121. October Sun

'October Sun'

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

This sunny little scene was captured a year ago here in our small town, and we're enjoying similar weather today. A welcome change from the ginormous amounts of rain we've had recently. :)

I tried painting this several times last year, but it was sort of a nightmare. :)  Now that I know the joy of painting on a black ground, this sort of scene works so much better. I'm kinda lovin' it. 

Photographing it, though, - well, that was not as much fun. Those purply tree shadows just get waaay too blue and glow-in-the-dark for some reason, but with the magic of photo editing (completely accidental 'let's try this' kind of editing) I got them to look very close to reality. Whew! 

Oh, also, Blogger has decided that all photos need a little extra saturation, so the image is actually a tad more accurate on Daily Paintworks and my Facebook page. That is, according to my monitor. Ha! 

Now that I've spent nearly as much time on the photo editing as I did on the painting itself...tgif! 

Have a great weekend!

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120. Mason Jar Trio

'Mason Jar Trio'

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

I've been in a bit of a painting rut -- I had a really great start on one at the end of last week, but I couldn't get it to come together. So, I tried again on Sunday. And Tuesday. And today. Guess what! It still won't work! 

Reminds me of that Einstein - attributed quote about the definition of insanity. Not Einstein, by the way. As Abraham Lincoln once said, 'The problem with internet quotes is that you can't always verify their accuracy.' ;)

Anyway, all that to say, I (finally) wisely moved on to something else. 

I love these old jars and took a different approach with them today - it felt good to stretch in a new direction. And, my rut feels like it might be getting a little shallower. :)

Thanks for viewing my work!

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September in review...

The 30 paintings in 30 days challenge is over! Yay! ;)

Although I didn't even come close to thirty, I'm really happy with what I did accomplish. Fourteen! Whoohoo! All done in the same month that school and Sunday school resumed -- so, sort of miraculous for me. :) 

I s'pose I could have squeezed in one or two more if I really tried, but then my boys would have been wearing dirty clothes to school. ;)

I really appreciate the motivation and encouragement that this challenge provided -- thanks again for spurring us on, Leslie Saeta! A lot of the artists are linking collages like this on her blog - it's really cool to see the whole month's work all in one shot. Very satisfying. :)

I think I'll continue to that at the end of each month.

Oh, and eleven of my fourteen sold or currently have bids -- that gets an even bigger YAY! 

Thanks, all!

119. On Hold

'On Hold'

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

(My no. 14 in the 30/30 challenge.)

Just my old phone again. :)

Had a little fun with the colors of the shadows.

Thanks for viewing my work!

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118. Rain on Your Parade

'Rain on Your Parade'

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

(My no. 13 in the 30/30 challenge.)

Hey gang! Yes, I'm still painting. ;)

 Clearly, I will most likely not reach my goal of 20 paintings in the 30-day challenge, but I am oh-so-ok with that. :)

'Creating' has always been life-giving to me; it spurs me on like nothing else. Because of that, I feel infinitely blessed that I get to chase this dream from the comfort of my home. And, because I'm also immeasurably blessed to have a family, the balance of all these things requires an ebb and flow, win-some, lose-some, one day at a time approach. This day (and the last several), I'm taking it easy. :) We're all a little sick, we're all still adjusting to the school schedule (okay, maybe that's just me), and I'm trying hard to choose my bed over my paintbrush. It's been good - my blood pressure monitor is thanking me. :)

Ok, this little guy - I took this photo several years ago while visiting family in New Hampshire. It was early November, it was rainy and it was lovely. I've yet to visit New England at the peak of fall color - would LOVE to. I get serious east coast envy at this time of the year. ;)

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117. Umpqua Light

'Umpqua Light'

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

(My no. 12 in the 30/30 challenge.)

I love lighthouses. 

I tried hard to choose a unique composition for this light - didn't feel like making any ol' lighthouse painting. And, hey, why not make the sky a little on the turquoisy/teal side while I'm at it. I am an artist after all. ;)

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116. Shady Bug

'Shady Bug'

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

(My no. 11 in the 30/30 challenge!)

Hey!

