Wine Anyone? :)

As most of you know by now I am an avid Wine lover/drinker/Napa Valley visitor. So, it goes without saying there is usually a glass or two of wine around to take photos of. Here are a couple I took recently and decided, just for fun, to alter them a little and see how they turned out.

I hope you enjoy the results :)

Some I have listed in my Etsy Photography Shop :)

Click on images for a larger image

More Wine Anyone - Shimmering

More Wine Anyone B. & W.

More Wine Anyone

Wine Anyone

Wine Anyone B. & W.

Wine Anyone - Sepia

I am having so much fun with my Photography, I am also working on some larger Art pieces right now, maybe a few photos of those soon :)

In keeping with the Family Tradition of enjoying wine our Daughter is a Sommelier in training, (yes, she is studying to become a Sommelier) and she has a great blog full of interesting facts and information relating to wine and the wine industry. Check out The Wine Key I think you will enjoy it :)

And lastly, I want to offer my Wonderful Blogging Friends a special on any purchase of my Photography. From now until the end of May you can buy any 8 x 10 Photo in my Etsy Shop for just $10.00, yep, you read that right, and get another for only $5.00. So, come on by and see all the wonderful photos you can choose from, just convo me thru my shop or drop me an email HERE. I will be happy to make a reserved listing for you :)

Have a Wonderful Day!

Happy Painting/Creating! :) T.

Oh We Could Have One Big Party!

Well, we were in Napa Valley, California as few weeks ago to get some much needed R. & R. Waking up every morning to the view of the hills nearby in the sunshine and going for a morning swim in this wonderful pool, having breakfast made for me, I truly felt like I was in heaven.

And then of course, there are the wonderful sunsets, after a beautiful day of sunshine, like this one taken over Lake Hennessey.

And so to the grapes, of course one of the fun things to do in Napa is to go wine tasting, but too much of a good thing.................

I find that some of the wineries are just way over the top, too pretentious and it becomes a chore rather than a fun experience to wine taste there. So, we go out of our way to find smaller places that are really excited to have customers and often you are talking to the actual people who make the wine and have a true passion for what they are doing. These are the great moments on a vacation when you hit on the "off the beaten track" locations.

I couldn't resist adding this photo, isn't he adorable, of course he thought I had food for him, so when he had finished his photo shoot I did buy some pellets ( from the conveniently placed goat food vending machine - those tourists will do anything for a photo!)

The landscape in Napa Valley is a mixture of rugged terrain and pristine vineyards. I love the combination and never tire of seeing it. :)

Did I mention that we love wine? So, we got a little carried away and last week these boxes arrive and I have nowhere to put it all. (I still have a few cases of wine from last year's trip) Now I have to go and buy a wine fridge. Well, this will last us a while, I think. :)

So, if you are ever in the area (Oregon) and fancy a glass of California's best don't hesitate to stop by, we have plenty to go around.

Happy Painting/Creating! :) T.

Don't for get to enter my October Giveaway. :)
http://poppyplacepdx.blogspot.com/2009/10/time-for-another-giveaway.html

Empty Nesting!

IT"S OFFICIAL!!!!!!!!



As my Son flies off to return to University in England, OMG, it hit me and hard, this is it, I am now OFFICIALLY an "Empty Nester!"

Some women hang out the "Vacancy" sign and throw a party when their kids go off to college.

Some Women have nervous breakdowns and can't function when their "Babies" are no longer home. I think I fall somewhere in the middle.

With One 1,000 miles away in a different State, One 2,000 miles away in the opposite direction in yet another State and One 6,000 miles away on a different Continent, I feel I have done my job in raising kids who are confident enough to go off and explore the planet. Of course, some might say I drove them away with my constant nagging and demands but who would say that???? :)

In these harsh economic times I have seriously thought about renting out a couple of rooms but what would we do at Christmas when they all return, I'm way too polite to tell my kids to sleep on the sofas (or am I?!?!?) I do not think I am going to have a nervous breakdown anytime soon but I am going to party! I have planned a weeks vaca to Napa with the "Old Man" and a little R.& R. which is much needed. Sitting in the California sunshine and sipping wine at 4 o'clock in the afternoon by the pool with nowhere to be, no one expecting dinner cooked, no laundry to be done, no airlines tickets to be booked, school fees to be paid (ok, that is on going) you get the picture :)

Expect photos of that trip when I get back but it most probably will be of wine and more wine. :)

What I really am looking forward to in the coming months is literally having my life back. I will wonder around the house and not see anything out of place (ok, I have to tidy it all up first, of course, just indulge me a little) Then I will listen to the silence, walk to my art area and be the most creative I have been in a long time. Do I hear "Dream On!"

Of course, there is always the other scenario that I never get the things put away, the silence will be overwhelming and I walk to my art area and disolve into a jibbering wreck and not move until everyone comes home again at Christmas!

No, I don't think so. I love my kids greatly but now it is my time. See you in 10 days, I'm off to pack my bags and get ready to fly to Cali!!!!!!

Happy Painting/Creating! :) T.