tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2185345393219237402024-03-12T18:51:08.456-07:00hiddenneststudiocynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03335503746673401133noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218534539321923740.post-34236744372667679072011-04-11T07:51:00.000-07:002011-04-11T08:24:11.630-07:00Waking up<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgroxIcKhGfm-YLrMBafGOnQWAR8qAxVb56PENXX8OpFQsFHtPfkJ5KOZ2n7yVm9i-g5j49Y0HNX-GWnqJKPObpsnS3u1Trp6rzEyffEWLHIG2Y7S41kuyNWOSsqyFQzfLES2IT5L3dqRM/s1600/st+jack.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgroxIcKhGfm-YLrMBafGOnQWAR8qAxVb56PENXX8OpFQsFHtPfkJ5KOZ2n7yVm9i-g5j49Y0HNX-GWnqJKPObpsnS3u1Trp6rzEyffEWLHIG2Y7S41kuyNWOSsqyFQzfLES2IT5L3dqRM/s400/st+jack.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594339542695308018" border="0" /></a>Hello! Welcome Spring! If any of you are still reading this blog after my long winter hibernation, thank you! My soul is finally waking up, and starting to unfurl after the many months of rain. We thought we were so clever to escape the winter for 5 weeks, but came home to lots of rain and cold, so we had our share of winter still. While we were away, a lovely new restaurant and patisserie opened called St Jack, right in the neighborhood at 21st and Clinton.<br />I have fallen in love over the first bite of rhubarb tarte, and that feeling was reinforced after tasting the warm, mini madelines that are baked to order. This place feels like being in France without the long plane trip. Everything is very authentic and they even said that they would make chocolate brioche to order. The fact that I am not there this very minute is a testament to my willpower!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7wKgkYB3SR9pyNYydcTxVhAMp9J3JuoCqDC_avfNMLHwRLpas8nsDcHgl-Q86LslQNPpK9W4qPQFWhqOb6qLZfUE_UKZeKZ_sCe4gP1HpZ-fNTsGpIyeFADG8VG7uDcFr1qkqJAR-Dfg/s1600/bouquets.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7wKgkYB3SR9pyNYydcTxVhAMp9J3JuoCqDC_avfNMLHwRLpas8nsDcHgl-Q86LslQNPpK9W4qPQFWhqOb6qLZfUE_UKZeKZ_sCe4gP1HpZ-fNTsGpIyeFADG8VG7uDcFr1qkqJAR-Dfg/s400/bouquets.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594339537806184978" border="0" /></a>Spring flowers make me feel like waking up, too, and in spite of the fact that it has felt like winter (I even had to scrape ice from my windshield on Friday morning) it is beginning to look like spring. I was lucky to be able to do the wedding flowers for a friend's daughter's wedding over the weekend, and got to work with these absolutely gorgeous anemonies and ranunculus.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUE9aBtGyFNq86pMK_rNLe-Ggn83hDtSkUQlftJoGiPaN_8kscdSEa9pGsb25W6l1P3dao_5ThN5LKOdpaEx2rgNUOpyP5sZQiHc6u6IdRwVVkV_7fF1z4W8psBjw5IBgX8sMnjkaJscM/s1600/bouquet+closeup.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUE9aBtGyFNq86pMK_rNLe-Ggn83hDtSkUQlftJoGiPaN_8kscdSEa9pGsb25W6l1P3dao_5ThN5LKOdpaEx2rgNUOpyP5sZQiHc6u6IdRwVVkV_7fF1z4W8psBjw5IBgX8sMnjkaJscM/s400/bouquet+closeup.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594339534743250738" border="0" /></a>The tulips are straight out of the fields in Woodburn, so if you have a chance, go out to Wooden Shoe Bulb Farm for a stroll through the tulip fields while they are still blooming.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeV-avt7ngNMcvVL0K4acXDvY5WNpHvgizRgYdckwOP96yWRwCfTqUHGBmh2Tw1SvHGwFca2830zVgyjefFAOliMzERsA8I18Oz6Blfk1Ji1x30a1rfLTiuc1fgh5hpt7Xw17LAMeXB_8/s1600/amys+bouquet.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeV-avt7ngNMcvVL0K4acXDvY5WNpHvgizRgYdckwOP96yWRwCfTqUHGBmh2Tw1SvHGwFca2830zVgyjefFAOliMzERsA8I18Oz6Blfk1Ji1x30a1rfLTiuc1fgh5hpt7Xw17LAMeXB_8/s400/amys+bouquet.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594339529455578770" border="0" /></a>The bridal bouquet also included blue grape hyacinth, freesia, mini calla lilies, and hellebore from my garden.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hZptsLjrPDUhnl-o-REjrbjjNNT45tvNUHZ4dJ3cxGAsDRip8fEV4w6dYOhQGrHJOlLsRE6fQF1yLBQgWdIDBide3_ZInlj0MHzoosv9PUz4QJtfJ86GjlNUZI2uIMv1J2ka7_7dC5Q/s1600/candle+ring.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hZptsLjrPDUhnl-o-REjrbjjNNT45tvNUHZ4dJ3cxGAsDRip8fEV4w6dYOhQGrHJOlLsRE6fQF1yLBQgWdIDBide3_ZInlj0MHzoosv9PUz4QJtfJ86GjlNUZI2uIMv1J2ka7_7dC5Q/s400/candle+ring.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594339525431814946" border="0" /></a>I thought this candle ring was especially spring like, and could imagine it as a festive crown.<br />Stay tuned, as I hope to keep up my momentum and do a blog giveaway soon.cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03335503746673401133noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218534539321923740.post-44927381241526082922011-02-16T08:59:00.000-08:002011-02-16T09:22:09.936-08:00A little Australian street art<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipv8n0PemlEbufVwEzP2AVDH-0eqrQyRrulHWacF61u34hSdq5IBQXpQ1xzyc7FIiwdyM11q9-0dIrigINQ-1hqC_ZswD86KMcuJUVsNjqldJq4Uf3QLhtGsZlTfi9JqtlQCj8MT4t8XA/s1600/mooney+mooney.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipv8n0PemlEbufVwEzP2AVDH-0eqrQyRrulHWacF61u34hSdq5IBQXpQ1xzyc7FIiwdyM11q9-0dIrigINQ-1hqC_ZswD86KMcuJUVsNjqldJq4Uf3QLhtGsZlTfi9JqtlQCj8MT4t8XA/s400/mooney+mooney.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574334572917166930" border="0" /></a>I was pretty excited when I saw this road sign and I made Jim pull off at the exit. It is not everyday that you see your last name on a road sign--twice! Unfortunately Mooney Mooney was little more than a wide spot in the road, not some charming little village.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjfk5Zj2hjo_l3xOaDSh3JT97rJNC-A0fOi4wu43psNAjvwqz4F5Ca98FgHYmVNrad0cCHzw0Mm1SU0dftc2NCQtC8DLq7T9JpdD7njyDDEQF-lgRFpjrOd5VRnDr2I-vKuYqkUHsW_pk/s1600/green+girls.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjfk5Zj2hjo_l3xOaDSh3JT97rJNC-A0fOi4wu43psNAjvwqz4F5Ca98FgHYmVNrad0cCHzw0Mm1SU0dftc2NCQtC8DLq7T9JpdD7njyDDEQF-lgRFpjrOd5VRnDr2I-vKuYqkUHsW_pk/s400/green+girls.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574334566294125522" border="0" /></a>In no particular order, I have a few of my favorite bits of street art found mostly in one alley on Hosier street in Melbourne. This city is a great promoter of the arts in public places and we saw many examples of great public art. I especially liked that there are "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">laneways</span>" where graffiti is allowed, and even encouraged. If we had more time I would have found the map of the laneways available through the visitor information bureau. These places are treasure troves of information, including all kinds of maps and brochures.Very helpful.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52dFNhZI9F0gc0Y0IYQYdn9dceuAGX9nmSNdn7VU8flV2GUNGxQbB8mOYt7fbmb60AeM-_IBs2OseGJR9-rO14awIaBE9lt1Hg1innfPUljqEc5LpKsM3HZR-kdyhDzqKfUKDIPahQyQ/s1600/ganesh+graffiti.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52dFNhZI9F0gc0Y0IYQYdn9dceuAGX9nmSNdn7VU8flV2GUNGxQbB8mOYt7fbmb60AeM-_IBs2OseGJR9-rO14awIaBE9lt1Hg1innfPUljqEc5LpKsM3HZR-kdyhDzqKfUKDIPahQyQ/s400/ganesh+graffiti.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574334569540338210" border="0" /></a>This <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ganesh</span> was one of my favorites along the alley. Notice the mouse in the left hand corner.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcm_YB8FnWUlWcurgjSqAZKDGK1o0LAL4EaNOkwrVYFO9JCx_trfTbMApXWdyaz_BblKiEsnZymkVDSNL_IGQJflXDJUJc8uCQlmCPCtYG7uZ36ZJW7OgaF2hVITfy-N_l3o0dGf2JeIw/s1600/laneway+art.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcm_YB8FnWUlWcurgjSqAZKDGK1o0LAL4EaNOkwrVYFO9JCx_trfTbMApXWdyaz_BblKiEsnZymkVDSNL_IGQJflXDJUJc8uCQlmCPCtYG7uZ36ZJW7OgaF2hVITfy-N_l3o0dGf2JeIw/s400/laneway+art.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574334095410131826" border="0" /></a>This artist was having a show of his art somewhere in the city, so often the art is done by well known artists, and they have to request a space on the wall as it becomes available.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGEVSmlnsm5FhyLT6n7I3PZnJUNUAChrBEqP-H6yt632n4m2hlYlqVsZqhmuTh5w_aF_rQ5qH4vb7LraM8Md1InlpVIsJ2xZuEK0ytNVGEX5jy2iiAK9gtSM3SXiP_USwiE04cgI4Z00/s1600/andre+citroen+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGEVSmlnsm5FhyLT6n7I3PZnJUNUAChrBEqP-H6yt632n4m2hlYlqVsZqhmuTh5w_aF_rQ5qH4vb7LraM8Md1InlpVIsJ2xZuEK0ytNVGEX5jy2iiAK9gtSM3SXiP_USwiE04cgI4Z00/s400/andre+citroen+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574334091229992674" border="0" /></a>How did these get in there?? Not street art , and not from Australia. Oh well...Pretty colors.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49aWNzBrm3WQRnv-8RzXy97LXTfwy5ZccGY7OLYzE9em-2fm2eG8_PitYpFyUXIjSYzImN7Zv1Tw4xuLMgC-xne9RT7k5b-uKkIbLTu8KskUHWjNEtG8qaWajsJnEbCesVBrnYxqyW7U/s1600/wicked+van+side.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49aWNzBrm3WQRnv-8RzXy97LXTfwy5ZccGY7OLYzE9em-2fm2eG8_PitYpFyUXIjSYzImN7Zv1Tw4xuLMgC-xne9RT7k5b-uKkIbLTu8KskUHWjNEtG8qaWajsJnEbCesVBrnYxqyW7U/s400/wicked+van+side.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574334081918789170" border="0" /></a>These vans were camper vans, available to rent. I think it is cool that this company, Wicked Vans, had all of their vans decorated by different artists. These are the vans that I would want to rent to camp in AU! Imagine the hard time you would have choosing which van to rent...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlo-8cG6jMSR4ob6JMUXsSqoLOw2ofjx0Eyso8Ysc-bccUqWsgiER2dVJFvmqJ6Nf_7w7F3KGlW2bMkQH0qWWMjBE-rF7x5_BykVD16H1y9Ob4KVGBbNH5G65qVRET-BlgY5c7MVZ7Ssc/s1600/wicked+van.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlo-8cG6jMSR4ob6JMUXsSqoLOw2ofjx0Eyso8Ysc-bccUqWsgiER2dVJFvmqJ6Nf_7w7F3KGlW2bMkQH0qWWMjBE-rF7x5_BykVD16H1y9Ob4KVGBbNH5G65qVRET-BlgY5c7MVZ7Ssc/s400/wicked+van.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574334079943452002" border="0" /></a>This is the rear end of the same van. Three young men trooped out of it to watch the wind surfers on the beach below.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXYxntTCU_Dh-7e4rrgLdXAGp6kJi7GzhXE-ip_lIl5tLFndFF-3J7YUsgPguJ0aDPAAP2XhLoL32MQ2oUrCMIPcyx1NQXbTjgszrAnxp_5kpdkTB8cKFqr2k27YbQsyjNDIUnTw8E0E/s1600/girl+on+bird.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXYxntTCU_Dh-7e4rrgLdXAGp6kJi7GzhXE-ip_lIl5tLFndFF-3J7YUsgPguJ0aDPAAP2XhLoL32MQ2oUrCMIPcyx1NQXbTjgszrAnxp_5kpdkTB8cKFqr2k27YbQsyjNDIUnTw8E0E/s400/girl+on+bird.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574334074135331394" border="0" /></a>This is probably my favorite mural, seen on a wall in a small town outside of Melbourne along the Great Ocean Road. Did I already say how much we loved that drive?cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03335503746673401133noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218534539321923740.post-43793702311136778132011-02-09T13:29:00.001-08:002011-02-09T13:51:38.209-08:00Tales from Oz<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_FQwgLgz_E_xWFLriy0ra8G69WhSkigpeEZwaL9Z_DWIk28sXyvmXfVY-MBe4CLWxjWuFTc27v7K5TnSEPZOZYYML21rbEYFnVeQhYWYRfMROWrUwmhkTRYCa8QX_0u0VBx8BeFyNcM/s1600/bird.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_FQwgLgz_E_xWFLriy0ra8G69WhSkigpeEZwaL9Z_DWIk28sXyvmXfVY-MBe4CLWxjWuFTc27v7K5TnSEPZOZYYML21rbEYFnVeQhYWYRfMROWrUwmhkTRYCa8QX_0u0VBx8BeFyNcM/s400/bird.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571806568065625314" border="0" /></a>If you are not interested in wildlife, or cute, fuzzy animals, stop reading now, as this is what this post is all about! We love cities as much as the next person, but I find them a bit fatiguing at times, and realized that we have really enjoyed our experiences in the nature.We had a most excellent day driving a short way out of Melbourne, on the Great Ocean Road, and saw the most varied amount of wildlife of the whole trip,all in one day.<br />As I was taking a photo of the bird above, two parrots flew down and one landed on the shoulder of the man two feet in front of me, then another one landed on my shoulder! I was so unnerved and excited that I hardly knew what to do. That may have been the highlight of the day. Of the trip, even.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDcJgXXPNIGf500t-R2eGRfNCCVHxhCyz_fmVlwGVhqUJtxwYefyp8frb30guZWwESFEcNHOSLG_MT828I3UFg-q9hc5mPLWUBw3mJhlHKHbBMA9ypQCLOit_JuXFGIaKZDQpN9erm1-s/s1600/koala+in+tree.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDcJgXXPNIGf500t-R2eGRfNCCVHxhCyz_fmVlwGVhqUJtxwYefyp8frb30guZWwESFEcNHOSLG_MT828I3UFg-q9hc5mPLWUBw3mJhlHKHbBMA9ypQCLOit_JuXFGIaKZDQpN9erm1-s/s400/koala+in+tree.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571806551236766674" border="0" /></a>A little way up the road, the koalas love to hang out and sleep in the trees. We saw many along this road, most of them curled up in the branch of a tree. Also very exciting.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONUhev5HFhCv00iZ5QJMa4hhKbGZ3iS0HcYSoMvasoWVxIF6TLRteq1CTAj7sst_KnzDrEF89qRTPzv4RmP0N2QpPmBlOiY07z4zlr05DIk9IOGBenLAaRnwZdl143GFUcKPu7jV53pk/s1600/mob+of+kangaroo.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONUhev5HFhCv00iZ5QJMa4hhKbGZ3iS0HcYSoMvasoWVxIF6TLRteq1CTAj7sst_KnzDrEF89qRTPzv4RmP0N2QpPmBlOiY07z4zlr05DIk9IOGBenLAaRnwZdl143GFUcKPu7jV53pk/s400/mob+of+kangaroo.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571806547140547794" border="0" /></a>We saw a mob(?) of kangaroo later in the day, and although we saw a few earlier in the trip, this was the biggest grouping that we saw. It was very cool and I felt like I was on safari, except that there were no large animals that might attack .<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoub9Aq51Cmoly2Sn2JPRUgT5v6rXyGYyiFBgL7usPHirpGBsXAkcT3knXr0_0hyphenhyphenO3dc0IW3VMMuZks37OzV0KZ_jyLp12JNVMzvSd-t9-9fIN3NxuGuJeVhUjwGlBHxVdAG8zqfLFNQE/s1600/sleeping+koala.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoub9Aq51Cmoly2Sn2JPRUgT5v6rXyGYyiFBgL7usPHirpGBsXAkcT3knXr0_0hyphenhyphenO3dc0IW3VMMuZks37OzV0KZ_jyLp12JNVMzvSd-t9-9fIN3NxuGuJeVhUjwGlBHxVdAG8zqfLFNQE/s400/sleeping+koala.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571806542412691186" border="0" /></a>As we we drove through another rain forest, we came even closer to the koalas, and one was eating up in a tree, totally oblivious to the fellow with a camera, not more than 4 feet from him! Jim said it is amazing that they are not extinct. I had seen these fellows at a wildlife center on a previous trip, but it was nothing compared to seeing them in the wild.cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03335503746673401133noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218534539321923740.post-71490510483310575352011-02-03T12:34:00.001-08:002011-02-03T13:01:15.001-08:00Off to Oz<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiVmXw4JgsCF29h24AtUOn_uazuiQGGpAckdE0X3UsA6VLO40SHszRTea9_skkOBtH1Z8E7LaW_HJDcHODPMhZBWZSa8sIPwj3YAuxb-oX4jK3gs19vjqhe9kAsF9CLSSIpTyvcwUaLAw/s1600/sydney+lanaterns.