Pond Frog

My Weekly-ish challenge was "Down by the Pond." 

 Hmmm... fish, crawdads, waterdogs, tadpoles, mosquitoes, snakes, ducks, beavers...

I love this little guy.

As I painted him, he made me sing:

Down by the shores of the Hanky Panky... 

Where the bullfrogs jump from bank to banky...

With a hip hop...

Kerplop!

He reminded me that although it's cold and gray outside, spring is coming and the peepers in our pond will return with the evening music.

Original Oil Painting on 6"x 6"x 2.5" Wrapped Canvas.

[SOLD]

Tree Lined Path

When I'm asked to paint for someone, I want to know exactly what they're hoping for.  Learning the reason for the painting helps guide me as well.  Often there's a story behind the image. (I love that.) Sometimes there's a specific reference photo. Other times I get an idea then free reign to create.  In this case I learned about Vastu, (It's kind of the Indian version of Feng Shui.) There is meaningful symbolism, importance for certain colors, and guidance for placement of art within the home. 

I hope that those who will hang this on their walls will have the opportunities of the straight on-going path and the growth, healing, fertility, and prosperity of the green colors.

Here's the first "finished" version. 

I want to get it right for its forever home... even if that means chopping a half dozen trees and replanting them so that the road can be widened at the end then planting more grass so the road can be narrowed at the beginning.

A few years ago, that would have put me in panic mode.  Now, I just take a deep breath, wipe off paint, and put more back on.

(Ok... full disclosure... I probably mutter a few choice unladylike words too...)

This gives some perspective.
It's a pretty big one!

It's fun to watch it come together.  

This little video only lasts about 20 seconds.

I love painting commissioned pieces.  I love the challenge, having the purpose, and the collaboration.  Some of my creative friends do not feel the same.  

I wonder... How about you?  Fun or work? Sparks creativity or steals the joy in creativity? A challenge or a burden? An opportunity to look forward to or something to dread?

Original Oil Painting on 24"x 36" Wrapped Canvas

[SOLD]

Sweet Pickles

Bread and Butter Pickles

cucumbers...............10 pounds

sugar.......................10 pounds

canning salt............ 1 box

alum........................ 1 heaping teaspoon

apple cider vinegar.. 1 gallon

cinnamon sticks/bark

whole cloves

Phase 1

Make brine with water and enough canning salt to "float an egg" in a bucket. (Place egg on bottom of bucket of water Add salt until egg floats.)

Remove egg.

Add clean whole cucumbers.

Cover with a plate and weight them down.

Cover bucket with a towel.

Let them stand for 2 weeks. (Yes, they will look disgusting by 2 weeks!)

Phase 2

Remove the pickles from the brine.

Wash well in clear water.

Scald out your container.

Put new water in bucket.

Add 1 heaping tablespoon of alum. (This makes the pickles crisp.)

Add the sliced cucumbers.

Let stand overnight.

Phase 3

Drain alum water.

Cover with apple cider vinegar.

Let stand overnight.

Phase 4

Drain vinegar.

Add 10 pounds of sugar. (Yes, 10 lbs!)

Add cinnamon sticks/bark.

Add bags filled with tablespoon whole cloves. (Make the netting bags out of 6x6 square of netting with whole cloves in the middle. Close the bags with a bread tie. The netting keeps the whole cloves out of the pickles.)

Let stand for a week. (Stir the sugar, cinnamon sticks/cloves every so often as it makes the syrup.

Phase 5

Put it in jars.

Enjoy!

(Thanks to my sister who grows enormous number of cucumbers and makes the best pickles with a crisp crunch and an extra zingy flavor.)

"Sweet Pickles" was featured in an Etsy treasury (collection of art and vintage items) celebrating the culture of farm life.  Click "Hey, Good Lookin'!" to enjoy the treasury.  Home for the Summer is a collection that will give you a peaceful sigh. Click A Trip to the Farmers Market for a happy, colorful, and yummy treat.  Finally click Screaming Pickles for another fun treasury all about pickles. 


It also enjoys a spot on the October challenge celebrating "labor" on In the Moment Challenge.  Have a look!