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What a day! As I readily prepare for a visit this weekend from my lovely friend Kat, I managed to add three new paintings to my Etsy store! It was so exciting to receive the prints.

Jinx Cute'ture Shop


Le Cirque

High Hopes

Ship of Dreams

 Le Cirque went unfinished for nearly a year until I was encouraged by a few friends to complete it. Today I finally did! It makes me smile to know I can share it now. Such an accomplishment. Its amazing what a little encouragement can do!

Most Affectionately Yours,

Rae

I'm In Love

I was scrolling through the news today when I somehow stumbled across this surprisingly creative and amazing artist, Slinkachu. I was in need of something uplifting for my spirit and this did that very thing immediately! 

Check out the website below:


The Little People Project

Here is one of my favorites called "Wish You Were Here".

I love the concept because life really is all about perspective! 

Just wanted to share that quickly. <3

Most Affectionately Yours,

Rae

Candy Hearts and Paper Flowers

Happy Monday, Darlings! Today was an instant success for me since I completed one of my ongoing projects. I feel so accomplished and I am really quite fond of it considering it took me a great while to design it. (I can't wait for the HD scan!)

(Yet again, a temporary photo taken with my beloved phone.)

The banner around the ship reads:

"Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made"

"Ship of Dreams"

I had a song stuck in my head today. Once in a blue moon it arises in the back of my mind and the sweet little chorus makes me feel so good inside! I wanted to share it here. Am I the only one who remembers this?

Also, it is time for Piglet to get a flea bath. It seems her explorations in the backyard have introduced her to some not-so-friendly friends. Given her severe fear of water this will be quite interesting. Looks like I'll need some help suds-ing her up!

Amidst purchasing a smoothie outside of the Cuban Coffee Queen, my friend Sally noticed the cutest kitten who had just been in the water for a swim (courtesy of his sailboat captain owner). His name is Sebastien and I have appointed him The Daily Cuteness - brought to you by yours truly.

 

 

Lastly, since I am a collector of the little things like moments, stickers, kittens, seashells, etc. I'd like to share my newest desire: A charm bracelet! Much like this one by Tiffany's:

AAHHH! I love the colors, the shapes, the meanings and the sparkles. I already have a list of the ones I really want. (A seahorse! An anchor! All of them?)

The charms by Juicy make my head spin.

How would I ever choose? And how cute is the whale!?

  Maybe this will be my birthday present to myself. <3

Most Affectionately Yours,

Rae

Its Never too Hot for Hot Boiled Peanuts!

Whew! The hectic part of my week has finally ended. I can now focus on some new paintings since I now have watercolor paper again and I am full of ideas. Hooray! It seems my creative block is over for now.

Referencing my previous post, elephants have been good luck for my friend Sam and I. I thought I'd pay tribute to them with one sitting quite carefree on a breezy afternoon in the country flying a kite. 

(Forgive the photo taken with my cell phone. I haven't scanned it just yet!)

Quite a happy guy, indeed! <3

In other news, I worked this week in Islamorada. My view from the office:

I am seriously obsessed with the anchor so casually reclining in the waves. And how adorable are the buoys and the little boat? It looks like a castaway's island! 

When I arrived home I went for a bicycle ride and saw THIS guy! He is probably the prettiest rooster I have ever seen and I cannot wait to paint him. I think it is going to be my next project. I love how the tip of his tail feathers are white. He has the most lovely golden flecks all throughout his feathers and a beautiful aquamarine in his tail as well. I just had to share him!

Tonight I am having a few friends over for some white wine and Cajun Boiled Peanuts. They're a southern favorite and one of my serious weaknesses. I made them for the first time last night and might I say - they're DELICIOUS!

I have been asked for the recipe, so here it is!

Ingredients:

1 bag RAW peanuts (not roasted)

3 oz. Zataran's Crab Boil

1 small can Jalapenos in juice

1/2 cup sea salt (or more to taste)
A dash of Cayenne pepper

2 Tbsp. Cajun spices

1 Tbsp. Paprika

1 Tbsp. Garlic Powder

Directions:

Place all ingredients in a large pot and cover peanuts in water. Boil on Medium High for 45 minutes to an hour.

Transfer to a slow cooker/crock pot (I preheated mine while they were boiling since it takes awhile). Put the lid on, crank it up to High and let the magic happen! Don't forget to check once in awhile for water level. 

In about 10-15 hours they are soft and incredible. 

Mmm, tada! Enjoy!

Most Affectionately Yours,

Rae

Sweet Home Chicago

Hello again! Now that I have returned from my road trip to Chicago and I am excited to upload my photos and share my favorites!

We traveled through Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana and finally Illinois.

I had my photo taken with three really big things along the way.

1) A GIANT GATOR

2) A GIANT COW

3) A GIANT FIREWORKS BILLBOARD!

Those were not the only big things we saw. We made a u-turn and backtracked six miles to Dinosaur World in Cave City, Kentucky. I LOVE dinosaurs! Especially creepy theme park dinosaurs!

 

One of my life long obsessions has been city lights & skylines. Chicago is a city full of lights and vintage signs that I adore.

I should mention that Sam and I had a lucky streak the entire trip and one of those blessed occurrences was our having a front row window seat overlooking the Chicago skyline at night -- whilst having martinis on top of the John Hancock building's 96th floor.

Normally I am spoiled with a gorgeous sunset over the water from some angle of this island. I haven't seen a city sunrise before -- until now. And I love it!

The Shedd Aquarium was another gorgeous spectacle. I was fortunate enough to see the Jellies exhibit that just opened. I was in LOVE with the beautiful colors and display of these incredible creatures.

  

I only wish I could have brought this Nautilus lamp home. Isn't it incredible?

 

 

Chicago is full of art in every form. I was excited to see the architecture especially. This beautiful temple is an example of the eclectic and cultural influences that adorn every corner of the city. The temple also had a beautiful garden with large, happy tulips and fountains. Gorgeous!

  

Navy Pier was particularly entertaining. After taking the water taxi from the aquarium to the pier, I enjoyed lobster bisque and the palm gardens inside. This is where I purchased my good luck charm Elephant necklace (which I am certain works quite well).

I also made a new furry friend with a Hello Kitty Head that I just couldn't get enough of. He is probably the largest cat I've ever seen in my life, and was in love instantly. <3 <3 <3

 On my way to see the Bean I stopped to hug a tree who looked like it could use one. It was a very cold, wet day and if a tree is going to make an effort like this it deserves some admiration.

 

So after five days of amazing sights, deep dish pizza, SuperDawg, free chocolate cake, a private cruise down the Chicago river, Dinosaur World, martinis above the world, Cajun hot boiled peanuts, elephant charms, water taxis, trains, museums, the aquarium, eating lots of soup, getting pooped on by a seagull, staying in a Super 8 palace, playing in front the bean, and all of our other adventures, I am excited to be home. But I will miss the huge buildings being eaten by the cloudy afternoon sky.

 Most Affectionately Yours,

Rae