rose drawing and happenings

Another week has flown by. This winter has not been kind to me as far as my asthma goes. Cold, winter air is a big trigger for my asthma and I had another bout of Asthmatic Bronchitis, though not quite as bad as the previous one. Poor Aaron has been sick with flu and his brother Beau was also sick with flu...negative on the Covid test. Phew! 

I thought I might have been getting their flu too but was spared a severe dose, probably thanks to the annual flu shot and taking cold medication as soon as the first sniffle appeared. 'Nip it in the bud' as my ex used to say.

This is another graphite drawing I did in January, back when I was on a roll. I used charcoal for the background. 

 

 

And below was the graphite drawing I did before adding the background and a bit more detailing.  I love how the dark background made the rose pop. 

 

The reference image credit goes to Karsten Paulick on Pixabay. A direct link to his photograph can be seen HERE. Thank you, Karsten...much appreciated. 

 

You may remember this Sumi ink painting of daisies I did back in 2017 for INKtober. I think I might try painting the rose above in Sumi ink also.

 

 

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Over the past few months, I've been hearing a lot of buzzing/whirring from the sky...kinda like a remote controlled car.  Earlier today, I snapped a rather fuzzy pic of the culprit. It was some distance away. A commercial drone!

 

 

After further investigation, I discovered that our area now uses commercial drone delivery! Cool! Apparently, commercial drone deliveries are only active in our area (Logan) and Canberra, as far as Australia is concerned. Do you get drone deliveries in your area? The company hopes to expand which could well happen as it seems to be quite popular around here. You can order coffee/tea/hot chocolate drinks, snacks, hardware, hair products, clothing, pet products, and even some grocery items, etc...as long as it weighs 1.2kg (2lb 10oz) or less. You can learn more about commercial drone deliveries HERE. I wonder what the delivery costs are?

Another thing I saw in the sky recently was a cloud funnel. I get a kick out of seeing stuff like that so ran for my phone to take a pic.

Apparently, a cloud funnel is made up of condensed water droplets, associated with a rotating column of wind and extending from the base of a cloud but not reaching the ground or a water surface. Interesting!

To end this post, here is a pic of sleepy Kya wondering what that thing is that I'm always pointing at her.

Her look makes me think of the following meme that circulated around social media ages ago. So true...in Kya's case anyway. lol To be fair, she is the perfect cat 99.5% of the time.

 

Will post again soon, 

Serena x

Carpal tunnel surgery, a sketch, & a turmeric latte recipe

On Wednesday, June 8th, 

I had carpal tunnel surgery on my left hand. 

I had the same surgery on my right hand back in February 

and it took three months to heal which is the norm 

according to the surgeon. 

 It is definitely a lot easier this time around 

being that it's not my dominant hand so 

I don't feel as debilitated as I did back in February. 

For whatever reason, I'm having less pain this time too 

so that is another bonus.

I'm linking up with Sunday Sketches this week. 

You can check out the other participants HERE. 

They paint your hand and forearm with a pink cleaning fluid 

just before the procedure is done. 

A bright, hot pink colour that isn't easy to wipe off.

I've been taking it fairly easy this week with strict instructions 

not to use my left hand at all for two weeks. 

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We had a pretty morning sky yesterday.

A few days ago, I made turmeric lattes for me and Bradley. 

SO yummy! 

Turmeric is very good for you too. 

It has an anti-inflammatory effect on the body 

so great for people with arthritis and other aches and pains. 

The recipe I used is below. 

Ingredients below are for one standard cup. 

Adjust accordingly for more cups.

INGREDIENTS 

1 cup (250ml) Almond Milk - Sweetened 

1 teaspoon Turmeric (fresh or ground) 

½ teaspoon Cinnamon 

1 teaspoon Coconut oil 

METHOD 

I warmed the Almond Milk on the stove top, 

then added the dry ingredients 

and let it get hot but not boiling. 

I whisked the whole time to get a nice froth. 

Then I added the coconut oil  

just before pouring into the cup. 

I sprinkled with a little nutmeg for garnish.

NOTES

You can use any plant-based milk. 

If you use unsweetened milk, 

you may want to add a teaspoon 

of coconut sugar or raw sugar.
I used ground turmeric but,
if you use the fresh one,
it's up to you if you strain it or not.
A lot of people like to chew on the fresh one.

ENJOY!

Two little artists in residence

I had these two adorable, little artists visit me a week ago.

They shared their expertise on how to throw caution to the wind 

and just enjoy the process of making art without rules.

