Apricot jam #598

Daily painting #598 6"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

My Aunty Pat makes the best jams, preserves, chutneys, pickles, marmalades....mmmm my mouth starts to water just thinking about her pantry piled high with interesting recycled jars of yumminess (that's not a real word.....but you get the picture!) 

When I was last in Cape Town we visited her on the West Coast and we spent ages talking about the delicious things she used to make for us as kids. We shared recipes ...and memories ....and I got to raid her pantry. Best treat ever! But I did fly home with overweight luggage, carrying jars of preserves, jams, pickles and chutneys hidden in my underwear! Thank goodness none of them broke....

But a delicious jar of her homemade apricot jam (maybe you call it preserve) is about to come to an end....and I am almost in mourning! How I wish I could go raid Aunty Pat's pantry again. Why do you have to live so darn far away? I love you Aunty Pat....and all your jars of delicious homemade yumminess! (Yes I know ...not a real word ...but you get the picture!)

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Last week.....

Daily painting at The Gallery in Westville

This week will be the last week to view a selection of daily paintings from Paintings in the post at The Gallery in Westville. The exhibition comes down over the weekend! It is always interesting to view a selection of little paintings on show together and always nice to see them 'in the flesh' rather than on the computer screen! The Gallery also has a wonderful selection of household accessories, jewelry and interesting things on show too. So take a friend, meet for coffee and make a morning of it! The Gallery has so many interesting things to see...you won't be disappointed!

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Roses (for cats) #597

Daily painting #597 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel

I popped in at one of our local garden shops and plant nursery this week to look for something and was delighted to find that their beautiful show rose garden is being put to good use. Not only is it a visual treat but they are selling cut roses by the stem and all the proceeds go towards supporting a local cat rescue organization. You choose your roses, they are cut for you and you pay R10 per stem. The roses are gorgeous....some as large as side plates and the scent from the garden was heavenly! Garden roses are always far more interesting to paint than store bought roses as they usually open up beautifully and besides the perfume is always a treat! So next time you are looking for some roses to paint or to enjoy in your home please go to Spade Garden shop and nursery and pick your own....it's for a good cause and they will definitely last longer having been freshly picked! The garden was being given its seasonal pruning this week so there won't be any roses just yet but by Spring the garden is sure to be magnificent again. I love roses....(and cats!)

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Today #596

Daily painting #596 4"x4" oil on primed canvas panel

Today the early morning light changed quickly and disappeared as the rain clouds moved in. For the second time this week we celebrate the arrival of some much needed rain for our drought stricken province. I haven't painted at all this week...I simply haven't had the courage to face a daily painting although the irony is that time spent at my paintbox is usually just the remedy I need. 

However this week has been different. As we celebrated the arrival of rain, a dear friend mourned the loss of her beautiful little boy in a tragic accident at home at the start of the week. I feel heartbroken for the family and my dear friend's loss and there simply are no words that can truly offer adequate comfort to someone who has lost a child! While we all have huge empathy and great sadness, the loss is simply incomprehensible.....

Today family and friends will celebrate Joshua's beautiful life....and give thanks for the joy he gave! 

My heart is with you today my dear, beautiful, caring friend. May God send His love and strength to cover you like the rain that is falling from our sky....

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Ripe fig #595

Daily painting #595 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel

I bought a small pack of figs the other day not only to eat but also to paint! But alas....this is the last one left! They are really expensive in Durban and so they are a real treat. I love nothing better than warm honey drizzled roasted figs served with a soft sharp flavored cheese and peppery rocket leaves...pure indulgence! Try it....you won't be disappointed!

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Bouquet #594

Daily painting #594 6"x6" oil on primed canvas panel 

Yesterday I shared some of the beautiful winter garden colors, but inside the house it is looking quite summery and fresh with this beautiful pink bouquet! I love nothing better than getting home from some time away and stocking up my kitchen with gorgeous fresh produce and of course some beautiful flowers. What would life be without flowers? They make me so happy... so today I share some happiness from my home to yours!
Have a day full of joy!

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Winter aloe #593

Daily painting #593 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel 

In South Africa many of the succulent plants flower in the winter months. They make beautiful winter gardens and range from small little ground cover plants to large tall stately aloes that grow taller than us and particularly in winter, stand out in the bush like tall orange capped soldiers. Their rich warm colour is beautiful and these winter flowering plants are one of the many things I love about winter in South Africa!

Below is a little bit of winter colour photographed in the bush while we were away.....glorious colour for winter....don't you think?

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