Saturday, October 4, 2008

Bunches of Birthdays and a Trip to Arizona!

Tomorrow, Sunday the 5th of October, is Max's Birthday. So, today I have been cooking and will be doing the same tomorrow morning. Because I have been on a diet for the past week and a half...I am beginning to crave some comfort food...which for me is Italian food! I have lost 5 1/2 lbs. I have about 10 to go and I will be happy (difficult for me being of Italian descent! Sweet Max thinks I am just fine.....and truthfully if I loose to much I do look a little sickly. I am making crusty Italian bread, a delicious herb/olive oil dipping sauce for the bread, Ravioli with ricotta/spinach filling, Pesto, an antipasto salad and a chocolate cake to die for! One day splurge and back to the eating plan. I was also requested to make cinnamon rolls...good grief! As I have gotten older and the kids are all grown I don't bake very often...fortunately for me.... but it is a special occasion so I will...lovingly. The spinach, pasta and ricotta, basil for the pesto, herbs for the dipping sauce and tomato's and pepper for the salad are all home grown minus chemicals. The flavors are so much better in homegrown foods! The large painting I started a while back is my gift to Max. I have called "Drunken Poets Dream" It is a song by Hayes Carll that we both like...If you look up the words they are a little wild...not to imply that we are! I am not sure what the kids are getting him....but I am sure it will be well thought out and with love....even if it is just phone call. So we will be making merry and having a few drinks this Sunday.
On the same subject of birthdays my dear friend Jacquie who lives in Arizona has her birthday tomorrow also. The painting "Bottom of the Glass" is of her and is in her possession. It was done a few years ago. Packing will begin sometime next week.
On the art front....I am having a few paintings reframed to send to Kansas City. Cherry the owner of the gallery I am in is doing the framing and does a beautiful job! I completely trust her judgment. I have been accepted into a show put on by the Artists of Northwest Arkansas. There are 11 states that enter the show and there has been some very stiff competition not to mention a ton of entries! I expect the competition to be even stiffer this year. My painting "The Golden Hour" was picked for exhibition. In the past I have won Second Place there twice and Best Oil Painting once. Maybe one day I will win Best of Show and then I won't have to enter anymore! I was also advised that the Thomas Hart Benton Show at Crowder College, which I received Best of Show two years running, has decided that if I enter and win Best of Show again they will make an award in my name and give me signature status. I can't tell you how honored I am or how lucky and grateful I am.
Here around the house we have been picking up walnuts and pecans for cracking...ugh! A nice but tedious chore to do by the fire in the evenings while watching TV or listening to music. So far there 8 sacks full. We have been harvesting and cleaning up the yard to ready it for winter. Still have a ways to go but it is looking better all the time. I still need to unpack one room since I moved in here in June. I have been busy with so many things but the holidays are coming and we intend to have party here at the house so it would probably be a good idea to finish the living room...which we have two of in this old Victorian.
That's about it for now, the bread is calling me, there is still much more to say but it will have to wait!!!




16 comments:

Art By Erika said...

I love love love your self portrait with the pets! You've done an EXCELLENT job! Your palette and brush strokes absolute food for the soul! WOW lucky Max what an awesome gift - portrait of his housemates haha!

I have many October celebrants too: hubby, Dad and step dad. Guess this month is ruled by the men in my family. And it means we both gravitate around October people. :)

Well congrats on the ANA show. Neither one of my entries was accepted. But I don't feel too bad since I won Best Drawing last year. But dang, I wanted to earn my signature membership in 3 years! Well I'll be rooting for you, I love that piece!

An award with your name, geez you're big time! :) Happy birthday to Max - man he's gonna be so stuffed this time tomorrow lol

Carol Schiff Daily Painting said...

Wow! That is one killer painting and the dinner sounds absolutly the greatest. All that home grown food. Can you tell I am dieting too, although not so successfully as you. Congratulations on your painting awards. Couldn't happen to a nicer person.

milindmulick said...

Lovely painting..I like the warm underpainting seen.
lovely kids..
cheers

Anonymous said...

Theresa- you've packed about three blog entries worth into one.
The description of an Italian meal that makes me miss NYC, the family pictures, but oh oh oh, that painting!

It's just fantastic. The perspective of head on animals leading to that lovely alpha female in the 6th decade of fabulousness, is so compelling.
A family portrait unlike any other.

Barbara Muir said...

HI Theresa,

The big painting is just lovely and so is Bottom of the Glass. My favorite food is Italian too, although I'm not a great cook. I'm part Italian too -- that's another story. Have a wonderful trip and I hope you win Best in Show with The Golden Hour.

Barbara

Bill Brauker said...

Wonderful painting. Difficult to do because of the perspective, but you have pulled it off beautifully. I just came across your great blog and have signed up, and can't wait to see more of your paintings in the future.

theresamillerwatercolors said...

Beautiful paintings, beautiful family and a fun blog to read, congratulations!! And congratulations, also, on a very successful diet! Have a great day, Theresa.

Theresa Rankin said...

Erika...Thank you, thank you...your comment means a lot to me. I cannot believe you did not get in to the ANA show...I am dumbfounded as to why....but it is always roll of the dice I find! There have been many tomes I have not been accepted in some shows. Hope you will be there anyway so we can visit! Yes..Max was stuffed...as we all were!!!

Theresa Rankin said...

Hi Carol....Thank you so much for your comment...as for the diet (good luck to you on yours...I know how hard it is).....well I have completely blown it...and must get back on track!

Theresa Rankin said...

Thank you Milind!! I always enjoy hearing from you...and seeing all your gorgeous work!

Theresa Rankin said...

Bonnie....thank you!! The perspective was tricky but I think the size helped make it easier. I am glad you like the painting...I must say I was pretty thrilled with the outcome. It is now hanging proudly in our room.

Theresa Rankin said...

Thank you dear Barbara....You are part Italian also!?! One more coincidence...wow! Gordon Pinsent!!! One more coincidence!! Max and I were watching a movie and as the previews rolled the movie "Away Form Her" was presented....how lucky for you to be able to paint such an incredible actor with such a face full of character....the Universe is truly amazing!!

Theresa Rankin said...

Hello and thank you Bill! I am very happy to have you on board. I will get over to your blog an check it out very soon. Thank you so much for your great comments!

Theresa Rankin said...

Many many thanks Theresa...I am always so pleased to hear from you!! I will unfortunately have to start again on this diet thing...LOL!

VickiRossArt said...

Hey girl! Fabulous blog...I saved all my emails from the Charle Reid whirlwind week, and am just now savoring them.

I hadn't blogged about ANA, but I GOT TWO IN! Don't want to jinx it...My self-portrait 'Me', and my italian girl, 'Only Eyes for You'. Both are pastel, so hopefully I can win something in a different category from you teehee!

Theresa Rankin said...

Congrats Vicki!!!! I am sure you will win....can anyone say Best of Show??? Your self portrait is stunning!