New Studio Buddy!

I just got this little fellow, and I can hardly stand myself he's so cute!!! Already love him to pieces. Tomorrow morning we go for our vet check. Sure hope he's A-ok! He's tiny, should be about a 4 to 4 1/2 lb-er. I didn't want him any smaller than that. His face reminds me of my Sammie. Just not as big of eyes (and different color ofcourse). I didn't want one just like Sammie anyway. I think that would be too painful actually, and I want a new guy to love all for himself. Yes- that's a regular coffee mug he's in so you can get a feel for his size! Now for a name!

Back from Branson

We left on a motorcycle trip to Branson, MO. Sept. 18th and arrived home Sat. evening. It was a cold and rainy ride. I think it will be the only long trip we will be taking! I prefer our 5th wheel and all it's comforts. Besides- I missed my studio buddies!

We did get to take in a couple of shows and also went down to wander over our acres in northern Arkansas, just over the border and not far from Branson. Just out of the "big" town of Blue Eye which is part in MO and part in Ark.!

I'm posting the views from the spot we want to build a home someday. The views are to die for, and nearly all the way around. And wildlife (the animal kind!)... my idea of heaven.


I did alot of "thinking" on the back of that bike.


I'll put some of my thoughts in future posts (if I can remember them!) As usual, I thought about "what next" (to paint) and that sort of thing, but I also thought about the meaning art has for me and emotions. How can an animal or a still life or a landscape trigger "emotions". Light bulbs came on, now if only I can remember all that I realized on that rainy ride. I am too tired at this point to go there, but I hope to express some of what I realized and learned about this subject on that ride. Until I am able to do that I just wanted to say "hi" and "how are ya?"!
:-)

Hornbill miniature

I did manage to get a bit of painting done this past weekend. I finished up this hornbill on Fri. I had a terrible time getting the color right to post, it's still not quite there, but fairly close, altho my signature doesn't stand out quite this much. I just loved this bird. He was HUGE and so interesting. This piece is casein on illustration board. 3"x2"
I'll be going on a motorcycle trip with my husband this week so this will be my last post I think for awhile, unless I stop by to say something about the radio interview which is happening in just a bit. Yikes! Stomach just did a flip! :-O

Radio interview!

Just to let you know in case you would like to listen I will be a guest on the Kim McCool radio show this Monday (September 14) at 2PM Central Time. I hope you can
listen 'live' or listen to the replay! The name of the program is Discover the Heart of Art with Kim McCool. If you can't listen in "live" you can listen anytime at by clicking on Blog Radio button on her site and then clicking the "Play Now" button.

(http://www.kimmccool.com
and click on 'Blog Radio'.

I am excited and honored to be asked (and a bit nervous). Let me know what you think or if you enjoy it. Thanks.

Bread Pudding with Rum Sauce- Yum!!!

It's been sooo hectic here with my new job, taking care of mom, etc. I just haven't had much time to paint. But I did get a bit of cooking done. So I decided it was time for a recipe. I used this one for my stepson's rehearsal dinner (I made 3 desserts, he made the rest- he's a professional chef! Do you know how scarey it is to cook for a professional chef?) :-0 But all 3 got rave reviews and they "licked the platters clean" which is always a good sign, as is going back for seconds (and
thirds!) So here it is, simple, and delicious...

BREAD PUDDING
6-8 c. bread, broken into small pieces
4 c. milk
2 c. sugar
3 eggs, slightly beaten
1 T. vanilla
1 c. raisins (optional)
1 c. chopped pecans (optional)
1 c. shredded coconut (optional)
1 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. nutmeg
Combine all ingredients, mixture should be very moist, but not soupy. Pour into buttered 9x12 baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees approx. 1 hr. and 15 min. until top is golden brown. Serve warm with sauce.

RUM SAUCE
1/2 c butter
1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
1 egg
1 t. rum flavoring + water to make 1/2 c.

Cream butter and sugar over medium heat until all butter is absorbed. Blend egg in a small amount of this in separate bowl and add back in slowly. Add in rum/water mix gradually, stirring constantly. Cook several more min. on medium heat, stirring constantly. Sauce will thicken as it cools. Serve warm over bread pudding.

I hope you enjoy this recipe- it reminds me of desserts in fancy restaurants.
(The photo is one of my granddaughter's on her first birthday- it's not bread pudding, but you can see she approves the recipe!)

Moms, Illustrations, and...

Today I thought I'd show you a few of my illustrations for an upcoming atlas I have been working on for quite awhile. It is being published by the Mdewakanton Sioux tribe and is of breeding birds and animals found on their reservation here in Minnesota. I am taking care of my mother for a few days who has alzheimers so I will be working on the last illustration for the book today. Yipppeeee!!!
:-) They still have to decide on what they want for a cover for the book. It will have my illustrations along with a page or so of information on each individual bird or animal. It has been an interesting project to do. Hope you enjoy seeing them.
I've been out of town on a family campout so I'm a bit behind and feeling rushed.
Lots to do this week, and little time for painting. :-(