So, this was a major challenge, probably mostly because I was really trying to hurry and finish before prime 'outdoor photographing hours' disappeared. In fact, it's thanks to my husband that I actually have something to post. ;) He stopped me from wiping away the entire thing out of sheer frustration. Instead, I took a break, enjoyed a beautiful sunset, came back and wiped away everything except the car. And then everything was so much better. Simplify, simplify, simplify. :)

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115. Reserved Parking

'Reserved Parking'

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

(My no. 10 in the 30/30 challenge.)

This private parking spot is directly outside our front door. :)

Bikes and trikes really cast some great shadows -- this one was very fun to paint. This photo is from a couple of months ago when sun and shadows were in abundance. I miss you already, summer!

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114. Hang Up

'Hang Up'

6" x 6" 

oil on gessobord

(My no. 9 in the 30/30 challenge.)

I haven't painted my old phone for a while - so here she is. 

 Well, half of her, anyway. ;) 

I had fun trying to squeeze as many colors as possible into the 'black'.

Thanks for checking out my work!

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113. Amber Waves

'Amber Waves'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

(My no. 8 in the 30/30 challenge)

I have a small collection of old shaving mirrors that I really like. 

They're simple, utilitarian and shiny. Vintage bling, if you will. :)

Today one of my favorite mirrors is reflecting a favorite pattern.  I've painted this tablecloth before and I always love that wavy pattern, but this time, I think the folds steal the show.

Thanks for viewing my work!

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112. It's (SO not) a Snap

'It's a Snap'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

(My no. 7 for the '30 in 30' challenge.)

Ok, so just because you don't see me here doesn't mean I'm not painting.

Yesterday, I painted and then wiped off one and a half whole paintings before getting to this little guy. UGH. Monday. Sometimes you can't just make it work, no matter what Tim Gunn says. 

It's a new day and things are going much better. :)

I've painted these snapdragons before with a blue (t-shirt) background, and this one was just as much fun. The blue one is still available, btw, just look for it in my Daily Paintworks gallery.

Oh, speaking of Daily Paintworks, they have a new monthly contest with cash prizes and my entry 'Peeling Potatoes' (below) for last month was one of the judges picks! Yay! I get a free month's membership and all the work I post this month will be up near the top of the page. Better get to painting!

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111. Mine is the Morning

'Mine is the Morning'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Six daily paintings in a row. 

Don't expect to hear from me over the weekend. ;)

I'm not giving up on the '30 in 30' challenge, just taking a break.

Kudos to all of you that are trucking on through. 

When I paint this frequently, I sorta get more and more critical of each piece; - I start to think, "Oh, the next one will be better, the next one I'll be so much faster!" (I prefer to think of it not as overly critical; instead, I'm an eternal optimist!) 

Anyway, in trying to achieve 'better', I then choose more difficult reference photos as the week goes on, and pretty soon I'm spending every free moment of the day on one painting! 

(You can imagine what my house looks like right now.)

Sheesh. Gotta chill out. :)

Back to the painting: This morning scene was captured last fall, just around the corner from our house. One of many mornings that I rushed back to the house to get the camera after dropping off my son at school.

Thanks for sticking with me this week - I gotta go order a pizza to feed my family. :)

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110. Your Porch or Mine?

'Your Porch or Mine?'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Day five in the '30 in 30' challenge! Whew! This one about did me in. 

And, then, trying to get a good picture of it - not easy! 

This little scene is from one of the quaint hilly streets in Astoria, Oregon. 

I love cruising around Astoria on a sunny day, admiring all the charming houses perched perilously on hillsides.

Astoria is one of the oldest cities on the West Coast, and a large portion of her first immigrant settlers were from Finland, the land of my forefathers. I get a kick out of seeing 'Suomi Hall' (now a retail store) and other Finnish names around town - makes me feel at home. ;)

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109. Another Pretty Face

'Another Pretty Face'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Four for four! And, it's only Wednesday!  

Painting daily is super beneficial - I'm excited to see how I grow and stretch during the rest of the month.

