Bringing The Roses Inside

A pink Rose bud...once open it will be pure white.....Even after bringing them inside, the pink buds will open and expand to large white Roses.....

It's an unusual thing here in Florida, to worry about freezing temps and having to cover certain plants in the garden. Hard to believe it is 38 degrees outside tonight. My Roses, in full bloom are outside, in large heavy pots. I've opted to clip all the blooms off and place them in vases inside my home. I'm not complaining.....removing all the Christmas decorations, has left a void somehow. The Roses will make the rooms come alive. I had so many, I gave some away to family. Once again I'm posting on my winter white Roses.....

Blessings..... Dee Dee

Enjoying The Climate Change Immensely

Ratty Mole and Badger....Wind In the Willows

On nights like this, when the temps are in the thirties here in Florida, I'm wondering how all the little critters, accustomed to warmer climate, are coping. I suppose they have natural instinct that cooler weather is coming, and hopefully make the necessary preparations. I have read in books like Wind In The Willows, Winnie The Pooh and stories by Beatrix Potter, that small animals are quite capable of taking care of themselves and each other, as well. In this painting by Kenneth Grahame, it appears that Badger is being ever so kind, inviting Ratty and Mole inside and out of the cold. I am somewhat relieved, and less worried now, noting they are properly dressed for the subnormal temperatures.

Stay warm dear friends and family...... Dee Dee

An Afternoon Visitor

Looking for dinner......

Off he goes....to the neighbor's yard....

I miss Robins and other birds common to the northern states. Here in Florida, we have a whole different variety of fine feathered friends. This afternoon, a beautiful "White Crane
swooped down, and landed in our front yard. This is a common occurance, and often I try to get a few photos. Today, I succeeded, by remaining quiet and moving slowly about the yard, as the bird stalked the shrubbery looking for lizards. His long neck and beak, perfectly suited for the task, allowed for dinner success today. Blessings.... Dee Dee

Painting Instinctively

The artist need not know very much; best of all let him work instinctively and paint as naturally as he breathes or walks.~Emil Nolde

I like Mr Nolde's quote.... So I move forward in this new year... I will continue to work instinctively and come what may. My first painting of the year 2010 is shown....*note dated 09 in error...will take me a while to get used to 2010. Perhaps I may have captured a mother's natural love for her child.

Blessings..... Dee Dee

New Years Day and The Rose Bowl Parade

I can only imagine the fun our family members are having in Pasadena California today. I think they have selected a most perfect way to escape the cold weather they were having back in South Carolina. We've been watching the Rose Bowl Parade this morning hoping to catch a glimpse of them, but as you can imagine that is next to impossible considering the thousands of spectators lining the curbs to see this fantastic New Year's event.

We were hoping for a walk on the beach today....a time of reflection, talking over our plans for the year 2010. Perhaps another time....our first day in January has brought us cold temperatures and a steady downpour of welcomed rain. I'm thinking football most likely will be our form of entertainment today.

My New Year's good wishes for all of you, my dear friends and family members that enjoy my daily post here at Clapboard Cottage...... I wish you success in all that you are hopeful for in 2010....I ask that God will bless you each, with an overwhelming amount of joy.... more than you could ever imagine. I hope that in this new decade, each of you will find the courage to boldly take steps needed, to seek and accomplish all of your dreams and goals. Dee Dee

A Dog's New Years Resolution

"I will not chase the stick unless I actually see it leave his hand." ~Anonymous

Photo Google Images

A Low Country Tradition

Photo...Google Images

New Years Day...... A good idea.

A South Carolina Low Country Shrimp Boil. Whether your from the South or any other part of the world for that matter, you'll enjoy this southern dish.

I love the whole concept of serving this for certain holidays, New Years being a favorite time. This is preferably served informal.....needing lots of napkins.

