organization in progress

Watercolor of a scene from Trento, Italy

2011-09-27T18:57:00.000-05:00

The first is a photo of my sketch in progress, and the second photo is of the "finished" watercolor. I had alot of trouble with the clouds in the sky. I am not really happy with it, but I am going to keep it as early watercolor and then compare after I have had some training. I am now reading "Drawing from the Right Side of the Brain" and hope it will enable me to draw what I am seeing. Or to see what is there so I can draw it. Thanks for looking.

Status Post Bone Marrow (Stem Cell) Transplant

2011-09-03T17:05:00.000-05:00

This photo was taken on Day 49 following my Bone Marrow (Stem Cell) Transplant. It was taken on July 19, 2011. I am now at Day 95 and am awaiting the Day 100 Milestone. It has been a long and difficult journey, including 5 weeks in the hospital and Graft vs. Host Disease, which made my skin red and thick and leathery all over and I was so swollen you could not tell I had ankles or knees or elbows. But that is now in the past. Current issues have to do with swelling in the feet and ankles, which has improved since stopping one of the offending medications. I am working now on building up my stamina.
I am reading a book titled "Finding God's Path Through Your Trials" by Elizabeth George. At least in the beginning, it centers around the first few verses in James. One quote I liked: "Faith is not a hothouse plant that must be shielded from wind and rain, so delicate that it has to be protected, but it's like the sturdy oak which becomes stronger with every wind that blows upon it. An easy time weakens faith, while strong trials strengthen it." by Katherine Workman

Another Sketch

2011-03-26T21:51:00.000-05:00

I haven't felt creative in a very long time. I haven't had much energy. Taking chemotherapy seems like a full time job at times. Just when I start feeling better, it is time for chemo again. And holding down a job, in order to pay bills and have insurance is a challenge, and a blessing as well. I had a Hickman catheter placed on March 4th, 2011, and that makes getting chemotherapy easier. News from the Transplant Team: they have found a donor for my Stem Cell Transplant.

As I said, I have not felt creative in a very long time. But this evening, I got the urge to sketch a friend. This sketch does not actually look like her. She is a beautiful woman. There are so many things I just could not get right, especially her eyes. This sketch does not do her justice. But, it was fun to try to sketch again.

Paint Your Art Out

2010-10-16T23:00:00.000-05:00

I made a new friend recently, a wonderful artist named Judy Breymeyer, and she told me about a studio in Edmond named "Paint Your Art Out". Judy was teaching a session this morning and those of us in attendance would paint our interpretation of one of her beautiful oil paintings, Ozarks in Autumn. I had asked her if I could come, since I had never painted and she assured me that I should come and have fun. So I did. We all had a blast. We painted with acrylics. Of course, my poor painting did not look anything like hers, but I still learned alot and had alot of fun. I think when things settle down, I will try to paint some more.
How about you. What do you do for fun?

Pebble Beach and Birthday Bunch

2010-10-09T19:46:00.001-05:00

A bunch of us meet at a local fast food place for lunch on Sundays after church. We celebrate birthdays within the group and the staff at the fast food place lets us bring in cakes. Tomorrow we are celebrating the birthday of my friend's husband. I don't know him very well, so I asked her what he liked, and she said he liked to golf, so I dug up a photo I had taken in September 2004 on a trip to Monterey, took an oval out of another photo and made an overlay, and decreased the opacity of the overlay, so that you could partially see through it. I am putting the photo on the front of the card. If my memory serves me correctly, I think it is of the 18th hole. Thought I would share.

How do you celebrate friend's birthdays?

The Importance of Doing Nothing

2010-09-19T22:08:00.001-05:00

This layout was in response to a challenge on Jessica Sprague's website.
I had taken these photos in January 2007 on a trip to Amelia Island, Florida.
If you click on the layout, you can see it larger. How about you, do you think it is important to spend time "doing nothing"?

Missouri Botanical Garden

2010-09-18T12:47:00.000-05:00

I wanted to share these photos I took last month at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis. We spent time just strolling and looking at the flowers. Not in any hurry, just enjoying the beauty of the gardens. Many of the flowers had past their time of blooming for the year, so I will have to go back a little earlier in the summer next year.

How about you, do you have a favorite garden spot?

Celebration of My Father's Life

2010-09-07T23:39:00.001-05:00

My father died on August 15, 2010 of Alzheimer's Disease. He had passed into the last stage of Alzheimer's and could not swallow or recognize my mother. I am glad, for his sake, that the last stage passed fairly quickly, as his body was present, but he was not. He was a WWII veteran, and it was the first funeral I had been to where the officers fold the flag, and present it to the surviving wife. My mother also arranged to have doves released at the conclusion of the graveside ceremony. I am sharing a page I put together of the folding of the flag. My son took the photos, so I could just sit with my mother. (the digital template is from Splendid Fiins)

Watercolor

2010-08-08T17:26:00.000-05:00

I have been trying to learn to draw and watercolor from blogs and tutorials on the web. There are alot of really good ones out there, but it is difficult when it is the last thing on

my to do list. OK, I'll quit whining. I will take any advice.

Just Outside my Door

2010-07-25T23:49:00.000-05:00

I was inspired by Carol of Created Reflections blog fame to post about my flowers. Especially since they are still alive and I am known for forgetting to water my flowers until they finally die. So I am very happy that these plants have been tolerant of my forgetfulness. And it brightens my day to see them. This has been an unusual summer with more rain than usual and then very hot in the last week or so. It is amazing to see the grass still green when it is generally already brown by late July.
How about you...is there anything just outside your door that makes you smile?

Taking Our Country Back Tour

2010-06-28T22:01:00.000-05:00

Well, on the spur of the moment last Saturday, I decided to be spontaneous and I splurged for the ticket price and went to the Ford Center for the Taking Our Country Back Tour. I was so glad I did. I learned alot. After Glen Beck spoke, they had a tribute to Oklahoma soldiers who had lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan, and then their families came out on stage, many with large photos of their loved ones. It was very moving, and the entire audience was on its feet. My photos are not very good as I was not close and the lighting was not advantageous for taking a photo from so far away.

