IF: Hollow Even in the times when she'd felt most hollow,

a sprig of hope had always followed.

flag of Dejligtsted
Originally uploaded by Sultry

A friend of a friend heard her kids inventing a new country. My friend did the same and asked me to join in. So. If I had a country to rule, it would be:

• Country: Dejligtsted ("Lovely place" in Danish)
• Weather: Seasonably variable, never inconvenient, nor much below freezing
• nor above 90 degrees Fahrenheit
• Population: 15,000
• Description: "60 square miles of heaven." Inhabited by about 7500 citizens of all ages. The average age is 35. About half the citizens citizens live in small towns, usually founded by and expanded from 4 or 5 family groups. The remaining half live in the capital city, 'Jem (home).
• Political System: Aristarchy: Government by the best. Every 5 years each town and family holds nominations for "best." 5 percent (750) of the population may be so nominated. All those nominated attend a week long convention, during which they get to know each other by attending planning sessions on various issues put forth by the previous governors, such as transportation, trade, parenting, education, arts, sciences and fun. At the end of the week, they vote on the Best of the Best, with the top 75 folks being elected. The Council of Ten (10 most vote getters) meet and by consensus, determine who will be CEO, CFO, Chief Justice, and remaining department heads.
• Industry: Green manufacturing, agriculture, arts and education.
• Language: Understanding
• Famous Citizens: Elizabeth Zimmerman, Isak Dinesen, Maria Montessori, Elbert Hubbard, Wendy Fisher, John Pinizzotto, NC Wyeth, Jamie Wyeth.
• Landscape: Seismic upthrust East of Boston, with marshes, beaches, and forested mountains.
• Capital City: 'Jem (which means Home).
• National Pastime: Sketch-crawls. Typical American sports competitions, naps and reading are popular as well.
• Exports: Art, educational and developmental theory, philosophy, poetry, music, fiber. IT, statistical and information processing services. Tourism is primarily limited to interns and students (or any age).
• Imports: Raw and manufactured goods which cannot be grown nor found in Dejligtsted; especially Irish tea, Cocoa, Electric Cars, Blue cheese, and tropical and subtropical fruits.
• Developing Sectors: Due to high demand, there are thriving boutique dairies manufacturing a variety of aged cheddar, asiago, havarti and Roquefort like cheeses, as well as chocolatiers devising truffles, bars and bakery items for domestic use as well as export. Book publishing in paper copies, as well as e-versions and Kindle compatible has grown by 15% in the past 5 years as the reputation for educational value and happiness promotion has spread beyond our borders. The strongest sellers are intelligence boosting puzzle collections such as Sudoku and crosswords, children's fiction, mysteries and craft guides.
• Flag: See above: Combination of Danish flag, rainbow inclusivity and festive banner.
• State symbols:
  flower: Gerbera Daisy
  tree: White Pine
  bird: American Crow
  song: You make me so very happy
  beverage: cafe mocha
  insect: ladybug
  cookie: chocolate chip
  muffin: cranberry orange
  dessert: Chocolate torte with raspberry sauce

Good night at the easel!

Blue Vase and Flowers

I may add some contrast in some of the flowers... My hesitation is that I don't want to over work it, either! Note to self: Maybe I should just do another one, but use palette knife.

Baa Baa Black Beach
I may have over-blended my woolie friends. It is hard to "punch up" the colors when the paint is wet, though. So I might have to wait until tonight or tomorrow to get them brighter. Or I might do another painting and tweak the composition.

Comments welcome.

Illustration Friday: Shaky

Still trying to make peace with the shaky bits!

Sketch book

The day didn't start out all that great. But it got better.
I did quite a lot of painting. Late, of course.

I think that I've finished this one, AND renamed it: Seaside Barns Abandoned
Sea Side Cluster

This is from a photo of sheep in Iceland near a black-sand beach.

And, one of the most traditional subjects of all, Flowers! I hope the painting looks fresh rather than traditional when I finish.

Petals

Petals
Originally uploaded by Sultry

Achieved a semblance of 3D on a 2D surface... not to mention a lot of color mixing.
Another painting that is not like anything else!

Planning Ahead

My DD says she and her partner are going to have a late summer/early fall wedding next year, possibly on Cape Cod, but definitely in Massachusetts.

She's planning for a combination Carnival-Country Fair-Lobster Bake. Relaxed and casual.

I'm so excited: No Mother of the Bride dress for me!!! . She's talking sundresses and sandals. And I have a whole nother year to be the shape I'd like to be.

Which brings me again to the brilliant book by David Kessler, MD., The end of overeatting.
I read almost the whole thing this evening. For my few visitors and readers, here is a summary of things to remember about "conditioned hypereating."

Zinnia at Lowes

Zinnia at Lowes
Originally uploaded by Sultry

Sketch Book

I stayed up LATE drawing an imaginary village I made with my new blocks. I may still ask DH to show me how to make ones that are bigger (but to scale) that have windows, doors or balconies marked on them.

NEW ADDICTION

I did it. I purchased quilting supplies.
Only 4 fat quarters. And a cutting board, rotary cutter, square template and ruler. Oh, and DH underwrote my sewing machine tune-up and "walking foot" purchase.
Ready or not...