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiVmXw4JgsCF29h24AtUOn_uazuiQGGpAckdE0X3UsA6VLO40SHszRTea9_skkOBtH1Z8E7LaW_HJDcHODPMhZBWZSa8sIPwj3YAuxb-oX4jK3gs19vjqhe9kAsF9CLSSIpTyvcwUaLAw/s400/sydney+lanaterns.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569565978666324178" border="0" /></a>And now for something completely different....we are in Australia, after a 10 hour flight from Hawaii! Whew. I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">hinope</span> I am not getting too old for these long flights, but they are sort of daunting to think about. We arrived late, but typical of me, I grabbed some brochures at the airport and read about a Chinese market in Sydney that only went for another hour, so we dropped our bags and trekked onto the streets of Sydney in search of it. Good thing Jim is such a good sport! The market was for Chinese New Year, and it was mostly torn down by the time we arrived, but I did see this wonderful lantern for the Year of the Rabbit. It was worth the walk!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXE6keOaAvC4MI3T6rzuCxh2gRXkoVB1YvoNTvE0yrLdcxvRCcGgTOtdpVGzia0gfUS6A3j4ls6GCt1eFB6rCCKImzai-sBYRhV8bllUweds6TIUD2sRmb4JFmRizy69PVk6wnbZLd_g/s1600/clown.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXE6keOaAvC4MI3T6rzuCxh2gRXkoVB1YvoNTvE0yrLdcxvRCcGgTOtdpVGzia0gfUS6A3j4ls6GCt1eFB6rCCKImzai-sBYRhV8bllUweds6TIUD2sRmb4JFmRizy69PVk6wnbZLd_g/s400/clown.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569565646906855330" border="0" /></a>I'm sorry we didn't get there sooner, as there would have been more photo ops like this one of a midway clown. This is for all you clown lovers out there. Dayna, this one's for you!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-v4Bl7dfglhEcqbki8uf1cRmHv6bnIqboUyTgy-SZ4so_9-Br8CG_lBEJzAyeeLyCMsF8DfKbI8mrvfKFB-uowsU8GMpoOTcRu41h9pdtNcQnkSuAS6e12v7vZc7Dsa3pCJEGKCzrLWQ/s1600/lizard.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-v4Bl7dfglhEcqbki8uf1cRmHv6bnIqboUyTgy-SZ4so_9-Br8CG_lBEJzAyeeLyCMsF8DfKbI8mrvfKFB-uowsU8GMpoOTcRu41h9pdtNcQnkSuAS6e12v7vZc7Dsa3pCJEGKCzrLWQ/s400/lizard.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569565641208550994" border="0" />.</a>On the drive north from Sydney, we had our first wildlife encounter with an actual live lizard. He was rooting in the garbage and was quite oblivious to us. We did see some kangaroo, but they were not of the living variety, sad to say. I guess one of the best places to see kangaroo is on golf courses, but still no sightings for us.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeb0aZ5n_p0BwKtB8KaxEIBxIJhh9o5hZWF2H5CC-AUvLZwgVeF-BZ-Aet6C4g_n_qRsh-WGQ9jN7qBAEaZiazopIiDLiC5LmxYjteJ9cmXAytFCuyzGOXSRE2IP6UNdS-hgHJr0KpG8U/s1600/market+fruits.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeb0aZ5n_p0BwKtB8KaxEIBxIJhh9o5hZWF2H5CC-AUvLZwgVeF-BZ-Aet6C4g_n_qRsh-WGQ9jN7qBAEaZiazopIiDLiC5LmxYjteJ9cmXAytFCuyzGOXSRE2IP6UNdS-hgHJr0KpG8U/s400/market+fruits.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569565640138671906" border="0" /></a>We are visiting friends in Queensland, in the lovely area of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Noosa</span>, and our first day we went to the large market at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Eumundi</span>. I especially liked seeing the produce and fruit, and since I am a passion fruit lover, was happy to sample these passion fruit(bottom) and see dragon fruit again. I bought a bag of passion fruit since that is something we rarely see in Portland.It is lovely mixed into a fruit salad.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jg-5FAKVXqCwErvoP2esmLERssj_9trb6DPoH1FTF4XfhxTTMXtMZn1yYs-WgHhTowilNIQAIJdRkDTleyRWZrarPDy7B1Tun2H7nvQHg9K6P20WLaMw1kR_dpqqRScXAruvapvnIPo/s1600/bistro+c.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jg-5FAKVXqCwErvoP2esmLERssj_9trb6DPoH1FTF4XfhxTTMXtMZn1yYs-WgHhTowilNIQAIJdRkDTleyRWZrarPDy7B1Tun2H7nvQHg9K6P20WLaMw1kR_dpqqRScXAruvapvnIPo/s400/bistro+c.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569565628697644802" border="0" /></a>We went for breakfast to Bistro C the day cyclone <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Yasi</span> struck the Queensland coast. It is all anyone could think about for several days. Luckily we were far south of the storm, but many many people had their houses "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">deroofed</span>" or worse. After we had breakfast, and my 'cyclone" coffee, we walked the boardwalk in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Noosa</span>, one of the hippest beach towns along this coast. The waves were a bit higher than normal, but the surfers were happy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXOm5jE7sjsDXDExs7oijUAoi_CeyN2PAoKKdM5Up4aAG7f7aKnyrS7lTBOAQUhCUlrqmbIErxvf_3dJNWVE8hX3-VzLCsKbD0MiIQDNJgtMm3ov0Z3bF6HUCETEmhdMmGXp_H_z4xYw/s1600/margs+garden.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXOm5jE7sjsDXDExs7oijUAoi_CeyN2PAoKKdM5Up4aAG7f7aKnyrS7lTBOAQUhCUlrqmbIErxvf_3dJNWVE8hX3-VzLCsKbD0MiIQDNJgtMm3ov0Z3bF6HUCETEmhdMmGXp_H_z4xYw/s400/margs+garden.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569565627550263266" border="0" /></a>It has been too hot and humid here to do a lot of outdoor sketching, but I was determined to paint at least one of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Marg</span>, our host's beautiful garden plants before we leave here. Our stay in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Noosa</span> has been wonderful, but too short, so we really must visit again.cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03335503746673401133noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218534539321923740.post-75740664338402077762011-01-26T10:20:00.001-08:002011-01-26T10:28:02.781-08:00journal giveaway!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPB2ZdFyWMYAJAvqAuWOUdkjd08MO51-Ab4nKB_eHTdu_nR2HMgO8k3H3sF8waqUf1nVKYvNEA-eDrgmpZuoXMDDf_fj7IwM7F-8yC2zjiqomiVn2C0kd_FBHLveO9xlS49hmDh00UbxY/s1600/cynthias-journal-giveaway-c.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 319px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPB2ZdFyWMYAJAvqAuWOUdkjd08MO51-Ab4nKB_eHTdu_nR2HMgO8k3H3sF8waqUf1nVKYvNEA-eDrgmpZuoXMDDf_fj7IwM7F-8yC2zjiqomiVn2C0kd_FBHLveO9xlS49hmDh00UbxY/s400/cynthias-journal-giveaway-c.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566561692695496674" border="0" /></a>It's not too late to get in on the drawing for this springy journal that I made for the <a href="http://portlandartcollective@blogspot.com">PAC blog </a>giveaway! It is soft and quilty and a perfect travel journal. or just good for any kind of journaling.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ggC3koLcvaZiobaYS9J9vpikUM5SXWtzOD2soF2O05xAH2P7v90iGuR78hr5uH7-5W9QAcWcGrEHsH4UGn2YTE5vU-_YO27Ij5rl7J8eKcBRbf4Mr2Fwvo0V3j4-6aMuPwJWNWHnIEU/s1600/cynthias-journal-back-cover.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 311px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ggC3koLcvaZiobaYS9J9vpikUM5SXWtzOD2soF2O05xAH2P7v90iGuR78hr5uH7-5W9QAcWcGrEHsH4UGn2YTE5vU-_YO27Ij5rl7J8eKcBRbf4Mr2Fwvo0V3j4-6aMuPwJWNWHnIEU/s400/cynthias-journal-back-cover.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566561686446161538" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlvlqxGRxfHKBkb88HePO1uudg24jlCn8cDKae1Ieb-0fJE2gdQPfYuseThVElM25D_kENdVRoZZkbwPQ_BeVHah5hYFX_B9XZWrdBmOjZgdPEAu5-9aGjQ8p3C3sblAOMXE60_TX9BU/s1600/cynthias-journal-inside.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlvlqxGRxfHKBkb88HePO1uudg24jlCn8cDKae1Ieb-0fJE2gdQPfYuseThVElM25D_kENdVRoZZkbwPQ_BeVHah5hYFX_B9XZWrdBmOjZgdPEAu5-9aGjQ8p3C3sblAOMXE60_TX9BU/s400/cynthias-journal-inside.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566561683438625842" border="0" /></a>This palette is one of my super minis that I have made to sell, and this one is created from a tiny altoids tin and air dry clay with M graham artists watercolors. Just leave a comment and you may be the lucky winner of this journal.cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03335503746673401133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218534539321923740.post-19650390730192667792011-01-24T10:29:00.000-08:002011-01-24T10:52:08.185-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghvaLOLiGn4KjixXzLpHzIj-tQABowFBIBjxmVAKPxicph3RCJPQc_f9QM7-kGhwIQpt8-zBz7tyq1Y4CfRiMQWC3uE90pBUY4E0Eq2sJhUMqOXW86woBqwTX4GLF8MaUVEQg7iaeXCuE/s1600/rainy+day.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghvaLOLiGn4KjixXzLpHzIj-tQABowFBIBjxmVAKPxicph3RCJPQc_f9QM7-kGhwIQpt8-zBz7tyq1Y4CfRiMQWC3uE90pBUY4E0Eq2sJhUMqOXW86woBqwTX4GLF8MaUVEQg7iaeXCuE/s400/rainy+day.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565822891112219426" border="0" /></a>In a La Nina year, it is good to remind ourselves of the fact that this is still winter, and even in Hawaii, the rain does fall. It is warm rain, and our wise friend, Katy K. came up with the saying on this page. I think it is so good that the Hawaii tourism bureau might want to use that in their advertising! So we have not let the rain slow us down much. As the locals say, "if you don't like the weather, just drive five miles and it will be different"<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGvynDhepNIUsbWHzUgKJCDLTZkc_wIu87WJ3WX_9KmIWfqjLHW6uBEZQzl4gjOkawjiduw925VXKdHOmMSSZFyZny1OXC3a_CCwghcYADRYQFXZGo1Cue0CbjqB0bKrVLI5SurCD8aA/s1600/end+of+the+road.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGvynDhepNIUsbWHzUgKJCDLTZkc_wIu87WJ3WX_9KmIWfqjLHW6uBEZQzl4gjOkawjiduw925VXKdHOmMSSZFyZny1OXC3a_CCwghcYADRYQFXZGo1Cue0CbjqB0bKrVLI5SurCD8aA/s400/end+of+the+road.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565822889432044834" border="0" /></a>This is the end of the road in Kaua'i, at Ke'e beach. It was a lovely spot to sit and sketch and I imagined that the landscape was mush unchanged over time. While the family hiked here, I walked up the road to Limahuli garden, one of the foremost natural botanical gardens in the US.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0s6XIbcljnQa4wdSzDr8wJQFyzIG4i0-JMVbFC0Ne57nL2FvVkrP-SArjgUeobQeXGM1chJASDkUHgk9dyYJmucwRWMPFyDAvV3Ws2KtjwCgtgAZzbGGKkJXeygY4MEHS4Idqj5Y_p0/s1600/day+by+day.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0s6XIbcljnQa4wdSzDr8wJQFyzIG4i0-JMVbFC0Ne57nL2FvVkrP-SArjgUeobQeXGM1chJASDkUHgk9dyYJmucwRWMPFyDAvV3Ws2KtjwCgtgAZzbGGKkJXeygY4MEHS4Idqj5Y_p0/s400/day+by+day.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565822882418593330" border="0" /></a>In recent travel journals, I have taken to kee ping a day by day log of weather and activities, etc. It is a kind of shorthand that is easy for me to keep up and I don't feel so bad if I don't do a page a day. I always like to refer back to where we ate or stayed each night, and when I look at this, I realize that it was sunny most days.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTO6ZTj6mbWsS6tTNcCC58k3Iu12STAZkc_2jLf3ZZapdxhFu6QfJ-WGi-Khr9g-2X-7rTarA6cQ7xzjo3l95UZpyIidLq2ON28W8sprOW7Gs9lsR4kaiG1Cy3Zgy1Y3JT5l61YlAWLqM/s1600/sea+mountain.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTO6ZTj6mbWsS6tTNcCC58k3Iu12STAZkc_2jLf3ZZapdxhFu6QfJ-WGi-Khr9g-2X-7rTarA6cQ7xzjo3l95UZpyIidLq2ON28W8sprOW7Gs9lsR4kaiG1Cy3Zgy1Y3JT5l61YlAWLqM/s400/sea+mountain.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565822879991811522" border="0" /></a>This is the spectacular setting of our condo unit at Sea Mountain village on Hawaii near the famous black sand beach at Punalu'u. Each day we saw sea turtles there, too.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCtkZcqePDiichq7gr9eGzvIGlCC8sYKFnU7idDalDP80caw27VRpgSTS-9XTEIoxvs5nDP7U8DFYE78LegsEUBq-tO_dqSEY348DHEnH3_spMJTPoon_784smn8qhe3AflqxdKhOHXN4/s1600/seed+pods.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCtkZcqePDiichq7gr9eGzvIGlCC8sYKFnU7idDalDP80caw27VRpgSTS-9XTEIoxvs5nDP7U8DFYE78LegsEUBq-tO_dqSEY348DHEnH3_spMJTPoon_784smn8qhe3AflqxdKhOHXN4/s400/seed+pods.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565822874335054946" border="0" /></a>I thought these seed pods were gorgeous. They come from the autograph tree,the leaves of which were used in Asia for playing cards. One can scratch into the surface and they keep the design.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4sDXLL40raTTsyzfpjUP4hUdRw-Usl5sOthyGBezNYk2XXH1nlDfBx1xNzmscPzISsgdEjEkhTyEiI8IQ-iQBaVbd2RQyg89NPOvUExVPMd7u2nh11qfWLJUfRRjDul7QiDSARTHUbE/s1600/rambutan.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4sDXLL40raTTsyzfpjUP4hUdRw-Usl5sOthyGBezNYk2XXH1nlDfBx1xNzmscPzISsgdEjEkhTyEiI8IQ-iQBaVbd2RQyg89NPOvUExVPMd7u2nh11qfWLJUfRRjDul7QiDSARTHUbE/s400/rambutan.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565822149742469186" border="0" /></a>Rambutan are my favorite crazy tropical fruit. They are much like the lychee, soft and fleshy.These were are the Hilo farmer's market, one of the best on the island.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQT8kFHvMuWiqVWpln2C2kex2KptCS0ib7ZChtaHRRugKpEoaPFxeVPuZEP6cqAsqckFDUqzrfpXePHxZN8Tnhd19NFpTWhOWePi2JkTkn77D7Mo6Bpf4wghTk6cMs5cK3gU-hD3pySIw/s1600/protea.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQT8kFHvMuWiqVWpln2C2kex2KptCS0ib7ZChtaHRRugKpEoaPFxeVPuZEP6cqAsqckFDUqzrfpXePHxZN8Tnhd19NFpTWhOWePi2JkTkn77D7Mo6Bpf4wghTk6cMs5cK3gU-hD3pySIw/s400/protea.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565822142270179266" border="0" /></a>Gorgeous protea captured my attention, athat d I just had to buy a couple to try to sketch. They are not that easy!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RObs_ButMZLWdhc05ocb8T5b4aJURGFg1KZ27ApR11pa4KQNfwM62PaBMs3oNevat15SCsDkbouPEw1rPirvdB8uO9GA8gkLeBJP1wx5bwEK_wzY1d2P8y2OFVnz9BfsVaXzQiGC-3k/s1600/antherium.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RObs_ButMZLWdhc05ocb8T5b4aJURGFg1KZ27ApR11pa4KQNfwM62PaBMs3oNevat15SCsDkbouPEw1rPirvdB8uO9GA8gkLeBJP1wx5bwEK_wzY1d2P8y2OFVnz9BfsVaXzQiGC-3k/s400/antherium.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565822137530417378" border="0" /></a>These antherium are plentiful here on the big island. Not my personal favorite, but it is interesting to see the different varieties, and color variations.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwlWiNpF2W93AfMs2VswkblDy2ssHxJI2sRJixSUm6Mm2CNJlIflgFgmbEQZbSQ0m9pGQT8TL-P1EWxw__E3V50qTzyI2jDh2K1cLCjQl_oVP8oLEQuTWJlKs4thMtD5rkyQylv2H8BW0/s1600/orchids.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwlWiNpF2W93AfMs2VswkblDy2ssHxJI2sRJixSUm6Mm2CNJlIflgFgmbEQZbSQ0m9pGQT8TL-P1EWxw__E3V50qTzyI2jDh2K1cLCjQl_oVP8oLEQuTWJlKs4thMtD5rkyQylv2H8BW0/s400/orchids.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565822130505285762" border="0" /></a>I always wish I could bring home one of these tropical beauties. But I just have to take a photo and enjoy them while I am here.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoD-C0t0u4ZqOf4zp_7EvFhT-D4kF7KATwFfaI2jsr4kz9TWmRuEJRfPX7H2RUFhb39am5hyphenhyphenSD6psAsPn4Y53l_DsXE1ru7GE1ZJp209DPrIFfw9NeBEOlTVAUiJ9yahfMt13pOeDEV48/s1600/tropical+flowers.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoD-C0t0u4ZqOf4zp_7EvFhT-D4kF7KATwFfaI2jsr4kz9TWmRuEJRfPX7H2RUFhb39am5hyphenhyphenSD6psAsPn4Y53l_DsXE1ru7GE1ZJp209DPrIFfw9NeBEOlTVAUiJ9yahfMt13pOeDEV48/s400/tropical+flowers.