What a beautiful day....

I think it was the smallest family Easter gathering I have been at. But we all had a good time. Madison does not think finding Easter eggs is too tough. The bunny must have been alittle rushed. I love this adorable dress with coral/white polk-a-dot undies.

We ate our faves: El Rancho bulk sausage balls, Dutch babies, raspberries, pineapple, OJ, topped off later with deviled eggs....and mochas to keep us awake...

We took time out from our "busy day" to dress Maddie up in her hula girl outfit. It took her awhile to get used to it. But we loved it.....

I got a call from my brother Nate. That was nice. I guess we were both remembering so many Easters with Steve. That is Steve talking to LE in the high chair....I am p.g. with Jill.....so that makes in 1974...just the other day...

Happy Easter everybody!

Here is a cool thing I got from my friend Pepa. It was the perfect thing to veiw today. It lifted me right up...enjoy!

click here

I saw a funny card

...in my fave store in Port Townsend, Summer House: "The economy is tough on dogs too. Dog food is 99 cents a can...that's 7 dollars in dog money! "

Back from ArtFest

This is our cozy house.
We had a great time. Everything could not have been better. We had snow on the way to the ferry so it was a little cold the first few days. I loved all my classes and the one I taught I loved all my students. They produced some amazing things!


And of course getting to be with LE is the cherry on top. Here we are in our awesome Richard Salley's enameling class....
and here is a page from LE's junk mail journal....I LOVE it! Carla Sonheim really pulled it out of us...great class!

I had a good vendor night and got to see some ArtFest buddies...
Flew home Sunday so I could catch up with my side kick Madison on Monday. She has gotten to be such a big girl while I was done...so close to walking.

Now for the sad news. The night before we left I lost my brother, Steve McNutt. I had gotten to say my good byes to him and even got one last treasured smile from him.....He will never really leave me of course but I will miss seeing him so much. Neale, Nate and I will have to carry on the family stories and jokes without him now. Mike can help us too. Nate was with him. He had spent every night with him. He came by while I was gone and built this shrine to Steve on my mantle. I love it so much...for so many reasons. Thank you so much Nate.

Till we meet again dear Steve.

Madison is one year old today

We had a perfect day. Jill made her this adorable crown.

It was beautiful in Santa Barbara at the zoo.

Jill wanted to start a tradition of having her photo in the Solvang Shoe Store shoe....but Maddie had a different idea.

Then we had a delish cake Susan made for her at the Solvang Bakery. Baby had her own and seemed to know what to do.
HAPPY DAY BABY!

a great quote...

Be the kind of woman
that when your feet
hit the floor each
morning the devil says
"Oh Crap, She's up!"

My latest ....

Here are some pieces I am pretty much done with. I have a couple more in the works to pack up for ArtFest.





This was our Ladies and Gents Show in Los Olivos Saturday. I think there were 9 artists. The 3 of us : Ron, Becky and I painted outside. It was really fun and I got something done.


Here is Earl doing a trial run for Easter. I am posting 2 pics here. One is good of Madison and one is good of Earl.


I am happy to report that Earl is doing good. It is still tough to stick to the new eating pattern....small amounts and frequent....but we are working on it. He got his last tube out last week so he is completely tubeless...which he is very happy about. We see the other surgeon, West and the oncologist Wed. Then I plan to visit my brother, Steve. I can't really talk about it right now but I will post a picture of him with our oldest brother, Neale. I have always loved this picture even though Steve looks a little bothered to have to take time out of play to pose with me etc. I love you Steve...

Any BSG fans out there....

With the end of Battlestar Galactica, millions of Cylons hit the job market.
.....This is from my Flickr friend ShelleyS...I love it!!!

I am soooo busy...

It's that pre-ArtFest time again...yikes...so I will do a quick post. This is a small painting I finished.

I have 3 more in the works.

I am entering an assemblage/collage show. I have one piece done. This may be all that I get done.

Here are 2 more pics of Santa barbara Arts. They are better than the last ones. Those are some of my paintings in the window.


....and here is my favorite 2 toothed girl...Madison!

Now back to meeeeee....

I am in a new gallery in Santa Barbara. I am very excited about it. It is Santa Barbara Arts. Located in the alley next to the Santa Barbara Art Museum on State Street...the La Arcada. Now I just need to get more painting done....

Another good day....

Earl continues to do well. He had a sandwich at the Longhorn and walked around the block a couple times and even mowed the lawn...in little spirts and rests. Here is a pic of him with his new comforter from Frank, Sue and Paula. It has been quite handy since our heater only works from time to time. Thanks again Frank, Sue and Paula.

Here are LE and Madison doing a little work before LE left. Madison grabbed LE's coffee cup seconds later...just to show how helpful she can be...