Enjoying the Hudson River

Living in small cities and towns along the Hudson River,

we're constantly reminded of it's ever changing beauty. Morning

to evening, day to day and season to season it never fails to 

intrigue and delight. However, the warm months allow me

to get close access to the shoreline as some access roads are

closed during the icy months. So a few times a week we

are spending delightful time there with our little grandson.

 He (and we) love to investigate the shore line to find what curiosity

 has appeared at low tide.

 

River glass and interesting stones seem to be the most intriguing.

 

A small family of Canadian Geese, so lovely to look at, but messy things......

 

The little man is getting really good at skipping stones!

 

If I lived in this house I would probably never move from the veranda!

 

I just have to be content with sitting here occasionally.....gorgeous isn't it?

Beautiful Autumn Days.

This first week of Autumn has been a busy one!

We love taking out grandson out on nature walks, he could live outside all the time.

 

 

This timid visitor stopped by in the afternoon one day.

 

 

 

 

Apple picking here in the Hudson Valley is a must and this variety of

apple that we picked is called a SnapDragon and is absolutely the best 

tasting one IMHO, lol!

 

 

 

 

 Friday was prepping for a demo on collage that I was doing for 

Arts Mid-Hudson at Bethel Woods on Saturday morning. There is a festival there this weekend

called Mkng Festival and there are many workshops to attend, music to listen

to, foods to eat, and vendors to purchase from.

 

 

 

 

 There is nothing prettier than a sunny morning, in autumn, in the Hudson Valley!

You can't really get the full scope of the top two pictures,

but that is the field where the Woodstock Music Festival was held.

 

Soon the leaves in our area will be in full glorious color, time for hot toddys,

apple pies, and warm fires.

 

 

Autumn

Layers, sweaters, boots!

Reds, golds, oranges and browns!

Apples, ciders, doughnuts, figs!

A favorite time of year for me and many other people also, 

even my dog Rocky seems to be a little more excited to be outside.

The leaves are just starting to drop,

 when we went to the zoo this week we spotted a few gold and orange leaves.

Very shortly, this scene from the train will be much more colorful, but I

love the greens and golds and greys together.

 

The asters seem to be extra vibrant this year, aren't these gorgeous?

Frida Bones is especially happy to be traveling in cooler weather.

She is joining her sisters in upstate NY where the colors will be really popping 

by the time she gets there.

Hopefully by Wednesday this week, I will have these girls ready

 to be listed in my Etsy and Ebay  Shops.

Enjoy your week!

Lucky Black Cat

Never too early for Halloween Shenanigans!!!

This handsome fellow is ready to come and help celebrate Halloween with you.

 

He is a sweet celebration mate and will always laugh at any and all Halloween jokes.

 

A wire armature was used so that his arms and legs and tail can be bent to many positions,

 and to assist in helping him to stand on his own.

I made his Trick or Treat bag from a small orange bag and decorated it with one of my Halloween artworks.  It has a wire handle and can be filled with your choice of sweets.

The crepe paper covered mast that he holds is also displaying another piece of my holiday artwork the scary cats inspired by vintage ones. The mast also aids in helping Lucky to stand on his own.

He is listed in my Etsy Store and here is the link:

 

www.etsy.com/listing/629701751/halloween-black-cat-handmade-collectible?ref=shop_home_active_1

Art Prints and Springtime

This snowy cold winter is loathe to leave us here in the northeast. We awake to snow or frost on many days that should be warming the soil.

I haven't given up on spring, it's on the way, it has just been slowly awakening.

This little man had a wonderful time searching for eggs this Easter. With the 

spring comes his birthday, three already!

Many train rides to NYC for not so great reasons....but the marsh views are beginning to

perk up.

Most days I have been in production mode, there are quite a few steps to producing these art blocks. It's important to have the wood cut cleanly and straight and my husband does a wonderful job of this with his big table saw.
Sanding the edges and then covering with vintage paper is accomplished with the help of a very sweet dear friend.
I print on a Epson Artisan printer on a lovely satiny finished paper, then mount it on the wood block.

This batch of 5x5 Art Prints on Wood are heading to 

Arts Mid-Hudson's Dutchess Handmade Pop-up Shop

Starting April 27th until May 19th.

They are located at 696 Dutchess Turnpike, Suite E

Poughkeepsie, NY 12603

www.artsmidhudson.org

Hope to see you there!

Out and About.....

I found this growing in my son's front yard under the pine trees. From a distance I thought that is was a pumpkin growing, it's hard to tell from this picture but it stands about 8" high and it was about 5" in diameter. Anyone know what kind of mushroom it is?

Pop and the little man had a great time on this swing, such a sweet idea!

My sister and her husband have two goats, two pigs and two dogs so far...they are really filling up their little farm. She wants to learn how to make soap, I can't wait to test it out!

A visit to Dia:Beacon.

A few weeks ago when my younger son was in for a visit, we spent a few hours at the Dia: Beacon. A contemporary art museum in Beacon, NY which is a small city along the Hudson River.

I love this pathway!

So many light filled areas.

The building itself was originally used as manufacturing plant producing Nabisco boxes.

 

The architecture is as amazing as the art within.

If you are in the Northeast and haven't visited yet, you should!
If you are planning a trip any time in the future, make sure to put this as a stop.

Sue
https://www.etsy.com/shop/digiliodesigns?show_panel=true

Vegan Banana Bread

Oh yes it is!

Isn't this lovely? I tried a new recipe this cold sleety, snowy, rainy, miserable morning.

 I came across this one in a search and I love it!

 

http://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/banana-bread-eggless-vegan-recipe/

I added chopped organic walnuts instead of sunflower seeds and I used 

Bob's Red Mill Whole Wheat Pastry Flour.

This recipe called for four bananas instead of three and didn't use vinegar

 and almond milk, which is why I chose this one.

All of the ingredients are staples that are in most every kitchen.

It sliced beautifully while still warm and is very moist.

A perfect accompaniment to afternoon tea.

In my journey to eat only plants, this recipe is a keeper! 

Oh and DH loves it too, he's had three slices already. 

Garrison Riverside Craft Fair 2015

It is the most beautiful venue that I participate in. The Hudson River is one of the most majestic rivers in the world.

My booth never looks the same from fair to fair, but this setup is by far the prettiest setup for my booth yet!

The customers were a delight, very engaging and interesting to meet and talk to. My vendor neighbors were all sweet and fun to spend time with.

The weather, although sunny with no rain, was horribly hot, humid and  miserable! Lots of ice, water, wet towels and my latest obsession; cold brewed iced coffee!!!

On my drawing table and Peaches!

I'm getting new art ready for next weekend at:

http://www.garrisonartcenter.org/#!annual-fine-crafts-fair/cxlq

It's a lovely fair and if you are nearby you should stop in for a beautiful view of the Hudson and West Point.

New hummingbirds.

Kitty Yin Yang.

Peaches and Nectarines are in season now and it was a lovely few hours picking and visiting with a dear friend.

Enjoy your weekend!