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| Sarasota Florida |
Our new home is beginning to resemble a home. The weather on the south coast of Ireland has been spectacular. The sun rises at 5 a.m. and it is past 10.00 p.m before dusk.
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| Our living room is beginning to take shape |
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| The fireplace we love and have had occasion to build a turf fire |
The Irish Open Golf Tournament at Fota Island found us following golfers.
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| Irish golfers, Rory McIlroy and Padraig Harrington both wearing green |
A trip to Florida found us celebrating July 4th at our friend's cottage at beautiful Indian Rocks Beach
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| Indian Rocks Beach at sunset on July 4th. |
The fireworks were unbelievable
July 4th at I.R.B. Fl.
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| My friends Mark Ellis and John John with their girlfriends |
Mary Rose, Violetta and I paint in the glorious light in beautiful downtown Sarasota.
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| Stylish and beautiful Gallery Curator Kate Runyon, Helen,Mary Rose & Violetta at Michael's on Main in Sarasota |
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| We absolutely love Kate's style and enthusiasm |
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| Always words of encouragement |
A visit from Gallery Curator, Kate Runyon, from Michael's on Main in Sarasota, where our artwork is now displayed.
How is your summer? I intend to visit all of you shortly and catch up on your posts.
You have the most amazing adventures. I am envious...Ireland...I fell in love with it last year. Summer is plugging along. It will be back to school soon. B.
ReplyDeleteHello Bonnie
DeleteNext time you are in Ireland, let's have a cup of tea together.
Yes, the summer is flying by.
Hope your weekend is special
Helen xx
What wonderful sunshine here, Helen! The beauty of you in you signature painting frock and hat....oh what a DREAM! Art is sometimes a lonely activity, but when you engage in a community of friends to create something so lovely, happiness is bound to take center stage. Thank you for visiting today and indeed, the link party was a great success because everyone visited each other and made it all happen.
ReplyDeleteHAPPY DAY! Anita
Hello Anita
DeleteLovely to see your smiling face. Violetta and Mary Rose never fail to bring joy to a day of painting and always a side trip leading to more fun.
It was a very memorable day and we even managed to get some painting done.
I loved your series this week.
Helen xx
Such lovely summer images, Helen. The pictures of you three, so elegantly dressed and painting in the sunshine, are artworks too! xx
ReplyDeleteDear Patricia
DeleteThanks for your kind words. Coincidentally we all showed up wearing the same colour on this day and it was totally unplanned. The angels were with us.
Helen xx
Two completely different seascapes but both sharing their own unique coastal beauty. How beautifully your cottage is progressing and what happy days you can look forward to spending there.
ReplyDeleteKate is not the only stylish one amongst you - you all look positively stunning.
Hello Rosemary
DeleteWhat you say is true about the coastal beauty of Ireland and the gulf coast of Florida. We are happy with the way our little house is taking shape. We are leaving the garden till next year and for now will keep it weeded.
Kate has exquisite style and we thank you for your compliment.
Helenxx
Oh Helen your new home is beautiful! And we are so happy to read that your daydream became reality. . .afraid our story doesn't have quite that ending. . .as you will learn next week. Hugs to you and wishes for many wonderful times in that beautiful home!
ReplyDeleteHelo Jackie and Joel
DeleteNice to see you here. There are lots of little job to be done in our house but we are in no rush. It will all get done. It is comfortable and peaceful.
Looking forward to reading about your plans and keeping you in my prayers
Helen xx
Oh Helen what beautiful photos of your whirlwind of building summer memories you have shared. Ireland is one country I haven't traveled to, it looks breathtaking. Your July 4th celebration, the beauty you paint expressing the true spirit of a gifted artist ... All so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI have a very similar hat as yours, mine is linen and made by Ralph Lauren, love it.
Vera
Hello Vera,
DeleteA whirlwind is a very good way to describe this summer and yes there are beautiful memories and joy. July 4th was incredible and the fireworks were created by the beach goers and was better than professional shows. The light is beautiful at Indian Rocks Beach.
Your hat sounds fabulous and I am sure I would love it. I hope you post a picture sporting it on your blog.