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565822127941182194" border="0" /></a>I usually buy at least a few stems of flowers to have in the room, and these have provided me with a lot of pleasure and sketching opportunities. I think I will leave them with my friend Judy when I leave the big island in a couple of days.cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03335503746673401133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218534539321923740.post-53688335238037250602011-01-16T09:46:00.000-08:002011-01-16T11:17:03.920-08:00A change of scene<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijW-bXNx0_pbXYGROj7VnBK2o8srLsY3cq_mXr7yosX7mbEU7kAQ2C-SxQbTu3OAfeRJ1xn9qkzfVfY60896QaRopq1TPDChM2pB-jN5WX-MPRgWMad_C178tL4-LAt_NfBOS5gGcYijM/s1600/beach+scene.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijW-bXNx0_pbXYGROj7VnBK2o8srLsY3cq_mXr7yosX7mbEU7kAQ2C-SxQbTu3OAfeRJ1xn9qkzfVfY60896QaRopq1TPDChM2pB-jN5WX-MPRgWMad_C178tL4-LAt_NfBOS5gGcYijM/s400/beach+scene.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562861094592822114" border="0" /></a>As I mentioned in my previous post, I am always seeking more light, more sun during the dark days of winter. Sometimes you just need to get a little further from home (if you live in the Northwest) to find that. So, several years ago, we decided that we needed at least a week of sunshine to get us through until March. Hawaii is one of our favorite destinations, and this year we decided to bring the whole family along, for what my be a once in a lifetime trip together.<br />Our first day on Oahau was gorgeous, so I got to do a quick journal page as we sat on the grass, overlooking the ocean, waiting to get into our room. Much better place to hangout than the hotel lobby!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir15yZbc_nzMIsCc0AjnloPqqJigSTFYdAQyoCGlFSv6Kz8sIzyRKaaEfGnEMMv8HetaRmDMqORXl0zCxqfQfHS8R0sN_uD2SkLEs9fuNq6CFL9nYnejNeCxkSffPYeDz8VtiaBPj6f04/s1600/maruchai2.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir15yZbc_nzMIsCc0AjnloPqqJigSTFYdAQyoCGlFSv6Kz8sIzyRKaaEfGnEMMv8HetaRmDMqORXl0zCxqfQfHS8R0sN_uD2SkLEs9fuNq6CFL9nYnejNeCxkSffPYeDz8VtiaBPj6f04/s400/maruchai2.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562861087891351794" border="0" /></a>The next day was quite rainy, however, as predicted by the lovely hula dancer that we watched over sunset cocktails the night before. So that meant a change of plans, and a little retail therapy. Window shopping, mostly, but I do like to go to my favorite Japanese bargain store, Marukai. I used to be sucked in by these cute little Japanese gewgaws, but now I have an easier time resisting the urge to bring home a miniature set of woven sandals, or a set of erasers in the form of sushi. Fun to look, though!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfdC2U4uu-XYuGRU1Lo8x8uk6LqtMgabzCxkpEdNnYFQXpGJr1i7_cvYHoyPQGqLDA4xIfaUPp0WmVl-nUawK12keke75Yc0wM3sDLE-cWoznQfXuJrJkfMCS9NLeO3DXqZzjhfYz34KU/s1600/coral+2.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfdC2U4uu-XYuGRU1Lo8x8uk6LqtMgabzCxkpEdNnYFQXpGJr1i7_cvYHoyPQGqLDA4xIfaUPp0WmVl-nUawK12keke75Yc0wM3sDLE-cWoznQfXuJrJkfMCS9NLeO3DXqZzjhfYz34KU/s400/coral+2.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562861081516836354" border="0" /></a>Another favorite stop is Nieman Marcus at the Ala Moana mall, where I saw what looked like a shelf of coral formations, but was actually beautiful napkin rings. This is a great store for visual stimulation and a good place to get out of the rain.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigg_4LK6fFca9XviMifr9JW4fyGX3n_hyEvVOnJAZJp7FQeqs1hlTJ7xrVcEbzsBjbMgZxXUS2yoYYm2eNn4VzA-1zBjjbXnmczZGzQOaUiCvid3qwoF4i_Yub8_wPlY-DUcLIVS6mGX8/s1600/koi.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigg_4LK6fFca9XviMifr9JW4fyGX3n_hyEvVOnJAZJp7FQeqs1hlTJ7xrVcEbzsBjbMgZxXUS2yoYYm2eNn4VzA-1zBjjbXnmczZGzQOaUiCvid3qwoF4i_Yub8_wPlY-DUcLIVS6mGX8/s400/koi.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562861078555258770" border="0" /></a>The koi seemed quite content to pose for me. The koi seemed quite happy to pose for me, swimming up in formation right in front of the camera.A pleasant way to spend an idle hour.cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03335503746673401133noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218534539321923740.post-5279942269093533012011-01-01T16:48:00.000-08:002011-01-01T17:22:10.270-08:00Year's end, New year<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzXhulejMkaam2E5s77-CMXTLMltciWmHeEhIWjWjKWtoQiqxFLPKGx2XW8EXkrzAw5dGiC1yAK2eDFaMylmdycV2bnU_H73kIskzVLa4PbhwqDAVIrEMX_jpia0zy4ISZHTcCr5XS5o/s1600/faith.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzXhulejMkaam2E5s77-CMXTLMltciWmHeEhIWjWjKWtoQiqxFLPKGx2XW8EXkrzAw5dGiC1yAK2eDFaMylmdycV2bnU_H73kIskzVLa4PbhwqDAVIrEMX_jpia0zy4ISZHTcCr5XS5o/s400/faith.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557385814981080978" border="0" /></a>I can't think of a better message to send out to all of you , after a long blogging haitus. I have missed writing this blog, but I suppose my head has been too full of other things to fully concentrate on this task. I am looking forward to a new year, as I hope you are, too. To fresh starts, to family and more travel and art. I hope you will rejoin me on my journey.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE4PsqQQjxZn-gV7Lp6vMt6IKAQbIBMSXakx_RbpqefaPiDZB-VEkTeYz0YcyDexnPQpIGlxF1rw3AYFvfPIGPojJSWDGhx0MqY1AFumIcTOPrUK6ZpkPU-VDITBUKk_8-wEF8gkHNlvM/s1600/souvenier+window.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE4PsqQQjxZn-gV7Lp6vMt6IKAQbIBMSXakx_RbpqefaPiDZB-VEkTeYz0YcyDexnPQpIGlxF1rw3AYFvfPIGPojJSWDGhx0MqY1AFumIcTOPrUK6ZpkPU-VDITBUKk_8-wEF8gkHNlvM/s400/souvenier+window.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557385811165757458" border="0" /></a>Speaking of travel, this was probably the most beautiful window I saw all season, at my favorite store in Seattle, Souvenier. It is located in a cluster of other fun stores in Ballard which continues to evolve into a fun shopping destination.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBpDurpwEYpZj_iyj1Tm17GSescvwxpCIukn0UmaSrNp__ey4Fx3Hgz3opTd-tXCY0cxAnIu9KSbSipNSkTX5STw7tiSQrsqUZqWPs19xbl24860xLOKmR0qg1bgTcCQszSkmrzznwRE/s1600/souvenier+fox.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBpDurpwEYpZj_iyj1Tm17GSescvwxpCIukn0UmaSrNp__ey4Fx3Hgz3opTd-tXCY0cxAnIu9KSbSipNSkTX5STw7tiSQrsqUZqWPs19xbl24860xLOKmR0qg1bgTcCQszSkmrzznwRE/s400/souvenier+fox.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557385328089844530" border="0" /></a>This fox was one of many incredible paper sculptures featured in a show at Souvenier. These figures were about 24 inches high and had beautiful, intricate features. There is always something wonderful to see at Souvenier.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJwmGdw_FgNeZFdsxmSIhY-3pcS64PjvEr6TUyD2-cX100Sads_SQuvnsSfo7KAllIUEdd2rpjmGcgj0KZ1P6NnzbNuKTSBBMv9qOq_fsGEjANL-iKejIJ5RQw2gdKT73a8cjOJr-Ed4/s1600/butterfly.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJwmGdw_FgNeZFdsxmSIhY-3pcS64PjvEr6TUyD2-cX100Sads_SQuvnsSfo7KAllIUEdd2rpjmGcgj0KZ1P6NnzbNuKTSBBMv9qOq_fsGEjANL-iKejIJ5RQw2gdKT73a8cjOJr-Ed4/s400/butterfly.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557385322664760690" border="0" /></a>I am always seeking more light at this time of the year--anything to dispel the gloom. This butterfly was one of the best of the many light displays at zoolights, which always puts us in the holiday mood. Don't wait until the week before Christmas to go see the lights like we did, though. It was a real zoo!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQlXm0XghplZhacOci1RHWuuWKfFY5P_I-5wRDzqZK-RqeFsQkfXnpY0L9dgxdMvPGW2ShzhReCunv9W95w7orI0-v2bC7DttobngDufTYZk52F1mzYyKOcY3-9x-pOWbC0hum1buwC0/s1600/candles.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQlXm0XghplZhacOci1RHWuuWKfFY5P_I-5wRDzqZK-RqeFsQkfXnpY0L9dgxdMvPGW2ShzhReCunv9W95w7orI0-v2bC7DttobngDufTYZk52F1mzYyKOcY3-9x-pOWbC0hum1buwC0/s400/candles.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557385322833645666" border="0" /></a>One of the best things about winter, in my opinion, is candles, and lots of them. We welcome the return of the light by celebrating the solstice and we burn candles to bring more light into our lives.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpgrVwSk190t94WpwCc8ll-eTxZY-Tw65H5rzT6faN8RPYiuiSrBMjyeZhAq-5V63K9WrpdaH9kAxFwNcjr8k4ZarWjWrQpA4EEoG5RlZtB7gYEFSNFHZmi-wtIKihZmfobwrH4Mb8qU/s1600/paxton+gate.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpgrVwSk190t94WpwCc8ll-eTxZY-Tw65H5rzT6faN8RPYiuiSrBMjyeZhAq-5V63K9WrpdaH9kAxFwNcjr8k4ZarWjWrQpA4EEoG5RlZtB7gYEFSNFHZmi-wtIKihZmfobwrH4Mb8qU/s400/paxton+gate.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557385319363718130" border="0" /></a>Paxton Gate is my new discovery in Portland, and I recommend that those of you who live here should take a field trip there as soon as you can. It is hard to describe, but it is like no other store I know. This is where you would go to buy a stuffed black squirrel, a unique piece of jewelry in the shape of a wishbone or some test tubes, which brought back memories of visiting my dad at his chemistry lab.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLd2V9KCIXzlJF4Hq0Zqz6HK6NaEMZ38Hx-fD44_noBrsvBhITwLbkmAJMJ9yHevx2viaUON2Adjk1PnF4Z3UgxhENE3NNnS0E8m7EgYzkEULI5oMQcC-7fmxPLu7eXe8rVGx_AhwsFN4/s1600/grace.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLd2V9KCIXzlJF4Hq0Zqz6HK6NaEMZ38Hx-fD44_noBrsvBhITwLbkmAJMJ9yHevx2viaUON2Adjk1PnF4Z3UgxhENE3NNnS0E8m7EgYzkEULI5oMQcC-7fmxPLu7eXe8rVGx_AhwsFN4/s400/grace.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557385313897733570" border="0" /></a>A good reminder of what we can all strive for in our lives in the coming year.<br /><br />We have experienced much loss during this last year, but that is balanced by additions to our family, notably Julia Mae Felicite Boyer, who was born in France in August. I have taught some wonderful journal classes from Portland to Eugene and hope to teach several more classes this coming year. We also have some exciting travel plans, so tune in again, for more from Hiddenneststudio in 2011. Happy New Year!cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03335503746673401133noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218534539321923740.post-38688903021762378482010-10-28T09:27:00.001-07:002010-10-28T10:01:07.456-07:00Mexico journal pages<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJZhUkvmzAIMhh1NEPZU9tw8hvvl0grzcySJqyyVQ4r3d5slseinxqRKOWdoijp883F_GNuxbQ1gnIRkN2PhKD5ib7VWJPNApDephBTRK5aoDSP39qUFaHOFsgZ4UgP5NFT7fuPJJgi8/s1600/san+miguel+de+allende+journal+pages+virgin+journal.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJZhUkvmzAIMhh1NEPZU9tw8hvvl0grzcySJqyyVQ4r3d5slseinxqRKOWdoijp883F_GNuxbQ1gnIRkN2PhKD5ib7VWJPNApDephBTRK5aoDSP39qUFaHOFsgZ4UgP5NFT7fuPJJgi8/s400/san+miguel+de+allende+journal+pages+virgin+journal.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533138795108049202" border="0" /></a>Lest you think I have forgotten my art or neglected it in favor of shooting photos all the time, I wanted to show the two journals that I brought along to Mexico. Miraculously, I filled both of them during the trip with sketches and collage. After the trip, Paula, Robin and I had nearly identical journal pages at times! This first journal cover was a piece of fabric that I wanted to use but the image was too large for my book. I copied it smaller then added a covering of clear contact paper to protect it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEexp0q2MEQFRcxkkwLDiAbCj8ZmoQgy-pjs17LRmrFLvUkrlHg2pJP3pCspbGfykc82oidkv-IROaIMqObCNm-xlvEoV6XVmwWU3CKLYh0Q-fS9d6JHFHOHpfITrlnGWdv7F2jHg2sY/s1600/san+miguel+de+allende+journal+pages+scrappy+journal.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEexp0q2MEQFRcxkkwLDiAbCj8ZmoQgy-pjs17LRmrFLvUkrlHg2pJP3pCspbGfykc82oidkv-IROaIMqObCNm-xlvEoV6XVmwWU3CKLYh0Q-fS9d6JHFHOHpfITrlnGWdv7F2jHg2sY/s400/san+miguel+de+allende+journal+pages+scrappy+journal.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533138783658721314" border="0" /></a>This was my scrappy journal cover, and I enjoyed it, though did not like the wrap around tie for travel.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYreD1qTOzp1ahyphenhyphenZcoqU2l21DU0-6h84TYD3e9FAe3u9dGQgal-trYCBCvcmyjvAvqHm9Fv_hSPqnwHaBl27hEwemsrA5ySgMkrdODKYMHGIhXYWnkXzf4m8zvB0SWc1CuVQ-AtJ357e8/s1600/san+miguel+de+allende+journal+pages+corazon.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYreD1qTOzp1ahyphenhyphenZcoqU2l21DU0-6h84TYD3e9FAe3u9dGQgal-trYCBCvcmyjvAvqHm9Fv_hSPqnwHaBl27hEwemsrA5ySgMkrdODKYMHGIhXYWnkXzf4m8zvB0SWc1CuVQ-AtJ357e8/s400/san+miguel+de+allende+journal+pages+corazon.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533136202486601186" border="0" /></a>This was the first page of my scrappy journal, a corazon that I had stenciled at home. I used several of these prepared pages in this journal.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghv9f6MTlesUPybG7rYVix-F3I_OPmB3HN8iVXzAqqO3uxDr1WCrKBs5BT1l53AwHhxM4JdXWgmzSTUVnVTNYO4bJHUQspdxb9M-fdKX26J3um4_FWxsz-veEWDKrB2u4DyD-ikvGAIp4/s1600/san+miguel+de+allende+journal+pages+waiting.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghv9f6MTlesUPybG7rYVix-F3I_OPmB3HN8iVXzAqqO3uxDr1WCrKBs5BT1l53AwHhxM4JdXWgmzSTUVnVTNYO4bJHUQspdxb9M-fdKX26J3um4_FWxsz-veEWDKrB2u4DyD-ikvGAIp4/s400/san+miguel+de+allende+journal+pages+waiting.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533136197497701106" border="0" /></a>We spent a morning at Atotonilco waiting to see the famous frescos inside the church. We had plenty of time to sketch and watch the families as they gathered for a baptism. I started to sketch this mariachi player but soon he left, presumably to play in the mariachi mass, which we could not attend.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcGKA46hzcursqLgahutXoucOsUMB6ux_yY_sz1jmd-hQtyZwNoG22iPSbcpSGPHwdMNnYO_NepQuEfSdAPfilLWNPGJ4PMaI3juER92Oo4WRKKkAMI8YqBc_DzcZts4qMKAVIhHpfj0/s1600/san+miguel+de+allende+journal+pages+el+charco.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcGKA46hzcursqLgahutXoucOsUMB6ux_yY_sz1jmd-hQtyZwNoG22iPSbcpSGPHwdMNnYO_NepQuEfSdAPfilLWNPGJ4PMaI3juER92Oo4WRKKkAMI8YqBc_DzcZts4qMKAVIhHpfj0/s400/san+miguel+de+allende+journal+pages+el+charco.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533136191943752066" border="0" /></a>We spent another relaxing morning at the botanical garden just above town. The Dali Lama proclaimed that this was a peace zone, and had special significance for peace in the not too distant future. We certainly found it to be peaceful and full of butterflies and birds.