Sarasota Orchid Society Auction

Every year our orchid society hosts an auction.  The orchids are supplied by growers that participate in our annual show in January.  It is the very BEST place to shop for orchids.
Last evening close to one hundred orchid enthusiasts gathered to bid on the plants they couldn't live without.  Bidding started at five or ten dollars depending on the size and type of plant.   It is so much fun!  You win some and you loose some and everyone goes home with something.  I waited all evening to bid on Paphiopedilum Macabre (right top).  Because some folks had left by then, I paid $22.00 for it.
The second plant down is Blc. Marge Putnam.  It will be a large plant, not exactly what I need on my small lanai but I loved the big flowers.
The third down is another Blc. Doctor Joe Walker 'Cotton Candy'.  It has a wonderful fragrance and is a gorgeous flower, don't you agree?
The fourth down is Blc. Meditation x California Girl.  Do you see a pattern here?  I am a sucker for cattleyas.  This too has a scent
And last but not least (and I promised myself I would not buy a Phal.) is Phalaenopsis New Cinderella.
It is the same color as a plant from my Mother's collection.  It died after 14 years of regular blooming.

Money raised from this auction goes for research.  It is a totally enjoyable evening for everyone.  Thanks to the growers that donated so generously.  I hope everyone will 'rebloom' their plants next year.  

Challenge "Fife"

Oh wow, I got lucky this week.  A couple of weeks when I saw the new tangle "Fife" on the Zentangle site, I had some fun with it.  So seeing as I have a room full of gifts to wrap, I will call on an already completed tangle.  That will give me time to do my ZIA gift tags.

Biggified and colorized

Christmas shopping was finished this AM.  Husband was off to golf, soooooooo I had some time to play with my water colors and markers.  I am trying to start an 'art journal' but don't have anything remarkable.  I find it difficult to use water colors on gesso and not sure just what it is I want to say.

"Biggify" Zentangle challenge

This Challenge was too much fun!  To get started I unearthed an old tangle, cut out a little frame from a magazine page and selected what I wanted to 'biggify'.  I did the second one and then used my little "frame" again and did the third one.  Usually when I step out of the box, I am VERY uncomfortable.  This was nothing but fun for me.  Thanks, Laura!

November Orchid Blooms

I love the fall.  Just when I think the summer rains and heat have wiped out my orchids, they present me with nice fat sheathes.  The Dendrobiums have been blooming since early October but the Cattleyas are just getting started.  Would love to hear from other amateur growers.  

C. King George Serendipity

Brassavola makkai

Dendrobium King of Money

Dendrobium Liberty White

unnamed Dendrobium

My Merry Christmas Poinsettia

Blogger frustration

Man oh man!  Either I have a problem, or Blogger does.  My orchids are blooming and I am wanting to upload some photos.  Sounds easy enough, doesn't it?  NOT!  When I click on the photo icon that takes me to my iphoto library, I get my photos from two weeks ago, not the ones I have taken since.  So after maybe 10 tries (not joking here), I go to "help".  What a joke!  One hour later,  after reading anything they had to offer, I try again.  No luck.   And then I decided the best thing to do is to 'throw up in public.'  Maybe someone else has this problem or better yet has SOLVED this problem.  I know I will never solve it with "Blogger help"  Any ideas???????

Orchid care in the fall.

Sunday is watering day for my orchids.  Because it rained last week, I haven't really looked at them for a couple of weeks.  Did they have a surprise for me!  There are buds everywhere popping out of their sheaths.  My dendrobiums have been beautiful but are on the downside of their bloom.  Now the cattleyas are getting ready to burst forth.  The orchid is a wonderful plant.  It likes to be ignored provided you keep bugs to a minimum.  I use Neem oil for that.
The first Monday in December is the annual Sarasota Orchid Society auction.  I can't wait.  It is an opportunity to bid on some different, healthy orchids.  Last year I bought three and all are alive and well today.  Wonder who will be joining us this year...

Reworking old stuff

Does anyone else "stew" over what is wrong with a tile?  When we did the poppy a couple of weeks ago, I was very dissatisfied with my submission but couldn't put my finger on what was missing.  I decided to try some new water color crayons and by jove, I think I fixed it.
I also like the idea I have read about copying the original onto some good paper so you can experiment without ruining the original.  Great idea when you have a treasure.  This was not a treasure but it just bugged me that something wasn't the way I wanted.
What do you think?

Circle, square and triangle challenge

Our Diva has done it again.  This week we were challenged to use a circle, square and triangle as our string.  To further complicate the challenge, we were to use tangle patterns we have not used before.  This was great fun, however naming them was not quite so easy.  This challenge certainly made it clear to me that I rely on the old favorites more than I should.  AND with new patterns appearing almost daily , it wasn't difficult to sort of step out of my box.  As usual, thanks for a great challenge!!  And thanks to you creative minds that post new ideas for those of us not-so-creative minds.

