Travel log from the mountains to home.

A quick drive over the mountains and back reveal the rapid change that is so easily appreciated in the land of Oregon.
Suttle Lake has a frosting of snow with the promise of more to fall!

A forest fire left much of this wooded area stripped of it's green.

On the same passage, from the car, we glimpse up the hillside to capture this site.

Back on the valley floor the land opens up to farms and wide sky scape's. Farm after farm unfurls from the cars view. It is a pleasant trip and free from commercial tension.

Even the sky is welcoming!

A charming old barn is just around the corner from our place. It is a lovely place, don't you think? I like how the moss has formed, leaving a light green shading. The early sun hits the side of the barn and the trees branches reflect on the building. A great subject for a painting! And, home again. Back to the familiar red outbuildings and barn. The goats are welcoming us back!
It's time to prepare for Thanksgiving. In just a few short days we will enter into the holiday season of Advent. "Lord, may we honor you with our love!"

Abstract Assignment....

Robert Delaunay was born April 12, 1885 in Paris. He was a French artist who used Orphism, which is a form of abstract art. He also applied the art of cubism in his work.
My assignment was to take an abstract art form and make it more readable. I chose the Robert Delaunay work called Sun and Moon. It is colorful, playful and as I looked at the painting, I found some hidden meaning...from my perspective. Embedded in the painting, looking at it upside down, I recognized a dove, an angel and butterfly. I chose to pull out the forms and present them in a less abstract way and hopefully make the connection my Basic Design teacher is asking for. Below is the example of my end work. It was created with watercolor and taken from two attempts by cutting the bottom from one piece and applying it to the top of another work. It measures 15" X 22". I won't tell you how to think about this painting but if you read history in regards to art, it says plenty. Sun and Moon by Robert Delaunay measures 4'5" in diameter and is done in oils. It hangs in the Museum of Modern Art, New York.

Photo taken from Wikipedia web site.

For an artist living in the time of Delaunay, Cubism/Orphism was a radical change in art style. It was noticed and appreciated. Until a few days ago, I had never heard of Delaunay or the movement. It's very enlightening to learn art history and understand how it played a great part in how we live out today.

Nature....down the driveway and in the house.

This morning we were visited by a new buck! It is hunting season and these boys know how to go deep into the woods to protect themselves. As I peered through my kitchen window, I could tell this was a buck, because of his keen alertness to his surroundings. He took his time to get comfortable, and I was able to get a few photos before he jaunted off into the woods. The pictures are a little blurry but his rack is not mistakable.

It's a wonderful experience to see these majestic animals and even better when there is a buck in the mix. Wow! What a nice way to start the day!

On another subject, I bring you my latest nature garden! It consists of moss, mushroom, leaves, grass and sticks from the woods. These gardens are simple to construct and last quite a while. All you need is a wooded area and some imagination. There is no dirt but water is important to keep the plant life hydrated.

1. Choose a glass plate or shallow bowl. I got mine at Goodwill for .99 cents.

2. Take a walk and gather moss, grass, small plants, sticks, mushrooms, leaves etc.

3. Put a large clump of moss on the plate and tuck in the other nature treasures. Be sure to make the plants snug, to insure their continued growth. Pour a small amount of water over the creation, and continue to do that each day. I put my "nature gardens" outside at night to extend their life. The mushrooms last several days and can be replaced easily. Go for another walk.....

In the driveway a few marigold seeds fell onto the gravel and sprouted. I gently pulled one free and nestled it into the garden below (the upper right side).

There is joy in using the gifts that are hidden, in plain view, right at our feet!

My brothers wedding day...

Some days are sighted for being remembered and for setting a new course in life. Saturday was like that for my brother. We are pleased to announce that Gary and Margie are off to a new beginning as husband and wife!



They met a year ago while taking dance classes. Gary was Margie's partner and she became his very good friend. Love bloomed.

Now they are husband and wife, and will dance through the years together!
We wish them our very best!

Time with LilliAnne.....

Early Friday morning I drove across Portland to Troutdale, where I was greeted by our curly headed Snow White granddaughter, who is three years old. She was so excited to be wearing a princess dress and going on a quick trip with her mommy and me. We drove over the mountains to Central Oregon and the Bend area. Tucked into a charming older neighborhood, we found a park to play at and it was bordered by the Deschutes River. I neglected to jot down the name of the park and when I tried to locate it on a map I surprised to find that Bend boasts 64 parks!
Bend has become the place to live! The sun shines often, rainfall is below 12 inches a year, it snows and the community is well planned. It's a beautiful town and it also has an incredible skiing area at Mt. Bachelor! In the past 30 years people have flocked to the area and make Bend home. It is easy to see why!

This little tug boat was built specifically for children to play on, and that is what we did!

As we left the park, I turned to see the leaves falling from a maple tree. A few leaves hang-on, but not for long.

Our quick trip was delightful!

Have a good weekend everyone!

Meet our new addition!

We have a new addition to our family! Her name is Trudy and she comes to us from Willow. She is hand made from Willow's hand-spun, and hand-dyed yarn! Trudy is just adorable in her colorful sweater set! Her personality is quiet but spunky! She fits right in among the other animals and they are all getting along famously! The goats are quite amazed at this new little creature! They payed close attention when Trudy came to say "hello!"
Maggie is still getting to know Trudy and thinking about taking her on a walk!
There will be adventures......that is for sure!!

Bart is taking his time getting within nose-to-nose distance from Trudy....! :))

It was a good day....

On my walk this day......... the woods were alive with color..............

the paths were welcoming.......

the sky a clear blue,

the wind blew and a rustling could be heard as leaves fell.

Bright hues of color spread throughout the woodland.......

and the floor of moss was covered with a carpet of gold.

It was a good day to notice! Everyday is!