WE'RE HAVING A BABY

Just some good news, we are having a baby. My appointment was 1/7/09 and my first ultrasound was 1/8/09. I am 14 weeks along and doing pretty good. Tyler and I are both very excited to be parents!!!!

The Arch Nemesis

Not to brag but we have had the most beautiful winter weather I think we have ever had here in the valley. So I take buddy the dog on walks usually right around sunset. Its far better taking a walk when no one is out that way Buddy doesn't get too distracted. Due to the recent housing market we have been left with a huge area where the ground has been worked up to build another sub division. Basically its a field where the dirt is formed up but they never got around to pouring the streets. Anyway we go out in the field and I let buddy off the leash so he can run and stretch his legs. Its so funny to watch him he runs about 50 yards to the right and sniffs some bushes and then he sprints 50 yards to the left back and forth until he catches the scent from the resident jack rabbit. We discovered there was a rabbit a week or so ago when buddy was stalking his prey in some tall weeds. All of the sudden I see him pounce out of the grass and take off after this rabbit. The chase lasted far longer than I expected. When I finally caught up to him he was pacing back and forth panting with his tongue hanging out. I swear the way he was looking at me he was saying "where did he go George, where did he go?" This chase has gone on now almost every day now for a week or more and every time the "wascally wabbit" disappears. Yesterday was no exception. We were out for our usual stroll and all of the sudden Buddy shoots off like a rocket after the bunny and I took off after him to see if I could figure out where the dang thing was hiding. I ran to where i saw the rabbit last which was on an embankment. It was nowhere to be found and Buddy was pacing again. I stepped forward only to have my foot cave in a hole obviously dug out by our nemesis. I fell and rolled down the embankment only to find myself staring strait into the eyes of Bugsy. Yes I named the illusive rabbit. I swear he winked at me then turned and retreated to the safety of his tunnel. Now that's what I call a close encounter. Some may wonder what I would do if Buddy ever caught the bunny. To them my comment would be, "Did the coyote ever catch the roadrunner?" l think its fairly safe to say that will never happen but it sure is fun trying!

December weddings!

Many of you may be wondering what we did for Christmas this year. We spent Christmas in the kitchen decorating wedding cakes! We did the 4 tear white and red on Christmas day for the reception the following Saturday and then we did the Cheese cakes yesterday. I thought the Cheese cake topper was sort of, well "Cheesy" but its what the bride wanted. Both cakes were delicious. I always get to taste. Its my favorite part of the process. I hate to brag but i think the cheese cake is the best i have ever tasted. yes i have been to the cheese cake factory!! Happy new year everyone...

OK here is my latest painting. I hate looking at pictures of it because it doesn't do it justice. It is actually 40in by 30in. Its the largest painting I have done. I took several pictures of myself at different angles wearing different hats and in different lights and poses. The photo is only 5 by 10. I gridded out the canvas and painted each individual square separately. I love painting with shapes and lots of color so this was a good way for me to be able to do that and still have something everyone likes. As you can see in the close up shots colors like orange and pepto pinks and blues and greens make out the skin colors and when you back away from the painting your mind blends it all together and you see the subject. I decided to try this style on myself for fear if it did not turn out the way I wanted no one would be disappointed but me. I have admired Vangogh and Monet broken color paintings for a long time and have been looking for a way to loosen up my style. It is a challenge for me to not paint every detail. I came across a great modern painter by the name of Chuck Close who has inspired my latest creation. I think I would like to do a series of these types of paintings. I hope you like!!!!