Boo has been taking a class at Asheville Bookworks, a book arts studio next door in NC.

These are her first three books.

Last year's wine

Just sorting pictures, and this one stood out. Last
April held so many magical gatherings at the Rensing Center's "Art
Camp". Here's Mari Brown and some of our other stalwarts, whose vision and elbow grease have made this place come alive. I can't wait for next April! What's for dinner?

Sparks are flying...

The old studio is seeing new action as Ellen and crew make BIG art out of heavy metal for the lobby of a regional power company. All these recycled materials are incredible fun and are making our hands very dirty.
Benjie Osborne has done an amazing job on the metal frames and concrete bases, so we can dive into the fun part...painting the big picture, on twenty panels, using contributed elements from the company's employees.
What a way to honor history.

Doris and her daughter Felicia (not pictured) sang Happy Birthday!

Birthday girl Becky looking smashing in her summer hat & Margaret who was so kind to help us with decor and food.

Teeny tiny carrot cake cupcakes soon to be dressed in Ginger Cream Cheese frosting for the party.

Hawaiian Tacky

We had a ball last weekend. The decor, thanks to Margaret's sister Stix, was authentic...just what Hawaiians think the rest of the world thinks is Hawaiian! The gorgeously corny palm trees and paper pineapples came from an actual mall on Oahu. Shelby's collection of truly painful Aloha shirts also hit the over-the-top spot. Thanks to the volunteers, Jamie at the grill, Margaret and Donald washing and hammering, Boo, Annette and Sandra hanging and prepping and concealing our flaws, the new/ old studio showed up in a party hat, and is ready for its next life! Come on Down!

Seasonal therapy

Just imagine it not being hot and steamy. This is another way things can look, right here. Ahhh.

Today's flea market find: Supplies for the newly formed kitchen!

It is gorgeous. He went above and beyond. Good job Benjie!

I will post more images when we have the kitchen all situated and snazzy.

KITCHEN!!!

Benjie came to deliver and install the kitchen for the Studio apartment.

The current state of the Studio apartment. Totally habitable and already test and approved by guests Ricks and Donna.

New cork floors, new paint, and a new dog (that's Boo's dog, the RC does not get to keep her). Boo is moving in as we type.

RIP Maurice...the Bearial

As we know, insects will inherit the earth. We honor many memories, mourn several losses, and recover some balance this week. Maurice will go back to the earth with his joyful attitude intact.

pick your dinner

I am supposed to nag you guys to sign up for time here a the Rensing Center, before we open it up to the extended family. So here is an attempt to lure you...fresh veggies growing abundant in Ellen and Jamie's garden. Squash, tomatoes, peas, cabbage, so on and so on. Mmmm.

reModeling

The little cabin is currently naked as the day it was born. Soon it will have a fresh coat of paint, cork flooring, and a new resident (that would be me, Boo)

Mom's orchid

She's taken care of this one for about 40 years. It was set back a bit when we re-potted it. Can you tell?

Fair Warning

This family of turkeys was blocking the driveway of the Rensing Center a while back.
Just suggesting that the traffic can get very heavy out here in the country. Don't be alarmed. They are very polite and enjoy birdseed.

We're Incorporated!

(Ellen Holding Certificate of Incorporation)

The Rensing Center certificate of incorporation arrived today from the state of South Carolina. The new studio living space has running water and a working toilet, and we've registered RensingCenter.org - What an exciting week. More about the Rensing Center website, mission statement and 501 (c) 3 status soon!

Camper Brag

Kudos to Rensing Center contributors Adrienne Antonson and Nathan Durfee for their work on this weekend's portrait slam at Eye Level Art in Charleston.   Be sure to scroll down and watch Nathan as he prepares for this weekend's event!

Progress report

So, here we are with lots of new developments, first and foremost a brand new, insulated front door! And PAINT, thanks to Hunter. And GUTTERS, and a BATHROOM, dark but lovely, and all painted. And a new kitchen floor. Jamie's been consumed with his usual productivity. He's off buying the new bathroom door.

Are we civilized yet? Working on it!