The ever obliging tree...

  I used to dread the idea of painting a tree.. it was just so daunting to me...trees are very complicated folk. I just did not understand the nature of the tree...  So I decided I would get  to know trees up close and personal. It all started years ago,when I had to draw a tree with 27 birds in it. I scoured through hundreds of  photographs, carefully examining them with an inquiring eye. But that is no way to meet a tree. So I did the wise thing. I took a very long walk in the woods, I gathered tree bark and lichens and mosses and branches... I talked to the trees and discovered  that they are all  very different from one another. Just like snowflakes, trees have distinct personalities, unique qualities, identifying birthmarks and scars and loads of personality. I defy you to find 2 identical trees. Really... go examine a few and here is what you will find.....

   

an astounding amount of branches and twigs that twist , turn and cavort in a dizzying array of directions.  

 Mosses and Lichens that take up residence on the kind hospitality of the host..

 '

Even when the Host is no longer in the land of the living

 Aren't these simply stunning adornments on a winter tree stump?

Tree feet come in a variety of shapes and sizes...

.

          And just look at the interesting array of doorways, windows and hideouts ready for immediate occupancy. free of rent, courtesy of MR and Mrs. Tree. These are available to any and all creatures willing to brave the long walk upward... or the basement apartment, near a quiet stream.

 Even old and empty trees provide a home for entire families of creatures great and small.

 Cozy retreats for the largest of families.

       You may meet a forest of trees, and from afar, they all look the same. Get up close and really get to know them and you will agree with me; there are no two trees alike. Nowadays, painting and drawing trees is something I take on with great enthusiasm! I do love those trees.... Below are a few I painted in this weeks illustration.

 Trees make  good  bases for teeter totters too!

   Hurrah for trees!!!

  I have actually painted the entire piece, except for 15 tiny frogs which will be located on the left hand border. I will show you next week.

  James's stew, this week, is   EXCELLENT!  Here is my husbands advice: Go to YouTube to get the basics, because most recipes are pretty much the same, then GET CREATIVE!

Here is what he threw in the pot:

Celery salt is your friend, Real celery too, Onions, Carrots, Garlic, Cubed roast, Beef Stock, Beef base, Tomato paste, canned tomatoes, 1/2 box of barley.  A wee bit of these spices: Rosemary, Sage, Bay Leaves, Nutmeg ( yes, I said Nutmeg) 1/4 cup sugar.

James really outdid himself last night. Not only did he make up this delicious stew, but also. roasted chicken, spaghetti sauce, AND homemade croutons. He likes to cook in bulk. Believe it or not, all his recipes yield less than 250 calories per serving!

  BEORE

 AFTER

  Eat a bowl of this stew, and then... go climb a tree!

.

"Climb the steps of the tree, that go up high... to the squirrely house, in the leafy sky" 

(The above "tree house"  is from my second book, "The Journey of Bushky Bushbottom"