Almost exactly a year ago [how weird is that?] I started working on my 6 panel art/painting project. The project actually began in 2004/2005-ish when I bought the 6 panels of canvas board, laid them out on the floor in my old apartment, and sketched a big tree onto them. The plan was to paint 3 panels dark and 3 panels light so together they make one picture but half day/half night.
I have never been much of a griller. For YEARS it was because I was scared I couldn’t do it. Abbie kept telling me “IT’S SO EASY!” but grilling for myself was never very motivating. After meeting Jim, I decided it was time to finally learn. I’m mostly in charge of dinner and DIY and he’s mostly in charge of laundry and dishes, so the grill falls squarely in my domain.
For many months I’ve been toying with the idea of creating a stained glass project framed by wood. As in, finding the perfect wood frame and then creating something to put in it. I was partly inspired by stained glass projects my friend and glass mentor Abbie has done, especially her light box which is a 3 dimensional wooden box with a front made of multi colored beach glass, and filled with an LED light string that slowly changes colors. It’s mesmerizing!
The last time I Created Art While Intoxicated was in 2013. As I’ve said before, I rarely get drunk [which is why there were no 2014 or 2015 Intoxicated Art posts]. It’s not often I decide to really let go. But sometimes I do, and sometimes while in a state of joyful inebriation I feel compelled to be creative. Two weekends ago I drank 4 Mike’s Mango Punches and informed hubby that I absolutely HAD TO GO PAINT.
I just added 4 new cat platforms to the upstairs hall. That makes a total of 25 platforms I’ve built in the past 3 years. TWENTY FIVE. If that doesn’t earn me Crazy Cat Lady status I don’t know what will! OK, maybe walking down the street with a shopping cart full of cats… *shudder*. This past weekend I put the finishing touches on 4 new platforms surrounding the girl cave doorway.
One of the things on my 2016 Projects list is to paint the border of the 3 way-up-high windows on the back of our house. I want them white to match the 9 replacement windows we had put in last August.
All I can say is: It’s freaking amazing to have working lights in the back yard!!! I’ve lived in the condo since 2012. For the first 2 years, I didn’t even realize the ugly black things stuck to the wall in the back yard were the remnants of old flood lights. Last year I finally recognized them for what they were, and this year I did something about it!
One of the projects on my 2016 Projects list is to install lights in the back yard where there have always been two weird black receptacles. I decided to see what was under the receptacles – better to find out what’s underneath before going any further. After work I got my ladder out, climbed up, and used my voltage tester to see if there was any electricity running to the receptacles. Nothing. Dammit!
Another item from my 2016 Project List done, albeit not a very exciting one. The original metal back door that goes from the yard into the living room has always been ugly brown on the inside and outside. Now it’s black on the outside and white on the inside to match our other doors.
Two weeks ago we hosted some very special visitors: Daniela Braun and her husband Joachim Braun. They hail from the Stuttgart area of Germany. It was wonderful to meet them! Joachim has been to the US many times, but it was Daniela’s first trip. Apparently New England is very different from Southern Germany! We did so many things while they were here, including the New England Aquarium, the Crane Estate, Salem, Rockport, and Walden Pond.