It seems I'm on a bit of a floral kick - see, I'm stretching myself already! And, it's pink! I'm not typically a fan, but this pansy face got me. It was one of those that seem like a wiper almost all the way through, but, just near the end, it came together and I'm happy with the result. 

Thanks for checking out my work!

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108. Third Day in the the Sun!

'Day in the Sun'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Yahoo, three in a row for the '30 in 30' challenge!

This was another really fun one to paint - and who can resist a backlit sunflower? This one is growing in my sister's front yard - so warm, sunny, summery, warm ;) ...love it. But, to me, they also give off the first sneaky feelings of Fall...which I also love, but not quite yet! 

Speaking of Fall, today was the first day of school for my boys -- here they are all ready to go! (Second grade and kindergarten.) It is so cool to see them grow and experience these big milestones. I'm so blessed. :)

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107. Aloha to day number two!

'Aloha'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

I'm two for two in the '30 in 30' challenge. On a roll! ;)

And, there is no Hawaii in my future, it's just the name on this sweet little vintage trailer. So cute. :)

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106. Two Black Eyes and 30 paintings in 30 days

'Two Black Eyes'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Hey guys! Missed ya. :)

We packed a whole lot of fun into our last two weeks of summer vacation, and I'm actually looking forward to the boring ol' routine that the school year brings. Let's just keep the warm temps here for a while longer, k?

So, the super-energetic artist Leslie Saeta has issued another 'thirty paintings in thirty days' challenge and I have joined the fun. The challenge runs for the month of September, and thankfully, there really are no rules, other than to attempt a daily painting as often as you can and then link it up on her blog.  Thirty in thirty is a HUGE stretch for me, but I'll do my best. Who's counting, right? ;) I'll post a link to her blog frequently - it's fun to see what everyone is coming up with! And, if you like that, be sure to check out Daily Paintworks (where I sell my work), - they post a new crop of paintings every single day. 

Oh, about this painting - black-eyed susans. One of my very favorite flowers and thankfully, one of my neighbors has a nice little bunch. 

This was just plain fun. :)

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105. Color Guard

'Color Guard'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Ack. This is why I don't paint people very often. They're tough!  

Truth be told, I nearly wiped this off in complete frustration last night, but, after sleeping on it, I muscled ahead, and I'm glad I did.

I could go on and on fiddling with it, but that's enough learning for one painting; -- time to move on! ;)

This scene is from our town's Independence Day parade -- the Color Guard starting things off. Ok, a confession. I cannot witness a passing of the colors or a rendition of our national anthem (no matter how poorly sung) without welling up. Even reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at my son's school assemblies turns me into a puddle! 

Lest you think I'm some sort of super-patriot, I do the same thing watching sports - the younger the players, the more pathetic I am. Don't let your small children go scoring any touchdowns or baskets 'round me, - I'm likely to burst into tears. :)  

Seriously, though - this sight at the parade brings all to their feet, as it should; - respect shown to the flag and those who carry it. 

Grateful.

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104. Two Squirts

'Two Squirts'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Whew! Summer is Busy! 

But, the best part is nearly upon us -- my parents and one of my sisters and her family are visiting from Minnesota! I can't wait to see them all this weekend and meet the latest sweet little niece. :)

In the midst of all the busy, I managed to sneak in a little painting today and boy did that feel good. I found these little squirts at a yard sale a few weeks ago. Squirt is one of my top three soda (I mean pop) flavors - but I've never seen the vintage glass bottle version. 

Love 'em - especially the twisty-glass one. 

Oh, and the sweet slogan - 'Never an after-thirst'. 

Wish I had one right now.

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103. Fair Barns

'Fair Barns'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

A couple of weeks ago, my guys and I went to our local county fair. 

I've lived here for nine years and this was my first time - a travesty!

When I was a kid, I don't think we ever missed the fair - I lost many a burger-flipping-earned dollar trying to win cheap prizes at silly, rigged carnival games, and wandered through oodles of barns and buildings checking out animals and 4-H projects. It was the highlight of our summer! 

