The Grumpy Goat Gallery

For years I insisted I was Peter Rabbit's sister "Flopsy" and I still drink camomile tea every night before bed.

2012-02-10T14:29:00.000-03:30

"Underneath the Stars" by Cara & Pam
*Currently on Sale at The Alexis Templton Studio *
75 Quidi Vidi Road, St. John's

I have a quirky imagination. It often works the late shift, does over-time and is ALWAYS on call. If it had its’ own pager, it would be beeping. Constantly.

You can imagine, then, that when I read books - really, really great books, it’s like giving my imagination cotton candy cupcakes with gumdrops on top…..a sugary high like no other.
During a read, I drive Her insane. The characters become my friends, my buddies, my pals. I am living with them in their world and want so much to be able to pull them through the pages into mine.
“Should we invite Katnis and Peeta for dinner?” I’ll say.
“Sure!” She replies, until She realizes that these are not actual people with bones and eyelashes and toenails. They are characters from The Hunger Games book I am currently devouring.
“You seem worried. What are you thinking about?” She asks.
“Joan.” I answer.
“Joan? Do we know a Joan?” She says.
“She lives in her closet. Hardly ever comes out.” I say, distracted.
“IS JOAN A CHARACTER IN YOUR BOOK?” She hollers.
“Yes, but I am still a bit worried about her!”
Barbara Gowdy, you are awesome.
I nearly drove Her ‘round the bend while reading Annabel by Kathleen Winter….(one of my favourite books of all time, since time began). I fell so in love with the characters and went into a state of mourning when I turned the last page because the story was over. I wanted to move to Labrador.
Lucky ducks are the authors who get to hang out with their characters whenever they want. They can have pot-lucks and movie nights, quiet conversations over cups of tea and even go on road trips. They know all of their characters secrets. If I lived next door to a writer, I would definitively hope for an invitation to the get-togethers. Gardening and general yard maintenance would be a nightmare for them….”Hello, HELLO! Hello Kathleen! I see you are busy planting spring bulbs but I was wondering what Annabel is doing NOW?”
My head is bursting with all of my characters - friends I have made since I started to read. Raggedy Anne, Charlotte, Anne Shirley, Emma, Lisbeth Salander, Mrs. Noyes, the list is endless. I was introduced to them all, got to know them and still remember their names. Magic.
Also an avid reader, She and I have fabulous discussions about the books we choose to spend our time with. We read very different kinds of stories and maybe it’s good that we can’t really invite the characters over for dinner. Mrs. Danvers would have Diana Barry in tears by the second course.

A Fowl Day For Bird Watching.....

2012-02-08T10:48:00.000-03:30

Image: "Lovebird" by Cara & Pam

Image: Hour 3, up the tree. At this point, Blanche wouldn't say no to a warm bed and a cup o' soup.

Blanche is one dedicated gal. Yesterday, she spent 4 hours patiently sitting in the bird-feeder tree, waiting for supper. Perhaps she was trying to catch a Valentine's Day present for Stanley. Maybe it was just a trap, to catch a bird and keep it for a pet. I'm not sure but clearly she is going about it the wrong way. She should be hidden from her target and she should should have at least 3 delights on offer.....perhaps peanut butter on a stick, suet AND birdseed. Soft music...."Sounds of the Forest" wouldn't hurt.

I know this because many years ago I waited for 4 hours in the shrubs myself. A plate of meatballs and sauce was the bait. There were a few lovely, Italian socks scattered around the pavement. Alas, I got my bird in the hand and now my goose is cooked. I hope Blanche knows what she's doing!!

P.S. On a different note, several minutes ago, I asked Her to please put my purse in the closet. Just now as I was typing away, BooBoo threw up into my open purse which was still on the floor. It is going to be one of those days.

For Sale: $2200 Cat Tree

2012-02-07T00:05:00.000-03:30

Short on pedestals, SHE thought it would be a good idea to put my favourite sculpture in the kitchen sitting room.
A letter of thanks from the cats was left on the counter this morning:
Deer Missis Ladee Hoo Lives in hour howse and gives us the foods and digs in our sandbox,
Tank to yoo fur the new toy. It is gud fur jumpin' on and BooBoo got all her nales scrached. I chooed on the roap an' filed my teets on the pretti blu waves. Foofi carrved hees name on it too.
Yoo are a gud ladee.
Can wee hav sum more foods pleese?
Luv Lily, BooBoo, Bear, Nana and Foofi

I've Got Sunshine, On a Cloudy Day.......

2012-01-28T12:43:00.000-03:30

"Day Became Night" by Cara Kansala * Oil on Canvas* 4 feet x 3 feet

Detail......Lovely, chunky texture. Yum, Yum, Yum!

After a fabulous 3 day painting marathon I am taking a break, cooking up a storm for tonight's "Let's pretend We're in Italy!" dinner party for 8. The Bollito is simmering on the stove.The Salsa Verde is waiting patiently. The Garlic infused Beans with Tuna and Celery Salad is chilling out in the refrigerator and the Strawberries are getting a bit raucous in their Limoncello.SHE seems to be getting a bit tipsy from sneaking sneaks of the Limoncello sauce. At the rate She is going, by 4pm I should be able to tell her about the gallon pail of gesso I spilled in the loft yesterday. Everyone is coming shortly after that, so She can hardly get angry and chase me around with a rolling pin. There won't be time. And if I play my cards right and ply Her with enough wine, maybe I can even convince Her that Blanche did it! It's not nice to blame so many of my mishaps on the cats but they don't pay rent, don't help with the cleaning and never, ever offer to help wash the windows. I figure it is the price they have to pay. Besides, it's not whether you win or booze, it's how you place the blame.

Dress for Success!!!

2012-01-25T10:44:00.000-03:30

"Dreaming of Battle Harbour" by Cara Kansala

Private Commission for the Battle Harbour Trust

http://www.battleharbour.com/home/

Now that I am no longer working from home, I think I should shop around for some new work clothes. So many articles say that you need to “Dress for Success”. Since SHE is the one responsible for the change, you would think She’d get aboard the train to Stunningville. She says I don’t need any new clothes. Yesterday, as She was packing me up for work and pushing me out the door (She even bought me a new back-pack and a big thermos so I don’t need to come into the house at all) She said I looked great, wished me a good day and said She’d see me at dinner. I think I at least deserve a new pair of rubber boots for the walk to work. At least.

P.S. I do not think it is very nice to send someone off to far away lofts with giant thermoses of coffee and bottles of water. Especially when said loft does not yet have a loo. Especially when they have to climb up and down a dodgey ladder wearing old clothes and tread-dead ancient rubber boots.

Accidents can happen.

Just sayin’..........

Two For Tea. Yes, I'd Love Another Cup!

2012-01-19T12:37:00.001-03:30

http://www.nlgeotourism.com/content_detail.php?uid=nfl9BCCB74209BDB06F1

National Geographic has made an amazing interactive Geotourism Map Guide of Eastern Newfoundland. It's not tOo late to add your own nomination and it is very easy to do! What a fabulous way to experience our province!

I am almost finished my big Battle Harbour commission! My next little painting will be of the Battle Harbour Church Two Seater, the most practical outhouse since time began.
Title, "Two For Tea."

Where Can You Buy A Fireman's Pole?

2012-01-18T11:33:00.002-03:30

Image: "Dreaming of Battle Harbour" BEFORE

Image: "Dreaming of Battle Harbour (detail) " AFTER by Cara Kansala

The Lovely View from Way Up Here.....

WHERE CAN YOU BUY A FIREMAN'S POLE?

She built me a studio, so blue and pretty,

It's quite bright and airy

There's room for a kitty,

She isn't quite finished,

The inside is bare,

And I'm in the loft painting

Without any stairs

I came up by ladder

By ladder I came

But She's taken the ladder,

And She is to blame

She is far away fixing some lights in a tree,

My ladder is missing

and I have to pee

Hooray! It is not just me.

2012-01-16T18:12:00.001-03:30

Image: "Rose and Blanche Love Looking Out their Window" by Cara * Acrylic on Canvas

HER: "Why is it called Rose and Blanche? Where is Blanche?"
Me: "Well, that is her tail. She was being shy."
HER: "Oh. I thought she was giving Rose a boost up to the window."
It is not just me.

Image: "The Ten-Armed Pirate Strikes Again..." Ugly Stick by Cara & Pam

During a stay on Battle Island (which is very isolated)
Me: "It's so dark here at night....I don't know what would happen if we were attacked by 10, armed pirates."
Lovely Friend: Looks at me with horror and dismay. I know what she is thinking because she thinks like me.
Me: "Nope. I don't mean pirates with ten arms each, just 10 regular two-armed pirates."
Lovely Friend looks very relieved.
It is not just me.

Saturday, Past:
We are getting ready for the Gower Street dinner party extraordinaire. I walk into the bathroom. SHE is ironing her shirt sleeves with my brand new hair straightener.
It is not just me.

Thank you so much to G&S and Lucy who were so lovely. The best cooks since time began who know just how much sauce to put in a boat.

Free to A Good Home....(well, I say "good" but adequate would be fine....)

2012-01-12T10:41:00.003-03:30

Free to any takers:
1 Large-Sized Artist/Carver/Carpenter (who requires 4 feedings day and IS litter trained)
5 Medium-Size Indoor Cats (who require 3 feedings a day and ARE litter trained)

Usually, I am the one in the Dog House but this week SHE took the cake. She took the cake, cut the cake, ate the cake and asked for more.
Today I was trying to do portfolio photographs, spent ages rounding up the cats, put them to beddies and closed their door.
ME: "Cats are locked away. Please don't open their door."
HER: "OK!"
2 minutes later.....
CATS: "HELLO! HELLO! Hi!Hi ! WATCHA DOIN'? WATCHA Doin'? Watcha DOIN'?"
Photo Shoot is a disaster.

On Tuesday, we had a big meeting in town with clients.
Before the meeting, She and I had gone for a quick lunch.
I sat across from Her during this lunch.
She was looking at me the entire time.
She saw what I was wearing.
She even said I looked nice.
We went to our meeting and we all sat around the table.

HER: "CARA, your shirt is on inside out! I can't believe you put your shirt on inside out!!"

Lovely Clients: Smile at me.

ME: I am purple and suffering from the embarrassment. I give HER a look that says "When we get to the car, you are in SO much trouble. You. Are. Finished. No more meatballs for you. No more lovely cups of coffee handed to you in the morning. YOU, are in the Dog House."

Thank goodness the Lovely Clients are so very lovely and don't mind my inside-out shirt.
The meeting ends well and WE go home.
She was on probation until today but now it's the Dog House.
How much is that Doggy in the Window, you ask?
Free, I tell you! FREE!!

P.S. Don't laugh, Amber's Mom! Don't laugh!

Why Not Vote For the Goat?

2012-01-09T11:28:00.000-03:30

Hello Friends!

Our blog is now one of the finalists in our category for The Canadian Blog Awards. If you feel like giving us a vote, we would sure appreciate it! Just click on the link below and vote for the Goat! Thanks so much for those who nominated us and voted in the first round. Have a goat-errific day!!

http://polldaddy.com/poll/5787390/

"Sometimes When PopWas Out Fishing, Nan Would Make Strawberry Pies in the Nude" Acrylic on Canvas Cara kansala SOLD* Private Collection

If It Walks Like a Duck, It Must Be a Screwdriver

2012-01-06T21:33:00.000-03:30

Image: Playtime Around the Bay...The Biggest Toy Box Since Time Began!!!
by Cara & Pam Hand-Carved/Mixed Media

We do a lot of mixed media in our work and I often need to drill and screw and sand things. For Christmas, SHE gave me a screwdriver. It is very curious indeed. It has all of the bits stuffed tightly inside and you have to do a Rubik's Cube kind of trick to coax them out. It is hard.
Today, She walked in and found me working away, screwing some pieces together for a picture.
"What are you doing? Why are you still screwing screws in with a butter knife? What do you think the screwdriver is for?" She hollered.
The vast number of possible answers to Her question was just too much to bear.
Sometimes, silence IS golden.

Blanche has been spending a lot of time up here, keeping a watchful eye over the yard. She says she'll keep us posted if anything interesting happens.

I've Been Dyeing to Say Happy New Year!!!!

2012-01-01T20:37:00.001-03:30

Hooray! I have officially moved my painting studio to the new Goat House! We have a dining room and it works....we tried it today!

Scandinavian Vineterta with Marsala cream. Yes, Ma'm!

SHE made me wait while She went to get the camera. Proof, She said. Of the Badness.

Well, the first day of 2012 is coming to an end. I woke up very early this morning after going to bed very late last night after what might have been the best New year’s Eve since time began. Oh, my dears, how you make me laugh! Today, we hosted the New Years Day brunch-a-lunch for the Darlings in our brand new dining room and a grand time was had by all though it was too bad that Lacey had to get back to Gander.

We had tortiere, minted cherry tomatos, blueberry fennel coleslaw, warm parsnip/potato salad with pancetta and for dessert, Scandinavian Vineterta. Thank heavens to Betsy I made a meal that passed Her mustard, because I have to say, She was not impressed with me this morning.

This morning....(two hours before the Darlings were to arrive)

I decided to dye some napkins to match my new tablecloth. I completely forgot that I had promised never, EVER to dye anything in the washing machine again.

SHE said that I was a disaster and INCORRIGIBLE and that if this was how I planned on starting the year, it was going to be a very long year indeed.

