Whirl of a Weekend: Art Trade

This past weekend was fantastic, crazy, but fantastic!

It started off with a low key Friday. I went to visit my Nana in the hospital. While I was away, my adorable, sweet and amazing husband cleaned my entire studio and closet! It was a horrendous mess, and I was overwhelmed! My dad is coming to build out my closet soon, and I was in disarray trying to get it cleaned out and cleaned up. Organization is not my forte, but my husband is AMAZING and handled it all! It was such a sweet surprise when I got home. I had a very hard week, and he was so thoughtful and kind. It reminded me why I married him 5 years ago this month! (the 29th) I'll post pictures of it when my dad builds out my closet. I can't wait!

On Saturday I woke up and went to the gym to meet my trainer. Saturday 8am training sessions are rough. Then I headed to Big D for a haircut, and met me sweet friend Courtney and her little girl Callie for some shopping. I scored this fun sequin pencil skirt from Jcrew and a cute navy top that I couldn't find a pic of...I also got this shirt from the Gap. I love a tux shirt... I can't help it! I also got some really soft black lounge pants. I've lost a little weight lately, and even my pajama/lounge pants are too big! Good feeling!!

After some great shopping and girl time, I headed to the RISING Gallery for their PINK2010 show! I had had a solo show earlier this year at Rising, and had a great time at their Pink event last year. This year I donated Olivia the Owl to the show, which was a charity event benefiting breast cancer. Olivia sold to a sweet woman who was going to give her to a breast cancer survivor living in Kansas. I love this show! The Wetz brothers do a fabulous job honoring their mother who passed away from breast cancer. Great show!

While I was there I made my first artist trade with the beautiful and talented Gina Marie Dunn! I feel in love with her Gladiolas, and she was interested in a longhorn painting for her UT obsessed husband, so we worked a trade deal! I am in LOVE with my gladiolas painting called "The Gift," and her husband was so excited about his longhorn!It was such a neat experience! I hope to trade again one day! I was equally excited to actually meet Gina and her husband at the show. Such a sweet couple, and she is so talented!!!

Sunday was supposed to be a low key day, so I thought! Greg and I slept in because I was beat from my late night Dallas adventure, and then we decided it would be a good idea to take 3 of our 4 dogs on a walking excursion to the nearby UT Tyler campus... well the campus was a little ways further away than we thought! Our 3 little dogs, especially the chihuahua Holly were exhausted! We had to take several water breaks, and Greg ended up having to go get the car to pick me, Holly and Oscar up. They were spent! Walking for 2 hours with 3 small dogs- not a good idea! They sure slept well though!

It was a great weekend, and I can't wait until NEXT weekend! We have some fun things planned!!!

Super FUN Whirl of a Weekend

What a fun weekend! A rainy weekend, but a fun one! It started off with me watching the Texas Rose Parade on TV and then meeting the Jones crew at Chick Fil A. They were brave and went to the parade. I am a lazy bum who watched it on TV in bed with her hot coffee. After lunch I headed to the Bell Family Farm Pumpkin Patch! I used to work with Jim Bell. They have quite a set up, and it is all free! I bought 2 pumpkins, which I turned into owls (see post below!) The pumpkin patch is located right behind Villa Montez. It is open every Friday and Saturday in October. Good times, I hope to go back with my nieces soon!

After my pumpkin trip I decided to work in the yard. I got this flower bed done. I started another, but got cold and gave up. I will tackle it more this week!


I was able to finish up the front porch on Sunday. I got rid of some dead junk and planted my pansies. I love fall!

On Sunday night I had the girls over for Chicken Tortilla Soup and Whoonu! So much fun! On the soup, I swapped out the oregano for cumin, used all chicken broth instead of water and added a can of enchilada sauce. It was PERFECT for a cold and rainy Sunday night! I also made the always popular Neiman Marcus chocolate chip cookies for dessert. YUM.
Whoonu is so much fun. I highly recommend! I learned a lot about my friends! Tracy loves fried chicken and Tish likes t-shirts more than bicycles! I also learned that Christie is not a huge fan of red and Jessica HATES speedboats! Good times :)

Such a fun weekend. I hope this week is half as good!

