What to do....what to do!!!

What have I been doing lately? NOT hiking! I sure miss my hikes in the woods and along the Rainbow River but it's just been too hot to hike! High 90s during the day and it doesn't cool off a whole lot at night....mid to high 70s! I'm sure I'll find a cool morning soon and hit the trails but in the meantime...there's lots to do inside!

Reading....

Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger

If you only have time to read ONE book this summer! Read this one! It is amazing! You'll never forget it!

And I saw Eileen's review on Fool Me Once by Harlan Coben on Goodreads and just had to read it. 

And it was GOOD! Can't put it down, want to stay up late at night reading....GOOD!!!

Card making...

I made several quick and easy cards to give to the Hospice patients at the Legacy House. Always feels good to have something to give and put on their bulletin boards. Cheers the room up!

Watercolors and sketching...

Not sure I'm getting any better but I'm still loving it.

And Cleaning... Time to clean out the big walk-in closet.

Wait!!! no photo? I forgot to take a pic? Or did I forget to clean! hahahaha! Like to venture a guess?!!!

Have a wonderful week! If it ever cools down or rains, I'll HIKE but for now, I'll enjoy being at home!

 

What have you been up to this week?

I’m joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE .

 

 

"Grandma Gatewood's Walk"

I'll begin with a quote from Grandma Gatewood's Walk, " I want to see what's on the other side of the hill and then what's beyond that."  

Grandma Gatewood's Walk by Ben Montgomery is a fantastic book to read whether you are a 'hikeaholic' like me or not! Just to read about a woman that at the age of 67 took off on an adventure is exciting from start to finish.  I keep my book list in my journal (and another one on Goodreads) and I save the highest rating for the best books I've read. This one gets the very highest. I've read a lot of good books this year but so far only 2 have received ALL the stars! (the other one is The Kingdom of the Blind by Louise Penny)

In 1955 this amazing woman hiked the Appalachian Trail....at age 67! She kept a diary and the author was able to share a lot of what happened to her along the way. She went on to hike it again...and again...3 times total, along with other famous trails. It is a story of strength and courage and one I think anyone would be inspired by.

I'm very thankful for good books and public libraries.

Have you read a good book lately? Do you think I would like it?

I'm still practicing my 'art' too! I sketched and then painted this little bunny with watercolors. Have a blessed week!

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays .

Multiple Choice.... Take the test!

I've always heard this was the easiest test. So here goes. 

In the past one month....

1. I've become a talented singer and musician.

2. I've become a world famous artist.

3. I've received the 'best housekeeping' award.

4. I've become proficient at watercolor markers.

5. None of the above.

Well, I told you it would be an easy test! The answer will appear at the bottom of this post if I can remember by then to include it! lol

I'm still enjoying my hikes! If you'll remember I had to face the fact that I couldn't go EVERY day! lol I tried but I was just too tired to do all the other things I wanted to do. And of course I needed to concentrate on becoming a world famous artist before I reach the age of 70. 

 My fav so far is Piglet! I sketched him in with pencil, then went over that with a pen. I drew a 'honey' pot and some flowers. Then I decided he needed a bouquet of flowers, so I sketched, colored, cut and glued them on! The butterfly is cut out too and has a little foam sticky on the back to set it off the page.

And oh the fun I'm having with watercolors! I've even ordered a small set of 'real' watercolors and can't wait to try them out. I'm using markers and then a brush with water to spread the color. And I'm learning every day. I've always taught myself to do things over the years. I taught myself to knit and crochet and COOK! lol 

 Pooh has more color than I wanted but I'm learning! His honey pot and honey and also the bees are cut out and adhered with a little foam backed sticky.

So I'm just experimenting with the ideas that keep coming up in my head. I am sketching...which I've never done before! And then adding color. With what I'm doing, I don't think it needs to be perfect to be fun. And I like the results.

So if you guess 5. None of the above...you would be right on!

But if I could add another number it would be 

6. I'm having FUN! And that would sum it up for the whole year.

Have you been doing any kind of arts and crafts? It keeps life interesting! 

 A. Now where's that mop and broom! 

OR 

B. What's on the 'drawing board' now? 

 

I’m joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE 

and Amaze me Monday HERE. 

 

Milkshakes, butterflies and the letter R!

One of the wonderful things about living in Florida is the fresh produce! We have an abundance of fruits and veggies grown right here so it's nice to buy things in season. 

 Strawberry season begins in February and it's going strong now. The strawberries are sweet and delicious and reasonably priced. Time to make hubby some milkshakes! He actually needs to gain weight so these are perfect for his diet. I can't eat sugar but I can enjoy some of the strawberries in cottage cheese. I know it's not fair...but what can we do? lol

Imagine my surprise when I pried the lid off the brand new box of ice cream and saw the letter R carved into the top layer of creamy Vanilla! Hhhhmmmm....somebody has been in the box and if they didn't want to be 'found out' they should have carved another letter...like W...for Wendy! hahaha!

I am also very thankful for my friends! Blog friends are the BEST! And I've gotten several cards lately. 

 I won't try to name everyone....but please know that they have been very appreciated !

This one came from my blog friend and penpal in the Phillipines. A hint...her name is the same as mine. We always say we are namemates! She has been a loyal friend for years now!

 And here's what's on my drawing board...or painting board! 

 I'm having such fun with the Tombow watercolor markers! 

Lots to give thanks for this week! How about you?

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays 

and Cooking and Crafting with J&J HERE.