New Summer 2015 Vera Bradley Downloads

The new Vera Bradley Summer 2015 colors are here!

Marrakesh

Pixie Blooms

Palm Fronds

Click here for the link to download these wallpapers for your computer, iPad, iPhone and mobile phone devices!

A to Z Blogging Challenge, Galveston Edition - N is for Nighttime

Galveston at night is pretty. . .

Tremont House lights up the night

This was taken at the Rooftop Bar at the Tremont House
Four floors up gives a great view of Galveston at night

Thursday Tea Time - I Heart Harney & Sons Tea!

This week - Harney & Sons Valentine's Blend

Cost:  $4.04 (Half off, plus 10% BN Membership card discount)
Number of tea bags: 20
Caffeine:  Yes
Type of tea:   Black
Ingredients:  Black tea, rose petals, natural and artificial vanilla and chocolate flavors.
Steeping time:  4 minutes
Mix ins:  A little bit of Natural Bliss
Fragrance:   Chocolate! With a slight vanilla and rose scent
Opinion:  At first I was kicking myself because I had only grabbed one tin, but as I was writing this review, I noticed IT IS STILL AVAILABLE online at their website loose in the 4 ounce size for $7.  This is super good!  It has a very pleasant chocolate flavor and aftertaste.  The rose petals just make it even better and sweeter and the vanilla flavor finishes it beautifully.
Rating: 5+ (grab if you find any more in the clearance section at Barnes & Noble)

A to Z Blogging Challenge, Galveston Edition - M is for Maceo Spice

Maceo Spice and Import Company

2706 Market Street - (409) 763-3331

If you love to cook and eat, this is the place for you!

and M for Muffaletta!

Just a few of my favorite things at Maceo Spice!
"Gravy" (sauce), mini cannoli and Italian Blend spice

Just down the street from The Yoga Haven... I must confess during yoga shavasana I am thinking of that muffaletta and cannoli.  

Om Yum!

Watercolor Wednesday - Texture Part 1

Sea salt sprinkled on while paint was still wet made this cool effect!

Playing around with texture in class this week.  I used Golden Fiber Paste.   It kind of took the watercolor paint a little, but I found it looked prettier left white - like a meringue cookie!

This also comes in a jar

Overall, an interesting effect.  Did I run right out and get my own?  No.  I probably will eventually or keep in mind for future projects.*  I'm not sure how quickly this would dry out waiting for me to remember I bought it.   But it was still fun to realize there is more to watercolor than just painting on paper.   I think it is more useful for abstracts, snow, adding dimension to roofs, etc.   

*Yeah, I can so see me getting this later for Christmas paintings and cards...  

A to Z Blogging Challenge, Galveston Edition - L is for Library

The Rosenberg Library in Galveston is the oldest public library Texas.   It is a beautiful building outside and inside - I love the shell spiral staircase and the stained glass on the upper floor.

2310 Sealy Street - (409) 763-8854

On the fourth floor of the library, there is even a museum along with the Lykes, Hutchings, and Harris galleries, and the Texas and Galveston History Center.  All free.  And I must add, this library has the most extensive watercolor and art book collection I have seen in any public library.  Shelves and shelves.  I am still working my way through all their books.

A to Z Blogging Challenge, Galveston Edition - K is for Kitchen Chick

The Kitchen Chick Store

Kitchen Chick - 528 23rd Street - (409) 497-2999

Not only a fun store to find all things cool and chick, but they also offer cooking classes, too!

Squee!  Too cute (but also so useful)

If you collect and use old cookbooks, and wonder what to measure when the recipes call for a smidge (1/32 tsp), a pinch (1/16 tsp) and a dash (1/8 tsp)?  Here's the perfect measuring spoon set (and an adorable gift wrapping decoration for your favorite cook and baker).

No peeking!  Brewing tea staying at perfect temperature

I also found these cool silicone lid covers - they come in all sizes, but how could I resist (and share with a friend) these poppy tea mug lids?!

