Sunday, 12 February 2017

Dealing with a heatwave...and a sketch

Well, our area did in fact hit 42°C/107.6°F today.  There was no way we were going to sit at home without air-conditioning so we didn't need to be asked twice when Mum invited us over to her place to spend the day. YES! She has air-conditioning! I made a yummy tofu satay noodle dish to take over for lunch. We packed the doggies in the car and off we all went to visit Mum and to enjoy her gloriously cool air-conditioning! So, SO grateful we didn't have to suffer the dreadful heat — even Cody and Jack, our doggies, savoured the coolness at Mum's place.

Of course, we all had to head home some time and, even at 4pm, it still felt like we were in living in a sauna. Some vegan vanilla ice-cream with mango sorbet helped cool us down a little. It looks like we are now in for a hot, muggy night but at least it has cooled down a little to what feels like 33°C/91°F.

I didn't sketch today so will need to catch up as I am still determined to meet my goal of 365 sketches for 2017.  For now, I thought I'd post a sketch that I did on our trip to Wellington Point a couple of weeks ago.

I always love visiting the bayside area. Stonefish are the most venomous fish in the world so, despite the hot day, I decided not to wade into the water.  However, Aaron decided to play daredevil and waded in, bare feet and all.


Bradley and I weren't that crazy so we shared a spot under the shade of the beautiful Moreton Bay Fig trees...

along with some of the birds.


I threw out some oats and sunflower seeds around the picnic table for them so they could dine in style.

While there, I sketched this tree in my large Moleskine watercolour sketchbook with both permanent and water-soluble ink pens.

I did more work on it at home with ink and a brush

I'm linking up with Sunday Sketches again this week.  To see the work of other participants, you can click HERE.

I hope you are all enjoying a beautiful weekend regardless of weather conditions.
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28 comments:

  1. Stephanie Faris12 February 2017 at 22:57

    Wow! 107 degrees is HOTTTT. I live in Nashville and I don't think it's ever gotten that warm here. Although we have humidity that can make it impossible to breathe even at 90 degrees. I love that tree!!! Such great detail.

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    1. Serena Lewis13 February 2017 at 11:34

      It sure is — I can barely stand it. We get high humidity here too which usually sets off my asthma which I'm dealing with today, thanks to the heatwave. :( I'm glad you like the tree sketch. :)

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  2. Claudia W | ImagesByCW12 February 2017 at 22:57

    Moreton Bay - I've been there! It really is time to visit your beautiful country again, I miss it. Your tree sketch is beautiful. There is something about trees that just lends themselves to be sketched over and over.

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    1. Serena Lewis13 February 2017 at 11:33

      Thanks, Claudia. Yes, Moreton Bay does have some beautiful spots along the coastline. I agree, trees are fun to sketch. :)

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  3. Fallingladies13 February 2017 at 02:47

    So cold and sick here it is good to hear about heat and summer, but I agree I wouldn't want it THAT hot. I love! Your tree sketch!!

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    1. Serena Lewis13 February 2017 at 11:32

      Thanks, Andrea. Sorry you are sick due to the cold weather. I hope you feel better soon.

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  4. Unknown13 February 2017 at 05:22

    What gorgeous trees and birds. Your sketch of the tree is fantastic. Hope the heatwave breaks soon, before you melt into a puddle. Don't know if I could bear up without air conditioning. Although you are right about being happier and less broke, than everyone else when the bills come due.

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    1. Serena Lewis13 February 2017 at 11:31

      Thanks, Paula. The temps are supposed to be dropping lower from tomorrow. I sure hope they are right.

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  5. carol l mckenna13 February 2017 at 05:38

    Wonderful tree illustration ~ so regal ~ and love photography ~ thanks,


    Wishing you a Happy and Creative Week ahead ~ ^_^

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  6. Christine13 February 2017 at 06:34

    Beautiful tree sketch! I would've stayed out of the water due to the warning!

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    1. Serena Lewis13 February 2017 at 11:28

      Thanks, Christine. I must admit that I was a little worried about Aaron going into the water.

