Calendars for 2016 - "Remains of the Day" - Favorites of the Year

Time....we all have the same amount. Some times we waste it, we all spend it, we'd like a bit more of it...and lots/most of us try to plan it.  Hence, the calendar. 

Especially in December, it's easy to feel a bit frayed at the edges with all the "busy-to-do-ness" of the month. 

Take a deep breath, remind yourself it's okay to say "No" to some things. 

Turn it around and remind yourself of the blessing of having 'bounteous' things to do, so much that you could actually refuse some of it .....and then find a way to do just that, there are some things that just don't need your presence to be there, but it's sure nice to know we're not lonely, not lacking for engaging opportunities. 

And if you do find yourself in a lonely spot...well, this is the month perhaps to say, "Yes, I will".  Find a volunteer opportunity, say yes to the party invite, or the open door of a church or community organization. There are a lot of ways to become more engaged in your community if that is what you are seeking.  

My wish for you is to feel loved, not just this 'holiday season', but always. 

Well, here it is, the annual favorite...with everyone's favorites! The basic way of marking time, planning your days, fitting in what's important to YOU, dear friend! 

Here's the pics - so you'll know what you'll be seeing as you go through next year! They are available on my website, still at $20 + $4.95 shipping.

Dusk in France, Along the Rhone-Day 21 of #jan30in30

 

20"x16" oil on gallery wrapped canvas, 1" deep

Click here for more information or to purchase.

  On my last trip through France we cruised down the Rhone, stopping in wonderful cities, towns and villages. We traveled mostly at night, so that the days could be spent seeing the sights at our stops along the way.  What a wonderful way to tour. It gave me a great overview of places that I want to return and spend more time in....a dig in as deep as grape vine roots....to learn more about this beautiful country.

Vins Vigneron - Living with Intention... and Best Wishes for a Lovely Thanksgiving!!

6"x6" oil on archival panel

For more information, and to bid on this at auction, or purchase directly, 

click here!

I had the good fortune to return to France in early October...exploring some wonderful towns and villages with my hubby... practicing my French, eating some amazing food, and bringing home beauty to share in paint! I'm always amazed at how beautiful some of these places are...all the loving care in appearances, softening rough edges of weathered buildings with flowering vines. I always try to bring some of these experiences home to incorporate into my daily life, simple beauty, thoughtfulness, living with intention...and not necessarily 'by the seat of my pants'!

I'm especially grateful this year, for family and friends..

and collectors who believe in the work I do  -

and trust me enough to purchase my art.

I'm especially grateful for a husband that is super supportive of my efforts. 

Grateful for those friends who have helped me achieve some life-long dreams over the years ....of learning to paint and make a career of it;

of learning new languages,

of traveling to far-away places,

seeing life in new ways...spiritually and earthly,

and cheering me on when I have doubts.

 Y'all know who you are- 

I am forever grateful to you!

Best wishes to you all, enjoy your Thanksgiving week dear friends!

 

Cleanliness Is Next To Godliness

8"x10" oil on linen mounted on panel

One of my friends commented that even laundry in France is tres chic! :-)

But the line of laundry catching light in the afternoon sun right behind the church in this small village of Frayssinet was irresistible.

Our days have been packed with demos from Dreama, painting on our own (whether in oils or our watercolor sketchbooks). So much to do, so little time to blog.  Some days we stay on location in Frayssinet, and other days we've been taking short side trips during the day. And the eating....oh my - we are being spoiled rotten with the most incredible meals! That part alone is going to make it hard to go home! I have had the most imaginative, delicious, and visually beautiful meals here at Le Vieux Couvant. I feel like I should be writing a food blog about that experience alone! 

A visit to a lavender farm in Lherm was a visual and fragrant treat.

 We've saved a seat for you! Can you imagine anything better than being surrounded by lavender and roses? (Yes, those are climbing roses growing up that tree!).

Greetings from all of us in France! We really DO wish you were here! So much beauty to share!

Our Front Door In France

8"x8" oil on gessoed masonite artboard

For more information, or to purchase, click here.

Once you enter through the French blue-green iron gate (see yesterday's post) and you are within the courtyard of the old home, you are surrounded with rustic beauty.  Roses are bountiful, climbing, rambling...and are accented with delphiniums, topiaries, lily of the valley, honey-suckle, grape-vines, and many other flowering delights. The big front door has a central brass knob to turn to enter. A staircase surrounded by climbing roses takes you to an upper terrace (as well as our art studio) and gardens that Monet would have been envious of! 

Each day we've managed to pack in three gourmet meals (oh, those recent 10 pounds that I lost have probably found me again).  We've managed to fit in side trips to wonderful little towns in the country-side, open-air markets, as well as excellent demos from our fearless leader, Dreama....AND have daylight to paint! Thank goodness for long daylight hours in this part of the world. It's light out until 10pm. By the end of the day, we are totally spent. But each morning we are all excited and eager to find what the day holds for us! 

Some of our painters in the courtyard:

and a funny 'hog van' I spotted this morning!