Survive 'N' Thrive by Arise Ministries

2010-06-26T11:01:00.000-05:00

June 11th and 12th, I was blessed to experience the Survive 'N' Thrive Statewide Single Mothers' Conference. It was held this year at Crossings Community Church. Arise Ministries was started by Pam Kanaly and Shelley Pulliam and you can tell that it is truly a ministry to both of them.
Pam gave two wonderful sessions, called Surviving Tidbits. Bear with me, this is somewhat rambling...but here are just some of the things she told us to do: About Face and cast your burden on God (my paraphrase, your difficulties and struggles do not define you. As you give your broken pieces to God, He will sustain you, you will draw closer to Him, you will persevere and it will build your character); Be season oriented (if your children are still at home, make this time count, be intentional with your parenting, according to God's Word.) Chase after Godly control. You need to understand what you are healing from. Learn how to be single. Two pitfalls of single moms: looking for rescue with another man and not seeing yourself as precious to God. When it is time, if God allows, learn to date God's way. Establish who is in control of your life - is it you or God?
I also went to 3 wonderful breakout sessions: one was by Cindy Beall on Choosing Forgiveness over Bitterness (if you don't know her story, see her blog);

another was on learning to hear God by Alice Richardson; and the third was on using your time wisely by Beth Cox-Brown and she had great information on communication styles so that you communicate appropriately, spiritual gifts, the 5 love languages, David Isaac's Key Human Virtues, Age Appropriate Chores and so much more.

And I had a great time bonding with girlfriends. Who could ask for a better or more enriching weekend?

Demonstration by Mitsuno Reedy

2010-04-26T22:57:00.000-05:00

Mitsuno Reedy gave a demonstration this evening at the Edmond Art Association meeting. She is a portrait painter who paints in both pastels and oils. She was such a joy, so unassuming. I got to the meeting a few minutes early and she saw my little sketchbook and showed my hers and all her beautiful drawings. She did a pastel portrait of Sharon, one of the artists in the EAA. She answered questions and was even interested in the students from Oklahoma Christian School who were seated at the back of the room. Please forgive the photos, I took them with my iphone and I could not control the lighting and my tremor was acting up (enough excuses?)

Spring 2010

2010-04-21T20:59:00.000-05:00

Spring has sprung...and so have my allergies! I am practicing the art of awareness and being grateful for each day, even when I can't talk because of allergies. As an aside, a male friend told me tonight at our dinner group that some men would say that a woman who couldn't talk was the perfect woman! Of course, as he winked at his wife, he insisted that he was not one of those men.
I could not resist taking a few photos of the flowers that grace the entryway into my apartment complex. Not having my camera with me, my iphone had to suffice. I think it served its purpose. Perhaps being available is more important than being perfect....

What do you think of the flowers? What is your favorite spring flower?

Happy Easter

2010-04-03T09:49:00.000-05:00

I thought I would share a photo of the pond at Crystal Springs Church Camp in Lincoln County, Tennessee that I used to go to as a child. It is a Cumberland Presbyterian Church Camp and my grandfather, Robert H. Hall, was a country preacher. When I was little, we would spend a month in Tennessee every summer, and I was his shadow. I loved my grandpa. He even got them to let me stay at the camp for the first time when I was a year under the age limit. He went into a room to talk to the people in charge. He came out of the room and said the verdit was that I could stay, and he had agreed to stay as well and run the camp. What a grandpa! I had a blast.

But, this was supposed to be a post about Easter. I am grateful for Easter. If it were not for Good Friday and the work of our Savior on the Cross and the Resurrection, Christmas would not matter. So, I am grateful for Easter. I am also grateful that I woke up this morning. And that I have the energy to write on this blog. I am trying to remember to be grateful for the everyday ordinary things that I tend to take for grated.

How about you, what are you grateful for?

Black and White Family Photos

2010-04-03T09:29:00.000-05:00

Carol http://carolhammontree.typepad.com/blog/2010/03/black-and-white-family-photos.html posted about old family black and white photos, which got me to thinking I need to find a place of honor for some of my old photos. This first one is from about 1955 and is of my mother and me. I am guessing this is an Easter Sunday at our apartment in Alexandria, Virgina. The second one is from about 1960 and is of my brother and me with my father and his parents. They lived in Worcester, Massachussetts and I think this was their only trip to Alexandria, Virginia. This photo was taken in our front yard. The third photo is of my dad and I think this is from 1953, in back of the apartment in Washington, D.C. The last one is in January 1953 of my parents on their wedding day.

Enjoy the Process

2010-03-04T23:48:00.000-06:00

I am striving to live in each moment. To really savor each day, for experience can be a good teacher, if one allows her to be. Any guesses who this is?

Chocolate Torte

2010-02-16T23:15:00.000-06:00

I made this Chocolate Torte last Saturday for a dinner party. I had never made a torte before, and it was worth the wait. The crust was made from gingersnap cookies that were ground up in the food processor and butter. The funny looking things on the top are crystallized ginger. It was so good. This recipe is definitely a keeper.

Gratitude

2010-02-16T22:44:00.000-06:00

I am a firm believer that it is not so much what happens to us in life, but how we react or respond to our circumstances. I can be grateful for whatever comes my way, or I can respond with bitterness. I am trying to learn gratitude in everything. I have had some difficulties in the last few years, and I think that goes along with being human. I have also had many blessings.

