Arabesque

I am reposting a photo I included a couple of blog posts ago as I cannot stop staring at it!  I just think it is extraordinary sometimes the shapes and forms we find in nature.  This tree trunk to me has human form.  I think of a ballet dancer doing a beautiful arabesque.  Nature as choreographer.

Paintings As Gifts

In December, I worked on two paintings that I couldn't show you previously because they were Christmas gifts.

I did one painting for a very dear friend who moved to a new house this past summer. I painted her former home complete with her sweet cat sitting on the front porch.  She spent many years in this house raising her three great kids. I can say that because I know them. :) (In case you are worrying, her cat was not left behind. He sits on the front porch of the new house now.)

The second painting I did was of my parents' Golden Retriever named Ginger.  If you have been following my blog, you will know that Ginger was a sweet girl who died in December at the age of 12.  I held my breath through most of the painting process as it was so important to me that it really look like Ginger.   I have never done a watercolour painting of a dog before.

Both gifts were very much appreciated but I made everyone cry which I didn't intend, although I knew that I had chosen subjects with emotional weight. I know that they were all touched and I told my friend and my parents that I wouldn't be hurt at all if they put their gifts away for a while.

Back at Home

Four different houses in one week

Two provinces

Four different towns & cities

The above two photos were taken in the Muskoka region of Ontario, Canada

Areas with snow and others with very little

Mild days and freezing cold days

Approximately 1,350 kilometers (838 miles) driven

Countless plates of delicious food, glasses of wine and Christmas baked goods

20 family members hugged

3 dogs patted

We are happy to have celebrated with everyone

But also happy to be home

Even the dogs are tired :)

My sister's dog Mabel

My brother's dog Marlowe

Meeko loved visiting and caused as much mischief as possible but is now
happily asleep in his favourite spot on our sofa

We will leave our tree and decorations up a few more days

We barely see them during the holidays

My routine will become more normal in the days ahead

My daughters go back to school on the 10th

I can't wait to start painting again

I hope you all had wonderful holidays

and I wish you the very best in the new year.

(The top photo was taken by my niece Katie, 
the others by myself and my daughters Chloé and Emma)