Poppy Day

This weeks challenge was for us to think about the people we have lost, not only in war but also in our personal lives.  In the past five years I have lost both parents (who lived well into their 90's) and a sister.  When I was young, we all lived in California where the poppy is the state flower.  Those are some wonderful memories.  So I celebrate them today with a poppy for each!

Punzel, Challenge #45

I can't believe we are approaching 50 challenges!  I think I started with the early 30's somewhere.  Are there any out there that have done all of the challenges?

Punzel was a struggle for me.  I was trying to do it in pencil on scratch paper.  I picked up my sketch book  and micron and decided to just keep going until I had it right.  I can't tell you now, where I started or where I ended but somewhere in there, I think I got it right.

Challenge #44

This week we were challenged to select a tangle and then tangle within it.  Because I live in Southwest Florida, it took no time to select Sanibelle.  It looked so stark, alone on the paper so I added Nebel and Quiff.  What are your thoughts??

And another sunflower

Sunflowers have been my doodle of choice for maybe 45 years.
So once I get started, it is hard to quit.

Diva Challenge #43...you go girl!

Interesting challenge this week.  In South Africa they have a Sunflower fund to honor and support bone marrow fund for leukemia patients by buying and wearing a bandana decorated with sunflowers.  We were challenged to draw sunflowers.  I created a Zentangle sampler with a sunflower motif.   We all support anything that helps our own fight and conquer cancer.

Fall in Florida means dendrobium

 We have had a long hot summer in southwest Florida.   My orchids were not blooming and with good reason.  And then as if to herald fall, the dendrobium burst into full bloom.

Both of these plants were frozen back to nothing winter before last so this is a particularly special display.  I was tempted to throw them out but at the base, there appeared to be life.   Orchids are much hardier than we believe.  If they can grow and flourish under my care, they have to be hardy.

Challenge #41

This week our challenge was to use two patterns, jonqal and opus.  Some how a room divider emerged.  I should have used a ruler, but then that wouldn't have been zentangle, would it?
For those of you that have a touch of fall in the air, enjoy!  We are still in the heat of summer and have to rely on our memories for our fall.

A puppy is a puppy for such a short time

Harley has been with us for about 9 weeks now.  He has us completely trained, his goal from day one.  He has become such a mop that every small weed or twig in the yard found easy access to the house by jumping aboard and riding in on him.  We finally decided it was time for a trim.  But wait, don't trim too much off, don't make him look like a sissy or a show dog.  He has to look the same but with shorter hair.  Dee, the groomer has met people like us before.  "I think I know what you want.  Please come back in two hours and he will be ready."  "I promise, no bows, no nail polish, just a trim."

She was as good as her word.  Here he is in all his glory, completely exhausted but trimmed and clean.  What happened to my puppy?

Pinwheels for Peace

Our challenge this week was referencing "pinwheels for peace" a project started here in Florida by two teachers.  We were to draw our pinwheel for peace, using various tangle patterns available on the Zentangle website.  I tried to use pinwheels on my larger pinwheel pattern with the pattern 'pinwheel' in the background.  Got that?????

All we need is love...

Our challenge this week is our take on 'love.'  We must never forget those that have no love in their life.  The human spirit thrives on love and when we share it we can see this is true.

Water color classes

I know that many of the people taking part in the Diva Challenges (www.iamthediva.com)  have some art background.  And it shows in their contributions to the weekly challenge and motivates the rest of us to keep trying.  To that end, this week I will be taking another beginning water color class.  I took one before but the instructor was light years ahead of me and was really a waste of my time and money.  This one clearly states that it is for beginners so we shall see.
What experience have the rest of you beginners had?  Do YouTube videos suffice?  Are you taking classes?  Or do you just 'follow the brush?'

Would love to hear.

This is another water color glaze that I tangled.  I really love the the glazing process and the color results.

I am dizzy! Challenge 38

The Challenge this week was to use the Zentangle pattern, Paradox.  I had already done a string that

I had planned to tangle but decided to try and use it for the challenge.  I couldn't stop until I finished for fear that I would lose my place in the tangle.  Perfect for a steamy, rainey day in Florida.

Challenge using the new "Assunta" pattern

Tangle using "Assunta" pattern

This week Laura challenged us to use Rick and Maria's " Assunta "Zentangle pattern.  It took a while, but it definitely has a nice rhythm to it once you get started.

Wondering what in the world?  Follow "I am the Diva" Blog or check out www. Zentangle.com.

There is good news to report!

"Harley"

I awakened this morning to Harleys shrieks, demanding he be released from his room (aka laundry room). And then I realized, HE HAD SLEPT ALL NIGHT!  Wow!  I may be a new woman today.  I had forgotten this detail about puppies.  And this little puppy probably has a bladder the size of a pea.
Anyway, we are making great progress.  Guess we will keep him.

Old sketch books...

Am I the only one that has many, many sketch books tucked away?  While I was 

doing this weeks challenge I kept thinking, "I have done a frame before.  I wonder where it is."  Well today, while looking for something else, I found it.
[Thus the name "Scattered".]   I will add it to the mix.
And where do you keep old sketch books?????

