Gifts of spring

Auntie brought these flowers to my daughter on her birthday. She was somewhat mesmerized by them. She quickly scrambled up to the table, asked for a cup and took great delight in placing them one by one in just the right order.

All ladies like flowers, even little ladies.

The Milkmaid

The Milkmaid - Johannes Vermeer

c. 1658-1661

This is my new favorite painting for now. Isn't it beautiful?

Unto Us a Child Is Born

The Nativity by Francois Boucher

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

The fort

T1 tore down the brooders awhile ago. They were made of a base of palettes we picked up for free. He took them apart and had them in a pile.

He asked a few days later if they could use the palettes to build a fort. I said, "sure". They were happy outside for chunks of time and would come in filthy dirty. They told me of their fort but I never went out there, until now.

Here is what they have accomplished completely on their own. I bet it was such fun.

I was told that this bench here closest to us was T3's kitchen. She was cooking for the soldiers by piling dirt from the fresh tilled gopher holes onto the makeshift bench. Also, notice the cannon on the far side of the fort.

Reminds me a little of this picture by Winslow Homer entitled "Home Sweet Home" 1863.

Moving cows

We had to move some cows today. I say 'we' but really I mean 'they'. The guys. I was there taking pictures and I did call "come Boss" a few times too.

As I was taking pictures, I realized that anything can be photographed in an interesting way. I really enjoy photography and can entertain myself with it's possibilities.

During this photo shoot, I realized something else. Since moving out of town, I have my very own Marlboro Man.

If only I could get all this in a nice big pile somewhere to wait until fall and then cover my garden.

Come on Blossom...come on in.

Mini Marlboro Man in training.

Blossom and Blank (or Black Ginger) finally getting into the trailer. Maybe is was my "come boss" that convinced her?

I'll try to explain the poor little black calf's lack of a proper name. Blossom (the mama cow) first had a brown calf that T2 named Ginger (after Black Beauty's Ginger). Then Blossom had this little girl. One day T2 came in and said he though we should name the new calf Black Ginger. We all thought that was funny but didn't officially name her that. Then another day, T1 started calling her "Blank" because she has no name. So now we think they are both funny names and refer to her using both of the names interchangably.

The cheerleader

Mother and Child

Mother and Child by William Adolphe Bourguereau

The Bath

The Bath by Mary Cassatt

Breakfast in Bed

Breakfast in Bed by Mary Cassatt

Adoration of the Magi

Adoration of the Magi by Claude Verdot

The Census at Bethlehem

The Census at Bethlehem by Pieter Bruegel the Younger

The Waif

The Waif by Walter Langley

Music Lesson

Music Lesson by Lord Frederick Leighton

Art Study

I practice passive art study. I have one frame designated for art in the dining room area. I like to collect art books that I can use. I especially have enjoyed the books called "The Great Artists". These are a series of 25 books by Funk & Wagnalls, featuring one artist. I have found them at garage sales, used bookstores and bought some on Ebay.

I try to focus on one artist over a years time or so. I often forget to change the picture and leave it up too long, which leads to taking a year to see Mr. Van Gogh's work! But I enjoy seeing art and also sharing it with my family.

The Garden Bench

The Garden Bench by Tissot

Signing the Register

Signing the Register by Edmund Leighton

Winding the Skein

Winding the Skein by Lord Frederick Leighton