Simple Living



" A Simple Life " by Suzanne Conner

                                              Is there anything better than having a clothesline to get that fresh , air dried smell and crunchy feel to sheets and clothes ? Yes , one at a pink beach cottage with a view of the sea ! I am intent on living a simpler life and to enjoy little things as much as I can and this is one of my must haves . I grew up with one of these and it is where mama and Miss Iris used to visit while they hung out the clothes . and its where we would tie up a puppy so he wouldn't run off but could run back and forth tethered to the line . We built many a fort with a sheet and the line , we just didn't know any better ..... it just didn't get any better ! I know it sounds corny and maybe it lacks sophistication , but I need one of these to help me simplify my life , but also to bring back those memories that I hold so dear ! Wish me luck convincing my husband that bras and clothes hanging out there won't be so bad ! Have a great week and  happy Fourth of July. Suzanne

After the dance



" The Walk Home" by Suzanne Conner

                        We have established that I am not a prissy girl , but my mother and her two sisters definitely were and are girly girls . There were three sisters , a redhead , a blonde and a brunette . They were beautiful young ladies ( still beautful even now ) and my grandmother liked to make sure they were dressed to the nines . You may have read my blog about the dresses I found up in Memaw's attic and the memories came flooding back . The sisters lived next door to the high school in Blountstown and were all very active in cheerleading , homecoming queen, and school activities while the only brother was a football player and all round good guy . I can just envision them walking home after the dance  and talking about the cute guys they danced with , the pretty dresses that they had seen and the fun that they had that night . Their radiance  was only outdone by the moon light , stars and fireflies twinkling about . This is not my memory , but I know these women and they haven't changed so much and they still like to dress up and just be beautiful .   Suzanne

Summertime , where the living is easy



                                                     " Let us lay in the sun and count every beautiful thing we can see "





" Sunkissed  "  by Suzanne Conner





                              I want to celebrate the first days of summer with a kiss from the sun, but tropical storm Debbie has other plans . But in the meantime I can make my list and look forward to the sun coming out . On my list to do this summer ......... take a picnic somewhere special like Torreya Park , go to Appalachicola and paint on Arlene's front porch for a week end , indulge in pedicures regularly , build a clothesline ( I love the smell of crisp air dried sheets ) , spend some quality, time with my family , sit under the sprinklers and stay cool ! Maybe read those books I got for some summer reading last summer , paint with friends .... with a little wine and generally just take it easy . Meanwhile I am getting ready to show my work at Polka Dot Press for Art Walk and put more art in at Sweet Patina . My work will be at Bedfellows another week or two so it looks like a busy summer ......... now where is that bottle of Neutragena SunGlow ?





view from Arlene's front porch





The Constant Gardener

" I live in the garden ..... I just sleep in the house ".     Jim Long

" Constant Gardener " by Suzanne Conner

                                       I   painted this with my sweet mama in mind . She was a constant gardener . She wasn't happy until she was pulling weeds , planting seeds and just beautifying this world . Thats how I will always think of her . She was one of these people who was not afraid of hard work and her yard and home showed it , talk about woman power ! She was left with three of us to raise and basically did everything that a man could do to keep a home up , alone . Later in life , when we were all grown and out of the house , she moved back to Blountstown to be with her mama and once again a wonderful yard was in full production and we were all wowed . At church she was teased about human sacrifices being buried under her plants because they were so gorgeous ! She would just smile and not say a word...... mmmmm I wonder ?   She was on the "Yard of Month" board and after winning it so many times she was embarrassed, so she would drive around poor neighborhoods and would plant that sign in sweet , little yards that had been loved on by it's owner . I loved that about my mama , she was real and not puffed up . She was part of the earth , and it was a part of her . Suz

Being myself



" By being yourself, you put something wonderful in the world that was not there before".          Edwin Elliott



1. 

Salt water in our veins

"Ocean's Hem" by Suzanne Conner

       " Far , Far on that untrodden shore , God's secret place I find ".                   G. Tersteegan

" Ocean Strand " by Suzanne Conner

             A darling young lady, Erin , and I were having a conversation this week about being born and raised in Florida . Both of us agreed that when we needed to be soothed or reinvigorated , we go to the coast or just to water in general . But the coast with its waves crashing and the seagulls .... I just know these are the sounds that I crave the most . Seeing the turquoise waters and the white sand and being lulled by the waves , I am in heaven . My first memories are of the beach and playing in the sand . It is a powerful pull for us to experience the awesomeness and beauty of God's creation . I am always amazed . Erin and I both agreed , we have salt water coursing through  our veins ! Till next time , Suz

