Cheep, cheep, cheep, cheep, cheeeeeeep!

I finished my chicken panels this evening. The little chick looked like it was wearing a hair shirt at first but I added some gouache and that helped a little (until I learn how to show fluff).

Today was an outstanding day here in northern California. Temperatures are about ten degrees above normal, into the low 70s. The dogs have been sunbathing out on the deck -- the boards are warm and they lay there like basking turtles or teeny boppers in their new swim suits. In and out, in and out, they love their new freedom of being able to wonder outdoors as often as they like.

70 degrees and counting

When the rain stopped, it really stopped. The sun has been shining for the last several days and each day has been a little bit warmer. The mustard is tall in the vineyards and the hills are luscious green. Early spring in northern California is gorgeous!

Beulie came back home and seems older somehow, a bit more mature. She's still energetic but suddenly more manageable. The baby is growing up. I took her to Juvenile Hall yesterday where she played nicely and then fell asleep while the boys were busy making valentines for their girlfriends (and moms and grandmas and sisters).

Bowling - Special Olympics style

Today was the long awaited bowling tournament for the Special Olympics groups in Northern California. Our youngest daughter participated and won the gold medal in her group. I tried to capture a few of the poses as the team played and then went on to set up my December calendar. I've gotten to the point where my little journal book goes everywhere with me so I can add a page or two while I'm waiting for something or observing a bit of life I don't want to forget.

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood

Greetings from the blue skies of northern California. After days of rain the air quality is pristine, there's a slight breeze and everything feels...well, pure. Steve and I took the three dogs for a walk and lunched with the tourists.

Last night I finished reading a wonderful little book, A LIFE IN HAND, by Hannah Hinchman on the art of the illuminated journal. I don't know why the publisher has allowed this book to go out of print but I was able to request it from our public library and read it in two evenings. I kept wanting to put it down and do some journaling and drawing of my own....which is what I did after we got home this afternoon. One of her suggestions is that, when you go for a walk, find something to bring home to draw. Such a simple idea...and it works. There are so many acorns on the ground this fall that we crunched in places while we walked.

And then, first thing after getting in the front door -- the dogs fell asleep and I added a page to my Moleskine.