Lots of Visitors Today

But...I forgot to take photos!  It was beautiful until dinner time and then it poured for over half an hour.

I was slow on the draw this morning and got a phone call that two friends were in their car on their way to the farm.  I was still in my nightgown and quickly changed to some clothes.  They were here for about an hour and it was so much fun catching up.  Jeanne was visiting from Pennsylvania and her good pal (Alicia) drove her over to see us. We have know them both for over 50 years 

Had last nights leftovers for lunch and I went for a quick trike ride (#25)

 before our friends Tony and Claire stopped up.  They are in Saratoga for 6 months of the year and always pick up some garlic.

While they were here, Greg K. stopped in for some garlic and Gary had none.  Sold out in ten days.

We've had enough rain to keep the gardens in good shape

(On my kitchen table).

Today Gary picked shallots and

dug out more potatoes.

No regular dinner tonight.  Had some oatmeal with walnuts and craisins.

Little Wonder is in his bed giving me the stink eye.

Night all.

 

Another Full Day.

Up by 8.

Little Wonder and I got out to the Studio just before my class arrived at 9:30.

I had asked them to add more layers to the landscape/seascape paintings they started last week.  Here are few examples.  They were painted without a reference, which is not so easy,

 

Today I asked them to do a simple drawing of the cone flowers I brought in....

  This time they drew them on tracing paper and transferred them to water color paper.  The object was to start out light and layer them.  It was just an exercise and I did not expect a full page painting.

I gave them each a water color book (a local artist must have given me 50 new ones when she moved out of state) to take home.  They can keep them or trade for another,  I had already given away more than 20 and certainly don't need to have so many.  It was such a good time.  We listened to some old Barry White music and discussed everything from the World Cup to the political scene.  I had forgotten how much I used to enjoy teaching.

After they left I started preparing dinner.  Jenny, Scott (celebrating his birthday) and Finn were going to join us. 

Little Wonder absolutely loves Jenny,

Yet another new blossom.

We had a serious picnic and it was delicious.  Used the hot dog sauce Chet brought over yesterday and it was off the charts.

Jenny is going to London tomorrow (work) and it was nice for her to have the night off from making dinner.

We had Nutty Buddies for dessert.

Little Wonder and I need some chair time.

Night all.

 

Get Ready

This is going to be a long one!

Little Wonder and I were up before 8.  A beautiful day,

My flowers are still in good shape from over a week ago.  I just keep breaking off the dead blossoms.

Gary went to Dan's for coffee with his pals and I went out to the Studio to set up my lesson for tomorrow.  This time I picked out flowers that are easier to draw/paint.

At 1 I was at the library for bridge.  Came in dead last.  On the way home I stopped at Wegmans for a few things as Scott and Jenny are coming for dinner tomorrow night.   Today was Scott's birthday.

At 5:15 Little Wonder and I drove Gary down to the Welcome Center for Summer Serenades,

I stayed home until 6:45 and went back down to watch the concert.  Tonight it was the Joey Stempien Big Band.  He was a student at Brockport High School and got together all of these young musicians (some are attending the Eastman School of Music).  He is only about 22 years old and I am totally impressed with what he has done!  They played at the International Jazz Fest this year,

Gary introduced the band and bam!  The music was amazing.

The Fenton family was there...good to see them again.

The usual suspects were in the audience,

This Stevie Wonder song was my favorite!

Home by 9.  What a great show....everyone loved it and they got a standing ovation!

We are so fortunate to have these free concerts during the summer (and Winter Serenades when there is snow on the ground).  Gary and his crew has been doing this for 14 years!

Night all.