45/365- Leaf Study 3 & 4

 

 

"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers."

― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables 

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Have a wonderful Saturday.  Enjoy the fall weather.

xo

43/365- Leaf Study 2

“Listen! The wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves, We have had our summer evenings, now for October eves!” ― Humbert Wolfe

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Try to have a wonderful Thursday, y'all. Send some good vibes and prayers into the world.

xo

42/365- Leaf Study 1

"You know how this is:
if I look
at the crystal moon, at the red branch
of the slow autumn at my window,
if I touch
near the fire
the impalpable ash
or the wrinkled body of the log,
everything carries me to you,
as if everything that exists,
aromas, light, metals,
were little boats
that sail
toward those isles of yours that wait for me."

― Pablo Neruda; excerpt from If You Forget Me

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Taking a break from the southwest pictures to celebrate my favorite season, autumn. I did a series of leaf studies and I am totally obsessed. I LOVE LOVE LOVE them for the bright fall colors, the imperfect perfection as they start to decay, and the different shapes and sizes. It has been a lot of fun collecting and photographing these beauties! Be on the lookout for these over the next week or so.

Have a wonderful Wednesday. I can't believe the week is halfway over already. Time is flying.

xo

23/365- September Field of Topaz

Meadow of Golden Rod at Longwood Gardens- Mobile Photography by Tracey Grumbach

"The fields stretched like a carpet of jewels, emerald and topaz and garnet. Everywhere she walked the color shouted and sang around her..."
-Elizabeth George Speare; The Witch of Blackbird Pond

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Walking with two of my friends at Longwood Gardens, we needed to decide which path to take where the trail split. They both deferred to me and at first I was tempted to take the trail I knew well. But then something made me say, "Let's take this trail. I've never been on it before and don't know where it goes."

And so we did. And this is what we found. A meadow carpeted in golden rod and other yellow wild flowers. I'm so glad I took a chance on the trail less taken. The extra steps it took to go the long way around was so worth it. The quickest way between two points is a straight line but sometimes it isn't about speed...it is about the view. I think I will be taking the miandering trails in life a little more often now that I know the rewards...

Have a fantastic Friday. I can't believe another week has flown by!

xo

16/365- Keep Your Face to the Sunshine

Sunflower Fields in White Hall as seen by artist Tracey Grumbach

“Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows. It's what the sunflowers do.”
―Helen Keller

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Happy Friday, ya'll. Well, Brenna is now staying with us through the weekend and will try to get back to Orlando on Monday. Her school is still closed and the apartment complex still does not have power. I'm loving having her home, but she is starting to get antsy and restless being in limbo. I completely understand and hope she can get back to a normal routine very soon.

Brenna will actually be joining me this evening, since she is still home, at the opening reception for the Autumn Splendor show at Arts By the Bay Gallery. I'm hoping to pop in close to 7PM and stay for about an hour. I'd love to meet you all and chat, so if you have any questions about Lyme or digital art, I'd be thrilled to talk with you. I hope to see you there.

Yesterday I confirmed plans to model for one of my artist friends, Pamela Wilde, who is a painter. On October 27th from 7PM-10PM at the Artists Emporium in Havre de Grace, she will be painting me in a Halloween costume in the front window. I am so stinking excited about it! Now I just need to figure out a really cool and unique costume. Any ideas? Keep your eyes out for really out-of-the-box hats or costumes (no masks per the artist). This is the first time I will be modeling for a painter and I am so glad it is with her. Pam is not only a fun and kind person, she is also a very talented artist. I added this event to the Upcoming Events page if you'd like to check it out!

Until tomorrow, folks...

xo

15/365- Autumn Soul

Figurative Art by Harford County artist, Tracey Grumbach

 “Is not this a true autumn day? Just the still melancholy that I love - that makes life and nature harmonise. The birds are consulting about their migrations, the trees are putting on the hectic or the pallid hues of decay, and begin to strew the ground, that one's very footsteps may not disturb the repose of earth and air, while they give us a scent that is a perfect anodyne to the restless spirit. Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns." -George Elliot

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I love this quote from George Elliot. My soul is for sure wedded to autumn. Perhaps because I was born in September and am a Virgo? Perhaps not. No matter the reason, autumn is by far my favorite season. Campfires and fires in the fireplace. Football. Stews and soups for dinner. Warm coffee in the morning while sitting on the chilly front porch. Pumpkins. Apple cider. The glorious colors. The list goes on and on.  What is your favorite season?

Don't forget that tomorrow is the opening reception for the new Autumn Splendor show at Arts By the Bay Gallery from 7PM-9PM. I am planning on being there, however, Brenna is rescheduled to fly back to Orlando at the same time, so as long as Brian can get her to the airport, I will be at the opening. Please come on by and stop in to see all the new artwork! I have three never-seen-before-in-print pieces and two previously seen pieces. I'd love to chat with you about them!

Have a fabulous day!

xo

She Had an Autumn Soul- Photography by Tracey Grumabch

She had an autumn soul

Gloriously beautiful to look upon...

and dying every second

piece by piece.