I said that the year is 2012 and if She was going to use words like INCORRIGIBLE and INDEED, I was going to move to PEI to live with Marilla Cuthbert herself.

Good thing we were able to get the dye out of my hands and the mess cleaned up before lunch. And after all that, I forgot to put the napkins in the dryer. Paper had to do.

Happy New Year!

Cara

P.S. Thank you so VERY much to everyone who kindly sent packages and postcards to Rose, Stanley and Blanche for Christmas! Stanley even got a lovely letter and package from Spain from the lovely humans who rescued him while on vacation in Newfoundland. Rose loved her treats from Taiwan and they are planing a scrapbook for their cottage. Bless.

BooBoo Stabbed me in the Back, Hick-Upped and Went Back to Sleep

2011-12-27T20:43:00.000-03:30

Above: "Xena and Biggles" Hand-carved/Hand-Painted by Cara & Pam 2011

Day 3...."BooBoo still wouldn't say no to an Alka-Seltzer and two aspirin".

Today, while vacuuming up Christmas, She lifted up the sofa and found my "missing" advent calendar. It has been "missing" since December 15.
"Why are all of the little doors open? All of the wee chocolates are gone! Did you open them all on December 15th?" She asked.
"NO..........I lost it! One of the cats must have eaten them. As if I would....it is an advent calendar!!" I hollered.
BooBoo opened her eyes from Day 3 of her turkey-coma and pointed at me, accusingly.
"I can't believe you would accuse me of that!" I said to Her. Very hurt. I am.
"Well," She said, "seeing as how you did the same thing last year and the year before that, I didn't have to call in forensics, did I?"

Happy Holidays to You!

2011-12-24T18:13:00.002-03:30

Rose Nylund's First Christmas. She is SO excited about what Santa might bring........

A Mummer's Parade!! Hand-Carved/Hand-Painted by Cara and Pam for Mummer's The Word!

Wishing everyone a happy holiday from all of us here at The Grumpy Goat Gallery!
Love: Rose, Stan, Blanche, LUCCA, Big Fat BooBoo, Gretel Myfanway DerFrankenfurter the 3rd, Brother Bear, Nana, Lily, Itchy, Scratchy, Boris, Liza Manelli, Snowy, Pop-Eye, Powder Grey, Honey, Pumpkin Pants, Vincenzo the 2nd, Fat Aunt Sylvia, Annabel, Queenie from up the road, Papa Luigi (in spirit) and Cara and Pam!
CHEERS!

Sometimes, Vacuuming Sucks.

2011-12-19T23:16:00.000-03:30

Image: "Sleep, My Love" Hand-Carved/Mixed Media by Cara and Pam

Yesterday:
HER: "I'll be back in a few hours. Don't touch the new vacuum. I will put it together when I get home."
ME : "OK! See you later!"
I watch her leave and go into the living room to check on Blanche. I look at the Christmas tree. It is so dry that my mere glance causes it terrific stress. I hear a sound similar to that of one of those rain sticky-rain stick instruments. Half the tree is on the floor. Needles. Everywhere. I insisted on getting the tree early this year and it was my job to keep it watered. Hmm. I am surprised it hasn't actually walked into the kitchen to get itself a drink.
Me: "Blanche, I am going to have to vacuum this up."
I go to the window and make sure that SHE is gone. (I do this a lot). I look at the shiny, lovely vacuum box and decide that I am a capable, clever girl who can Shirley put together a Shop Vac. I tear open the box and get to work.
SO many parts and pieces.....who knew there would be SCREWS? and nuts and little discs that might be called washers. So much foam wrapping and tubes and what-nots. There are what-nots up the ying-yang.The instruction book is very ugly and the writing is quite hostile. I struggle and strain and build what I think is a fabulous-looking, vacuum-machine. It looks quite close to the photo on the box. Of course it does! I used elbow grease! (and where can I get more?)
With a terrific deep breath, I plug in the mighty sucker and after a brief panic attack, it starts sucking! It works! I am so excited, I suck up all of the extra foam, half the food in the cats bowl, a few rogue Cheerios and half of the Christmas tree. I give the tree itself a good shake to catch any loose needles (ha! the other half is on the floor and now it is just a Christmas stick!) The air coming out of the vacuum vent is forest-piney fresh!
A few hours later SHE arrives home and sees what Shirley and I have done. She asks if I read the instruction book. I said I did, which was, in fact, not a lie. I HAD read the book. I just didn't agree with the offensive parts. She is quite surprised and somewhat impressed when She turns on my vacuum. It works. I march around the kitchen very haughtily and suggest very loudly that I am capable of putting things together. In fact, I could even put in the new hot water heater.
Lovely Vacuum: "KLANG! KLANG! KLANG!
She turns off the mighty beast and asks what She might have sucked up.
ME: "Ah, I don't know."
She unhooks the main hose and opens up the belly. She digs around through the bits and pieces and asks for a garbage bag. She empties out the Christmas tree, the Cheerios and the cat food. She sifts through fur balls and a dozen twist ties that got away. And then I see them. She sees them too. Three black screws. My lovely vacuum has forsaken me.
HER: "SOOO, you put the vacuum together even though I said not to, couldn't figure out where these screws went and hid them under the counter? And now the vacuum has actually choked on its own parts?"
ME: "That is exactly what appears to have happened. Would you like to come and look at the Christmas tree?"

No Matter How Hard She Tried, Nan Couldn't Get the Jam-Jam Stains Out of Aunt Berna's Old Quilt

2011-12-12T21:09:00.000-03:30

"No Matter How Hard She Tried, Nan Couldn't Get the Jam-Jam Stains Out of Aunt Berna's Old Quilt"

Hand-Carved, Hand-Painted by Cara & Pam

Rosie wearing her new winter hat, "Gordon".

On Sunday I Learned Three Things...............

1. If a cat loves a goat, the goats choice of winter head attire makes no difference at all.

2. Going to a lovely church dinner when over-tired and hysterical with the giggles may not be the best way to present yourself to the world. Note: It is only acceptable if you are drinking "tea".

3. If you are at the Tim Horton's drive-through, starving hungry but not a fan a whole wheat bread, the last thing you should say to the lovely lady on the other side of the microphone is
"DO YOU HAVE LARGE, WHITE BUNS?"

On the First Day of Christmas My True Love Gave to Me.... A Snail Crawling up a Pear Tree

2011-12-09T14:20:00.003-03:30

She just came in and said "I thought you were making Christmas cookies this afternoon? Why are you making SNAILS? What is Christmassy about snails? Surely, you could have found a better shape in your cookie cutter tin?"
Hhmph. I like my Christmas snails.
All I answered in reply was,
"PLEASE don't call me Shirley".
Wait until She sees my yuletide hedgehogs!

SHE'S a Player!

2011-12-05T10:21:00.002-03:30

"The Dance" Acrylic on Canvas by Cara Kansala - Original Sold

Moving In...........

At Home for Now......perhaps the biggest project since time began! We hope to have it painted and in working order sometime in the next 3 years!!
THIS IS A TRUE STORY
SHE likes to collect things. I do not. SHE loves going to antique stores and yard sales and thrift shops. SHE loves antiques and anything dusty, with tiny little words that smell of mothballs and other peoples secrets.
SHE is obsessed with the days of yore.
Quite a few years ago, we were at an antique store and she found some VERY dusty boxes. Long and slim. She didn't know what was in them but the accumulated dust and grime deposit was so great, She figured that inside there must certainly be something magical. With great enthusiasm, She opened each one....."Player piano scrolls!!" She yelled, "I have to have them!"
I watched all of this in daze.
"No! No!" I said, "We don't need player piano scrolls. They are, in fact, the LAST thing we need. No! Let's just put them back for the next person!"
"NO!" She said. "I have to get them. I was meant to have them. I need them!" And She walked off to the cash.
"AHHH! Please, no more. I KNOW that they will sit in the bedroom in a box until I am 85 and you will never look at them again. I will have to give them to the Goodwill in 45 years, so why not jump the gun and leave them here now? You can't get them! We will NEVER have a player piano!! NEVER! NNNNEVVERRR!!"
I was putting my foot down.
She was paying (they weren't inexpensive to say the least).
Apparently, my foot was not even close to where it needed to be.
Mrs. Antique-Shop-Owner-Who-Looked-Far-Too-Pleased-With-Herself put them in a bag and sent Us on Our Way.
That was years ago. And where have those piano player scrolls been ever since? In a box. In the bedroom, waiting for my pension to kick in. Has She looked at them, or needed them, or used them? Nope.
UNTIL TODAY
Last month while judging a scarecrow making contest, lovely lady friend asked us if we had ever wanted a player piano. SHE lit up up like disco ball at an ABBA tribute and I tried to scrape myself up off the floor.
"A WHAT?" I asked.
"A PLAYER PIANO." said lovely lady. "We have one that might need a home..."
Everything has been a blur since that day. So many "I told you so's".
How many times have I heard "Shall we take out the piano scrolls and have a look at them, again?"
I have had humble pie, 60 days in a row and crow for the past week.
SHE is in Her glory.
Player piano is happily sitting in our living room. YES! Yes, my friend, the one we were never, ever going to have.
My biggest fear is this.......
Two weeks ago, She came home with what She called "The last thing I will ever buy at an antique shop, I promise!" It is a manual, antique meat grinder with all of the parts in working order. Working. Order.
If a truck pulls up outside our house with a side of beef, I AM MOVING OUT!

P.S. Thank you 5 billion times over to Linda Lewis and her wonderful family who gave us THE PIANO, delivered it to our house and moved it in. You are all shining stars and we can't thank you enough!

Why ARE There so many Songs about Rainbows?

2011-12-01T17:27:00.001-03:30

In town today, doing TOWNY things. Yesterday was a Town Day, too. Yesterday I saw the Muppet Movie with some of the Darlings. SHE did not want to go again today, even though we are in Town. She also said that even though we are painting the bedroom, I cannot put up Muppet wallpaper. Not even a sneaky border. SHE said that if I stop singing the Muppet theme song for the rest of the day, I CAN take my Rolph dog puppet Muppet out of my storage box. Life is all about give and take. "It's time to put on make-up....., it's time to light the lights...." She didn't mention writing it in the deal!

If You Eat Your Hat, You Have No One to blame for Cold Ears but Youself

2011-11-30T11:50:00.001-03:30

The Goat House is looking goat-errific and SHE has had me start my packing. I don't think I have ever seen Her SO enthused before. She's chosen to halt work on the exterior and focus on the inside. Closer move-in date. Apparently, it will be SO fabulous painting up there, I will only need to come home in time to make Her dinner!

Rose's first walk in the snow. She actually yelled at us. She can't be mad at me about the cold because she ate her hat. I had to make things better by letting her and Blanche plan a house warming party for The Goat House. Wine will be involved.

SHE did a lovely news interview!!

2011-11-24T16:09:00.001-03:30

Just click on Backstage Pass to see Pam's interview on the NTV news. We are still laughing and calling Her "Pat", though I think that after today, I will go back to HER and SHE!

Keeping the Home Fires Burning.....

2011-11-22T20:48:00.002-03:30

"Every Summer Mr. Mercer Brings His sheep to the Feather to Graze"

Hand-Carved/Hand-Painted by Cara Kansala & Pam Dorey

Currently on display and for sale at The Heritage Art Gallery, St. John's

Image: The real live sheep on the feather. Rose wants to invite them to her birthday party in April, but it might be a bowling party and only 3 will fit in the car.

What a crazy week! "The Goat House" is near completion and SHE is beside Herself with joy. Finally, She will have me working out of the house and there won't be painty finger streaks on the white cupboards, or orange footprints on the new floor or dried up paint stuck to the bathroom sink. I think she will miss my artful messiness. SHE said that I can make as much mess as I like in my new studio. She doesn't care what I do as I long as I don't burn it down. IT won't have a wood stove. Yesterday, I was home alone and was in charge of keeping the wood stove going. I thought it was odd that She had cut so many logs into such teeny tiny pieces.....there were SO many and they burned SO fast. I went through two massive basketfuls before I ran out.
SHE thought it was odd that I had burned two weeks worth of carefully chopped fire kindling and hadn't thought to go to the wood shed to get the bigger logs. Move-out date can't be too soon.

A Goat-errific Afternoon and Show Opening!!!!

2011-11-16T23:05:00.001-03:30

Gallery show Opening of "The Goat Who Stole Christmas"

at The Heritage Art Gallery 309 Water St.

The Goat who Stole Christmas- Works by Cara Kansala & Pam Dorey

Image: "Grandfather Clock" by Cara Kansala & Pam Dorey - Mixed Media Clock
Sunday past was the show opening for The Goat Who Stole Christmas and it was absolutely fabulous! Thank you so much to everyone who came to the gallery and to all of the staff at Historic Sites who have worked so hard to get the show up and running....you are all shining stars and we are so lucky to get to work with you! Hooray for everyone!!!!!! (Rose sent her best wishes......she wasn't able to attend the opening as she and Blanche were busy decorating their cottage for Christmas and making gingerbread goats)

A Ga Ga Day!

2011-11-12T10:29:00.000-03:30

"When Martha Looked Across the Tickle and Saw that Mrs. O’Leary Had Bought the Same Curtains as Her From Page 231 of the Sears Catalogue, She Was Poisoned!”

