Dbee Robinson Artist - The Fat Struggling Menopausal Artist

My husband is well known for buying me presents that he wants. Now I must point out I have no problem with this in any way. As similarly if I do not know what to buy someone, I too buy presents I like and hope those I buy for like them too. However some of my husbands presents for me are quite hilariously brought for him, and this year I think it backfired.  This Christmas my husband brought me some binoculars. I already have some great binoculars, so I was a little surprised to be given some new ones. And my husband also has some great binoculars I brought him some time ago, but he has lost them. “The new ones are lighter” he said “and great for you to take on walks.” So I took them out Christmas Day when we went on a long walk and I loved them. They really are a lot lighter, easier to use and the magnification is superb. We both enjoyed looking at all the birds on the shoreline. Without binoculars we would have just seen ducks and waders, but through these new binoculars we could...

Well its been a whole year since I endured a facial bone graft to rectify my cleft pallet. Its been a long and slow journey and I'm pleased to say the awful infection that damaged my initial bone grafts has not returned. ( Touch wood!!! ) I felt so ill for so long, over 4 years in fact, that I had forgotten what it was like to feel well, from total exhaustion all the time to my skin being too painful to touch. Now I am so happy to say I have nearly forgotten how ill I felt as I feel so full of energy again. Although it is still difficult to eat normally as my mouth still feels a little numb in places, it is all gradually coming back and have hope that the feeling in my mouth will fully return in time.  This painting above is called 'Contemplation Journey 1' and was purchased during my 6 week solo art exhibition "Lost and Found"  held in Penang, Malaysia at the gHotel. It is watercolour and ink on rice paper and I feel it shows my slow uphill journey back to h...

Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year and hope you had a fab Christmas. I couldn't share my card with you all before, as not all my family and friends had opened their cards and I didn't want to spoil the surprise of my fun fishy design this year. Christmas is a time for family and friends, to warm loving bonds, reconnect with those you haven't seen for a while, and share the season of hope and goodwill, and perhaps make new friends that will last a lifetime.  Last year as a Christmas treat I took my grandchildren to the Watercress Line  which was such a hoot. I just love these old steam trains and I love that I am able to volunteer on these amazing trains to help keep them running for future generations. Always a great day out but so picturesque at Christmas time. This year I took my grandchildren to Marwell Zoo for Christmas which was a real fun afternoon of stories and activities with the promise of a visit to see the big man himself. I was truly overwhel...

Confucius say, "Girl who eat too much rubbish food get fat." How right he was. Its so difficult to stay eating healthy over Christmas, so many parties and goodies everywhere!! I have found something yummy and healthy though and it has no sugar or dairy but tastes naughty to wean me off those delicious delicacies that have been dancing in my mouth this christmas. There is a lovely Fairy Food Mother who ran a '7 day shift the sugar challenge' a while back and shared some tasty snacks. ( www.laurengayfer.co.uk ) She shares lots of great advice and recipes. My favourite is her PAELO Tray (no) bake energy balls. Even my son in law loves them and anyone can make it including children, however you will need a food processor. 9 Pitted dates 150g mixed nuts ( e.g.. cashew, almond, pecans etc) 1 tsp group cinnamon 2 tsp almond butter (or peanut butter) 2 tsp coconut oil 1 tbsp raw cacao powder (optional) 20g desiccated coconut (for rolling) - Blitz all ...