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2WywxP1sBggvcbCUkAHyr3upm1gSDNloQGsEGiJdUckgA8qpnVEst46Py9wTtNQf0HZmL60fSMv-e-7E5oHJzoSDFv2-8kVTF61hbmUVQNaFIsjKVW_mag_9EokiPb5UgOPZmPOGTXg/s1600/san+miguel+de+allende+journal+pages+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2WywxP1sBggvcbCUkAHyr3upm1gSDNloQGsEGiJdUckgA8qpnVEst46Py9wTtNQf0HZmL60fSMv-e-7E5oHJzoSDFv2-8kVTF61hbmUVQNaFIsjKVW_mag_9EokiPb5UgOPZmPOGTXg/s400/san+miguel+de+allende+journal+pages+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533136180614660386" border="0" /></a>I picked up a few odds and ends while in Mexico in preparation for creating this little alter for the Dia de los Muertos show at Guardino Gallery. The show opens tonight, Oct 28th and I will be setting up an outside alter, too. In spite of the rain...If you're in Portland, come by and see the show!cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03335503746673401133noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218534539321923740.post-59560609107442955602010-10-18T07:34:00.001-07:002010-10-18T08:02:10.150-07:00Mexico!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNrLzQ6sDP3_JA6JS-ePU1Hs9Y8gCKCZcCM3oxvG1r8b87WHvwVWBx0zMX2cspifOwbdHvcOJq0T2czZmdCSuu63NVBusUA9G6CTnz6bUDPNEBq8bdkdObzQp075fMjhX5gBNiYqQ7B8Y/s1600/nuestra+casa.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNrLzQ6sDP3_JA6JS-ePU1Hs9Y8gCKCZcCM3oxvG1r8b87WHvwVWBx0zMX2cspifOwbdHvcOJq0T2czZmdCSuu63NVBusUA9G6CTnz6bUDPNEBq8bdkdObzQp075fMjhX5gBNiYqQ7B8Y/s400/nuestra+casa.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529396233124251618" border="0" /></a>Seems that not that long ago I was taking an American road trip, and not much later was boarding a flight to Mexico! My motto for this year seems to be like a line from a poem I heard:<br />"...blow into town then blow out again". So here we are, three gringas in San Miguel de Allende, the "Heart of Mexico". I was last here over 36 years ago, when I attended spanish language classes, as well as weaving and jewelry making. Needless to say, the place has changed a little since I was here last. This is a photo of our home for the week, Casa Feliz, as people lined up to view the parade.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmmui6Qq4yTU-nj0Z2FQT8OGPPqpOUmoBpEE1lKVWvlcDx4f4to-3jR0dcMkQUpWm2arTjB8O6fLjiAPlmThJsriGLZOz1_bIqScqZy0JdtM6Kok8b3eOb7TdTEN54u4x3EN5pQyeWNE/s1600/courtyard.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmmui6Qq4yTU-nj0Z2FQT8OGPPqpOUmoBpEE1lKVWvlcDx4f4to-3jR0dcMkQUpWm2arTjB8O6fLjiAPlmThJsriGLZOz1_bIqScqZy0JdtM6Kok8b3eOb7TdTEN54u4x3EN5pQyeWNE/s400/courtyard.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529396219522285538" border="0" /></a>The exterior belied what lay within, as this view of our inner courtyard shows. The entire house was filled with art and plants and it really was a visual feast.We joked that we could happily sketch there for the week, and never leave the house!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflpZEYd9I1QXXguMInnDqes-0vyTnG23-_DEwpMA1aJ1Rg8vL9GvZknmZQSRfNINlpeIzAtMKYBRG8ID_k2PTDNzSaJugVd9noeM_DVafFQcmWYYHZ-LNqKCftF0ae6hkvKanLSYYknM/s1600/patio.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflpZEYd9I1QXXguMInnDqes-0vyTnG23-_DEwpMA1aJ1Rg8vL9GvZknmZQSRfNINlpeIzAtMKYBRG8ID_k2PTDNzSaJugVd9noeM_DVafFQcmWYYHZ-LNqKCftF0ae6hkvKanLSYYknM/s400/patio.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529396212472684818" border="0" /></a>We had two courtyards on different levels, and the views from the rooftop were spectacular! That was my favorite spot for sketching, and most afternoons would find me up there soaking up some sun.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrI7G3NsWWFVzrSnY0xrVJbgi7W1q-Zc5PhJleQ8UOiwgvVqCh2nWpAfPncJDiaFtXN1eGrg0J0RdC-VQRrv__luX64ExjmUAqiaT4lzkFWgk6ZQsAeRUzkwWF2mucvBBo8Im8MWFdFqA/s1600/fruits.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrI7G3NsWWFVzrSnY0xrVJbgi7W1q-Zc5PhJleQ8UOiwgvVqCh2nWpAfPncJDiaFtXN1eGrg0J0RdC-VQRrv__luX64ExjmUAqiaT4lzkFWgk6ZQsAeRUzkwWF2mucvBBo8Im8MWFdFqA/s400/fruits.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529395788898773938" border="0" /> </a>This says Mexico to me. The rows of colorful fruit that was so enticing, but that we did not buy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijtMm9Ppaactz53CUKD3aLZW88F2hd1XiPlchueT7uXwyYWtpfjh8aUn3qJ3mDin70a0SpS0fHM7dzjx4eHFmxqGteltG6VZZCt-6q2LngESEFjgq-BYg0HcR5zrXtP8KqBVbSP1QWU-w/s1600/mi+amigo.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijtMm9Ppaactz53CUKD3aLZW88F2hd1XiPlchueT7uXwyYWtpfjh8aUn3qJ3mDin70a0SpS0fHM7dzjx4eHFmxqGteltG6VZZCt-6q2LngESEFjgq-BYg0HcR5zrXtP8KqBVbSP1QWU-w/s400/mi+amigo.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529395786014813714" border="0" /></a>This was my amigo, who graciously posed with an armful of colorful detritus that he had collected from a recent explosion in the square. Unfortunately we missed whatever it was, which happened while we were having lunch. The debris consisted of lots of little paper mache arms and legs, though, so I'm sure it was very interesting to see.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3B_1Eg-epOGlNc8Ve2JwSDH8KJohriiO_OpC0S-zeCUt1NTeLQzrEmvL9NgpP36rvGTn8YxtYbwteRVTJJRwF7yucsxlKmHBruOP4wXAWCx2CoIPitqgwX0bAoz9dmTiY0EfsD9E_MI/s1600/fireworks.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3B_1Eg-epOGlNc8Ve2JwSDH8KJohriiO_OpC0S-zeCUt1NTeLQzrEmvL9NgpP36rvGTn8YxtYbwteRVTJJRwF7yucsxlKmHBruOP4wXAWCx2CoIPitqgwX0bAoz9dmTiY0EfsD9E_MI/s400/fireworks.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529395780273663778" border="0" /></a>This is the scaffolding that we watched being erected in preparation for the evenings' fireworks display, which we did see. It was fantastic, with lots of spinning, twirling , screeching bits, some of which spun off into space. After that was the larger aerial display, right overhead. It was the closest I have ever come to being on a fireworks barge.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOaRv3kng8OADHiIeY-1txTVMvZVr68xbOQWjRZHKdWb7x50ikoaXr6OBPtvb-QBGVdNL37jfoIikPfKRLSjgzCi4qj4SayIY8dHm4Mtkz2ZSGxBNoeV5pLG5cVX02TkdhpUA4oSXAYDE/s1600/las+flores.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOaRv3kng8OADHiIeY-1txTVMvZVr68xbOQWjRZHKdWb7x50ikoaXr6OBPtvb-QBGVdNL37jfoIikPfKRLSjgzCi4qj4SayIY8dHm4Mtkz2ZSGxBNoeV5pLG5cVX02TkdhpUA4oSXAYDE/s400/las+flores.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529395773982554178" border="0" /></a>I remember seeing lots of flowers when I lived here before, though mostly what we saw this time were rose sellers. But oh, what roses they were! We enjoyed the bouquet in our home that grew more beautiful by the day.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgATQICAbQMBNdp3n869lnGgFYhGFS84hcvpVaqjcJFkXsMV2WKhH8uarq0q2Ez0KuOO7aL2cVFDmKlT_5BrB57EZjSUzg9D6aS13Pefn1vytyMRm4xEaXcbFxxwYUDRIhYP_NymTI7iM/s1600/balloon+seller.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgATQICAbQMBNdp3n869lnGgFYhGFS84hcvpVaqjcJFkXsMV2WKhH8uarq0q2Ez0KuOO7aL2cVFDmKlT_5BrB57EZjSUzg9D6aS13Pefn1vytyMRm4xEaXcbFxxwYUDRIhYP_NymTI7iM/s400/balloon+seller.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529395769896946242" border="0" /></a>The balloon seller was a ubiquitous sight, especially on parade days. We never really saw too many being sold, but I fantasized about buying up his whole bundle and giving them away to the kids in town.cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03335503746673401133noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218534539321923740.post-10051116507419182062010-10-10T13:37:00.000-07:002010-10-10T14:15:31.402-07:00More American road trip<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4sSFPXMxYTX4KhIcNjnHIaxOUltl1lbTnM5kmAUzhLXdGb9Vkd6-8tfa1n4w0LboKg73gqKaooAFEEvumKM-_hAuIQ2ZNmH1WMPn1Y3uAYvxHkxfCcNc42pYWr45LGLNeXKsNnmRKH8U/s1600/route+66.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4sSFPXMxYTX4KhIcNjnHIaxOUltl1lbTnM5kmAUzhLXdGb9Vkd6-8tfa1n4w0LboKg73gqKaooAFEEvumKM-_hAuIQ2ZNmH1WMPn1Y3uAYvxHkxfCcNc42pYWr45LGLNeXKsNnmRKH8U/s400/route+66.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526521203403872290" border="0" /></a>Well, it seems a bit strange to be writing more about this trip so long after the fact, and when I am sitting in a casa in Mexico, but I resized these photos, so by golly, I am going to post them for your enjoyment, I hope.<br />We had imagined that this trip might include much of Route 66, but when we changed our plans, it seemed like a good idea to seek out a bit of the route. Just outside of St Louis, we found Route 66 State Park, with a fabulous small museum and lots of information and interesting tidbits. It made us want to renew our commitment to drive the route someday. One man at the museum said his goal it to ride the whole route on his bike. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FI-ACx81sro16ObpRjgR3onIV8IYyI6W3smTJKUY-cUMlZJ19Uh1FER8vesrjfWd7N4QQzDsQSGdgk426AWd4SbJDHfNjBVejSE1D3IDdxR8ZHayOyngvyWM6jzcT3Pk6AStRUVvoYY/s1600/antiques+in+emminence.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FI-ACx81sro16ObpRjgR3onIV8IYyI6W3smTJKUY-cUMlZJ19Uh1FER8vesrjfWd7N4QQzDsQSGdgk426AWd4SbJDHfNjBVejSE1D3IDdxR8ZHayOyngvyWM6jzcT3Pk6AStRUVvoYY/s400/antiques+in+emminence.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526521195182469826" border="0" /></a>An interesting stop along the way was in Eminence , Missouri,a wide spot in the road . I would have loved to see inside of this antique store, or gone canoeing in the Ozarks, which is what everyone seemed to be doing. We passed hundreds of canoes for rent and of course wished that we had more time to stop for a leisurely day. We did see Alley Springs, though, which was the site of a former town, now long gone, but the old mill and one room schoolhouse are still there.<br />And it is a National Park, so we got one more stamp in our park passport. I guess we really are retired!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDP8fjqIk836sls0mTLwgS_62a0teXQUcmuY_-6vLUjGMNfF9JZs3ljXNsVsfzUxLtTKWmzh8xKka7iOhUpKnNIB7pcSQ4q2TlK-7VaDhr48tks62eYk2BWeu25ovFWlMo0Y7KfSAjeBg/s1600/watermelons.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDP8fjqIk836sls0mTLwgS_62a0teXQUcmuY_-6vLUjGMNfF9JZs3ljXNsVsfzUxLtTKWmzh8xKka7iOhUpKnNIB7pcSQ4q2TlK-7VaDhr48tks62eYk2BWeu25ovFWlMo0Y7KfSAjeBg/s400/watermelons.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526521191106437010" border="0" /></a>A new rule of travel for us is "If you see a guy selling watermelons from the back of a truck, stop and buy one". We did, and it was delicious!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSO3n227YZjZPFqOcQ9htVLFmdJWlV82llGWiRySmCpqPIZf-Ui_sz5ACjw0Npu5Mrv3MXKCnXn582tn_x9oW9XFtjLUxsECC10kYdNBe2uLNz8EFNLCYt78ag3DqO-N8m8Y2_JVMrnPw/s1600/bathhouse+window.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSO3n227YZjZPFqOcQ9htVLFmdJWlV82llGWiRySmCpqPIZf-Ui_sz5ACjw0Npu5Mrv3MXKCnXn582tn_x9oW9XFtjLUxsECC10kYdNBe2uLNz8EFNLCYt78ag3DqO-N8m8Y2_JVMrnPw/s400/bathhouse+window.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526521186508062658" border="0" /></a>Another National Park we stopped at was Hot Springs, Arkansas.This was the very first National Park, in fact and an interesting place to see. We especially liked the bathouse row, which has been in existence for over 100 years. There used to be many places where visitors could soak in the hotsprings, now there are only two in use. This is the beautiful original ceiling in one of the bathhouses that has been turned into the headquarters for the park. Tours are very interesting, and you should take the time to go for a HOT soak!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBld98M5neLiULKGkcP02esalWhAVbtm3oZEVcsY9iYh5gAI1YCghIAEf5V3L5_8BHxPYjs1srb53KJx1214KLZwpUYbJ2EGKOfoxp0kJTxpD3vup1zgyD_DJ_a59TgRv_qwLs5ecuhk/s1600/cafe+du+monde+workers.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBld98M5neLiULKGkcP02esalWhAVbtm3oZEVcsY9iYh5gAI1YCghIAEf5V3L5_8BHxPYjs1srb53KJx1214KLZwpUYbJ2EGKOfoxp0kJTxpD3vup1zgyD_DJ_a59TgRv_qwLs5ecuhk/s400/cafe+du+monde+workers.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526520297322620498" border="0" /></a>I can hardly believe that we made it all the way to Cafe du Monde, er, New Orleans on this trip, but we were sort of determined to try to see how NOLA looks 5 years after Katrina. We were there 4 years ago and were very discouraged to see the slow progress in rebuilding. This time,we felt very encouraged by what we saw. Everything looked pretty spiffy, though many buildings will never recover. Happy to see that our favorite Cafe du Monde is always the same, though. You always know what you are getting, and you are always happy, as the workers seem to be.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihv9vuBwQNnYDwzEPtHH-k9xyNnH9BX501PZL7hdzkr_AGmKaK6zdpcSzkrmEa-woHIJtiRylvIdgL_7zBhS77UGp7VqNYxRmoRT9PtLVPcrM-tb3kFOfGwWgIhRQx6T_5pwOILSwIonI/s1600/9th+ward+door.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihv9vuBwQNnYDwzEPtHH-k9xyNnH9BX501PZL7hdzkr_AGmKaK6zdpcSzkrmEa-woHIJtiRylvIdgL_7zBhS77UGp7VqNYxRmoRT9PtLVPcrM-tb3kFOfGwWgIhRQx6T_5pwOILSwIonI/s400/9th+ward+door.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526520289444748370" border="0" /></a>This was my favorite door in the 9th Ward. Yes, it is slowly coming back, but probably will be populated by new tenants and the face of the neighborhood will change. At least the changes seemed to be encouraging.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8wi6vPzq4HvsHIhddeQnwoKFznWEMT2GfKdt4IWuZmDcPBfzn9_krt7mnztF89AcsKmuv8OIBLyHX4tlGCXAmVVDgSllVds4neluzKOSMZHjdl_hBZmWjADa0YYQxUvPM30JHledxRE/s1600/longueview+oaks.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8wi6vPzq4HvsHIhddeQnwoKFznWEMT2GfKdt4IWuZmDcPBfzn9_krt7mnztF89AcsKmuv8OIBLyHX4tlGCXAmVVDgSllVds4neluzKOSMZHjdl_hBZmWjADa0YYQxUvPM30JHledxRE/s400/longueview+oaks.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526520273611762594" border="0" /></a>On the way to visit the cemetery (yes, I know it is sort of strange, but we both like cemeteries) we happened upon Longuevue Gardens, a historical home. Jim encouraged me to take the tour, so I did and it was very beautiful. It is NOT a plantation home, but a city estate, owned by the former heiress of the Sears fortune. Even though it was not a plantation, they included a traditional oak alley, and most of these are the original trees from the 1930's.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqptSOcQHu_6z6pU4JViV9x4K9-hxzwefYTxuWOGUU7eXSKZzWfkzPxh6hqxplCHiRigK0fhy3vbJORljLyHq03Qx4-ZMIB0V6qHOuEiKceckmwFUeqEAPdz6YsGDfk23j_e5eyTXzig/s1600/longuevue.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqptSOcQHu_6z6pU4JViV9x4K9-hxzwefYTxuWOGUU7eXSKZzWfkzPxh6hqxplCHiRigK0fhy3vbJORljLyHq03Qx4-ZMIB0V6qHOuEiKceckmwFUeqEAPdz6YsGDfk23j_e5eyTXzig/s400/longuevue.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526520264012316178" border="0" /></a>Every window in the house has a beautiful view of a different garden, and the interior was also quite unique. I enjoyed everything about the tour, especially the air conditioning!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirGpunfH2pt4p0Zv63knKAlqU-RqIl1xniAKuUSh0ZDgK723ZBLMfkzx5BaHsdZIDJwBSL7C-xolMrGe2toSfcpeMQkC_zouF9fUtSLI87jRlnvc-10MTNMARKeVAnaUOguN2Pt4YBUs8/s1600/angel.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirGpunfH2pt4p0Zv63knKAlqU-RqIl1xniAKuUSh0ZDgK723ZBLMfkzx5BaHsdZIDJwBSL7C-xolMrGe2toSfcpeMQkC_zouF9fUtSLI87jRlnvc-10MTNMARKeVAnaUOguN2Pt4YBUs8/s400/angel.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526520259894042994" border="0" /></a>This is just one of the many lovely angles at Metarie, a very famous cemetery, which is on the list of national landmarks. It is hard to find, but worth the trip.