My current county's fair lived up to all my fuzzy, youthful memories. The weather was perfect, the crowds were light, and the fair attractions were spot-on. It was my boys first fair (that they remember), and it was really cool seeing it all through their eyes. The horse barns, the cute, cute goats, the alligator(!), the rides, and especially the food. Oh, wonderful fair food. I'm still dreaming about those beignets (they called them fritters). Oh, yum.

Anyway, as we left, the setting sun did a lovely number on these horse barns. Can't resist a long, long shadow. :)

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102. Fire Escape

'Fire Escape'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Another scene from small-town Oregon, this time, Amity.

Oh, those shadows -- they just scream at me. I'm starting to not really see 'things' anymore, just the way they're lit. Obsessed. 

Beauty everywhere. 

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101. Star Chief

'Star Chief'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Our small town has a parade on the 4th of July - I captured this scene this year. The weather was perfect and my boys got a lot of candy. ;)

This 50's Pontiac Star Chief was just glowing in the sun - and, of course - you know I looove to paint the American flag. 

I have many treasured parade shots from over the years --  can't wait to paint more of them!

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100. Red Canoe

'Red Canoe'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Hey! My one hundredth small painting! Whoohoo! 

Yes, another scene from the backroads of our state - so Oregon, don't ya think? I'm diggin' it. ;)

Oh, and because this is number one hundred, this painting will come all framed up for the winning bidder, -- just like this:

Thanks for hanging out with me so far - I can't wait to see what the next one hundred will teach me. Hope you come along for the ride!

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99. Lakeside Grain & Seed

'Lakeside Grain & Seed'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Another scene from our drive home through rural Oregon.

An indulgence in my elevator obsession. :)

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98. Red Roofs

'Red Roofs'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Hey all, I'm back!

Hope you had a great holiday weekend - we totally did. 

Our little gang went camping in southern Oregon - by a lake - yay! -- and spent an afternoon oohing over the redwoods in northern California. I've always wanted to see them and was not disappointed. Crazy awesome.

Our trip was busy, warm, sunny, exhausting and wonderful. 

My husband and I both like roadtrips - or even just driving around locally to places I've never seen. I love my spot in shotgun shooting the passing scenery and rural architecture. It just makes me happy. 

This sunlit scene was captured on our way home as we drove through Carlton, Oregon. Summer in a small town - love it.

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97. Evening Round Bales

'Evening Round Bales'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Another scene from rural Minnesota in the summer. 

This trip home will always be one of my favorites - right near the end of it, my now-husband and I became a 'thing'. :)

That was nearly ten years ago, and, last week, we celebrated our ninth wedding anniversary. Love that guy. :)

Anyway, back to the painting. I'm a bit surprised that I haven't painted round bales before, what with my obsession and all. I'm sure I have dozens of photos of them, and fond memories of running across the tops when they're all lined up in their tidy rows. We always called this kind 'big round bales' because we had a neighbor that made 'little round bales'. I haven't seen the smaller version since I was a kid, -- they sure were cute.

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96. Heading Home

'Heading Home'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Ah, August in rural Minnesota. :)

Even though we all know summer doesn't officially start in the northwest until the 4th of July, some years the wait seems longer than others. 

So, in order to beat another rainy, gray day, I thought I'd paint myself a little sunshine. 

This is a photo my sister took a few summers ago in Minnesota - it transports me back there in ways I can't quite explain. 

The memories it evokes are unending; even the marks on the tar road make me homesick. (My husband gets a good laugh out of that one -- apparently the proper term is 'paved road'.) The hay rack, the fields, the telephone poles, the gentle hills...buzzing insects, humidity -- yeah, well, nobody's perfect. ;)  

Anyway, miss you, Minnesota, and hurry up and get here, sunshine. :)

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95. Banner and Horn

'Banner and Horn'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Yay, the weekend is here.

Enjoy. :)

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94. Star and Stripes

'Star and Stripes'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Same pinwheel, with the addition of a vintage flag.

I did a little painting of another sort with my boys this afternoon.

I have fond memories of finger painting when I was their age - great fun!

(I'm 'noraellen23' on instagram)

93. Pinwheel

'Pinwheel'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Red, white and blue all over my palette this week;

 hope you're feeling as patriotic as I am. :)

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92. Back Porch Evening

'Back Porch Evening'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

This is the back view of the Historic Borst Home in Centralia, WA. 