Maddy was diligent at loading her brush with paint 

and then splashing it about in the water dish. 

Lots of water ended up on her paper but not a lot of paint. 

Mikayla studiously worked away at her own masterpiece....

....until she was awestruck by Maddy's approach to art

At one point, Mikayla couldn't bear to watch a moment longer. (just kidding)

Maddy was very pleased with herself indeed.

OH, how I love having my beautiful granddaughters over for a visit! 

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Speaking of art, 

it appeared that someone had taken a paintbrush to the sky 

the other morning.

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I went to Reece's place on the weekend
to help hang the multi-canvas painting I did for him.

I have been busy painting and also sketching 

so lots to share later....

A bit of this and a bit of that...

I was treated to a beautiful rainbow early Friday morning 

when I took the wheelie bin out for pick-up.

Another stretch of sky was clear 

and full of fluffy white clouds. 

Hard to believe they were taken at the same time.

I've started yet another ripple blanket. 

This one will be for me. 

I love to snuggle up under these blankets in winter.
All cosy and warm while watching TV or a movie.

And so does Cody. 

My ever faithful companion.

When I work at the computer, Cody snuggles up in his basket while, 

Jack snuggles up in his.

SO cute!!!

Back in 2001, my eyes seized up on me after spending a lot of time at the computer. They froze at a set distance and my brain just couldn't refocus for any other distance whether it was closer or further away. My eyes were under a lot of strain and pressure. After seeing a Behavioural Optometrist for the first time, I had to do regular eye exercises until my vision returned to normal. I was also given my first prescription for reading glasses.

Well, I think my eyes have seized up again because I'm experiencing all the same symptoms as last time.  The change happened over the course of 1 - 2 weeks. I get no relief at all unless I'm sleeping.  The strain is constantly there even when I'm wearing my reading glasses which I pretty much have to wear all the time now, even for distance.  They also help a little when watching TV which is all pretty weird considering they are supposed to be for close distances. I am booked in for March 1st to see my Behavioural Optometrist. I can't get in before then because she is only working Fridays due to caring for her ailing grandfather at the moment. Wish me luck.

I did manage a sketch of the new water filter I bought yesterday. Michelle has had one for ages and swears by it. I like the fact that, when you use the filtered water in electric jugs/kettles, they stay clean and don't build up any sediment. 

 NOTE - You may notice the font and font colour change on my blog, on and off, as I try to find one that isn't so hard on my eyes. Please bear with me.

To end this post, 

I just had to share this funny animal video with human voice-over. 

 ~ Love, light and peace ~

Oh, the pain, the pain...

Sorry I haven't been around much.

I ended up in a nasty way with inflammation of the chest wall lining. It may have been due to the angiogram I had just over a week ago....seems too coincidental for it not to be.  I've been in a great deal of pain every time I cough, sneeze, take a deep breath, or move a certain way.  It's at its worst when I'm lying flat on my back and then I go to get up.....makes me scream out loud in pain.  I'll be glad when it clears up. Doctor's orders are rest and pain-killers.

So, while resting on my comfy lounge chair, I have been busy with the crochet hook and the knitting needles.

I finished the Granny stripe blanket throw AT LAST!!

I finished it off with a simple picot stitch border.

Jack hopped up on my bed to inspect it.

Cody and Jack LOVE to sleep on my crochet blankets.

I can't say I blame them because these blankets are so warm and cosy.

I've now started another ripple throw blanket for Aaron.
I LOVE working in ripples!

I also knitted the first pair of bootees for my next Grandchild due in November. Aren't they darling?!!  For now, I'm sticking with neutral colours until Michelle and Alex find out the sex of baby in a few weeks. I still have to sew the seams on this pair and add the ribbons.

What an amazing cloud formation we had in the sky on Friday morning!

I was totally mesmerised by all those bobbles!

Same morning, I spotted this butterfly resting on the fronds of my potted fern under the pergola.

I think it's called a Common Crow butterfly. We get a lot of them around here.

By the way, if you go to leave a comment, you may notice a new addition which I added today.  On top of the standard Blogger comment form, there is now a Facebook comment form too which will give my family and friends on Facebook the opportunity to comment if they wish. If you don't have Facebook, simply scroll down and use the regular Blogger comment form as you would normally.

I'm looking forward to catching up with everyone but, for now, I'm only allowing myself short stints at the computer until this rotten chest inflammation clears up.

I hope you're all having a great weekend!!

It's a long weekend here with tomorrow (Monday) being a Public Holiday in celebration of the Queen's birthday.

~ Love, light and peace ~