Cloudy with a Chance Viewing of a Dock

Here's a pic of the painting I worked on for Dr. Don's Christmas gift. It's been done since Thanksgiving, but I am so unreliable when it comes to photographing my work. Don made a custom frame for it and graciously took pics of it so I could share with you all. The image is from a June day at Trout Lake, right as a storm front was moving out.

The painting is on a 30"x40" stretched canvas. I had a little trouble finding a store that carried that size of canvas over in this part of the U.P., so my lovely Utrecht art supply online site had it at shipped it at a great price. It even arrived in about 2 days (awesome, I know). Surprisingly, this piece only took about a week and a half to do with lots of Daddy and Baby time to help Mommy finish.

Now if only I could give the same energy and attention to a little 'ol 14"x18" lighthouse painting. Ten more of these bad-boy lighthouse paintings, and I am taking a serious break and focusing on organic landscapes!

Please Ignore the Smell, It's just me, the Abominable Snow-Removal-Woman

It's official, I caved. I have officially used the man machine (a.k.a. the snow blower). Who knew a loud, smelly, rumbly machine could become a necessary tool of the snow removal trade.

I was whining about wet snow yesterday and hoping for light, fluffy snow today. Well, I got my wish in the form of about 6-8 inches. Man, I need to be more specific. Surprising fact is, the powder type is not so much fun to remove when you get a bunch of it, and you're already aching from the previous day's encounter.

Bits and I geared up and removed our normal duty area: steps, sidewalk, and parking square. The mounds where I throw my scoops of snow are gaining in such height that I now have to lift the snow shovel above shoulder height to discard. Not cool , not cool.

Mike has to finish grading exams and getting grades in today, leaving an undetermined time when he'll be home. Normally, I say, "Husband, the driveway and area in front of the garage is your responsibility," but my care for him won over. Seeing all that needed to still be done, and knowing how tired he probably already is, I grabbed the funny red key, read the directions carefully, and took "Spitter" for a walk.

The snow blower was very handy, sped up the removal time, and saved some wear and tear on this old lady's muscles. Although I could do without the smell of exhaust in my hair and clothes, I think I may just make another date with "Spitter" and can see this turning into a beautiful friendship.

I'd Rather be Sitting Outside Staring at the Sky

We received some snow yesterday evening and today. I can't remember how many days we went without a fresh falling of snow, but it just didn't seem right, living in the U.P. and all. I'm somewhat glad to see it return. I went outside with Bits bundled and tackled another bout of shoveling. Have I mentioned that I loathe (deeply loathe) wet, heavy snow. My arms hurt, back aches, and wrists are sore over shoveling only a few inches. Here's hoping the weather goes back to the cold, light stuff and makes my job somewhat easier. I have been quoted as not really minding shoveling, and actually appreciating it for the exercise it gives me, but I'll have to eat my shovel if this heavy mix keeps up.

The lighthouse paintings are back on track, but are at that frustrating, getting into the groove of the painting point.

I had a couple blue sky photos hidden in my back pocket from last week, so that's what I give to you all.

Zamboni for Dinner

Syl's Cafe only takes cash and checks . It's that kind of place where their customers know to bring money and out of towners better use the ATM down the street. But that's ok, that's one of the things that makes this place great. It is what it is: a diner, a cafe, dare say, a greasy spoon. The decor is mismatched from different eras and the seating is nothing fancy, but I'm getting to the good part. The food is great, the prices are more than fair, and they actually sell you bakery items to go, I'm talking cookies here, people, after your tummy is too full to eat more. Bit's kids meal came in a Zamboni machine paper box. My pasty was the largest I had yet seen, and Mike's burger was his main thought for the day. The sliced pickles garnish were actually good tasting pickles and the waitress was set to make sure Mike's coffee kept on coming. Mike loves this place and as I finish my reheated leftovers here at home, I think I may just like it a little too much too.

*Syls' Cafe is located in Ontonogan, close by after you have finished hiking near Lake of the Clouds in the Porkies.

Say What?---You're Supposed to wear Skis on Cross Country Ski Trails---Who Knew?

Normally I don't post so late and normally I don't post twice in the same day, but I'm going to break the rules, just this once, because today was too much fun to squeeze into one entry.

We all woke up at a decent time and left home by noon (a real accomplishment for this extremely unfashionably late clan). We debated over Presque Isle or Silver City, having already turned to go to the former, we U-turned and headed to Silver City.

