Look who's drawing!

Look who's drawing!
Originally uploaded by nfaithfox

I'm taking a Drawing class and this is the first page of my drawing journal. Let's see if I get better.

A Rose By Any Other Name

Winter is coming but..I jumped the Gun

Autumn in Ohio

My favorite season has arrived!  It is so pretty here in the woods.  Pat and I went out yesterday to take photos and Jim and I went Saturday.  So beautiful!

Ohio The Beautiful

Yesterday I went with my sister on a photo opp around Ohio.  We went to Long Lake where I spent part of my youth.  We went to lunch and thrift store Hopping.  Great Day!

Desert Poppy

This is a painting from a photo by my friend David Richman.  Thanks David.  I'm gaining on shadows.

Country Store

This is a painting from a photo that was shared with me by Bob Fisher.  I learned a lot by painting this. I over painted the trees.  Walk away Norena!   Shadows do not have to be grey!  Perspective, perspective!  Better luck next time.

Peaches and tomatoes..Oh MY!

I haven't posted for almost a month!  I have been busy canning again.  We have 21 qt of tomatoes and 24 qt of peaches.  If we get snowed in, we will eat!  My little neighbor Amanda brought me fresh brown eggs from her chickens that she is raising.  I was thrilled!  Yummy eggs that taste like eggs used to taste. 

My sister Pat and went shopping/thrifting on Wednesday after we painted, and I got my heat gun that I have been wanting for 40% off.  Pat had a coupon for both of us.  We are going to make holiday cards with embossing.  My painting is of the Rose of Sharon that is in my back yard.  Pat picked the last two flowers on it for my reference.  I am painting it in cool colors for WCW.  I even got some cleaning in yesterday.

We have given up and trying to crate Mollie and Maggie at night!   They used to be crated but it got so hot for them this summer, we relented and let them sleep on our bed.  Now they will not sleep in the crate.  Charlie sleeps under the bed like Angel used to sleep.  We haven't gotten a full nights sleep since we tried this so we just gave up. 

The Mysterious Missing Couch

Yes, I have a couch.  When I bought it I was promised "several weeks" for delivery.  This is the ninth week and it arrived yesterday.  I'm glad that it's finally here.  Now, how do I get the new couch chemical smell out quickly?  Oh No, I hope I'm not allergic to my new couch!  I sure love the way it looks from afar.  I just can't get too near it. 

Boo

Yes, I know.  This is not a watercolor.  But it's a fun thing I'm working on for the consignment shop.  They cost me about .25 to make and I am going to sell then for $9.95.  Very good markup!

Canning Pickled Beets

Dirty, Dirty Beets
Become
Pickled Beets

From a peck of beets, I got 5 quarts of pickled beets!  I had to cut off all of my fingernails because they became a vivid shade of purple.  The hands were too but they cleaned up.  I had a great deal of fun so it was worth it!

Jim's Pottery Studio/Man Cave

Jim and I have been so busy having fun!  This is his studio in the basement! He is already turning and cooking new pieces.  Yesterday he hung new lights and it made the biggest difference.  I get to share the  man cave for my painted furniture.   

Busy, Busy, Busy

Uh, Oh, Norena went to the produce auction again!  I got blackberries, blueberries, corn, onions, cabbage, squash, 4 loaves of Amish made quick breads, 4 little blackberry pies, most of which are already in my new freezer.  I wanted to get tomatoes but they bid too high.  Most of this I got for $1.00-1.25!  This morning I am doing the corn and beets. 

A Big Can of White Paint

Isn't it amazing what a white paint will do to a brown shelf and a flower pot?  This went in my guest room.  The picture is three generations of dynamic women.  Mama, me and daughter when we were about 18, 38 and 58.  My sister Patricia took this photo and it will always be cherished!

The Poopie Truck

The Poopie Truck arrived and sucked out the overflowing septic system.  Ahhhhh, life in the country.  We also found out that our well water is not drinkable even with multiple filters so on to the next adventure.  It has been so hot here we got in the car yesterday and drove just to stay cool.  We always spend too much money when we do that.  Thank God it rained yestrday and cooled thigs off.  I still am so greatful to be living here.  Life is GOOD!

My GW Pasta Machine

This is my first attempt at making egg noodles.  Ingredients:  4 large eggs, 3 1/2 C. sifted flour and 1 T water.  That's it!  The noodles are drying and I will seal them in quart jars unless we eat them first.

More Freezing Today!

We ordered a freezer which will be here the end of this month or before.  I the meantime, I am filling the freezer that I have.

I'm Happily Tired!

Who Builds a skylight right over the bed in a Master Bedroom?  Our builder did!  So...here is my solution!  Three tension rods and a length of soft green sheer fabric from GW and Voila! 

Mama and John

My Mama and My Big Brother John

The Math

Okay, here's the math.  Out of the $50 worth of produce I got:
12 qt shredded zucchini
6 qt Cinnamon applesauce
28 Jelly jars of preserves
6 qt frozen peaches
1 peck of apples to cook with or eat
1 doz peaches to eat. 

I spent $18 on jelly jars so I think the work was worth it.

Memories from Childhood

The last few days has been a whirlwind.  Jim and I decided to take a road less traveled and ended up at an Amish produce auction.  I have never bid at an auction before in my life.  They gave me a number and my hand just kept going up.  I knew that I remembered how to can and freeze so I went for it.  Little did I know that a "lot" meant each pint or quart.  I when I figured that out, I stopped and found that I had spent $50.00. 

I bought zucchini, peaches, apples, and plums.  When I was about 12 years old, I made a recipe for preserves for 4-H.  It turned out well and everyone loved it so, I decided that I would do that again. 