The Gift of an Ordinary Day

2010-02-11T22:42:00.000-06:00

Just in case there is anyone who has not yet had a chance to see this video of Katrina reading an except from her book, you have got to take a few minutes to watch this. She has such a way with words, and she has given permission on her blog for her video to be put on other people's blog's and forwarded. I had to go out and buy her book, and it is next on my list of books to read. I am so lucky to have found this video on another blog, one about gratitude, and have been reminded of something I try to always remember, that is, to be mindful of the here and now, and enjoy the ordinary days. Here is her video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olSyCLJU3O0

More Sketching

2010-01-31T10:51:00.000-06:00

Another sketch, same subject. Although I guess this is really a work in progress - as we all are. I keep telling myself that learning to draw is a skill that is learned with practice. I do tend to get frustrated that what is in my mind and what comes out on the page do not match. Comments? Advice?

More joy

2010-01-29T16:20:00.000-06:00

If you look really closely, there is a small red ornament in the middle of this tree.

Ice and Snow

2010-01-29T13:15:00.000-06:00

January 29, 2010
Yesterday morning the rain turned to sleet and eventually to snow. Luckily the wind was not as bad as it was during the last snow on Christmas eve. This one however, was primarily ice initially so that when the snow started, it was on top of the ice. Today it is just a light snow. When I went outside my door to take a few photos, the snow made a distinct crunching sound of the ice underneath. It is not worth it to me to venture more than a few steps to take photos. I am definitely not trying to dig my car out from under the blanket of snow and ice. The news crews are showing downed power lines across the interstate. Luckily, I received a phone call and did not have to go to work the last two days. There are many people without power, so I am grateful that I still have power, at least for the time being.
One of the photos is from yesterday, a composite showing snow in front of my door, in order to show the change over two hours.
I have been trying to learn new things in photoshop. I have an older version, so I have to work around some of the instructions that are given online. It took me forever, but I was finally able to make an overlay. I set my camera on a slow speed in order to attempt to capture some of the snowflakes as they were falling. Then I put the overlay I had made (thanks to the instruction video on karenika's blog), and added a sentiment.
Thanks for looking.
Off to enjoy more of the gift of today.

More Watercolor

2010-01-10T23:12:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas and the Blizzard of 2009

2009-12-25T09:57:00.000-06:00

The weathermen had predicted we would get 3 to 8 inches on Christmas Eve. As it turned out, it had rained during the night before, then about 7 am, it turned to sleet. I made it in to work, then a little after 8 am, they told us all to go home. I had not had a snow day since I was a kid in school. The roads were noticably worse on the drive home. The wind was blowing so hard that the sleet was biting when it hit your face. It turned to snow before 9 am and the blowing snow continued all day. It was blowing so hard, there was very little visability, even looking out the window. I braved getting out my front door once in the afternoon to take pictures, particularly one of the snow drifting up against my front door. (I tried to take a photo later in the afternoon through my window, but the camera focused on my screens.)
All events for the day were canceled, the governor declared a state of emergency for the entire state. All the interstates were closed. I am grateful that we did not lose power. On the news, they said that so many people had gotten stuck in their cars that the roads looked like parking lots, and many cars and trucks had slid off the roads. The last I heard, they had 12 inches of snow at Will Rogers Airport, and this was a record snow fall for Oklahoma.
I am grateful for Our LORD and Savior, who came to earth as a babe so that I could have the free gift of salvation.
I am grateful for the snow day. It gave me more time to spend with my son who is here visiting from St. Louis. And I baked some of his favorite Christmas baked goods.

Handmade Christmas Ornaments

2009-12-07T18:55:00.000-06:00

This weekend I took a class at My Heart's Fancy in OKC and made these Christmas ornaments. There is alot of detail on each ornament that you really can't appreciate from a photograph. I am pleased with the way they turned out. The large Santa one didn't photograph well as I took it at the shop with my iphone and the lighting wasn't right. I don't have it available any more to photograph again.

Deeper Still

2009-12-06T23:01:00.000-06:00

I had the opportunity to go the the Deeper Still Conference this weekend at the Cox Center in Oklahoma City. It was so wonderful. I met a friend and her husband at the Spaghetti Warehouse for dinner and then we walked over to the Cox Center. Kay Arthur taught Friday night and then Priscilla Shirer and Beth Moore taught on Saturday. Saturday after the morning session, Kay Arthur had her photo taken with the Precepts Leaders. There were so many of us that the photographer divided us into two groups. Travis Cottrell and the worship team had us on our feet the whole time. Kay, Beth and Priscilla did a question and answer session on Saturday that was hiliarious. And I ran into old friends and got to reminiscence a little.

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-29T23:02:00.000-06:00

I am grateful for so many things this Thanksgiving. My son drove in from St. Louis to visit his family. Thanksgiving is always more poignant when one has family and friends. Life is good.

Bert Seabourn at the Edmond Art Association

2009-11-29T22:49:00.000-06:00

I was able to watch Bert Seabourn demonstrate his craft
at the Edmond Art Association meeting November 23.
His wife Bonnie was with him and they are quite a team.
They were both very personable and made all of us feel
like old friends. He brought his sketchbook and let us
look through it to our hearts's content. They answered
questions until Sharon Webster had to finally tell us that
we were out of time for the room. Forgive the photo as
it was taken with my iphone.

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-19T21:41:00.000-06:00

I thought I would share this Thanksgiving card that I made for my mom and dad.

Rose Hips and Hops Wreath

2009-11-14T19:20:00.000-06:00

I came across this post from Ali Edwards blog a few weeks ago: http://aliedwards.typepad.com/_a_/page/3/

The wreaths are from Colby Cottage in Oregon. I sent an email to the owner of the shop, and she responded that they would ship the wreaths. So I called and ordered one. Here is it on my front door. I love it.

Autumn

2009-10-24T21:24:00.000-05:00

I grew up in Virginia, and I was bemoaning the fact that the trees here do not display the beautiful colors in the fall that they do in Virginia, particulary in the Blue Ridge Mountains. And then, as I was driving in Edmond this afternoon, these trees caught my eye, and I just had to pull over and bask in their glory. I didn't have my camera with me, so I got out my phone and took a few shots. It was just a God-stop thing, bringing me to my knees as I realized the beauty that is all around me when I just slow down enough to stop and look.