Hand-Carved, Hand-Painted, Mixed media

Cara Kansala and Pam Dorey

$695

On Sale at THE GOAT WHO STOLE CHRISTMAS

Opening tomorrow at 2pm The Heritage Art Gallery, 309 Water Street

"Kitty Has a New String of Pearls" by Cara & Pam

BooBoo is Feeling Very GaGa Today

Frantically getting ready for the opening tomorrow! So excited and can't wait! I had a hair cut for the first time in 22 years (really and truly!....I had a hair salon phobia) and now BooBoo and I both look very Ga Ga! I love it ! Dorothy at The Hair Factory is the best stylist and colour artist since time began! I have been cured of my fear of people and places who cut hair and make you sit in front of bright lights while looking in the mirror! Hooray! Next week...eye lash extensions! Well, maybe not...that would just be another place to collect paint!

No Flyers, Please.

2011-11-06T20:13:00.001-03:30

"Old Tom Cat Always Loved Aunt Maggie’s White Blanket With the Roses" by Cara & Pam For Sale at "THE GOAT WHO STOLE CHRISTMAS" Opening November 13th at 2pm at The Heritage Gallery, Water Street.

Last Tuesday.
I check the email.......local craft store is having a HUGE sale. HUGE I tell you! 50% off everything I need.
It is 11am.
ME: We have to go to St. John's NOW! Right Now! Craft store is having a sale from 11 to 1 today only! If we hurry, we can make it!! GET IN THE CAR!
Note: She is up the hill, hanging from the trusses of the roof She is building. She does not plan on leaving Her building today. Tools are out. Scaffolding is set. She is very busy.
ME: Please, come on, we'll be back soon....I HAVE TO GET TO THE SALE NOW!! It is over at 1!
Her: Can't we go after supper?
ME: No, SALE ENDS AT 1....it is only from 11 to 1!! PLEASE!!
HER: OK, I'll be in the car in 5 minutes.
Note: She is a shining star and drives like a maniac all the way to St. John's. I am planning my shopping the whole way. I make a route for the store. I map out where we will go first.
ME: We won't have to time for both of us to shop. You will get in line right away. The lines will be long. This is a BIG sale. I will fill the cart and meet you at the line.
Her: It is VERY strange that they are having a sale from 11 -1.
ME: Oh, I think they do that all the time. I have noticed that before.
We arrive at the Craft Store at 12:55. I am panicked...only 5 minutes left.
ME: We are going to have to run. They might close the cash at 1pm for the sale. RUN!
We run into the store and I am shocked to see that there is no line. There aren't many shoppers.
Her: There is no line.
ME: Nope.
Her: Let me see the flyer you read.
I hand Her the flyer that is in the cart.
Her: This says that the sale is today, Tuesday, 11/1. The sale is not from 11-1. THAT IS THE DATE!

2011-11-02T11:12:00.003-02:30

The Happiest Halloween!

2011-11-01T23:29:00.000-02:30

It was Rosie's first Halloween and she decided to dress up as Vera Duckworth fom Coronation Street. Blanche and Stanley are in the photo beside her but you can't see them because they dressed up as ghosts!

Image: "Friday Was Fine so Mrs. Parsons Washed Her Best Tablecloth...the one her Daughter-in-Law Dervla Sent Her Home from Ireland." by Cara & Pam 2011
In between the jigs and the reels, dinners, Halloween parties, nail-biting card games and the building of the painting studio we have been working away like cock-a-doodle Christmas elves getting ready for the our gallery show in St. John's...only 12 days away!

Buon Compleanno Lucca Antonio !!

2011-10-25T14:47:00.001-02:30

About a year ago now, we went on a trip to Italy and brought home our Wee Italian. Blessed with wonderful friends, a loving family and all of the seafood pasta he can eat, Lucca is thriving in his new country.
He was the very best souvenir since time began!

DOUBLE-BUBBLE, Toil and Trouble.....

2011-10-24T12:00:00.000-02:30

When I get really stressed out I chew gum. LOTS of gum.
Chew! Chew! Chew! CHEW! CHOMP! NOM! NOM!
Dozens of sticks at once...(sugar-free of course, otherwise I'd be able to drive my chair to St. John's fueled by the sweety high). I blow huge, terrific bubbles the size of basketballs and love it when they pop. POP! SHE gets very annoyed when I do this as I have caused a fair bit of gummy destruction....I once ruined a lovely sky I was working on by attacking it with a giant bubble...often times the cats attack my terrific bubbles and end up covered in gum themselves. Today I raided the bubble gum jar and while toiling away at my painting, blew the biggest bubble since time began. IT WAS HUGE!
I ended up wearing a bubble gum balaclava.
I have always wanted to know what I would look like with bangs and if the peanut butter doesn't work, I guess I'll know by noon!

Would you like some soup with your wine?

2011-10-21T17:30:00.000-02:30

Poor Wee Blanche is highly offended that she was not included in our recent piece featuring Rose. I tried to appease her by putting her in the photograph but she is still quite grumpy. Stanley has promised to run her a warm bath and make her a hot chocolate this evening to cheer her up. Rose was mostly pleased with her portrait but thought I was a bit heavy on the ears. It is impossible to please all of the hairy creatures all of the time.
Speaking of which, I was chatting on the telephone while making Tuscan Bean soup and poured an entire bottle of white wine into the pot instead of just a cup. SHE might complain during the first bowl but after seconds and thirds I imagine she'll feel quite relaxed. She might even think it is divine! She MAY even end up dancing on the table with a lampshade on Her head. Good soup will do that to you.

Snap! CHEESE! ARGHHHH!

2011-10-18T19:06:00.002-02:30

Special Edition Hand-Painted Fishbowl Ornamentlies by Cara for Christmas 2011
Here WE are, busy getting ready for Christmas gallery shows and Rose Nylund is in meetings concerning Halloween. I am not sure what the goat and her posse have planned, but I have a feeling it will be something spectacular. Only two weeks away!

Rose Takes a Meeting

This week, in the car: I have a new hat that I am quite impressed with. I would like a photograph.

CAMERA ": "SNAP!"
ME: "AHHRG! I WASN'T READY! "
I look at the photo: " UGH! It's horrible!"
HER: "BUT YOU TOOK THE PICTURE!!!!!"

Soc-rafice Your Sole

2011-10-11T13:44:00.003-02:30

Image: "Francine the Fish" by Cara Kansala
We are getting ready for our solo gallery show at the Historic Sites gallery on Water Street. I am working on so many different things at once, I don't know where my head is.....and Christmas commissions to, yahoo! Sock it to me, "To Do" list, I can take it!

Rose Nylund had a stellar week at the post office. Packages and treats from Taiwan and postcards from Ontario and Vancouver. She has decided to start a scrapbook that she will keep in her cottage (really, she just likes licking the glue stick) but she SO appreciates the letters and cards that people are sending. You are shining stars!

This morning I opened the sock drawer and looked at my holey, frizzle-frazzled, mismatched woolies and my feet sighed. Then I looked at HER shiny, smooth, conceited socks from Italy. They were giving me very snide looks and dared me to touch them. I did. Then I unrolled one pair and smoothed the two beauties out on the bed. They looked so lovely. I took out another pair. Stunning. Gingerly, I put on one of each. My heart was beating fast and my feet were egging me on. Not only am I not allowed to wear HER Italian socks, I am not allowed to wash them or put them away. EVER. They felt so amazing and my toes were singing for more time.
Just 5 more minutes. My feet were drunk on the Italian lovelies. I spent a few minutes admiring my toes, wiggling them around and doing little tap dances. I was going to put them back....Then the phone rang.
About and hour later She came into the kitchen and looked at my feet. I looked at them too. I WAS STILL WEARING THE DRUG SOCKS! I had been distracted by the phone and hadn't taken them off!!
Silently, I sat on a kitchen chair and lifted up my feet. She came over, and very carefully removed each sock. She didn't say a word - just removed them and disappeared into the laundry room. It is now 3 hours later and still not a word has been spoken about the "The Great Sock Debauchery of 2011". Maybe She is going to bide Her time and get me back when I least expect it.....or maybe, the sheer audacity of the act itself, knocked HER socks off and She will never speak of it again........

Isn't it Important to Keep Ones Horns Warm?

2011-10-06T21:22:00.000-02:30

Rose is quite pleased with her new winter hat. She insisted it be pink, even though it clashes with Blanche's ear-muffins. I made it largish, so her horns would have room to grow. Not easy making up a goat hat that needs 2 ear holes, 2 horn warmers and side flaps that won't hide said goats sideways eyes. I can only imagine the stress that will befall me when she decides on her Halloween costume.

This morning......................
RING!RING! Telephone is RINGING!
HER: HELLO?
Lovely Lady: Hello, is this the Grumpy Goat?
HER: No, just a minute please.
,,,,,,,and She passes me the phone.

What's Cookin', Good Lookin'?

2011-10-04T18:44:00.005-02:30

This is my lovely, old, red kitchen. I miss it. I miss the writing on the walls, the red-weathered cupboards and the colourful door handles.I am contemplating painting the new, crispy-white kitchen RED. Yummy Red Red.... maybe on a day when SHE has gone to town. I have already thought of what I can say when She walks in and sees it for the first time...."Hi, there! Are you seeing RED? You sort of look like Yosemite Sam when he gets mad!"

I will make sure to have on my sneakers, so I can say it while running for the hills.

Yes, I shall do it and it will be Red-iculously Red!

On Sunday night we had a small dinner party (in the crispy-white kitchen...ooh,everything would have tasted better in red).

I made:* Toasted Peppered Crisps with Crab Souffle, * Salad of Lambs Lettuce with Grilled Pear, Dried Coppa, Parmesan Chips, Toasted pine Nuts and Honey-Balsamic Reduction, * Roasted Vegetable Harvest Rigatoni, * Zabaglione with Marsala Soaked Lady Fingers and Drunken Peaches

Lambs lettuce/Grilled Pear/Coppa Salad

SHE made: *Amaretto Chicken

Once a year She cooks. This is Her dish.

It IS gorgeous, but only takes 15 minutes. The talk and drama leading up to the great event is almost more entertaining than the chicken itself. It is such a massive gesture on her part, to cook this dish, that I have to ignore the flour-covered rug and floor, the 7 dirty pots and pans She somehow ravages and the butter stains on the ceiling from the eruption that takes place when She sets the whole thing aflame before serving. I can NOT make suggestions, go within 5 feet of her or make eye contact. It is HER main event.

This once a year fowl-lapaooza is Her saving grace. If ever you ask us about the daily chores, She'll say, "OH, we share in the the cooking." It is sweet and I am thinking that maybe next year I will sell tickets to her Chicken Eve. Maybe next year She can make Amaretto Goose......though I somehow imagine that after She reads this blog, MY goose will be cooked!

Yabba-Dabba-Don't Let Me Drink any More Coffee...

2011-09-30T11:39:00.000-02:30

"Papa Luigi Waits" Cara*Acrylic on Canvas Teeny Mini Painting

I had a Wonder-Tastic time last night at the Craft Council fundraiser dinner "Misty Moon". I sat with the darlings, had quite a few laughs and learned all sorts of interesting things from the Shagger on my left. If the stuffed pork could talk, the mashed potatoes would have blushed for days! This morning...coffee,coffee,coffee....nom,nom,nom! I can now drive home to Upper Island Cove without the jeep as I have had at least 17 mugs of VERY strong joe (each one a heavy-weight). I can drive home just like Fred Flinstone (SHE says I have his feet anyways!) When I get home, me and my tuckered feet can take the brontosaurus for a walk...and Rosie, too!

P.S.

The Follower of the month is......LORI WHITE

Please send Fred your home address and he will send you a t-shirt!

Detail "In So Deep" by Cara and Pam

A Picture IS Worth 1000 words....

2011-09-28T11:52:00.000-02:30

Blanche D. is always hanging around....
There is a serious love triangle brewing between Blanche D., Stanley and The Wee Italian. It seems that Blanche can't keep away from either of the fellows. Jealousy is rearing it's ugly, green head and The Italian is making plans to catnap Blanche and whisk her back to his homeland. Big Fat BooBoo has volunteered to help all of them pack their bags.

"Crabby Cat#1" Stool by Cara Kansala
Yesterday, She sat down at the computer and saw that I had taken some new photos. She was quite concerned and somewhat curious about the file titled "Stool.Sample.jpeg" . Needless, to say, I have stopped using the word "sample" in my photo descriptions. Mama Mia.

My New Painting Space is coming along!
SHE is doing a fabu-tastic, amazing, wow-arama job on the new studio space and I can't wait to move in!! It is quite high up in the clouds and will be even higher once the 2nd storey loft is added...hello sunshine! The railing is extra high (She thought this was a good idea as both Rose and I are balance-challenged).SHE wonders if they make some sort of life vests for people who are just walking around on the ground. ...something that would inflate when rapid downward motion is detected. Like an airbag sweatsuit or even an airbag safety cardigan. I fall. Often.

Classes on Making Sad Puppy Eyes Will Be Starting Next Week.....

