We know how to fill a week....

On Monday we went to look at small houses ...one floor or so...storage..close to the Spalding family....and still be affordable so I can keep the log cabin available for my new location for my :WHISPERS AND ECHOES STUDIO..taadah!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Also we had doctors appointments.......... visits and check ups....bank verification for loans ....balancing the finances for the next 5 years at least....and we did just this in less than one week!  On Monday we saw several homes we had investigated for possibilities.  If we were a younger couple........there were a couple that offered beautiful but unattended gardens....bad roofs........ bad lay outs......too much work in restoration for too much money.  Time is essential as Ken is beginning a journey in radiation......and his energies will be limited for awhile.  After narrowing  the selections down to four locations...we selected the smallest but cleanest...ready to really move in  qualities ..a small ranch with 3 bedrooms and a large living room with a small efficient kitchen and two baths.  It had been on the market since 7/9/13 and small affordable ranches ...well they seem to evaporate before they are out for showings.  This is where the Internet makes this exploration .....well so quick and efficient.  We put in a bid yesterday and signed papers today......with a closing on 9/6/13...........which happens to be my birthday!  I am taking this as a great Omen!  Oh there is a finished family room for arts....TV.......and other activities with the little ones............plus a dry and clean crawl space for storage.  Ken is making plans for adding double doors to the storage area...new paint...moving a shower head up about 10 inches.......    shelving units in the two car garage...and little details for our personal comfort.  We will need to buy a washer and dryer but the rest of the appliances will be included.  YES.... there is white beige carpet......we will see how long this lasts with two little pets and plenty of small children!!!   I will keep you posted as more details become available!

On Tuesday I explored the mysterious Cypress Gardens at Dawes Arboretum with my special artists from ADD.  Ruth came with 5 of her grand children and JennyLyn and Katie were there to guide the group up the hill.........then down the hill to the deep woods of the Cypress Garden.  The artists were given a traveling magnifying glass to see and see again .... the beauty of the dark waters and the crazy shapes of the cypress trees and nobs in the dark water.  We were able to see a small water snake...frogs...water skippers... and heard the cicadas singing in the morning sunlight.  It is too late for the salamanders  to be seen scampering....but there is beauty in these deep dark waters............ I need to return soon before the vernal waters become dried out.  This is a real miracle to see and experience the Cypress Gardens.  On our walk back to the Learning garden JennyLyn helped the artist and children pick their own tart apples from the orchard trees.  Time for Lunch!!!!!

On Wednesday I attended a special celebration of our dear JennyLyn at Dawes Arboretum.  She has been offered her very first art class position in middle school!  And no she will have a new classroom in a new school ...no art on a cart!  We will miss this dear young person...........she has her heart in her teaching and the students will be lucky to have her to share a year  with!  Katie, our intern, made delicious cupcakes ...she is a young woman with many charms!!!!!!!!!!!  We are all sad to say so long...but we all know she will return when she can.  KEN MADE A THREE BERRY PIE....Strawberries...raspberries ...and blueberries that was simply delicious ..we sent the very little that was left home for JennyLyn to share with her new husband!

I am still moving my studio materials upstairs as I set up a more professional and usable space for the dry working studio.......the wet painting and dying assigned place.........and the first floor will be a gallery gathering pace for visiting artists to share and teach their individual techniques and inspirations.  Nothing is going to happen over night...but slow and steady wins the race.  I am thinking about three retreat sessions for each year...no winter events except my work processes.  (Those who know our sky slope driveway will understand this icy issue!)  There will be no more than three artists invited to come..stay..create.....break bread........and write  about their processes.  I am still in the infancy stage but I have had people ask me for private sessions ..and with the loving support of my family and fellow artists.....I am looking forward to this next chapter.   Stay close....stay tuned....and feel free to chip in ..or ask questions..........we are on a journey.

Ruth is guiding her brood down to the pond to search for the turtles.........

 no snakes here but just watching the living creatures in these still waters...........

 the side garden in the new accessible gardens...........

 I was drawn to these moist dewy morning flowers...

 the new large pots are magnificent.......of course I love this beautiful blue......

 Katie is explaining that we are going to interviewed and photographed for the Buckeye News paper.........local news for a very excited group of artists......

 Brent is a distinguished landscape artist...so patient in guiding many ....to create a space of beauty...........

 the magnifying glass was a fascinating tool to explore on Tuesday........

 time to speak about the gifts to be explored in the Learning Garden..... Laura Appleman shares an idea with Ruth......

 Mary studies the white dusty surface in the potted plants........

 Brent.....the reporter....JennyLyn and Laura answer questions and share future dreams......

 this is a joyful conversation.....

 JennyLyn and Mary share a laugh about their observations..........

 look how BIG the green pepper has grown.............

 salad fixings ...deep delicious colors promise wonderful organic flavors............

 Jason is such a gentle man working with Kattie...............

 the bright sun is difficult on McKee's eyes..........JennyLyn takes a spample flower specimen to him.........

 brilliant colors....fragrances..........

 velvety leaves with gentle touches..............

 Ruth is a rocking Grandma .she brings her group at least once a week............

 I did not know what this conversation was all about ...but they were in deep thoughts and observations.......

Jason has a hard time balancing on his walk but with encouragement ...he carries on with a smile on his face...........

the coolness of the shade and a gentle breeze cools the group down.....

 a quick outline of what to look for...what to see....what to hear in the dark Cypress Garden...........

 the cicadas were in glorious chorus.............

 a serene path ...to walk into coolness............

 great questions...........and a laugh or two for all to enjoy.........

 no this is not a pregnant Cypress tree...........it is a result or evidence of an injury...............

 I love reflections...............

 the group was looking for evidence of living creatures.....

 more deep dark green cool reflections ...........

 in a moment the sunlight is changing....................altering the entire reflection..............

a secret garden....mysterious... .cool............ and yet mesmerizing.......

 we found a snake.....tiny and harmless............ and very interesting........

 apple picking time.............tart green apples....great recipes were shared  for different pies............

 JennyLyn shares the different species of apples.......did you know apples were related to the Rose family???

 we will return to the garden center.....wash.slice and then share samples..................

 I fell in love with this lovely leaf design..............

an old vintage plow... to add atmosphere and share how plowing was done in the past...............

 tasty summer treats...............










and now it is lunch time.............
Imagine and Live in Peace,  Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

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