<br />big<br />In fact, everything we saw was worth the trip, and made us want to see lots more of this big and varied country. Who knows where the next "discover America" trip will take us?cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03335503746673401133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218534539321923740.post-19944085815443368362010-09-30T09:20:00.000-07:002010-09-30T09:44:13.895-07:00Art across the country<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd1T00i_Iu24nKsExdHlMGCOb5nJ1UKFY9Y2o_Q4EuJVdZzQxchEfCugeg_oA_ueWzv8xTti-12SsBF-qzCcRpjj1vV7vy_VgzG_UTLiLbzgQSZw8m-Y-20F6ceUIseoAa3R6p_NFAoeA/s1600/wood+table.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd1T00i_Iu24nKsExdHlMGCOb5nJ1UKFY9Y2o_Q4EuJVdZzQxchEfCugeg_oA_ueWzv8xTti-12SsBF-qzCcRpjj1vV7vy_VgzG_UTLiLbzgQSZw8m-Y-20F6ceUIseoAa3R6p_NFAoeA/s400/wood+table.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522743184522913698" border="0" /></a>We traveled from Chicago south and along the way stopped in many small towns, including <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Clarksville</span>, Mo. When I stopped to ask directions, and for a lunch suggestion, I happened upon a wonderful store, The Bent Tree Gallery. The young woman minding the place makes lovely leather bags and her mother makes woven baskets while her father does this amazing woodworking. One of the things I learned is that art is to be found everywhere across this huge country, no matter how small the community, and some of it is very good!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1AvaAZ6sgqVtfFZEovJF2GogryY6dn4Nrfv8XY82SZ-J83628yazZWHzQPCQn0uamlR3DK_pwZou1DX_hld0MSeULIUF9b6rfvpQG23WzhmX3hqpHGwyXMWPN5WjaPCZX_5wQgG348qU/s1600/leather+pieces.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1AvaAZ6sgqVtfFZEovJF2GogryY6dn4Nrfv8XY82SZ-J83628yazZWHzQPCQn0uamlR3DK_pwZou1DX_hld0MSeULIUF9b6rfvpQG23WzhmX3hqpHGwyXMWPN5WjaPCZX_5wQgG348qU/s400/leather+pieces.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522743179836695138" border="0" /></a>From these luscious leather pieces, she handcrafts very stylish leather bags, worthy of any that you might see in NYC. I guess I am just drawn to stacks of color, no matter what it is.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifikZhgNUsrRg7BRazoCzFWEnKWX9I3Pp_iErooDgebQ2kxz2mdlAcOgOD3Hqbk6Xz5kFKvoeFI71zsB_unQeyrirA3c14dMMPlra9IeK_37rACmMUpKTu8481F4FPRhvqQjwQVQfQmc/s1600/norman+rockwell.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifikZhgNUsrRg7BRazoCzFWEnKWX9I3Pp_iErooDgebQ2kxz2mdlAcOgOD3Hqbk6Xz5kFKvoeFI71zsB_unQeyrirA3c14dMMPlra9IeK_37rACmMUpKTu8481F4FPRhvqQjwQVQfQmc/s400/norman+rockwell.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522743174988533186" border="0" /></a>We also stopped in Hannibal Missouri to see Mark Twain's hometown and happened across a Norman Rockwell exhibit. I was impressed with the side by side painting and very detailed studies that he did for each painting. On the left is the study, and on the right is the finished painting.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxgev7fMtwF0bUDylPoQcVlUKAB2ZPSkxFfADSlUDMiUg_ZKepAjluGCYVJI6i5uVU8uU-NW286W_Cjel2BZrWrhurKqfB5Cwpqa4C6zQqEOdd3QzxZOvWQuEdj0KWqkSPB2ArfyCnts/s1600/painting+progress.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxgev7fMtwF0bUDylPoQcVlUKAB2ZPSkxFfADSlUDMiUg_ZKepAjluGCYVJI6i5uVU8uU-NW286W_Cjel2BZrWrhurKqfB5Cwpqa4C6zQqEOdd3QzxZOvWQuEdj0KWqkSPB2ArfyCnts/s400/painting+progress.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522743168238726098" border="0" /></a>The primary reason for the trip was for me to be able to take a private painting session with the very talented <a href="http://stanfellows.com">Stan Fellows</a> who lives in Iowa City , Iowa. I had hoped for some time to be able to take a workshop with him but until now it had not been possible. I first saw his work as an illustration to a short story in SW Airline's magazine, and since then I have seen his illustrations in the Nature Conservancy magazine and Martha Stewart Living.<br />This was the painting that he demonstrated for me, and I was thrilled to be able to take it home with me! If I lived closer, I would happily study with him more often as I learned so much from our short session.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjH-NFUBtlzs5NF8-c1okQa28T7XFi_Ow9WjwXmwwccIQkWwqng7ho0xzl1QBx6cxyqpqCL992y0rvVB4ylJeWwiLBxE-wrHZdE6cnWyKEQWRdNR_aCGnCGv2Jrakg7H-D5qbRrpwUxR4/s1600/stans+palette.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjH-NFUBtlzs5NF8-c1okQa28T7XFi_Ow9WjwXmwwccIQkWwqng7ho0xzl1QBx6cxyqpqCL992y0rvVB4ylJeWwiLBxE-wrHZdE6cnWyKEQWRdNR_aCGnCGv2Jrakg7H-D5qbRrpwUxR4/s400/stans+palette.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522743167468354178" border="0" /></a>Here is his palette, with some colors, particularly the lavender and dusty blues that I would like to add to my own palette. Watch for more news of Stan in the future. I think he has some big ideas that are very exciting!cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03335503746673401133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218534539321923740.post-58288821621035595652010-09-30T08:55:00.001-07:002010-09-30T09:20:13.067-07:00road trips and art escapes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPHqFFOeiY5AXsbnqan3E3SNsYws97ZXrfpOgJK01VwZk_ao1JCg681PqsfJa7g-IVOKam_BnZy9hAxCW85xf90NGVuEEpVTNZFgV_IYnyZ9f19off5WOnuceVWmtxyHNQeumivF0JbI/s1600/water+taxi.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPHqFFOeiY5AXsbnqan3E3SNsYws97ZXrfpOgJK01VwZk_ao1JCg681PqsfJa7g-IVOKam_BnZy9hAxCW85xf90NGVuEEpVTNZFgV_IYnyZ9f19off5WOnuceVWmtxyHNQeumivF0JbI/s400/water+taxi.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522737713579446226" border="0" /></a>We can't seem to stay in one place for long, so the fall travel season (my favorite time to travel) found us hopping a plane to Chicago and points south. We had long imagined a road trip across the country, but for various reasons it shrank down to 10 days so we decided on a loop from Chicago. This trip we discovered some new finds, one of which was the water taxi ride which was a great bargain, starting at $2 for a short trip and $4 to Chinatown. It was a lovely day, not at all Fallish, and we also walked along the river for several blocks. We heard that there is another water taxi that goes along the lakefront, which will have to wait for another trip.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDcMZH4J233dPtYFyCz5yCw1FraG1A5lshca4ZJFvOeEt6XCtZF0rV40Gq6Ze6o2-500ud6dSDcqOz63iefHAL7y7CqRBnrj_lUxhU_nBVUBLWWSevO7UHHGqxsczDHJYtKFu7cNudKk/s1600/oakpark.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDcMZH4J233dPtYFyCz5yCw1FraG1A5lshca4ZJFvOeEt6XCtZF0rV40Gq6Ze6o2-500ud6dSDcqOz63iefHAL7y7CqRBnrj_lUxhU_nBVUBLWWSevO7UHHGqxsczDHJYtKFu7cNudKk/s400/oakpark.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522737384614120210" border="0" /></a>There seemed to be a shortage of hotels available in downtown Chicago, so we stayed in the suburb of Oak Park, very close to the neighborhood where Frank Lloyd Wright built many homes. This is a lovely, tree lined area and it was nice to get out of the bustle of the center of the city. It is only a short train ride away.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNtn8gRnLxWUtEFknWn9VjPmWEswf4TnRP8XukTjoaZkpsiunKVx0Imm7BJ5gOTqDd_kzJzSCublHqC7TnzZLghniT9owoe_QncQvbWXKBSRPvGlyKUqXbbvx8HvTQ_fBh6lZKv6IN1g/s1600/brimfield+blankets.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNtn8gRnLxWUtEFknWn9VjPmWEswf4TnRP8XukTjoaZkpsiunKVx0Imm7BJ5gOTqDd_kzJzSCublHqC7TnzZLghniT9owoe_QncQvbWXKBSRPvGlyKUqXbbvx8HvTQ_fBh6lZKv6IN1g/s400/brimfield+blankets.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522737376339172226" border="0" /></a>What's this doing here? Well, another area we stopped in was Andersonville, with lots of good shops, including Brimfield. The owner was not crazy about me taking photos, but I couldn't resist these vintage wool blankets, like the ones that kept me cozy as a child.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaD5x0VIBpCWNdVgmUtUWf0_AOc3ASmLTOTRwiRdMJfZc7vg-pLowTP7R17FHkd0dKA_OjWOH7oKTFjT_8hpT0VccFQjH5cg1cq73o2ouv7uCPH3b6uLI17_QZYcxJAUKgHDiriLgAgYc/s1600/frank+lloyd+wright+house.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaD5x0VIBpCWNdVgmUtUWf0_AOc3ASmLTOTRwiRdMJfZc7vg-pLowTP7R17FHkd0dKA_OjWOH7oKTFjT_8hpT0VccFQjH5cg1cq73o2ouv7uCPH3b6uLI17_QZYcxJAUKgHDiriLgAgYc/s400/frank+lloyd+wright+house.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522737372297109250" border="0" /></a>This is one of several Wright houses, very modern for their time.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgii1o8Inyfuvs0CkWEtdGshXuLEhfzNDKMda-hZIBgxIG_tydLMDYiNaenIy_nWS61FSa-76qZ7H2mglRDys3vS0ycELrmYQqoLcQhQMjbkbzUBSymmH85rln-QzIr-PUK2s3tDokU3gY/s1600/curvy+house.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgii1o8Inyfuvs0CkWEtdGshXuLEhfzNDKMda-hZIBgxIG_tydLMDYiNaenIy_nWS61FSa-76qZ7H2mglRDys3vS0ycELrmYQqoLcQhQMjbkbzUBSymmH85rln-QzIr-PUK2s3tDokU3gY/s400/curvy+house.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522737369779617682" border="0" /></a>I rather liked this one, though, with all its' curves. NOT a Wright home, but very charming, and in the same neighborhood. We enjoyed seeing various neighborhoods this trip, each with its' own character. That is the advantage of having a car, but Chicago is very easy to get around just on public transportation.cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03335503746673401133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218534539321923740.post-90230595553354498072010-09-14T18:26:00.000-07:002010-09-14T19:04:51.900-07:00Burning Man Redux<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8OT3ivHkpOgcZBnxulHZBeII8M9cQ_3i_sL9_v1aTotECoQLVQmVRCdBOehmLyT3xbSt76tQEYdLKHtV8CoO6_U4Dr8HDuiQHBz6Z-wFeaqpgtHSIWRmzIBuHm0QjwZbPemCCHsTlbs/s1600/temple+day+2.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8OT3ivHkpOgcZBnxulHZBeII8M9cQ_3i_sL9_v1aTotECoQLVQmVRCdBOehmLyT3xbSt76tQEYdLKHtV8CoO6_U4Dr8HDuiQHBz6Z-wFeaqpgtHSIWRmzIBuHm0QjwZbPemCCHsTlbs/s400/temple+day+2.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516947519762581970" border="0" /></a>Well, for my two adoring fans of Burning Man (ha ha), here are some more images of my favorite things. The Temple was the heart and soul of Burning Man, waaay out on the playa. They provided houndreds of wooden hearts for people to write messages on, but of course everyone wanted to climb around and write on the structure itself, causing some consternation for the builders. Actually a direct quote from one woman involved was that "they were ripping her heart out of her chest" by doing this...Jim and I each wrote a little message to our moms and we spent some time reading other messages until we were so verclempt that we had to leave. It was a touching a spiritual place and one of the most beautiful structures at BM.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5Mpzwma7umgE-3NE8acTM9EDpJa56iocvpWC56Ud_Kp11HurYM5gtftROgx0Mbz5_aPwT6p-sOnWEZFq-iN5zeb9LIE-8agrGGr5VJO1adZjZ2KbAWBY1v8-ZXlz5fVTmzR2xQghuNY/s1600/temple+day.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5Mpzwma7umgE-3NE8acTM9EDpJa56iocvpWC56Ud_Kp11HurYM5gtftROgx0Mbz5_aPwT6p-sOnWEZFq-iN5zeb9LIE-8agrGGr5VJO1adZjZ2KbAWBY1v8-ZXlz5fVTmzR2xQghuNY/s400/temple+day.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516947515564122258" border="0" /></a>This is the long view, and it is hard to see from this that there are many rooms inside of the structure as well.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpuJmUVhsrxliNNRjYrYWUSQIUSkB6Ya8Fe_Xz8-doFQcLVF-RIxQyXg6pWZOTIXBwnVh-ZKJHcWNw-uVmnKWvUHtov0oFEkc5u4OhERWjSp9S2QjYrfRd97o-pdvQLY2uq2FOCY6Uyw/s1600/temple+night.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpuJmUVhsrxliNNRjYrYWUSQIUSkB6Ya8Fe_Xz8-doFQcLVF-RIxQyXg6pWZOTIXBwnVh-ZKJHcWNw-uVmnKWvUHtov0oFEkc5u4OhERWjSp9S2QjYrfRd97o-pdvQLY2uq2FOCY6Uyw/s400/temple+night.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516947513285450770" border="0" /></a>Here is the Temple at night, lit from within. It was even better at night, and we happened upon a wedding taking place there one evening. I'm sure there were many wedding there. I told Jim, "Where else can you have a wedding with guys wearing big foam hats, and a naked guy looking on?"We were all invited to the champagne reception afterward, but we had places to go...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-nHRWv3LfgyTK33jTEHbyj_Beo2hnji4LU2U3VCe2-Ra67VY-wuPNu_024wUtJnxaWjbMSNQUQtKRkJkFrSrTif3UgpxO-4ekXAq-jOgQ-Zci7yRZ8CUXxwQhOqtlvfrtsEjEDtdUf5c/s1600/portal.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-nHRWv3LfgyTK33jTEHbyj_Beo2hnji4LU2U3VCe2-Ra67VY-wuPNu_024wUtJnxaWjbMSNQUQtKRkJkFrSrTif3UgpxO-4ekXAq-jOgQ-Zci7yRZ8CUXxwQhOqtlvfrtsEjEDtdUf5c/s400/portal.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516946707851447394" border="0" /></a>Namely, The Portal, the beautiful structure that our son Jacob helped to build. It was scheduled to be burned at around 10pm, but unfortunately, the wind came up, bringing with it clouds of dust, then a whiteout dust storm that never let up for 2 hours. We finally gave up and rode our bikes home through the whiteout, only finding our way by riding toward The Man, one of the few structures that was visible. They burned the Portal at midnight when the wind died down.The performance went on more or less as planned the next day, but I missed that, too. This was the reason that we came to BM in the first place, so needless to say I was a little disappointed.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxU4RKHoTucsMvtr_pLHpeO-fADLzgHqC8-eYlkbbgbRKhl5iFcfNGDesd6KrsJaLn_58_NqDGzCHIJNNJT9hIxk-7eeW9RoyWV8m2RjBOUcJW7PdkrEDDwOZd5TB2nwzQht8PZhr0-Lc/s1600/metrobus.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxU4RKHoTucsMvtr_pLHpeO-fADLzgHqC8-eYlkbbgbRKhl5iFcfNGDesd6KrsJaLn_58_NqDGzCHIJNNJT9hIxk-7eeW9RoyWV8m2RjBOUcJW7PdkrEDDwOZd5TB2nwzQht8PZhr0-Lc/s400/metrobus.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516946700327780258" border="0" /></a>Another fabulous bus that changed colors as it drove across the desert.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7o_htUYk_Dz3NvIY1xNKvMTnA_OXSfezgsqbNZmuPU_yJuviVuecKcQDcEnT8alLbUYXJH994jaxEkP4D3IJFtP-CcNldzPPgSQaHUs57Z6ePbvilEXdlf2SL4PCtpk58NEict6LG1g/s1600/butterfly+car.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7o_htUYk_Dz3NvIY1xNKvMTnA_OXSfezgsqbNZmuPU_yJuviVuecKcQDcEnT8alLbUYXJH994jaxEkP4D3IJFtP-CcNldzPPgSQaHUs57Z6ePbvilEXdlf2SL4PCtpk58NEict6LG1g/s400/butterfly+car.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516946697228906562" border="0" /></a>This butterfly car was great during the day, but spectacular at night. I was riding furiously behind it trying to get this photo.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgbOMeiJn1h8bG0w8YjRrUYUKmFjMoYGh8zdIuwppg4wiEqvvSv2vWtaqaIwCEyOXOosAf8lCKo_GkAlm-YpXe9LHAJSfT4hAVDv9Pky_bh1U3u_g0I1PN3TI1FOGuQnA6Klwz5I6aSE/s1600/desert+ship.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgbOMeiJn1h8bG0w8YjRrUYUKmFjMoYGh8zdIuwppg4wiEqvvSv2vWtaqaIwCEyOXOosAf8lCKo_GkAlm-YpXe9LHAJSfT4hAVDv9Pky_bh1U3u_g0I1PN3TI1FOGuQnA6Klwz5I6aSE/s400/desert+ship.