Sunday, August 30, 2009

SUN-day...

More hurricanes visiting this weekend at the Jersey shore... but oddly enough... the rain stopped and the sun came out today! So, as my rule goes...

If the sun is shining and it is at least 70º out... I must go to the beach!

I did some sunning, some reading, and listened to some relaxation CDs. I also did a little beachcombing and found this really interesting piece of driftwood. Did someone carve it that way? Is it some kind of wormwood? Did it happen naturally? Hmmmm.....

Monday, August 24, 2009

Walkin' In The Rain...

We did get some torrential downpours on Friday (totally unrelated to Hurricane Bill!). Amazing winds and picturesque lightning. But it was all over by about 7:30pm. Having a full belly and feeling kind of cooped up... I decided that I needed some ice cream! So I donned my new old-style-tattoo rain boots ($10 on sale... yes, I'm bragging), and got myself a sugar cone with Chocolate Mocha Chip at my favorite ice creamery... Day's. Mmmmm, mmmmm, mmmmm... And the boots worked out very nicely, too!

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Bill Visits The Jersey Shore...

Hurricane Bill dropped by for a short visit to the Jersey shore this weekend. But that didn't stop the local fishermen, parasailers, beachgoers, surfers and the all-around curious from coming to enjoy the festivities. Waves were high... crashing loudly... you could hear them as far as a mile from the shore!



Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Cotton Candy Model... Yeah, I'm Serious!

Depending on your own creative "tastes" you never know what type of assignment you'll get. Well, tonight I got to be a cotton candy model! How cool is that? You see, local woodcut artist Paul Bonelli is creating a series of boardwalk themed prints... honoring the "floating world" that entertains people of all ages. Since I love cotton candy so much and have been using it as my recent creative muse, Paul thought I would be an outstanding subject. I even got to use my Cotton Cotton Candy as the prop! I was honored to be the cotton candy chick for his next piece and I look forward to seeing it evolve in our monthly critique sessions in Ocean Grove.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Happy Anniversary Woodstock!

August 15th, 16th and 17th... 40 years ago... nearly half a million young people gathered for a miracle called Woodstock. All weekend long I watched the original Woodstock movie and specials about the concert, its attendees and musicians. There is so much we can learn from Woodstock... so many amazing quotes... songs... and how to peacefully live together and love each other. I'm always chasing the feeling...

We are Stardust... We are Golden... We are billion year old Carbon... And we've got to get ourselves back to the Garden...

Thursday, August 13, 2009

After The Rain...

A visitor! Who knows all about how to take life slow...

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

It's A Summer Thing...

I only have this three months out of the year, but it's one of my favorite things about summer. A peep of a sandal under a comfy pair of flaired jeans... tan toes... and pretty pink polish. Ahhh, the little joys of Summer...

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Oh Noooo... Mr. Dog Toy?

You never know what you'll find washed up on the beaches of Ocean Grove! This weekend I came across a blowfish dog toy sitting right at the edge of the shore. I don't think he really likes the water! Oh noooo...

Monday, August 3, 2009

A Whirlwind Show...

Whew! Back from the Craft & Hobby Association's Summer Trade Show... and what a trip. Pictured above are "Rangerettes" Debbie, Teresa, Jackie, me and Patti (Bonnie is taking the photo). We looked so pretty and neat before we entered the Convention Center Hall to build our booth for two days in 90 degree temps with about 95% humidity! Whew...
Lots of work goes into building the booth, but when it's all done, we stand back, admire our work, and have a few well-deserved adult beverages...
I got to help out in Claudine Hellmuth's workshop... which is always fun. It's great to spend time with people who really want to learn about Ranger's products and teach others...
We stayed at the Peabody hotel... named after the distinctive Mallard. There are actually a few ducks that hang out in the hotel foyer, in the fountain. Too cool...
The hotel was very nice and I got to swim in this amazing pool! Doesn't this just look like a postcard...
The hotel had tasty restaurants with an eclectic array of foods. But the sweets were really a treat. I would like one of each, please...
The show was 3 days long and I help out as a salesperson. And although it was a smaller show due to the economy, Ranger did really well. We always seem to be a destination on everyone's list. A great turnout, considering... see you all in Anaheim in January!

©photos by Patti Behan and Bonnie Egenton