2011-09-24T11:17:00.003-02:30

Image: "Waiting For Supper" by Cara & Pam /Hand-Carved/Mixed Media
This is one of the works we donated this year to the SPCA Gala Dinner! The SPCA is one of our favourite charities and a lot of our family members have strong ties to the organization. Blanche is one of their many success stories. If I lived closer to town, I would love to volunteer at the shelter. SHE says She wouldn't let me due to the fact that I can make really sad puppy dog eyes and someone might adopt me and take me home. Then She wouldn't have anyone to make her lemon pasta or baked tomato chicken. I am a valuable asset to her tummy and taste buds.
I am thinking though, I COULD go to the shelter once a week and give a class to the puppies on eye rolling, batting your eyelashes and looking generally pathetic, desperate and sweet! It works for me...that's how I always get Her to drive WAY out of the way for Starbucks Chai!
Help when you can to support the darling SPCA! After all, animals are just little furry people that walk on all fours!

One of My Legs is Definitely Longer Than the Other......

2011-09-20T18:07:00.001-02:30

"The Juggler" by Cara *acrylic on wood

There was a lovely lady at the gallery the other day and I hope she was pulling my leg.
Lovely Lady: Does Blanche belong to Rose?
Me: Yes!
Lovely Lady: Is Rose the mother of Blanche?
Me: Yes!
Lovely Lady: So, Rose HAD Blanche? I didn't know that you could cross breed goats and cats.
Me: .......................................................................
Lovely Lady: They have the same markings too!
Me: Well, Rose is more of an adoptive mother.
Lovely Lady ignores me and points to Vinnie, one of the backyard Raggle Taggle Gypsy-o Cats....is he the father then?
Rose and I both roll our eyes and hope our legs are being pulled......#1, because we both know that goats can't have kittens and #2, because Rose would NEVER go on a date with Vinnie.
Me: Well, I guess he COULD be the father, in a funny sort of world!
Lovely Lady: YES! I guess he could!

When she left, I thought my right leg felt a little bit longer. Either that or Rose and her 'off'-spring may soon be featured in National Geographic.

Don't Fence Me In........

2011-09-19T19:58:00.000-02:30

New painting studio foundation overlooking Rose Cottage!

Rose Nylund's First Steps

I haven't written all week because I have been very busy teaching Rose Nylund to walk upright. I have also been helping HER mix 46 bags of cement for my new painting studio/fairy house! SHE is calling it "Cara's Barn" as it overlooks Rose Cottage. She has also threatened to make me a pen similar to Rose's with a gate and a lock, just like Rose's. I have taken great offense to this as I considered myself to be a terrific help with the mixification of all that cement. She said that there was more cement on my shoes and pant legs than in the foundation holes. I told HER that it is impossible to mix so much cement without getting mucky. She pointed at her own shoes and pants (clean at the time). Five minutes later I left my shovel in a "not very clever spot", She stepped on the end, tripped, caught Herself on the mixer and ended up with cement all over Her clothes and shoes. "See," I said, as I ran towards the house laughing, "impossible NOT to get covered in cement!"

* Note: I say I "ran" towards the house, but it was more of a slow hobble. I WAS covered in dry, hard cement, after all.

Home Again, Home AGAIN, Jiggedy Jig!

2011-09-13T19:41:00.000-02:30

Could you ask for a more beautiful place to work?
Grenfell Cottage, Battle Harbour

Battle Harbour sunset from the cottage we were staying in.

Wow! Home again after the most amazing adventure since time began! We traveled over 2500km and explored some of the most beautiful parts of Newfoundland and Labrador. We had a magical time in Battle Harbour and I can't wait to write all about it and share our photographs. We were even dropped off on an abandoned island for an afternoon and fed a family of arctic foxes! Rose wanted to bring one of the babies home in her bag but I explained that they might not get along very well once the fox got older.....
Thank you so very much to the wonderful people on Battle Island who made our stay so amazing and to the friends who came with us and others we met along the way. Truly fantastic!
(SHE did all of the driving and I was the DJ. She did not inspect my play lists before we departed and almost strangled me as I tortured Her with Neil Diamond, Barry Manilow (I am a fan-ilow), Cool and the Gang, Abba and Wham. WHAT? "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" is a classic. Isn't it?

Caribou Island...This family of arctic foxes lives in an abandoned school house.

SHE just inspected my blog before I published and informed me that there is NO such thing as a "cloven of foxen". HHmph. I thought it was 1 fox, 2 foxes, 3 foxen, then cloven of foxen. I am shocked. Also, I apologize to all of my ESL students in the Czech Republic who may or may not be walking around talking about clovens of foxen. SHE says I am mixed up because a woman fox is called a "vixen". I COULD claim this to be the cause of my confusion but I did not know that. I thought a vixen was a kind of snake. I should probably stick to painting and stay away from English teaching. To quote Manuel from Fawlty Towers "I CAN Speak English, I learned it from a boook!"

A Toe-Tally Amazing Trip is Underway!

2011-09-03T22:05:00.000-02:30

On Wednesday night I was packing for our artist-in-residence trip to Battle Harbour, Labrador.

HER: Why do you have a barbell on the floor.

Me: I am using it to keep the door open.

HER: I think you should move it, you are going to trip over it.

Me: UUUGGH, I am not 5 years old....you are always telling me what to do.

5 minutes later I am rolling on the floor in agonizing pain.

HER: Watcha doin'?

Me: mmmyyy foooot....

HER: Hmmm....looks like you've broken a toe..or two. Maybe three. One of them is pointing at the ceiling and the others are pointing at the floor. Do you want me to wait to say I told you so or say it now and get it over with?

Me: Nooowww.

HER: I told you so.

SO...off we went on Friday morning. Me and my broken toes tucked cozily into the yellow peril, Rosie and her purse full of Purina Goat Chow in the back. Our ferry was cancelled today due to rollicking rough seas so we all went up to L'Anse Aux Meadows. ICEBERGS! VIKINGS! HOORAY! To make matters even better, we were joined up here by Scout and Howdoyoudo Darling and we dined and wined like kings and queens at The Norseman. Yummaroo!

Tomorrow we all ferry to Labrador and I can only imagine what adventures we'll have! I won't be able to blog for 6 days, so stay tuned for more from Rose and The Grumpy Goat Gallery!

"L'Anse aux Meadows" by Cara Kansala

Rose sees her first iceberg!

Huomenta Jörö Nainen !!! I Can Write This Because SHE Hardly EVER Reads the Blog!

2011-08-31T20:32:00.005-02:30

"Rise" Oil on Canvas * Cara Kansala *
2010 Private Collection

I am an early riser. I wake up with a bang. When my body is finished sleeping it opens my eyes and I am up like a jack-in-the-box. During the first 3 minutes of eye-popping-open action, I have a lot to say.

Of COURSE I do, I have been silent for 8 whole hours! A lot of blanks to fill in. A lot of information to pass along......

SHE does not appreciate this about me. Not at all.

6am

Eyes Pop Open “PING!”

ME: HI! HOW ARE YOU TODAY?

HER: argghhhblahhhhh.

ME: HOW DIDJA SLEEP? ARE YOU AWAKE? WHAT A GREAT DAY! I JUST PUT THE COFFEE ON! DID YOU HEAR THE CROWS AWHILE AGO? DID YOU HEAR BOOBOO AND NANA FIGHTING IN THE NIGHT? WHAT’S NEW WITH YOU?

HER: blarghhhhhhhhhhh..........

ME: WAKE-Y, WAKE-Y, EGGS-N-BAKEY!

I poke, poke, poke her arm.

HER: sssshhhhtop.......

ME: SO, IF YOU GET UP NOW, I Say, GET UP NOW, YOU CAN GET READY, GET DRESSED, GET GOING TO THE HARDWARE STORE, GET HOME AND GET TO WORK!!!!!

HER: GET BENT

Last night, The Yummiest Sunset Since Time Began. Raspberry Meringue on a cloud of Blueberry pudding! Definitely a future painting....or dessert!

How to keep your supper warm....

2011-08-29T17:58:00.002-02:30

"On Saturday Night Aunt Doris Went to the Bingo and Forgot
to Take the Clothes Off the Line"
Original,Mixed Media by Cara & Pam

How to Keep Your Supper Warm : Place two sleepy kittens

on top of it and let rest for 10 to 15 minutes.

In the gallery....

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK on the door! I answer the door.

Me: Hi!

Lovely Lady holds up one of our 5 x 8 brochures and points to the front.

Lovely Lady: Do you have any idea where this place is?

Me: Ha! Are you joking?

Lovely Lady: No, I’m not joking, there really is a place called The Grumpy Goat Gallery.

I look at the brochure and the huge photo of our house that is on the front.

Me: But you are here.

Lovely Lady: Yes, I know I am here, but I am trying to find THIS place.

Me: But this IS the place you are looking for. This IS the Grumpy Goat Gallery.

Lovely Lady is amazed and exasperated.

Lovely Lady: Well, I don’t know how on earth I ended up here. What are the chances?

Me: The chances were slim. What luck.

I contemplate telling her that we are closed, but can imagine the conversation that THAT would spark...

Lovely Lady: How can you be closed when the door is open and you are here?

Lessons of the day:
Sometimes when you are looking for something, you find what you were looking for without even knowing it.
Sometimes when you find what you thought you were looking for but don’t realize it, you realize that what you found was what you were looking for in the first place.

Sometimes when you are closed, you are actually open.

Thank you So much Martha Witcher from Thistle and Rose Handweaving in Utah
who sent Rose Nylund the most beautiful note in a gorgeous hand-made card.
She has put it up above her bed, in a place of honour!

Barking Up the Wrong Tree......

2011-08-25T13:19:00.000-02:30

Rose Nylund is barking up the wrong tree!

"Gulliver's Fish Came True" Original hand-carved/mixed media by Cara & Pam

Many people have told us lately that goats will eat ANYTHING.
I have found this not to be true.

Goats will NOT eat:
Turnips and carrots that I spent forever cutting up into perfect Rose-sized pieces
Lovely goat-a-licious apples that I sliced into slices
Sweet potato peels, bog-standard potato peels or parsnip peels
Clover, grass and flowers that I hand-picked just for goat
Weeds, trees and shrubs that I specifically designated for munching on

Goats WILL eat:
Cat food
Diet Root Beer, Regular beer
Cardboard, $5 and $10 bills
Any plant that was just planted special this summer
Newly planted trees from O'Neil's garden center in Spaniard's Bay
Trident gum...spearmint (in the paper wrapper)
Purina Goat Chow (the only blessing)
and raisin....millions and millions of raisins

Note: Rose Nylund also enjoys eating shoe laces, though it might be the pulling part that she likes the most. I have tripped over my long, undone laces at least a thousand times. Rose thinks it is funny.
I think I need to buy a pair of velcro sneakers and stocks in Sunmaid.

Driving Miss Crazy......

2011-08-17T11:15:00.000-02:30

"Sitting on the Dock By the Bay" Hand-carved/hand-painted Chair by Cara and Pam

"The gang inside our Grumpy Gallery!!"

We heard the RUMBLING coming from over the hill and didn't know what on earth it could be.........HOORAY! A 30 person motorcycle tour group from Quebec coming to our Grumpy Goat Gallery!

A TRUE STORY
1.We have been crazy-like-a-fox-busy this summer with visitors and commissions and I probably need more sleep.
2. I probably have too much on my mind.
3. I probably need a wee break.
4. I almost never, ever drive the car. Ever.
Am I just making excuses for the tale I am about to tell?
Yes. Yes, indeed.
Last week at the post office:
I left the post office and got into the car. I sat there, in the passenger seat, reading the mail and looking through the flyers for what seemed like an eternity. SHE was taking far too long in there. Minutes ticked by. What could She be doing? Probably chatting or answering an email ....forgetting that I am in the car. Waiting. Waiting and waiting, I waited some more. I looked through the flyers again and then was SO bored I opened the bills. Where was She? I have things to do! I can't sit in the parking lot all day! Just as I was getting ready to go in and get her, the phone rang. It was Her. Calling from home.She was calling to see what was taking me so long. I was only supposed to be gone for a few minutes. To get the mail. I sheepishly got out of the passenger seat and walked around the car.
I got into the drivers seat and drove home.
If you can drive yourself crazy, you will never need a chauffeur.

The Blue Nose in Upper Island Cove

2011-08-17T09:17:00.001-02:30

"The Blue Nose" SHE got far more paint on her than Rose Nylund did when they were painting Rose's Cottage.

Rose Cottage Bed and Breakfast is finally complete! All 3 residents seem to be pleased although Stanley has requested that we change the radio station once in a while. You can't please everyone all of the time.

Thank you SO much to Vicky, Katherine and John and Rowan who surprised us with a fabulous visit on the weekend! Katherine did a terrific job entertaining and keeping watch over Blanche and Stanley.
Thank you Vicky for the BEAUTIFUL write-up and photos of our gallery/house on your blog. http://seastrandsstudio.com/ You are a shining star!....and DO check our Vicky's blog...her photographs of Exploits are SO lovely! Makes me want to pack up the yellow peril and hit the road!

Postcards from the Hedge.....that Rose is slowly eating.

2011-08-13T09:26:00.000-02:30

"Have a GOATACIOUS weekend!!" Love, Rose Nylund
Rose has actually received some fan mail and a goatabulous picture from artist extraordinaire Debi Hubbs, personally autographed by fellow goat Rupert G. Rumford. Rose is terribly excited about decorating her bed and breakfast with her mail and postcards.
Any postcards or letters for Rose can be sent to:
Rose Nylund
Rose Cottage Bed and Breakfast
Box 487, Upper Island Cove
Newfoundland, A0A 4E0
Canada

"Tuesday Night the Goat Fed Us" by Cara and Pam
Hand-Carved/Mixed Media

In the Gallery this week.......
Lovely Man has been up to Rose Cottage Bed and Breakfast to visit Rose.
Lovely Man: So, how long will you wait until you eat the goat?
Me, in a whisper, as I slowly faint to the floor and lose consciousness: Never.......

