Watercolors & Summertime

And here we are, on the final Tuesday of June. My my, how time flies!

I hope you have had a lovely summer thus far!

Maybe it's just me, but watercolor and summertime seem to go hand-in-hand.
Growing up, I always liked to watch the 90's British animated cartoons based on Beatrix Potter's stories, and the idea of sitting atop a green hill and painting the landscape surrunding, like Beatrix is doing at the beginning of each episode, (before retreating indoors to escape the unexpected rain storm, of course...) is something that has always seemed like a lovely way to spend a warm summer afternoon...
Here, in case you haven't seen it, this is the 3 minute clip of the intro. ☺

 

Gosh, this clip is making me feel rather nostalgic...makes me feel old...

Is it alright if I curl up into a ball and wish that I was 5 again?

*Ahem*

Anyway! Speaking of watercolors, here are a few of my paintings I have recently done:

1920s

1916

1908

1890s

Sorry for the badly taken pictures.
I hope to paint a complete set of fashion paintings ranging from 1810 to maybe 1960. What do you think of the plan?

~ Would you like to see the entire collection if I complete it? ~
~ What year would you most like to see? ~
~ Which of these costumes do you like the best? ~

Leave a comment! I'd love to chat!

God bless!

Megan

Meet the Characters - Aaron Rochester

Happy "Go Barefoot Week" everyone!
Sure, this is not an official holiday...But it's nearly Summer. Why not go romping around outside barefoot? Get your feet dirty! 'Tis quite fun. (as long as you don't step on a thorn or sharp stone...) 😉
So I prepose a declaration that the 3rd week of June is to be national Barefoot Week. Do I have any seconds to this motion?

Anyhow, here we are for the final installment of my "Meet the Characters" series for Trouble in Scotland! (Click the numbers to view parts 1, 2, & 3)
Yes, there are more than only four characters in the book, but the others didn't want to sit through an interview. And goodness, it is ever so hard to get folks from the 16th Century to type up a blog post... 😉
Anyway, without further ado, here is my final guest character, Aaron!

*picture not mine*

Greetings! Since everbody else has done it, I suppose I'll write out my full name too. I'm Aaron Osborne Rochester. I'm 18, like my sister has already mentioned.
Since Ivy shared a random fact about herself, I shall do the same.
Fact: I am left handed! I'm not the only one in my family though, my big brother Caleb is also a leftie.
I hope ya'll have been enjoying the posts my friends, and sister, have written. Now it's my turn. (Finally! Seems I'm always the last one to do stuff...But I am the youngest of my family, so you think I'd be used to it by now.)
Anyway, let's dive into the questions, shall we? (Figuratively speaking, of course...)

~What Can't You Live Without?~
My Bible, my faith in my Saviour, and my family.
I got saved when I was 4, and have strived to become more like my Saviour everyday. It's not easy, let me tell you...But like it says in Philippians 4:13; "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheth me."

~If 10 Is Completely Organized And 1 Is Completely Messy, Where Do You Fall On The Scale?~
I'd say I'm a 5. I ride a thin line between perfect organization and absolute chaos.
Usually I'm fairly organized, and my room is clean. But sometimes, well...let's just say some days I can't even find my bed...

~What Are Your Hobbies?~
Building and fixing anything that is mechanical or eletronic! I love working with transistors, resistors, capacitors, inductors, circuit boards...
As mentioned in Megs' novella, Trouble in Scotland, I have modified two digital wrist watches to not only tell time, but be two-way radios as well. Ivy and I wear them all the time.

~What Frustrates You About The World You Live In?~
That people don't awknowledge their Creator. God has created each and every human alive, and it seems that most of us either ignore Him, or deny His existance. It makes me sad though, I think, more than frustrated.

~How Would You Dress For A Night Out? How Would You Dress For A Night In?~
Button up shirt, maybe a knitted vest, and nice trousers. No jeans for a fancier event.
By a "night in", I assume you mean something along the lines of what I would wear for just a normal day around the house. If that's the case, I'm usually found wearing an unbuttoned button-up shirt, (generally of the plaid or checked varity), over a cream or white undershirt, with canvas or jean trousers.

~How Many Shoes Do You Own, And What Kind?~
I think I have two pairs of track shoes, a black and also a brown pair of leather Oxfords, mud boots, steel-toed work boots, and I'm pretty sure I have a pair of hiking boots somewhere...

~Do You Have Any Pets? What Pet Do You WISH You Had?~
I don't personally have a pet, though I think it would be really neat to have a Chameleon.

