Birds and Berries -Paint Party Friday

I have a great love for bluebirds.  When I was a child, my siblings and I were running up from the canyon, when we found a strange woven bag lying on the trail.  I picked it up and three little bluebirds flew out.  It was their nest and somehow had come loose and fallen.

I was so charmed.  I've never lost my love for these little birds.

I hope you have a lovely weekend, dear Friends.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Birds and Berries -Paint Party Friday

The drawing above is a sketch/doodle, which I inked in a few days ago.  As you see, there's a story here.  Yes, the little bird in the middle has two suitors.  One seems taken aback, and the other is pretty sure of himself.

There are so many birds around this time of year--they flock into my garden where I watch them flirt, eat and sing.  Spring is such a delightful time of year.

Here's an extra for you all!  Because it is so close to Mother's Day I'm also posting this colored pencil drawing I drew of my sister and her little girl when my niece was a tiny baby. 

Thank you for stopping by today.  Your visit has brought joy to my heart.  Have a lovely weekend, sweet Friends.  Happy Mother's Day and Happy Paint Party Friday!

Blackberry Faery -Paint Party Friday

About seven years ago, a good friend of mine gave me three starts of some thornless blackberry bushes! The fruit is delicious, and without the inevitable scratches and prickles, it is a pleasure to harvest them.  This year they are just dripping with fruit.

The day I took the photo from which this pen and ink evolved, was sunny and hot. I can still hear the bees lazily buzzing in the lavender bush, the fragrance of the berries, and AH, the rich taste of the ripe fruit.

I shared a bite with the Berry Faery, you know. She thought they were tasty, too.

I don't have the original photo, due to a sad loss of data back then.

This will be a bitter sweet weekend--another holiday--July Fourth, without my Beloved.  It is hard to believe he has been gone 18 months already.  Yet, God is good and there is joy to be found.

Have a lovely weekend, dear Friends, Happy Paint Party Friday, and to those of you who are here in the United States, Happy Fourth of July!