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  7. Jennifer Rose13 February 2017 at 09:29

    o.0 that is way too hot! glad you could get some relief at your moms :)



    how are your hands doing?

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    1. Serena Lewis13 February 2017 at 11:27

      Way too hot for me! I was so grateful to get some relief in the air-conditioning at Mum's place.

      My hands are on the mend, thank goodness. Still feel pain but not as bad as it initially was. Thanks for asking. :)

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  8. stapeliad13 February 2017 at 10:51

    SERENA!!! Hearing from you was maybe the best thing that has happened all year! I missed you, and i'm really glad you are blogging again!! Thank you for your comments on my blog. <3

    My goodness, stonefish sound scary...Aaron was quite daring but I bet it is one of those Boy Things...LOL

    I was so cold today...the sky was spitting out freezing rain on top of our snow and slush...quite the opposite from you! Your tree is lovely. xoxo

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    1. Serena Lewis13 February 2017 at 11:24

      Jessica, I am so happy to hear from you! I have missed blogland too and, this year, I'm planning on more regular posts. So glad to be back in touch. <3

      Yes, it could have been a boy thing. I'm sure my other sons would have done the same. haha

      We are definitely at opposite extremes, weather-wise. I hope you manage to stay warm and cosy. Glad you liked the tree. xoxo

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  9. alarmcat13 February 2017 at 11:39

    love your sketch!! keep cool :)

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    1. Serena Lewis14 February 2017 at 06:58

      Thanks, Sue. It's supposed to be a little cooler today, thank goodness. :)

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  10. Rita13 February 2017 at 12:52

    So glad you were in air conditioning at least part of the day! What a magnificent tree. :)

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    1. Serena Lewis14 February 2017 at 06:59

      Thanks, Rita. OH yes, and it was heaven...we sure noticed the difference when we went outside to go home but at least we were cool through the hottest part of the day. :)

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  11. Sue (this n that)13 February 2017 at 15:16

    Hello Serena, such a lovely, cool, day for your all. Your Mum would've loved sharing her coolth with you too :D)
    Beaut photos of those trees and the birds underneath taking in the shade.
    Your sketches are gorgeous - you've a real feel for those trees. Cheers for now.

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    1. Serena Lewis14 February 2017 at 07:00

      Thanks, Sue. Mum enjoyed having us there and we had a fun time playing cards and Yahtzee. :)

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  12. Victoria Zigler14 February 2017 at 00:47

    I'm glad you had somewhere with air conditioning you could go on such a hot day.

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    1. Serena Lewis14 February 2017 at 07:01

      Us too, Tori. Otherwise we would have headed to a shopping centre which would have been crowded with other people seeking refuge from the heat too — not to mention, boring.

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  13. Sandra Busby14 February 2017 at 00:56

    It's 9 degrees here today... Would you like to swap?? Lol!
    It is SO lovely to see the photo's of your stunning surroundings... No wonder you are so inspired all the time! I am quite envious!! And the tree sketch is awesome too :0)

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    1. Serena Lewis14 February 2017 at 07:03

      Thanks, Sandra.

      OH yes, please! Our winter temps get down to 6°C so that sounds perfect! I love our winter. :)

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  14. Nicolas Hall16 February 2017 at 01:07

    OMG Serena! 107? I can't even imagine it. . . I used to live in a place that could get to 100 on occasion AND had high humidity most of the summer, but 6 years of coastal life with the temps never getting above 85 and rarely for any length even above 75, has taken all my stamina for hot weather away! lol It's so funny but even now I find that I celebrate autumn's arrival. .. and mourn springs end. . . for that lovely in-between period of 8 or 9 months is certain to lack any possible "heat waves" here. :)

    LOVELY sketch! That's a tree that wonderful, mythic tales are made of. :)

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    1. Serena Lewis17 February 2017 at 21:06

      Your weather sounds perect, Nicolas. Here, we are classified as sub-tropical so hot and humid but I would adore a more temperate climate. I'm glad you like the tree sketch. :)

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