Sketching, Wood Burning, Fishing and Another Sunset

I think I may have mentioned the other day that I fell hard on my tail bone on the beach. It really hurt, but I thought I was probably lucky to fall on sand rather than on hard ground. Each day it has gotten a bit worse and last night I didn't sleep well because every time I moved it hurt.

Needless to say, I only did about an hour in the gym this morning and didn't push myself too hard. I do think movement and getting the blood moving is good for an injury like this.

It was so foggy this morning I couldn't see the ocean at all and on the other side of the building I couldn't see across the street, but the sun has burned it off by now so when the hubster returns from the gym, we will do a slow walk before getting ready to head out for the day.

We are planning a visit to Fort Pickens and then lunch at Pegleg's. My sister and her husband took us to Fort Pickens last year and we loved it. They may go with us today. They haven't eaten at Pegleg's so it will be new for all of us.

We went to Michael's yesterday and the hubster found some oil colored pencils and colored his wood burning signs. They are spectacular:

Don't you just love these?

I'd really like to try some wood burning, but I'd like to try it with my own art and I think when I get home that is just what I am going to do.

Meanwhile I did get a quick sketch done again yesterday. It is a mill scene in the wood burning book that I tried to capture.

While we were walking the beach yesterday evening I happened upon this cute scene. I like to think it was a pelican giving a seagull a fishing lesson. Actually I think it was a pelican fishing and a seagull hanging around to see if anything would be dropped.

And here is the pelican enjoying the fruits of his labor:

Finally, here is last evening's sunset:

Also while walking yesterday the hubster and I found the fourth small sand dollar so now I have one for each of my little girls. I called my son yesterday and talked with Miss 7. She was just reading the letter I sent her and opening the Valentine's card that Papa sent. I talked to my son to find out that the last doctor appointment before next Wednesday's due date is tomorrow and all appears to be right on schedule. I am so looking forward to meeting this newest member of my girl tribe.

I talked with Little Miss 3 four times yesterday. The first time I called her Mom and then talked to her. She almost broke my heart because the first thing she said was, "Can I come to your house today, Nana?" She promised to have lots of hugs and kisses for me when we return. Later in the day my cell rang and it was her again. We talked for a little bit and then I lost the connection. She called right back and talked to both of us. When the phone rang again and it was her again, I asked to speak to her Mom because I thought she was playing with the phone. My daughter is working on numbers with her and by the third call, she remembered the number herself and didn't need any help.

I did find out that the weather has been above freezing at home and is expected to be in the 40s and may even reach 50 this week. The snow is melting fast and my kids and their kids are thinking Spring.

Hope you are well and warm,

xoxo

WoodBurning, Sketching, Baby Shower and More

The hubster has been playing with wood burning for about a week and is getting quite good at it. I love the smell of the burnt wood when he brings it in to show me. I want to try to paint some of them so he made me a practice piece. I have put a layer of Acrylic Glazing Liquid on it (I don't have any GAC 100) which I think will act like a primer. Once I get a second layer on it and allow it to dry I am going to try using acrylic paint to see how it looks in color.

They don't really need paint, but I thought it might be fun to try it. Here is the one he brought in yesterday.

I am so jealous. I want to try to transfer one of my original sketches to wood and burn it to see how I like it. And perhaps I will. Stay tuned.

For now I just attempted a quick sketch of this scene.

It would appear I still need to work on perspective and relative sizes.

We had a very busy weekend. The hubster's sister came over on Saturday morning and she and I went to the baby shower. This may have been the best baby shower I've ever attended. Her family were the hostesses and her aunt's house had a huge kitchen/dining area with a long rectangular table that seated about 16 people quite well and there was a large island in the kitchen that seated the overflow. Her family is warm and friendly and I felt sincerely welcome.

There were about 30 adults and 6 or 7 little girls and except for a few minor skirmishes (among the little girls, of course) it was a lovely, peaceful afternoon. My daughter and her two little girls were there and my son's little girl was there and another sister-in-law was there. She drove over from Ann Arbor and it was lovely to see her. The mother received oodles of lovely gifts and looks exceptionally cute at 8+ months pregnant. 

Afterward, we went back to my house where the hubster made dinner while his sister and I played on the computer and visited. She brought her laptop with her so I could do some troubleshooting for her. We had a lovely evening visiting and watching tennis.

On Sunday morning, the hubster made coffee and breakfast and then after his sister left for home, I took Miss 8 and Miss 7 1/2 out for lunch. We had a lovely time. The girls colored pictures while waiting for their food and when we told the waitress that we were celebrating Miss 8's birthday, she brought out a large piece of chocolate cake with three spoons. I can't have cake so the little girls worked on it a bit. 

After doing a transfer of girls to my son I stopped at the grocery store to pick up some odds and ends and then made a quick stop at my daughter's house for a little bit more holding and hugging of Little Miss 3. She felt a bit left out when she didn't get to go out to lunch with the big girls.

When I got home I was really tired so I took a nap on the couch while the hubster was watching a football game. I found that a football game is practically as good as a baseball game for taking a nap. The hubster made dinner - brown rice with black beans and fried eggs over top - yummy!! I was supposed to do dishes, but got interested in the tennis matches so they are still in the sink even as I type this. I am going to have do the dishes before I go to my friend's house this morning for our book binding learning/teaching get together.

I am getting ready for the day packing up some book binding supplies and eagerly looking forward to this. Nancy and I always have a great time when we get together and there is bound (pun intended) to be a great deal of laughter as well as some really nice books being made today. I will share with you tomorrow.

For now, I'd better get the dishes done and have a bite of breakfast before showering and packing the car for my day's adventure.

I hope to see you tomorrow.......

xoxo