As much as I love a good snowfall before Christmas, I still consider it as part of the decorations that should get stuffed into boxes and hidden under the stairs by January 2nd. I am tired of the ice, snow, slush and "wake up snap" of chilly weather. On Sunday Peter and I went for a walk in 8 degree sunshine. I actually had to remove my hat and gloves because I was overheating. The sky was that perfect shade of cerulean blue, cloudless. I understand that most of the valley was under a thick damp blanket of fog but I wasn't and it was easy to daydream of sand, surf and paddling into the wind. Carol Kinnee at www.carolkinnee.com , my partner in crime with 52 Over 50 blogging has embraced the snow this week with snowshoeing adventures. But I am happy to see the green grass and rain puddles of our warm wet coast.

In the studio this week I have been painting on that 9" x12" Arches 140# hot press block that I was talking about last week and I'm really having a lot of success with it. I also downloaded an App called Artgrid (free!). It takes my favorite photos and re-defines the grayscale and (surprise!) marks a grid. This makes my initial sketches go much quicker and easier because it drops unnecessary detail.

I would like to take a moment to invite you to check out 2 more very talented artist friends "Over 50" www.cathypelter.com and on facebook Melanie Gilette of "sew many quilts so little time". I am lucky to know Cathy through the Fraser Valley Graphic Guild and Melanie is a paddling quilter. More about that later. Please check out their wonderful creations at their websites.

Happy Tuesday everybody and especially Happy Birthday to my niece Jamie. See you next week.