Thanks for looking.

Majestic Swan

2009-10-12T18:13:00.000-05:00

I was able to get close enough to catch the
reflection of this swan with the little geese
swimming in the background. It was such
a beautiful show that it really warmed
my heart. Enjoy life.

Christmas Angel Tryptich

2009-10-12T18:08:00.000-05:00

I met with some good friends this weekend and we made Christmas Angel Tryptichs. I didn't even put up a tree last year, may not put one up this year either. But, I thought it would be nice to make some decorations - hence the Angel Tryptich. I am pleased with the way it turned out. And, it's always fun to create with friends.

Portrait Challenge #2

2009-09-19T10:50:00.000-05:00

Sherry (http://pashnada.blogspot.com/) and Ellen are working on a portrait challenge. This is my attempt #2. The problem with trying to draw a portrait, or anything else for that matter, when you are just learning, is that it never looks like the person you are trying to draw. We also tend to be hypercritical of our own attempts. Danny Gregory has said that you should draw, and then write on the page something good about your drawing; the idea is that you can't write anything negative. That would just give you an excuse to give up. In this portrait, I used Faber-Castell drawing pencils in HB, 2B and 6B, Faber-Castell PITT artist pen in both black India ink and Sepia india ink and a variety of Prismacolor colored pencils. In attempt to not be negative, I will note that I think I will probably use the india ink less and more pressure on the pencils to get more value in areas.

Comments? Advice is welcomed.

Birthday Celebration

2009-09-12T13:39:00.000-05:00

In celebration of my birthday, a good friend took me to dinner at Charleston's. It was wonderful as usual. And as a surprise, she had them bring a huge brownie with caramel sauce and ice cream on top for us to share for dessert. It's a blessing to have good friends. Then I met another friend at the UCO Jazz Lab and we went to the Chris Botti concert. He and his band put on the best show. My photos during the concert were taken with my iphone. I took the one of me in front of my curtains.

article in Downtown Oklahoma City Magazine

2009-09-08T22:25:00.000-05:00

A friend at church brought me this magazine. I had not seen the article, so I was pleasantly surprised. Thanks for looking.

Trying to Learn Watercolor

2009-09-07T12:46:00.000-05:00

I have checked a few books out of the local library and checked many artist's blogs, and I am trying to learn to watercolor. This iris is from an iris exhibit that was at the local library. Thanks for looking.

~Bye for now.

sketch a day

2009-09-05T17:42:00.000-05:00

This sketch is not recognizable. The person I am attempting to sketch is famous, but it doesn't look like him. I saw him on an awards show and was so impressed with his blue eyes and his smile. He just looked like he was having fun.

work in progress - part 2

2009-08-31T19:06:00.000-05:00

Once again, my sketch doesn't look like the person it is supposed to look like. I have tried to follow Sherry's recommendations, but somehow it just doesn't turn out like I want it to. I guess that is why they call it practice, or learning.

work in progress

2009-08-30T21:46:00.000-05:00

Funny how portraits never look like the people you are trying to sketch. This is definitely a work in progress as it does not look the the person I am trying to sketch. Funny how also I only see the things that are wrong in a sketch.

sketch of door of law school

2009-08-30T21:44:00.000-05:00

I made this card from a sketch of the door of my son's law school earlier this year.

Self Portrait

2009-08-20T22:56:00.000-05:00

My attempt at a self portrait. I am the only person who is willing to sit still for a portrait.

Moon flowers

2009-08-19T02:00:00.000-05:00

My mother is proud of her moon flowers.

Providence

2009-08-19T01:48:00.000-05:00

I have had a number of times in my life that the Providence of God was evident. One of the most recent times was on August 10, 2009. I had borrowed a car and driven to Chattanooga, Tennessee for a job interview. [The car belonged to my parents and they had purchased it new in April.] I-24 through the mountains just west of Chattanooga has many curves and hills and heavy truck traffic. There are even "runaway truck" lanes that go up the mountain when the interstate is going down, in case a truck loses its brakes. As I was traveling back from the interview, in heavy traffic with 3 lanes in each direction, I came across a large piece of a truck tire in the road. There was no way to avoid it, so I went over it, as did other cars. Large pieces of truck tire were flying through the air. I thought the tire pieces were going to go through my windshield, but luckily the pieces hit the underneath part of the car, and only messed up the grill, and resulted in numerous dings in the bumper, grill and part of the front hood. There was no where to stop at the time, so I kept going. I am grateful that I was not hurt, and the damage to the car was minimal.

my old underwood typewriter

2009-08-17T18:47:00.000-05:00

While I was visiting my parents last week in Tennessee, we dug out my old (or should I say my mother's old) Underwood Typewriter. It was under fishing supplies in the garage. My mother got the bug nests out of it and we cleaned it up so I could take a few photos. Unfortunately, it was late afternoon and there were lots of shadows, but photos with shadows are better than no photos. I have such fond memories of typing on that old Underwood with the upright keys, the manual return and the ribbon you had to change. I typed up my college notes and papers on it in the early 1970s. She even has the owner's manual wrapped up so that it looks like new.

Jewelry - Using Tim Holtz Ideaology

2009-08-15T22:35:00.000-05:00

I thought I would share photos of a couple of necklaces I made in a class at My Heart's Fancy. They are totally unlike my usual taste, but I am trying to stretch my comfort zone, and make and wear things that are not my "norm". Thanks for looking.

Tennessee Sunset

2009-08-15T22:29:00.000-05:00

I had the pleasure of visiting my elderly parents in Tennessee for a couple of weeks this month. They live out in the country, on a lake, with no internet access (yikes!) and my phone didn't get reception there either. It's funny how much we think we need the technology. One evening while walking, I took this photo of the sunset. I didn't have my camera with me, so I took the photo with my iphone. I am posting two versions of the same photo, one with a little photoshop "tweeking".

