This is strange

I had no idea.

For the first time in 23 years, a pair of wild Canadian Geese brought their goslings to our pond.  

Occasionally we have a brave duck bring her brood.  

When geese stretch their necks like this that means that they are ready for a fight.  They don't have any goslings and they are jealous.  

Every now and then one of the adult geese would disappear for a day or 2.  Then, would reappear with two or more goslings. 

Originally we had 7 goslings. 
Now there are twelve. 

I have not known for Geese, or any other bird, hatch their young in spurts.
Females usually stay on their nests until all have hatched.  

My lilacs are beautiful this year.  
They survived a late frost. 

Amaryllis brought in from my greenhouse.
They used to bloom just before Christmas. 

Since last October I have painted nonstop.  Murals and tiles for new and remodeled kitchens.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend on this very special holiday. 

Gina 

Just another morning

at my house.

Now that the ice has left we can let the spring fill our pond again.

Snow on Saturday covered the only flowers I have blooming in my garden.  

They have frozen before, yet Hellebore always come out looking great.  

This time of year my flowers have to come from the store. 

You can just see the table to the left.  That is where I sit and paint. 

Montgolfiere tiles for a new side table...just out of the kiln. 

A couple of weeks ago my old orchids were throwing new spikes.  

They have now opened fully and even surprised me with a new color. 

All reservations have been made. 

 Soon I will spend the day with Maestro Mario of Montelupo, Italy.  

We will paint. 

When not painting or sight seeing I will learn how to make proper home made pasta at the 
Relais Sant'Elena, Bibbona, Tuscany, Italy.  

Wishing you a great week ahead.  

Gina

Calling on my drafting skills.

learned so many years ago

at the Topographic Drafting School in Erfurt, Germany. 

Who doesn't like blue and white sprinkled with a little yellow and orange? 

What makes this mural so special, besides the pretty colors, is that the tiles can be arranged in such a way that it will fit a square space measuring 30 x 30 inches.

OR 

it can also be installed to fit a rectangular space and measure 36 inches wide by 24 inches tall.

How clever is that?  

All available in my Etsy Shop. 

Have a great remainder of the week. 

Thank you so very much for stopping by.  It is always so appreciated, 

Gina 

My Book has arrived

A book featuring my hand painted Ceramics.

Creating this book was a lot of fun.

It might inspire.

Gina

Book is available here

An ordinary day

Most of the time

I have the luxury to do as I please

I can pick flowers for my kitchen window.

I can bake a quiche for Lunch.

With greens from our garden.

And eggs from our chickens.

Prepare stuffed peppers for dinner.

Drop off a bucket of sunflowers at the local florist.  She will remember when I need a little 
pick me - up -rose - bouquet in the middle of  winter.  

I can paint a few more tiles.

(These are the last tiles of the phase 5 project)

And then I can sit back in the evening and do nothing.  

How about you?  

Can you take time out and enjoy the view?  

Hope so.  

Have a great week my dear friends.

Gina 

Tayberries, Cherries and Roses

Mon Bouquet du Jour.

Roses , Cherries and Tayberries from my garden.  

Tayberries make extra special confiture.

Mix 5 cups of tayberries with 3 to 4 cups of sugar.
Let macerate for a couple of hours. 

Cook to a full rolling boil for about 2 to 5 minutes.

(Test on very cold plate every few minutes.  When the skin on the top of the plate wrinkles, the jam is ready).

Ladle into sterilized jars.  Will hold for 6 months.

Note:  if the jam does not set, do not worry, use as syrup or topping on waffles, pancakes, yogurt, ice cream, and more.  

The Tayberry,  an especially aromatic berry,  is a cross between a Raspberry and a Blackberry. Patented in 1979 the berry is named after the River Tay of Scotland. 

My cherries are disappearing...even before they are ripe.
 Our bird population is making fast work of them.  







Unglazed and unfired tile.  The pigments sit on the tile and are still very powdery and fragile.  The small red guidelines will disappear during firing. 

I thought that I had finished my latest project.  
But no, my tiles are liked and the project has been enlarged.  



Have a great week my dear friends.  

Gina 

Joining http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/
Also joining  http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Let us out!

We are ready to be planted outside.
We are ready to dazzle.

But wait, maybe we should reconsider;

nothing but WHITE.

Hellebore don't mind.

For now we can wait inside. 

And keep "The Painter" company.

Have a great remainder of the week my dear Friends. 

Gina