I have what is becoming an obsession for blue skies, but today was definitely not a blue sky day. It was a full overcast shroud of gray which worked in our favor when we made it to the Big Lake. I cannot recall ever embracing the beauty of birch trees, like I had today. Instead of a bright sun washing out their small bits of color, the blueish gray sky complemented the hints of peach in their bark, and I could not love them more.

We ventured to a short trail (about a mile) that was groomed (as I later found out for cross country skiers) and perfect for hiking and pulling a sled. Whether or not our winter boot tracks were ok on this path, I'm not sure, but we sure enjoyed our hike nonetheless. We traveled up the snowy, icy beach and took time to listen to the waves crashing against the ice buildup and the trees creaking in the slight wind.

The temp was warm enough to pack down the snow, and melt some ice. Water drops ran under icy sheets on boulders. It instantly reminded me of the colored water and oil plexi cylinders that would drip into each other through a slotted center panel. Thin layers also covered the piled up rocks and with the melting, rounded edges peeked out of their egg like shells. Bits sure loves his hikes and eagerly cautions us with "more ice there".

No gloves were lost on this trail today and we headed for a dinner at Mike's cafe of choice.

*disclaimer: Please don't mind the plenitude of photos. This was one of my favorite winter days, and I wanted to share as much of what I was lucky to see with all of you. Also, the face Bits is making in the photo with me is his smiling face when he poses for a photo, he did not just growl.

The Door Knob is Rusty but Still Turns

This is what I have in my inventory: Two black gessoed 18"x24" stretched canvases, two 18"x24" white gessoed stretched canvases, two 18"x24" canvas boards (why that size-not quite sure), and two 14"x16" canvas boards. What I need: a few 16"x20" stretched canvases, and a good number of 12"x16" canvas boards. I went to Ben Franklins, yes we have a Ben Franklins, and sadly was disappointed by the art material supplies available.

It is time to get back on the lighthouse painting horse and compile, hopefully, ten more before my next show in June. Ten paintings in 16 weeks, entirely possible, but I do always underestimate the actual time needed to complete a painting; and let's not even mention making ten frames. I think I need to once again hit up my online art supply source and start getting into the groove. I'll keep you all posted on progress and throw in some pics of your favorite Bacon Bits to keep you all happy.

*disclaimer: This is a random reference photo I took in Grand Haven a year or so ago and would love, love, love to do a painting of, but alas, it must wait 'til all the lighthouses on my list are done, or I need a fun painting diversion...which ever comes first.

Tree Confections

Yesterday the sun was out and the sky was clear. The sun warmed up the snow and melted the snowmans' features, but the air was cold enough to leave frost on the far tips of the trees, looking like the trees had been dipped in coarse sugar.

Bits and I had to venture to the Post Office yet again and of course driving is always so troublesome when I just want to be staring up and out at the sky. I've been getting better at remembering my camera when I go out, so after our errands were done, we took not one, but two drives around the lake. I snapped a few more pics of blue skies.

If you know me and know my lighthouse and beachscape art you know I have a soft spot for a nice bright blue sky. Today we have even more places to run and shop and that means a drive all the way into Ironwood. Looks to be another beautiful day, cross your fingers I don't drive off the road while enjoying the view.

Parting Clouds bring the Bright Sun

Here's some blue skies on a day of hearing more sad news from Haiti. Look to God to rest your soul and comfort your spirit.

Psalm 34:18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Greetings from the U.P.

I am very excited to introduce to you: Mr.and Mrs. Port Lee. They have come for a visit and are very welcome to be here, unfortunately, we don't know for how long.

Mike and I created these plump forms while Bits was napping and then had him help with the features when he woke up. The whole creation was something in itself. The top two inches of snow had warmed up just enough to be packable, the foot or more underneath, not so much. We used snow shovels to scoop big mounds together, and I put a little of my sculpture experience to carve into the piles and add where necessary (that part of my education proved well worth it, don't you think?). It's quite difficult to build up in height when you're piling up somewhat uncooperative snow.

Mr. Port Lee ended up a little more stout than planned, but like Mike said, "We need to represent all body types of snowmen. Even portly snowmen can wear ties."

When we moved onto Mrs. Port Le-ettea, the goal was to make her taller and skinnier. Instead we ended up with a gal with quite a ba-dunk-a-dunk and appearing to be ready to have twins. Oh well, I giggle every time (and I really do mean every time) I see them. Our neighbor kindly said, "They're different. They don't look like regular snowmen."

If the weather could give us one more warming up day, we could add a Little Port Lee.