Dianne's Southwest Cornbread Salad

2009-08-02T14:18:00.000-05:00

This was delicious.

1 (6-ounce) package cornbread mix

1 (1-ounce) envelope buttermilk Ranch salad dressing mix
1 small head romaine lettuce, shredded
2 large tomatoes, chopped
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15-ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 (8-ounce) packaged shredded four-cheese blend
6 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled
5 green onions, chopped

Prepare cornbread according to package directions; cool and crumble. Set aside.
Prepare salad dressing according to package directions.
Layer a large bowl with half each of cornbread, lettuce, and next 6 ingredients; spoon half of dressing evenly over top. Repeat layers with remaining ingredients and dressing. Cover and chill at least 2 hours.

Makes 10 to 12 servings.

From Southern Living Magazine 2004

note: I altered the recipe to make it less spicy.

photo sharing

2009-07-05T01:31:00.000-05:00

I wanted to share a photo from the Netherlands.

Edit: sorry to be misleading, this is a photo that I did multiple steps to in photoshop. The original is on top.

Digital Scrapbook Challenge at JessicaSprague.com

2009-06-24T00:24:00.000-05:00

Jessica Sprague is teaching a free online class on digital scrapping and this week they are giving away freebies and a different challenge each day. This is my digital scrapbook page for today.

Watercolor of Kaisers ice cream shop

2009-06-18T07:25:00.000-05:00

I thought I would post my latest. I went to St Anthony's for the Celebration for Cancer Survivors on June 7 and on the way home I was struck by the beautiful flowers in front of Kaisers and along the circle at 10th and Walker. I decided to try to do a watercolor of the front of Kaisers with St Anthony's Hospital in the background. I wish I knew what those blue/purple flowers were. I am posting the original photo and an "in progress" of the watercolor and the completed watercolor.

~Thanks for looking.

Finally got a decent photo of myself

2009-06-17T00:24:00.000-05:00

Last Friday evening as I was about to leave home for the Survive and Thrive Single Mother's Conference put on by Arise Ministries, I decided to try one more time for the elusive decent photo of myself. It is amazing how the older I get, all I see are the wrinkles and other defects. It's funny that one of the breakout sessions at the conference had quite a bit of information related to low self-esteem! Anyway, I took a few shot by setting the timer on my camera and standing in front of my bedroom door. I thought this one was acceptable. And since I didn't care for the design of the bedroom door behind my head, I used photoshop and moved my image to a solid black background.

~Thanks for looking.

Happy Father's Day and I love Photoshop

2009-06-16T22:11:00.000-05:00

These photos are from 2005. My father's boyhood farm home was lost to the family when the government cut payments to disabled WWI veterans and the family could not keep up the payments. My grandfather was gassed in France in WWI and my dad was in the service in WWII. I had a photo of my dad when we went to Massachusetts looking at one boyhood home and I also had a photo of his farm home that the family lost. I wanted to put my dad in the photo of the farm home, so I tried to do it with Photoshop. It's not perfect, but I am happy with the results.

Free Photo Editing Class

2009-06-14T20:12:00.000-05:00

Jessica Sprague is going to have a free online photo editing class. To register, go to http://www.jessicasprague.com/. You can only register June 22 - 28 and the class starts July 6.

The class runs for two weeks. I have taken an online class with Jessica Sprague previously and it was excellent. They had an active forum and gallery and even though it was free, they were very open to making changes and improvements during the class.

Still Life

2009-06-07T22:25:00.000-05:00

This is my interpretation of Karin Jurick's photo of veggies on a table still life. It is watercolor.

Old Farm House - watercolor

2009-06-02T23:17:00.000-05:00

Thought I would post a pic of my grandparent's old farmhouse and my attempt at a watercolor. I am not happy with the watercolor, but decided to quit.

Sketch of Diana

2009-05-31T22:16:00.000-05:00

This is a sketch that I tried to draw of a statue of Diana.

Watercolor

2009-05-29T02:51:00.000-05:00

I am trying to learn to watercolor. This is supposed to be a farm scene of the countryside.

Heritage Triptych

2009-05-25T23:09:00.001-05:00

I made this Heritage Triptych in a class last week. On the left is a photo of my grandmother.

In the middle are a couple photos of my mother

when she was about 20 years old. On the right

is a photo of my mother's brothers and sister

when they were in their teens. There is also

a photo of Falls Mill grist mill in the background

in the middle section, and of the old barn in the

background of the right section.

~Bye for now.

Geese

2009-05-07T18:28:00.000-05:00

I am constantly reminded that God is Sovereign. He sends little reminders so I don't forget to see Him in the everyday, the mundane. I took the photos of the geese and the crane in front of the little pond at the apartment complex where I now live. And I took the photo of the sunset from the parking lot at my church in Edmond, OK.

~Bye for now.

Falls Mill Grist Mill, Belvidere, TN

2009-03-23T10:57:00.000-05:00

I thought I would post a few photos I took in 2006 of Falls Mill Grist Mill in Belvidere, TN. My grandfather used to take me there every summer when we would visit him and my grandmother. I used to be his shadow. Falls Mill is still a working grist mill. The photo of the egret was taken on my parent's dock on Tims Ford Lake.

St. Louis

2009-03-12T23:58:00.000-05:00

I was blessed to be able to spend a few days with my son who lives in St. Louis. We toured the Missouri History Museum, walked around, watched Italian DVDs, and he showed me around the law school. One of the photos is of the ceiling in the law school library. The other is of part of a building I saw while walking in the Central West End. The third is 'mother and son'.

One little word for 2009

2009-02-01T22:56:00.000-06:00

It seems to be a popular theme for people to pick a word for the year. So I have chosen mine for 2009. My ONE little word for 2009 is Persevere. According to Webster's Pocket Dictionary, the definition is: to continue in spite of difficulty. Of course, that could apply to many people in today's world.

