30 Days of Gratitude - November 6th

Do you find the color changes in the Autumn leaves as interesting as I do?  We didn't have much color this year.  Oh, there were a few fabulous trees that seemed to shout their personality, but they were far a few between. The one Ginko tree, that I know of around here, turns really bright yellow.  I have a vivid memory of finding those leaves when collecting for a project in 1st grade.  They were so different and a bit exotic and mysterious to me even then.

As it turns out, the tree really is somewhat of a mystery.  They are the sole survivor of a group of trees from when dinosaurs roamed the earth.  The parts of the leaves, seeds, and bark, for medicinal use in Asian cultures has been known for thousands of years but remains a little mysterious to those of us who do not study that type of medicine.

Today I am Grateful for that Mystery and the Curiosity that led me to research the information.  I used to be known as the "Research Queen".  Maybe I will be again some day!  Follow me at Cindy Rippe - Artist on facebook to see some of my November Sketching Challenge posts.

As we struggle to make sense of things, life looks on in repose. Author Unknown

Sparkling Raindrops

Sparkling Raindrops on the Hostas - ©CindyRippe2013

The spring rains have lasted a long time this year.  I've been taking advantage of the days between to get the garden in shape for summer.  Most of the perennials have been enjoying the cool nights and rainy days and have done well.  The sparkling raindrops on the hosta leaves above are a favorite reminder of how the rain and sunshine work together to create beautiful moments. I try to take a few minutes right after the rain stops to walk through the garden and enjoy them whenever possible.

 Tears of joy are like the summer rain drops pierced by sunbeams. Hosea Ballou 

A Peek at Spring through the melting Snow.

Quote by Virgil A. Kraft - Hope for Spring photo ©CindyRippe2013

It's warmer today and the snow is melting so I took a walk through the back yard. About this time I gather pussy willow branches to share.  There aren't many this year and I counted only 5 little "fluffs" peeking out.  They're not ready yet.  As I turned around I looked at the puddles of melting snow and saw these leaves peeking out.  I'm not even sure what they are; could be daffodils, surprise lilies, day lilies....there are so many things planted back there.  But whatever they are, they made me smile.  Even with the forecast of more snow in the next few days I know that they are waiting to reach out for the warm sun!

I've added a "Countdown to Spring" clock on the right side of the blog - are you as anxious as I am?

The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day he created Spring. Bern Williams

Note: Wow!  That's a lot of blue in the photo!  Reminds me of the other night when Jon and Tawn took us to see Blue Man Group :)

Basil Beginnings - Colored Pencil Cultivation

Cultivating Basil Beginnings in Colored Pencil - ©CindyRippe2013

While working on collections for my online classes and ebooks I found this Basil plant drawing.  I taught it several years ago, as an introduction to colored pencil techniques, and it's part of a series of herbs.  I haven't seen it for a while so I was surprised to see that the perspective on the rim of the pot was wrong. It's not perfect but I don't mind. My original drawing is correct.  I'm sure I was distracted when I worked on the metal tag which I really like.

It reminded me that we are all growing, like the basil plant. The steps we take, the lessons we learn, are all a part of becoming who we are meant to be.  Maybe we're not perfect......but we all have good qualities that make us happy.  Concentrate on the happy and keep growing!

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Philippians 3:12

Life is about not knowing - Sweet Ambiguity

Our tree before the changes - Delicious Ambiguity - ©CindyRippe2013Life is about not knowing - Sweet Ambiguity - ©CindyRippe2013

Today's the day we are getting a tree trimmed.  It's a huge maple tree.  The leaves give the perfect amount of shade on the deck and keep the house cool in the summer, the birds love it and we are entertained by their antics while feeding on the seeds we provide.  There is a pair of squirrels that race around the trunk all year long and the ivy bed below provides a perfect frame for one of my cement angels (and a hiding spot for a garden snake once in a while).  It's always the last tree to change color in the fall, but then again, it's the last to drop it's leaves which adds another day of raking just when you think you're almost done!

As with any plant in the garden it has it's issues.  It's probably too close to the houses (ours as well as our neighbors) and there is worry about storm damage some day.  Well, today is the day that we hope to make that better.  Lee and the neighbor have made the decisions about which limbs need to go, who's going to do that, when they'll arrive and all the rest of the details.  I've been given the job to work from home today so that if there are any questions I can answer them.   Whaaaat????  I don't even know what you guys have agreed on.  I don't know anything about trimming trees, how much it should cost, or what to do if something goes wrong. Thanks!

I'm also wondering what the tree will look like or how things will change in the garden.  I'm the type of person that just needs to know. The plans, the times, the details.  I can usually handle and adapt if I just know what's going on.  I don't like to be "hanging in limbo" (hey....tree limbs....limbo....lol).   Well, I finally realized that I'm NOT going to know so just go with it.  Life is about not knowing and can be a delicious discovery.  I went outside, took pictures of the tree and will stay out of the way unless they need me.  Feels pretty good.  "Delicious Ambiguity" as Gilda Radner once said.