My First Day

Today is my first real day as a full time artist. So far so good! I woke up rather early and met Christie and Nathan for a good long walk with my sweet Oscar. He was SO excited to go on a walk! It was hot, but not unbearable hot like it would be if we had gone later in the day. We have a date to go tomorrow too! YAY!

After my walk I took a nice long shower and made some breakfast. Then I sat down on the couch with breakfast and did a little gallery research. I ended up emailing 4 today. Hopefully they will respond and all want me! (Here is to hoping right!?)

After a little laundry, garden clean up and a little lunch, we got a huge storm. I sat and watched the rain on the porch for a bit with a glass of coconut iced tea and a fresh East Texas peach. It was so nice!

Then I got back to the art stuff and finished up a coyote. I am now about to start a giant deer painting.

Life is good. I am blessed and so thankful for a sweet husband who is letting me live out my dreams. Thank you Gregory!

Did I mention that I have been in my PJs all day? Well, not for the walk, but soon after! YAY!

Oh yeah... my whirl of the weekend was not much of a whirl. I did a lot of painting and went to the farmer's market Saturday morning. Then Sunday consisted of more painting and Christie and Nathan coming over to make peach cobbler. DELISH!

Whirl of a Weekend: Art, Friends and the Museum

This weekend was a goodie! My parents gave me a super fancy Dell computer for an early birthday present, and it came on Saturday! My sweet husband set it up for me, and I am also fully equipped with Adobe Creative Suite now- woo hoo! Thank you parents! I love you! They are in Virginia this week with my niece Katie. Going to the beach, the mountains and Williamsburg. I am jealous, but so glad they are having a great time!

I spent the majority of my weekend painting in my studio. It was lovely! I started and finished the cow... needs a name- any ideas?
Then last night started a giant horse trio painting. I'm not very far, but the hardest part in my opinion in laying it all out. That is done, and the under painting is done- so now I get to do the fun part! I love bringing it to life! I'll post another picture when I am done.

I can't decide if it is better so share my new artwork as I complete it, or until my next show opening. I feel like I loose a little of the suspense, but I really appreciate the feedback- good and bad! I think I will show it as I feel like it here, and then post it on my art website for the show. Who knows!

On Saturday night I met Christie and Nathan and 2 of Christie's friends at my favorite Don Juan's. I could so eat there every day of the week! YUM.

On Sunday Greg had to work, and I started to freak out a bit about my show, so we both got up really early to get crackin'! Sad we didn't got to church, but hopefully next week we will make it! By 11 we needed a break, and Greg suprised me with a trip to the movies to see Night at the Museum 2! It was a cute movie. I love Amy Adams as Amelia Earhart, and I loved how the art work comes to life. The plot was a little lacking, but the special effects were fantastic! After the movie I took Greg to his favorite -Buffalo Wild Wings, where I ate way too much and had a REALLY good pomegranate margarita! YUM!

Back to painting for the rest of the day while my hubs watched UT baseball. They are in the world series and won their first game last night- hooray for my husband being happy!

Today is my last Monday in the office! Next Monday I have jury duty so I am not counting it- Hip Hip Hooray!

That is all- it was a really good weekend!

Whirl of a Weekend: Birthday Fun, Pa's Solo and UP!

I really had a fun and super busy weekend! Friday night we stayed home as usual. With Greg working for like 12 hours + a day, and both of us getting over the cold from H-E-double hockey sticks, we were beat. I made turkey meatballs and pasta.

Tasty, but Greg is still not a fan of me giving up beef. He didn't complain (much) though!

On Saturday Greg went to work... boo, and I headed to Canton, TX for my sweet niece Katie Rose's 9th birthday! I can't believe she is 9! Blows my mind! She is turning into such a sweet young lady! The family had lunch together and opened presents, and then Julie went to go get two of her best buddies for a day at Splash Kingdom Water Park in Canton and a slumber party! Splash Kingdom is a neat Christian water park. My parent's church even has VBS there! Let me know if you want your kids in on that one! I hear it is awesome! My sister got Katie the American Idol game for Wii. I had way too much fun with that and totally made a fool of myself. Loved it though! Katie is way into the American Girl stuff right now, so Uncle Greg and I got her the Chrissa doll. My parents got her the Felicity doll b/c they are taking her on a special trip to Williamsburg, VA this week! They are going to Myrtle Beach and to a cabin in the mountains too, but Williamsburg is the main event. I am jealous! We went one year when I was about 10 for Thanksgiving. I had my very own Felicity doll for the entire trip, and loved it. I hope Katie loves it too!