Sunday Best



" Sunday Best " by Suzanne Conner , inspired by Frantic Ann Morely

                           Last night's Art Walk was a success ! It is so much fun and despite the rain , a good group of art lovers came out . A lot of people asked me what was my inspiration for many of the pieces , I have to say that one woman stands out that truly inspired me to paint women and that is Frantic Ann Morely . I did this painting for a friend of mine that is similar to Ann's Island girls , I try not to get too close to her style , but since this was for a friend , I came close . Sadly , she is no longer with us but I can imagine her up in heaven enjoying the marvelous colors and vibrancy that marked her time and talents here on earth . Thank you for all who came out and more painting to come . Suz

Beach Days

" Beach Days " by Suzanne Conner

    "Morning light shining in fills my heart , happiness to be home in my sea cottage ".        Fairmaiden


                I grew up in the Panhandle of Florida , with I think , the most beautiful beaches in the south . My mother would rent a cottage , usually at Mexico Beach for a week or two and off we would go to refuel and relax in the sun . So many wonderful memories of playing in the turquoise water and finding sand dollars on the sand bar , lunch would consist of pimento cheese sandwiches , pickles ,  jars filled with cold tea and an apple . If the weather was bad we would read and play with age old puzzles or nap till the sun would inevitably come back out and off we would go for another romp . The days were blissful and content , and I wouldn't trade them for anything . I  hope this summer holds wonderment and relaxation ........ and maybe a homemade pimento cheese sandwich on the beach with my girl !

A Different Time

      I was inspired to paint my " Little Debbies " in evening gowns after finding my mother's prom dresses in my grandmother's attic . When I found the oblong box and opened it , I am sure I gasped . There were three of my mothers dresses carefully wrapped just like they were worn the night before. Although the tuille had seen better days and it has been 50 plus years since my sweet mother wore them , the sequins were still sparkly , the ribbons were were still satiny and remembrances of seeing pictures of mama wearing these dresses  , was so wonderful to me . Mama passed away four years ago and my grandmother , at 94 , is thankfully still here with us .But when I found her gowns , I was taken back to being a little girl and hearing Mama tell me about dressing up for the dances , her date that evening ,the corsage that graced her wrist and the faint scent of her perfume Madame Rochas . This is my celebration of a darling mother, who loved to dress in evening gowns and dance the night away .

I can play nicely !

" It is a happy talent to know how to play ".  Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ok , I have to admit I have a new obsession ........ Marblecam on my iphone ! It was a free app and oh the fun , who needs TV ?  Who needs to cook dinner ? Who has time to clean a rapidly growing mess in our house ? My husband just looks at me like I'm crazy ! I'm really not .......... really ....... no I'm serious !  Anyway , play time is essential in this frenzy of a life we lead , I'm wondering , how do you play ?  Just remember to play thats all . Have a wonderful day and enjoy your time off . By the way , we are having hummus again for supper , oh well !   Suz

Art Therapy 101

"The Constant Gardener "by Suzanne Conner

       It was wonderful to have a day off today, it was busy but it was all mine ! I have been busy  painting to get ready for an art walk in the Market District mid-month . I kept thinking on how to tell my story about the paintings I do , why I do it ? When my mother died four years ago , then six months later my youngest  brother ended his life , my world came to a halt . I was deep in grief and questions and was directed to a therapist who , as part of the therapy , encouraged me to get back to the little girl who loved to paint and draw . I began to see the world and relationships in an all new life . I savor life now and the people that God has graciously surrounded me with . I celebrate women to honor the strong , southern ladies who have been an inspiration to me and who helped raise me , cook with me , befriend me , laugh and cry with me . I also paint from my childhood too , mermaids , beautiful shimmery angels who watch over every aspect of life , memories of the beach and summer nights . I hope that something in them resonate with you too , enjoy !




" Flower Power " by Suzanne Conner

Welcome to my little world



" Island Angel " by Suzanne Conner

             Welcome to Firefly Evenings , devoted to art , design , and musings on the world around me . I have always loved creating,  mostly through pottery , sewing , baking , painting and many other interests. All I know is that I must create ..... and so I do . Please join me in enjoying the simple things in life like sitting back and taking in the beauty of our Creator's world on a firefly evening .

" Anna at the beach " by Suzanne Conner

These are a few of  my paintings I've recently done . I love to paint angels , this one has a seashell on her dress and I love the shimmery colors in her clothes and wings . I do believe we have guardian angels that watch over us , I imagined mine looked like this one !  The painting on the left is of my niece , Anna , on a beautiful summer day . Growing up here in the Panhandle of Florida , this was our typical summer day , balmy , and beautiful ..... usually followed by a  tall glass of lemonade mixed with tea . I wouldn't trade it for anything !