“I wanted a perfect ending. Now I've learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next. Delicious Ambiguity.”            Gilda Radner

Art Journal - Playing with Inktense pencils

©CindyRippe 2013 - Inktense Watercolor pencil for Mixed Media background

I'm participating in Kelly Hoernig's Art Amusement Journal challenge on facebook and decided to journal based on the word I chose for this year.  My word is ACCOMPLISHED. It's who I am and what I do. (That's my positive affirmation - right now it's who I want to be and what I want to do!)

Kelly let me borrow her set of 12 Derwent Inktense pencils so I thought it would be fun to experiment. I have almost every brand of colored pencil (including the other Derwents, but haven't tried these yet.  They are watercolor pencils but after you wet the color it dries permanently which allows you to layer other wet media without causing to move.

I created the background by filling in heavy strokes of color across the top of the page (about 1 1/2" sections) that overlapped to create addition colors between.  I then took a 3/4" Wash brush to really wet the color and let it drip down the page.  After that was dry, I did a free-hand sketch of leaves and flowers with an fine Pitt Pen.  (They aren't based on any real plant - I was watching TV and just played)   The dry ink wash was really easy to draw over.  The wax that holds the pigment had dissolved and the pen didn't skip at all.

©CindyRippe 2013 - Inktense Watercolor pencil for Mixed Media full page

I painted the leaves and flowers with the regular Derwent Watercolor pencils and added a few white highlights with white acrylic paint on the flower petals.  I went back to reinforce some of the line work and decoupaged a bible verse that I tore out from last year's Daily Guidepost book.

I'm not sure what I'll put on the rest of the page but it will be a nice background to work on.  Thanks for letting me play with those pencils today Kelly!

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.  Proverbs 16:9

December Flower of the Month - Holly

Holly is the alternate for Narcissus as December's Flower of the Month.  As usual there are many
Victorian meanings for Holly including foresight, defense, domestic happiness, and enchantment.

I chose Domestic Happiness because family is so important to me, especially during this season of Christ's birth.  I can surely understand why defense would be one of the meanings after photographing this variety with such sharp points on the leaves. We found huge trees loaded with berries on our walk through the Missouri Botanical Gardens a few weeks ago.

"The Romans decorated their hallways with holly garlands for their mid-winter celebration, Saturnalia. Medieval monks called the holly the Holy Tree and believed holly would keep away evil spirits and protects their homes from lightening. The pointed leaves represented the crown of thorns worn by Jesus, and the red berries symbolized drops of his blood." source - http://www.livingartsoriginals.com

We tried to get a good picture in front of one of the Holly trees.  The sunshine was perfect for capturing the holly but not so flattering to us.  Hope you can see OUR domestic happiness shining through the picture though.  Wishing you and yours a blessed Christmas and New Year!

And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.  And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.   Luke 2:9-12

Weary in doing good.

There are a just few colorful trees left in the neighborhood.  It's like they are hanging on as long as they can. Today I am choosing to be grateful for that little bit of color and the promise of beauty in the snow that's on it's way soon.  There is an abundance of color in the photos that I've captured throughout the last few months so maybe that will lift my spirits. This one is from the Lauritzen Gardens.

I'm really feeling the effects of the stress as a caregiver.  Now that my sister, Bev, has taken the lead in Mom's care for a while you'd think I'd be all relaxed but no......I guess my body has other plans.  Aches, pains, flu, guilt, etc.  All the good stuff that catches up with you when your immune system is worn out. Lee and I are still trying to help as much as we can but everything is in transitional mode I guess.  We'll figure it out I'm sure but I hope it's before Bev gets in to the same place as me.  I am sure grateful that she, and her husband, are there for Mom though.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.Galatians 6:9

Raindrop Jewels and Hostas

We've had sooo much rain lately.  Thankfully the garden is enjoying this sweet gift of life.  I was fascinated with the large puddle on this leaf.  The temperature was cool enough for it to stay the same size overnight. I took several photos of all the hostas all while studying the veins and raindrops just clinging to the leaves.  Did you notice the row of drips along the top edge of this leaf?  They look like little jewels.

"When April steps aside for May,
Like diamonds all the rain-drops glisten;
Fresh violets open every day:
To some new bird each hour we listen." -  Lucy Larcom

Shamrock Fun

Shamrock Leaves ©CindyRippe2010

This Shamrock plant has been really interesting.  If you look back to the day I bought it, here, you'll see all the leaves are folded back.  Turns out that during the day, in bright sunlight, (or under my desk lamp) the leaves spread open and flatten out.  It looks very full and pretty.

Flowering Shamrocks ©CindyRippe2010

It has been flowering non-stop as well.  What I find most interesting though is that it "moves" frequently.  It gently pops and startles me a bit as I see move it in my peripheral vision.  I don't know if it's a flower opening or what.  I've tried just sitting and waiting to see it move but of course never does while I'm watching.  A bit magical I think!

I believe that there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright. Henry David Thoreau