I'll try to post pictures of the birthday party as soon as I get them from my sister. Here is a picture of Katie the day she was born. It was right after I graduated from high school... I feel old!
I headed home late Saturday, worked on cleaning my green room (my guest bedroom, art studio and closet) and then crashed. Sunday morning I woke up early and drove BACK to Canton to hear my dad sing his first ever church choir solo! (My dad below with our sweet late Memaw. I was going to take a picture while he was singing, but I didn't think it would be appropriate at church...)He rocked the house! Well, it was traditional Baptist church music, but he did great! I was so impressed and so proud! I can't wait for his next one! We headed to lunch and then I headed back home after a rather long trip to the grocery store- blah. When I got home I continued my cleaning, which seems to never end and hung out with Greg- whom I have been missing a TON!

Just about when Greg starts to get ready for bed (7:30pm these days!), he surprised me with a trip to the movies to see Up! I was so excited! I have been dying to see it, and it did not disappoint! Pixar never does! I love, love, loved it! The colors, the dogs, the balloons, the little fat kid, the love story- LOVE. I wish I worked for Pixar. I would just think of fun random things to put in movies all day. Those people must be the most creative people on the planet. Amazing!We had fun with our 3-d glasses. Greg is stealthy...I am just a nerd who loves Disney movies!

When I got home, I worked on the green room some more. I am so close to being done! We are going to move the guest bed to the orange office, and put the love seat in the green room. Does anyone else name their rooms by their colors? I'll show you pictures when we are done. I am excited to have a bigger area to work! It will be great!

I had a wonderful weekend! Next weekend I will be painting... which will be true of all week nights and weekends until July 2nd. I'll try to post some pictures of that too!

Oh, check out these pictures I took last week of the waterway that feeds into the creek behind our house. It got really high really fast! Crazy! Wish I had a raft to do some rapids! Ha- j/k.

Whirl of a Weekend: Dallas and Demons

Scary title ehh!? My weekend was NOT scary, but awesome!

Friday night was spent at home. We are always beat on Fridays! I went and had a massage Friday after work because my back was KILLING me. The spot between my right shoulder blade and spine is not happy with me. I think it is my overly large purse obsession, 3 puppies in my back when I sleep, sitting on my foot at my desk and sitting Indian-style when I paint. I need to make some changes! Anyways, my massage was great! Becca at Salon Kalea did a great job! Very deep tissue- my favorite! If my back isn't sore the next day, then I didn't get a very good massage! Then I picked up some dinner for me and the husband. It was a nice end to the day.

On Saturday I woke up early and picked up my mom to head to Dallas for a haircut, lunch with friends and a movie. Well, on the way to Dallas I got stuck in some SERIOUS traffic on Interstate 20- so I missed my hair appointment. Don was sweet and let me reschedule for next Saturday. Then mom and I went and did a little shopping. We then met Courtney, Alli and Alli's boyfriend Justin at Abundance off of the Tollway and Haverwood. YUM! It was no nice to see them! Court, my mom and I then went to see Angels and Demons- AWESOME MOVIE! I loved it. I still love Tom Hanks. Always have, and always will! Ron Howard is a great director too! The movie was really good, a little gruesome, but I loved the combination of art, history, religion and a little mystery. So good! I like to learn while I am entertained! I recommend! See the Da Vinci Code too if you haven't yet!

Then we three went to Whole Foods. YUM. I got some goodies and then mom and I headed back east.

On Sunday Greg had to work in the morning, and my back was really bugging me again so I stayed home from church. When Greg got home we went to lunch and we drove around in the country outside of Tyler a bit- I love when we do this. Then I decided to get my butt out and run some errands. I went to Lowes, Target and Wal-Mart. Greg suggested I get my oil changed at Wal-Mart while I pick up some groceries. Worst idea of the weekend. 2 hours at Wal-Mart- not my idea of fun on a Sunday night! In my boredom I purchased the super awesome Kinoki Detox Foot Pads at Walmart for $9.00. I used them last night, and actually felt better this morning! The dirty pads were nasty! Not sure if it really works, but I will keep trying them. My back hurt less, and I am much perkier today!

