Painting Auction Ends 8 PM Wed. Dec. 11

"Red Bud Tree and Live Oaks"

Christmas is just around the corner.  So, I am speeding up the auction so more paintings can be offered. This first painting will be available until 8 PM Wednesday, December 11.

"Red Bud Tree and Live Oaks" was painted en plein air (on site) in Micanopy, Florida.  It is 8" x 10", oil on canvas board.

The auction started yesterday, Saturday December 7 with the beginning bid of $.99.  The current high bid is $100.00.  Bids may be raised in any increment until the last hour----7-8 PM Wednesday, December 11 all bids must be a minimum of $5.00 higher than the last.

Contant  jackie@jackieschindehette.com with your bid.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

Gifts of Unique Art Available

Top Left to Right:  White Ibis, Tom Turkey, White Egret
Bottom Left to Right:  Sandhill Crane, Great Blue Heron, Roseate Spoonbill

The holidays are here!!!!

I don't know how it happens but I am always caught off guard, and am amazed to wake up one morning and find that I am in the middle of the holiday rush!!!

This year I vowed for that to not happen and started painting my ornaments early and accumulated 4 ornaments of 6 different images.  I was all set.  

The GOOD NEWS is that the Backus Museum in Ft. Pierce, Fl. on the east coast contacted me and ordered 2 dozen for their Christmas Extravaganza.  The BAD NEWS is that after shipping them off to the Museum I didn't have any left for the new orders coming in.  Or is THAT the GOOD NEWS?  

Oh well, the BAD news is that I am back in the studio spending long hours producing more ornaments. But the GOOD NEWS is that I thoroughly enjoy painting them and am having fun.  I am hearing from many collectors and that is ALWAYS GOOD NEWS. 

If you would like to place an order just email jackie@jackieschindehette.com  Tell me which bird or birds and how many ornaments you would like.  The bulb color may be different from what is pictured here.  Each hand painted 4 1/2" bulb comes with a lovely gift box and is $40.00 plus Fl Sales Tax (if you live in Fl) and shipping.

Grand Children are FUN

There is nothing more fun....or tiring.....than having your grandchildren for a week.  My son and his wife are are on a trip celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary and my husband and I volunteered to keep our two grandchildren 15 and 10.

The 10 year old is in 5th grade and was selected to be on the Safety Patrol Squad this year.  One of her duties is to raise the American Flag each morning.  I am soooo proud of her!!! Her mother is proud also but not quite as enthusiastic.  I found out why this week.  She has to be at school by 7:20 AM!!! That means getting her up about 6:15 AM!!!  Which means I have had to get up by 6 AM!!!! Everyone who knows me is aware that I am NOT a morning person!!

School time is much more reasonable for my 15 year old grandson.  He doesn't have to be there until 8:35.  High School is much more civilized!  His scramble time is in the afternoon.  He gets home about 3:30 PM, has a snack (of course, a snack for a boy of 15 is two Big Macs, large fries and a giant drink), and does his homework.  By the time he is finished it is time to take him to the college for swim practice.  He is on the Varsity Swim Team and I am soooo proud of him!!!  His mother is proud too but not quite as enthusiastic.  I found out why this week.  Not only does he practice EVERY EVENING, but  sometimes at 6 AM before school.  Then there are the competition meets with other schools and oh yes,  a conference meet all day Saturday.  Oh, and don't forget the snacks for the whole team.

I had two sons and I really do remember the Little League games, Tennis practice and matches, a little bit of football, etc.  I just don't remember being so VERY TIRED!!!

 Grandchild Number 3 is coming this afternoon for the weekend. ..... he is 3  1/2!!!

Red Hibiscus - Auction Painting

My "Red Hibiscus" painting was offered at auction a few weeks ago.  Things don't always run smoothly so it is up for auction again.  Bids begin at just 99 Cents with no reserve and I pay for the shipping and Florida sales tax.  The winner of the auction gets my Framed 4"x6" oil painting on canvas board.

I must make one CHANGE in the bidding process.  Recent auctions have been hectic close to the deadline, not allowing me time to alert all bidders of new bids.  So, during the last 30 minutes of the auction bids must be at least $5.00 higher than the previous high bid.  Example:   High bid of $100.00. The next bid must be at least $105, then $110, etc.  Bids offered during the week must top the previous high bid by only $1.00.

If you have any questions about the change in the bidding process please contact me.   jackie@jackieschindehette.com

"Lobstering" in the Keys

Catch of the Day

My exceptionally fun summer did not end with Franklin, NC.  When I got home from NC I unpacked, washed clothes, repacked and headed to Marathon in the Keys.  Of course, there isn't much to pack when you are in a bathing suit all day.

Me and my brother

Harry, my son David and his family and I joined my brother and other family members to go "Lobstering".  As you see in this photo we succeeded in catching our limit (4 per person in the boat per day).

Not everyone looking for lobster on the ocean bottom finds them.  My brother, Don, is an exceptional fisherman.  He has "lobstered" for many years in the water around Marathon and knows where to go in that great big ocean to catch the limit each day.

It was great to be with family!  And great to have a lobster feast with all the trimmings prepared by my super sister-in-law Nancy.

Fly Fishing in North Carolina

Harry and I learned to Fly Fish while in Franklin this summer.  I have always thought this would be great fun so we gave it a try.  And guess what?  I was right!!!

It is wonderful to be outdoors in such a beautiful setting, water rushing around your legs with mountains in the distance.   THAT was the fun part.  The UNFUN part was trying to walk in rushing, icy cold water on slippery rocks dressed in boots and waders.  But I am proud to say I didn't fall in!!!

We didn't catch anything but I can't wait to do it again.

My Summer Vacation

School has started and somewhere I know a teacher is asking students to write about what they did during their summer break.  So, I too, will write a little bit about what I did this summer.

My husband and I scouted out and found a lovely campground in Franklin, NC.  We rented it for the year and spent most of the summer there.  It was cooler than Florida, not as muggy and fewer bugs.

We have a 32 foot pull camper trailer with all the necessary elements: beds, kitchen, dining table, bathroom, etc. ..all the comforts of home....yep, even air conditioning.

This is a very small camp ground with just 14 camp sites.  The river is just a few feet from our camper so I can hear the water moving along and enjoy seeing people in inner tubes float by. I spent a lot of time sitting by the river reading during the day and then watching fire flies/lightening bugs in the evenings.

We did a lot of sight seeing, played tennis, kayaked and I even painted a little.  It was a delightful summer.  Now I can't wait for the fall and watch the leaves change color.