~What's Usually In Your Fridge Or Pantry?~
Cookies! Ivy makes the best Gingerbread cookies. My favorite is chocolate chip cookies though. Mum says I shouldn't eat so many cookies...But I run at least two miles every day, so I think it works itself out, eh?

~What Is Something You've Always Dreamed Of Doing?~
Yes, I stole this question from Ivy's list...(I don't have any resentment that comes to mind either.)
I want to join the OPP, or, The Ontario Provincial Police force! That's my dream job. I want to use my knowledge of electronics and mechanics to help fight crime, and bring criminals to justice.
That, or I want to become a missionary.
Maybe I can somehow do both...

Well now, that's it for me! Maybe I'll be asked to write another post some day, eh?
May God be with you.
Over and out!

And that's a wrap!
I hope you all enjoyed getting to know a bit about my characters.
Any questions? Something else you'd like to know about them? Ask away!
I hope you all have a pleasent rest of the day, and a lovely week!

~ Are you going to go barefoot this week? ~
~ What do you think about my holiday declaration? ~
~ Let me know in the comments! ~

God bless!

Megan

*I would like to thank the lovely folks whose pictures I have used for my characters. I don't know you, but thank you for having such nice faces!* <3

Meet the Characters - Ivy Rochester

Happy Tuesday!
Here we are, back for part 3 of the interviews! (Click here for part one, or here for part two.)
Now to introduce Ivy.

*I do not own this picture. Found online*

Hi guys, I'm Ivy. My full name is Ivy Ann Rochester. I was born in Saskatoon Saskatchewan, but have grown up half an hour outside of the Toronto city limits.
I have an older brother who is 23, and an nonidentical twin brother. (I'm 5 minutes older. This is a very important detail.) We're 18.
Random fact: I need glasses to read. I can see just fine normally, but to read for longer than five minutes, or to do small handiwork like sewing or something, I need glasses.
Ok, bring on the questions.

~What Can't You Live Without?~
My family, and my faith.
I'm a Christian! Without God's grace, I wouldn't be here today.

~If 10 Is Completely Organized And 1 Is Completely Messy, Where Do You Fall On The Scale?~
Hmm...I'd like to say 8, but I am most likely along the lines of a 6 or 7. It really all depends on the day. I have to do frantic cleaning sprees of my room if I knew somebody was to come in.
Usually there are bits of clothing laying around, but I stuff them in their proper places in a pinch, if the need arises.

~What Are Your Hobbies?~
I like to read! Reading is a favorite past time of mine. Especially classics; Charles Dickens, Shakespeare, Jane Austen...Anything of that sort.
Also playing my guitar. My twin and I started a bluegrass style band once, when we were about 15. That was fun.

~What Frustrates You About The World You Live In?~
Human stupidity. Honestly, some people...I can honestly say I don't know how some folks have lived as long as they have...

~How Would You Dress For A Night Out? How Would You Dress For A Night In?~
I would wear a long black skirt, and a cream button-up blouse. And flat ballet-style shoes.
For a night in, I'd probably wear a pair of comfy track pants and a nice oversized bunnyhug.
I suppose I should explain, as I realize that "bunnyhug" isn't a common term in most parts of  the world...
So, where I spent the early part of my life, in Saskatchewan, we call a "hoodie", a "bunnyhug".
Only Saskatchewanians call it that. Nobody I know here in Ontario calls them that, but my family does, so I just naturally use that term instead of hoodie...
(Oh, and track pants are the same thing as your American sweat pants. Us Canadians just don't usually say sweat pants.)

~How Many Shoes Do You Own, And What Kind?~
Snow boots, mud boots, town boots, track shoes, another pair of snow boots, flats, and another pair of boots.
I don't wear heels. I honestly would probably break every bone in my body if I tried wearing heels...

~Do You Have Any Pets? What Pet Do You WISH You Had?~
Yes! I have a wee calico kitten named Pixie. She's a darling.
I wish I had a horse. A great big brown Clydesdale with high white socks!

~What's Usually In Your Fridge Or Pantry?~
I'll pretend the question asked what would be in my pantry if I had my own personal one...
English muffins would be a staple item in my pantry. I adore English Muffins! Especially when they're lightly toasted and slathered with lots of butter and fresh strawberry jam.

~Is There Something Or Someone You Resent? Why And What?~
I don't think I have anything, or anyone I resent...Sorry, no good answer here...

