Time Out

The Northwest had what was their (hopefully) annual 'Big One' for the winter a couple of weeks ago.  We were without power for about a week which for us, being on a well, means no water as well as no power.  Which, incidentally, we need to run the pellet stove, too.  Above you see Darrell outside on the second day knocking the frozen snow off of bushes and roofs.  We had several outbuilding roofs collapse a few years ago, under the weight of the heavy wet, frozen snow, so since he wasn't on crutches this time, he took a proactive approach :-)   The only source of heat we had was our little propane stove in the kitchen, but with no electricity for the fan, the warmth stayed directly in front of the stove, then dissipated. The animals and I spent a greater portion of our days sitting right there.  In front of it.  With blankets and pillows.  Man, it was cold! 

Before it got too cold in the house to do much, I started up a new hobby of teaching myself to watercolor. Library books galore on the subject!  Much of it is just trial and error.

 This is my first finished watercolor!  From my head, no less!  I kind of like it :-) 

My view from the sun room window is of the bird feeders.  I must have had 50 birds each day at them!  I scattered scoopfuls of seed out on top of the snow for them! Woodpeckers, thrushes, chickadees, towhees, juncos, song birds........ so many friends came :-}  Sunny discovered her new favorite perch in the window once she caught a glimpse of all the feathered creatures!

It inspired this stab at a watercolor.

The window opposite the sun room in the kitchen sports a view of my garden.  Not much to see when it is buried, but I took a try at the fence, as well.  Well.  I added the cute little bunny.  They are hiding underground for the winter.  Of course I only painted some of the scenes in my pictures.  Too hard for me to do it all when I am just learning :-}  Amateurish, I know, but I am okay with my beginning tries!