Friday Flash Fiction Christmas Contest

This photo of a heucherella has nothing to do with today's topic. It's just a bit of greenery to remind us all the spring is not so far away.

The topic for this post is the Friday Flash Fiction Christmas Contest which runs from December 1st to December 18th. "What is this?" you ask.  This contest is for 100 word stories. Yup, a story in 100 words.  It's actually really fun to try to write one of these ultra short stories. Check out the Friday Flash Fiction website, and you will see a really wide variety of topics and styles. If the dull December days are getting you down, I challenge you to write a story. For the contest, you are allowed to submit three stories.

After the contest, I may post mine here.

Keep well and start planning your garden!

Air Plant Care

I received these air plants last February as a gift. Three of them are now making pups.  From what I read, they make pups after they have bloomed. As long as I have had them the two multi-leaved ones that have pups haven't bloomed but perhaps they had already bloomed. Anyway, they are now making pups.

During the summer, I had them on the kitchen windowsill but I felt that would be too cold for the winter months so I moved them to a bright spot further away from a window. I had been soaking them for an hour each week in distilled water with a little bit of orchid fertilizer added to the water, but I found that with the drier air of the colder season that they looked too dry. What to do? I didn't want to soak them more often and risk rotting out their base. I thought I would try putting them upside down in a shallow bowl for about half an hour a day.  This way the leaves get wet but the base stays more or less dry.

I really like the shape of this one. It was blooming when I got it. It had little purple flowers and the seed stalk has remained. The shoot on the left started growing in the summer.

I hope everyone is staying well and finding ways to stay busy while distancing.
 

Starry Night Watercolour

 Watercolour based on Youtube tutorial by Sharon Cullen Art.

THE HEAVENS  DECLARE THE GLORY OF GOD.  Psalm 19:1 NIV

Keep Calm

 This is a photo I snapped when we were in London UK several years ago. It seems relevant today as the cases of Covid 19 keep going up. I know we are going in to winter so it's not exactly the best time for ice cream, but you could substitute your favourite comfort food - chocolate cake, ginger cookies, etc.

Take care.

November Scenes

I thought I'd better get some November pictures before the snow comes.  The past several days have been lovely and warm, but cold weather is on the way.

Some of the weeds make puffy seeds.

Roots wrapped around rocks by the side of the road.

The weeds are almost shimmering in the low sun.

The white poplar tree stems contrast nicely with the cedars.

A mullein highlights a rough patch.

More puffy seeds.

A stand of skinny poplars.

Take care. Stay well.

Sunrise Watercolour Sketch

 I'm still watching various watercolour tutorials on Youtube. This little painting (4" x6") is based on an acrylic painting by Jay Lee who teaches on Youtube. He has watercolour tutorials as well as other media.

Other people I am following right now:

The Mind of Watercolour - mostly landscapes - likes to experiment

In the Studio of Michelle Weber - lots of techniques  Some videos on mistakes to avoid

Emily Olson Art - animals - super accomplished artist who can paint anything!  She has lots of suggestions for painting fur and feathers.

Louise de Masi -birds and animals. Lovely fresh style. Excellent at drawing.

In Canada, for reasonably priced art supplies visit www.paintspot.ca  This site is run by a group of artists, and they have a great selection of good quality paints and paper and accessories.

For a smile, watch mrandrewcotter on Youtube with his dogs Olive and Mabel. 

Also check out videos about Chaser, a super smart Border collie. There are a few videos with her - look for titles that include "1000 words" because she apparently knows 1,000 words.  So interesting to see the contrast between Olive and Mabel who are Labradors and Chaser who is a Border collie. Totally different personalities.

Keep well and keep looking up.