Be careful when you walk on ice

2009-02-01T22:39:00.000-06:00

On Monday, January 26, 2009, we awoke to sleet that lasted all day, followed by a mixture of sleet and tiny snow drops which continued through the next day. I describe it that way because it was more of a mixture of tiny sleet and frozen raindrops than real snow. I had a dentist appointment at 2 pm Monday. Since Oklahomans don't know how to drive on snow or ice, I surmised that the news crews were overreacting, and headed out of my apartment to my car. I made it down the wooden steps safely, as they are covered. But after about four steps onto the sidewalk, I did the splits. Of course, I can't do the splits completely, so about halfway down, I leaned and fell onto my right side. It was actually a rather funny sight. After a few minutes, I slowly picked myself up, and made it to the asphalt parking lot. After about ten steps this time, I fell again. As I was looking up to the sky, I made a wise decision that I would crawl back to my apartment and reschedule the dentist's appointment. :o)

Happy New Year sketch

2009-01-06T12:57:00.000-06:00

I hope everyone had a Happy New Year. 2008 was full of many challenges. Here's a wish for a better 2009. I am posting my attempt to sketch my son. There are alot of things about the sketch, I would improve, but I posted it as I am learning by doing.

~Bye for now.

Check out Rhonna's blog

2008-12-28T23:03:00.000-06:00

Check out Rhonna Farrer's blog: http://rhonnadesigns.blogspot.com. She is giving away 209 digital designs and fonts to one lucky winner.

2008-12-28T23:02:00.000-06:00

Christmas Baking

2008-12-15T17:37:00.000-06:00

I love Christmas and baking for Christmas parties. This last weekend I made Pecan Tassies for our adult Sunday School party. They are so good and almost like mini pecan pies.

Christmas Cards

2008-12-13T01:08:00.000-06:00

I love to make handmade Christmas Cards. I signed up for an online class called The Gift of Words, and I have told myself that I am going to write something meaningful on each card - only a sentence or two, but something unique for each family. Who I am kidding, I'll be lucky to address the cards! Anyway, here are the only two cards I have made so far. (I know, I am running out of time). The one with reindeer is for my sister-in-law and brother-in-law in Virginia, and the other one is for her mother. For the past 35 years or so, her mother has sent us Christmas cards with lovely birds on them.

I love the smell of bread baking

2008-12-05T14:48:00.000-06:00

I thought I would share this photo I took of my crescent rolls rising on Thanksgiving morning. I neglected to take a photo as they came out of the oven. I love the smell of fresh bread. The wonderful aroma of fresh bread baking fills my home and makes me happy - and grateful.

Thanksgiving 2008

2008-11-27T23:48:00.000-06:00

I have so many things to be thankful for this year. For my Savior, for a warm bed to sleep in at night and for plenty of food to eat, for my son who is intelligent and hard working and is a man of integrity, for wonderful friends, for this country I live in, and so much more...

~Bye for now.

Women of Faith Infinite Grace Conference 2008

2008-11-18T23:14:00.000-06:00

I attended the 2008 Infinite Grace WOF Conference at the Ford Center on November 14 and 15. It is always such a fun time to reconnect with women, sing praises, laugh, cry and listen to stories and Bible lessons. Marilyn Meberg gave a wonderful talk that gave me chills. She talked about abandonment and that we were created to be connected. There is a disconnect when one is abandoned; a feeling of shame - "Wasn't I good enough, why did ___ leave me?" She noted that those who have been severely abandoned, especially in childhood, have a need to control others. And an intense need to never talk about that which they are most ashamed of - that something must be wrong with them to cause the other person to abandon them, they must not be worth keeping. The strange thing is, it is only through recognizing those hidden hurts and working through the hurts that one can heal. A couple good verses that pertain to the subject were: Isaiah 41:9 and John 1:12,13. Patsy Clairmont is such a hoot! Anita Renfroe sang a song about Spanx! And, if you go to You Tube, you can see her video that is a remake of Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats" - It's called "Before I Eat" and you will laugh until you cry. Sandi Patty and Nicole C. Mullen and Mandisa sang their hearts out. Both Sandi Patty and Nicole C. Mullen had their daughters sing with them. And Sandi Patty's husband sang with her - he sang in Italian and has a wonderful voice. One of the photos is of everyone holding up their cell phones for light. I am old enough to remember people holding up lighters.

~Bye for now.

Edmond,OK

2008-11-06T00:31:00.000-06:00

I took this photo along 15th Street today. I love watching the leaves change color.

The other photo, of the sky, was taken an hour or so later, as the bad weather was coming into town. I got drenched by the storms later. Not exactly what I had intended, but it is good to be alive. ~Thanks for looking and bye for now.

Autumn

2008-11-06T00:18:00.000-06:00

In honor of yesterday's historic elections, and for no other reason than that I felt like it, I took a drive today to Arcadia to visit the historic Round Barn. I spent awhile visiting with Butch in the gift shop. He is apparently always there. He told me he lives right next door. I then stopped at Pops for lunch. As we were getting some storms coming in, I asked the waitress what they do there when there is bad weather. The gas station and restaurant is almost all glass and I can't imagine being in there during a tornado. The waitress smiled and told me that they "get in their cars and drive home".

Time for Reflection

2008-10-31T02:19:00.000-05:00

Photos of happier times. These photos are from 1970 and the one of us walking is from our wedding day in 1974. This next photo (actually the first photo, as it turns out) is of a building I would just as soon never set foot in again: The Oklahoma County Courthouse.

