A Cold Blustery Monday and my Winter Gallery Wall......

Brrrrrr.....the winds are blowing and trying to get in through the French doors as I sit huddled here at my desk in the sewing room. It's still super crowded in here. Louis Dean went to Lowe's and talked to an older gentleman who gave him some advice which he will act on once the wind dies down and it warms up. This may take days! At least it's not raining!

We have so enjoyed having Summer here with us the last couple of days.

This was our breakfast this morning - in Cheery Christmas Cereal bowls!

Louis Dean, Summer and mine.....

reminded me of the Three Bears!

Summer helped me hang a Winter Gallery Wall in the hall where I am continuing the pine cone and woodland theme from Louis Dean's bathroom.

We married in 2005 and that Christmas I decorated every square inch of the bathroom in Snowmen.

My neighbor, Stephanie, was amazed at how much 'stuff' I could cram in a small bathroom.

Louis Dean has the patience of Job and did not complain.

I think it was because we were still newlyweds. 

I've grown up since then and soon realized it isn't fair for him to live in a Barbie Doll House!!

All of the paintings in the hall are some of my oldest ones.

They have been hanging elsewhere and not noticeable unless you knew where to look.

This snow scene is from 1997.

And I painted this one in 1991.

An oldie from 1984 - 34 years ago. It's painted on a heavy saw blade.

I've always liked this one - from 1985.

A small 5 x 7 from 1984.

This one is painted on a wooden bowl from Vermont.

I bought several when I was there in 1983.

No date on this one!

I guess I forgot!

1987

This is the only recent painting and I hung it here below the chair rail to dry.

I actually just took it out of the oven where I've had it for a few days drying with just the oven light on. Works like a charm. Red and blue oils are the slowest to dry.

This is the one for my Christmas Painting Giveaway and I am about to go in to the art table and finish it. Louis Dean will draw the winning name next Monday morning.

Summer left this evening to go back to Rowlett. She has a doctor's appointment in the morning.

The house feels kind of empty with her gone.

She helped me put the electric blanket on our bed as it will be 29 degrees here tonight.

That's really cold for Texas but I am not complaining!

We covered some of our flowering plants with sheets - flannel sheets - and unhooked the hoses from the faucets outside. We've kept the fireplace burning all live long day and cleaned the filter for our central heat should we decide to turn that on. It stays remarkably warm in this house - perhaps it's all the candles I burn!

Once I finish painting tonight I am cleaning up the art table and will not be painting any more until after I have the house all decorated. I went ahead and hung the two unfinished ones on the dining room wall where I can continue to look at them. The more I look, the better I see what I need to do to complete the paintings. Now I am off to put lights on the Christmas Tree Santa.

I hope I can do it!!