The mini-book frenzy continues...

and I may have to start more in addition to the 17 I have in progress.  Every time I use painted dryer sheets I fall in love with them all over again, and this little book-in-the-making will be no exception:

The texture just has me salivating - how about you?

And of course, I am also working on the other ones in progress...some day these will all come together - just like families after Covid is done.

With a first-birthday coming up for granddaughter, Chloe, a painting has also been in the works.  Lucky her parents don't read this or I'd have to wait until June to show it to you.  Chloe is just as whimsical as the painting...she's a delightful sprite.

And I have to show you this lovely leaf I discovered while out walking.

Isn't Mother Nature the absolute best artist ever?!!!

We've had some lifting of the restrictions this week, which means that Ruth and I will be able to resume working on paintings for her upcoming show in November - that's welcome news.  The pressure has been on to find ways to fulfil her commitment and this is a most positive step.

I hope the news in your area is just as good, and that we can all move forward to a kinder, gentler world together.  

It's chaos here...

...and fun to boot.

With Rochelle coming to stay with us for the summer as she joins the staff at Creston Veterinary Hospital, our household has doubled in size, if not in humans, as of yesterday.

Rochelle's two female dogs, JoJo and Daisy, are making themselves at home while Opal the Wonder Cat (can you see her in the photo?) struggles against all odds to train the additional staff.  She's a trooper!

Being of sound mind and body myself, I immediately got out of town to join Laura and Eileen a good way up the mountainside for tea and the beauty of nature.  The company was outstanding,

and the view was amazing.  A favourite hiking spot of Eileen's, it was a terrific vantage point to see valley bottom from a different angle.

A lovely break, it was a welcome re-connection with Mother Nature's glory.

Always it's a treat to come home and do the same in the back yard.  Today was a harbinger of hot summer days, and the garden was a great 'Ta Da' of anticipation.

Some of the tulips are in full bloom,

others are pregnant with possibility.

The forsythia is paying homage to the sky,

 and who says that pansies are quiet and retiring?  These ones look blatantly showy!

 Even the lowly dandelion echoes the sun on a day like this!

Oh, and somewhere in there I managed to sneak in some time for fun foam plate construction,

and even finish some.

So welcome home, Rochelle, thanks for the respite Eileen and Laura, and blessings on you, Mother Nature, for always showing your truly extraordinary colours!