Several of my friends asked why I decided to do a blog. I thought it would be a good tool to share my thoughts and ideas; a place where my watercolors could inspire, and bring encouragement and joy to others.

Today I'm working on a watercolor of a bluebird. Below is a previous painting I had done, but was not pleased with the background. I've decided to try a different approach. I'll post the new painting in my next blog entry.

 Good morning and welcome! 

It has been quite sometime since I have blogged. I have been pretty busy. Now that I have all of my home projects completed, and hip replacement surgery out of the way, I can get back to what I love; painting. 

Here are three of my latest watercolors: Hope, Faith and Trust. Faith to Move Mountains was an experiment that came out very nice. All three are off to the copyright office. I'm in the process of finding someone to professionally scan them but haven't had any luck yet.

Hi Friends!
I have been a subscriber of Stampington & Company for quite some time. I love their magazines, they are packed with incredible information, awesome photos, and great articles plus much more! I subscribe to Where Women Create Business, have purchased numerous copies of Where Women Created and Artful Blogging as well. The other day my husband and I made a trip to Barns and Noble. While my husband was looking for some particular crossword books I dove into the magazine rack to see what was new. There I saw a fairly new Stampington magazine "Bella Grace." I was so enthralled with the articles and little snippets of wisdom that I bought the magazine. After soaking it in from cover to cover I decided to subscribe to Bella Grace! What a fabulous magazine! Yes its expensive, but it is so worth the price, there are no advertisements, but packed with a wealth of powerful information and wisdom. I highly recommend it!
Another item of interest was an article in Bella Grace to take a photo a day and here is today's. A picture of my flower garden, the flowers are not out yet so its not very pretty, but hopefully soon it will be bursting with color.

Whoever said retirement was the golden years must have been a tad off their rocker! It certainly hasn't been golden for me–I feel like I'm falling apart one joint at a time. I've had both knees replaced and now its working its way up to my hips with a replacement in February. My shoulders are already grinding and they will be next. By the time I'm through replacing these I'll be the bionic woman! I've been pretty active most of my life, but none of that seems to matter when it comes to your joints. I take OsteoBiFlex also, but that doesn't seem help much at all. So much for retirement living! However, I will not let it get me down, we still travel and enjoy being active even if it hurts to do it (haha).

On a happier note I'm still painting and enjoying that too. I have a couple of paintings I'm currently working on, when finished, I plan on getting giclees made for gift-giving. The bluebird next here is one I just finished.

Some good friends and us went out to eat at a place in Maryville called the Walnut Kitchen. What a fabulous place to eat. The food is definitely five star! Its worth every penny! I had the fillet with scallops and sweet potato patties, My husband had Ribeye Steak, with veggies and our friends had fillet pasta. Best meal we've ever had I highly recommend The Walnut Kitchen!

Went to Chattanooga last month, the weather was rainy but it didn't stop us from enjoying some wonderful dinning or small shop browsing. Stayed at the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel which was in the process of being renovated but it was warm, and comfortable! We did not get to go to the Aquarium but will the next time we visit. I hear its very nice.

What a beautiful day! Its raining which is very much needed after a hot humid summer here in Tennessee. Our lawn seems to be coming back from crispy burned grass to a little greener grass. In a few weeks we will be adding topsoil and new seed which we hope will take root and fill in all the areas that have burned completely out.

On a brighter note, in July I had the opportunity to read and review "Embracing Trust" by Joanna Weaver. Now I'm taking my time and rereading it. This book is so power packed with wisdom and growth potential in the Lord, its amazing! I am savoring it all. If you have the opportunity to pick up a copy of this book you will not be disappointed! I have read Joanna's other books which are also outstanding! Those include: Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World: Finding intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life, Having a Mary Spirit: Allowing God to Change You from the Inside Out, Lazarus Awakening: Finding Your Place in the Heart of God, and devotionals. Check them out at your local Christian book store or on Amazon. You won't be disappointed.

 Good morning blogger friends!

I have been so busy with paintings, and decorating our new home that I totally forgot about blogging my activities this past year, not to mention the recovery from the Covid devastation.

I had fun decorating, I've done lake blue accents and theme throughout the house, it really looks nice. I'll drop some pictures in of the house in a later blog, hopefully next week. Here are a two of the five paintings I've completed and given away to a friend and a couple of lovely ladies in our Bible study. 

 Hello Blogger Friends!

We moved into our new home on July 17, 2021! I never thought this would happen but here we are, and all unpacked, furniture in place and finally growing a new lawn and getting our landscaping finished up. At least we thought, the army worms moved in and devoured our new lawn! They totally wiped it out! So we made a bee line to Home Depot and got some bug killer, and spread it all over the lawn, then watered it  in. No more army worms! Put down some new soil, spread bug killer on it, waited a week then planted new grass seed. New lawn! YAY!

We had some serious drainage issues crop up during some heavy duty thunderstorms in September which flooded our new neighbors back yard and basement. It was like pulling teeth to get the builder back here to fix it. After two months of much complaining to the POA, the builder finally took care of the problem when the POA refused to give them anymore permits. UGH! 

My studio is finally up and running. It was the last room to be setup. Now I can work on a new series of watercolors that I've been wanting to do. These include experiments in painting sea glass. I also have some ideas for some lake shots. As I complete them they will be posted here. Its taking me some time to explore these areas so be patient, you'll see them start showing up in a few weeks, as least that's my hope. I'm having a rough time getting motivated to paint. I hate creative block its frustrating! Oh well it will pass.

Tennessee is a beautiful state, there are several man-made lakes to enjoy as well as the Great Smokey Mountains! 

I am enjoying my retirement!

Merry Christmas to all and a blessed and happy New Year! Until next time!

Sam