Helen xx
Your photos speak of summer! How lovely are the rooms in your Irish home. One of my fondest memories of Ireland is the scent of the peat fires. Lucky you! You ladies look so stylish and elegant. If I had a cottage by the sea in Ireland I'd never want to leave it.
ReplyDeleteHello Sanda
DeleteThis is a beautiful summer and Ireland on a sunny day is dreamy. You have enjoyed a peat turf fire. It is a scent that ... well just makes everything all right.
Our little house is coming along and we are very happy.
Helen xx
Your photos are dreamy. The locate must be a source a limitless inspiration as your other photos. Thank you for sharing. I do hope you will stop by and visit my blog to see some of my oil paintings. Kindest regards, Carolina Elizabeth http://carolinaelizabeth-art.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteHello Carolina
ReplyDeleteThank you for your visit and your kind words on my photography and yes indeed it inspires my painting.
Thank you most sincerely for following.
Have a glorious week
Helen xx
Oh Helen the beauty you surround yourself with!
ReplyDeleteOh to have a home in Ireland, I was going to mention how beautiful that fire surround was until I noticed your comment on it in your post? So here I am making mention of it as well, love the cozy feel and the armoire nested by its side. What beauty in all things European you experience perhaps I will make it to Ireland some day, being part Irish on my dad's fathers side and French on his mothers side. I feel this strong connection to the beauty of Europe.
I guess this is why I adore French pieces and beautiful Irish pine.
See you soon dear,
Keep inspiring us with your beauty.
Thank you for taking the time to visit my place and my two new loves (baskets)
Xoxo
Dore
Dear Helen,
ReplyDeleteI so much enjoy reading about your travels.. Your home in Ireland looks so cosy and lovely. Would love to read more about it from you.
Great to see the three artists at their easels and painting such fantastic art work.
Rory has been doing very well. I watch him play now and again.
Enjoy these glorious summer days Helen.
sending best wishes..
val xxx
Hello Valerie
DeleteThank you for reading and commenting. Our house in Ireland is coming along. We are enjoying summer and getting together with friends and of course painting. It was great being with Violetta and Mary Rose. Lots of exciting things happening in our art world.
Hope you are enjoying summer in beautiful Portugal
Helen xx
Your home in Ireland looks beautiful! What a wonderful place to spend time, especially when the weather is nice. And Indian Rocks is one of my favorite FL beaches! We haven't been there this summer but we'll probably make a little trip in the Fall. I always find the best seashells there. Enjoy the rest of the summer my friend! Sweet hugs, Diane (from Ocala)
ReplyDeleteHello Diane
DeleteThe weather this summer in Ireland has been wonderful. We have palm trees outside our window here too. Youghal is on the Gulf Stream and enjoys a moderate climate. Indian Rocks Beach is spectacular and one of Florida's great secrets. It is still an old fashioned town and hopefully will always remain so. We love your area of Ocala and the horse farms too.
Continued enjoyment of the summer
Helenxx
My dearest Helen,
ReplyDeleteHello. I'm very delighted to see you are having the most wonderful summer. Your new home in Ireland looks very homely and cosy (and it is also by the sea). The smell of burning peat fire makes me think of a big country house where I visited once and I've never forgotten the aromatic smell of burning peat from the huge fireplace! The pictures of soft sandy beaches in Florida are absolutely out of this world - most enchanting!! Thank you so much for sharing your adventures with us. It's like having a mini-virtual-holiday to ourselves when we look at your pictures!!
With best wishes, ASD
My dearest ASD
DeleteThe aroma from a peat fire is a marvelous experience and one that is not forgotten. We are looking forward to cooler evenings when we shall light the fire. Being by the ocean in Ireland and Florida brings us great joy and while both are different there is that constant of salt water and all the wonders, as you so well know.
Hope you are enjoying your summer and taking lots of jaunts to new places.
Helenxx
I love that part of SWFL Helen. The perfect place to paint to hearts content so much colour and gorgeous subjects. Have you ever painted at Marie Selby botanic gardens?
ReplyDeleteHello Paul,
DeleteI am happy to read that you are familiar with our little corner of Florida. The light is awesome. Yes we have painted at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. It is so beautiful and tripical there.