-Alfa

The Road to Poplar Forest- Landscapes by Tracey Grumbach

The Road to Poplar Forest, VA

Since this is the view looking back down the road at one of America's great patriots, Thomas Jefferson's, country home, Poplar Forest, I thought a quote from him would be appropriate.

I never considered a difference of opinion

in politics, in religion, in philosophy,

as a cause from withdrawing from a friend.

-Thomas Jefferson 

I am hoping that on this special day, Veteran's Day,  the United States can come together in some sort of unity and harmony after the election. I have a hard time watching Americans rioting and protesting the democratic process. Time to buck up and get on with it! I am unplugging somewhat from social media because I just can't stand the negativity. So, instead, I will plug into nature, where harmony reigns.

Happy Veteran's Day to all of the people who serve or have served our country. Without you we could not enjoy the freedoms we have today. Thank you.

Have a wonderful weekend to all of you out there. Be safe and be kind.

xo

Fall Delight- Photography by Tracey Grumbach

Because we all will need a little nature and zen to get through this election day. Sending, peace, love, acceptance, and sanity to all of America today. Go out and convene with nature for a while today and perhaps it will center us all.

Check Nine Acres Designs Facebook page a little later for a video of the spot where I took some of these images.

xo

Brady-Rees House in Autumn- Travel Art by Tracey Grumbach

Distressed Photography by Tracey Grumbach

For more information about this beautiful house, please visit the Historical Marker Database.

Frosty mornings, warm afternoons. Curly smoke rising from chimneys. Campfire smells. Rustling leaves. Shorter days. Mums, pumpkins, cornstalks. Harvest. Farmers working past nightfall. The hum of tractors and combines. Wind. Apple cider. Pumpkin pie. Halloween.

The deliciousness that is fall for all the senses.

Happy Autumn, y'all.

xo

Autumn's Glory

I drive by this tree quite often. It is always splendid...in every season, but especially in autumn. It's fiery orange leaves seem to glow and it is the crowning jewel of these rolling hills, standing alone and proud along the fence line. God's power, beauty, and love seem to shine through this tree.

I hope you all have a beautiful weekend. I will be hanging out at Arts By the Bay Gallery in Havre de Grace tomorrow from 11:00AM- 2:30PM for my time to man the gallery. I'd love it if you would stop in and say hello.

Also, I've added a new page to the blog, Upcoming Events, to list and keep track of all my art related events, including when I am working at the gallery, where my art will be showing, workshops/photowalks I will be hosting, and publications that will be coming out. Check it out!

Slow down today and this weekend and take in the beauty of this time of year. I know I intend to. Have a great weekend!

xo

The Road West

Well, yesterday's visit with the surgeon went really well. He removed the sutures and protective membranes in my mouth with no pain at all. He was pleased with how it is healing and said there is no current sign of infection! I am thrilled to have all that stuff out of my mouth; I am much more comfortable. I am still having difficulty eating because I still can't chew on the entire right side of my mouth, but hopefully as the tissues continue to heal that will become easier as well.

Now I just need to wait 3 months and go back for a bone scan of my jaw. They will be looking to see what the bone density is where they grafted the new bone and evaluate any signs of infection (hopefully there will be none!) After that they can tell me if I am a candidate to have implants to replace the teeth that were damaged from the infection and had to be removed. If all looks good, I can then schedule a second surgery to have the posts drilled into the jaw bone.

Thank you for all the prayers. I was nervous about the procedure yesterday, but it didn't hurt at all and it was very quick. Now for the next three months to go quickly and easily.

I hope you all are enjoying the amazing fall weather we are having. The golds and reds and browns seem to shine with their own light at this time of year and I just love being out in it. I was driving home from the surgeon yesterday and a breeze grabbed some leaves and caused a small blizzard of bright yellow leaves to swirl around my truck and it made me smile. I love this time of year.

Have an awesome Thursday. I plan on it. :)

xo

Happy Thanksgiving...

and may the beginning of the winter holiday season be a blessed one.  If you are going out Black Friday shopping, be kind and patient with each other.  Remember, we just counted our blessings and things we are thankful for, keep that spirit in your heart as you shop for those you love.

Have a wonderful day with friends and family eating all the wonderful food our earth provides.

Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours.

xo

Now Autumn's Fire Burns

Digital Painting from the iPhone photo below.

Now Autumn's fire burns slowly along the woods and day by day the dead leaves fall and melt.

~Elizabeth Bowen

iPhone photo taken in Parkton, Maryland on October 7, 2015

Sending joy and hoping each one of you is able to enjoy Autumn's fire.  xo

When We Drove Past the Farm in Autumn

There is something so comforting to me about this time of year. I love the fresh chill in the air, the sound of combines working late into the night,  and the smell of the damp earth heaving a sigh before a long winter's rest. Plumes of smoke rise from bonfires, surrounded by families telling ghost stories and roasting marshmallows together. The birds become active again, some beginning their commute south while others frantically gorge on autumn seeds and grain to fill up for the long winter creeping in. This time of year seems to give us permission to exhale, to stop and look around us, and appreciate the bounty the earth has given us over the past many months. I so appreciate Mother Nature's hard work providing us with her fruits.