Free class on story telling

2008-10-20T23:27:00.000-05:00

Jessica Sprague has developed a week long online class on telling your stories called Stories in Hand, and you can register for it beginning today. And best of all - it is free and the class size is unlimited. Check out the link below. We all have stories to tell.

http://www.jessicasprague.com/

Entry for October challenge for Becky Fleck's Pagemaps

2008-10-12T15:31:00.000-05:00

I did a little scrapping yesterday with some girlfriends. I scrapped a couple of pages about last Saturday's (October 4, 2008) Race for the Cure in OKC. The first layout is my entry for the Challenge on Page Maps. The second one (with the panel of photos along the bottom, was for my Breast Cancer Survivor Scrapbook.

Another sketch

2008-10-10T01:00:00.001-05:00

Thanks for the comments on my previous sketch. Here is another one.

learning to draw

2008-10-08T15:16:00.000-05:00

I am trying to learn to draw. The problem is that my sketches never look like the person I am trying to draw. This is my latest. I am afraid the person I was attempting to draw would never guess it was her. Any suggestions? Besides, quit drawing??

thank you card

2008-10-08T15:14:00.000-05:00

Here is a thank you card I made today.

Women's Fun Shoot

2008-09-29T16:56:00.000-05:00

On September 6th, I took part in the Women's Fun Shoot. I can't believe I did it. I had never handled a gun before. I went with some women from my previous job. We had a blast. It was held at the Oklahoma City Gun Club and there were so many volunteers, it was amazing. We shot and four different ranges, many different kinds of rifles, shotguns, revolvers and pistols. We had safety education, eye and ear protection and individual hands on instruction. I can't say enough good things about the volunteers. And, I can't believe that I hit the target so many times. I have photos of my back at the range where we were shooting at the clay pigeons and the range where I was shooting an old fashioned pistol.

The following Saturday, I took part in a Women's Self Defense class at the PACER center near Baptist Hospital. It was very empowering. I am trying to get way out of my comfort zone.

another card

2008-08-30T12:40:00.000-05:00

I made a card yesterday for someone special. Actually, it took me several days to make it, a little at a time, because the metal work is somewhat labor intensive. I still wasn't happy with it, but I am trying to be less of a perfectionist. The quote really summed up where I am right now in my life.

~Bye for now.

Cards

2008-08-04T23:07:00.000-05:00

I love to create. I took a class at the local scrapbook store this past weekend. We learned a new technique in stamping using very detailed stamps and putting the ink on with a brayer.

Bookcase

2008-08-04T23:05:00.000-05:00

This is the bookcase that was supposed to be pictured in the previous post

I love Crate and Barrel

2008-08-04T21:44:00.000-05:00

I am a book person. I needed another bookcase and I wanted one that would fit underneath a large worktable that I have. I ordered the 44" Kendell bookcase from Crate and Barrel. When it came, I was determined to put it together myself. I laid out all the pieces on the carpet. At the end, the back was 1" too long. I was convinced I had followed the directions. I even called customer service. The man was very nice. He even pointed out that one reason they recommend that two people put it together is that sometimes it takes two sets of eyes. At any rate, I unscrewed all the bolts, and I had somehow transposed the right and left ends. Eventually, I got it together, and moved into the room I wanted it in. I felt such a sense of accomplishment.
~ Bye for now

Check out my new Personal Web Page!

2008-08-01T23:46:00.000-05:00

I have a new personal web page for my Demarle at Home business. It is http://sharon.demarleathome.com

Rancho Las Palmas

2008-08-01T22:28:00.000-05:00

In mid July, I attended the annual convention for Demarle at Home held at Rancho Las Palmas Spa and Resort, about 80 miles east of LA. I was so amazed on the drive from LA to Palm Springs by the number of windmill farms. And the mountains are incredibly brown. It was so HOT there - but beautiful in its own way.
We stopped between LA and Palm Springs at the Hadley Fruit Orchards. They have rows and rows of dates, dried fruit and nuts, as well as organic grains. I bought some almonds and medjool dates. The medjool dates have a rich mahogany color and a soft texture and the sensation of taste and texture in your mouth is heavenly.
We all learned new techniques at the convention. It was exciting to learn about new products, and to participate in the workshops with chefs. Learning about using the inductive heating plate was very exciting - and it is very energy efficient. The Demarle at Home plant in France is pollution free and the products are green and the flexipans have a lifetime guarantee.

Rose

2008-06-15T17:17:00.000-05:00

I attended a 'Survive 'N' Thrive' Single Mothers' Conference this weekend. It was put on by Arise Ministries and the theme was Building a Household of Faith and the question was asked: Who is the architect and builder of your home? Shelley Pulliam was the emcee and Pam Kanaly and Laura Sabin Cabinaillas were the keynote speakers. It was hosted by First Presbyterian Church of Edmond, and they were very gracious. There were many volunteers from churches across town. The breakout sessions covered a wide range of topics and were full of information and insight. We also had a chance to connect with each other and share both our challenges and triumphs, encourage each other and make new friends. Everyone involved made us feel welcome and loved - the volunteers even gave each one of us a rose and we arrived.

~ Bye for now.

Cards

2008-06-15T17:12:00.000-05:00

Thought I would share a couple of cards I made this week.

National Cancer Survivors Celebration 2008

2008-06-08T22:59:00.000-05:00

The first Sunday in June is National Cancer Survivors Day and is celebrated across the nation. They go around the room and each survivor has the opportunity to give their name and tell how many years that they have been a survivor - last year one woman had just been diagnosed a couple of days prior to the event. I have posted a photo from that day for 2006 and 2007. This picture is from this year's event and is of me and another cancer survivor whom I have come to know in support group over the past several years and his granddaughter whom I have seen grow up before my eyes from a child into a young woman. John always strives to appreciate life and those around him. We all need to appreciate and thank God for whatever time we have on this earth to share with family, friends and all those we can connect with.

~ Bye for now.

