Video Interview with Me (And Kiki!)

Hey friends!

I thought you might like to see this little interview I did with McPublish about my children's book, Kiki's First Year.

Enjoy a lovely Spring weekend!!

xoxo country girl

Kiki's First Year; Audio Book Release!

A dream came true today! The book I wrote about Kiki's adventures with nature and the four seasons has been published as an audio book! The English version, which you can find HERE, is spoken by yours truly, and includes two children's songs that I wrote, too. The e-book version, which will include the watercolor illustrations I painted, will be published in about a month.

There were long stretches when I put this project aside and was sure I would never finish it. My husband is the one who is responsible for pushing me to realize this dream and actually complete my book, and I am so, so grateful to him. Now this story which is so close to my heart can be enjoyed by many, including, someday, my own children.

xoxo country girl

Rainy Day Painting

It's an awfully bleak day. Mist so thick you can barely see where you are going. Only the forest looks pretty in this weather, with it's little waterfalls and patches of thaw.

Luckily I have a project to keep me distracted most of the time; I'm in the final weeks of finishing up my children's book, which is set to be published in Spring as an ebook and an audio book. It's been a long journey with many long, long pauses, and it's hard to imagine it ever being finished. My biggest fan and cheerleader has been my husband, and now I fully understand why all those people dedicate books and awards to their husband or wife.

Today I got a kick out of realizing I was painting a rainbow trout while snacking on rainbow cookies, which I baked because my inner child was hungry. *smile*

Thanks so much for all your birthday wishes!

xoxo country girl

Better Together

These sweethearts make my heart sing! Look at them, enjoying their treats. They started out apart, but at some point, Boston took his treat over to Kiki and plopped down beside her. They chewed peacefully like this for a long time. 

Can you believe how quickly Boston is growing? And how expressive his face is? Kiki used to be an excited pup, too....now she usually acts too cool for school. But they have their moments when they play wildly, or chase eachother frantically accross the fields. Such a joy to watch! I do believe she has grown quite fond of our little tike.

xoxo country girl

Welcome, September Of Gold!

"A whiff of woodsmoke on the wind, the first chill in the air, the woods just edged with gold...it is September. Time to air the quilts, pick bouquets of sunflowers; time to put the 'sweet' in 'Home Sweet Home." -Susan Branch, Autumn

These pictures are from Septembers passed, and my heart overflows with joy, knowing this is what awaits us.


I awoke this morning to rain on the windowpane and the warm, musty, comfortable smell of the heater. Ramon had turned it on for the first time this season, and it was the most delicously cozy feeling, snuggling deeper into the feather downs and listening to the rain. 


Dinner tonight is simple as I'm alone: thinly sliced pumpkin sauteed in butter with salt, cinnamon, and brown sugar, over basmati rice. Warm and fragrant. 


We'll be watching the leaves turn golden together, my friends. Aren't we lucky?

xoxo country girl

baby swallows & great news

Here's a painting I worked on yesterday and today. Just look at those hungry little mouths! So cute. 


The great news is that I signed my publishing contract; it's official! My book, Kiki's First Year , will be a published e-book and audio book some time next year. Very exciting! I am so grateful to have been given this opportunity.


Those hungry little sparrow babies will be in the book. Along with the wild strawberry and so many other wonderful pieces of nature. All the more reason to get offline and get back to my paper and watercolors!


xoxo country girl




One Year Ago Today: i'm back! 

halleluja, i can still paint!

(click to enlarge!)

My husband will be starting up a publishing company for ebooks and audio books some time next year with two business partners, and he promptly said to me: "You know what this means, right? You have to finish your book!"

I began a children's book, Kiki's First Year, an embarrassingly long time ago and pretty much stopped painting the pictures for it a while back. In fact, I haven't really painted in a long time. There's a few things stopping me: insecurity, fear, every-day distractions, and lazyness.


But since this is such a wonderful opportunity, and I have felt for a long time that this is something I need to do, I knew I would have to start painting again. Since I haven't painted in so long, I decided to start with something not related to Kiki's First Year. A very sweet and thoughtful friend sent me a wonderful gift of her inspiring books, and so I thought I would paint her a Thank You card.


I began very timidly, almost frightened...I really wasn't sure if it would turn out. I left it half finished yesterday evening and didn't like it very much at all. I didn't even show it to my husband for fear he might say, "Hmmm, remember when I said I would publish your book....? Wellllll....." 

But today I decided to work on the details, and I was so happy with the finished picture that I am sharing it with all of you! It was such a relief to see that I can still paint. I guess it's like riding a bicycle. 


So here's to hopping back on that bike! I am so happy to be wheelin' around again.


xoxo country girl

The Book That Just Won't Finish

This project, "Kiki's First Year," began about a year ago (click to enlarge and get a more detailed look). I was watching Kiki grow up, introducing her to each new season, and thinking what it must be like to experience it all for the first time. Since I love to watercolor, I began painting the things we found or saw on our daily excursions in field and forest, and of course painting Kiki. Then, for some reason, I got stuck. 

My husband helped me design this beautiful book cover, and every time I look at it, my heart aches; I want to finish my book! I think deep inside, there is a voice saying, "You can't finish it, it couldn't be that easy, you're not a professional author!" I miss the days where I just sat down and painted without the feeling of pressure or fear I feel now. 

So what is the solution? I began to paint unrelated things, so that I would keep in practice, mainly Birthday cards. But I really want to go back to painting for my book. I'll keep you posted on my progress.