Cool, Crisp Autumn Days

Our flowerbeds are loving this cool, crisp autumn air! The rain has passed and it is overcast, but you can still appreciate the beauty of Fall.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SWEETIE !!

This guy hung out on the house the other day from morning till night. Would he not have been happier in a tree or on a bush? And how can any living thing be that still for so many hours? His resemblance to a leaf is amazing. God was very busy and creative the day he made all the insects!

Patricia's Round Robin Painting

Another completed Round Robin.

Rainy Day Photographs

"A Few Things I've Seen"

George Warner on the left.

John Reburn on the right.

Flower II ~ by George Warner
Gracie ~ by John Reburn

Last evening, I attended a new speaker series at the O. Winston Link Museum in downtown Roanoke. It was called BEYOND THE FRAME: Interview with the Artist and Closing Reception.

A photographic exhibit, "A Few Things I've Seen", was viewed in the Robert Kulp Trackside Gallery followed by an interview of George Warner, the photographer.

George is a local gentleman who will retire in two years. At that time, he will begin to fulfill his dream of being a full time photographer. His exhibit was a mixture of black & white and color photographs, with some digitally enhanced. There was no mistake that the exhibit was about real life and the things that happen around us. I thought George's photographs were stunning. It was very interesting to learn how George got to where he is today ~ the man behind the camera.

The program was hosted by John Reburn. Besides being the owner of Roanoke Valley Printworks in downtown Roanoke, John is also a busy designer and printmaker who loves all things from bygone days. If you are ever in Roanoke, I highly recommend you make a visit to his shop ~ you will not be sorry. John is multi-talented, his work is outstanding, and he is just an all around great guy.

What I took away from the interview last night was a firming up of my realization that it is never too late to be what you want to be or to do what you want to do. There is still time for me to fulfill my artistic dreams.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Nancy !!

The Beginning of Fall Beauty

Out and about for a while on Sunday. This is just a sample of the beauty I enjoyed. Looking forward to the full blown color once we reach peak time.

I would like to welcome ANNA of Anna Rosa Designs

http://annarosadesigns.blogspot.com/ to my follower list. Anna, like many of us, says her passion is painting! Thanks for stopping by, Anna. I look forward to visiting your Blog real soon.

The Deborah Award

"Friendship isn't about who you have known the longest, but who came and never left your side."

Anne, of El Milagro Studio http://elmilagrostudio.blogspot.com, has honored me with THE DEBORAH AWARD. This award seems to bring tears to the eyes of the recipients as its meaning is far-reaching. I am so blessed to have found Anne through blogging, as well as others who I now call "friend".

This award was created by Ces, of Ces and Her Dishes http://cesandherdishes.blogspot.com. Ces compares people to trees and the words that she writes in regard to this are profound and beautiful.

Thank you, Anne, for your friendship and this award.

I now pass this award on to a few deserving friends:

MARLENE of Marlene's Musings http://marlenes-musings.blogspot.com Marlene started visiting my blog shortly after I started it, visits often, and leaves comments that I appreciate so much.

AMANDA of Bright Eyes http://ag-brighteyes.blogspot.com Although Amanda is going to be my daughter-in-law next year, she has been a wonderful friend to me for the past 8 years that she has spent with my son, and now we have become blog friends since she started her own blog. This has brought our friendship to a new dimension.

RICK of One Big Love http://allstrayswelcome.blogspot.com Rick has chosen to have an "award free blog". I respect his wishes but I want him to know that I consider him a friend. His poetry is outstanding and I sometimes see myself in his poems. Rick's emotions explode in his writing, he visits my blog and leaves comments often. I appreciate his friendship.

MARILYN of Our Victorian Cottage http://ourvictoriancottage.blogspot.com Marilyn is a friend I am still getting to know. She has a lovely blog, receives much happiness from her surroundings, visits my blog often and leaves lovely comments.

There are others deserving of mention. I am still making friends and getting to know wonderful people out here in Blogland.

All of you who visit my blog and leave comments from time to time, please know that you bring me much joy.

WISHING YOU A HAPPY, HEALTHY, BLESSED, FUN BIRTHDAY, MY DEAR CASEY !!
I LOVE YOU.
Mom

Deb's Round Robin Painting

Deb's painting took on an abstract direction right from the start. After everyone added their talent to it, I think the end result is very interesting. I am pretty sure this is the only piece that has items attached to it ~ gears, small washers, a "believe" button, fabric flowers and glitter. Deb is very pleased with her finished painting.

Melody's Round Robin Painting

Melody's START and a very colorful, fun FINISH!

Sorry I haven't been posting much. Spent the entire week preparing for a 2-day garage sale. Today was day 1 and the weather couldn't have been more ideal. We had a steady stream of customers and sold a lot of "stuff". It will really help me get things in order once I get the garage cleaned up after the sale tomorrow. Sunday I am going to relax ~ this sale was a LOT of work and I am beat up.

Sue's Round Robin Painting

START on the left.

FINISH on the right.

These paintings have all had so much imagination put into them!

Isa's Round Robin Painting

Just "eyes" for the START. What an awesome FINISH!

October Moon

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, "Ruth Guth" !!

Susan's Round Robin Painting

The girls involved with this drawing decided to keep a black and white theme going.

Susan's START on the left ! A great FINISH on the right !

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Debbie !!

Bev's Round Robin Painting

The small photo on the left was the best I could get of Bev's START. It was a very light sketch of a pheasant. I think the finished piece is beautiful.

Angela's Round Robin Painting

Another START with a great FINISH!

"Listen! The wind is rising,
and the air is wild with leaves,
We have had our summer evenings,
now for October eves!"

~Humbert Wolfe

A Walk In The Yard

I took a walk in the yard last evening. I wanted to make sure the heavy winds we've had the last 2 days didn't move or break anything. It won't be long now till Fall ends and the cooler temps arrive ~ I always hate to take the fountains and statues in for the winter. The winters here in Virginia have not been bad compared to those I lived with in Ohio. Snow lover that I am, I miss those winters. I loved it when the wind blew hard, the snow came down in large flakes, covering everything with a thick blanket of snow, and the trees became fairy tale trees ~ glistening and white. I took some pictures while walking around and thought I would post a few of the remnants of summer......