Scribbling Away @merriblu - Tumblr Blog

I had a lot of fun with this one! Even now, I want to go in a play with it some more but this isn’t watercolor paper so… yeah. There are limits. I just purchased a little A5 300 gsm cold press. I’ll maybe continue to do single layer watercolor in this journal, but I’ve hit a wall with how far I can experiment.

#probably the first one I embrace mistakes #god I love the perspective on this one #really curious what I’ll be able to accomplish with some decent paper

Today’s project. 2 hour “sketch”. I hesitate to call this a sketch because I was erasing guidelines as I go and see this more as a pre-outline. This took far longer than what I would like if I was to draw this on-site. This one is certainly not going to be practice for urban sketching, but rather intentional practice on 3 point perspective and painting.

The photo comes from our time in Crete and I just LOVE the story this little house tells. I see family, maybe young parents visiting grandpa and grandma. It was a hot day after lunch so everyone is probably inside taking a nap. What a lovely little scene and one I wanted to really dedicate some time to. If it goes well, I would really like to make an actual project out of it.

Ref:

#the shadows are very intriguing #I just hope I can make that little boat bubbly and not blobby

Big big mad. Mutti and Merri went on a walk and clearly it’s my fault that the lights of his life have abandoned us

#baby boy balu #stood there and yelled at me constantly until they returned

I am feeling so sick today with a sore throat and a head that feels like a watermelon. Elke says it’s because we slept with a fan on (the Germans have some ongoing war with sleeping with fans on).

Today was going to be a long run but I’m going to focus on some other activities that I’ve been neglecting. There’s an architectural sketch that I want to watercolor and a few piano pieces I need to practice. I’ve also gotten back into journaling which has been a pretty good outlet when I can go running.

So, it’ll be a lot of couch activities today but I’ve got some pretty good company.

#baby boy mowgli #he is an angel #so sweet but not overbearing #sure he likes to try and scratch through the terrace door #but I swear that’s his only vice #such a gentleman

@docholligay the ballot for Prague’s half marathon is open now until Aug 11! It takes place April 3, 2027 if you and Mike are interested! I sadly can’t go to cheer you on because it’s a day before Berlin’s half.

Prague is a cool city with tons of history to explore. They are all known for their glass making so you could definitely find some great glasses for beverages. Also, check out the “Invisible Exhibition”. It’s a really cool interactive tour guided by visually impaired folks. We haven’t personally gone but wanted to — we didn’t know you have to book early because it’s really popular.

Summer salads are my favorite part of summer!

#I think we have had watermelon every day for about a week now #and it’s doggie diet approved!#so Merri gets her own little melon to crunch on

Starting to train my endurance and constitution for this weekend. The piano instructor is throwing her annual Sommerfest party. Pray for me.

All the old ladies shall assemble and by god I WILL keep up with them this year.

And by „old“, I’m not talking just retired. Oh no no no. We‘re talking mid 70s to early 90s.

My god can these women hold their liquor. Every time one sits next to me, they ask poor Johannes (teacher‘s adult son) to bring some wine for us… while I am currently holding a full glass with already a prosecco on deck. I was so drunk and stayed only 2 hours. I went to my lesson the Monday after and my teacher said „oh you left so early (it was 8pm). We were up until about 2“

#Johannes basically just delivers wine all night #everyone brings food and desert #it’s really quite lovely #a few ladies fall asleep in the chairs though

Caught my dog trying to rekindle the alliance she has with the toddler next door. Our back yards butt up against each other and I suddenly hear the parents:

„MILA NO!“

„But Mutti! Berry is SO HUNGRY. She starves!“

** my dog‘s name is Merri but Mila has called her Berry since she started talking **

#I have now given the family low cal treats so Mila can feed Merri #Mila had a birthday party recently #it was horrific seeing a sea of toddler hands emerge from the hedge #Merri was delighted though

Mainz - 2026

Did I mention it was a very hot day? But regardless, we went out and about because there is (as the Germans say) no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes.

One of my favorite things about Mainz is how many pedestrian only streets there are. There were so many alleyways that just led from one curio to another. I wish we had the time and energy to check out some of the antique shops, but I’m very happy with these architectural photos.

#the church in pic 3 was st Stephan’s #it was really nice to dip in there away from the heat #we started our walk at 9 am and people were already on tours drinking wine #I really wasn’t expecting to be charmed by Mainz #you really don’t hear much about it

Mainz - 2026

More pictures from St. Stephan’s church. That last one is maybe my favorite.

#just another photo dump #we were so lucky to catch the light #it has been overcast every time I try to take photos inside a church #still wish I had the right aspect ratio but overall I am really pleased

Mainz - 2026

The first glimpse of St. Stephan’s church and I was delighted with the light pouring through the stained glass windows. The cool blue hues were serene and very refreshing on this hot day.

#just another photo dump #I have more coming up #slowly getting through them all #sadly a lot of these are cropped because I had the wrong aspect ratio setting #all of these were shot 2/3 when I wanted 4/5 ratio

More pictures from Mainz!

#st stephan photos coming up!#my god it was such a warm day…

nezu

german emotions

beefsaladthethirtythird

@merriblu

merriblu

100% drawn by a German as I’m sure this is how they would contort their faces if they could show emotion.

#several times I have asked my wife to act a little more American when she says she is excited about something

Mainz - June 2026

My wife attends a leadership Seminar every month and we planned for me to visit her for a day before heading home. Mainz is Germany’s “wine capital” and a few glasses certainly found their way to our table! This very pretty city is located along the Rhine and we spent our first evening just walking locally around the hotel.

#just another photo dump #more pictures on the way!

London Marathon lottery results come out soon and chances are doubled because the run will be a two-day event.

Feeling a TOUCH concerned considering the London Marathon takes place 20 days after the Berlin Half…

#I still don’t think I’ll get in #if I do get in then I’m playing the lottery #because my luck is off the charts #I wonder if 20 days is enough for recover and taper training…

My cats dealing with the heat, watching my dog dealing with the heat:

My boy is melting

#british shorthair #baby boy balu #yes I wanted to respect his privacy!#it likes to let it all hang out…

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