Oh Ye of little Faith!  I did it!  May be it's because I am not afraid to fail or because I believe that I won't, but I'll try anything.  If it didn't Jell, I'll pour it over ice cream.  It's a little runny but great on my morning toast.  The rest of the produce, I froze.  I still have a peck of apples left so I think I will just cut them in pieces and freeze.  The other peck I made cinnamon apple sauce and froze.  I think it's time to buy a freezer for the basement. I had so much fun!

Hot But Peaceful Morning

Last night we spent some time with our neighbors and had a good time.  I was just saying to Jim that I miss being with other couples.  We walked over to the neighbors and they were very gracious to spend time with us.  They just got home from vacation and I'm sure were very tired.  I hope we didn't stay too long.  We were just having a good time.  Today I am going to work on the Thrift Store coffee table.  After pics to follow.

Oh, The Things I am Learning

After living in the desert for two years with no rain, it has rained almost continuously for the past week.  When it's not raining, the mosquitos are fierce!  After trying everything in the medicine cabinet for itching, I discovered that a paste of baking soda and water works the best!  We also discovered last night that we may have fleas!  The dogs are on Frontline but we may have brought them into the house with the bargain carpets.  I read online that if you brush Borax into the carpet and vacuum it out several times it will kill the fleas.  Will give it a try before I call Terminex!  My final tip is that you can get rid of those fingerprints on Stainless Steel appliances with Liquid Gold.  Rub it on and buff it off.  Voila!  No fingerprints.  I was cleaning the cupboards with in and I read the can!  I guess I'm learning how to live in the country. 

Arts and Crafts

I forgot how much I love to do crafting!  I found the small oak stool at the thrift store and painted it with Milk Paint.  Then, it begged for a sunflower.  Then I painted the doggie steps to match and Jim carpeted it for me.  The wool rug, I hooked several years ago and finally have a home for it.  Michele and Ronnie are at the races so I crafted. 

There is No Such Thing As a Coincidence, Sunshine!

When Jim and I were first married, we went to an event on New Years Eve.  We seperately worked on Treasure Maps of the things we wanted in our lives.  We cut pics from magazines and pasted them on a large piece of cardboard.  Both of us had pics of a house with skylights.  Now we live in Ohio in a house with two skylights.  Coincidence?  I don't think so.  The first gift Jim ever gave me was a music box that played, "You Are My Sunshine".  Yesterday, when they pulled out the stove, they found a slate plaque that said, "You Are My Sunshine"!  I will leave that up to you to figure out.  Oh, by the way, when I was a child, my mother called me "Sunshine"!

Floors, Poaring Rain and Painting with Pat

This has been a mixed bag of a day.  The workmen came to lay vinyl on the kitchen, master bath, guest bath, and foyer floors.  While they were tearing up my pretty little house, my sister Pat and I painted on the screened porch.  It was hot but we stayed cool under a ceiling fan and painted.  While we were doing this, I had to contain 3 dogs and try to keep them away from the workmen.  This was a bit hectic but it went okay until the storm hit.  We gathered up our supplies and ran into the house, fast!  We tried to sit on the covered porch out front but the rain was so fierce that we were forced inside.  Pat painted a pretty vase of flowers and I worked on a barn painting.  I thought it was a lost but with Pat's direction, I improved it a bit.  I did learn a few things today.  I need to stop trying to paint a painting and start doing exercises again.  I painted a poppy on a scrape piece of paper and it was better than the barn. 

As soon as the floors are done, I can start getting ready for my 4th of July party which is on July 3rd.  I guess I should call it an Independence Day party!  It will be all about family, food and fun!  My life is finally getting back in order and I can focus on those things and people that are the most important to me. 

The main floor unpacking is almost done and it's starting to feel like home. I kept some of my country decor items when we moved to Las Vegas and I'm glad I did. After sitting in boxes for two years, I get to open the boxes and it's like Christmas. I would never part with the quilts I have made so now I can use them and hang them. Most of my decor is "recycled chic".

Charlie Had to Go to Doggie Hospital

Charlie is home and doing well.  He had to be sedated because he has separation anxiety.  Charlie had a stomach virus and had to get a fluid IV and an antibiotic but he seems to be doing well now.  He ate his rice and boiled chicken this morning and is back asleep.  We sure do love our furry babies.

Wildlife

My wildlife experience has been limited but Michele saw two deer and Jim saw one deer while 4 wheeling in our back 40 ft. I have seen a BlueJay, a Cardinal, several hummingbirds and lots of Robins in the trees around our porch. We are finally getting the bird feeders out. Oh, lots of mosquitos, spiders and flies. ..and a woodpecker that did not have a red head.  Oh and fish in the pond and lots of frogs.

Our new carpet is down and we ordered vinyl flooring yesterday.  We found a box of flooring squares in the basement and Jim "floored" the area under our kitchen sink. It was pretty bad with spills and now it is cleanable. There is always a project to do on our little homestead. Jim finished putting up lattace on the inside of our screened porch. The three dogs kept breaking through the screen to get at the cat! It looks really cute. He also put in the doggie door. Because we are raise a bit on the outside he has to build a ramp. We got a indoor/outdoor piece of carpet to carpet the ramp. Green to match the out of doors. Pics to follow.

Hidden Treasures

In my wanderings, I found a pristine pond with a deck.  Michele and I went 4 wheeling and I found so many photo opts that I have to go back again and again.  It was the best Mother-Daughter time I have had EVER!  Well, maybe the day she was born beats it.  There is a tree farm right behind our property and the pond sits in the middle of that farm.  So Beautiful. Now I have two ponds to love.