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516946688988472498" border="0" /></a>This is one of the many 'ships of the desert' that were basically rolling parties.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQTyYs8ic2PIdrCPvHV-4RitX_XxVKIHCTFhWRGojtLuWXmgFBJk3GfbnOv3S4DiQ7hG-tbHVEF5tjlPvXlku8Mpf_CEuwovyfe1v1_euNnt5fDQpOqVhoVwMJGO-36rZvqt-HxN3H6I/s1600/rolling+bar.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQTyYs8ic2PIdrCPvHV-4RitX_XxVKIHCTFhWRGojtLuWXmgFBJk3GfbnOv3S4DiQ7hG-tbHVEF5tjlPvXlku8Mpf_CEuwovyfe1v1_euNnt5fDQpOqVhoVwMJGO-36rZvqt-HxN3H6I/s400/rolling+bar.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516946676864214786" border="0" /></a>Another fab art car/rolling party car. This one had lights and lasers that projected onto the desert.As I said before, Burning Man cannot be captured in photos, but I made a stab at it.cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03335503746673401133noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218534539321923740.post-12854401061527645482010-09-10T07:48:00.000-07:002010-09-10T08:32:18.363-07:00More tales from Burning Man<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqi2xKG2N3FNaTmO956VCwVV8jH-72we2ILKTer68aAGUPWzqAHLXGd8qMQ4o_6DJMFlWIe-Mf0Uqx4u8hSyaCB4vYIo3q4McKIeguqaKomCDIZm_bWhJA60L5RxZQbxeVu1OLSgduyBM/s1600/aussie.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqi2xKG2N3FNaTmO956VCwVV8jH-72we2ILKTer68aAGUPWzqAHLXGd8qMQ4o_6DJMFlWIe-Mf0Uqx4u8hSyaCB4vYIo3q4McKIeguqaKomCDIZm_bWhJA60L5RxZQbxeVu1OLSgduyBM/s400/aussie.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515299930454951698" border="0" /></a>Well, I know you aren't particularly interested in the boring things we did or wore at burning man, so I wanted to show some of the more interesting attire. As Jim said, "I feel like I am in the middle of a Star Wars movie" . There is no way to convey the creative wackiness of Burning Man, hereafter referred to as BM, through photos or video, even. This was a favorite couple of mine, seen on the first day. These fake fur leggings were very popular, as were fish net stockings. This Aussie had a very hot girlfriend, dressed similarly, with rhinestones around her nipples. Hard to not stare...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1O7bDK-Rj57m2cpD51aNkpiuT5M5eI-Y66W17xgeCw-3dmmX3GNRqdaCWztMmW3a6l0SIi3OUJqP44sjxwvshbsZCbFeNAkxhtfF_6-UHr93I848ou43Tufi14uJ9RNQhMQBp-ME0RU/s1600/playa+babe.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1O7bDK-Rj57m2cpD51aNkpiuT5M5eI-Y66W17xgeCw-3dmmX3GNRqdaCWztMmW3a6l0SIi3OUJqP44sjxwvshbsZCbFeNAkxhtfF_6-UHr93I848ou43Tufi14uJ9RNQhMQBp-ME0RU/s400/playa+babe.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515299921421359122" border="0" /></a>Here's another hot playa babe. Oh, to have this skin tone, which was way more suited to the desert environment than my fair skin, prone to sunburn. Bikes were the main mode of transport, perfect for riding to and from the playa, and out to see all the art installations<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixg7WpflE7yYF1PluEAb7piG4_kh_tlsDREagcYhYUoLme7GzpabMEERr8wimjl_Ukz4zJl5L5L0jmWdpn6sL0L40Hshb3krdpc_mvL5gGN66_ODoSnj4m2vLnxzd-qBURAtenaTwy4D4/s1600/duck+car.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixg7WpflE7yYF1PluEAb7piG4_kh_tlsDREagcYhYUoLme7GzpabMEERr8wimjl_Ukz4zJl5L5L0jmWdpn6sL0L40Hshb3krdpc_mvL5gGN66_ODoSnj4m2vLnxzd-qBURAtenaTwy4D4/s400/duck+car.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515299918379417794" border="0" /></a>This was a favorite art car of the smaller version. It was beautifully built and reminded me of the old style airplanes made from a thin metal sheath, bolted together. Note the rows of porta potties in the background. Plenty of those, too.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38X7KkCD0no8-f2v1KcP9nGR6l57H9z3en44Lz81YOm0gY-7f0X1QAcmntreb0S3qcu1E2h1hqX28PFo8teZHpUvpS9H9pVfQedFPowZKwBW1gUWB5fIJ200KLj_bI9lEIddImC8iH8U/s1600/picnic+basket+car.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38X7KkCD0no8-f2v1KcP9nGR6l57H9z3en44Lz81YOm0gY-7f0X1QAcmntreb0S3qcu1E2h1hqX28PFo8teZHpUvpS9H9pVfQedFPowZKwBW1gUWB5fIJ200KLj_bI9lEIddImC8iH8U/s400/picnic+basket+car.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515299910484722642" border="0" /></a>Here is another favorite personal art car. I tried to make a list of all the different ones we saw, including a chinese takeout box, shopping cart, various bugs, several fish, a Flintstone's car, a rat, a Groucho Marx type face and a fire breathing dragon. I'm sure there were many more that we did not see.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5msXWOD4xxyfcrtzQvZub5ARWCfBqjtACbHufom8BjoSo4xMGnNI3vKF73UWkw-A8NauHjSrp8bp3UNpvXO3abEaojUtbKIkqHRTiCy3Md5eWZsm4_UkY6K8J1iRxpsNp46tuJylMvhc/s1600/cow+car.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5msXWOD4xxyfcrtzQvZub5ARWCfBqjtACbHufom8BjoSo4xMGnNI3vKF73UWkw-A8NauHjSrp8bp3UNpvXO3abEaojUtbKIkqHRTiCy3Md5eWZsm4_UkY6K8J1iRxpsNp46tuJylMvhc/s400/cow+car.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515299904091306178" border="0" /></a>The larger art cars like this one were also pretty amazing, and basically they were a party on wheels. Most of them had their own sound systems of some sort, and usually had cute girls dancing inside! Some of theme were like ships of the desert-literally!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7f1dlRW9-pP9qT3_LkDcyYTT7Mvrrc3pRakz4d9nicd8K8ahgdTyLTtZbe3oym2O5yLzg7jjaJd8WNXA2Ehwiy61y_L3f8RbrsYGnB0HfGp1eSaRHU1Wre0kV-HQ6UX3Lxoh6HGTQtc/s1600/the+man.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7f1dlRW9-pP9qT3_LkDcyYTT7Mvrrc3pRakz4d9nicd8K8ahgdTyLTtZbe3oym2O5yLzg7jjaJd8WNXA2Ehwiy61y_L3f8RbrsYGnB0HfGp1eSaRHU1Wre0kV-HQ6UX3Lxoh6HGTQtc/s400/the+man.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515298609181093362" border="0" /></a>This is what started it all, The Man, who stood out as a beacon in the desert, and was lit up at night. He was the focal point of Burning Man and on Saturday night they prepared to burn him. Our son said that once he is burned, chaos reigns, as people are no longer able to easily get their bearings.We decided to try to beat the rush to leave, so as not to get stuck in hideous traffic. We were surprised to find that we were still stuck in a line, but it turned out that there was a los t child, and all gates are immediately closed until the child is found. It tool about 45 minutes, but that gave us time to get out of our RV and gaze at the beautiful, huge night sky. We miss seeing all those stars.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNkyIe3ESMrPBBNfRqLBr2sgLYPvErXz2URAndTp_xGFgS5-7qpOUWmLINbA5jLciWcbglCC-P57xhaZPHmsgFk0GGwnLQdmJQWbAYI2xHCl6y8BuqxCi1Bp6mdYGrX1in4XYNukzAFNY/s1600/small+burn.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNkyIe3ESMrPBBNfRqLBr2sgLYPvErXz2URAndTp_xGFgS5-7qpOUWmLINbA5jLciWcbglCC-P57xhaZPHmsgFk0GGwnLQdmJQWbAYI2xHCl6y8BuqxCi1Bp6mdYGrX1in4XYNukzAFNY/s400/small+burn.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515298597461724050" border="0" /></a>This was a beautiful little piece, very simple but powerful. We were constantly amazed by the creative ingenuity that people poured into their art, whether it be a car or an art installation. One could not help but be inspired by it all.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpn4aeLLtqtubA4GoL5qjt1i8BH_Ryr8gSngMwv-7tlF5kCzPnp5N7hKYsI5tzeJFXBWkOq9nT-umi4lnyCh43ozHxpAU1VVAF_SuuUpOh4ZSgCO-_nN58BBaCg4oS2SZwPTOosGDG3B4/s1600/mr+love.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpn4aeLLtqtubA4GoL5qjt1i8BH_Ryr8gSngMwv-7tlF5kCzPnp5N7hKYsI5tzeJFXBWkOq9nT-umi4lnyCh43ozHxpAU1VVAF_SuuUpOh4ZSgCO-_nN58BBaCg4oS2SZwPTOosGDG3B4/s400/mr+love.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515298587695264946" border="0" /></a>I call this fellow "Mr Love". I didn't see what he was giving away, but the front of his cart said "LOVE". The great thing about BM is that nothing other than hot and cold drinks could be sold, so there was a great spirit of generosity there. Camps would decide to give away free burritos one day (and judging from the line, some of those people forgot to bring their own food!) or many many camps set up bars with free drinks. We brought fans, thanks to the suggestion of my friend Gloria, and they were always well received, and something was given to us in return. Cool stickers were very popular, and I also received a stick on tatoo, a small flashlight and a fan.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrD8Tk2ILf0s_cyb5K0Rtrcmk0X19lJWZ0MS0b226Co4nZq5jS8NB9GLrprONwZi5W4VluXtCBRr_rkk2Y0uBfr5HoXzpocRzgUfKZ3GHCkIl_faD-rZ2VnkCA8toOdLhRqilI_WSuiQ/s1600/women's+wear.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrD8Tk2ILf0s_cyb5K0Rtrcmk0X19lJWZ0MS0b226Co4nZq5jS8NB9GLrprONwZi5W4VluXtCBRr_rkk2Y0uBfr5HoXzpocRzgUfKZ3GHCkIl_faD-rZ2VnkCA8toOdLhRqilI_WSuiQ/s400/women's+wear.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515298583376287778" border="0" /></a>Some people really went all out on their costumes! I had to resist the urge to take photos at every turn, so as not to look like a "tourist" (which I was, obviously). I could have easily taken hundreds of photos, just of people's creative costuming.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGM-jo27l-qy8eitrgjMOI8FVDkXKZQZXfy3KstuhW3evw-mwkGV_hH2gM9Om5kCZxzBmDg1W0ejDPdA5tu6g4FY3jA1vLmYHPsIFOq0TQgKXIugW6wAqn_VPkWwBtAAojmYXIFAkBuE0/s1600/bone+tree.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGM-jo27l-qy8eitrgjMOI8FVDkXKZQZXfy3KstuhW3evw-mwkGV_hH2gM9Om5kCZxzBmDg1W0ejDPdA5tu6g4FY3jA1vLmYHPsIFOq0TQgKXIugW6wAqn_VPkWwBtAAojmYXIFAkBuE0/s400/bone+tree.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515298580815569378" border="0" /></a>This is "the bone tree" all made from animal skulls and bones. It was very beautiful. Where do people store all this stuff between trips to Burning Man?! I have more photos. If you are interested in seeing a few more, leave a comment. Thanks for visiting Burning Man with me!cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03335503746673401133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218534539321923740.post-62247490840902696622010-09-09T07:57:00.000-07:002010-09-09T08:24:03.644-07:00Dispatch from Burning Man<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNa3GibdNop3CsFIxhSV0Ztw_OjKKX74HtRvX09CesjzQKhupm5fyK10FF3V32zfwctx1OBdEdKGkZ93KNzOOKwBhuKAJWdhPDlP54lG83WM8pAoNsaSctglqZzDZo-3euUQIwT7m2MNg/s1600/motorhome.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNa3GibdNop3CsFIxhSV0Ztw_OjKKX74HtRvX09CesjzQKhupm5fyK10FF3V32zfwctx1OBdEdKGkZ93KNzOOKwBhuKAJWdhPDlP54lG83WM8pAoNsaSctglqZzDZo-3euUQIwT7m2MNg/s400/motorhome.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514931464438585138" border="0" /></a>We are off to Burning Man in the heart of the Black Rock Desert in Nevada.And this is our rented chariot that will take us there. Very deluxe! Crazy, you say? Yes, but this was finally the year for us to see what this place is all about. Our son Jacob has been there several times, and he was part of a crew working on one of the funded art installations, as well as a performer. If we were ever to go, this seemed like the time.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9JvhrDtM3Ja2wLVmyAfMEQSfDiolf8NkHc3MXHRni-mj2HSa_MNLh3wMScc04u9mm1EWESNFB9FgoLJ60uAM4pvWqulBDGnHZjT7gTremJYXXSOft05VY-9QHA9ccO1Msp4YFxqqIvg4/s1600/black+rock+desert.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9JvhrDtM3Ja2wLVmyAfMEQSfDiolf8NkHc3MXHRni-mj2HSa_MNLh3wMScc04u9mm1EWESNFB9FgoLJ60uAM4pvWqulBDGnHZjT7gTremJYXXSOft05VY-9QHA9ccO1Msp4YFxqqIvg4/s400/black+rock+desert.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514931460001906514" border="0" /></a>The drive from Portland was beautiful all the way, and as we approached the BR desert, this is the view that greeted us. Beautiful, and stark. Not unlike the surface of the moon. And that notion was going to become more of a reality, the closer we came to the desert.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7a08NDL2F_5uPLcsLVbNBJj3GECYAKDeNPpRk0TLf4MDaoAW_15qGNAmSx-8jcPbOF5IT1npfzjWjvCS4Ol6SuWE5EduOf4o1jOJnBx02cZDQQYLEsT9G75I5NJfQCU9W1HHZkFPgqI/s1600/driving+to+the+gate.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7a08NDL2F_5uPLcsLVbNBJj3GECYAKDeNPpRk0TLf4MDaoAW_15qGNAmSx-8jcPbOF5IT1npfzjWjvCS4Ol6SuWE5EduOf4o1jOJnBx02cZDQQYLEsT9G75I5NJfQCU9W1HHZkFPgqI/s400/driving+to+the+gate.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514931450137353602" border="0" /></a>Since we came later in the week, this was the rather sparse amount of traffic that we encountered as we approached, but we could imagine it earlier in the week when thousands of cars and motorhomes were arriving at the same time.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvWXKZ6UbUD5XgLEA_DtAlHicpeTADQaq_TyDRKXTqeO2RZWKh0qTlBYZXipYbyt3qGYlyTQTThzLWqb5gMUOEQSmr55wFOrAPu6KXJM8EFZ_LU1n8JVn0vUr-jW-undwkGnQjdjuIlsU/s1600/jim+ready+for+buring+man.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvWXKZ6UbUD5XgLEA_DtAlHicpeTADQaq_TyDRKXTqeO2RZWKh0qTlBYZXipYbyt3qGYlyTQTThzLWqb5gMUOEQSmr55wFOrAPu6KXJM8EFZ_LU1n8JVn0vUr-jW-undwkGnQjdjuIlsU/s400/jim+ready+for+buring+man.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514931444493487874" border="0" /></a>Jim quickly made the transformation from khakis and a linen shirt to his more informal desert attire. The hat is mandatory in the sun. He got a few comments on his shirt, which was fine for bar hopping in the desert. This was a gift from my sister.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZsKBJnA0lzRbOt-Z4k1ukF4y3SBM3Oid2Q6hjVkIrwnZNYuJ_4PtB7-q6MFluo7AZJCzXK3Sg0Z2_DYT-ZoZRCsfkylmO7svLROWKYSgxqtTVOrYZPDYJV9rkhffBpcuUGPkxHGUcZY/s1600/art+car+milk+carton.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZsKBJnA0lzRbOt-Z4k1ukF4y3SBM3Oid2Q6hjVkIrwnZNYuJ_4PtB7-q6MFluo7AZJCzXK3Sg0Z2_DYT-ZoZRCsfkylmO7svLROWKYSgxqtTVOrYZPDYJV9rkhffBpcuUGPkxHGUcZY/s400/art+car+milk+carton.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514931429558885986" border="0" /></a>This was the first personal art car that we encountered, and it remained one of my favorites. Lucky for us it was parked nearby. I will show you a few more of my art car photos, too. Stay posted!cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03335503746673401133noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218534539321923740.post-28590923379235264742010-08-31T21:11:00.001-07:002010-08-31T21:47:16.237-07:00Summer journaling<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuV3wzCzS0JJZIA0uEExZGRZLydMW9o70dxHoz2GGsMLqCv35kEU8-hedwfK3kVBetjb14QNY3CmfrXUGKfruHESxd_R0S3KJACpAYbxwewYtMU2So50konNuOjQUoDz5AKtFoygg77Hc/s1600/multnomah+falls.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuV3wzCzS0JJZIA0uEExZGRZLydMW9o70dxHoz2GGsMLqCv35kEU8-hedwfK3kVBetjb14QNY3CmfrXUGKfruHESxd_R0S3KJACpAYbxwewYtMU2So50konNuOjQUoDz5AKtFoygg77Hc/s400/multnomah+falls.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511800046113488322" border="0" /></a>While we had an out of town guest, we drove up to Multnomah Falls for the day, a typical place to show visitors. While Jim and Antoine walked up to the bridge, I took some time to do this sketch, which for me, was not my forte, but I was inspired to try my hand at architecture, after being around the Urban Sketchers.