They've Landed!

2011-08-11T17:53:00.003-02:30

Hooray! The starfish landed on The Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador...and it looks like that is where they plan on staying for a little while! To see them in person check out the fantastic Craft Council Shop and Gallery at 59 Duckworth Street, St. John's Newfoundland!
www.craftcouncil.nl.ca

This week in the gallery....
Lovely Lady is looking at the dozens of giant starfish....
Lovely Lady: What are you going to do with all of those starfish?
Me: Oh, we are going to attach them all over a building in downtown St. John's.
Lovely Lady: Hmmm. Don't the owners of buildings get upset when artsists do things like that?

Thank you SO much to Valerie Morgan, writer extraordinaire who wrote a gorgeous 3 page article on our Grumpy Goat Gallery for this weeks Newfoundland Herald. The Wee Italian and Big Fat BooBoo are very impressed indeed!

Attack of the GIANT Starfish!!!

2011-08-09T22:18:00.001-02:30

Breaking news! Local gallery attacked by giant starfish! They were last seen heading towards St. John's. Keep your eyes peeled to see where they might attack next..........

We Danced in the Snowlight Like So Many Years Ago.....

2011-08-08T19:21:00.000-02:30

Image: "We Danced in the Snowlight Like So Many Years Ago...."
Hand-Carved Wood/Mixed Media by Cara & Pam

Above is our latest wood-carved piece. It was a commission from the Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador for the Fall Craft Fair. Tickets will go on sale for it sometime soon.........I'll keep you posted!!

This is a photo of one of the many groups of wonderful people that we've met here at The Grumpy Goat!
In the Gallery this past weekend......
Lovely Lady: Have you ever thought of doing your art full-time? You'd probably do quite well.
Me: Hmmm.
Same Lovely Lady Spots Big Fat BooBoo who is trying to sneak into the gallery:
Lovely Lady: Is your cat swollen?
Me: (in my mind......)
YES. I am swollen too. SHE is a little bit swollen. Fat Aunt Sylvia is REALLY swollen. There must be something in the water here. I can only imagine what Rose Nylund will look like next year. Goatzilla? The Pillsbury Doe Goat?
Me: (out loud for the real world)
NO. Big Fat BooBoo is not swollen. She's just retaining water because of a nervous condition. When the food in her bowl is down 50% BooBoo gets nervous. SHE is the same way, but that is another story.

We Would Likely Have the Worst Bed and Breakfast Since Time Began.....

2011-08-05T09:30:00.000-02:30

Rose Nylund's Cottage is ALMOST finished. She opened her Bed and Breakfast, even though the siding wasn't all completed. She is especially pleased with her private deck and yellow chairs. With Blanch Devereaux and Stanley in residence for the summer, she is at full capacity, so no vacancy at the ROSE Cottage Bed and Breakfast for this season!

My Newest Teeny Canvases........

Yesterday....

HER: Do you think you would like to have a Bed and Breakfast some day?ME: Did you have a good sleep last night?HER: No, not reallyME: And what did I give you for breakfast this morning?HER: Um...left over spaghetti and 2 prunes.ME: Need we discuss it further?HER: Nope!

My Afternoon With The Sisters French.....

2011-07-31T17:53:00.002-02:30

"Rose & Blanche" #1 by Cara Kansala * Acrylic on Canvas 12 x 12

SHE here - commandeering the blog.

Every now and again I end up meeting people who come to the gallery. I am not always in the house or around when people stop by. However, one day last week Cara was otherwise engaged -perhaps trying to give the goat a perm- and it was all me. On the end of the honking horn were ‘The Sisters French’ visiting from Ontario. Upon entering, they asked, “Are you Cara? Do you write the blog?” I answered no to both questions. They might have been disappointed but if so, they never let on. They came in and thus began one of my favourite visits in the gallery. I am of the mind that I was meant to be around on that day because as we got to talking, I became more and more convinced that we were travelling through life on parallel planes – that there was some sort of strange synchronicity afoot. After many laughs, misunderstandings (which, in turn, brought more laughs) and strange connections, the sisters left and I kept laughing. I have since, unsuccessfully, tried to figure out a way to mount the sealing sculpture to the ceiling. I have also met and housed a new kitten whose name as assigned by Cara is "Stanley Zbornak". What Cara doesn’t know is that when we first met he told me, in the tiniest of whispers, that his real name is Denelda. What this means is that the next time I say I have a cat named Denelda, it will be true. A great big thank you to ‘The Sisters French’ for a lot of laughs and a memorable visit.

P.S. To the sister who thinks I am a spring, I am still highly suspicious about the authenticity of your beach glass collection.

"Stanley Zbornak Waves Hello" (but his real name is Denelda)

Why AREN'T People Who Do Taxes Called Taxidermists?

2011-07-30T10:54:00.001-02:30

On Thursday we delivered my commissioned painting to The Anchor Inn in Twillingate. SO happy to see it up and hanging in the lobby! P.S. The Anchor Inn has the BEST fishcakes in town!

If you are in Twillngate, you MUST stop at The Crow's Nest Cafe on the way to the lighthouse. Ted and Katie have built a lovely cafe/craft store and the make THE best coffee and REAL fruit smoothies since time began!!!

In the Gallery a few days ago.....Lovely Family with mother, father and lovely children of various sizes and ages.
Lovely Father: Do you have a goat?
SHE: Yes, the children can see her if they’d like. Her name is Rose and she loves raisins.
Lovely Father: Is the goat alive?
Before She answered Lovely Father, She glanced and me and gave me THE LOOK.
THE LOOK said:
Do NOT ask Lovely Father why he thinks we have a dead goat.
Do NOT ask Lovely Father why we would feed raisins to a goat that was not alive.
Do NOT ask Lovely Father if HE has ever seen a dead goat.
Do NOT ask Lovely Father if he thinks we have a taxidermy goat.
Do NOT ask Lovely Father if he is a taxidermist.
Do NOT ask Lovely Father why people who do taxes aren't called taxidermists.
And most importantly, do NOT ask me later if we should taxidermy our pets when they pass away and put little outfits on them and sit them on the sofa. Do NOT.
I was so impressed with the intensity of THE LOOK that I actually lifted my hand to my lips and made the gestures for “my lips are zipped” AND “my lips are buttoned”.
She did not give me Her famous “I MEAN IT” look, so I did NOT do the gesture for “my lips are locked and I have thrown away the key”.
That, I will save for another day.

Does Anyone Know Where You Can Buy Mouthwash for Goats?

2011-07-27T10:42:00.001-02:30

Rose Nylund and Blanche Devereaux are such good friends. They are attached at their furry hips. This is a tiny video of them going for their afternoon walk, just after Rose beat Blanche at a heated game of Scrabble (she won with "ruminant" on a triple word score!) Tonight they are going to work on their quilt. Good times.

We have been the busiest ever in the gallery this summer and thank you SO much to all of the wonderful people who are coming out...we LOVE meeting you!

(and thank you for the funny comments that are darling and so like things that I would say too!)

In the gallery this week....

Lovely Lady: Oh, you have a goat! What kind of goat is she?

Me: She is a baby pygmy goat.

Lovely Lady: Wow! So, she is all white and hairless?

Lovely Lady's Husband: No honey, that would be an albino goat with halitosis.

Me: I think that would be an albino goat with alopecia.

Lovely Lady: Do you have one of those?

Me: Ah, no.

Detail: "While the Icebergs Float By, The Quilt Hangs to Dry, On a Twillingate Afternoon" Cara Kansala Private Commission 2011

Who Is Going to Be Grumpy Now?

2011-07-25T22:37:00.000-02:30

Rose Nylund Sneakily Eating Sneaky Raisins in the Gallery!

SHE said that I could get a goat if I promised it would never EVER EVER come in the house. EVER.
I agreed. Never in the house. EVER!
She did NOT mention the gallery.
If She sees this photo, I will deny everything and so will Rose (Rose, Blanche and I stick together!) We don't know HOW Rose got in the gallery or who took the photo and I certainly have no idea what she was doing....(just between you and me, Rose was eating raisins while I answered the phone!)

Rose Nylund and Blanche Devereaux Share a Pre-Nap, Afternoon Snack

SHE asked me why there was goat hair on the floor and I said it must have fallen off my barn shoes. SHE reminded me that I am not supposed to wear my barn shoes in the house.
Little does SHE know that me wearing my barn shoes in the house is the very least of Her troubles!

Everything is Coming Up Roses!!!!

2011-07-20T20:51:00.001-02:30

Baby "Rose Nylund" the newest member of The Grumpy Goat Gallery Darlings!

For 30 years I have wanted a goat. I have always adored them and thought they were the loveliest of creatures. Last Saturday, I finally got my wish and Wee Rose Nylund came to live at The Grumpy Goat Gallery! SHE built Rose the most beautiful house in Sweet Potato Field and Rose Nylund is as happy as can be. She seemed a bit lonely at first, so SHE went to the SPCA and got Rose her own kitten, Blanch Devereaux. They are the bestest of friends and I just know that if Rose threw a party and invited everyone she knew, we would see, the biggest gift would be from Blanch and the card attached would say "Thank you for being my friend."
I love it at their house so much. Today I brought my easel over and worked in their foyer for the better part of the day. What could be better than that? Life. Is.Grand.

We took Rose Nylund for a walk across the street to the big island. There are dozens of Fin whales in the bay today.
"No!" SHE said, "Fin whales are NOT from Finland!"
I think they are.
P.S. As this is my first KID, I will be having a shower for baby Rose Nylund. Invitations will be sent out soon.
I will be registering at The Co-Op.
It's going to be a great party!!!

I'm Not That Grumpy Anymore AND My Clothes Smell Kinda Funky....The Times They Are-A-Changin'.....!

2011-07-19T17:54:00.000-02:30

Upper Island Cove fog is sneaky, indeed. I took this this afternoon.....it WAS sunny, but the fog came in, ever so slowly and snuck up the hill, over the town.

What a whirling dervishy week! So many gallery visitors (hooray!), paintings getting painted, buildings getting built, birthdays being celebrated and deliveries being delivered, the bay is full of whales and the fog is being very sneaky!
One huge commissioned painting completed, two to go! SHE says I have to slow down but I am hoping to give the Tasmanian Devil a run for his money!
Hooray for the wonderful birthday celebration last night for Sweet Pigeon...the original and founding member of Zee Rezistanze....no one knows her true age for sure....her skin is like peaches and you'd think she was 25, but her eyes, they are old and wise.........
Bestest gallery comments of the week....
Two Lovely Ladies came to the front of the house, knocking and knocking on the windows......SHE was in the back yard and came around.
Two Lovely Ladies "Oh Hi! We couldn't honk the horn because the car is gone, our husbands dropped us off......"
SHE said "Oh, you probably could have done it yourselves, you don't have to squeeze THAT hard...."
Another Lovely Lady said how much she loved the 20 foot mural I painted for The Newfoundland Chocolate Company in St. John's......
"So, do you paint murals on Tee shirts?"

I'll tell you why I've lost my Grumpy tomorrow....biggest news EVER, since time began!!!!!!!

Image: Detail "Underneath the Stars" by Cara Kansala

Juggling Icecream IS a Skill.....

2011-07-09T18:08:00.000-02:30

"Marc Cha-gull" by Cara & Pam * Mixed Media on Wood (This is one of my favourite pieces that we've done!)

Last night was the Best Night Ever Since Time Began! We took Senior Squissage to Bistro Sophia's for a gorgeous dinner and then to Cirque Du Soleil "Quidam" It was FABULOUS! I wanted to join right in. How I LOVE it! When we got home SHE made little bowls of fruit and sherbet for us and we sat out, had our treat and watched the stars. I was going on and on about how I would have loved to join the circus as a clown or singer/performer when I was little and was so enthusiastic I flung my fruit bowl right into the sky. Amazingly, I caught my scoop of ice cream in my bowl before it hit the deck.
SHE was very impressed and said..
"Well, you might be too old to join Quidam, but you could start your own circus for strange 30 somethings and call it the "Cirque Du Sorbet...."

Newfoundland Travels

P.S. After some research, I discovered that Toogood Arm is just around the corner from Insufficient Island and about 5 km from NotQuiteUpToPar Bay.

Some Girls Wanted to Marry David Cassidy...I Wanted to Marry Alligator Al

2011-07-08T14:05:00.000-02:30

Vinnie "The Bobcat" Barbarino Does Not Look Impressed That Alligator Al is About to Bight His Bum

For 30 years I searched for an Alligator Al shaped piece of wood. Last month, I found him. I loved Alligator Al more than anything in the universe. I was going to marry him. We would live in the tree with Casey and Finnigan and do crafts with Mr. Dress-Up in the afternoon. I had my bags packed if ever I was invited to go and live with them. I could have slept in the tickle-trunk. When the music would start for Mr.Dress-up, I would go and dance in front of the television, bursting with excitement. It was the joy of my mornings. SHE is wondering why I am using the past tense. SHE says if I don't admit to still watching Mr.Dress-up every day, SHE will write her own blog about it.

FINE.

I admit it.

I AM going to marry Alligator AL some day.

