My First Give-Away!!

I am having my first give-away this week! The winner will have the choice of one print from my original paintings in my brand new Etsy shop. The images are centered on 8" x 10" archival paper, professionally printed. I love the quality of this paper & the colors are rich and vibrant.
I am very excited about my first ever give-away & hope you are, too.
Please leave me a comment if you would like to participate.
(For the my non-blogging friends, you can leave a comment by clicking on
name or anonymous..but let me know who you are!)

I will draw the winner on December 4th.
Then, hop on over to Mary's Little Red House for more Mosaic Monday fun!
I'm also joining Blue Monday here: Smiling Sally.
Thanks for visiting!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!
We are grateful for many blessings. Have a wonderful holiday!

Mosaic Monday

I'm taking the easy way out this week.
I made a mosaic of a painting I posted on Friday.
If you read this post back in September, then you know I am not comfortable painting buildings. I'm taking a watercolor class this month (oh, the joys of being retired!) and we learned how to paint clouds. I'm not really sure that I learned. I did watch & I did listen & I did try... you are not viewing my first attempts. This little boathouse is part of a yacht club & I have taken many pictures of it. So......I combined my fear of buildings with my fear of clouds to have a little stress with my latest painting. In the end, I like it and I don't fear buildings so much.
Clouds are another story.
More mosaics are here at Mary's. Mary's own mosaic are just gorgeous!
P.S. Stayed tuned......next week I have a give-away! My very first!

something new I love

...and how could I not love this? The Eiffel Tower snow globe from
Target!

Boathouse

I am still determined to paint buildings. This boathouse has always
caught my eye as I go over the bridge to the island.
I think I really like the symmetry of the architectural design.
This is watercolor on cold-pressed paper, little...5"x5".

Soup

I have been making this soup for years. It's no longer on the Pillsbury web site
so I thought I'd share:

ITALIAN SAUSAGE SOUP WITH TORTELLINI

1 lb. Italian sausage
1 c. coarsely chopped onions
2 garlic cloves, sliced
5 c. beef broth
1/2 c. water
1/2 c. red wine or water
2 c. chopped seeded peeled tomatoes
1 c. thinly sliced carrots
1/2 t. dried basil leaves
1/2 t. dried oregano
1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
1 1/2 c. sliced zucchini
8 oz. fresh cheese filled tortellini
3 T. chopped fresh parsley
1 medium green bell pepper cut into 1/2 pieces
1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese

If sausage comes in casing, remove casing. Brown sausage in 5 qt Dutch oven over medium heat. Remove sausage, reserve 1 T. drippings in Dutch oven. Cook onions and garlic in reserved drippigs until onions are tender. Add cooked sausage, broth, water, wine, carrots, basil, oregano, and tomato sauce. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 30 minutes.
Skim fat from soup. Stir in zucchini, tortellini, parsley and bell pepper. Cover; simmer an additional 20 minutes or until tortellini are tender. Sprinkle each serving with parmesan cheese.

What makes my heart sing...

Christina at Soul Aperture is hosting simple things Monday
...things that make your heart sing. I really enjoy Christina's blog.
It's serene & lovely & gentle...and her words just touch my heart.

I'm posting just a few images..to keep it simple.

Painting makes my heart sing and my heart happy.

Simple bouquets in summer sunshine

and blooming pots in wintry windows.


...and, everyday, these two wonderful cats!

I'm back!

Here I am!
I'm back after a MONTH...a whole MONTH without my computer! I really missed blogging & blog-hopping. Thank you for stopping in to see me today.
Now hop on over to Mary's to see some wonderful mosaic creations!

Be back soon......

After not having a computer for a whole MONTH, I am finally connected again. See you very soon!