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvc8aQwMvxp_HbgtWIygv-IIZ_6MVDX7v3_2ky8Ghv2gbGsHST3PvaTQhD_JrlJW8RjB-yrOpik9UwP89rn2oPgrG932miqhxrU43aFX9xdbU6gO9MxPo0rTLKpgdtL9MfX9ZsBWNQ1Io/s1600/cupcake+and+lemonade.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvc8aQwMvxp_HbgtWIygv-IIZ_6MVDX7v3_2ky8Ghv2gbGsHST3PvaTQhD_JrlJW8RjB-yrOpik9UwP89rn2oPgrG932miqhxrU43aFX9xdbU6gO9MxPo0rTLKpgdtL9MfX9ZsBWNQ1Io/s400/cupcake+and+lemonade.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511800042702991154" border="0" /></a>Mmm. Red velvet cupcakes and homemade lemonade were on offer at the Barn House flea market in July. What a great combination! Glad we bought ours early, as they sold out quickly.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibblkGHwZnyK3TzVF6Qho-6gzmezIXsr81EJK1AN5T5JC6jaHd6m55cROLKwf6sfT2TH2WGOFnoku0kZ-5Eeqj5nX2t-oK4ARZ3ggIKphXsiSPHtseMwe9ua7r7EsOhnGVagaTE5LmG-E/s1600/mercer+lake.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibblkGHwZnyK3TzVF6Qho-6gzmezIXsr81EJK1AN5T5JC6jaHd6m55cROLKwf6sfT2TH2WGOFnoku0kZ-5Eeqj5nX2t-oK4ARZ3ggIKphXsiSPHtseMwe9ua7r7EsOhnGVagaTE5LmG-E/s400/mercer+lake.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511800033672654498" border="0" /></a>We know the end of Summer is near when we spend a week at one of our favorite places on earth, Mercer Lake, near Florence Oregon. We have been coming here for nearly 30 years and the friends we see here are like family to us. This year the weather was more perfect than usual, which made it hard to leave. I can think of no more restful or relaxing place to spend a summer day.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4Z8nDQTzt-CGsBYRS88OhdOhFpr8SXJGNYQ4oGxySJ5cexiscp2gfUN8xU6LAs-bFTPydC_eIjM04EHZqEmPR-VagevJWL6iQgK6WOm9CWK8KJ1w6rVl-I7T7SyztCqWRpVA8jiwPCY/s1600/rose+journal+page.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4Z8nDQTzt-CGsBYRS88OhdOhFpr8SXJGNYQ4oGxySJ5cexiscp2gfUN8xU6LAs-bFTPydC_eIjM04EHZqEmPR-VagevJWL6iQgK6WOm9CWK8KJ1w6rVl-I7T7SyztCqWRpVA8jiwPCY/s400/rose+journal+page.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511793863700400690" border="0" /></a>I made a point of doing some "summertime" things in July, like going to a concert , Apple Jam, at the rose garden at Washington Park. They played early Beatle's songs, many that they never recorded themselves, including this song from The Music Man, "There Were Bells on the Hills". It was kind of corny for a Beatles song, but perfect for the setting among the roses...Later we went to movies in the park and saw The Music Man on a hot Summer evening. It couldn't have been better!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-IeT9D7uHib8fKRxEbkKWvTG9ItwOBaGbmlMIoJMvGm5jwq6Q638YCczWvh2rImelB2q7Ba_HTthnGwSkidn-_vs7yaJ2-dK1ny5o3brY6Os8Pi5BypHssvF0eT7uoDhFzaYgaWUca0/s1600/dahlia+journal+page.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-IeT9D7uHib8fKRxEbkKWvTG9ItwOBaGbmlMIoJMvGm5jwq6Q638YCczWvh2rImelB2q7Ba_HTthnGwSkidn-_vs7yaJ2-dK1ny5o3brY6Os8Pi5BypHssvF0eT7uoDhFzaYgaWUca0/s400/dahlia+journal+page.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511793849247437442" border="0" /></a>This wasn't one of my favorite journal pages, but it does show some of the vibrant flowers that I had on the back deck as we ate as many meals as we could outside.<br />Well, we're off again, as I mentioned before, to a hot spot in the desert. Stay tuned for some interesting blog posts!cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03335503746673401133noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218534539321923740.post-40072441619359998742010-08-18T06:24:00.000-07:002010-08-21T11:17:58.828-07:00On art and life<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQ9Q508axsu-vCXGrwx8IalFuPVg30yAwMCEBuENuHzPuAzMlxudjsmjNf0TNT9iDwvipxVY6BR6XbvTL-adj60NGpEFW0wOw-LPs6D6vspENKP6MRikgcmv3heOa7e27WBNpermC4DI/s1600/sweet+peas.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQ9Q508axsu-vCXGrwx8IalFuPVg30yAwMCEBuENuHzPuAzMlxudjsmjNf0TNT9iDwvipxVY6BR6XbvTL-adj60NGpEFW0wOw-LPs6D6vspENKP6MRikgcmv3heOa7e27WBNpermC4DI/s400/sweet+peas.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506741185330804562" border="0" /></a>Ahh, Summertime! And is there a sweeter, more fragrant flower than sweet peas?<br />A favorite quote of mine is "Summer afternoon, Summer afternoon...the two most beautiful words in the English language" by Henry James. He was my kind of guy, and I feel the same way about Summer. It was late in arriving this year, so we need to savor it even more, and enjoy each hot, languid day. I guess I have been doing more of that and less blogging lately, as is evidenced by the fact that my last post was in July! I apologize for that.<br />Once you start blogging, it sort of becomes a part of you, and I am always thinking of my blog, and blog readers, even if I am not posting anything. Kind of like sending that long overdue letter, saying "I think of you all the time"... It seems that the longer I put off posting something, the harder it gets, so I will renew my commitment to tune up my blog and be a better correspondent.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3R6Ll7Pc1ylC6DP6zr5etFpK7oL_uiAkakNwuJXko4azXnGEZFoFmN7bonyxH543Obbl7B-uJcVe7x3130eWRjm9AJ593jiEN5P8UBnMgJ7NEYTJpPCv9PAuMWOZzcGUkkIwb3nOalXs/s1600/antoine.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3R6Ll7Pc1ylC6DP6zr5etFpK7oL_uiAkakNwuJXko4azXnGEZFoFmN7bonyxH543Obbl7B-uJcVe7x3130eWRjm9AJ593jiEN5P8UBnMgJ7NEYTJpPCv9PAuMWOZzcGUkkIwb3nOalXs/s400/antoine.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506741180596035842" border="0" /></a>We have been lucky to be able to entertain several out of town visitors this last month, namely Antoine from Nantes, France, who arrived looking like a French teenager, and left with his new skateboard strapped to his pack, with t shirts ready to tie dye at his next stop! I think he will look like a proper American kid when he returns home.We very much enjoyed having him stay with us for a few days.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJqDKZYhJnXvwvHu8rQuxpeKC1n8yimjqdICg9QYnwkidmVGqtDn64Okqn0KoKTkgbO3dneBHhYiqQ0SLBBeucVxxLlD4V1GWZcOW0j8uLhlMJbQkEhkUv2bCNjmVVXQ38e7Ft0hH2EG0/s1600/liz+and+borromini+bear.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJqDKZYhJnXvwvHu8rQuxpeKC1n8yimjqdICg9QYnwkidmVGqtDn64Okqn0KoKTkgbO3dneBHhYiqQ0SLBBeucVxxLlD4V1GWZcOW0j8uLhlMJbQkEhkUv2bCNjmVVXQ38e7Ft0hH2EG0/s400/liz+and+borromini+bear.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506741174036301666" border="0" /></a>After Antoine's visit, I was SO fortunate to get to meet one of my favorite Aussie bloggers, and sketcher extraordinaire, <a href="http://www.lizsteel.com/">Liz Steele </a>and her constant companion, Borromini Bear, who you can just make out on the stack of soft journals. We talked and sketched on my back deck, since Liz was in town to attend the Urban Sketchers Symposium. She was off the next day on her "around the world in 80 days " trip. Another exciting thing for me that week was to meet Laura Frankstone of<a href="http://laurellines.com"> Laurelines </a>blog fame. I have followed her blog for several years, and it was pure joy to get to meet her in person.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcvtzv1KeahcN8fUbMtL6lemXO2RITw-HTSYGXpgWrqgnf7K-4EDcqAY9r792hZ3Z0I5tyOR3_Gt9VSeW98IYZIXxHwZAPHHiKf1yrHkjuES_KiU1WSM_MeO2fnsr7vvJCoJzquSIcSE/s1600/circle+pins+2.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcvtzv1KeahcN8fUbMtL6lemXO2RITw-HTSYGXpgWrqgnf7K-4EDcqAY9r792hZ3Z0I5tyOR3_Gt9VSeW98IYZIXxHwZAPHHiKf1yrHkjuES_KiU1WSM_MeO2fnsr7vvJCoJzquSIcSE/s400/circle+pins+2.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506741167884342674" border="0" /></a>Even though it is Summer, and December seems far off, I am already thinking of our Portland Art Collective holiday show and sale December 3rd and 4th. This will be another great show, so put it on your calendar right now! Here is a sneak preview of some of the things that I have been working on. Silk and velvet pins will appear in a variety of color combinations.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueJBVNzKZXz1BFKiQKdZtSf5ucZIxFPZN_wbtIPa7piWcYS9f6vItQ0LqBq6-A2icrN5USH1IT_g6TSNukoO5uv4-hDmBhW6rkS-MT2-Ap7Ixvq-bw1gFP0JXxYzxLZLeB_KuNcp3vgY/s1600/heart+necklace.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueJBVNzKZXz1BFKiQKdZtSf5ucZIxFPZN_wbtIPa7piWcYS9f6vItQ0LqBq6-A2icrN5USH1IT_g6TSNukoO5uv4-hDmBhW6rkS-MT2-Ap7Ixvq-bw1gFP0JXxYzxLZLeB_KuNcp3vgY/s400/heart+necklace.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506741159323238242" border="0" /></a>I am very pleased with this new heart necklace which reminds me a little of the coral heart that I have worn and loved for over 15 years. I hope people will like it as much as I do.<br />Stay tuned to this blog, as I will have some exciting photos coming up soon, I hope. I have my parasol and sun screen ready, and will pick up my "touring " bike from a friend and we will soonbe ready to take off on a new adventure.cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03335503746673401133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218534539321923740.post-59488187509748376812010-07-28T16:41:00.000-07:002010-07-28T17:10:01.133-07:00NYC Summer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZnrhME0GVNi0mxeI5w9OLNnzALHH6YvB7kcL29j3wI90tzCL7YMExA0d_IVU3_lFVAoMIIXH3784RbsFymDp3YOihQFR1zY06QuKPje4px1dDM4zzkWQsSBdQgC9pLcA-uyAd38eSag/s1600/ticket+line.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZnrhME0GVNi0mxeI5w9OLNnzALHH6YvB7kcL29j3wI90tzCL7YMExA0d_IVU3_lFVAoMIIXH3784RbsFymDp3YOihQFR1zY06QuKPje4px1dDM4zzkWQsSBdQgC9pLcA-uyAd38eSag/s400/ticket+line.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499107652886225698" border="0" /></a>As I said, we didn't spend all of our time in NYC eating. We also spent time waiting in line, which is also a NY thing to do. After dinner one evening, I suggested a stroll through Central Park, just a few blocks from the lovely apartment where we were staying. I knew there was a performance of Shakespeare in the park that evening, so we thought we might find out if there was even a remote chance of getting one at the last minute. We were directed to the standby line, which was pretty long. We waited patiently for a little over half an hour and were amazed to be given tickets! I had always wanted to go to Shakespeare in Central Park, but imagined that you would sit on a blanket on the lawn and be entertained by a passably good troupe of actors.<br />How wrong I was! The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Delacorte</span> is a beautiful open air theater, and the actors are top notch. This ensemble was made up of several actors who have appeared on TV series, and we were on the edge of our seats the entire time, held spellbound. As we left the park at 11 pm, there were hundreds of people lined up, sleeping outside the park. At first I thought they were homeless, but soon realized that they looked a little too upbeat to be homeless. I finally figured they were already in line for tickets to The Merchant of Venice for the next day! Al Pacino was in that cast, so he was a big draw. I will say that miraculously, I also got a ticket to that play, but when the lightening and thunder and a downpour occurred, I turned tail and left the sea of undaunted New Yorkers sitting huddled under their umbrellas...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd79zLG_HgOhMiRxlN-pHRdz12ttPBWUvqxHfcKTU_dlyEv5yDTlxUum3aeutbRTnpp9DO2wF9f_Aej-mfJ9du5nGDZAWaUESQ_eFdiDavXbUs-BYyaQ6a96-_ImQeLBjmqYrFHGO5kqs/s1600/john+derain+plates.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd79zLG_HgOhMiRxlN-pHRdz12ttPBWUvqxHfcKTU_dlyEv5yDTlxUum3aeutbRTnpp9DO2wF9f_Aej-mfJ9du5nGDZAWaUESQ_eFdiDavXbUs-BYyaQ6a96-_ImQeLBjmqYrFHGO5kqs/s400/john+derain+plates.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499107640203246562" border="0" /></a>This is one shop that I made an effort to find, after several failed attempts. John <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Derain</span> has long been a favorite artist of mine, making exquisite <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">decopaged</span> plates. Why I did not buy one of these beauties, I don't know. Maybe the heat had gotten to me...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7cxOrz1n3bThd_lg9TGLCwcTsYKuo8WIUtzLTq8U6mhLfc2nE_zYCo1GLkbaR8JGKtDJTvebztpdVbe62_q_BJwznVpQ92Um_fZApxJaCLznW4F_hlQsTQb9_2azM4cD6ZHN7yluxLsA/s1600/john+derain.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7cxOrz1n3bThd_lg9TGLCwcTsYKuo8WIUtzLTq8U6mhLfc2nE_zYCo1GLkbaR8JGKtDJTvebztpdVbe62_q_BJwznVpQ92Um_fZApxJaCLznW4F_hlQsTQb9_2azM4cD6ZHN7yluxLsA/s400/john+derain.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499107636470938082" border="0" /></a>The store was filled with fanciful decorative objects, a lots of lovely vignettes. Just my kid of place! Another find in the East village area.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZbZYZaxxbqTWqLU7pQ4NGVhQPKYGI5-99NbYNFK1cQvylm4JiLRkWldAB1Oe_vOQjpr4wc5O8wcpSbrzsXyrOGHiWBB_1fWp7Kle1Ndmc1QD4BajcmwgiTuqAiseCEFBEq98dO4lxVU/s1600/flea+market+pins.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZbZYZaxxbqTWqLU7pQ4NGVhQPKYGI5-99NbYNFK1cQvylm4JiLRkWldAB1Oe_vOQjpr4wc5O8wcpSbrzsXyrOGHiWBB_1fWp7Kle1Ndmc1QD4BajcmwgiTuqAiseCEFBEq98dO4lxVU/s400/flea+market+pins.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499107633434469666" border="0" /></a>Finally, I stopped by one of the Sunday flea markets in Hell's Kitchen on East 9<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">th</span>. These enameled pins brought back good memories of childhood for me. It was fun to look, but the prices were too high for me.cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03335503746673401133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218534539321923740.post-42439605026472536662010-07-28T15:41:00.000-07:002010-07-28T16:40:38.920-07:00Best eating NYC<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7aER2CwpHh1NFN52N65gju9LE3t4Nb5hUh3Jqmz6mFAHPpblO_7SDg63uuicctXHQwTCkA738wFP7Uo4cKpUIlYw8wNQXnDE0GPMZZfvrHdC6H1PmZesE6HpTVJccV3-ccG_22bXXt4o/s1600/lukes.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7aER2CwpHh1NFN52N65gju9LE3t4Nb5hUh3Jqmz6mFAHPpblO_7SDg63uuicctXHQwTCkA738wFP7Uo4cKpUIlYw8wNQXnDE0GPMZZfvrHdC6H1PmZesE6HpTVJccV3-ccG_22bXXt4o/s400/lukes.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499091794218301250" border="0" /></a>Last time I was in New York I wrote mostly about my favorite haunts for good shopping. This time I was there, we tried some memorable taste treats that are worth mentioning, most notably Lukes, a simple hole in the wall place that makes the best lobster rolls I have ever eaten. If you don't like lobster, you can stop reading right now, but if you do, this is the place to go. I ate some pretty good lobster when I was on the East Coast, and this was by far the best lobster roll, full of the freshest claw meat. My mouth waters as I write this, and if this was my last meal on earth I would be happy. Luke's has two locations, at 242 E 81st Street and 93 E 7th Street in East Village, the happening part of town.