Edmond Arts Festival

2008-05-10T22:40:00.000-05:00

Last weekend, May 2nd through the 4th, 2008 was the Edmond Arts Festival. Thursday evening, May 1st, some bad storms with high winds and hail came through and some of the artists who had already set up lost quite a bit. On Sunday, I happened upon this painting and it just seemed to speak to me...I think it said "buy me", so of course I did. Actually, the painting said more than that, but I am not good with words, so I won't even try to explain. The artist, Allison Sangree, is quite an open and friendly woman, that you can meet for just a few moments, and feel like you have been friends forever. She grew up in Trinidad, lived in Canada for a few years, then met her husband in college in the United States and they now live in Pennsylvania. They have a son who is a professional photographer here in Edmond, OK and I got the distinct impression that the Arts Festival was a ruse to see their grandchildren. This painting is named "La Voie", which is French for "The Way" and there is alot of meaning behind the painting. I didn't buy the original, I bought a giclee reproduction (I hope I spelled that correctly). I can get lost in that painting.

~ Bye for now.

OU Graduation

2008-05-10T22:28:00.000-05:00

My son graduated today from OU. Last night was the Commencement ceremony at the Gaylord Family Stadium. William Cohen gave a very inspirational speech. Today, May 10th, the various colleges held their convocation ceremonies. The Michael F. Price College of Business Convocation was at the Lloyd Noble Center. I am grateful that my son acquiesced to his old mom and agreed to take part in the graduation ceremony.

~ Bye for now.

One year old

2008-05-10T22:22:00.000-05:00

My nephew, Daniel Ethan, turned one on March 28th. I can't believe he is one year old already. I haven't been able to see him since he was two months old. His parents live in Fairfax, Virginia and it is just too difficult to get together very often. I will post his picture. I don't have a scanner, so I took a photo of the photo, and I'm afraid my hands were not steady and it is a bit blurry. I am a proud aunt.

~Bye for now.

Stacey Kent at the UCO Jazz Lab

2008-04-13T18:37:00.000-05:00

Ah, Saturday night in the big town, as Gary England likes to say. Last night, I had a wonderful dinner with a friend at 501 Cafe, and then we went to see Stacey Kent at the UCO Jazz Lab. The place was sold out, but it is so small and intimate, that all the seats are good. One couple at our table had driven here from Memphis to see her. The show was well worth it. If you are not familiar with Stacey Kent, check out here website. Her husband, Jim Tomlinson, plays the sax and composed some of the songs. She had a wonderful band. I particularly loved her interpretation of Stevie Nicks song "Landslide" - funny thing is, I had always thought the title of the song was "Changes" ;o) Stacey Kent and her husband were both very gracious and signed autographs after the show. I forgot my camera in the car.
But I did take a photo of myself later.
~ Bye for now.

Good Memories

2008-04-08T22:48:00.000-05:00

These are two of my favorite photos from many (about 20) years ago. Happy times. My son is the joy, the sunshine in my life. I am so proud of him. He is about to graduate from OU and make his own way in the world. Well, I can't figure out why the top photo is so small. And I can't seem to get it to let me delete it. Hm mm.

Transitions are difficult for me. I am in a new season of my life. Empty nest. Death of dreams of what this time of my life would be like. Realizing that some things are just completely out of my control. You can't control what anyone else does, even when, or perhaps especially when, it's someone you love. Finally facing reality, and deciding to stop living in a fantasy world, although I really didn't want to face the uncomfortable reality, for it was so much easier to live in denial, even though it wasn't healthy. It was easier living in that world of make believe. Roles and dreams are devastating to give up, although necessary at times. Dark, and painful.

Benefit for FaithWorks of the Inner City

2008-04-05T09:55:00.000-05:00

Last night I attended a benefit dinner for FaithWorks of the Inner City at the Petroleum Club. It was heartwarming to see how well attended it was. I am a volunteer tutor for FaithWorks of the Inner City. We work with the community south of Bricktown, with the children of Shidler Elementary. FaithWorks is raising money for a Community Center, to be built across the street from Shidler Elementary. The guest speaker last night was Barbara Green, co-owner of Hobby Lobby. There was also a silent auction, and I was able to purchase an original watercolor by Cletus Smith. Sally Goin, a retired Edmond teacher, founded FaithWorks of the Inner City after becoming acquainted with the children and their families while doing volunteer work at the old City Rescue Mission. If you would like more information about FaithWorks, see their website: http://www.faithworksokc.com/

~ Bye for now

Wedding

2008-04-02T21:59:00.000-05:00

I attended a wedding recently of two good friends from my church. They each have a large extended family, and it was so wonderful to get to meet them and to see families getting along, each person truly being interested in the other. It gave me such joy to be around my friends in their joy. This wedding was especially poignant for many reasons. After the reception was officially over and the bride and groom left in the limousine, they even went to the local pizza place (with the bride still in her wedding gown and the groom in his tuxedo) and brought boxes and boxes of pizza back to those of us who were remaining at the reception.
They will have problems of course, they are human, but it such a blessing to know that God is the head of their marriage.
I am not posting any photos of my friends out of respect for their privacy.
~ Bye for now

Geese

2008-04-02T21:53:00.000-05:00

Spring days. I like to watch the geese. I don't know why. I also like to look at the water. I took this photo the other day. There is just something about geese, watching them fly in formation, seeing the way they land on the water. They innately know what to do. If only we humans always knew what to do...
~ Bye for now

Tour de Palate

2008-04-02T21:32:00.000-05:00

I had the privilege last Thursday evening, March 27th, 2008, of attending the first annual Tour de Palate, a benefit for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, held at the Oklahoma History Center. Many wonderful restaurants gave of their time, food and wine. There were also silent and live auctions. And there was a contest with four chefs from the Food Network, who came at their own expense, to compete in a cake decorating contest while we watched. Commentary was provided by Ruth of Ruth's Sweet Justice. Below are a few photos I took of the event. I had never been to the Oklahoma History Center before - the view of the State Capitol is breathtaking.

~Bye for now.