Be sure to check the Kitchen Chick website and Facebook page for great recipes, too!

Looking rosy

Watercolor
7 1/2" x 6"

Trial run painting a rose for a friend.   Inspired by a "Fire & Ice" rose photograph, I thought it still turned out pretty.  And I had a good time being in the moment, as once I reached the point of no return, I was slapping on more paint, trying to oomp up the values and playing with the background colors and washes.   There is a certain freedom in that.  No such thing as mistakes, only detours along the way.

(And a special thank you to the patient Apple Support guy helping me figure out the new Photos app with the recent Yosemite Mac update...)

A to Z Blogging Challenge, Galveston Edition - J is for Java

Get your Fair Trade and organic java/coffee, herbal teas and baked treats at
Mod Coffeehouse - 2126 Postoffice Street - (409) 765-5659

(My current favorite right now is an iced Raspberry Mocha latte with almond milk.  Seriously good and good for you.)

They also have a coffee truck, on the move throughout Galveston.   Watch for it!
(Yes, I got my iced raspberry mocha latte fix and was able to sip and stroll along the Seawall)

A to Z Blogging Challenge, Galveston Edition - I is for Island location

Painted wall - Sherwin-Williams store
1014 61st Street
You are here

29.2222° N, 94.9089° W

Thursday Tea Time - Happy Tasting!*

This week - Lahaha South Bay Coconut Peony White Tea

Cost:  $8.99 at Central Market
Number of tea bags: 12
Caffeine:  Yes
Type of tea:   White
Steeping time:  4 minutes
Mix ins:  Nothing needed.  Perhaps ice if you want to make a terrific iced tea with this.
Fragrance:   Floral-light coconut.
Opinion:   While a little on the pricey side, the box says the tea bag can be rebrewed up to to more times.  This is a nice, not-in-your-face coconut tea.  Light but still flavorful.  I like that you don't need to add anything else to your cup, it is perfect as is.  *Lahaha means "Happy Tasting"
Rating:  4.5

A to Z Blogging Challenge, Galveston Edition - H is for Happy Coffee

Happy Coffee Shop - 5102 Broadway (at 51st Street) - (409) 974-4492

Owner Randi is always happy, and she makes great coffees and healthy sandwiches, smoothies and offers Cambodian lunch specials, too.

A to Z Blogging Challenge, Galveston Edition - G is for Galveston Causeway

Welcome to Galveston!

This was our second year of participating in the UTMB FunD Run - how fun is it to be able to run (in our case, walk) across the Galveston Causeway?!  And it is also very windy at the top!

Reach the top - take a selfie!

Watercolor Wednesday - A river runs through it

Five Mile Dam - San Marcos/Kyle, Texas
Watercolor
8 3/4" x 11 1/2"

Class exercise playing around with monochromatic/analogous colors for landscapes.  I used Burnt Sienna for the former.  This was really a good learning piece for me.   From inspiration photo to sketch page composition, mixing color and the value in the details.

Heart-shaped rock from Five Mile Dam
See? It really is that color there!

A to Z Blogging Challenge, Galveston Edition - F is for Farmer's Market

Galveston's Own Farmers Market (#GOFM) on Sundays, from 9 AM to 1 PM - 2508 Post Office Street.  Arrive early, for many vendors will sell out quickly.  I love to get eggs, fresh veggies and fruit, breads (cinnamon raisin rolls!), 

Update:  Now Phil, the Galveston Bread guy, has mastered bagels.  I would tell you to get the Sea Salt bagel but it is one of the first to sell out and I end up missing out.  And the ciabatta bread.  Oh my!

goat cheese and soaps, juices, kombucha and honey...and so much more.  It is truly a fun gamble to see what delicious and healthy goodies you will find, and helping to support the independent companies, farms and vendors.  Win-Win!

Moon Dog Farms

(Oh my goodness, that Pure Beeing honey...I swear you will never buy any other honey again.)

Bestest honey EVER!

