deirdre friebely

My What Large Teeth You Have!

I had to post a picture of Henry again. He hasn't been on the blog since he made his debut soon after his adoption. He has gotten quite a bit bigger since February...nearly 50 pounds now...but is growing into such a gentle and well behaved boy. On one of my recent hunts through the newspaper, I found a clipping that read "Oh! Henry" which naturally inspired a painting...but, although he does like to hop up on all the walls he can while we are walking around the neighborhood, he doesn't balance on balls...YET!

My Studio Away From Home

Here is my studio on the farm. I figured since I have been in here working while away from home I should take a shot of it. It is in what used to be the old milk house. It is attached to the barn or course, and gives me a good view of the calves across the street. Now full of garden tools and passing wildlife, it is very rustic. I use the old milk cooler as a table for my paints and Henry has a great time sitting, looking out the door and turning sticks into wood chips.

Your life in Lists

Here is a great book I discovered at The Dia museum gift shop in Beacon, NY. It is a wonderful way to document your life in the form of lists. (For the auto-biographically challenged.) It walks you through all your favorites, first times, most memorable, etc. Check it out!

Back on the Farm

Well, we have once again made the long trip north. My mother had a lovely room for us when we arrived...as usual. What I really love about it is, I was looking at the nightstand next to our bed...which happened to be made out of two antique, wooden, shipping boxes...and naturally, I had to pick up the lid to see what might be inside! Here is what I found...Frozen Charlottes, an old journal and antique lace...laid out perfectly...of course!

The Real Florida

After a weekend in Tampa visiting family and friends, we explored a different route back to Jacksonville. Along the way we were contemplating how everyone comments that Jacksonville/North Florida is really more like Georgia. We decided that it is probably more along the lines of what Florida was really like before it became a maze of condos and shopping plazas. Anyway, here are a few shots of what we saw out the window just a little south of Jax.

Putnam County




Palatka, Fla

Delicate Grass to Giant Green Ears

We arrived back in Jacksonville in mid July...just in time for the steamy weather! It was wonderful to be back in our house again and to see the Elephant Ears outside my studio window had recovered from the spring frost and were happily wobbling in the breeze. Posts have been scant lately because of all the traveling to and fro and because I have been preparing for the Country Living Fair in September. Painting, painting, painting! Next week we leave again for a back country camping trip and another New England fix! Back to the open road...Can't wait!

Remembering the View

Today Marcus and I celebrated our 2nd anniversary. I was looking through our wedding photos and discovered that our wedding really was a beautiful as I remembered it. Here was the view from the rocky beach in Bar Harbor, Maine where we exchanged vows.