Mmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!

Its been lovely to have a day off today--we have been for a mooch round Leominster Boot sale this morning, called at Morrisons for a great traditional breakfast,and finished the shopping for ingredients for Christmas cakes while there,.
Then when we got home had a relaxing few hours before Bill got stuck into the Christmas cakes!
All the fruit was put to marinade in a mixture of brandy,port and rum--lovely juicy dates and apricots were chopped and added to the currants, sultanas, raisins and glace cherries-along with lots of spices --the mixture was then simmered gently for 15mins and allowed to cool-before putting in a sandwich box in the fridge for a week--shaking gently when ever we open the fridge. Next week Bill will add the marinaded fruit to the other ingredients and bake--I will marzipan and ice the cakes nearer Christmas!
Note the glass of Rose wine is the chefs treat and not added to the fruit mixture!
The aromas filling the house was just gorgeous--smells just like Christmas already!
I must start packing up the presents soon--I'm very late this year-usually got them all done by now!
Did find a few things in the back bedroom this afternoon that I had forgotten I had bought--but got all the grandchildren's done now except for one or two bits.
How did we manage before computers and buying on-line? I think 90% of my Christmas shopping is done on-line these days--some real bargains to be had out there if you know where to look!

class up-dates--The Waterfall-- Nov 22nd

There are 6 places left for this popular class subject.

Mysterious and magical-the waterfall painting is always a class winner.

Even if you have never painted before you can achieve beautiful results in this class.

We work on a black background which helps to take the fear out of it!

A black canvas is a lot less scary than a pure white one!

Places for this class usually get booked up really quickly, so if you want to join this class please get in touch via the website www.paintingmyway.co.uk

Congratulations !!!!!

Big congratulations to my friend Cat Gibson of http://www.gibson-art.co.uk/

She recently qualifyed as the very first Bill Alexander technique teacher in the UK. Quite an achievement.
We have become very close friends, and we are always emailing each other with the latest joke's that are doing the rounds!!!!

She has 2 classes over the Christmas period, and I am looking forward to hearing how it goes!
I am sure it will go very well-she will make sure the classes are fun as well as imformative!

Latest Series--"Tree's"

This is my latest series of paintings. Called simply "Tree's"

Painted very simplisticly, and stylised-the tree's continue around the sides of the canvas.

The large canvas are 12in square and the smaller ones are 4in square.

There are any number of ways in which to display these pieces of art.

They are all painted in acrylic and varnished with 2 coats of high quality artists varnish.

The silver set sold less than 24 hours of being put on the http://www.affordablebritishart.co.uk/

website!!!!!

They were sent this morning to the new owner in Middlesex!

Got to be something of a record to sell so soon after being put online!

I have been busy logging all my latest work on to http://www.protectmywork.com/

as well as painting some more pictures in this series.

Will post the photos on here later.

Email Problem

It would appear that some of my emails are not getting through again--Please if you email me for ANY reason and you hear nothing within 24 hours -give me a ring-or better still include your phone no when you email me and I can ring you.
It seems that I am recieving them ok but sometimes my replies are not getting back.
The problem is being looked into.

Christmas Paintings

I have been busy over the past few days catching up on the 'christmas paintings'
I always paint the kids a new picture for Christmas, and so far have got 4 done! Got one more to do for my Becki and then 4 more for some special friends. Got to try and finish today,as Ive got lots of other stuff to catch up on.
The first set of Poppy Quartet have had their first coat of varnish, they will have another coat today and another tomorrow.
The kitchen looks like a bomb has gone off at the moment-paintings and paint everywhere!

new pics for jan!!!!!!

Here are two of my most recent pics of the sky/sunsets/sunrises.I am very pleased with the results-the first was taken on the way to leominster and the second taken earlier that day out of the bedroom window.

I have loads more to put on my blog, the time has just flown, been doing a bit more to the commission, and getting on with putting the christmas tree up etc.

Will get back to norml posting tomorrow with luck!!!!!

A Bit Of Christmas Fun!!!!!

http://www.eyegas.com/sproutifarts/ this funny game will amuse all members of the family!!

The next one is a great laugh too!!!!!!!!!!


http://www.elfmovie.com/swf/snowball_fight/index.html

Christmas

I have found this link , lots of interesting things for adults and children -some great recipes on there!
http://www.northpole.com/

HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY JIM!!!!!!!!!!!!

I cant believe my son Jim is 30 today.

As usual I had some problems for him to sort out on the lap top!!!

He called round last night with his girlfriend Kerry and then my daughter Beckie and her boyfriend Wayne called by too, so it was great to have everyone together and have a chat!

Paddy loved it cos he could terrorise poor Beckie who's scared of him!!

ON A SADDER NOTE------

Today we had another funeral to attend, this time at Hereford crematorium-funny until Rita's cremation just over a week ago I had never been to a cremation, now Ive been to 2 in less than 2 weeks.

Fred the husband of my old friend Gladys passed away suddenly last week, so we went to say our goodbyes.

We called back via Leominster to drop off some posters and invites to the private viewing for Carole who has attended 10 painting sessions along with daughter Hayley.

We met her new puppy, a beautiful pattendale x jack russell puppy.

Sharleen- another of my students had given her some advice about training her and it had worked really well, she no longer nips at Caroles nose!!

Just to let you know!!!!!!!!!!

I know you would want to know this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!http://mysite.verizon.net/vze201j5/countdown.htmhttp://mysite.verizon.net/vze201j5/countdown.htm

Kenchester Tea rooms

We had a busy day yesterday, first we went over the Hereford to hang the paintings at Kenchester Water Gardens Tea Rooms. They certainly brightened the place up.! We just had to sample some of the beautiful home made cakes that were on the counter along with a cup of coffee!

Karen who runs the tea rooms has started doing a carvery on a Sunday with a choice of meats and 7 veg's.

Im sure we will be popping by shortly to try it out!

After we had finished there we went to the other side of Hereford to The Wyvale Garden Centre where we will doing demonstrations and craft fairs in the near future.

Its a massive place and they were in the process of putting out the christmas decorations. It promises to be a great venue to be at.

The C Word !

I know the suns been shining for a little while now, but Bills thoughts have already turned to CHRISTMAS!!!!
The local Julian Graves shop has had a half price sale for 2 days and Bill has been and got his fruit for his christmas cakes.
It was a bargain I suppose, and its good to get oranic fruit too-but will anyone tell the difference after all the brandy and sherry has gone into the cakes!!!!