Monday, June 25, 2012

The Happiest Anniversary

Untitled (Work in Progress)
Acrylic on canvas
12 x 12 inches
Barbara Muir © 2012

Yesterday was my anniversary.  Did the universe conspire
to grace us with a perfect day?  I think so.  It probably
started two days ago when our flower store gave us
a bunch of peonies for our anniversary.  Amazing. But I
woke up to my usual Sunday treat coffee in bed.  Read my book.
Talked to my Mom, thanked my sister for becoming
a therapist and helping me learn the value of sanity in
relationships -- which lead to this happy day, this happy
marriage and even my work painting and teaching.
Then told Steven I had to head out for a minute.
I was drawn like a magnet to Type books in the village
(Forest Hill Village) and a wonderful woman there sold
me two great books on Italy, with pictures of Florence,
and recipes from Tuscany.  Delicious and perfect books.
We talked about living in Italy (my dream) and she had
lived in Florence for two years. 

Back home I called Steven who was somewhere
mysterious, and noisy. When my husband of lo these
many years came home -- presents.  Our ritual?  Close your
eyes and open your hands and you'll receive a big surprise.
His present from me -- two books on Italy-- pleased him no end,
and mine from Steven was a lovely, huge book on Lucian Freud
that he bought at the Art Gallery of Ontario. Plus a small
bottle of Veuve Cliquot.  There you have it -- perfection. 
We sat in the kitchen reading our books, and dreaming of
living in Italy.  I envisioned painting after painting, he
read descriptions of places we've visited in Florence
and Siena.

Add a scrumptious dinner at our favorite restaurant,
a walk with the dog, lots of romantic reminiscing and you've
got another sweet anniversary.  Thank you to everyone who
has taught me and encouraged me to be loving and happy.
It's a good gig. I want to continue.

Have a celebrating-the-love-in-your-life day.

20 comments:

Sheila Vaughan said...

Congratulations Barbara - and a wonderful painting to celebrate!

Liza Hirst said...

What a perfect day indeed! Congratulations from me, too, dear Barbara. I love the way you two celebrate your relationship and family at every occasion. My husband (especially) and I are unfortunately far too unromantic - wish we weren't when I read stories like yours. Nice painting, too - particularly the salad looks great.

Karen Bruson said...

Great painting, and congrats.

Nicki said...

Congratulations Barbara and Steven. Your day sounds perfect.

Nicki said...

XO

:)

Kim Rempel said...

That's just an awesome post. Happy Anniversary you two! I love how you described the day. Perfection indeed : ) And a lovely painting you're working on there Barbara! Here's to being happy.

Edgar said...

That is just great, Barbara! Sounds very satisfying and contented. Congratulations, and wishes for good things.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Sheila,

Thank you Not quite done the painting, but glad you like it so far.

XO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Liza,

Thank you. We are keen celebrants, perhaps that's one of the things we like about each other. I'm sure you and your husband are very romantic. Your last year proves it, and your lovely shop.

I'll put the painting on again when it's finished.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxBarbara

Flora said...

Lovely post! xoxo

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Karen,

Thank you. You know I am always dazzled by your paintings.

XO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Nicki,

Thanks so much. It was an awesome day. I so love the book on Freud (L.).
A friend saw an exhibition of his work in London, England and loved it.

XO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Nick,

You are so sweet.

XO (This happens to me and then I feel terrible all night, when actually most people never notice that I forgot it. So funny.)
Forgive me I don't do smiley faces, but I do love yours big time. You are so adorable.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Kim,

Here's to being happy, Yes. It's a full time job achieving it, but enormously worth the effort. All the talk about Norah Ephron seems to suggest that she would have agreed.

Love your work.

XO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Edgar,

I so hope that one day the four of us will meet, as we certainly are on each other's radar. Love your painting and photos from the canyon, and love your support of Melinda too.

Ciao,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Flora,

Thank you so much. You are the sweetest. Hope all is going well with the Canada Day plans. My plan -- try to stay cool. And say thank you to the land.

Love you,

Barbara

Anonymous said...

Great painting Barbara. Congrats on your anniversary.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Sally,

Thanks so much. I hope you're having a great summer so far. You know I love your work.

XO Barbara

cohen labelle said...

I love this painting, Barbara - a feast for Venus and Mars!!! It wouldn't surprise me at all if there was a little aphrodisiac tucked away amongst those greens!
Delicious! Congratulations!!!!

Love,
Marcia

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Marcia,

I don't really believe in aphrodisiacs. Isn't the brain the biggest aphrodisiac? But they say pumpkin seeds are -- and I'm a major fan. You are funny Ms. Labelle. Salad I would imagine is good for your entire life.

Mangez bien
Love,

Barbara

Portrait Artist

My photo
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I paint and draw on commission and for shows. To commission a portrait, or purchase one of my paintings please contact me at: barbara.muir@sympatico.ca
A major highlight in my career? Drawing Oprah Winfrey live via Skype for her show "Where in the Skype are you? Galleries: Studio Vogue Gallery, Toronto, Canada. The Amsterdam Whitney Gallery, New York City. Gallery at the Porch Door, Kingston, Canada. Your positive comments on this blog mean the world to me. I'd love to hear from you!