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

"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!!!

"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!

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?

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.

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....)

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?

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

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!!!!

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 planning a scrapbook for their cottage. Bless.

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

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?"

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

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.

Happy Holidays to You!

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.

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

"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

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!

"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?

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!

SHE did a lovely news interview!!

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.....

"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!!!!

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!

"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.

"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!

The Happiest Halloween!

 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 !!

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.....

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?

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.