Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Places To Stay

One of my students Christina has the most wonderful B+B not far from Ludlow--its called  Bush Farm and you can see all about  it on her website www.bushfarmbandb.co.uk
You can even take your own horse on holiday there! The surrounding countryside is perfect riding country.
It looks wonderful--you can meet the geese, chickens and piggies that live on the farm and stay in beautiful rooms in tranquil settings.
You are sure of a huge warm welcome from Christina and her hubby....

Ollie

I cant believe how our little Ollie is growing--he is a happy little chap-always smiling and chuckling. He is  real little darling x

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

March 26th Poppies

Stella had to leave the workshop early--her back was killing her after a fall in her garden--she will get the painting finished when she comes with her granddaughter in 2 weeks--I hope she is feeling better soon!
Judy came under the recommendation of Chris and Pauline --my managers! They have referred lots of their friends to e and have been known as my managers for a while now! She loved it, and wants to come again soon!  She was quite nervous to start which is only natural--but when she new you could just paint out any bits she didn't like it calmed her nerves!
Hannah had grown so much since we saw her in October-hard to believe hes only 12 years old-her finished painting was very modern looking with her giant poppies!
Doreen traveled up from Wales the day before and stayed just a few hundred yards from the venue we use--at Henwick House-- she highly recommends it to anyone looking to stay in Ludlow-says the rooms are beautiful and the breakfast was just great!
Gill had been a few times before--and made a great job of her painting--everyone said it was much harder than they had expected--the ones that look simple often are--
well done everyone!

Button Oak Art Club Workshop

We were back at Button Oak/Pond |Green art club today--it was lovely to see everyone again! We were painting the popular "Serenity"
Some of the members are a bit disabled and find it had to stand for any length of time-so we arrange the easels so they can sit or stand
the painting came together very quickly--a variety of colours were used--dusky lilac,Terre Verte green,prussion blue and grey
Gail organises the workshops for the group-and made us all a lovely lunch--spicy lentil soup, and Olga's daughter had made 2 beautiful cakes--a fruit cake and a carrot cake--we were all well and truly full to brimming when we got up from the table!
its always amazing just how quiet he room goes when everyone is concentrating hard--they were adding the fence posts in the above photo==and all a bit worried they would spoil the painting at this stage! Of course nobody did.....and we had some beautiful results from everyone...they are all keen to have another go--next time maybe using acrylic--the birches seemed to be a popular choice--what this space!

Saturday, March 26, 2011

The Colour Of My Love

In an attempt at romance--after finding there was no time to sort out renewing our vows for our 10th wedding anniversary last week--I found these readings to do at our party 50th birthday/10th wedding anniversary. Mine was quite apt--and Bills had everyone in fits of laughter!  

The Colour Of My Love

I'll paint a sun to warm your heart
Knowing that we'll never part.
I'll draw the years all passing by
So much to learn, so much to try.

I'll paint my mood in shadow blue,
Paint my soul to be with you.
I'll sketch your lips in shaded tones,
Draw your mouth to my own.

I'll trace a hand to wipe your tears
And trace a look to calm your fears.
A silhouette of dark and light
To hold each other oh so tight.

I'll paint the stars in the evening sky,
Draw the light into your eyes,
A touch of love, a touch of grace,
To softly fall on your moonlit face.

And with this ring our lives did start,
Let nothing keep our love apart.
I'll take your hand to hold in mine,
And be together through all time.

         Bill........
To keep your marriage brimming,
With love in the loving cup,
Whenever you're wrong admit it;
Whenever you're right shut up.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

50th BIrthday Bash and Break Away!

this is the view from the room where we held the party--isn't it stunning--its all lit up at night as well!
I was able to use the original icing flowers that decorated our wedding cakes 10 years ago on my birthday cakes! They were still as good as new
these beautiful flowers are from my lovely friends Jan and John---they were unable to come to the party as she has the flu---we are going to Matlock to visit them next month--cant wait !
I was so pleased with how the room looked--Julie who organises the bar etc at the Rugby club is sooo helpful bless her--she made sure we had the right tables for the party--it looks much the same as it did for our wedding.
tryed to get a photo of the huge moon that was behind the church when we arrived--but the photo hasn't come out very well--shame!
our friends from Ludlow market!
everyone admired the cakes!
the pig roast went down a treat--many thanks to Griffiths the butchers---it was delicious!
friends and neighbours!
us with my son Jim
Debbie from the market--she is a scream!
as you can see!
I would love to know what they were saying!

cheers Mick and Angus !
Becky and Wayne with some of the evidence of what was going on later in the evening--the helium balloons were deflated into mouths and there was a lot of Donald Duck talking going on--we were all creased at each other!
is that trifle on your hands Becky!
Next morning we were up and away with our friends to Bourton on the Water--we stayed here--at The Old Manse Hotel---it was lovely....

this was the view from our room--overlooking the river..
Bill trying out the huge 4 poster bed!
we went on a guided tour of the Cotswold's Perfumery--very interesting it was too!
had to catch up on emails and class bookings even though it was my birthday!
plan was to go into the maze--however it was closed when we got there! So we went to the Bird zoo again instead..
 a face only a mother could love!
hello...
she was loving this bless her
handsome little bird
love the reflections in the water
beautiful little birds
look at me--I can swim!
these trout were huge
more lovely fish and reflections--I will use this photo as a reference for a painting I think!
this was a little cutie
loved watching these little sparrow having  bath in the river
we had a bit of a party when we got back to the hotel room......
my lovely friend Karen sent me this card--so much thought has gone into it--we were creased when I opened it.I took all my cards with me to Bourton as it wasn't my birthday until Monday so I opened them all up there.
having a laugh seeing just how strong the bed was!
awwwwww
we stopped at a great pub for lunch on the way to Bourton--it was so good we had a slight detour on the way home yesterday so e could call here again--the lamb shank was to die for!
another detour was made to see just where the pub we are stopping at for the 3 day  Welland show was. The view from outside it is just stunning--and we have been promised a room with the view so looking forward to that!
Add caption
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another lovely gift that made me laugh
brilliant!