VINEYARD SKY

VINEYARD SKY 6x6 acrylic on board

This is one of the only paintings I've completed since I last posted. But I must admit I'm liking this one enough to turn it into a larger work. The 5"x5" and 8"x8" prints are in my Etsy Shop here.

I've been busy turning another year older, traveling to Indiana to visit family and friends, be surprised by a, um, surprise birthday dinner filled with several of those precious people I did life with for many years in the Midwest. We drove to South Bend to have a little memorial for Tim's mom and afterwards visited the University of Notre Dame so my grandson could dream about his future possibilities. 

I had a plein air paint and play date while in Indiana with my friend Kelly. She's fairly new to painting, especially plein air but pulled off a very impressive piece and I think she was pleasantly surprised at her abilities. Sorry I forget to take an after picture.

Upon returning to San Diego I arranged another painting day here with my friend Suzanne to celebrate our birthdays together. She, is very new to painting and I chose her favorite vineyard as the subject. What a joy it was to pop her painting into a frame and watch her expression. I did get a picture of her posing in front of her finished masterpiece. See, she is still glowing.

Friends are coming to visit this next week so I won't be painting, just socializing and enjoying every moment of this gorgeous weather. xo

THIS COULD BE THE START OF SOMETHING GOOD

Quilt Market is right around the corner now, so I spent the weekend sewing. I am on a patchwork kick these days. Works nicely since I want to show as many of my new fabrics as possible in a small space. This way I get to play with them all at once! I'm getting pretty excited. I know not all the fabricnistas will be there in Pittsburgh, but I'm so looking forward to seeing many of you again. Let me know if you're going.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

My birthday was this last Friday. It was a wonderful day. The new fabrics were here, God stopped the rain just for me, the sun was shining, and I was surrounded by friends and family.
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Most of you do not know much about my life. That's probably good. But the older I get, the more I realize I'm not as alone as I thought in having a crazy, sad childhood. See, I was passed among different family members, foster homes and ultimately became a ward of the state while I was in high school. I was clearly unwanted, unloved and unloveable. My birthday was not celebrated. In fact, I did not know my actual birth date until I was an adult and got a copy of my birth certificate. April 17. Not the 15th or 13th as I thought.

So you can imagine how tickled I am if I get so much as a birthday card. One of my dearest friends, Lisa, makes a card EVERY year, and I anticipate and cherish each one, especially because she hand delivers them. I feel so loved. My husband takes me to dinner and always has an incredible bouquet of flowers waiting at the table when we arrive. I notice that people are curious and look to see who the special person might be that finally arrives. I feel so very blessed. Here's a close-up of one beautiful rose in the large arrangement waiting for me.

I went from unloved and homeless to one happy gal. My faith has brought me a long way from those sad childhood days. I have learned to love, be loved, be a mom, wife, friend and the most awesome Mimi (grandma). That is a miracle, don't you think? That's why I'm so freakin blessed!

I got this "birthday card" from Anthropologie. I thought it was so creative...I had to show you.

Isn't it adorable? I somehow want to contact the Anthro people and personally thank them for their creativity.

So to all of you, thanks so much for your kudos. You keep me going! Hugs and kisses.

BIRTHDAYS, FRIENDS + CHOCOLATE!

Jennifer, Me (Paula), Kelly and Missy

I'm having a wonderful birthday, and it's not even over yet! It's a beautiful day outside so we have the windows open while we work. Kelly makes the best dark chocolate cakes for our birthdays and was so kind not to put the candles on mine. So after sugaring up at lunch I got a picture with my peeps. I love these girls. Cindy was off today, but I have to say I have the best people in the world working with me. It's really like family...oh yeah, Jennifer IS family. Seriously, I am so blessed. I swell with pride when I think how hard each one works to make us as successful as we are. Last September I was gone for a whole month and these gals ran everything flawlessly. I can't say enough.


I guess birthdays for me are about the people in my life. Yesterday I got a birthday card from a friend of mine that I've had for 40+ years. I was instantly filled with so many memories and called her last eve. Oh my, we talked and laughed so hard I almost peed myself (and in fact I did many times in the past...that's why we were laughing as we reminisced). So good to catch up.

I'll let you know how the rest of my birthday goes. I'm waiting very impatiently every day for a special something to arrive in the mail that will involve my signature. Sure would make my day extra special if I just happened to get it today. It's my birthday wish Kathy.