A shrimp boil is a one-pot meal, usually cooked outside in big pots. Those of you up North will love this.....just clear away the snow and use an outdoor cooker. Here's how:

Note: Use your own judgement in determining portions per person
l/2 lb Keilbasa (or other spicy, smoked sausage) per person

l/2 pound Raw shrimp in shell per person

2 Lemons

Cayenne pepper

Cloves

Garlic

Bay leaves

Old Bay Seasoning

Black pepper

Tabasco

Optional:

2 small onions per person

l carrot cut in 4th per person

l-2 crabs per person

Boil water in a large kettle on stove or outdoor cooker. Season water with salt and your choice of above flavorings along with the juice of two lemons or 2 tablespoons of vinegar. Add potatoes and cook for 10 minutes. Add carrots, sausage and onions. Bring back to a boil. When potatoes and carrots are almost tender, add corn and crabs. Bring to a boil, then add shrimp. Cook a few minutes until shrimp are just done-they will be pink in color. Drain and pour into a basket or onto platters. Have cocktail sauce and Dijon mustard at hand. Serve with large pitchers of iced tea. Enjoy! Happy New Year! Dee Dee

The Year 2010...A New Chapter

I bought a gift for myself.....for inspiration. Two days before Christmas I found myself in Barnes & Noble's bookstore, looking for last minute gifts.....those "just a little something extra" kind of gifts. I'm not the only one in the family that likes to draw and play around with watercolor paints, so I bought two, 2010 Calendars "Watercolor" Lesson-A-Day. Weekday sketches-to paint and Weekend Examples-For Inspiration.

The calendar was a hit with the family member and, I am quite pleased with my purchase as well. I'm encouraged and excited about the year 2010, thinking positive about all my New Year's resolutions. I have the usual ones, right there in first place....eat healthy, exercise and be careful with my diet. It's okay to think about that, but life offers much more in the way of pleasure, and this year there is more and there is better. This year I have a "happy focus," first and foremost. I have decided, that now is the time to pursue, with all that is within me, my love of drawing and watercolors. I've done my homework, and I realize to be good at anything, one has to manage time wisely, and this I promise myself to do.

I am in the beginning stages(Every artist was first an amateur."~Ralph Waldo Emerson)....learning about colors and application. So far, so good.....my family members are all so encouraging, and sweetly complimentary. No criticism thus far, for they are all most kind.

Listen carefully to first criticisms made of your work. Note just what it is about your work that critics don't like-then cultivate it. That's the only part of your work that's individual and worth keeping. ~Jean Cocteau

Painting is easy when you don't know how, but very difficult when you do.~Edgar Degas

Mr Degas, I'm still in the "having lots of fun, seemingly so easy stage." Perhaps one day, it will become difficult.....and then I, will have become a "painter."

So for the coming year I am optimistic and excited about this new chapter in my life. I'll draw a lot, arranging all that I see in some sort of patterns on all sorts of papers and materials. I will play and play and play with lovely colors. Already, the year 2010 is appealing not only to my artistic senses, but to my artistic emotions. Blessings......Dee Dee

Cooler Weather...... Plants in the Garden.....

During winter months, the leaves of the Snow Bushes turn a gorgeous salmon colored pink. Winter white Roses.....

Beautiful potted white Roses to lounge beside.....

We've just had the Palms trimmed...they continue to grow taller and taller....

We were out in the garden early this morning. The sun was shining bright and a cool breeze was blowing.....we are having absolutely gorgeous weather. I can't say the garden is any prettier during the winter months, it's just that it is a different pretty. The snow bushes take on a gorgeous pink color, the Hibiscus continue to bloom as long as we have no freezing temps, and all the plants seem to be sighing with relief from the long hot temperatures of the summer. I couldn't help but notice the white Roses, that continue to impress me most of all. I clip the blooms often, placing them in vases all over the house. They are so lovely and stay pretty for at least two weeks..... I cannot believe how beautiful they are. As you can see, finding their beauty irresistible, I continue to photograph them. Blessings...... Dee Dee click on photos

Discovery

Antique silver ladle and serving set..... Antique silver cheese knives.....

Antique silver napkin ring set.....

I suppose were all doing it, poking around on the internet, looking for after Christmas sales at our favorite stores. This morning, while visiting Pottery Barn, I discovered some pretty things...."right up my alley" as the old saying goes. The ad very clearly describes "vintage silverware that's been passed down for generations inspired." I'm really giving these some serious thought.

Blessings today..... Dee Dee