Helen xx
I have this wild dream of moving to Ireland. I am not sure where it's coming from. It must be some secret longing. Your home is starting to look really pretty.
ReplyDeleteHello Loree
DeleteIt would be fabulous if you follow your dream and come and live in Ireland. Why not?
We are slowly making progress with our house but are taking our sweet time and enjoying each day and friends.
Helen xx
Hello Helen, firstly, your cottage looks really delightful, cosy and pretty. I am sure you will spend many happy days there. Looks like you have been really busy, and always so glamorous, as all you lady artists are.The beach looks amazing , the sand is soo white. Enjoy the rest of your summer. Oh and I love the painting above your fireplace!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for your comments, I know you of all people will appreciate paint colour. Have a wonderful week. Lots of love, Linda xx
Hello Linda
DeleteSlowly we are making progress with our little house. We are easily distracted and when the sun shines we get in the car and take a picnic and explore. It is always a joy getting together with Violetta and Mary Rose. We have fun. Thank you for the compliment on my painting above the fireplace. The space called for a large painting.
Enjoy your summer days
Helen xx
You really DO get around! Love your new home in Ireland :) Lucky girl :)
ReplyDeleteHello Becky
DeleteHa Ha, I like you line about me getting around!!. Thank you for your compliment on our house. We love it and the location.
Have a great week
Helen xx
Dear Helen, I'm so glad your Summer is a happy one, spent in such beautiful places- love Jane xx
ReplyDeleteHello Jane
DeleteLovely to see you hear. Hope all is great with you and your travels.
Thanks for your good wishes and I will be looking forward to your next post
Helenx
Hi Helen,
ReplyDeleteYour Irish home looks beautiful { love the fireplace } and time spent in Florida looks idyllic …… white beaches, sunshine, friends and painting. Just perfect for you. Hope that your Summer continues in the same vein. Much love. XXXX
Hello Jacqueline
DeleteOur house is progressing slowly. The garden is in a sad state and I could use your expertise in that area. There is a lot of excitement this summer seeing people, painting and visiting new areas. Fun, fun.
Hope you are having a wonderful time too
Helen xxx
You are living in two glorious worlds. Happy summer!
ReplyDeleteHello Jen
ReplyDeleteYes it is indeed a beautiful world with two different yet beautiful coastlines.
Hope your summer is extra special
Helen xx
Hi Helen - sounds like you're having a busy, but wonderful, time - we're having a glorious summer and those long long days are just such a treat.
ReplyDeleteThe house in Ireland looks to be coming along a treat - it must be fun planning and deciding etc .. I haven't forgotten the Youghal connection and should make that memory bank soon!
Cheers and enjoy all your travels etc .. Hilary
Hello Hilary
DeleteSo happy to hear you are enjoying endlessly long summer days too.
Our little house is progressing. We are taking our time and using any excuse to escape for picnics by the ocean and discovering new towns.
Hope your weekend is special
Helen xx
a poet's dream!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit. It is indeed a poet and artists dream.
DeleteHope your weekend is special
Helen x
Hello Helen,
ReplyDeleteHow absolutely wonderful that you have made such amazing progress on your charming new home in your beloved Ireland! I see beautiful paintings on those walls that are surrounded by lovely furnishings and pretty decorative touches. Have you previously shown more pictures of the house's interiors in other posts? The view into the other rooms are intriguing; I'd love to see more of this Irish treasure! Lucky you to have made your dream come true!
Have a fabulous week!
xx
Poppy
Hello Poppy
DeleteLovely seeing you smiling face here. Still many rooms are incomplete. We have an electrician coming who needs to do some wiring and hang a chandelier. I will post as the rooms get more orderly. We are taking our time and using any excuse to head out in the glorious sunshine and discover new beaches and coves.
Hope you are enjoying your life
Helen xx
Hello Helen,
ReplyDeleteHow exciting this all is!
Your cottage is already looking very much a home. We absolutely love the fireplace and wish to steal it! It gives such a wonderful focal point to your sitting room where we can easily imagine your spending happy hours reading, relaxing and enjoying the company of family and friends. We wish you every happiness there in what is such a beautiful part of the world.
