Make time slow down!

Oh my, I know it's been a while and I've been thinking of my readers. I've had the busiest week with  a few commitments. Also, the recent weather has been so lovely that one really must take advantage before it gets too cool.
For example, this past Saturday, was my first guild UFO day of the year which I didn't want to miss. It was so nice out though that I came home by 3PM, so I could get out onto the nearby trail for some sketching. I packed up a small sketching bag, my camera and a little stool.

It's about 5 minutes by bicycle from my house, so just doable for me right now. The woods are so pretty too  with the changing leaf colors and the lower autumn sunlight.

I want to look for a chair that's more comfortable for longer sketching times but this is perfect for now. The air was becoming chilled after I sat for a while.

I'm really enjoying getting out and practicing my sketching skills. Soon it will be too cold.

 I hope I'll get in a few more sessions before it's too cold. There is so much to draw the eye. I've got to get this at another time of day. The ferns in the forefront are very golden but were unfortunately the camera was shaded.

Last week, I was playing with acrylic paints on a heavy watercolor paper and my personally designed screens for a project I had in mind. This is really fun-- to gather some supplies and start applying paint without any real firm ideas of how it will end. Play time. Here is the first layer randomly scattered.

Next screen.

And more.

Then I added a wash of watercolor in blue and green.

After it was dry I cut it all up to make 2 dozen book marks.

These were my party favors! Even though entertaining is totally outside our comfort zone, my husband and I held an open house yesterday in celebration of my 60th birthday. It's actually tomorrow. Several friends contributed with food which really helped. I made mini cupcakes and muffins as well as my own ice tea which was very popular! Gord ordered fruit and veggie trays.
We managed at least 20 or so here and there despite our tiny house. Luckily, it was a beautiful day allowing for a bit of spillover to the deck.
The only pictures we took were of me and another quilter receiving our 60th birthday quilts form our little quilting group. I was very touched to see them all trooping up the driveway. There are no words to express how it felt to see them all and to receive the beautiful quilt.

I have to admit that I wasn't really looking froward to my 60th; I think because of all the physical health issues I've been having--kind of dreading it maybe. Then, when I attended another open house I got the idea that we could do it too and it would make it more of a celebration. I used the opportunity to take donations for my latest charity, The Alzheimer's Society  in honor of my mom. I raised $200.!

I cropped out all the other friends as I haven't' received the OK from all of them to publish  them on my blog. This is my friend Anne. I have always loved the Bento box pattern and especially in bright colors.
I had a pretty peaceful sleep under it last night.

I recommend celebrating simply with friends when you're having a challenging year. Even my daughter surprised me with a quick visit from Prince Edward Island! It was a happy day.

Well, I'm off now to squeeze a little more out of this beautiful fall day.