Here Ivy, I'll write a new question for ya. Answer this one instead:

~What Is Something You've Always Dreamed Of Doing?~
Ah, now that's more like it!
I've always wanted to become a writer of children's books. Like Beatrix Potter, 
E. B. White, or Stephen Cosgrove.

Alright, that's it then, eh?
I'd better go. My brother just called over my walkie-talkie watch, wondering why I'm still up here in my room, when I promised to play chess...
Until next time!

Hope ya'll enjoyed reading Ivy's intro.
Next week we'll meet her twin brother, Aaron Rochester.
Have a great week everyone!

God bless,

Megan

Meet the Characters - Josh Peterson

Hello! Time for part 2 of the intros! (See Amy's interview here)
Without further ado, I'll turn this post over to...

*picture not mine*

Hiya! I'm Josh. My full name is Joshua Lane Peterson, but nobody calls me that. Just about everybody calls me Josh.
I'm 16 years old, like Amy. And just to clarify, we are only friends. None of that boyfriend girlfriend stuff. (Don't let her know I told ya this...but she's got a whopper of a crush on her karate teacher's son...)
My one love....is pizza. Not always just eating it, of course. But baking! I want to own a pizza place when I get out of culinary college. (Once I actually start college that is...)
Anywho...Ok! I'll get to answering these questions.

~What Can't You Live Without?~
Oxygen, water, and food.

~If 10 Is Completely Organized And 1 Is Completely Messy, Where Do You Fall On The Scale?~
Pff! 1-10 scale? Really? If you asked my parents...I would fall somewhere around...-5.
Haha. Not really...I'm afraid I'm not the best organized guy out there...but I'm probably a 2ish.

~What Are Your Hobbies?~
I play the accordion. Polkas are my specialty. (Much to the dismay of my great aunt, apparently...)
I stay with her during the summer break, you see. And I always bring my accordion with me. She complains that it's too loud, so I have to play it in my room only. I didn't realize how thin the walls were until my parents and I were staying for the week of Christmas last year, and I had a Christmas accordion concert at 2am, 'cause I couldn't sleep and was bored...I was banned from playing for the rest of my stay...

~What Frustrates You About The World You Live In?~
That people are sad. It hurts me to see my friends look worried. I wish I could make everyone happy, and not sad anymore.
It frustrates me that I am unable to fix every problem bothering my friends.

~How Would You Dress For A Night Out? How Would You Dress For A Night In?~
Bahaha! A night out? Well...I'd wear a button up white shirt, a grey vest and matching trousers. They're not my favorite, but I will wear them if the occasion insists...and only by penalty of death would I wear a tie. They are evil, trust me. I nearly died putting one on once...
For a night in, I'd wear what ever. Prob-ly what I always wear; tee shirt, and whatever blue jeans I can find.

~How Many Shoes Do You Own, And What Kind?~
...
Shoes.
I agree with Amy's comment. What do shoes matter?!
Megs, you're weird... haha!
Anyway...oh, I probably have four shoes. Pairs, I mean. Tennis shoes, sneakers, leather wingtip shoes for going to fancy stuff, and...some other pair of running shoes or something.

~Do You Have Any Pets? What Pet Do You WISH You Had?~
Pets! I don't have any pets.
But...
I want a dog, a chameleon, an elephant, a cat, a shark, and a falcon. *nods*
Oh yeah! I DO have a pet, I almost forgot!
I have a big Red Macaw! His name is Fred. And he can talk too. He's real smart. I've trained him to say; "Help, I've been turned into a parrot." It's hilarious to see people's reactions when he randomly screams that... 

~What's Usually In Your Fridge Or Pantry?~
Um...food?
My parents have lots of different things in our fridge. Mom wants all vegetarian stuff. Dad wants meat. I don't care, as long as it tastes good. But I'd happily eat pizza and root beer any day.

~Is There Something Or Someone You Resent? Why And What?~
Hmm...gettin' deep here, ay?
Let's see. Um...nope. I'm good!
Except maybe that karate teacher's son... I don't see what Amy sees in him...

Cool. That was fun.
Who's answers did ya like better? (Mine, of course, right? Mine are totally cooler than Aim's.)
Well! I'd better get ready to start my shift at John's Pizza Place.
Later peeps!

Heh...thanks for answering the questions, Josh. Very interesting...
Hope you enjoyed reading, dear reader.
Come back next week for an introduction of Ivy Rochester, my third main character!
Feel free to leave a comment, and let me know what you think about my characters' intros! :-)

God bless!

Megan