New Decor

This past weekend we took a trip to get a couch from the Murphy's. We had to borrow a pick-up truck, and while we were at it, we came back with some more stuff. Even though we got rained on most of the time, we had a very nice visit. Here we have some pictures to show our new decor.
The white couch in its new home. We took our sofa upstairs in the Japan room. This becomes a full-size bed, perfect for guests. No more blowing up an air bed.

One of a few other pieces we came home with. I'd been looking for a perfect little table in this small hallway, which gets very dark at night because there's no light. Now I can put a candle on the table.

Lastly, here's my new canvas of oil painting. The water (if you could tell what it is) is a bit of challenge for me....

Birthday Feast

On my birthday (Saturday, the 16th) we had Joe's big extended family over at our house to feast on Joe's world famous BBQ ribs. We totally forgot to take "before" pictures, when things were somewhat organized with some spooky Halloween theme. The tall stack of dirty dinner plates should explain the crazy and the fun we had. Joe's mom made pumpkin pies for dessert upon my request and left us a whole another pie besides this half one. Next morning we had healthy servings of "Finlander breakfast" our way, a quarter piece of pumpkin pie with vanilla icecream!! Joe especially enjoyed it while saying "Ma can't stop me from having icecream for breakfast," with his biggest grin.

For a little Halloween theme we mixed our homemade grape juice with Sprite, which had the color of blood, and put eye ball icecubes in it. The eye balls didn't spook our guests. All the juice is gone... leaving the gummy eye balls on the bottom of the pitcher, looking up at us.

Instead of my usual colorful dining table, I put a spider-webbed table cloth.... Boo.

Well, I had another wonderful birthday, receiving many birthday wishes from far and near and inbetween. So, thanks everyone.

Partridge Huntin'

It was a beautiful warm weekend, with most of fall color gone. Yet, in the air you could smell that earthy sweetness of autumn. Saturday I went along with guys bird hunting. And, surprise!! we actually saw a bunch of partridges. Even more surprise! they shot three birds.
Here's Joe's first prize. My only past bird hunting experience was to flush a few birds, so hearing a dead bird flap its wings to me was a bit nerve wrecking. His brother Mark managed to shoot one, then Joe another one. But I think a gold star goes to Joe's dad for spotting many more birds in the almost impossible woodsy background.

Then we drove down to Ironwood Theatre and saw an incredible performance by the Clearwater Hot Club with a Dutch violinist Tim Kliphuis for quite a contrasting experience. On the refreshing cool evening their gypsy jazz music was certainly hot!

Is It Done?

Finally!! I'm able to spend some time to paint. As much as I love painting, it can feel somewhat like work, and it should be. But once I get started, my own artwork always rewards me with a good feeling. I should continue on.
Now, a question I always ask myself rather carefully is: Is this particular painting done? A tricky question, for I could easily overwork. Well, this one is very, very close to be done. Maybe a little touch up.
Another matter on colors, outside the studio, is the fall color. These pictures are from last weekend when we took a walk to pick up a Sunday paper in our neighborhood.

After this weekend we might have to say our fall color is also done....