Today has been quite a trying day when I think back.
It all began at 5.45am when I was woken by a strange noise.
No, it wasn't my hubby's snoring this time, but an insistent knocking accompanied by birds chattering. Obviously I had to get out of bed to investigate and I received a real surprise.
The crows were back, tapping at their reflections in the window and chortling away.
They weren't at the usual window or the mirror that we've placed back in the garden for just such an event. No, the two crows were perched on a small window-ledge of the family room.
Which just so happens to be right under our bedroom window... which was open.
This is the first time that they've come on to that particular window sill.
If they keep this up it could be early morning's for me from now on... heaven forbid they come on to our bedroom window!
Maybe I could use the extra time and get up and paint?
Talking of which, I actually got to play with my paints this week.
This is a Gerbera plant that I bought whilst out for Sunday lunch.
It's such a chirpy plant don't you think?
My own little ray of sunshine... which is just as well as the last few days have been really cold.
The east of the country has been in stark contrast to the west.
They've had fantastic weather and temperatures whilst we've had Baltic blasts.
June... ha!!!
I decided when I started to paint this plant, that I'd use the under-painting technique that
Tracey Fletcher King taught me whilst taking part in her Delicious Paint classes
At this stage severe doubt creeps in that you'll never manage to bring the painting to anything worth looking at... but you have to keep the faith and carry on.
(Ha... that even sounds convincing to me)
I wasn't sure whether to use the white and black ink pens, but you know me I just couldn't resist.
I just had to have a dabble.
I'm not sure it worked, but I had fun anyway.
The second trying part to my day, was finding my beautiful Jasmine plant that normally decorates around the front door of the house, lying bedraggled in the middle of the driveway.
Remember my hubby retired just over a week ago... well he decided that the jasmine was compromising the down spout and drain, so in his infinite wisdom decided to dig it out!
HE MURDERED IT!
I'm being very restrained here and not putting in all of the expletives that were used this afternoon.
I'll just say my hubby isn't a gardener and hadn't thought to consult me before attacking and massacring the poor innocent plant.
A plant that has lived on this house for far longer than him!
Moving on swiftly...
I've finally decided to call it a day because I've just used the hose to water a few pots and that's the hat-trick for today. The hose leapt out of my hand at full flow and danced around like a possessed snake with the snake charmer playing his favourite tune.
Thus, I'm drenched through!
Oh well... here endeth the day I think... I give in.
I hope your day proves to be better than mine.
Have fun and thanks for visiting my place.
LOVE your painting. That plant is bold and cheery. Just perfect for your weather it sounds like. We have been hot and then cold and then hot. Summer to early spring to summer. HMMMM. Those crows. I am reading a book called the Genius of Birds and right now I am reading about how intelligent crows are. Especially these crows from French Calidonia. Hugs and happy Friday-Erika
ReplyDeleteAww thank you so much Erika. The plant is certainly cheery and we really need it at the moment. The weather really isn't good unlike the rest of the country.
DeleteIt's fascinating to hear about your current book. Thankfully the crows didn't come to call this morning. Maybe they're away for the weekend!
Hugs and Happy PPF to you too.
Well i think your Gerbera Daisy is brilliant! And between the crows , the hubby and the water hose you just have to know when to throw in the towel...lol Hugs! deb
ReplyDeleteThanks Deb, the Gerbera is a very cheerful addition to my kitchen.
DeleteI think you're so right about throwing the towel in as and when the need arises. Thankfully today I seem to have escaped all incidents.
Crows never came to call... hubby's keeping his head down after yesterday and I haven't gone near the hose because we've had some really powerful rain showers earlier today.
All in all not a bad day!
your painting is beautiful, your day was not boring, lol, eventful you could say lol,,its difficult to adjust to having husbands home after they retired, I was so accustom to having the house to myself all day it took me a while to find my rythmn again, it happens, it takes time, it just as strange for the husband,, maybe more so,, hope the crows let you sleep longer tomorrow !!
ReplyDeleteThanks Laurie, I appreciate your kind words about my painting.
DeleteAs to the eventful day yesterday... thankfully today hasn't had any major trauma's. Hubby's keeping his head down and behaving. I'm constantly reviewing ground rules and regulations for him. He's used to making major decisions in the workplace, but he doesn't realise that I'm top dog here!!! (ha)
I think he realises the error of his ways yesterday and is passing everything through the boss before he undertakes anything to change anything around here. It has amused my son no end!
Thankfully the crows didn't wake me this morning... perhaps they're away for the weekend? I haven't seen them all day.
Enjoy your weekend.
Your painting is breathtaking, sweetie, you're so very talented, thanks most sincerely for sharing your art !
ReplyDeleteHope you're having a beautiful week, I'm sending you my dearest love
with so much thankfulness
Dany
It was my pleasure to share Dany, but I certainly don't feel I deserve such praise.
DeleteI hope you have a wonderful weekend too.