Even Driftwood needs to be Organized

We have been blessed by incredibly warm days. I'm talking temps in the mid to high 30s here, people. I have to brace myself, because I'm sure there's going to be a frigid slap in the face of snow coming. Until then, we're making the most of the weather. I always find myself more artistically productive and type A intense when the weather is so friendly. Here's pics of my newest driftwood piece along with more of my blue U.P. skies.

We took a walk in the evening yesterday after working on a fun surprise (more on that tomorrow). I am still unable to walk without stopping once or twice to stare at all the stars in the sky. Without the problem of city lights outshining stars, we can gaze at the millions provided there's a clear sky. Unfortunately, I can only find Orion's belt (I knew a few more when I was younger, and yes I currently can't locate the Big or Little Dipper), but hopefully after a visit to the library and brushing up on some astronomy, I can star gaze a little better and point out more to our little star gazer.

This is my Blog and I can Write What I Wanna Write

Look at the way the sun sparkles off the pure snow.

Look at the happiness found in your 2 year-old's eyes. You should be able to look at your child and credit this beautiful, amazing gift from God alone.

Feel how content you can be without all the money in the world, with hardly even any at times it seems.

Joy found in finding a plenitude of beautiful rocks along the beach. Yes, even rocks have beauty.

Friendship and kindness from many, just because, but most often because of the love of God.

The way everything works out to be ok and even great at times, and you have no reason for it other than by God's grace alone.

To those who can doubt the existence of God I say this: the peace I have in me is only from the joy I know in having an eternal home in heaven and having a loving God and Savior. I could not happily walk day to day without the comfort of knowing my Savior and having God taking care of me.

A little bit of Parchment Paper

When the clouds are wispy, I liken the skies to parchment paper clear gessoed to a blue background. Here's some more U.P. blue skies to brighten your day, and in case you were wondering, yes, Mike completed clearing off the garage roof without breaking his neck, or leg, or arm.

Now would be about the time when we get another snow storm, after the driveway has been completely cleared.

The Family that Snow Shovels together Stays Muscular Together

I am in no way making fun of the good saying of "The Family that Prays Together Stays Together", I believe that strongly, but I'm also thinking that family shoveling nights are good for bonding too.

Here in the U.P., its commonplace and necessary to "roof rake". A very awkward tool with a huge metal extension arm is used to rake off the accumulation of snow on roofs. I dabbled with this annoying thing on half of the garage. As I was doing this very difficult strength training exercise, Amish barn raisings came to mind. I wonder if I offered up beer and coffee, if I could arrange a roof raking party.

I had another thought. There are so many exercise videos out there, but I've never seen an exercise routine centered around snow removal. Shoveling and roof raking are crazy fat burning activities, and my arms have that good day-after ache meaning I'm building up muscles.

Anywho, when Mike got home and geared up, he and I tackled the corners of the roof on the house. Huge ice dams are already building up, but you get to it when you get to it, right? I had the job of holding the ladder and watching out for my eyes while Mike dangled on top of the ladder and pulled heavy buckets of snow off the roof. I think I ended up with the easier task. After the house's roof was done to our best, Mike climbed on top of the garage roof and literally shoveled off the roof; he'll finish up on that later today. Bits and I moved the piled up snow on the sidewalk that came down from the roof onto the piled up snow in the yard, it was mostly Mommy laboring and Bits running back and forth screaming (seriously people, I am not using illegal child labor).

We had an awesome spicy shrimp garlicky butter pasta dish for dinner and slept heavily all night (oh, except for Bits who woke up at 3:30a.m.?!?).

Lake Superior Iceberg

Much to our disappointment, especially for Bits, when we went to church today, we found that service had been cancelled.

We grabbed a brunch snack from McDonald's (bacon for the Bacon Bits) and headed to Little Girls Point.

It was cold today, but seemed less windy at the Big Lake. I actually had my camera with me by some rare chance and snapped some pics before my battery died. Last winter in South Haven, the water, snow, and wind would create these big oval globulars of pure ice. Much to my amusement I found similar globulars along this lake. Most of the famous rocky Superior shoreline was covered with ice and snow, and the stones that remained peeking out were frozen to the ground beneath them. I had a comical moment of trying to pick up a couple beauties to no avail, like finding a quarter super-glued to cement.

Bits outlasted Mommy, who clearly was less prepared than the boys, wearing my church attire which is more style conscious than practical for winter U.P. outdoor time. We viewed a Lake Superior iceberg, which could easily be mistaken for one off of Alaska, and had a great time in general at one of our favorite Great Lakes. Winter will not keep us from visiting the Big Lake.