Let’s Get It

Good morning, y'all!

I did NOT wake up at 5 AM today, and I couldn't be happier about it! I really needed a good night's sleep. I slept until about 8, and I never even heard Gary leave for work around 2 AM. I was out! He’ll be home shortly though, and we’re off to have a good brunch.

I don't have anything planned today, so I'll probably paint. I've been feeling a little less motivated lately, and I think it's because of all the commission work I've been doing. This is exactly why I don't particularly enjoy commissions. They take up so much of the time and energy I'd otherwise spend painting whatever I feel like.

I've never really struggled with coming up with creative ideas. That's probably the easiest part for me. I have things I've wanted to paint for years! I could come up with ten new ideas tonight without even trying. Actually painting them is another story. Sometimes I'm underskilled, sometimes I'm undermotivated, and sometimes I'm just plain burned out.

The commissions are coming along beautifully, though. They're just time-consuming, and I keep thinking about all the other things I'd rather be creating. But I've made commitments, so those come first!

I'm also excited about getting my new watercolor paper. I ordered some really nice watercolor blocks this time. If you're unfamiliar, they're pads of paper glued along all four sides, which keeps the paper from buckling when it gets wet and eliminates the need for tape. Once your painting dries, you simply remove it from the block.

I've used them before and loved them. They're more expensive, but after spending good money on some surprisingly terrible watercolor paper lately, I decided to go for the good stuff. Nothing aggravates me more than paying a fortune for paper that starts peeling apart when you remove the tape!

Anyway, I have a Walmart grocery order coming this morning, and I'm making white chili tonight. Gary was so excited when I told him! I haven't made it in ages.

I use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking and shredding chicken breasts, and it makes such a difference. It's so tender and perfectly seasoned. I use it in my gumbo now, too, and everybody loves it. Walmart and Sam's even sell it already pulled off the bone in the deli, which makes life even easier. I'm telling you, rotisserie chicken makes just about everything better.

I may also make Miss Norah Harper some sourdough bread. She's been asking for it, and we lost most of what I had stored in the freezer during the hurricane mess. It's been ages since I've made any.

So that's my big day! A little cooking, hopefully some painting, and enjoying this beautiful weather. It's hard not to have a good day when it feels this nice outside.

Hope y'all have a wonderful day, too. God bless!