Friday painting day...

Ahhhhh man - I am desparate to paint.  My commissions are piling up and I still have to build stock for my shop and a little gift shop that is keen on my pieces.  I had much work to do this morning for work work.  So I woke up early and faced that until around 2pm - and then hit my canvas'.  My niece and her beau were coming over to paint with me and experience oil painting for the 1st time.  I love sharing oils with people because I know a lot of people who are afraid of it yet I find it the most satifying and wonderful medium of them all.  We nestled up by the fire and painted and chatted all afternoon.  I love that when your hands are busy creatively - lovely gems fall right out of the heart.  It's really "play therapy" in many regards.  I love these two people dearly and it was a beautiful way to spend my afternoon.  Treasured moments.  The bonus of our time together - I managed to finish a small commission today and start a new one for my stock.  #Stoked

Cabin Fever...

With it being school holidays, raining so much, bitterly cold and my running partner away to see a specialist about her ITB... I haven't been able to get out and train as much as I wanted to this week.  Aren't you loving all my excuses.  But come Thursday evening - the cabin fever had seriously set in.  With it being so busy in the home this week too... I hadn't even got enough hours in the studio.  Needless to say... I'm feeling a tad frustrated.

When the hubby asked if I wanted to go for a walk in the forest - I almost bolted right out the door without my running kit on...

I've been trying to map out some trail running routes in the forest for us... so we were without a doubt exploring.  We discovered this awesome trail called #Woodcutter's Path and it was delightful.  I am bringing the girls back, for sure.  It was a welcome surprise and hard to believe this special place is right in the middle of our city.  I know many people who live where we do and don't even know that this place exsits.  A little piece of heaven.  #priveledged

I found this amazing big log that had been cut into a bench.  what a stunning place to rest!



It's beautiful Kitty's turn for a run..

Kitty was chomping at the bit to get out for her run with me.  It had been raining and stormy all day... so I wasn't too hopeful but around 4pm we had a break in the weather and we dashed out the door... She did well for her 1st run in ages.  She wants to keep fit during the holidays so when she gets back to school she's fit for dancing.  We ran/walked for 3kms.  But the walking was all about holding hands and cuddling.  She's so sweet, this little cuddlebug of mine.  Such treasured moments.   Those little cheeks were rosy red when we got home. 

So loving running with my girls!!!!

Precious stolen moments...

Digz and Kitty had a date tonight and they 
had been planning it all week.  There was much excitement all afternoon.  They very sweetly plan little surprises for each other for their evening out.  Kitty made Digz cards and spent all morning making them and Digz got her a polo-fleece jacket. The biggest part of that was that it's PINK.  All her, of course.  They had a really special evening together.  Nothing better than father/daughter quality time.

While the other two were out, we made use of our time too... we put our running shoes on and hit the road, we got to ran a little 5km's together.  How stunning that we can do this together.  I always promised myself that I would stay fit and healthy so that I can keep up with my girls.  Everytime I do something like this with them - I am grateful for that promise I made myself.  We got home, tidied up, made supper and ate together.  Some serious chatting going on and lots of teachable moments.  I love these stolen cherished moments together.  We got ready to meet the other two to take in a family movie together.

What an excellent day.