And, how wonderful to have your work in such a gallery. You deserve such an elegant showcase for your paintings which, like you, are always so vibrant and full of life!
Dearest Jane and Lance
DeleteIf you proceed to steal my fireplace and manage to remove it I will say you deserve it and will just be hanging out at your house. A lovely thought. The house is taking shape. There are lots of small jobs to do and we are making progress but have little will power when an event or journey beckons.
Thanks for your good wishes on the gallery in Sararota. It is a wonderful venue and the Curator makes it so special
Helen xx
A gorgeous cottage in a beautiful country. Love the beach as well and you all lovely. We are in the middle of winter but had 22 degrees today Winter is mixed up. But we enjoyed every minute of it
ReplyDeleteHello Marja
DeleteHow nice of you to stop by and leave a comment. Of course you are in the middle of winter and have the summer to look forward to. I am glad you are enjoying the season.
Our little place is taking shape and we are loving making progress.
Helen xx
Dear Helen,
ReplyDeleteYour cottage in Ireland sounds wonderful! I love the photo of your and your fellow artists - the three of you look beautiful!! Hope your summer is going well. Thank you so much for your kind words on my blog. I am scared but also determined to make it work. Your words of support are much appreciated!! All the best, Louise
Hello Louise,
DeleteMary Roe and Violetta are great friends and we have a memorable time each time we paint together. We are planning our painting trip to Europe for next year and it is turning out to be very exciting with unexpected beautiful events planned.
I congratulate you again on your decision to pursue your love of design and, like you, I know you will make it work. I am coming to your first solo fashion show. I'll start putting pennies in my piggy bank
Helen xx
What lovely photos and reports, Helen. I'm like you, I love the long, long hours of sunlight in summer so much. You look stunning in that first photo. I enlarged it to get a better look at you. :)
ReplyDeleteHello Suze.
DeleteI adore Spring and Summer and the light and long days. We have so much fun together when I paint with Violetta and Mary Rose. There is always an adventure. Thank you for your compliment
Helen xxx
Oh, what joy, Helen! Now this is called having the best of both worlds! I love your cottage decor - so cozy and welcoming - and the fact that it's in Ireland makes it more so. :)
ReplyDeleteHope you are having a good summer. Take care.
Hello Suman
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking time from your busy schedule to stop by. Thanks for your kind words about our decor. It is furniture and lamps that we have owned forever and fun to have them in our new home.
Helenxx
Your cottage in Ireland is so pretty and I'm amazed at the amount of light there. I had no idea, but I would adore it. Looks like a dream come true. You have so much fun going on in your life right now. The art show in Sarasota looks to be a smashing success. Loved this post!
ReplyDeleteSam
Hello Sam,
DeleteYes summer time bring extra long day and in winter it is shorter days.
It has been a fabulous summer and lots of good visits with friends and painting.
Thanks for your kind words and wishes
Helen xx
Your home is beautiful, Helen! What a gorgeous fireplace mantel! And how wonderful to enjoy such long, summer days. In Maine, we also get very early sunrises. Cheers~
ReplyDeleteHello Loi
ReplyDeleteWe are making progress on our house and each week sees jobs ticked from the list. You would only know too well how this is. Your house in Maine is a beauty.
Continued joy as the summer progresses
Helen xx
Oh thank you dearly Helen for making time out of your beautiful days to visit me and my French iron post.
ReplyDeleteYour words are like the soft waves of your beautiful seasides you paint.
It joyed my Sunday to see that you have shared your thoughts with me.
Hope to see what you have been up to real soon.
Xoxo
Dore
helen, enjoyed these photos so much, especially your lovely living room. Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments on small and white spaces over at my place. I see we have a lot in common! Loved seeing the golfers here! my husband and I are smitten with golfer and commentator David Feherty's talk show with golfers. Are you familiar with him?
ReplyDeleteA little bit jealous, here. Love the living room progress. And fun to see the golfers, too. We follow them some on TV and we love Irish golfer/commentator David Feherity. Are you familiar with him? So zany!
ReplyDeleteI came over from The House of Edward to see your blog, after seeing the lovely portrait you painted of Edward there.
ReplyDeleteHelen, your home is beautiful! Love reading your blog.....
ReplyDelete