I just moved my photos from Cape May onto my computer, and I thought I'd share the private side of my Cape May trip. I've been crazy busy this week doing commissions, but I can't share any of them yet, since they're all surprise presents for Christmas.

I had a room on the fourth floor of Congress Hall, a lovely old hotel with wood floors and silken bannisters (from generations' worth of hands sliding down them). The first morning I woke up to see the moon setting over the Victorian houses just across the way.

I loved my window with a deep sill and drug my chair over into the alcove looking out of it. I ate most of my meals with my feet propped up on the window sill, looking out at the houses and trees and reading the New York Times that appeared outside my room every morning.

I also spent some time sitting there playing my banjo.

The beach was beautifully deserted in December. I walked down it most days and enjoyed the sound of the ocean and the gulls swooping past.

One day it was even warm enough to go barefoot and wade in the surf.

I had a gorgeous misty morning walk one day.

I was mostly painting in the dusk time of day (lots of Christmas lights to do), but I did get to the beach for one lovely sunset.

I love the lighthouse.

But most of all, as I think I've mentioned repeatedly, I love the trees.