Thursday, April 30, 2009

Inspired by the Garden

Surrounded by the sight and scent of spring in
our garden, today I felt very inspired
to work on flowers and butterflies.
Working out on the porch, Ellie May
sat by my side and on my lap and when she
tired of helping she jumped over to her
basket to keep an eye out for the chipmunk.


(Perhaps one of the paintings
may be included in a book project I've been
working on.)

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

A Suprise Visit

Late yesterday afternoon, we received a phone call
from a friend who said she had something really cool
to show us and wanted to stop by immediately.
It was a surprise and she said it was a gift.
As she walked down the path she was carrying a basket
and I do love baskets and thought maybe that was the gift.
As she got closer I could peer inside.
I couldn't believe what I was seeing... 2 tiny 8 week old
kittens. Oh, they were so adorable.
We wished we could have taken them into our home
to be part of our family but we really have no vacancies!
Every room in our little house and studio is occupied by a cat.
Our 3 dear cats all need their own space and we do not
wish to do anything to upset them.
I must say that we were smitten by the kittens
and so much enjoyed meeting them.
It's very easy to fall in love with them.
I can't get them out of my mind today!
I took many photos of our friend holding the little
girl and D holding the little boy and are trying to
think of someone we might know
who could give them the home
they deserve.




Sunday, April 26, 2009

A Special Visitor in the Garden

D called me over to the garden as I
climbed the front steps to go into the
house this evening.

He was carrying something and set it
down. To my surprise it was Kita Cat!


It was several years ago in the late autumn
when we first set eyes upon Kita in our garden.
At the time, we thought she was a stray.

While experiencing bitter cold weather, we
called everyone we could think of in the neighborhood
without success and nearly found a home for her when
her family contacted us and we discovered her story.

Kita lives behind the houses across the
street in a horse barn and when she was taken back to
her abode we had hoped that she would
not wander, especially at night.
We've heard coyotes calling in the middle of the night
and there's other dangerous wildlife in the woods.

Since that time she hasn't visited much so when we do
occasionally see her we're delighted but at the same time
worried and hope that she will stay safe.
She is one of the friendliest kitties I've ever met.
When she first visited us in the fall of 2007,
she loved to sit on D's back as he was working on our house
and gardening on his hands and knees! She would look
over his shoulder!

Here' some photos from 2007:

Kita and D


Painting Birds With Ellie May

It was an exceptionally warm morning
and after a walk on the beach and a stroll
through our garden, I settled down on the
porch to paint birds with Ellie May.




Friday, April 24, 2009

Back with My 3 Cats

It is so special to be back home with my 3 cats.

Ellie May spent this warm sunny day on the porch
sitting with D's whale woodcarving.
She looked so comfy!


Polly took many catnaps!


Brody has given me many kisses and head rubs!

They fill my heart with joy!

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Home Again

I'm back home in Maine and will be adding more
soon!

Saturday, April 18, 2009

A Budding Artist

I'm visiting my brother and his family and
my 11 year old niece loves drawing.
Here's some of her wonderful artwork.


Lunch with Tiger


I haven't seen my niece cat,Tiger,
much on this trip to Connecticut
but yesterday I saw her for a quick
lunch at my sister C's house.
Amazing how just seeing her
fills my heart with joy!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

"Scraggly the Stowaway Cat"

Years ago, I was called upon to create the
ink drawings of Scraggly for the books:
"Scraggly the Stowaway Cat" and
"Scraggly's New Home".

About the Author:
Tom Bradbury has always been interested in Maine
history. Active in local historical societies, he has written
and edited many articles about Maine events and people.
...his historical research uncovered the true story of a
stowaway cat from Boston that found its new home in
Cape Porpoise, Maine, many years ago.
This delightful book is based on that actual true life story.




The cover oil painting and the oil paintings
in the book were created by Ron Goyette.
I created the drawings of Scraggly and you
can see him on this cover and all of the pen
and ink drawings within the book.







I used my brother as the model for Captain Nunan.
The faces of my husband and other relatives were
used for the crew!
It was a project dear to my heart for I love cats, the
sea and Cape Porpoise.

To see more about Scraggly visit my other blog:
shells and roses ( shellsandroses.blogspot.com)

It's in the April 15, 2009 post!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Hawk


Saw a crow chasing a large bird this morning
and it landed in a tree.
I believe it's a red tail hawk but I didn't know
they could be so big.



Monday, April 13, 2009

A Nap in the Sun

a mourning dove in my parents' yard...


A quiet moment at the park in Connecticut...

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Polly's Birthday


On this day in 1994, the youngster cat,
Ellie May, who lived near our gallery
gave birth to 4 adorable kittens.
Polly was the tiny brown tabby and
we fell in love with her. In June, when
she was 8 weeks old, she came to live
with us.

(five years later, Ellie May moved into our
gallery becoming our shop cat and now
she has her own studio cottage in our garden)


little Polly


the Mom cat, Ellie May, on the
left, Polly in the back.

Polly

ps.

D just sent me this of Polly today.
She really doesn't like the hat and
it stayed on just long enough for him
to take a quick photo!




Friday, April 10, 2009

More Little Paintings


While I'm in Connecticut, in between helping
my parents, I'm working on little paintings.
Here's a few more of a very plump robin
and little chippy holding her tail.
(I happen to adore round fluffy birds)

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Little Paintings


Today I was happy to be working on some
small paintings of
birds and the chipmunk that I love!

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

TIger

I only had a chance to see my niece cat, Tiger,
for a minute today.
She looked as comfy and adorable as ever!

My Three Cats

I've been helping my parents in their home, trying
to organize so there is less clutter.
We've been finding all kinds of things and among
them this birthday card I had made for my Mom
in 2006.



Will be tackling the basement soon!

Monday, April 6, 2009

Nephew and Niece Dogs in Connecticut


Every Sunday night, one of my sisters makes
a family dinner for whoever can make
it and it includes the pets.
There's usually all of her family and
4 dogs and my parents love to go.
It's wonderful to be surrounded by
the family with delicious food and
a warm cozy atmosphere.

We were talking about how wonderful
it is to have pets in your life, their constant
love and companionship is a comfort and
they help in so many ways.

It takes place at Sugar's house.


Here's Gus !


Jet and Marge...


Marge was a puppy when I was here
last time and she has grown quite a bit!

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Visions of Contentment

The cats were visions of contentment
as I packed to leave for
a trip to see my parents.
I will miss Ellie May, Polly and Brody but
at least I can see them here!

Ellie May

Polly

Brody

Friday, April 3, 2009

The Gift


A special package arrived in the mail today
from my sister-in-law who lives far away
across the ocean.


Inside were two special mice
for our cats to share.
They were a gift from her beloved cat whom
she recently lost. We will always remember Azzurro.


Brody was the first to see them and they will
make the rounds.

We will take good care of them.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Polly's Discovery


Can you see what Polly discovered?
Look closely on the rock on the porch
steps.

I Love Cats....




Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Polly


Polly was snuggled in her basket this evening
and looked so very sweet.
Cats have a way of making you feel so content.
Such a pleasure to be in their company.