Making memories....

I am sharing here some of the precious moments of my life.... although my younger son, Ben was in Florida with dad and Kate wasn't feeling her best and decided to stay in and cook us a wonderful meal...grin.... below are my other five children.... what a day and all started.....

Last night snow.....
Can't believe is true.....

Three missing four.... A dare to me....

( I was in my little shop)

A sweet invitation.....

An answer....

(( sure thing!!! *grin*))

Not sure if I should run...

Thankful for my wonderful handmade snow boots!

Some rather 4 wheeler...

others old-fashion sliding....

in a handmade one...

felling like 6 when already 22...

Still time to be a kid...

building up speed...

been silly...

Truly tasting the snow...

Herb garden covered...

My post card...

life is good because of Jesus and the special moments that are giving to me in each and everyday.

I love each of my children because they are all wonderfully made!

My farm....

Taking the time.....

Hello dear reader and friends,

I will start by telling you that I tried and tried to rotate this picture on my software and although it showed rotated, when I uploaded it was always side ways.... my choice was to delete or not, so I re sized larger (at least) in case you like to see the details.( just click on picture).

I started this picture about 2 weeks ago. I did 3 sketches and my second one the baby was darling . I was not able to capture the same feeling ,sigh, and made me think how much more practice I need.

Then when I decided to draw on my watercolor paper, I changed almost everything I had sketch.... it made me think back when I was in 4Th grade and my Portuguese teacher in language told me that I would probably be a writer because when ever she compared my sloppy copies with the final draft essays , it was like reading 2 complete different papers.

I was never able to do the same over and over .... it was boring to me!*grin*

Now , I am trying to discipline my self in many aspects on my watercolor practicing.

I have been spending about 20 to 30 minutes ( maximum) daily on this painting. Not only I want to let the paper dry completely before I add more colors and layers, I am also enjoying my time .

I am showing you some of my *props* . After I had draw I realized that I need to paint everyday around the same time so I can get the lighting right. I was tempted to paint last night,grin, however when I sat on my chair , I took a minute looking around and smiled to my self because I am also learning to be more patience! *grin*

I had a nice cup of tea instead and read a book for a little while!

Here you can see how adding the colors things start to change. This is real challenge for me and I am looking forward to see how it will turn up.... I know that I will either love it or hate it.... but again, when I look some of my early oil paints or dolls I want to laugh too, but all were part of my growth as an artist so I do have an appreciation for it.*grin*

Thank you for stopping by and if you feel comfortable , please leave me a comment... it is always such a *treat* to hear from *you*!!!*smiles*

Beautiful light!

God's Word, like a lamp, illuminates. It helps us discern spiritual danger so we can avoid it, and it points us in the right direction to take our lives. It lights the path we take through life
~Psalm 119:105


I have decided to try different paper in order to find the one that I love the most and it is most suitable for water colors. Right now I feel a little *lost* and I think is because I am learning something new. Yes, I have always painted but water color is a new medium to me and the freedom is not something that I feel comfortable yet.
When one uses oil paints a lot of *control* is given . I have never painted with oils that did not take a long time. layers and layers is what gives an oil paint its beauty....
Layers is also used on WC however in a much softer way and the colors must run and find its way.... so different.
I am trying to *let go*of the control thoughts and training that I am used to from the oils and let the colors from WC find its on life.
I think it will take time for me to improve but I am truly loving to spend the time with this new medium.
I have a new sketch and I am growing in love for it... grin... I know... sounds silly but is true.
The sketch is an image of an older child trying to give a little sister some medicine( or food) I am not sure yet...
Drawing objects is also not easy for me.... I never did before... it has always been people , animals , flowers , woods... never a ..... table!
I am using my own rooms as models and incorporating into my drawings ... I am looking forward to spring when my flower beds will start to bloom and I can then sit and sketch from there.
Well.... I will close with these pictures that I thought *more than once* in sharing or not, I really dislike my looks but I figure you would appreciate , like I do, to see what a beautiful lighting that comes from the window where I sit and although I have many other places to call *studio* , my favorite ones are this one and my rocking chair next to my warm 1920 Majestic Stove. *grin*

Difficult Studies

Inspiration

Have you ever wonder where or how some people are inspired? Well, my inspirations for everything that I do comes from the love from God to me, my family , my farm , animals... etc...
After homeschooling my children for 11 years , I now have a tutor. Her Name is Mrs. Laura and she has 2 wonderful children- Ruth Ann and Lydia.