Your gerbera is gorgeous. Crows are clever, my crow steals a whole fat ball each morning, breakfast to go! Happy PPF, hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteI knew when I saw the Gerbera for sale that it would add a gorgeous splash of colour, but I didn't realise that it would provide me with so much pleasure.
DeleteI've heard how clever crows can be, but I can't understand why they are visiting each of my windows. I believe they might think we have crows inside the house when they see their own reflection... but really they are obsessed. I'm sure they should be nesting, feeding young or just getting on with life, rather than banging their beaks on my clean windows!!!
I enjoyed watching the progression of your bright and beautiful floral. Those pesky crows sound like a mess, especially if you're trying to get some sleep. Happy PPF!
ReplyDeleteThanks Arnoldo, I had fun with the floral painting and always think we learn something new each time we pick up a paintbrush. Well I certainly do.
DeleteAs for those pesky crows thankfully they left me in peace this morning, but they do make a mess. The mirror in the garden is full of their shenanigans that you can hardly see through it... even though I clean it regularly. I'm hoping they get fed up with this game soon.
Happy PPF to you too.
Oh Denise, sounds like you've had an eventful time of it alright! How funny the crows tap on your window, although maybe not so amusing if it's happening in the early hours of the morning! That's a shame about the Jasmine plant - I love plants climbing over houses - there's something wonderful about nature claiming back man made spaces! I'm sure hubby was in the dog house for that!
ReplyDeleteYour plant painting is lovely - you did a great job on all those leaves.
Your hose story did give me a wee laugh - I could just picture you dancing around trying to get out of the way - they are like things possessed when they start spraying around on their own!!
Yep Dog House it was for a time Nic, especially as the next day he uprooted more plants pleading ignorance saying he didn't know if they were weeds or not. The fact that I'd said "if in doubt... DO NOUT"! I was kind of hoping that he'd have got bored by now and decided to return to work, but he seems to be a very happy bunny. It's me that's thinking about returning to work! LOL
DeleteI've very wary using that garden hose, because basically I think it's got it in for me!
Thanks for your lovely comment. Have fun and give those two wee cuties a belly rub from me. That doesn't include S!!!
Oh my gosh, Neesie! Your painting is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI was drenched by the water hose yesterday. But, I did it on purpose. HaHa! I got too hot working in the sun.
Aww thank you so much Laurie, it's great to get such positive feedback. I really appreciate it.
DeleteBrr... We haven't got temperatures anywhere near where I'd want them to be in order to cover myself with the hose! I'd need at least another 15 degrees... no make that 20 degrees!
A lovely painting, thanks to the crows!
ReplyDeleteThanks Debra... but the crows have been back numerous times since and I haven't used the time efficiently. I've chosen to return to my bed. I really should be more disciplined.
DeleteFabulous
ReplyDeleteThanks Clare ;D
DeleteBoy what a day-but you have produced a gorgeous painting-so cheery! Fortunately we don't get crows in our yard often although they do habit our neck of the woods. My neighbors have the same issue that you have with hubby. Her hubby is retired -and is NOT a gardener like she is and when he takes to "cleaning up" and "trimming" and she's not home he gets in trouble-and I don't blame her seeing what he pulls and chops! Hope your coming weekend is much better!
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda,
DeleteI wish we didn't get crows either, but there are only two... it's just that they are such a nuisance. I'm woken from any time after four a.m. at the moment, with the dawn chorus along with magpie and wood pigeon shinanakins, but to have the tapping on windows is just a tap too far in my book.
We've continued to have our training in the hubby department. I'd told him that 'if in doubt... do nout'! But he still uprooted some lovely plants. Ho hum!
Oh my goodness Denise - this is gorgeous with beautifully clean sharp colors! I do hope you get your crow problem sorted out.
ReplyDeletesandy xx
Thank you so much for your lovely compliments Sandy,
DeleteI'm afraid the crows are still hanging around, but thankfully don't always tap the window. I woke this morning at dawn, but to the beautiful song from a blackbird. It's a nice way to start the day... certainly nicer than having your windows tapped!
Oh my, what a day! Some nights I can't sleep and am just getting to sleep around 4 s.m. What a shock it would be to wake up an hour or so later! You can keep your crows, Neesie. I sometimes have some wicked looking black birds in my backyard. I always shoo them away. Your gerbera plant looks wonderful. I like the white lines. Poor jasmine. Did you try to replant it somewhere else?
ReplyDeleteThankfully I'd had a good nights sleep Faye, but it still wasn't a good way to wake up thinking someone was knocking to get in!
DeleteThey are still doing it on occasions, but this morning I had a beautiful black bird singing... so some you win and some you loose.
I'm thinking that your black bird can't be the same as mine over here, because they are rather handsome looking birds.
Thanks for your lovely words on my gerbera. It still looking chirpy and makes me smile. I liked the white lines too.
