Orange and Blue, Color Harmonies in Nature

Yes, some days I am quite stressed and think, " Come on, how much more can I handle?", but then there are days like today, a day without any other obligations than to give undivided attention to my son.

I don't have a pic., but I have a scene description to brighten your day and put things into happy perspective:

Bits and I picked up sticks in the yard, went down to the park and played and played, then came home for lunch outside sitting in chairs on the back walkway. As always, Bits takes a bite and then runs away distracted. He caught sight of something fluttering around, and in his blue shorts and orange shirt, he chased through the long grasses after a teasing monarch butterfly.

A true photographer would have had camera in hand to capture such visual harmony, but I am not a true photographer, I am a mom, sitting in the sun enjoying her little one find fun in the nature around us.

Weather Worn Birdhouses

Tumble Barn for plein aire site. Love the birdhouses, but a dangerous place for a two -year old to venture into, yet a fun place for a 27 year old to explore.

By the way, how are everyone's lilacs doing? They are all a-bloom around here!

Tinky, you are my Favorite Pony

Bits and I went to take pics. for another RAA plein aire location, and can you guess what we saw: horses, dogs, puppies, chickens and birds. What could be a better day for a two-year-old?

The owner was super great to show us around and introduce us to all the animals. He has his dream place and clearly loves everything about it. Hopefully some day (sooner than later), we all can have the same.

Montreal River Mosquitoes

Yesterday was a day full of stuff to do and a little fun site seeing to add to the to-do list. Bits and I ventured out to take pictures at two locations for RAA plein aire future sites along the Montreal River.

Nothing like a sunny, warm day along a beautiful woodsy river. Nothing like being the preferred food of choice for hundreds of mosquitoes. I itch as I type. If bug bites were a trendy thing of beauty, I'd be a supermodel.

Now is a perfect time to see wild flowers in bloom and sun creating streaks of light and blots of shadows among the trees. Were the attacking mosquitoes worth seeing the sites, yes, but a few more additions to the numerous I already had, I'd have to reevaluate.

It's not Really Summer, Until you Lay in the Lake

Life has been more than a little busy, I am exhausted, and yesterday I ran out of chai tea. After an already long day, and a 3 mile walk (anyone know if it is really 3 miles around the lake here, or does it just feel like 3 miles), I had to go grocery shopping. I could not put my poor family through another day with me moving about without my morning (and afternoon) cup of chai.

Saturday, I helped out in the morning with a yard sale at our neighbor's home. We then splurged and went for lunch at the Deli and saw four(?) baby foxes in the ditch playing and enjoying the sun. Later we walked down to the beach and Bits splashed and splashed and laid down, fully clothed, in the water.

Today, I have a huge to-do list and am thinking I need to take a double dose of my vitamins to get through it. The bugs are here and biting and the sun is up and shining. We have ants making themselves at home, coming in right through the front door, and sandy clothes still hanging on the line out back--summer's here.

White River, Blue Sky

White River light beacon. 12"x16" acrylic on canvas board. 3 to go.

I Spy: Boardwalk Edition

*See if you can spot the bird's nest in each landscape picture before looking at the closeups.

Bits and I have a new goal: try to take even more walks. I'm attempting daily here people. My rear end is looking more like a Buick than a Kia, so I need to get my walk on.

We walked around the lake to the boardwalk (by the way, the city is supposed to be extending the boardwalk...awesome, right?). He likes to go along the boardwalk sans Mommy's hand, and without the fear or cars, I let him run it out. He was all about peering at the water at the few bench outcroppings and laying on the boardwalk to look through the cracks.

I found my own amusing game, trying to spot birds' nests throughout the brush. Fun walk that tired out both the grownup and the toddler.