For many years , my older children would help me with the younger ones. English is my second language . English and Math were always a struggled for me and I knew I was in *trouble* the moment that I taught Phonics for those in kindergarten because soon they would start correcting *me*!*grin*

But I did it and now , I am so blessed to have help. Laura and her children are now living in our farm just up the hill and the girls walk to our school house everyday with their momma, having lunch with us and at most of the days ... stay and play.
I already have many pictures of them with my own children. They are well behaved children in the Lord and it pleases me to see how nicely they play together and how much they enjoy the outside, just like my own children.

Here below you can see my daugther Gabriela and Lydia.... I love how they are happy with the simple things.... I had to *paint* this moment.....Can you tell?

Making homemade pretzels

There is nothing like homemade bread of any kind... won't you agree with me? *grin*
For 7 years now we mill organic wheat such as spelt and red wheat . We also have soft white for our pastries . This wheat are the best tasting wheat ever, not to mention - it is healthier !
When freshly milled the flour is warm and makes the best breads.
Today kate told me she wanted to make some pretzels . We used white flour instead and they turned up wonderful.
It is snowing ... a lovely day for us. We knew it would be snowing today so yesterday Mark placed hay bales for the animals and they all seems to be fine. *grin*
I will post some pictures later on.... there is something *very* special about the snow .... my children , of course, are the first ones to show the excitement.... they spent almost all day sliding on the snow ... grin... I love to see them entering our farm kitchen for a small break and seen their red cheeks and shine eyes .....
well..... Kate and I stayed in most of the day... I painted and work on a polar bear and only wish he was ready for pictures ... would had been perfect ,no? *grin*
Soon, we will have a our supper and then practice our marionette play.*grin*
This was a new recipe that I got online and we found surprisingly good.

The girls and I rather have our dough very soft because it produces the best breads!

Yum! I am counting my blessings today.... so many.....smiling...

Recipe:

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups warm (110 to 115 degrees F) water
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 package active dry yeast
22 ounces all-purpose flour, approximately 4 1/2 cups
2 ounces unsalted butter, melted
Vegetable oil, for pan
10 cups water
2/3 cup baking soda
1 large egg yolk beaten with 1 tablespoon water
Pretzel salt
Directions
Combine the water, sugar and kosher salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle the yeast on top. Allow to sit for 5 minutes or until the mixture begins to foam. Add the flour and butter and, using the dough hook attachment, mix on low speed until well combined. Change to medium speed and knead until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the side of the bowl, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the dough from the bowl, clean the bowl and then oil it well with vegetable oil. Return the dough to the bowl, cover with plastic wrap and sit in a warm place for approximately 50 to 55 minutes or until the dough has doubled in size.
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line 2 half-sheet pans with parchment paper and lightly brush with the vegetable oil. Set aside.
Bring the 10 cups of water and the baking soda to a rolling boil in an 8-quart saucepan or roasting pan.
In the meantime, turn the dough out onto a slightly oiled work surface and divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll out each piece of dough into a 24-inch rope. Make a U-shape with the rope, holding the ends of the rope, cross them over each other and press onto the bottom of the U in order to form the shape of a pretzel. Place onto the parchment-lined half sheet pan.
Place the pretzels into the boiling water, 1 by 1, for 30 seconds. Remove them from the water using a large flat spatula. Return to the half sheet pan, brush the top of each pretzel with the beaten egg yolk and water mixture and sprinkle with the pretzel salt. Bake until dark golden brown in color, approximately 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack for at least 5 minutes before serving.

Farm Table