I just have to find a tree big enough for us all.

HOORAY!

Follower winner for June is R. Dwyer

Follower winner for July is Vicky-Taylor Hood

Please send us your address and t-shirt size!!!!!

O Canada!

2011-07-02T21:51:00.001-02:30

A crazy, hectic week at The Grumpy Goat Gallery but we've had a whale of a time!

Canada Day Dinner......a lobster boil on the beach in front of our house!

Hooray for the darlings who christened our new back yard! Lobster, dancing, vodka punch and Canada Day tattoo's....what more could you ask for? Kitty Darling, How-Do-You-Do Darling, Pinky Darling, Scout Darling, Senior Squissage and the Love Shack Shaggers did the dance floor proud!

How-Do-You-Do Darling even made red pepper maple leaves for the potato salad...what a good Canadian!

And after all of the fun with friends....back to the drawing board!
(Detail: St. John's Harbour, Private Commission * Cara Kansala Acrylic on Canvas 2011)

My favourite visitor this week in the gallery ....

Lovely Lady "Oh, I read your blog all of the time! It is SO much fun, I feel like I know you! I didn't think you would be as tall as you are. Somehow, after reading your stories I thought you would be a lot shorter."
My new goal : WRITE TALLER

Caught Red-Handed with a Blue Tongue!!!

2011-06-24T17:52:00.002-02:30

"Just Before Beatrice Ate the Daisies" acrylic on canvas by Cara Kansala

In the gallery....

Lovely Lady has bought the original "Just Before Beatrice Ate the Daisies" painting.....(Sniffle, sniff, sniff....I will miss it!)

SHE is writing up the Visa.

Lovely Lady says" Why is your tongue blue?"

She morphs into a very bad 7 year old...."It's not blue."

Lovely Lady "Haha! Sure it is! It is VERY blue. Why is it blue?"

She looks at me. Horrified. I wonder if She is going to make a run for it and I block the doorway.

She is horrified because She knows that She is in big trouble.

She is in BIG trouble because I know that She has eaten all of the blue Tootsie Pops from the gallery candy box.

I know that her shirt pockets are full of crumpled up candy wrappers.

I know that there is so much sugar coursing through her veins that She could drive to St. John's. Without the car.

I know that her jean pockets are full of sad, little, sticky-white sticks that used to be lovely lollipops. Decapitated.

I know that She was planning on pretending that there were never any blue ones to begin with.

What I didn't know was that She was going to announce that She had been eating Smurfs.

I can only image what the excuse will be when some day a customer asks why Her tongue is green.

The BIGGEST LOBSTER since time began!!!

Yesterday, we did a whirlwindy trip to Twillingate for work and had the bestest of times! Thank you SO very much to the darlings at The Anchor Inn in Twillingate who were so kind to give us an amazing tour and a beautiful lunch. I am so excited about the painting and can't wait to go back.
P.S. They make the best fishcakes in the history of the universe!

Celebrating Life!

2011-06-22T20:36:00.000-02:30

"Come Sail Away" Cara & Pam 2011
The unexpected gift of love between two friends.

"In So Deep...." Cara & Pam 2011
A marriage that will be burdened with life’s hard work but will thrive on mutual love and admiration.

"Come Back to Me, My Love..." Cara & Pam 2011

A life shared between two fisherman who had chosen to spend their days together because it was easier than being apart.

The three sculptural pieces above are pieces that we have been working on for the past several months. In them, we are celebrating both traditional and non-traditional relationships, love, loss and the hard work of life.

Please join us for the opening reception of the Annual Members Exhibit for the Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador. Works from dozens of amazing, talented craftspeople from around the province will be on display and for sale.

Annual Members Exhibit 20/20

Opens Saturday, June 25th 2-4pm

59 Duckworth Street, St. John's

Hey Daisy!!! Put Your Dukes up!!

2011-06-19T21:21:00.000-02:30

My Grumpy Goat Garden is doing great! SHE calls it my "Darwinian" garden because it's a battle out there. Total carnage.
Gardening books? Blagh! Instructions on seed packets? Argh! Farmers Almanacs? HA! Zone Charts? Poopoo!
My shopping list for the gardening center looks like this....
Things I Need for the Garden 2011
Something Red
Something Pink
Something Orange
Something Yellow
Something Tallish
Something Lowish
Lovely Lady at gardening center says "Ahh, your Bellis Perennis might compete with your Pelargonium." Bring it on, I say, I like a good fight and maybe with a few therapy sessions and some Miracle Grow, they'll work out their issues. No need for hostility in THIS garden...there's room for everyone. (Not exactly true, as the green, rubbery, lettuce-looking balls that sprout up each year are getting bigger and bigger and have started sitting on HER hosta's lap. SHE wants to separate them but I think it might be love and maybe next year they will have little, creepy hosta/lettuce babies!
We won't know how the saga ends until September, when the winners take it all, leaving the losers, standing small. Abba. Yes.

The Darwinian Garden. I am even growing something quite furry that appears to have a heartbeat. It eats an awful lot but avoids anything green or healthy, so for now, I am letting it stay even though it has crushed the Icelandic Poppies (I call them hairy lollipops)
Fat Aunt Sylvia - 5 points
Icelandic Poppies- 0

To all of you truly amazing, patient, studious gardener friends who take time to learn about your plants and care about their well-being and safety, good-luck this growing year. You are shining gardening stars. May the force be with you.

Ask Not For Whom the Horn Honks.......

2011-06-09T22:46:00.002-02:30

Mister Lily Shows Off His Pearl Necklace
("NanaBear" by Cara *acrylic on wood)

A conversation I overheard outside our door this week.

Lovely husband and lovely wife...

Wife: HA! Honk the horn! YOU do it!

Husband in a whisperish: No, YOU do it!

Wife: YOU. What if we're not supposed to?

Husband: Well, it SAYS honk the horn, so HONK it!

Wife: YOU honk it!

Husband: No, YOU honk it!

Wife: How loud do you think it will be?

Husband: Horn-honking loud. Like a clown on a bicycle.

Wife: What? Just honk it! HONK it!!!

Husband: Fine! (and husband weakly squeezes horn resulting in a sad and wheezy "HHhhhoooooOOOooooNNK")

Wife: Honk it harder! HARDER! Just HONK it!

Husband: FINE!

Horn: HHHOOONNNNKKK! HONK! HONK! HONK! Honk!Honk!!!!!

Both erupt in fits of giggles.

My job here is done.

I Won't Knead Your Cat.....

2011-06-03T10:41:00.000-02:30

This week in the gallery....

Lovely Lady holding the painted cat pictured above:

Lovely Lady :"Do you paint cats?"
Me: "Yes, I do."
Lovely Lady: "Did you paint THIS cat?"
Me: "Yes, I did."
Lovely Lady : "Oh! Could you paint MY cat?"
Me: "Yes, I'm sure I could."
Lovely Lady: "How long would you need him for?"
(Normally, I would say......." I'd knead him for about 10 minutes and then leave him to rise until he doubled in size", but this conversation had already taken a turn down the highway towards CrazyTown so I kept along the straight and narrow.
Me: "Oh, I wouldn't actually NEED the cat itself, you could just give me some photos to work from."
Lovely Lady: "Oh. So it doesn't matter if the cat is alive?"
Me: "Ah, no."
Lovely Lady: "That's very exciting. I would love to have my cat done. He died last year and he was such a friend to our family."
Me: "I'm so sorry to hear that...we are cat people, too."
Lovely Lady : "So, you just need a photo?"
Me: "Ah, yes. A photo will be fine."
....................................................................................
Yes, Yes, a photo is fine. Please do not drop off grandfathers, children, husbands or dogs for portrait sittings. If you DO, please make sure they are alive but please don't. We don't have enough snacks!

I Am So Happy to be Cranky!

2011-05-31T11:38:00.011-02:30

"A Perfect Day in Kingmans Cove" Commissioned Work 2011 by Cara Kansala & Pam Dorey
Hand-Carved wood/Mixed media

Big Fat BooBoo Thinks it is a Ham Radio

I am not fit to live in this high-techish, futuristic world. So many plugs and cords. adapters, chargers, tethering ropes, photo cards, discs, back-up discs and wires. SHE tells me we have "wireless" things but there are cords and plugs and wires everywhere. We have a wireless printer. "This printer is not printing!!" I holler. "You have to plug it in!" SHE says.

We don't have a land line in our house any more. Our computer is our phone, camera, music maker-radio-machine, calculator, measuring tape and flashlight. Our telephone has a "screen" that mysteriously slides around in a very unnerving fashion.There are no buttons to push. When someone calls, the telephone quacks or barks or sounds like crickets. My alarm clock sounds like a motorcycle and I have a heart-attack every morning. I don't know if someone is calling me or if a flock of birds is flying over head.

It is hard.

Last week, SHE gave me the very best gift since time began. A crank radio. It has no cords. I turn the crank when I want it to work. I carry my beloved cranky radio with me everywhere I go. I can listen to my CBC and all I have to do it wind it up. It is very rewarding having to work for my entertainment. SHE tells me it can be plugged into the ipod or phone-ish, but that would ruin everything. I will take what I can get. Me and my cranky radio will be just fine.

I wonder if you can get crank hair blowers, toasters or vacuums?

Spring is in the Hair!

2011-05-24T20:04:00.000-02:30

"For So Many Moons I've Loved You " Two (Detail) by Cara Kansala & Pam Dorey
Hand-Carved/Hand-Painted/ Mixed Media

Anniversary Dinner...First seating
Boobi & The Wee Italian Celebrate 7 Months of Wedded Bliss
What a lovely week! So many wonderful visitors to the studio already, several private commissions completed, delivered and gifted and lots of happy days! Boobi and W.I. decided to infiltrate Her anniversary dinner (18 years....Mama Mia!) and had a little eye-rolling and paw-holding to celebrate their own 7 month anniversary. Personally, I think The Wee Italian saw the bottle of Brunello, felt homesick and was hoping for a glass of his own. Just like his mama.
Usually, I try to keep them away from the table, as they ARE covered in fur, but I had just brushed all 5 for the 10th time and figured they deserved to stay awhile. So much fur! Thank Charles that PEOPLE don't shed when the weather gets warm.....with 5 cats, spring is already the hairiest time of the year.

And The Follower of The Month Is......

2011-05-20T17:07:00.000-02:30

This month's winner is A.Scattering!

Please send us your mailing address and T-shirt size and we'll be happy to send you your prize!

This morning SHE was having a poodle around the gallery and asked me the following question:
"Are you aware that the dress in this picture is the same size as the iceberg?"
Me: "Odd-viously, I am aware".
HER: "HaHa..I love the way you see the world...not much rhyme or reason to anything...everything is a bit doolally!"
Me: "Yes, SOOoooo very bizarre...and what about your dinner tonight? Your cherished lemon-basil pasta might just include honeydew melon and pickled beets....no rhyme or reason to anything! That's ME!"

Can You Get a Direct Flight from St. John's to Lapland?

2011-05-18T14:19:00.002-02:30

Darling Tomas and Consuelo Visiting Before Heading Back to Lapland!

We have been invited to go and visit our friends in Lapland next summer, but I think I might start packing and go now. I am being dragged from my tiny lime house tomorrow to go to St. John's, so I might as well pack a bag and keep going. I DO love St. John's but it is hard to be torn away from work, the garden, the studio and my paint splattered clothes. It has become a nightmare already. I got paint on my TOWN PANTS (not sure how) and SHE was none too pleased. THEN, I was trying to scrub some blue bits off my forehead and got in trouble for using "Body Scrub". SHE said that I have to use face scrub because I have old, delicate skin. I told HER that my face is on my body. SHE said she will buy me some face scrub tomorrow and said "isn't that exciting?". I am being lured to Town with promises of fancy face scrub and new town pants. Maybe I will really hit the Jackpot and we'll get an oil change, too!

(The only redeeming things is a gallery meeting where I will see LOTS of my friendlies and dinner with Darling Cat and S.Squissage)....Always look on the bright side of life.

Old MacDonald Had a "MO"......E-I-E-I-O!

2011-05-16T13:38:00.000-02:30

"Foofi and the MO"
Today I received a glorious gift bag full of tiny treasures from two of my Darlings who have just come back from Vancouver! What a surprise! One of the treasures is the most beautiful lot of wool since time began. Foofi would not stop sniffing it and was far more curious than usual.....
I said "He can probably smell the 'Mo'".
"Pardon?" SHE said.
"He can probably smell the MO" I replied.
"What is a MO?" She asked.
"Sort of like a sheep but kind of like a llama." said I.
"There is no such thing as a MO" She said. "There is no MO"
"There is no MO what?" I asked.
"NO, there is no such animal as a MO!" She yelled.
"Well," I said smarmily, "then where does MO hair come from...a GOAT?"
"YES!!!" SHE yelled.
"Oh."

It's a Small World After All.....

2011-05-13T15:30:00.000-02:30

These are 3 of my Teeny-Weeny-Shiny-Tiny Sneaky Paintings

Top Left "Portrait of my Darling" Papa Luigi by Cara Kansala

Top Right "Itchy's Gift"

Bottom Middle "Scratchy is a Doll"

I love things that are either HUGE or TEENY WEENY. Middle-sized things make me sleepy. I love over-sized sofas, giant mugs of coffee, massive, cuddly dogs and huge umbrellas. I love teensy weensy tea cup sets, miniature dogs (why aren't there tiny, miniature cats?), bonsai trees and hummingbirds.
A few weeks ago, I secretly ordered dozens of tiny canvases from Curry's.
2 inches by 1 inch.....so WEE! In between my commissions and orders, I have been painting these little darlings and hiding them away. Cats, family portraits and eensy landscape scenes. Yesterday, SHE found my stash and the following questions were asked:

1. Why are you painting these tiny pictures?
2. What are you going to do with them?
3. Is this an efficient use of your time?

