Asters with a past.

Asters growing in my garden from seeds gathered almost Forty Years ago at Lake Maggiore, Italy.

They were growing through her fence. 
The young woman watched me from an upper story window.

She smiled and waved.  I thanked her with a smile and a wave. 
She knew.

Hand painted muslin bag filled with Aster Seeds. 

Now almost forty years later and going back to Italy.

It's been raining for a few days.  Good for our pastures and garden. 

A good time to paint a few tiles.  Tiles as simple as Asters. 

Also time to make a few Pear and Champagne Grape Preserves. 

Asters from my seeds are growing in many gardens. 

I'll save some seeds for you.  


Have a great remainder of the week and a wonderful weekend. 

Gina

On the way to the Carrots

 We pass by the flowers first. 

On our way to the carrots.

And the cabbage Patch.

Someone has been pulling our carrots.

Ahaa, caught you!

It's Lucy.

And she has taught Charlie.  

Nothing else will do.  

They're just crazy about carrots. 

Have a great week my dear 

Blogging Friends.

Gina 

Artist Studio Tour and Plein Air competition

It was a beautiful day.
The Artist Studio Tour was a great success. 

Many people came. 

It was too beautiful to be inside.  My temporary studio was set up under a row of Mountain Ash trees. 

The plein air competition attracts more and more Artists to our little town each year. 

First Cash Prize in the plein air competition was awarded to 

 Doug Fryer, a fine local Artist.  This is the first in many years that a local artist won the coveted prize.  

Even grown ups wanted to pick apples.  

We have plenty.  

The Italian plums were not quite ripe.  

Winter Pears will grow some more. 

Sunflowers of every variety were blooming along the fence.

Interlaken grapes were ready to pick to the delight of

 little boys and girls. 

Wishing you a bountiful week ahead. 

Gina 

Lucky Me

I won a lovely prize.

It arrived beautifully wrapped and with a special note.

Sent to me by Erika of  Parvum Opus  an artistically bound Journal. Made especially for me with turquoise Florentine papers and highlighted with  golden accents.  

 It is so perfect to take with me on our upcoming trip to Italy.  

Thank you Erika.  What a wonderful surprise and beautiful treasure. 

Have a great week my dear 

Blogging Friends.

Gina 

Mon Bouquet du Jour

It's a Jungle out there.
A jungle Bouquet. 

Grapes and Morning Glories fight for attention. 
There's no room to walk past. 

Morning Glories are winning.  

I will be painting.

Glaze is applied next, pencil sketch lines disappear during firing.  Will fire to 1790 degrees Fahrenheit.  

Glaze and powder pigments fuse during 24 hour firing schedule. 

You won't see much of me next week. 

I will be painting and painting for the Artist Studio Tour.

Have a beautiful weekend and a wonderful week my dear 

Blogging Friends. 

Gina 

J

Enough of this

Enough of this constant Weeding and Watering.

Our Artist Studio Tour is just around the corner.

I must paint.  I have to settle down and paint something new. 

Just out of the kiln, a new Tondino Platter.  

As long as the vegetables can still be seen and still grow among the weeds I should not feel guilty and be happy with the abundance which our garden offers. 

Have a wonderful remainder of the week my dear 

Blogging Friends. 

Gina 

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