by akikowhite

Seven Swans a Swimming

(Oil, 5 x 7) Click here to bid
I will be challenging myself to paint a painting a day for the twelve days of Christmas song. The paintings may not always be exactly what the song says, but I will promise to make them interesting.

These seven swans are trying their best to keep up with mom. Swans are such beautiful creatures and their young are adorable. I guess I like images of mama birds with their young. Maybe because I am like mama bird taking care of all my children.

Did you know swans mate for life? Happy seventh day of Christmas!

Six Geese a Laying

(Oil, 5 x 7) Click here to bid
I will be challenging myself to paint a painting a day for the twelve days of Christmas song. The paintings may not always be exactly what the song says, but I will promise to make them interesting.
The six geese a laying are just snuggled down for a long winter’s nap. I hope you enjoy my rendition of the six geese a laying. Mama goose looks so content to have so many little ones napping. 
This is an oil painting on clay board. I used a palette knife to apply the paint to the board. Happy sixth day of Christmas to you!

The Adventures of Emery the Candy Man

The Adventures of Emery The Candy Man is available to purchase! This is a book that I produced with a professor,  Eileen E. Morrison from the School of Health Administration at Texas State University. 

Candy Man is a story that Eileen used to tell her little sister, Beth. When Beth grew up, she still remembered Candy Man and his many adventures. Eileen grew up too and now she teaches grown up children. She hopes you like her story.
Eileen has other text books that she has produced. Click here to purchase Eileen’s text books off of Amazon.com.
I hope you will like The Adventures of the Candy Man. It will be available on Amazon in 5-7 days and on various other store online soon. 
I will try to get some fun free things to go along with the Candy Man story. Look for them in the future.

Five Golden Rings

(Oil, 5 x 7) Click here to bid
I will be challenging myself to paint a painting a day for the twelve days of Christmas song. The paintings may not always be exactly what the song says, but I will promise to make them interesting.

This is my rendition of five golden rings. There are some white cattle that live just down the road from me. I really enjoy seeing the newborn calves when they arrive. Definitely plan on painting a bigger painting of them someday. I hope you enjoy it and get a little laugh out of it!

Four Calling Birds

(Oil, 5 x 7) Click here to bid
I will be challenging myself to paint a painting a day for the twelve days of Christmas song. The paintings may not always be exactly what the song says, but I will promise to make them interesting.
These Four Calling Birds are very hungry. I had fun with this little painting. My favorite chick is the second one from the left that just looks like he is really screeching for some food!
This is an oil painting on clay board.I hope you enjoy these little birdies.

Three French Hens

(Oil, 5 x 7) Click here to bid
Twelve days of Christmas Challenge

I will be challenging myself to paint a painting a day for the twelve days of Christmas song. The paintings may not always be exactly what the song says, but I will promise to make them interesting.
Three French Hens are quite funny to have around the house. My favorite is the little white hen, she looks as though she may have found a bug to go after. This painting is made oil paints and I also use a palette knife to paint with. 

Two Turtle Doves

(Oil, 5 x 7) Click here to bid
Twelve days of Christmas Challenge
I will be challenging myself to paint a painting a day for the twelve days of Christmas song. The paintings may not always be exactly what the song says, but I will promise to make them interesting.
Here are my two turtle doves. Can’t you just hear them cooing at each other. This oil painting is on a clayboard.

A Partridge Family in a Pear Tree

(Oil on clay board, 5 x 7) Click here to bid
Twelve days of Christmas Challenge
I will be challenging myself to paint a painting a day for the twelve days of Christmas song. The paintings may not always be exactly what the song says, but I will promise to make them interesting.
This one is the partridge family in a pear tree. It is oil paint on a clay board. I used a palette knife for most of the painting. 

Brahma Mama

(oil on canvas, 16 x 20)

This is a brahma mama that I snapped a photo of while at my aunt’s house. Their family has raised cattle here in Texas for several generations. Number 2 had such an interesting expression on this day. I also really liked the lighting that was reflected off of her soft white hide. Don’t you just love her long droopy ears.

Elf Buddy’s Gingerbread Cookies

This was so much fun to create. I wanted to share where Buddy got the recipe for the cookies. They are called gingerbread cupids from the Martha Stewart cookbook. Recipe below if you would like my version of the “elf size gingerbread cookies recipe”. Martha has a similar recipe online. It is found here at Martha Stewarts gingerbread recipe. This one has ground pepper in it.
Amazon carries the micro mini cookie cutters  that I used for the itty bitty cookie shapes. And for the icing I used Wilton’s royal icing recipe.  The cookies only took about 3 minutes to cook. I iced the cookies first with what ever color I wanted then I dipped them in crystalized sugar. All the sprinkles should be found out your local grocery store, hobby lobby, Michael’s or any other craft shop.
Have fun baking! It’s not only cute but delicious!
Elf size Gingerbread Cookies:

2 sticks of butter

3/4 cup of brown sugar
2 eggs

4 1/2 cups sifted flour
3 teaspoons ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 ground cloves
2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 cups molasses ( I use grandma’s molasses)
Cream butter and sugar in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until mixture is smooth. Sift together dry ingredients and gradually add them to the butter mixture, beating until well combined. Stir in the molasses and beat well. (The dough will be very gooey at this point) You may add extra flour if it is too sticky. Divide the dough into quarters and wrap in parchment paper that has been well floured. Chill the dough for at least an hour.
Preheat oven to 375ยบ
Make sure you only work with one of the dough quarters at a time. The dough does best when it is chilled. On a well floured surface, roll one dough quarter into 1/8th inch thickness. ( I will roll mine out onto a parchment paper and remove excess dough so that I don’t have to move the cookies before I bake them)
Using cookie cutters, cut the dough into desired shapes. Carefully place them on parchment-lined baking sheets. (you may need a thin metal spatula for this). Bake 8-10 minutes, until the edges just begin to color. (For Elf cookies bake for 3 minutes) Let cool on racks.
Parchment lined cookie sheets may be reused. Or look at purchasing silpats for baking on. They last through multiple use. I love mine.
Ice cookies with Royal icing made from Wilton Meringue powder.
Happy Baking! ๐Ÿ™‚