My Answers:
1. They make me smile.
2. I do not know.
3. I certainly hope not....please refer back to answer #1.

Wow! The Most Talented Singer/Songwriters Since Time began!

2011-05-10T21:50:00.002-02:30

"Mari Mac" by Cara Kansala...Hand-Painted Acoustic Guitar

Sara Dorey & Stephen Brace of "Here By Tomorrow" singing my new favourite song EVER...."Light Up My Life"
Written and performed by the talented duo...AND you can buy the song on iTunes!
http://youtu.be/chWslHtjnXY

Sara is HER cousin. Sadly, SHE did not get any of the singing ability in the family. Even the cats run for cover when she is doing Her Steven Tyler impersonation. Sara, Her cousin, is incredibly talented. We all have our gifts.
SHE is reading over my shoulder and said that I won't be getting any gifts for a very long time.

Go Fly A Kite!

2011-05-06T09:22:00.000-02:30

Detail: Edith's Lupins by Cara * Acrylic on Canvas

Lift Off for S.Squissage!!

HER Pirate Ship Coming in for a Landing

Clio and Jazz want tiny dog sized kites of their own....

Yesterday, we took a break from work, kite-napped our darling S.Squissage and went kite flying! It was a glorious afternoon and I was very proud of my colourful spinbox and how high I had it up in the clouds.......until SHE attacked me with her evil flying pirate ship, got me tangled up in S. Squissage's souring star and caused me to do a deadly nose-dive into the rocky cliffs. Next time, I will have a longer string, a new tail and a more confident pilot....SHE and her pirate ship are doomed! DOOMED I tell you!
(Note: SHE pointed out and thought it funny that I forgot to put a string on the kite that is flying in the painting above. SHE thinks it is VERY funny that the laundry and the chimney smoke are going in different directions.
I think it is funny that SHE will be having cold cereal for dinner and NOT the promised Lemon Pasta! HMMPH!

St. John's Harbour This Morning......

2011-05-03T09:55:00.000-02:30

"St. John's Narrows" hand-carved/painted by Cara and Pam (enhanced for orangey reasons!)

This Octopus Has 12 Legs!

2011-04-30T12:48:00.001-02:30

Lily Conquers Seamus

"Giant Cat Attacks Sealing Ship"

We opened the gallery early this year because we've had so many visit requests. It has been wonderful to meet so many new people! Thank you to Krista and her sister who visited last Thursday and drove all the way out in the freezing rain! You are superstars!! SHE is having a difficult time remembering that we now have to keep the gallery door closed and this morning I found all 6 hairy monsters having a party on the sculptures. I couldn't find Lily until I heard a banging sound, noticed the octopus knocking against the wall and saw Wee Lilly having a hoot-a-nanny, swinging from the chandelier.

(SHE just asked me who the 6th hairy monster was......we only have 5 cats....um........ahhh....hmmmmm?)

The New Founde Chocolate Lande Mural is UP !!!!!!

2011-04-21T15:35:00.001-02:30

Yesterday, we went to St. John's for the unvieling of my mural! I was so excited and it was FABULOUS to see it all put together for the first time! Hooray!!

Thank you to all of the darlings who came out to celebrate despite the wicked weather and freezing wind. You are shining stars! Brent and Christina from the Newfoundland Chocolate Company are the BEST and you MUST pop into the store if ever you are strolling by for the most delicious, creative, chocolate goodies since time began! NomNomNom!!!

So, now ends the saga of Muriel the Mural...on to the next project!!

Images: New Founde Chocolate Lande Mural by Cara Kansala

20 feet x 16 feet

SENIOR SQUISSAGE SAVES THE DAY !!!!!!

2011-04-19T17:25:00.000-02:30

I have never blogged twice in one day but today has been exceptionally odd! I am not allowed to have my own set of keys as I always lose them. Because of this, I often lock myself out of the house. Because of this, we don't have screens on our windows anymore. Today, I had to go to the animal hospital while SHE was in town. I accidentally locked myself out, and my Darling Senior Squissage had to save the day by crawling in the window, on top of the fruit bowl, across the cutting board, over the dish tray, around the set of Chinese knives, over the counter and unlocking the door. HE was not impressed when I asked him to hold this pose while I snapped my picture. I think he was concerned that he was not wearing his good shoes for the photograph. I will not judge....all super heroes have their quirks.
Thank you, my darling for saving the day!!!!
Wait 'til SHE gets home....She won't even care about the octopus on the bathroom door when She hears that I locked myself out again! Hooray!!!!!

Because a Door is not a Wall..........

2011-04-19T13:43:00.001-02:30

Farewell Muriel!

"Because a door is not a wall...."

"New Garden on the GREEN wall"... um...SHE said white walls, so technically, I should not be in any trouble!

This morning, a big, white delivery van came and picked up Muriel, "The Mural". Such a huge part of my winter work and now it is gone. After that, SHE poodled off to St. John's to make deliveries and run errands. I was feeling kinda blue and missing Muriel, so I painted a new octopus on the back of the bathroom door (Since She renovated the kitchen, She said that I am not allowed to paint any more pictures on the walls and that all white walls, must stay white. In my opinion, I should not get into any trouble when She gets home because a door is not a wall. A door is a door. I will keep you posted on whether or not She thinks a door is a wall and I may be requesting back-up support.
Now, I am back to my Runic alphabet and Viking costumes, enjoying the sunny day and drinking a very strong cup of coffee(which I am not allowed to have after 11am, but again, SHE is not here!) NomNomNom! All in a days quirk!

Feed a Fever, Feed a Cold?

2011-04-17T16:28:00.000-02:30

Gretel Guarding Her Tribe of "Forest Turtles" During Our Walk

Vikings and Anvils and Puffins, oh my! I am currently working on a project for the Parks Canada, L'Anse aux Meadow site and am having a great time learning all about Vikings. My contract is to create the illustrations for an activity/colouring book and I am loving it. It is VERY weird not using my paints and every colour in the rainbow, but I found my best pencils and markers and am plodding along quite happily. SHE is busy carving stacks of work for me to paint when I am done and is nursing the bed ridden friends.

"Bowl...no thanks...the tin is a built-in bowl.NomNomNom"

The Wee Italian is still having trouble with the language and misunderstood the phrase "Feed a fever, Starve a cold" as "Feed a fever, Feed a Cold" . He has been eating us out of house and home...we don't even have time to get the food out of the tins. Mio Dio! Lily and BooBoo will hopefully be coming home from the hospital tomorrow. SHE is busy blowing up balloons and making signs for their homecoming. You think I am kidding. Nope.

Sinus Up...Hula Lessons for 6!

2011-04-16T09:33:00.000-02:30

"He Lost Her Then He Found-er" by Cara Kansala*Acrylic on Canvas

"Lily at the hospital"

It seems that the stress of the kitchen renovations caused the 5 friends to get the cat flu. Any changes at all in their daily routines tosses them right over the edge. They must take after me. I can't cope with the gorgeous, new kitchen either and have a cold of my own. I have hit my head on the new light 200 times and have walked into the island that didn't used to be there more times than I can count. Poor SHE. She says that She is going to ship the 6 of us off to Hawaii when She starts working on the bedroom. The 6 of us think that is great and are packing up our bikinis as I type. (Booboo wears a one-piece as she is self-consious about her "fluffiness".

Senior Squissage and Pinky Darling are coming tonight for the lamb dinner and a card tournament. I hope THEY don't hit their heads on the new light, get stressed out and start sneezing.....there is only so much a girl can take!

P.S. Everyone at the Baccalieu Trail Animal Hospital is absolutely fabulous! Shining stars!

And the "Follower" of the Month IS.........

2011-04-12T15:36:00.000-02:30

"Night Visitors" by Cara Kansala 2011 Acrylic on Canvas

"Urve Manuel"

Urve, if you would like to send us your mailing address, we'd love to send you one of our T-shirts and an artcard pack!!!

So many iceberg projects this spring! I hope, I hope, I HOPE, we will get some this year. Giant, snowy monsters!! Three years ago, we had a huge one (I named him Harold) parked right in front of our house for a week. I wanted to climb aboard but SHE said it was very dangerous and I was forbidden. Too bad, because who knows where I'd be by now? I could have floated south or ended up stranded on a quirky island somewhere......OH, I forgot, I AM!

Our Tuscan Miracle

2011-04-11T17:58:00.000-02:30

Above: Just Before the Tuscan Dinner....hammers and saws and paint put away with seconds to spare...a Tuscan miracle!
The kitchen was plumbed and everything was done in the nick of time. SHE did a super job with the kitchen renovation and everthing was sparkly and lovely, ready for our guests to arrive!

Above: Just After the Tuscan Dinner (note the 20 million dirty plates and the gazillion empty bottles of vino!)

Above: A few of the culprits (3 of my Darlings)

Above: The only one who offered to help with the dishes. (I had to bribe him with treats and leftover anitpasta and it worked, though he broke 3 wine glasses and poured a bowl of capers down the drain.)

That Sinking Feeling......

2011-04-07T18:23:00.001-02:30

"The Outer Battery" 2011 by Cara Kansala * painted canvas

Another crazy week! The mural is done and all wrapped up, ready for installation and the gallery is back to "normal". Now the kitchen is in slings because SHE decided to give me a complete kitchen renovation for my birthday. All new cupboards, a new stove, a new island....and best of all, a new sink from Ikea! She had it shipped to our tiny house all the way from Toronto. Shining stars indeed!

It is all installed, but we have no water. YET. She promises the good stuff will be flowing from the nifty Ikea taps by bedtime. I sure hope so. We are hosting a Tuscan dinner tomorrow night for 10 of our darlings. If the sink isn't plumbed, I will have to wash the dishes in the bathroom sink or send them over to the The Squissage. If we don't have water, we'll have to drink wine, but somehow, we'll endure.....we're a tough lot!

Seeing Stars!

2011-04-02T11:24:00.000-02:30

Every morning, the Wee Italian leads the morning sunrise ceremony, they do their yoga, have their porridge and take to their beds. Incredibly independent.

If I had to bet a million dollars, I would safely say that I am the only person in North America, if not the Free World, to have smashed their noggin on a giant octopus yesterday. SHE thought it would be a good idea to hang it in front of the wood stove. I am still seeing stars. STARS!

On Friday, the sun shone and it felt like spring! We had our first studio visit of the season (we are now open!) and heard our first ever soprano rendition of "I's The B'y". Visitors who sing are the tops!

Last night, in a frantic painting frenzy, I squeezed out a palette-full of paint onto my Best-Ever-Palette-From-Italy-Since-Time-Began palette, without covering it Saran Wrap. SHE said not to worry, we would go and get a new one. Sometimes, She can be a star.

SOMETIMES.

The other night, we pulled into the driveway from grocery shopping and I said "Don't forget to take the turkey out of the car" and SHE said "Well, I don't see why you can't get out by yourself."

The Sweetest Project!! Part 7

2011-03-29T21:26:00.000-02:30

Mural Detail: Almost at the Top!

Several people have asked what kind of materials I am using for the mural. It's on 5/8 thick plywood (8 x 4 foot sheets) which are VERY heavy....about 100 pounds each. The paint I am using is CIL exterior Smart Technology. It has been amazing to work with and goes on smoothly. I only bought 9 colours and used them to mix and blend my own for the rest, which turned out great. All of the panels were primed on both sides. This helps to seal the wood against the weather and also helps the colours to be more vibrant.

I can't blog long because SHE has gone out to the shed, which means I can watch Coronation Street without being heckled. (Crazy Tony with the wonky eyes has escaped from prison and is holding Harold and Carla captive in the underpants factory!) GOTTA GO!

The Sweetest Project!! Part 7

2011-03-26T23:43:00.001-02:30

The Wee Italian Tries to Inconspicuously Sneak into a Photo (Mural Detail: Seal Family and Foofi, too)

Best Panna Cotta Since Time Began!

SHE has been giving me a hard time about my words. I just found out (to my dismay!) that inconspiciously is not a word. Earlier today, I asked Her if She thought one of my mural panels was crooked or was it just a spoof of the eye. She said that "Spoof of the eye" is not a phrase. SHE wonders if I am ingesting too much caffeine....the coffee, the diet root beer. English IS my first language, and I taught ESL for years. Perhaps I am just getting older, or it could be cotttage fever due to the bismal weather. Odviously, I will have to get a grip!
The darlings from The Love Shack saved the day by poodling over and surprising us with home-made chocolate/raspberry panna cotta. What shining stars! What did we ever do to deserve such yumminess!
We ended our day with Senior Squisage at his lovely table, bellies full of a beautiful birthday dinner. He beat us both at cards (he is now the Eucher champ) but revenge will be mine!!!

The Sweetest Project!! Part 6

2011-03-25T21:55:00.002-02:30

A tiny section of the mural..."Quiet Cove"

Another section of the mural..how do WE know that puffins don't like chocolate? Everybody likes chocolate!!!

