A long time coming . . .

Have you ever had something exciting take place in your life that you totally forgot to share? I did just that. Four exceptional friends of mine believed in me, enough so, that they were willing to sponsor the cost of printing my snowman series of watercolors into greeting cards. I was so overwhelmed with their generosity and kindness and thrilled too.

The process was a long one and I finally received the cards, all 1600 of them, three days before Christmas. It didn't leave me too much time to sell them for Christmas but I did have some sales throughout the winter months and that was a real blessing. What I forgot to do was share the photos with you of the cards so here they are. And if you would like to purchase any, you can find them on my website: www.whiteoakstudioandgallery.com. A portion of the proceeds helps feed and clothe orphaned children.

Its the first day of summer, Friday, and its a beautiful morning here in Karns City. I love mornings like this; I make myself a cup of coffee and head out on our porch to have my time with the Lord and read His word. Its where I tell Him everything going on in my heart. I like to start my day off right, also right with God.

This afternoon I will be headed up north to Edinboro, PA to bus the soccer referees to each of the playoff games. I'm excited about this. I've never been to the University of PA in Edinboro and I'm looking forward to watching some of the games as well as get some reading in. I will fill you in when I return home Sunday night. Have a great weekend all!

Good Saturday morning to you! I was up bright and early, got coffee made and a blueberry bagel for breakfast. Daryl enjoyed a french toast bagel. Yummy!

After breakfast and a second cup of coffee I went out to the garden area and planted our veggies. We are still sticking to a small garden so that we have time for some summer fun. We did add two new items this summer and eliminated two. I put in Better Boy Tomatos, King Arthur Peppers, zucchini, summer squash, red leaf lettuce, and green beans. I also planted some basil and Italian oregano in separate pots. We'll see how it does. This is my second year at this and I'm hoping it does better than last year. Although we got a good crop of better boys and green peppers the rest of the veggies didn't do well at all; weather played a big roll in that too as it was hot and dry conditions. Looks like it will be a better year for veggies at least I'm hopeful.

Also want to introduce to you the Allium Schubertii: Ornamental Onion that looks like fireworks. My friend Colleen gave me two bulbs last fall which I planted one in the small garden by our side porch and the second bulb I planted on the opposite side of the house. I was shocked when it had blossomed. Here is a picture of it. It is an amazing flower! As my friend said "it looks like a fairy's wand." Yup it does but more so like exploding fireworks. I absolutely love them. We have a friend we like to give joke gifts at Christmas and it is my understanding that these blossoms will remain like this when it dries. So guess what our friend is getting for Christmas, yup a fairy wand! Thanks Colleen for my bulbs I love them!

We topped our day off with several games of "Agravation" with friends, needless to say I didn't win any of those games   :(    oh well next time!

The weekend started off with a Friday morning breakfast with my good friend Colleen. I got to actually see the new book she designed featuring her graphic design business, 45 Degree Design. She is a phenomenal graphic artist and the quality of her work speaks for itself. We had a great time and a delicious breakfast at Michael's.

After that I did my errands about town then met my friend Val for lunch at Monroe Hotel and had another wonderful meal, making two in one day . . . trust me my chicken wrap was low in calories but not in taste. We took our time had a great visit then traveled off to Lowe's to check out flowering hanging baskets. I left with a beautiful pink and white fuchsia that the hummingbirds will love too. I also picked up a coconut lined metal hanging basket to fill sometime next weekend and mealworms for my bluebirds. Friday night was a nice quiet evening at home. After dinner I read for awhile and relaxed. 

We got up early Saturday morning to get to the Farm Market for fresh Amish Donuts--YUM! Daryl and I stood in line for about 30 minutes and carried away a dozen and a half hot glazed donuts. We hurried home to have a donut with a freshly brewed cup of coffee--ahhh satisfied customers!

Saturday night we had pizza with friends and played some cards including penny-ante poker and skunk your neighbor. It wasn't my night to win :(  but I had fun and that's what counts.


Today we decided to sleep in, of course for me sleeping in is until 6 a.m., I put on coffee to brew, fixed a cup of Millstone Breakfast blend in my Keurig and went out on the porch to enjoy it and watch the hummingbirds get their first brew of sugar water. I mixed a quick recipe for Jewish Coffeecake put it in the oven to bake, fixed myself another cup of coffee and back out on the porch. Next time I'll post a picture of those delicious Amish donuts. Yup its been a nice weekend! Back to work tomorrow. See you next weekend!

Hello Friends!

What a joyful day I had today. I found out that I didn't have to drive bus today that a mistake had been made that worked out for my benefit. So my friend Barb came down from Shippenville today for a visit and we took a trip to the new Whole Foods in Wexford. We had a blast. I had been to the store before with my friend Colleen, but this was Barb's first time here. We stopped at Olive Garden on the way home for lunch, had their soup, salad & bread stick special--it was yummy!

After Barb left I made an apple cinnamon coffee cake for dessert for our company. Daryl's sister Beth and her boyfriend Ted came for dinner, burgers on the grill, chips and dessert. We hadn't seen them for quite some time and had a really nice visit. Ended up going to bed around 10, just couldn't keep my eyes open any longer.

My friend Dale just returned from Thailand with some phenomenal photos. There were two that interested me in particular of her petting a beautiful adult tiger. Dale was willing to share them so I could use them to do a couple of paintings. So be looking here in the near future, you may see them posted before mid summer.

That's all folks!
Check back next Saturday morning to see what's happening at the studio.

It was tricky driving today, snow, sleet, and freezing rain was the weather menu . . . I prefer ice skating on a pond not on the road in my bus!

My website is now officially up and running and open for business. I am so excited. It was easy choosing the design and putting all the little tweaks in but writing the copy was a little more difficult, I'm rustier than I thought! I hope you will take the time to visit my website and let me know what you think of it.

www.whiteoakstudioandgallery.com

I also have a new painting to share with you, it is a tufted titmouse. Thanks for your friendship and support!
Enjoy!

Merry Christmas Everyone! What a beautiful day, we are so blessed!

Last night we were invited to a good friends home to celebrate and enjoy some wonderful company, fabulous food and have an all-around great time. And that we did . . . thank you Carol & George for your hospitality and generosity, but most of all your friendship!

The menu included lasagna, beef brisket (Carol's mom made), oyster stew, baked potatoes and sweet potatoes, egg roll type dumplings (very delicious!), cheeses, spreads & dips of all kinds, shrimp, crackers and of course excellent deserts: Monkey bread, and cookies galore! What a spread!

One thing I regret is not having my camera for some great pictures to share of all the fun and laughter.

Blessings to all!