Its front side is beautiful and a little fancier, but I just love the simple architecture of the back porch. 

The long shadows and warm light of evening seal the deal. 

I want to go to there. :)

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91. Snapdragon a Day

'Snapdragon a Day'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Ok, I'm head over heels for this one. 

It helps that the last several attempts were complete duds. :)

I enjoyed it from start to finish, and, I'm so glad I planted these gorgeous dwarf snapdragons this year. I just love how they look against the bright blue of my 5-year-old's favorite Angry Birds t-shirt. ;)

In other news, school's out for summer! Whee! We made it.

Bring on the sun and swimming lessons.

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90. Doors

'Doors'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Wooden shop doors on a sunny day in Astoria, Oregon. :)

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You may have noticed that my painting has really dropped off in the past few months, and I guess I'd like to share what's what. Forgive me if this is TMI for a painting blog, just let me get it out there once and for all, and then I'll get back to the paintings. :) 

In early March, we learned that I was pregnant, and I spent most of my free time hanging out on my couch with afternoon/evening sickness. In mid-April, a first trimester ultrasound showed some abnormalities, and further testing revealed a severe heart defect and Down syndrome. The specialists were very concerned, and, sadly, in mid-May, another ultrasound showed that our tiny little boy no longer had a heartbeat. (Sixteen weeks gestation.) 

Needless to say, we've experienced nearly every emotion possible in the past few months, but, through it all, we've been so blessed and overwhelmed by the love and prayers of the friends and family that God has given us. 

We are humbled and grateful. 

In late May, I turned forty. (Um, what? Ok, still in denial, a bit.) As surreal as that seems, it's another reminder to stop and be thankful; to hug my three busy boys (7, 5, and 2) and my fantastic husband a little more often; and to appreciate once again that no matter how hard things are, one doesn't have to look far to find another with a greater struggle. I've gained a little empathy, a little compassion, and hopefully, I'll be able to give a little more to others as we were so blessed to receive.

Even though it's not the most important part of my life, painting is a big part of who I am, and I have missed it terribly. I'm so looking forward to getting back up to a few a week if I can ever remember how. ;) It's challenging and therapeutic (mostly), and when I'm not busy caring for my family, I'll be tucked into my corner, pushing around some paint.

Thanks for indulging me the sharing of this very personal information - it's better for me to just have everything out there -- and thanks for following my work.

 I hope I have many more paintings to share with you this summer. :)

89. Trophy Tower

'Trophy Tower'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Thanks to a neighborhood yard sale, I'm the new owner of these circa 1970 silver trophies. Love 'em! I stacked them on top of my vintage 'Derby Foods' box and had a great time painting them. 

I'm sure you'll see them again - old, shiny... what's not to love?

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88. Sunday in Seaview

'Sunday in Seaview'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

This past Sunday, we took our three boys to the beach for the day.

It was glorious! 

Even though the weather app was telling us it was going to be 80°, I couldn't quite wrap my brain around it. Normally, a trip to a Washington beach (especially in May!) requires extra layers and rain boots - this was so the opposite and I loved every minute. Well, except the few seconds I attempted to walk in the dry, hot sand. ;)

We had such a wonderful time - warm sunshine with a steady wind to keep us from getting too hot, and plenty of shallow tide pools to keep the boys entertained. Summer Love.

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87. Cougar Pride

'Cougar Pride'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Sometimes I just love getting lost in the details. :)

This is my first grader's school and I thoroughly enjoyed painting it.
'Specially that American flag - love, love to paint the flag. 

And, I'm very glad I spent some time staring at it after calling it quits last night - something wasn't quite right. I finally realized that the stripes were paying tribute to two extra colonies! Considering this is a donation to the school's fundraiser auction, I should probably get the flag right. 

Well, almost right, - don't try counting those stars. ;)

86. Camellia in Canning Jar

'Camellia in Canning Jar'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Hooray, it's May! My favorite month.

