Going to be a warm day today with the high around 89.  I did get a walk in early this morning.  I was surprised at how bright the sun was, but then it's been very hazy this past week or so and there was a lot less haze this morning.

Yesterday, we went to a winery and had a food truck picnic...oysters on the half shell and lobster roll.  It was a bit pricy and the food wasn't fantastic, but it was good and I love oysters.

We also harvested a large eggplant from the garden and made eggplant parmigiana and it was fantastic.  I have several more eggplants to harvest.  

This past weekend, I made zucchini bread.  I had grated the zucchini prior and left it in a colander with weights on top.  I found out that I had drained too much liquid out of the zucchini and had to add a bit of water. (Learned something new.)  The bread turned out okay, but not great.   On the other hand, zucchini that dry made great fritters!

Today I need to do some more cleaning and work on the guild website and the Summer Newsletter, Part Two! 

Remember the book I told you about...'Living Out Loud'...well I am into the second chapter.  The title is 'How to Wreck A Sketchbook:  Confronting the Inner Critic with Gusto'.  I don't know about you, but my inner critic looms very large...even screams...making me question everything at times.

The suggestion is to buy a new sketchbook and just start to write (or I would add) draw no matter what.  And when the inner critic pops up, write 'I don't care!'  I may have to write it several times...around a thousand or so!

This week, amid preparations for family visiting, doctor apointments, cleaning and taking care of the wee one (our kitten ((with a very strong bit)) Cookie Monster), I hope to spend at least an hour a day confronting that inner critic with a sketchbook I found in Duchess.  It's going to be a no-holds book which for me is not as easy as it sounds.  I like order and organization.  (Just look at my doodles!)  This is going to be wild, unorganized, flying by the seat of my pants!

If you have the same problem with your inner critic, grab some paper and come along.  Use pens, pencils, drawing pencils, even crayons and have at it without thought or plan...just do it (as the saying goes).

I'll let you know later how it turns out.  Oh and the eight page booklet, the activity from the first chapter, is almost done.  I will finish it today and share it with you tomorrow...maybe with some of my sketchbook.  Until then...have an absolutely great day.

Talk with you tomorrow...