The storms knocked out the power in my neighborhood for 26 hours. A very long 26 hours indeed.

It was like the Stone Age. No TV. No computer. No Internet.

No lights. No matter how many times you hit the light switches out of habit, uh-uh, they're not coming on.

Fortunately I had a couple of camping lanterns. So I got my flashlight, and went looking for the batteries for the lanterns.

Then I had light, but nothing to read. I've got some paperback books somewhere. Couldn't find them.

I moved the cheese from the fridge to the freezer. (Gotta save the cheese.)

I remembered my cell phone. Smart phones! The world in the palm of your hand! The battery was running low, so I braved the storm long enough to use the car recharger. That bought me enough time to check the news headlines ("Winter Storm Knocks Out Power!" No kidding?).

When the power finally came back on, I celebrated by making toast. Ahh, the things we take for granted.

New in my Etsy Store!

Terrier Playing the Piano Journal.

Yup. Those little dogs really are that smart.

Available at my Etsy store.

Fine Art America Tree Painting Contest Winners

Here are the top three winners:

First Place: Murphy Lake by Sandra Strohschein
Second Place: Blue Autumn by Ketti Peeva
Third Place: Tree by Sorin Apostolescu

Here are the rest of the winners in the Top Twenty:

Blossom by Evelina Popilian
That Special Place by Marco Antonio Aguilar
Sunset Palm by Jenn Holmberg
Lonely Olive Tree by Elise Palmigiani
Autunno Nei Boschi by Guido Borelli
Birch and Beech and Other Trees by Conrad Mieschke
Birch Buddies by Richard T Pranke
Rockville Roots by Gary Gowans
Think Spring by Carol Wisniewski
Winter Impression by Ana Maria Edulescu
Birch Trees Near a Lake Michigan Dune by Michelle Calkins
Fade Out by Ganev Smallwood
Reborn by Kalib Anglin
Winter Reflections by Mikki Alhart
Tree of Life by Rae Chichilnitsky
Black and White Trees by Suzanne Granger
Exposed by Kristin Hartman

Congratulations to all of the winners, and a sincere "thank you" to all of the talented artists who participated in this contest.

New Journals!

This handcrafted journal features my original painting, "Exhilaration".

Available at my Etsy store.

Congratulations to The Great Outdoors Art Contest Winners!

Here are the winners of The Great Outdoors Art Contest on Fine Art America:

First Place: Early in the Morning by Sorin Apostolescu
Second Place: Abyss by Sorin Apostolescu
Third Place: Fishermen by Arvind T. Akki

Honorable mention for the other talented artists in the Top Twenty:

Sunlight in the Valley by Elise Palmigiani
At First Light by Marco Antonio Aguilar
Autumn in the forest by Sorin Apostolescu
Comes the Dawn by Debra Mickelson
Coolblue Water by Mary Scott
La Danse des Oliviers by by Elise Palmigiani
A Sunny Day in Provence by Elise Palmigiani
Sunny River by Karen Ilari
Peaceful Moments by Marco Antonio Aguilar
Sunset Poppies by Ana Maria Edulescu
Winter Impression by Ana Maria Edulsecu
Fall Scene by Wahleyah Black
Half Dome Yosemite by Maryann Schigur
The Old Wooden Boat by James Neeley
Down In The Valley by John Cocoris
Trout Calling by John D Mabry
Goldeye Woods by Madeleine Arnett

My new Fine Art America art contest, Tree Paintings, is now accepting submissions. The deadline for entering your artwork is Friday, March 11, 2011, at 1:46 a.m. EST. Voting will be open to the general public as well as FAA members.

Voting Has Now Begun

...on The Great Outdoors Art Contest

at Fine Art America.

Voting is open to the general public.

Cast your vote for your favorite painting here!

One Day Left!

...to submit your landscape paintings to

The Great Outdoors Contest

on Fine Art America.

The deadline for entires is Saturday, 2/26/11,

at 6:56 p.m. Pacific time.

New Fine Art America Contest

From now until 2/26/11, you can submit your original landscape paintings to the new art contest I'm hosting at Fine Art America:

The Great Outdoors

Limit of 3 paintings per artist.

Voting is open to the general public as well as FAA members.

The first, second, and third place winners' artwork will be posted on my blog and Facebook.

This set of writing journals features art prints of my original paintings,

"April in Monterey" and "Spring Day".

Available in my Etsy store.

I Heart My Pomeranian

New in my Etsy store: the Pomeranian Journal.

The front cover image is printed from my original pen-and-ink sketch.

I've had two of these little guys. They're always cheerful and rowdy! Do they ever sleep?

My Victorian travel journals have been featured in a new Etsy treasury:

My Kingdom for a Horse

An amazing collection, with everything from Steeplechase to Steampunk!

Elephant Journal Giveaway Contest

One lucky reader of the popular Inspired by Savannah blog will win my handcrafted journal, featuring a whimsical portrait of a baby elephant and the inscription, "Things I Need to Remember."

Savannah's mom, the talented Robin McCoy-Ramirez (the inventor of SoothEaze blankets), is hosting the giveaway. Please click on this link to enter the contest and read her great review of this journal and other products at my Etsy store.

New inspirational journals available in my Etsy store.

New abstract landscape painting, "Exhilaration", available at my Etsy store.

Purple Flowers

My original painting, "Purple Flowers", has been featured in an Etsy treasury.

Handcrafted Journal -- Carpe Diem

Unique holiday gift idea:

Handcrafted journals in my Etsy store featuring my original artwork.

This journal measures 5 1/2" X 4 1/4", a handy size for a backpack or purse.

See more items at my Etsy store.

Handcrafted Journal -- Girl With Harp

This handcrafted Art Deco-style journal is available at my Etsy store.

We couldn't be happier for

William & Kate

May they have a long and happy life together!

(A special shout-out from my dog Duchess to the Royal Corgis.)

Autumn Tree

SERENDIPITY