Is This a Joke?

Last week I glanced in the window of a pricey clothing store in an  upscale shopping mall.  This is what I saw! I was so amazed at the condition of these jeans that I dug to the bottom of my purse for my camera. I figured I would get home and question what I had seen or at least have a hard time convincing Howard.

My brothers wore jeans on the farm, but they were not allowed to go into town wearing any clothing that looked like this.  As a matter of fact, I think they wore better when milking the cows.

I wonder who started this fad.  I also wonder how parents can afford them.  This store had a hefty price tag tied to the zipper. 

A couple of clerks watched me from the inside and smiled as I took the photos.  They probably knew what I was thinking....is this a joke?

If you can't count them, paint them!

Last night when I discovered I could not sleep, I decided to paint the sheep rather than counting them.  This is an 8X10 watercolor of England's Countryside.

Happy Birthday Denny!

Howard and I were invited to Denny Nystrom's 70th birthday party Saturday at Bloomfield Hills, MI.  When Denny entered the room, his face turned bright red.  I knew he was surprised!  He had no clue a daughter had flown in from Spain, another one from California, a friend from London and others who had come long distances to make the day special.

Two Beauties

Howard was invited back to the Beavercreek Christian Church to preach yesterday.  He served as their interm pastor last year.

These sweet ladies were chatting when I approached them with my camera. The one on the left recently lost her husband of 62 years: a WWII Vet.

The combined age of these widows is 181 years.  They have walked with the Lord all their lives, and they are quick to tell you they would do it all over again!

Crosley's Big Trip!

http://www.morganscanoe.com/2010/03/An-Adventurous-Trip-to-the-Waterfall-in-Matapalo.cfm

Crosley (on the left) is on a big adventure in Costa Rica. Click the link to learn all about it!

Sawyer (11 years olds)

Monday Sawyer came home from school sick.  Well, he was either sick or he wanted one of Mimi's fruit slushes.  Either way, he felt better lounging on our couch than he did at school tethered to a desk.

Kids know what they want and need. Grandparents understand that and come to their rescue.

Sunday Guests

Each Sunday afternoon around three o'clock the doorbell rings. I see two little faces pressed against the front window.  I don't have to guess who they are!  I know it's Rachel and Ellie.  One lives next door, and the other one lives down the street.  They come each week to play with Mimi. 

We go downstairs to the studio and make things.  They are eager to try out any medium they see.  However, colored pencils are not one of their favorites.  They like to use brushes with bright liquid colors that splash and slide all over the surface. Markers are also fun when used with stickers from my scrapbook supply. These girls are into action.  Colored pencils are boring!

When their art is finished, they go to the china cabinets and pick out a tea cup & saucer from my collection. This process takes a while. They never want to drink out of the same cup twice!  We have tea and cookies. Sunday Ellie (on the left) surprised me by bringing her own teabag.  She informed me that she liked mint better than the flavors I had. 

These girls are going to change the world, and they have already started.  At least they are changing mine...no more Sunday afternoon naps!

Raqlette Dinner

Howard and I bought a raqlette grill a few years ago while on vacation.  We thought it would be a fun meal for the grandkids. I discovered, however,  it was something you pack away and forget about! I ran across it this week and brought it out of storage. 

Howard is shown here getting it heated up while Sawyer watched.  Each serving dish is filled with items to be grilled...mushrooms, broccoli, summer squash, onions, peppers and chicken, etc. The individual pans on the lower level of the grill are filled with cheese waiting to melt under the heat. 

Once the food is grilled, you dip it in the cheese and eat it.  When it's time for the second course, the grill and pans are wiped clean and dessert items are added.  Chocolate bark replaces the cheese, and fresh fruit goes on the grill.

Sawyer doesn't look too interested here, but he got into it as the food was coming off the grill!

Hello Everyone.....I'm Back!!!

I want to thank those of you who have inquired about the blog. The fact that you have missed it is encouraging.   We have had a dreadful time with these computers, but I think Howard has fixed them!  He has devoted a lot of time to it anyway, and so far, they are working.  (I'm still having problems getting my photos imported, but it worked tonight. We'll see what happens next time.)

I'll give you a little update on what's happened in the Brammer family since my last entry.  The number one question is always, "How's Howard doing?"  Well, he is doing quite well.  Parkinson's is known for interrupting one's sleep pattern, and Howard can atest to that.  I would say that is his main complaint.  Lack of sleep for a few nights in a row will make anyone tired.  It is especially difficult for him.  Once he gets in a few all nighters, he is back to his old self.

He is still preaching at Kettering on weekends.  It is near Dayton; not far from Beavercreek where he spent a year doing the same.  The church is in the process of interviewing for a new pastor. I'm not going to be surprised if he applies.  Once he gets to know the people, he has a hard time saying good-bye.

Craig has accepted a position in Washington DC in the area of healthcare.  You can Google him and read more about it.  He will be leaving soon.  His family will remain behind which means they will continue living around the corner from us. We are extremely proud of Craig, and we anticipate him making a great contribution to the nation's healthcare.

Jason and Erin show no signs of leaving Chicago.  I thought the ice and snow would drive them this way, but not so.  Their hearts are definitely anchored in the Windy City!  Erin continues to manage the art business while he stays grounded in his studio. His latest claim to fame is in selling two original pieces to the owners of the penthouse in Chicago's Trump Towers.

I am no longer working at the coffee shop.  I found myself getting deeper and deeper into the business which was requiring more stamina than I wanted to give.  I compared it to nursing a baby.  You can't get very far away for any length of time without hearing a cry for help.  This isn't the way I had my retirement planned. I looked forward to no schedule and limited committments. I decided to leave Brutopia before I got so deeply involved I couldn't get out.

Okay....you're up to date on us, now let us hear from you.  If you have plans to come this way anytime, please add us to the schedule.  Remember we're within walking distance of Graeter's Ice Cream shop!!!

Much love to all of you,
Martha

New Painting

(My computer won't let me turn this photo.  It's still acting up!!!)  It was a hard decision for me to sell all my ceramic equipment two weeks ago ; however, it was a good move, and I am glad I did. The sale included a large kiln, commercial slab roller, wet saw, etc.  It took two trucks and a van to haul everything away.  Two artists went together and bought everything.  It was nice to sell it all at once.

Working with clay has been hard work. I decided it was time for a change. Watercolor has become my favorite medium.  I am making watercolored greeting cards, but I don't know what I'm going to do with them at this point.  Any ideas? 

Tonight I finished a new oil painting. I photographed it for you. It has been fun getting back into that medium as well. I started out by covering the canvas with a raw-umber acrylic glaze which I brushed on and then ragged off.  Then I painted the irises with oils, decoupaged handmade rice paper on the top and bottom before glazing it all over again with the raw-umber mixture. It measures 42"X26". 

Jason gave me the stretched canvas for my birthday several years ago.  He will be glad to know I finally got back to oils and used it.  The piece is being entered into a show this weekend.

Nancy Achberger's Art Show @ Brutopia

Nancy Achberger, in the white sweater, is one of Cincinnati's finest plein-air artist.  She hung her beautiful oil paintings in Brutopia during February. The Coffee Shop suddenly looked like a lovely French Bistro!