Where in the world has the past week gone? I have hardly left the house and have rarely been less tha.n 2 feet away from the mural. 10-14 hours a day. I am obsessed. SHE has given up on me and hands me a fresh cup of coffee every hour on the hour until 2pm then switches to cans of Diet Mug Root Beer. It must be in the tin. I am addicted. I even sprained the pinky finger on my painting hand flipping the tab (I was THAT desperate). She had to buddy tape injured root beer finger to my ring finger so I could keep on going. If those are the biggest troubles facing me today, then I have a lot to be thankful for.

Thank you to all of the darlings who sent me birthday wishes today! Hooray! Senior Squisage is giving us a dinner tomorrow night. What a doll. SHE says I will have to wear my town pants and is going to make me scrape all of the paint off my arms and forehead so I don't look like the little monster that I am. (Her words!) IMAGINE!!!

Thank you Danielle for reminding me to write a blog! I have root beer brain!

The Sweetest Project!! Part 5

2011-03-18T13:46:00.000-02:30

Detail: The Outery Battery Corner

Joining up the lines and starting the pirate ship!

BooBoo Loves Porkchop (the cat AND the meat product!)

Today I will be starting a 5 foot long pirate ship, an octopus swimming in a chocolate sea and a chocolate munching moose. Life, indeed, is strange these days. BooBoo has fallen head over heals in love with one of the Battery cats on the mural and kept sitting on him every chance she got until I finally had to lock her out of my workroom. I told BooBoo that sitting on your intended beloved isn't necessarily the best plan of action when trying to find a life partner. BooBoo was not impressed with my advice and headed for her Friskies (weight control for extra "fluffy" cats). If BooBoo keeps up with this Spring Fever thing, she is going to have to join Wait Watchers. She will have to wait to be fed twice a day instead of her all-day buffet. I am getting death glares even as I type.
Images: Details of Mural for The Newfoundland Chocolate Company

The Sweetest Project! Part 4

2011-03-15T00:13:00.001-02:30

I am officially finished one third of the giant mural! Today I painted for 10 hours and changed my shoes 4 times (painting standing up and on chairs to reach the high boards...soar, sore toes!!) I would have changed my shoes 5 times, but SHE caught me pink handed (footed) wearing my very best (most comfy) pinkly clogs and made me take them off pre-disaster. It was back to my rubber boots.
I have become quite obsessed with this project and think I will go into "Big Project" withdrawals when it is completed. The cats will be sad too as they seem to like the commotion, the big,colourful pictures and the sofas standing on their ends to make room for it all. We have promised to drive them to St. John's, so we can go to Duckworth street and see it when it is installed. BooBoo is only going for the chocolate....(to be honest, me too)
Image:Detail...Mural for Newfoundland Chocolate Company in the Works

The Sweetest Project!! Part 3

2011-03-12T23:20:00.002-03:30

Above: Mural detail...bottom left side. DONE!

Booboo has started sitting in front of her painted portrait, blocking her painted self from sight. She has recently lost 2.5 pounds and we think she is hinting at a do-over. I wouldn't MIND painting her again (a little less "fluffy" this time) but she is an emotional eater and any little stress such as a change in temperature or the sound of the toilet flushing could send her sky-rocketing head first into her value size bag of Friskies. One toilets flush is another cats gain.
Hooray for tonight! We were invited to a dinner party at The Love Shack and even had an escort! We had the best dinner ever in the history of the universe since time began and a lot of laughs, too. Thank you to my darlings E & S for working so hard and for always making things special. You are shining stars and we love, love love ya! (I had to hide the German Chocolate Sauerkraut cake from HER until the morning!) For anyone who has never had German Chocolate Sauerkraut Cake...make it! Find it ! Buy it! Eat it! YUMMY Yum YUM!!!!

The Sweetest Project!! Part 2

2011-03-11T11:33:00.002-03:30

Bottom right panel. DONE! This picture is actually 8 feet by 4 feet and weighs a squillion pounds. I am SO lucky that SHE is almost 8 feet tall and can move them all around for me. She is almost 8 feet tall but she isn't 4 feet wide..... and she doesn't weigh a squillion pounds....not even half a squillion. Not even a quarter! I think I should stop while I am ahead. I am lucky that I have such a very strong HER. Hooray!
Today I am tackling panel #3......7 to go before I am done!
(Thank you Senior Squissage for giving us a lovely dinner last night. I am sorry that we beat you so very badly at euchre. You are still a star in our eyes. I hope you were able to drag yourself out of beddies despite your vitamin deficiency due to the lack of salad. I LOVE YOU.
Image: Detail - Newfoundland Chocolate Co. Billboard by Cara Kansala

The Sweetest Project!! Part 1

2011-03-10T17:49:00.000-03:30

Hopeful poses.....

The Wee Italian Sits in Front on the Projector, Supervising The Project

I am currenty working on a HUGE project for The Newfoundland Chocolate Company on Duckworth Street in St.John's. They have commissioned me to paint a huge billboard/mural for the side of their building. There are 10, 8 foot by 4 foot panels that will all be put together. It is taking up most of my time this month and all of our living room. SO funny. SHE is in charge of moving the heavy panels, working the projector, keeping the cats away and everything else in the world that doesn't have to do with this project. So far, she is doing great, except for the cat keeping away part.

It is pretty difficult to be working on such a huge scale and most of the work has to be done standing up or standing on a chair. As much as I am enjoying it, I will be VERY excited to see it finished, installed at its home!

Now that I have found the computer, I will post my progress nearly every day.

SHE is doing a terrific job cheering me on with what seems like the biggest painting ever, since time began! Hooray!

And the Winners Are......

2011-03-05T16:01:00.001-03:30

1. Missing_The_Rock
2. Danielle Hunter
3. Keith, Nino,Galina and Nicolai

Please send your mailing adress to
cara-and-pam@hotmail.com !!!

I thought it would be fun to start doing a monthly draw from the FOLLOWERS list. Each month, I will randomly draw a name and if you'd like to send us your mailing address, we'll send you a set of our artcards, a t-shirt or a print! (This month I am drawing 3 names because it is the very first draw!) Hooray!
SHE is not allowed to have her name in the draw (even though she is a FOLLOWER) and thinks that is very unfair. I told her that sometimes life is like that. It just isn't fair. That reasoning did not go over too well, so I gave her a cup of sweety-pie tea and a gingersnap. All is now forgiven.
(I have to be extra nice to Her today because it is Her birthday.) She is very spoiled as there seem to be 3 birthday dinners and an afternoon of cake in the works. Yes, SO very spoiled. For her birthday, I made her a set of cat dolls . And I made a gift certificate for a dinner at a restaurant of her choice. She chose one in Halifax. I can't object because I hadn't put a clause in for location.
Spoiled, indeed.
P.S. And HAPPY BIRD-DAY Lollipop! Let Us Eat Cake!

Come and Knock on Our Door, We'll Be Waiting for You....Where the Kisses are Hers and Hers and His Three's Company Too.....

2011-03-02T13:47:00.006-03:30

Usually, SHE needs supervision when shopping for clothes and shoes. And accessories. SHE has come home with woolly Sherpa vests, red cowboy boots, ear cuffs (ALMOST too embarrassing to type) and yes, a cravat. SHE once found a sale on dickeys and bought one in each colour. Five turtlenecks. Just the necks. Creepy in the drawer, but great if we ever have an accident and lose everything from our shoulders down.

Yesterday I left her alone in Sport Chek for 5 minutes. It might have been 3. She managed to come out with Jack Trippers sneakers from season 3 of Three's Company. They are beyond. SHE loves them, which is all that matters. Next week, I am going to go shopping for a polyester mummu in a pink floral that Mrs. Roper would have killed for. I really am.

Image: Drying The Nets by Cara Kansala and Pam Dorey

Hand-Carved Wood/Mixed Media

Jack Tripper's Long Lost Shoes...

We Were MAX-imized!

2011-02-23T20:09:00.005-03:30

On Thursday, we delivered this custom commission to a client in St. John's. It was an amazing piece to work on and we always love it when we are given photographs and real-life memories to work from. It is wonderful to bring a place to life in my funny and strange, higgledy-piggledy world. SHE says that I am lucky that so many people appreciate my strange, higgledy-piggledy world. I told HER that she just THINKS she is normal. Truth be told, She is not only a citizen of my higgledy-piggledy world, but might, in fact, be the Prime Minister. The Emperor. The Chief in Command. SHE is the President of Crazy Town. I, am merely the clerk who works at the border crossing. (And sometimes The Queen, but only on my birthday and on days when I feel like wearing my crown.)

This is "The Gorgeous MAX", who lives at the house that now houses our new piece, featuring the houses and churches and stages of Blackhead. It was very hard not to hide him in my coat and sneak him into the yellow peril. It IS a shame. He would have made a wonderful King.

Images: "Memories of Blackhead" Hand-carved, mixed media by Cara Kansala and Pam Dorey

"Max is Telling Me Telepathically That He Wants More Than Anything, To Move Around The Bay, To Upper Island Cove"

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow.

2011-02-20T19:47:00.003-03:30

Yesterday, we took a break from what has been an incredibly busy work week and went to St. John's with our Darling P.P. to see "The King's Speech". When we got home, SHE said that my hair looked quite like the Queen Mum's and needed to be dealt with. After a lengthy kerfuffle, a small skirmish, much complaining and a great deal of gasping, I now have a new, MUCH shorter head of hair. I look like one of the Kellog elves.....I think Krackle, the middle one, but it could be Pop. It will take months to recover from the trauma and will be at least a year before I get my bun back. (I loved my bun.) SHE thinks I look very stylish and sophisticated. I am now finishing a glass of wine and heading off to the kitchen to melt marshmallows for the Rice Krispy Squares. Snap. Krackle. Pop.
P.S. THIS is what happens when we go to the movies. SHE gets all kinds of kooky ideas. Next, she'll want to go and see "127 Hours". I think not.

L is For Love.......B is for BooBOO in her Bed

2011-02-15T17:30:00.005-03:30

The Wee Italian has a new Valentine. He and Wilma Feral have become quite obsessed with each other. BooBOO, in a jealous rage, told W.I. that he should not be hanging around with girls from the wrong side of the window. HE doesn't care at all...he doesn't mind her scratches, or that she eats birds or that she runs with a rough crowd. Ever since he saw an episode of "Happy Days" last week, he thinks he is "The Fonz". Wilma is his "Pinky Tuscadero". It is all too much for BooBOO to bear, and she has taken to her bed with a large bag of Temptations. SHE told BooBOO that SHE would be her Valentine. Thank goodness for me, the pressure was off. All I had to offer was a bottle of Barolo and a Hershey's Kiss.

Come On Baby Light My Fire.....

2011-02-09T15:39:00.014-03:30

This is the sort of thing I have to deal with. Signs stating the obvious. Everywhere. SHE does not like it when I start the wood stove, so she leaves me signs for when she isn't here. Light Me. Next, she'll have a sign on the milk "Pour Me", on the cat "Pet Me" and on the bananas "Peel Me."
So much to cope with. I have put signs for myself, all over the wine bottles.
"DRINK ME".
Image: "Papa Was A Night Owl"Acrylic on Canvas by Cara Kansala
HOW TO START A FIRE...OH, but what do I do with the matches? How do I make the fire come out of the end of the match? Where is the note for THAT mystery?????

Monkey Businesses Never Go Out of Business!

2011-02-08T20:13:00.005-03:30

I grew up constantly hearing "Stop horsing around!!" and "that's enough monkey business!" Now that I am older, I have come to believe that there is definitely not ENOUGH horsing around and that monkeys really should go into business. If I was a monkey, that's what I would do. Monkey business would be great. BooBoo agrees with me, at least. She has started her own monkey business. Monkey rides, $2.00 each.

Hooray! We have both been invited to do an artist in residence in Battle Harbour, Labrador for a week next autumn. I am so excited and can't wait to get there and start painting. SHE is excited about the scenery and the drive. SHE has told me that it is a very long drive and I will have to behave and not ask "HOW MUCH LONGER" every five minutes. I told HER that she should get me an ipad to keep me occupied during the trip. That way I can do paperwork, emails and business stuff in the car.

Business stuff. Yes, indeed. Monkey Business! Now, I just need a horse!

Image: Midnight Dreamers by Cara and Pam

BooBoo's Monkey Business "Monkey Rides, $2.00 each"

Would You Like Some Fries With That?

2011-02-05T10:49:00.007-03:30

CHOMP ! Num,Num,Num...

CHOMP ! Num, Num, Num...

Once in a while, we are late with commissions and custom orders. Is it because we are sipping pina coladas and reading trashy romance novels? Nope. Is it because we are sitting on the sofa, eating bonbons and watching soap operas? Nope. Is it because we are busy getting our hair done in pin curls and having our nails done? Nope. It is because one of the cats has chewed on, torn up, scratched or sat on the piece in question. The piece in question then has to be re-sanded, re-carved, painted and varnished.

SHE was supposed to put the cats away while I did the portfolio photo for this custom mirror frame. SHE forgot about the Wee Italian and so we were a week later than planned for the mirror. SHE is now in the dog house. I am thinking of getting her cable and a new sofa for it....maybe even an ottoman. Since she brought the W.I. home from Italy, they have been spending a lot of time in there. I imagine, it will only get worse.

Images: W.I. Takes a Bite Out of "Spring!"