Right now.........................

 The weather is cooling off a bit, especially at night, and the sky is a distinctly fall shade of brilliant blue. Dan harvested all of our key limes so I am busy making cakes, cookies, curds, and juice to freeze.

A walk around the yard reveals lots of hibiscus, ixora, azaleas (this plant is totally crazy blooming this time of year but it is on the north side of our house and right up next to it so I think it stays fairly damp there and as cool as possible here), and finally shell ginger.
I am playing with some ideas and inspirations that I got at the Florida Watercolor Society convention last week.
I have paintings in exhibits at the Vero Beach Museum of Art and at the Vero Beach library.
I am painting holiday cards - some for me and some to sell on etsy - got any special requests?
I just discovered Cynthia Harrod-Eagles and her Bill Slider mysteries - looks like some great reading for this winter.
I bought tickets for a Chris Botti concert - not until April but I am excited!
I am almost finished with a wall quilt with fabric stones - photo to come.
I am over half way done with my Jane Austen Margaret Dashwood shawl - I know I know - I am a really really slow knitter but I do enjoy it - with football season here, I will knit more while watching the games.
I made a big pot of bean soup on Sunday and we will be having leftovers of it tonight with a baguette from Fresh Market - yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!
Hope you are having a fun fall - this is truly my favorite time of year!
Chris

It's me Hana

did you see me on Facebook today???????????????????????I was this week's belly-rub Hill's pet of the week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! that's Hill's Science Diet - my favorite except for my total obsession = tuna from the can whenever my mommy has a tuna sandwich for lunch = it doesn't matter where I am sleeping, I come running...............................ut oh here comes mommy - I'm off for a napzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Home again

I have returned from my trips to Sanibel and to Orlando for the Florida Watercolor Society convention. Had some great times!!!!! I stayed at the Doubletree Hilton right across from Universal (the convention was in the hotel) and had the coolest room - 11th floor facing west towards Universal - the lights on the rides at night were sparkling, the fireworks pretty cool, and I was fascinated to watch the smoke from the Hogwarts Express move through the park. I did some quick sketches of the "towns" at Universal - wish I had taken my camera but oh well........................
I came back with lots of ideas and inspiration - the only things I purchased were a watercolor sketchbook and a package of watercolor cards and envelopes - I plan to paint a lot of hand-painted cards to sell on etsy and here in town.

Some of the people at the convention - LOL!!!! I was practicing sketching children like those in vintage story books.

Speaking of selling, I am continuing to destash and am selling some of the watercolor instructional dvd's that I have purchased in the last 3 years - Susan Harrison-Tustain, Sue Archer, Arleta Pech, and Don Andrews. Also some Trollbeads and a few other items - Ebay seller - mcaground
Now back to the studio for some sketching and painting.
Hope you are having a super day,
Chris

A little trip to the West Coast (of Florida that is!)

Just chillin - a little beach, a little (no a large) cold drink, a bit of Doc Ford, some shelling

Good times!

Chris

Sketchbook peaks

 a little painting of tulips on our table

for the September Sketchbook challenge - pattern

my passion for beautiful pots

Hope you are having a wonderful Labor Day!

Chris