Whooo’s There?

The blog…and the sweetest little owl you've ever seen! 

©Life as an Artist’s Wife

A beautiful colored pencil drawing by Mikey. 

Summer is here! There's just something about these warmer months that motivate me to brush off the blog and start posting again.

Last year Mikey was super busy with a consulting gig, so he didn't have a whole lot of extra time to create blog content (i.e. drawings, photos, etc.) 

But, utilizing his entrepreneurial skills is one of Mikey's passions and being an entrepreneurial consultant fits right into his "modern day renaissance man" lifestyle (see the small print in the logo above!)

So, on to today's blog feature....

We see (and hear) owls quite often on our land, so Mikey was easily inspired to draw the cutie in today's post. 

And as Mikey's #1 fan, I love to document the progress of his drawings (even though I know it annoys him!) But, he is a good sport about it...most of the time! 

Here's how the drawing progressed...

The face actually looks like a mask here...

©Life as an Artist’s Wife

Color pencil drawing by Mikey.

But, add in some striking eyes and the drawing starts to come to life!

©Life as an Artist’s Wife

Color pencil drawing by Mikey.

Peek-a-boo! My artist is being camera shy. It's difficult to see in this picture, but the drawing has so much intricate detail - especially in those wise eyes and facial feathers. For the body feathers, Mikey used more of a blending technique. 

©Life as an Artist’s Wife

Color pencil drawing by Mikey.

I saw this chunky, rustic wood frame and knew it would be perfect for showcasing this drawing. It looks like the owl is peeking out of an old barn window!

©Life as an Artist’s Wife
Color pencil drawing by Mikey.

I've perched this frame on a sofa table so I can enjoy it every day! And I hope you'll enjoy following the blog as I post more of Mikey's beautiful work! 

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. 

-Matthew 22:37-38 

Silly Goose

Mikey is always doing or saying the funniest things to make me laugh, so referring to him as a "silly goose" just seems very natural –  in a loving, endearing sort of way.

So, it was super exciting when we recently spotted a real-life silly goose by our pond! 

Here are a few of my silly goose's photos of a real silly goose...

©Life as an Artist’s Wife

We often hear the trademark "honk" of geese and see them migrate in the V-shaped flocks. But, they rarely stop at our pond! 

©Life as an Artist’s Wife

We didn't realize geese have serrated beaks until we zoomed in on this photo!  Let's just say I wouldn't want to be bitten by a grumpy goose – ouch!

©Life as an Artist’s Wife

The goose is taking off and making sure everyone in NE Wisconsin knows about it with his heralding honk!

©Life as an Artist’s Wife

This picture makes me laugh! But, I thought it was important to add this...

Disclaimer: No goose was harmed in the making of this blog post. :)

We hated to see the silly goose fly away, but at least I can always count on my silly goose to keep me entertained!

So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!

-Psalm 32:11 

Turkey Trot

No need to check your calendar...it’s not Thanksgiving, but it is Spring, so it’s time to dust off the ol' blog! 

The blog has been MIA for a while. My Renaissance Man has been busy exercising his entrepreneur muscles the past several months consulting with a technology company. But with so much wildlife activity outside, Mikey has been trying to squeeze in some photography time, too. 

So, let's talk turkey...

©Life as an Artist’s Wife
Turkey posing pretty for a picture on our land in NE Wisconsin.

We have about 40 wild turkeys that call our woods their home sweet home. 

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Just a portion of our turkey flock hunting for snacks of berries, seeds, and insects.

Like clockwork, everyday the funny flock trots through the woods (and our yard) in the morning and evening.

©Life as an Artist’s Wife
This turkey has parted from the pack because he knows their will be some good grub by the bird feeder.

However, things are a little more entertaining in the Spring when the males are looking for love! Check out that fan!

©Life as an Artist’s Wife
Male turkey performing an impressive courtship display!

In the evenings, the turkeys fly up into the trees to sleep during the night. (Yes, turkeys do fly, although not very gracefully!) We're amazed they can sleep on the branches with their clunky-ish disposition!

©Life as an Artist’s Wife
Turkey flying up to a branch to snuggle in for the night.

The turkeys usually cause us no issues...except when they block the UPS truck or pizza deliveryman from pulling up the driveway. (True stories!)

But, then there's Gobbles. He's the "troublemaker" of the flock. Gobbles has a tendency to not sleep during the night. He gobbles during the night...loudly...waking us up frequently if we sleep with the windows open. He also picks fights with himself. He sees his reflection in Mikey’s office window, thinks it's another male turkey, and pecks (quite forcefully) at his reflection. Oh, Gobbles!

©Life as an Artist’s Wife
Gobbles fighting with his reflection outside Mikey's office window.

Quirks aside, we adore these turkeys! And we love that they make their home in our woods. It just wouldn't be the same without them!

©Life as an Artist’s Wife
Nice and plump. But, this turkey will never be the centerpiece of our Thanksgiving meal! 

If you like turkeys, you'll love baby turkeys!

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

-1 Thessalonians 5:18

Wildflower Wednesday

The last day of September = the last Wildflower Wednesday for 2015! 

Mikey had some editing fun with today's photo, giving it a nice autumnal tone...

©Life as an Artist’s Wife
Wildflowers photographed by Mikey on our land in NE Wisconsin.

I must say...Mikey is the sweetest husband a girl could ask for! Knowing how much I love wildflowers, he planted me a wildflower garden in the spring, he brought me hand-picked wildflower bouquets throughout the summer, and he took amazing wildflower photos for me to enjoy all year long! 

Thank you Mikey for all you do to express your love and to make my heart happy :)

To see the entire collection of Wildflower Wednesday posts, click here! 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

-John 3:16

Disclaimer: I am not a botanist, floriculturist, horticulturist, or any sort of "-ist" so I will rarely attempt to indicate the names of the wildflowers featured in Wildflower Wednesday. These wildflowers are posted simply for your viewing pleasure. :)

Wildflower Wednesday

Today may be the first day of autumn, but that doesn't mean our summer blog series Wildflower Wednesday is over! We have a long winter ahead of us, so I want to hang on to these pretties for a couple more weeks...

©Life as an Artist’s Wife
Wildflowers photographed by Mikey on our land in NE Wisconsin.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

-2 Peter 1:2

Disclaimer: I am not a botanist, floriculturist, horticulturist, or any sort of "-ist" so I will rarely attempt to indicate the names of the wildflowers featured in Wildflower Wednesday. These wildflowers are posted simply for your viewing pleasure. :)