nasturtium in the garden

IMG_0187, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

A brilliant orange nasturtium peeks out from its leaves. By the way these leaves are excellent serving platters for crab cakes.

sweet pea & poppy sprouts

IMG_0189, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

...and even the sweet peas are on their way to bloom

Orvieto wine, Yipee!

Ah yes, there is an Orvieto wine. I found this bottle of wine at Whole Foods last week and couldn't resist. It was a mild table wine but quite tasty. It was a good complement to the salmon pasta I had for dinner. Little things like this help me get excited for my trip in May.

Italy in May

I am so excited to say that I am going to Italy in May to join a sketching and watercolor week long class in Orvieto, Umbria with my teacher and friend Jane LaFazio. I am brushing up on some Italian (from my iPhone app) and studying with prep list from the Adventures in Italy tour company who organized this awesome trip. We artists and artists in training will be staying in a converted convent that just happens to be next to a vineyard up on this hilltop city that dates back hundreds of years. The trip is full enough for definitive planning but if anyone would like to join me I would love for you to come along.

Winter hat

sweater knit hat, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

It's a little cold in the morning when Sophie and I go out for our walk. This sweater knit hat keeps my head warm and it is cute. I am practicing sketching hats.....they are not so easy. My friend and teacher, Jane, suggested the "frame" on her tutorial post. check it out Lots of greys and whites in this watercolor. I hope you like it

Reina's Christmas stocking

Reina's Christmas stocking, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

Thank goodness for the Olympics! I have enjoyed them so much and am really sad tomorrow will be the final day. Go USA! It has also given me plenty of time to sit on my AS345097! Fortunately I can stitch while I sit. I have just finished Reina's Christmas stocking and I am ready to send it to be finished. At least this one won't be late for Christmas 2010! I have stitched 2 stockings now....2 more and I'll be caught up with my grandaughters. Check out Kate's

morning breakfast

strawberries on a napkin, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

Strawberries are fresh at the Farmers' markets again (well, actually they are fresh year round in southern California). Early in the season the are larger and sweeter. Yum. This morning I washed a few to add to my oatmeal and yogurt and placed them on a plaid napkin. I picked up my sketchbook instead of eating breakfast. It's the everyday things that inspire me to paint. Now that the sketch is dry, the strawberries are in my tummy.