The jasmine is currently sitting in a large plastic bin with compost and water until I can get a new pot large enough to repot it. I'm determined to keep it alive. Wish me luck!
So sorry your hubby murdered your jasmine. Hope he made it up to you :) He has hopefully learnt his lesson not to mess with your garden. Your painting is so bright and cheery and full of life. Happy PPF
ReplyDeleteWell I'm not sure that he actually murdered the jasmine, because I quickly ran into emergency mode and placed it into a large plastic bucket with some compost. I plan to buy a large new pot to put it in. I'm determined that it should live.
DeleteHe actually pulled more wee plants out the very next day. I'm now giving him specific jobs so that all my plants can breath a sigh of relief... safe in the knowledge that he won't touch them.
This is a great post. Love that the crows have come to play on your house. LOL it is really good luck. Your painting is lovely. The colors are rich and great detail.
ReplyDeleteOh I do hope you're right about the crows bringing good luck Nicole, because they are still hanging around and tapping on occasions. They don't seem to do it during the day... only in the early hours. It's quite disconcerting to hear what you think is someone trying to get your attention... especially at 4 or 5am!
DeleteThanks for your comment on my painting... it's greatly appreciated.
A crow alarm clock. A husband who narrowly escaped murder, himself. And a dancing snake hose water party. Goodness. Well, have a really good weekend, Lady. ;)
ReplyDeleteIt was a crazy day Rita and thankfully things have settled down since then, although the crows are still hanging around. They don't come tapping every morning so that's a blessing!
Deletepoor plant :(
ReplyDeletebut your painting looks lovely :)
you would think that with the crows being such smart birds they wouldn't do daft things lol :p
Precisely Jennifer... you'd think the crows would have worked out how to ring the door bell by now! (haha)
DeleteThey are still hanging around and on the odd morning coming to wind me up but this morning a black bird sang and that was a lovely way to start the day.
Oh dear Nessie, between you, jasmine, the hose and the crows you've had quite a day oh that's sounding quite poetical... Did you think about tying hubby up in the dayroom with the hose and leaving him overnight with the crows pecking away at the window like some ancient torture chamber until he begged forgiveness for the Jasmine? No of course you didn't, see isn't he lucky he has a nice wife?!!!! May your weekend be calmer and full of lots of time for more gorgeous painting!
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely weekend.
Wren x
I wasn't poetic with my vocabulary Wren, although it was rather colourful if I say so myself!
DeleteWow that was some kind of torture indeed... but maybe if I'd have taken your advice he wouldn't have pulled up more plants the next day!
He's got the perfect wife and I managed to save both the jasmine (by planting it temporarily into a large plasic garden bin until I find a new suitable pot) and the other plants!
I've not managed to paint anything this week, but there's always tomorrow... perhaps!
I hope your trip is going well and that you are having decent weather. Enjoy!
Thanks so much for sharing the before and after of your daisy. It just came alive with a bit more color. I feel for you with the recently retired hubby. Mine now does everything, laundry, cleaning and cooking and I went back to work. Now, approaching 75, I think I need to give it another try and maybe just fill my days with art.
ReplyDeleteI like to see other artists work and progression Susan, so I always try to take photos as I go along. I don't always remember, but the intentions there.
DeleteI had such a chuckle when you said about your hubby doing all the chores and you returning to work. We are working things out although he's still overstepping the mark at times. It's all about the training I think and I need to keep at it.
I'm liking certain aspects of it, so I just need to work on the rest! (wink wink)
I think you deserve to fill your days with art now. I'll look forward to seeing the results of your creativity!
It IS chirpy! I really like those flowers. Lovely painting! I am sorry to hear about the sad state of your other plant after tussling with your husband. I hope you are getting along better today. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind comment about my chirpy plant Cindy, and as for the getting along with hubby... we're a work in progress (haha) I'm continuing to keep a close eye on him... especially if he goes out into the garden. He's purchased a new strimmer this week and I can almost hear the plants take a sharp intake of breath!
DeleteWhat a day, Nessie!! Some days are just like that. I had one of those yesterday. I love seeing the progression of your daisy. Aren't you glad you pushed through the doubt stage? I am.
ReplyDelete~~ Irene
Thankfully Irene, I haven't had a day like that one since.
DeleteI like to see an artist progress through the various stages, so thought I'd share mine. I am glad I carried on with the painting, but then I never really know when to stop!
It's a troublesome journey sometimes... but I wouldn't change it for the world.
Your painting is gorgeous..such cheerful flowers. Speaking of cheerful I was on the east coast today...scorchio! Got sunburnt...glad you are getting some sun at last :)
ReplyDeleteOh I'm thrilled you like me painting. They are very cheerful plants and one of my daughter's favourites.
DeleteWe had three consecutive days of warm sun, but then the haar came to visit. We still haven't returned to summer yet... I just hope that those three days weren't it!!!