I hope you all have a wonderful week!!

Whirl of a Weekend: Moms and Lost Fish

I had a super fun Mother's Day weekend! I missed my husband an awful lot, he had to work, work, work, but I had fun with my family and girlfriends!

On Friday Greg and I stayed in and ordered a little pizza. It was nice just to relax! Saturday morning he got up WAY to early and went to work. I headed to my favorite garden store, Hughes in Bullard, and got some plants for gifts for Mother's Day. Then my friend Tracy picked me up for a movie with Jessica and Jill. We saw Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. Now, I love Matthew Mc., but his character was a little over the top. It was fun to get out with some girls though! Greg got home when I did, and then we got ready for a nice little date night. I love date nights!

On Sunday, Greg once again had to go to work. BOO! But, Christie came over with Nathan and we drove to Canton to attend my parent's church. They are in the church choir, so we sat with my Nana and brother James. It was a great sermon, and my parent's choir was lovely!
(Me and the BEST Mom ever)

(Me and Christie- also one of the BEST moms ever!)

(My Nana ((The BEST Nana ever)) and the newest addition to our family, Alison Renee- my niece.)

Then we headed to my parents house for a little bbq, Mother's Day parting and oh yes- Wii Fit.

I had purchased the Wii Fit for my mother for Christmas. She had liked mine and made a request. After having Christie's mom purchase it in MISSOURI because I couldn't find it in Texas, I made her dream come true- Wii Fit for Christmas.

And what do I find out on Sunday? They had YET to take it out of the box! So after a little griping and help from my dad we got it set up. It was SO MUCH FUN! Watching everyone try to hula hoop was the best. I now know that my mom is the one who gave my my dysfunctional hula hoop hips! Here is a funny picture of Christie and Nathan hula hooping together!


It was a really fun weekend. One sad thing did happen though. Sometime on Saturday, my super cool carved fish garnet fell out of my ring. I have NO idea where it is. I am sad, but it is just an object, and I will recover. Greg let me get these to with the recovery. I love Bianca Gomez! I am excited to have the series!!! If we ever have kids, I want to use this color pallet and prints in the nursery.

Whirl of a Weekend: Growing a Green Thumb and Antique Shopping

I had a wonderful and relaxing weekend! Friday night we didn't do much. The hubby was exhausted, so we just chilled at home. I think we had pizza? Don't remember...

Saturday my sweet Greg went to work. I slept in, and then had a massage at 11:00pm. My massage therapist got an awful migraine and started getting nauseous while she was working on me and had to stop about 30 mins into my massage! I felt so bad for her. I did get my little massage for free though, so that was nice. I hope she is okay though! Need to reschedule!

After that, I met my friend Tracy for some lunch at the awesome Don Juan's and then we did a little antique shopping. She had NEVER been!? I think she loved it. I am excited to know I have a new antique shopping friend. I could seriously go every weekend if my budget allowed. She got a really cute white mini drop leaf table for her living room, and I got a white plant stand. (Pictured below) I'll get Tracy to send me a photo of her table (Tracy, send me a photo of your table...)
Saturday night my Greg was tired again, and had sports to watch on TV, so I went to dinner with Christie and Nathan. So much fun! Nathan is such a boy! It is amazing to see how much he changes every time I see him!

Sunday we were heathens. Greg went into work, I know... seriously?!?, and I slept in a bit and then went to the grocery store. He met me for an early lunch and we hung out. I have missed him so much!!! I worked in the yard the rest of the day, and ran some errands. I got the cute patio table, pictured below, at Marshall's for $39! Awesome deal!

(I got a really cute new pink camera, obviously I didn't know the date stamp was on. BOO!)

My mom is teaching me how to have a green thumb. She is an EXCELLENT gardener, and she learned it from her mom. I am trying my best to learn. My front yard is looking great, and this weekend I started an herb garden. I have had several people ask me about how to do it, and so I asked my mom to guest blog about starting an herb garden. She could seriously write a book!

Anyways, that was my weekend. I have a crazy week ahead of me!