Mother's Day, my birthday (it's a big one this year - yikes!), and the long, wet winter is truly and finally over. We'll still see plenty of rain, but at least we won't be shivering in it. :)

And May flowers! Or, in my neighborhood, May deer appetizers. 

I planted some annuals with my sons on Sunday afternoon and the local pests have left them alone so far, but I'm sure it won't be long. I'll have to try some of those homemade anti-deer concoctions. Any suggestions?

Happy May!

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85. Downstairs

'Downstairs'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Another cute house in north Portland. 

SO green! 

I've lived in the PNW for almost 15 years, and I'm still amazed by how green it is year-round. (I took this photo in January.) Love it.

We're enjoying a similarly sunny day today, -- so great. 

Keep it coming, Spring!

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84. Stems

'Stems'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

It's my anniversary! My oil painting anniversary, that is. 

One year ago today, I painted and posted my very first small painting in oils!

I've had the time of my life, and I've learned so, so much. 

I haven't painted many flowers, or what I should say is, I haven't completed many paintings of flowers, because, well, they're tough! 

These little lovelies came home with me yesterday thanks to my sweet mother-in-law, and after seeing the roundy vase I knew I had to try painting them. To take the pressure off, I put the focus on my favorite parts -- the vase and stems. I gotta say, I'm diggin' those stems.  

Thanks for watching my progress this past year - I can't wait to see what the next one brings. :)

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83. Minnesota Morning

'Minnesota Morning'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

First off, I will apologize to those of you actually in Minnesota right now, -- I know you've seen more than your share of the white stuff this year -- sorry to bring you a little more.

This sunrise was on the day we left MN on our most recent winter trip to the area - it was January 2, 2010. And, it was a balmy -31°F. 

It's always sad to leave after visiting my parents, grandparents, siblings, cousins, friends, etc., -- but, temperatures like that make heading back to Oregon just a little easier. :)

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82. Highway Ten

'Highway Ten'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

This is another one I've tried before -- they're so much more fun now!

I took this photo a couple of summers ago in Minnesota. This is Wadena, the nearest 'big' town to our small town. We went to school in our beloved Sebeka; for everything else, we went to Wadena. I couldn't begin to count the weekend hours I spent with friends, cruising endlessly over these streets. Even now, a couple of decades years later, I find myself looking at the passengers in other cars, expecting to see high school pals. 

My all-time fave DQ graces this shot, but right now, I'm really wishing I had my hands on a Hardee's Hot Ham n' Cheese. :)

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81. Haystack Six

'Haystack Six'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

'Twas August in Oregon, so one guy went shirtless on the beach. ;)

It was actually hot inland, but ocean breezes keep the coastal towns misty and air-conditioned. Still, a beautiful, bright day. 

Beachcombers and sunbathers enjoy the warm sand in front of Haystock Rock in Cannon Beach, Oregon.

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80. Charred

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Whew! Over a week since I last posted - sorry 'bout that! 

We've been a little under the weather around here - hopefully everyone'll be on the mend soon.

I've been itching to paint something gold or brassy, and my father-in-law supplied the perfect thing - his old trumpet. It lived through a fire last year, and if you know me at all, you know I love it this way!  

All those extra colors and the green and blue patina - just so expressive.

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79. Summer Red

'Summer Red'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

I painted a little Summer today - I am so ready for it! 

Also, it's been too long since I painted something red. :)

This handsome barn is snuggled into the foothills of Mt. St. Helens in WA.

I am so envious of its rolling fields and southern exposure. 

Also, this is one of the first barns I've seen that doesn't have a 'face'.

That's all right - it still looks cheerful to me.

And warm! :)

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78. Monday Morning

'Monday Morning'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Our morning commute. Or, the six block drive home from school. :)

Dense fog settled low in distant canyons; sunbeams pointing long shadows towards beaming porches, and the lingering overnight frost giving spring lawns an extra glow.

Pretty loosey-goosy on this one --  I know, I spell that different every time, -- but that's usually what I need on a Monday. :) 

The sun actually stayed with us all day long, so I opened my window wide and enjoyed the smell of freshly cut grass and the sounds of kids playing outdoors. 

Ah, Spring. :)

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