Blowing Bubbles

If you've read even a few of my blog posts, you know that I love to paint stories; I love the story this painting tells. 

I'll begin with the main character.  Meet Judah. Judah is happy and independent and wants to do whatever the big kids are doing. He belongs to my beautiful niece Bev. 

She is the artist behind Inspired Traditions. (You must go visit her shop in late fall when she has all of her items listed.)   Bev and I have kind of a deal; I paint one of her kiddos, and she gives me one of her latest projects.  I think it's a win for both of us. 

You can see the paintings of those brothers and sister here:

Blow on It!" 

"Hello, Butterfly" 

"Peek-a-boo Pine"

Next... the setting.  Judah is sitting in front of one of the cabins at Lake Ouachita.  My family has stayed in those cabins every summer since his mama was a very little girl.

So many memories... so much family fun has happened on the sidewalks in front of those cabins over the years.

And finally the plot... the bubbles. Judah found the bubbles in his Lake Bag of goodies. (Every G4, Generation 4, cousin gets one.)   


Once he sat down and began to blow bubbles, I knew this would become his painting. 

 Original Oil Painting on 12"x 16" Wrapped Canvas.
[GIFT]

Baby Chicks

CUTENESS OVERLOAD at the Eaton's house this weekend!

Here's where the story begins.   Ron's feeding the  girls their treats, dried worms.  They love them.

About a month ago Sylvia got "broody."  She'd sit in the nesting box all I'd take her out, and she'd get right back in.

I called my friend Cheri for advice.  She said, "You ought to get her a couple of fertilized eggs!"  

I texted my friend Mary and asked if she knew where I could get a couple of fertilized eggs.  She replied, "I'll bring you six tomorrow!

And so the 21-day wait began.  Sylvia was absolutely committed.

I'd take her out once a day just to check.  Sometimes I'd find an extra egg that someone had layed there.  One day I found one of the eggs broken. She looks a little miffed and puffed up about being taken out of the box.

Whenever Sylvia would leave the nest to have a drink, use the bathroom, or eat, Fancy would take her place.  I'd marked the fertilized eggs with a Sharpie so I would know which one she'd tried to sneak in.

When I lifted Sylvia up Saturday morning, I found a surprise! 

Before long the little thing was perked up!

I tried to give them their peace, but I could not help myself!  So sweet!  And "peep, Peep, PEEP" for mama when she's not in the box with her.

I'd gotten chick food and chick feeder and chick water but I had no idea how she'd get the baby out of the box, across the roosting bar, down the ramp and too it.  After this, I just put it all in the nesting box beside them.  That worked.

Sunday right when we were about to leave for church, I decided I needed to check one more time.  Yay!! another one!

So sweet!  But, they love their mama best!  I know she's annoyed that I keep "checking on them."

These sweet little things will get to go live in my friend Brooke's classroom.  I've loved them.  The first graders will love them so much too!