Sitting in the passenger side, I rode by a local farm the other day. I snapped an iPhone image of the golden cornfields blurring by me with the farm and silo in the background, partly obscured by the tall, dry cornstalks.  I didn't think much of it until later when I looked back at the image and was inspired by the gorgeous tones of the season and decided to create it into this piece. Just looking at it makes me happy, and I hope it does you too.

xo

The Nicest Thing

"Tracey,  The pictures are great!  You did a fantastic job!  Thanks for making our home show so beautiful.  C and J"

Those are the words I woke up to the morning after delivering real estate photos to my client.  Just a few sentences had a great impact on my day and filled my sails with the energy I need to continue working while fighting this terrible illness.  Not many people take the time to say thank you now days but when they do, it makes a big difference.

Who have you thanked today?

Ready For the Chill...Armed With Hot Chocolate

Today I am thankful that I finally figured out a way to quiet my craving for a warm drink.

Since I am now dairy and gluten free, I have been struggling to find a hot drink 

that will satisfy my craving.

I only like coffee when it has sugar and cream, which is a no-no right now.

Of course, most of the commercial hot chocolate drinks are not dairy free/gluten free,

and to be honest, I am sick of tea.  

I think I have every herbal/non-caffeine tea there is out there to have.

Most of the time it is fine, but it doesn't have that creamy texture I've been craving.

The same is true with hot apple cider...delicious but missing the texture I want.

So, I googled vegan hot chocolate and I came up with a recipe that I adapted 

from reading the ingredients to several other vegan hot chocolates out there.

Here it is, if you are interested.

Dairy Free/ Gluten Free Hot Chocolate
Makes 2 servings

1 can (13.5 oz)  Unsweetened Organic Coconut Milk
1/4 cup Vanilla Almond Milk (Regular Almond Milk would probably work too)
1/4 cup Organic Agave Nectar (I used a bit less than this as it makes it very sweet)
pinch of salt
1/2 tsp. Organic Vanilla Extract (I use the non-alcohol kind due to medication restrictions and clean diet
             restrictions)
1/8 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 Square of Unsweetened Baking Dark Chocolate, coarsely chopped

1.  In a medium saucepan, combine coconut milk, almond milk, and agave nectar.  Heat on medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until a boil just begins.
2.  Lower heat to low and slowly add the cocoa powder, whisking constantly to incorporate fully into the liquid mixture.
3.  Once the cocoa is fully mixed, take off heat and add the vanilla extract.  Stir.
4.  Pour into mugs and sprinkle the chopped baking chocolate on top.

Enjoy!

So excited to enjoy this rich and creamy treat while watching the Ravens today!  The chill in this morning's air has gotten me all excited for fall!

xo

Things That Make Me Smile

Don't you just love the pop of autumn colors?

As I walked around a bit yesterday on my mini-exploration,

I came across this fallen log that had tree fungus growing on it.

It looks like candy corn, doesn't it?

:)

It made me smile.

Today I am thankful for the time I spent with first graders testing them

on their knowledge of various grade appropriate information about our country.

This voluntary program is called the Patriot Program and the kids study on their own time,

learning all sorts of facts about the U.S.A.

I am the "Patriot Mom" for my daughter's class and today I started testing them.

They are all so cute and enthusiastic!

It was a great way to start my day.

xo

The Details

I was discouraged last night as I felt my body falling back into 

what I call the "down cycle" of Lyme after having about a week of feeling really good,

I knew I was going to struggle emotionally and physically today.

Too exhausted and in pain to meet friends for breakfast, I regretfully canceled my date.

I managed to get the kids ready for school and I trudged to the bus stop in a difficult mood.

But when I focused my attention outside of myself and on 

the little details surrounding me on this amazing autumn morning,

my grumpiness began to fade.

I pointed out to the twins a pair of bluebirds, a male a female,

that were perched on our pasture fence.

Each time we took a few steps toward them, they would fly 

just a little bit further down the driveway and land again on the fence.

The twins giggled as they repeated this pattern until finally the birds gave up

and flew up into a neighbor's tree.  

When we reached the bottom of the driveway, 

N discovered the most intricate spider web in the grass.

The dew had covered it in tiny droplets that shown like diamonds

in the early warm sun.

Neighbors walked by on their daily stroll and called "Good morning" to us.

I replied, "Yes, it is!" and I meant it.

After waving to the kids as they pulled away in the school bus,

I began the journey back up the hill to my house.

Along the way I found a fuzzy caterpillar munching on a dew soaked 

blade of grass, preparing for the coming winter.

I also found one little yellow leaf in the middle of the driveway.

I took the time to examine it closely to see the veins

and clusters of shapes like the scales on a fish or alligator.

It amazes me how detailed the world is when you look closely.

As I reached my front door, the workers who are building our new garage

and front porch smiled at me and said, "Good morning."

The entire week they have been here they haven't said a word to me

until today, when I needed to hear again that it indeed was a good morning.

If we let it, the universe, God, will give us what we need,

emotionally and physically to get through the day.

Sometimes it is just all in the details.

xo