Well it’s Sunday and almost 4 pm here in Canowindra NSW.  Not very far from home just under an hour towing our van.  We are here to celebrate our combined sixtieth birthday.  A few school friends still getting together after all these years! Pretty impressive I think.  Some live in Byron Bay and Brisbane so have made a huge effort to come.   Maria’s home was truly amazing.  One hundred years old and the biggest home I’ve seen.  The two rooms out the back would make an awesome art studio I’m thinking.  
Today we have rested and I’m drawing and blogging. The drawing was a self portrait I will share as well.  
not sure if anyone reads my little blogs but that’s ok.  It’s also a good place to come and look back at what I have done and where we have been

Back to my drawing.  
kind regards to all Maree 

#studio63

Well Christmas Day has been done twice this year. Last Saturday I had twenty family for dinner and it was noisy and wonderful. A house full of happiness sharing a meal together and watching our grandkids open gifts is pretty special.Christmas Day we had four at my Mums for a lovely roast turkey and baked veggies.  Mums 86 so Hubby and I cooked for her this year and my sister Beth.

Then a little afternoon nap and cocktails with my daughter Melissa, Ash and family. Two doors from our house  how lucky  

Today is clean up morning and maybe some painting later 

Merry Christmas arty friends 

PS.  I had my painting in our local art gallery for a member’s exhibition (almost didn’t enter) but so very glad I did. The theme was Life in Rhythm and I had a pic in our local paper.

So this is day ten of our “week away”  Imagine that,  being able to stay a little longer when you find a nice place.  Picnic point is on the Murray and it is super peaceful.  I am about to paint Santa so let’s stop procrastinating and give him a whirl!  More later arty friends.   Hey if you read my blogs I would love to hear from you.  Maree 👋

Well if I was a work it would be morning tea time but since I have retired I am not working.   Oh don’t worry I have a lovely big coffee in my hand.  Old habits die hard!  
About me ….  
Hello from Australia Forbes.  I have just joined the seniors club turning sixty last month.   I have three adult children who I am very proud of. I am married to a kind caring man also semi retired, Paul who is waiting to get away caravanning.  Lockdown has prevented that for now.   Last weekend we parked our Jayco van in the back yard and lit a fire and it was fantastic.  Might do it again soon.  We have been married 39 years and own our own business in a small country town in NSW. Forbes. 

Two of our children Melissa and Tim have taken on our business and working together well.   We sell Polaris side by sides and outdoor garden stuff.  Mowers brush cutters etc. Plus repair and service all that and more.  We started this business in October 1988. So they have it in their bones!   Jodie our third child is a teacher married with two adorable kids and loves life to the fullest.  We have six grandchildren in total. Lehni 12. Will 11, Rigby 10 , Hannah 10, Charlotte 4, Jack 2 Life is busy.

We are lucky to have Mel and Ash and kids living two houses up from us and nice big yards for them to run about ride push bikes and motorbikes and pretend camp down the back.  

I found Cinnamon through Lifebook2020. Thoroughly enjoyed this last year and still doing Lifebook2021.  Not quite as intense this year but that’s because there are SO MANY ARTISTS to learn from.   The Art Sherpa is inspiring. I paint better with her guidance.   I have a beautiful room filled with craft supplies and art.   #studio63  #madebymaree  and you can find me on Facebook and Instagram Nanny_Ree_Art   I have quilted stippled down jelly roll rugs and many Santa stockings and hand bags.  Now I paint and sewing has been shelved for now.   

I must say even though we are in lockdown and having worked for thirty plus years. I am enjoying my time at home don’t mind the solitude one bit and will continue to paint and draw as much as I possible can.  I am pretty sure it is addictive

Stay safe and well my new arty friends 

Be kind always 

Maree