"In Our Backyard"

I did this painting "en plein air" on Memorial Day. I had been reading about "en plein air" and I gave it a try. We stayed home that day, and set up our charcoal smoker/grill in the backyard. My husband got me that smoker/grill for Mother's Day. I marinated the chicken in Dale's sauce and water, and the salmon in sweet chili sauce. My husband took care of smoking them, while he watched the race and I painted. My stepdaughter watched the race, too and and helped her dad with the cooking. While waiting for my painting to dry, and the chicken to cook, we played catch with the frisbee. We had a moment of silence for all the veterans and fallen soldiers before we partook of our feast.

It was a lovely day. I was happy to be with my family and make some memories.

"Thank you, Lord, for the men and women who give their lives so that we can have freedom. Thank you, Lord for all your blessings, especially the love of family."

"Out of the Blue"

My neighbor and friend had flowers that looked (sort of) like these growing under her mailbox last month. I thought they were really pretty and they inspired this painting. My husband liked it. He said they were pretty. I'm so blessed to have a husband who's very supportive and encourages me to keep on painting. I'm doubly blessed because I've got a stepdaughter who's another great audience for my paintings. And so, I just keep on keeping on.

"Thank you, Lord, for the astounding beauty that surrounds us, and for the love and friendships we find in the people around us."

"One Sunflower"

I love sunflowers. I still have to learn to paint them well. When I started painting, I realized that God must be a painter. Whenever I see all the beautiful and colorful things around us, whether it's a flower, a petal, a cloud, a blade of grass...I am reminded of the lines of a poem I learned in childhood, "All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small... each little flower that opens, each little bird that sings...He made their glowing colors, He made their tiny wings..." God made them all, and Oh, how beautifully He made them.

"Thank you, dear Lord, for all your wonderful creations, ...for painting every thing just perfect."

Still I tried to paint me a sunflower. One sunflower. I like it. I hope you like it, too. Before the merry month of May ends, I want to wish all the birthday celebrants this month, Happy Birthday!

"Lighthouse In Gloucester, MA"

We went whale-watching in Gloucester last year. What a great time we had. We had taken a lot of pictures and one of them was of this lighthouse. It's not an exact replica especially since I messed up with the top part of the lighthouse. I know, I can't believe it either. I did have fun painting it, though, and my husband says that the orange things on the water are lobster traps, just in case you were also wondering.


"Thank you, Lord, for the moments of love we share with our families, friends and loved ones. The moments that turn into memories we cherish forever in our hearts."