.
Working with nature is a challenge sometimes.
And so it goes......
Have a blessed day.....Dee Dee

Monday, February 6, 2012

On My Desk To Read

It is the month of "love" afterall.
None of that "fru fru"(word found
in Oxford's dictionary) stuff for me.
I'm after true....
"My Dearest Friend" 
Letters Of Abigail and John Adams
.....love to the core of your being,
kind of relationship.

Page 186
About an hour ago I received a Letter from you
beginning in this manner....
"My Dearest Friend"
That one single expression dwelt upon my mind
and played about my heart. (Abigail Adams)
Abigail and John were matched perfectly
as life partners, lovers, friends, and equals in
all areas of importance.
They were there for each other.  They
wanted new beginnings for a new nation
and were willing to die to make it a
reality for posterity.

Abigail kept the home-fires burning
all during the years John Adams was away.

Their pen was a weapon against
adversity, a way of finding comfort and
support for any situation.
(Srsc: Amazon.com review )
My kind of  love story......

Life is good....so much to read and
just not enough hours in the day.
In His care.....Dee Dee