The Diva's Challenge

This weeks Challenge was for us to create a tangle within a tangle, using the same string.  Well on the first one, I didn't carry the string from the smaller to the larger (or vice versa).  So I tried again, using just one string on both.  It was a challenge!

In my profile I had mentioned that I tutor for the Literacy Council.  This is my current class.  These women work and with the support of their employer they spend four hours a week with me.  They are very basic learners and incredibly motivated.
Many years ago I was a teacher (with a college major in Spanish).  This is the most enjoyable and challenging teaching I have done.  Our language is not easy but together we muddle along.
Our Literacy Council always has a waiting list of people waiting for a tutor.  If you are interested, please contact the Council in your area.  I know they will be glad to hear from you and you won't be sorry.  It is a wonderful experience.

Opposites attract, Challenge #34

Zentangle challenges are ...well, challenging.  This week Christina Vandervlist hosted the challenge with a mental exercise.  Our first string was to be straight lines filled with curved tangles.  The second was a curved string filled with straight lines.  On a steamy grey day, this kept me occupied for sure.  Thanks to Christina.  It was a fun challenge.

Diva's Challenge #33, 'Pendrills'

On the Zentangle website, Maria presented a new pattern, 'pendrills'.  Here you can get instructions on how to draw the pattern.  On the I am the Diva website we have a weekly challenge to encourage us to try new directions with our tangling.  This week's was difficult for me for some reason.  However I had the fun of glazing with watercolor before I started the tangle.  This is the end product.

And now, back to Zentangle...

Puppies can cause sleep deprivation.  Ours has been pretty good at this but is getting better.  I am still up once at around 3 AM for a 'pee break' with him.

So when I am a bit 'snarly' I get out the notebook and take a zentangle break.  I had found a great website, www.watercolor-painting-tips.com where Mary Ann Boysen demonstrated watercolor glazing.  It is so much fun, and the results are beautiful.  I just wish I was an artist and could really capitalize on these pretty designs.  But I am not so I just tangle away on them and the colors shine through.  Have a look at her website.  It is fun and easy.

Welcome August!!

I found this on Jane Monk's wonderful site.


There's always a little truth behind every 'just kidding.' 
A little knowledge behind every 'I don't know.' 
A little emotion behind every 'I don't care.' 
A little love behind every 'I hate you!'
A little uneasiness behind every 'I'm okay.' 
A little pain behind every 'forget it.' 
A little fear behind every 'leave me alone.' 
A little hope behind every 'goodbye.' 
And a little 'something' behind every 'nothing.' 
Author Unknown


Just had to post this because, isn't it so true???  Would have loved to have had this when I was raising my three children.

I may never get back to my blog again.....

Harley joined our household yesterday.  It will never be the same.  Hadn't really planned on a puppy but was browsing the classifieds and there he was.  When I spoke to breeder, I was hooked.  A puppy raised in a household by two caring individuals with both parents present.  So off we went.  (Have I told you that my husband has a heart of gold, from time to time?)  

Three hours later we were home with our bundle of joy.  Wow, had we forgotten alot about raising a puppy.   This little guy is eleven weeks old, paper trained and clearly has a mind of his own.  My vision of him in his kennel at night was clearly not his vision.  By three in the morning I was seeing it his way and we both were dozing on the couch in the office.

Today, the top came off the kennel and a pet gate was installed at the laundry room door.  There, now isn't that just about perfect, Harley?  Absolutely NOT.  When we left for 15 minutes, he hurled himself at the gate and escaped into the house...just as he had planned.

We are losing, losing, losing to this 4 pound giant.  He will take over our house.  I just know it!

Backyard 'nectar'

kumquat?

We are in the hot steamy time of year in Florida but things are happening in the back yard.  Our pentas bloom no matter the heat or weather, our citrus ripens, the anthurium are blooming along with a few orchids and...surprise, surprise a lone gardenia bloom graces the hedge at the side of the yard.  So in spite of the heat, there are compensations.

Welcome to Scattered....

I am not quite sure about blogs but I have enjoyed reading others and wanted to share a bit the many things that grab my interest.  I am not unlike the hummingbirds on this page, flitting from one bit of nectar to the next.  However I am not small and certainly not as quick as I once was.....got that???

Moving right along, one of my 'bits of nectar' is Zentangle.  For the past year it has provided a calming 'place' as well as a challenge and a bit of entertainment.  Who would guess that I could produce something worth sharing?  The great thing about Zentangle is that there are no mistakes, you just 'recreate' as you go along.  Unlike knitting where you end up with a hole, or baking where it falls flat, or golf where it flies off points unknown, this simply is.

That said, I have followed I am the Diva blog for quite a while and participate each week.  Sometimes I email my entry, sometimes I don't.  This week, Challenge 29 was for us to use something weighted to create our 'string' (the outline we work within, or without).  This was my entry.  Now I will have some fun on my own.