A to Z Blogging Challenge, Galveston Edition - E is for Elissa

Tall Ship Elissa

E is for Elissa.  Launched October 27, 1877,  this National Historic Landmark has been designated one of America’s Treasures by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.   Docked at the Texas Seaport Museum.  2200 Harborside Drive Galveston, TX 77550 (409) 763-1877

Happy Easter!

Qor watercolors -- Dioxazine Purple, Green Gold, Sap Green, Brown Oxide, Burnt Sienna and leftover previous combo of Raw Umber and Indigo for the tail and eyes.

Garden Update - Roses!

"There is simply the rose; it is perfect in every moment of its existence."
--Ralph Waldo Emerson

A to Z Blogging Challenge, Galveston Edition - D is for Dogs with Bagels

You can buy a copy of this book in Galveston at Maceo Spice and Galveston Book Store.  A fun beach read by Maria Elena Sandovici, she just published a sequel, "Stray Dogs and Lonely Beaches"

Elena also has a blog which she paints a daily watercolor, "Have Watercolors Will Travel" often featuring stories and watercolors about and around Galveston.

A to Z Blogging Challenge, Galveston Edition - C is for Cool Cemeteries

Galveston has several cemeteries, but my favorite is along Broadway (Avenue J).    Lots of interesting headstones and angel statues.   In a few weeks, the grounds will be covered with wildflowers.

Thursday Tea Time - Trader Joe's Combo!

This week - Trader Joe's Rooibos & Honeybush Tea

Cost:  $2.49
Number of tea bags: 20
Caffeine:  No
Type of tea:   Herbal - Rooibos
Steeping time:  6 minutes
Mix ins:  Nothing needed.  Perhaps ice if you want to make a terrific iced tea with this.
Ingredients:  Organic Fair-trade Rooibos tea (Aspalathus Linearis), Organic Honeybush tea.
Fragrance:   Sweet
Opinion:   I like it, a lot.  And the health benefits of both teas are bonus.  Kudos to Trader Joe's for combining them and at a great price.  Nice and pretty box, too.
Rating:  4

A to Z Blogging Challenge, Galveston Edition - B is for Bishop's Palace

The Bishop's Palace

B is for The Bishop's Palace    We went there years ago with my daughter's Girl Scout troop.  Be sure to stop in the Gift Shop to get a pin for their vest/sash.

A to Z Blogging Challenge, Galveston Edition - A is for Acupuncture

As in Hooked on Acupuncture.  I've been going to Clint McCallum since he opened over two years ago, and I have never felt better.  Clint is a Licensed Acupuncturist, Chinese Herbalist and Nutritional Health Coach.  2505 Market Street, Galveston, Texas 77550  |  409-241-3199

Reflection

8 1/4" x 12 5/8"

mise-en-scène --

Early evening.  The cold drizzle stopped momentarily. A truck idled in the parking lot, headlights illuminating a pale aureolin glow. . .

Learning to paint reflections in water.  This was fun!  I used many washes and layers of colors.  I love the water play.

A to Z Blogging Challenge - "Give Me A G!"

My theme for the 2015 A to Z Blogging Challenge is "Give Me A G"
-- all posts Galveston Island related.  Galveston's rebirth (again) after Hurricane Ike has been a reintroduction to all things fun and cool about this quirky and scrappy island just 55 miles South of Houston, Texas.  For this year's challenge I will blog -and watercolor- about Galveston.  Hopefully it will encourage you to visit and enjoy the treasures of this Island.

Bling it together

The closure on my favorite pair of Wit & Wisdom jeans came apart.  I tried a quick fix with a few taps of a hammer and some hot gun glue, but that was only temporary.    Fortunately for a girl who loves the rhinestones and all things sparkly, I happened to have a tiny rhinestone button which nestled perfectly into the front closure.  And for the underside support to cover the hole, a clear flat button.    A few quick stitches with needle and thread to secure and voila!   Blinged and back together.