September 2018

September began the transition to fall. Although, sitting here in 85 F temperature does not feel very fall-ish. I'm thankful it's not freezing...

I made this gluten free plum galette for an event I went to. Must try to remember to make more galettes -- so easy and less time consuming than a pie! (Original, not gluten-free, recipe is here.)

I have to include pictures from my Monday job at Blooms because the flowers bring me so much joy!

 One evening we had a visitor during our patio dinner. This bunny boldly hopped right out of the garden and sat munching the weed pile during our entire dinner.

Not scared at all, he then hopped right across the patio in front of us!

September brought a fun family birthday celebration for my sister's husband,  JK.

The party was at Wildwood Market and the place looked so festive!

Such a lovely evening!

My newest fig tree finally bore fruit! Nothing like picking fruit from one's own tree!

The colors of fall are so rich and beautiful. All the squash and pumpkins have me captivated!

Another week of flowers:

This is my studio workspace. It usually isn't so bright and pretty because mostly I work in the early morning before the sun comes up and the shade is pulled. This space is actually in my bathroom!

I'm busy prepping for fall workshops!

Here's a look at the cheese plates from JK's party -- we'll be having Wildwood's cheese plates at the Fall Menu Painting workshop!!!

We made it to the orchard on the spur of the moment one evening right before they closed. It's a long-standing tradition!

Don't worry -- they are only allowed to throw bad apples.

James is very interested in falconry and was invited to go with several licensed falconers we know to capture their new bird (and thus rescue it from being shot at the airport). It's just amazing to be up close to these impressive birds!

Cousin Arthur turned five and we celebrated! YAY!

More beautiful flowers were put together:

Just look at that wealth of color, texture, and inspiration!

Got to make sure I'm being a good "Purdue mom" by using my mug. :)

One of the highlights of the month was a trip to my mom's pumpkin patch. What beauty where she lives!!!

Moms 12 little hills of pumpkin seeds have yielded many, many pumpkins.

Everyone had their pick!

We ended the month with James' 14th birthday!

And now for October -- the incredible month of beauty and color here in the Midwest! I'm looking forward to it!

Summer Update

It's time for a quick update!

Summer was beautiful and busy with only 9 weeks of free-time from school! 

We travelled to Oklahoma with all of Michael's other siblings to celebrate and remember together the life of Michael's dad and to celebrate his mom's birthday. It was a wonderful week of family time!

Two weeks later we travelled to Michigan with my side of the family to celebrate my mom's 70th! Talk about a summer filled with extended family time! So thankful for all the wonderful memories!

We also had dear friends visit for a week of adventures that included hiking, kayaking, the State Fair, walking around Zionsville, and visiting the Art Museum.

The most momentous happening of the summer was taking Rachel to college! She is now an official Purdue student and loves it! Engineering is keeping her very busy.

My mom and I taught four nature journaling workshops over the summer. We loved watching everyone get excited about watercolor and recording their nature observations.

I started a new job -- I work for my sister at her floral shop on Mondays. My job is to create market bouquets for Wildwood Market. It's a treat every week to get to work with such beauty and to have a few hours of quiet.

Andrew turned 16 and is a junior this year at Covenant Christian High School. He loves soccer and spent his summer and fall working out/playing with the soccer team.

 James started at Covenant as a freshman. He loves high school and is especially excited that he has art class every day!

 That leaves me with just two children to homeschool this year. Times are changing. It's strange having an "older" family now.

I have been busy on several creative fronts -- one of which is organizing new watercolor workshops for the fall. I'll be doing one on pumpkins and squash, another one on creating a decorated menu for Thanksgiving, and a Christmas Botanical Gift Tag workshop.

I also finally created my own website! Yay! And my website has class sign-up available on it! 

I'll be keeping this blog for family updates but posting my artwork on Instagram (heather.winslow.lefebvre) and (westside.art.workshop) and blogging any nature-related posts and book-related posts over at my website.

I hope you all have a wonderful fall!