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxB0UBI5Dtioiyjc24zKDLVyzBByA1kCKZxwO8mzFj6lHe1fsvQHEP9BcgQC1YbEgDtjy9qujAD5WrEEWfPSO9tD0EUpMy4UZ8LPJa23fOME0sQOgyY0QEevJuzv99ThyphenhyphenP6MgMQ0yX_U/s1600/il+labratorio.bmp">,</a>Speaking of the happening part of town, here's another great spot, tLaboratorio del Gelato also a hole in the wall place on Orchard Street close to Chinatown. However, they are soon to move into a new space around the corner that will be much more spacious, with later hours. Go here for unusual gelato flavors, or just plain good vanilla.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexMYMCJkTif3ymaTSPiFMKRBIheLadSmfN6xQGE18TAO1Oi4HYx39SpNKxRba-k5bQeNaa1_-zXUXzqFnvESWcqVrbhuMi_Ns0N9H4xXpMS7nRPvnfGfGrLcz1ysLEjp80dj2jYQjQ0w/s1600/coconut+doughnut.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexMYMCJkTif3ymaTSPiFMKRBIheLadSmfN6xQGE18TAO1Oi4HYx39SpNKxRba-k5bQeNaa1_-zXUXzqFnvESWcqVrbhuMi_Ns0N9H4xXpMS7nRPvnfGfGrLcz1ysLEjp80dj2jYQjQ0w/s400/coconut+doughnut.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499091776718293538" border="0" /></a>Maybe after you have gelato, you might want to stroll over to Doughnut Plant for some of the best doughnuts around. We saw this on "The best thing I ate" and had to check it out. I recommend the coconut glazed doughnut, filled with more oozy coconut filling.<br />Or perhaps you might enjoy the peanut butter and jelly doughnut, or the blueberry. This place is hot, hot now, and we even got to see Mr Doughnut Plant himself, as he was being interviewed.<br />This is all the art that I have on this post, the tiles in the front window of Doughnut Plant. Gotta love a place that even has doughnut tiles! Doughnut Plant is located at 374 Grand between Essex and Norfolk. After we made the pilgrimage to D P I discovered that Joe's coffee also carries DP doughnuts.If it sounds like all we did in NYC was eat, that is pretty close to the truth. But we also did some other cool things, which I will share later.cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03335503746673401133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218534539321923740.post-24048507073279318472010-07-21T05:09:00.000-07:002010-07-21T05:39:33.602-07:00Coming back to Providence, Rhode Island<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWefqy7kXF-0Vkf-xS1x0YLpjEJrWrivbYPqOfQMATrn-FxTy4eK-YltefV6yZqzeH270fU3da2KZC7v1SPlSGLHUHybCTvGLy8KIeAd2cZt3rPpBsrHCJ2M8JooOTMg118Qj0ZYZAVA8/s1600/journal+page+ann.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWefqy7kXF-0Vkf-xS1x0YLpjEJrWrivbYPqOfQMATrn-FxTy4eK-YltefV6yZqzeH270fU3da2KZC7v1SPlSGLHUHybCTvGLy8KIeAd2cZt3rPpBsrHCJ2M8JooOTMg118Qj0ZYZAVA8/s400/journal+page+ann.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496331313239832674" border="0" /></a>In this last week that our family was in Providence,Rhode Island, I felt like I learned more about my mother in law than I ever knew during the 35 years she was in my life. This is my journal spread from our day at sea, on the Sea Princess out of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Wickford</span>, RI, where my mother in law, Ann Aldrich spent summers in the house by the sea, pictured on the top.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZkRjnnarB1tJOCvQ4MxbzSNf0naa117PFokJfB6sLfV93t-9_5w_ZyIThWsUZaEBO64oIViA9Djwr0OHPluF13NyKqU3BX-XiTWImccG2rpd0gLq6eXaKzUjJhjuqcbb7r9lCRAAMeM/s1600/pavillion.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZkRjnnarB1tJOCvQ4MxbzSNf0naa117PFokJfB6sLfV93t-9_5w_ZyIThWsUZaEBO64oIViA9Djwr0OHPluF13NyKqU3BX-XiTWImccG2rpd0gLq6eXaKzUjJhjuqcbb7r9lCRAAMeM/s400/pavillion.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496331310443984450" border="0" /></a>She and her sister Edwina lived and played only a few blocks from here, and probably celebrated many events with their family in this beautiful little bandstand.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9E_4EhnvpZ9hqiILdpaLuOKOfFiBWC6IHmVujLJyqFR9Wmnf7Y4R0Qm8g4CYzEl46C1AzXLft2E9Lv5BoMplLn4s9yRSI9Vy9b9FVORs4mzEvNNf-d0gejDG1xBk0CVqpXg_y8SaFSG0/s1600/library.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9E_4EhnvpZ9hqiILdpaLuOKOfFiBWC6IHmVujLJyqFR9Wmnf7Y4R0Qm8g4CYzEl46C1AzXLft2E9Lv5BoMplLn4s9yRSI9Vy9b9FVORs4mzEvNNf-d0gejDG1xBk0CVqpXg_y8SaFSG0/s400/library.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496331304680169106" border="0" /></a>This tiny library was where Edwina had library card number 7 and Ann had number 13. They probably spent many happy hours here, too. This seemed to me to be a pretty idyllic place to grow up. And Summers were spent by the shore, just a short drive away in the village of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Wickford</span>.<br /> This life all came crashing down, like the waves that descended upon them on the afternoon of September 21, 1938. While spending one last beautiful fall day at their beach house, a terrible storm raced up Narraganset bay, sweeping their house out to sea. Their mother could not swim and she told her two girls to save themselves and live each day. The girls, age 11 and 16, did just that, riding on the roof of the house until they could swim ashore and be rescued.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VbTB8rzSvlYBoDNc9cLhyphenhyphen0YeUD2BHBJvH4VGMLBwo8JCRb9Em_cQuEUAquIlzZKRF6OiSoXnGXiMuqrHzPkzXHhGFMzYVoxPzFgwMzppwit3eG1eF9pDmoKPNulKHYfvz1eOd1o5qN8/s1600/sea+princess.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VbTB8rzSvlYBoDNc9cLhyphenhyphen0YeUD2BHBJvH4VGMLBwo8JCRb9Em_cQuEUAquIlzZKRF6OiSoXnGXiMuqrHzPkzXHhGFMzYVoxPzFgwMzppwit3eG1eF9pDmoKPNulKHYfvz1eOd1o5qN8/s400/sea+princess.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496331296129065506" border="0" /></a>These two lived amazing lives and had wonderful families, and we knew for many years that they wanted, eventually, to return to the Narraganset bay. So on a beautiful Summer day last week, we gathered again aboard the Sea Princess with Captain Doug, to fulfill their wishes<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGgnst4fLrZqWHChyphenhyphen-T6iWQFa2PYYh2Pq9dhDYumBlcn3gOBUQXnhGiMUdRIOTQY9lpZwuXx4dja7DvPdJDZ-wGxJQVqpNhm1y7RJXVRbObXjV9SxRUP2B8SDoVPIuuLh6Z4OLgS6RDtM/s1600/wreath.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGgnst4fLrZqWHChyphenhyphen-T6iWQFa2PYYh2Pq9dhDYumBlcn3gOBUQXnhGiMUdRIOTQY9lpZwuXx4dja7DvPdJDZ-wGxJQVqpNhm1y7RJXVRbObXjV9SxRUP2B8SDoVPIuuLh6Z4OLgS6RDtM/s400/wreath.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496331289340652050" border="0" /></a>This is the wreath I created to be cast along with the ashes that we spread through the water, and each person threw a red carnation which followed the wreath, drifting on the waves. Soon, a large yellow butterfly flew up alongside the boat, and hovered for a few moments before flying off. The captain was captivated by that, as he said they rarely fly out so far to sea. This was a fitting end to the day.cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03335503746673401133noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218534539321923740.post-59690529006205257632010-07-13T20:40:00.001-07:002010-07-13T21:04:20.790-07:00Lucky, lucky me<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrWj93C1ja8G7aAQbkrd-eNBH41yfSh0-qBK825bkA6WG12dUNrU3e_SvWsAyhIumWE3TZs3P6dA4wSlJArxrQh5VBkxHePHeoVcAmrBk8PMaulBzsI2vdN_AL-gJWfFCuqFL4V1jfa0/s1600/summer+flowers.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrWj93C1ja8G7aAQbkrd-eNBH41yfSh0-qBK825bkA6WG12dUNrU3e_SvWsAyhIumWE3TZs3P6dA4wSlJArxrQh5VBkxHePHeoVcAmrBk8PMaulBzsI2vdN_AL-gJWfFCuqFL4V1jfa0/s400/summer+flowers.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493602384454768690" border="0" /></a>I feel lucky for so many reasons lately. For one, the rain seems to be over and summer is here , which is good, since it is the middle of July already. Where does the time go? I have the best of intentions for posting here, and think of it constantly, as I appreciate all of you who look at this periodically and make nice comments. I know you won't keep coming back if there is nothing new to look at. I just feel like time is flying by. I decided that I will include some of my art on each posting, even if I have more photos than art. That is my goal, anyway. Summer makes me happy, and it is my favorite season. This is a cheery bouquet of flowers that I purchased at the farmer's market, another one of my favorite summertime things.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglCATu2yXhxsnjiV_ckHl4Vu72CqFaWZi_Q8souMNdY-B5NVUroHD2IVP20_VRYKZ0ywO-W-9jUVL3fMbNmSEgyMAw5z76uIyq8jlrAgLBxyb4QJsMKRQL22qlHZZxB40e3WiZeJgvdak/s1600/my+lilies2.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglCATu2yXhxsnjiV_ckHl4Vu72CqFaWZi_Q8souMNdY-B5NVUroHD2IVP20_VRYKZ0ywO-W-9jUVL3fMbNmSEgyMAw5z76uIyq8jlrAgLBxyb4QJsMKRQL22qlHZZxB40e3WiZeJgvdak/s400/my+lilies2.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493602376992155362" border="0" /></a>This is another reason that I feel lucky. I looked out my window after being away for the weekend and spotted these gorgeous lilies blooming in my garden. My sister gave me the bulbs years ago and they have bloomed a couple of times, but never this spectacularly. I am happy that I got to see them before I went away again.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsuSW4ZKBagG30R3UowJt2PaHFA8BZD8179nv8P3MLfQE8vehX_ibvSDGUJcYYZ8UMF1TLbGFGZ7YFxewu08TGydFmh3gkGu9zJ4L3JGp0dn2PadIVwyVPyPix42HNJMhX6A1vhi_sW1o/s1600/sweet+peas.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsuSW4ZKBagG30R3UowJt2PaHFA8BZD8179nv8P3MLfQE8vehX_ibvSDGUJcYYZ8UMF1TLbGFGZ7YFxewu08TGydFmh3gkGu9zJ4L3JGp0dn2PadIVwyVPyPix42HNJMhX6A1vhi_sW1o/s400/sweet+peas.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493602372546821698" border="0" /></a>Another of my favorite summertime flowers, sweet peas. But look at the deep, rich purples in these! And I love the combination of colors. Also at the farmer's market.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHIXrW32jcCLLDBTOrpyS4FnObv0oz6hz_XE0I7e_vNy2YBjIACk3sQGR7vl3ZGIKIvlrl47bTaYTvO8K62kDTxkhYe3VbSWpGi7CRIZSNT6bkQvWLMvWLS_DONo25RUG-DiCpYNBZW8/s1600/daynas+boat.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHIXrW32jcCLLDBTOrpyS4FnObv0oz6hz_XE0I7e_vNy2YBjIACk3sQGR7vl3ZGIKIvlrl47bTaYTvO8K62kDTxkhYe3VbSWpGi7CRIZSNT6bkQvWLMvWLS_DONo25RUG-DiCpYNBZW8/s400/daynas+boat.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493602367461199314" border="0" /></a>I feel extra lucky to be part of a wonderful group of artists and friends, the Portland Art Collective ,and we kicked off summer aboard Rhapsody down at the riverfront dock. Dayna and Howard are gracious hosts, indeed. I am the featured artist on our <a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://portlandartcollective.blogspot.com/">PAC</a> blog this month, so hop on over to take a look at more of what I have done recently and see some more of our art and fun activities.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYyP681YBvuE6yxODl7emSxxp89sKLep3VxbtLV5u3BywnoPHdaM8FkAYHjYWFsnwlZA0xHFzrD5fqJq4N6J8tz1ZUFY024qSWODWHLvVdXDrpSL8qlipWIc-7dIJDDDGWDrNa3YoRxgE/s1600/good+fortune.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYyP681YBvuE6yxODl7emSxxp89sKLep3VxbtLV5u3BywnoPHdaM8FkAYHjYWFsnwlZA0xHFzrD5fqJq4N6J8tz1ZUFY024qSWODWHLvVdXDrpSL8qlipWIc-7dIJDDDGWDrNa3YoRxgE/s400/good+fortune.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493602359056542098" border="0" /></a>This is a collage of mine titled, "Good Fortune" which is one of several for sale this month at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Multnomah</span> County Library store, main branch downtown. I am also the featured artist there this month! I have a variety of pieces for sale, as well as a nice selection of photo cards.. If you have not been there, it is fun to see, as it is chock full of wonderful art that is very affordable.<br />Now you can see why I feel so lucky. Thanks for visiting.cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03335503746673401133noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218534539321923740.post-58922705681887997682010-06-29T08:52:00.000-07:002010-06-29T09:34:19.795-07:00Close to home but far away<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhaEAW87NwlfrZFTe6fIfdBRpMaAdGAaZQtbL31tEeXwg-SAlkcq9DubTiIMM8mws5D6b811AbMOz3224u93nPpwwIOzdfgeBhMdJQAw5K6a43-0EmQEBQqFihAE3laShYmZPp9OMuTnY/s1600/oregon+garden+door.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhaEAW87NwlfrZFTe6fIfdBRpMaAdGAaZQtbL31tEeXwg-SAlkcq9DubTiIMM8mws5D6b811AbMOz3224u93nPpwwIOzdfgeBhMdJQAw5K6a43-0EmQEBQqFihAE3laShYmZPp9OMuTnY/s400/oregon+garden+door.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488225242309897554" border="0" /></a>We celebrated our 35<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> anniversary (!) last week by going to the Oregon Garden Resort in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Silverton</span>,for an overnight close to home, but it felt a long way from Portland. The garden was in financial trouble a few years ago and was taken over by a savvy businessman who already owned several resorts in California under the Moonstone name. He has created a lovely, tranquil resort, right at the edge of the garden that is a very pleasant place to stay. Not only is it a nice getaway, but it is also a very good value . Our midweek package included dinner and breakfast and admissions to the garden for less than $100.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMH38IaL0j8_HGDs3VGyXfUux9C8CnjXUmlIOH5-Q4YGFnt4g82n8JoYxpyzBjmmH21rPH28V-vCv1bcmnPgRwYx0rrs8TIEFa_f_nZvJTZPZHizdNwUPsIM1rXnYx-fGth8EwxP7bcQ/s1600/oregon+garden+cottage.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMH38IaL0j8_HGDs3VGyXfUux9C8CnjXUmlIOH5-Q4YGFnt4g82n8JoYxpyzBjmmH21rPH28V-vCv1bcmnPgRwYx0rrs8TIEFa_f_nZvJTZPZHizdNwUPsIM1rXnYx-fGth8EwxP7bcQ/s400/oregon+garden+cottage.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488225233887457426" border="0" /></a>Lodging is in these cottages, each with several nicely appointed rooms and a private deck attached, where we sat in the sun. When you are tired of that, you can enjoy the pool and hot tub, or tour the gardens until dusk. I mostly enjoyed the quiet, laced with birdsong.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWByfuiAUzOBhbhevGUvluO6rbh3SPduEm9L-R_AVgUsbwQjlYCdhb97hP91xSjS8fAEtX9NWazLp3JS61CbQt267wGxiiFSGDn1fGac_CcvM0SPILiyRLT0fUSF3DedCD6lL_wOAQr8/s1600/oregon+garden+view+from+restaurant+2.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWByfuiAUzOBhbhevGUvluO6rbh3SPduEm9L-R_AVgUsbwQjlYCdhb97hP91xSjS8fAEtX9NWazLp3JS61CbQt267wGxiiFSGDn1fGac_CcvM0SPILiyRLT0fUSF3DedCD6lL_wOAQr8/s400/oregon+garden+view+from+restaurant+2.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488225229002656962" border="0" /></a>This is a view from the restaurant, looking down the length of the garden. It is a subtle place, full of typical nursery plants, and a variety of interesting gardens within a garden like the children's garden and market garden. It is a pleasant place to while away a couple of hours. Don't miss the oak grove, where we have spotted deer on two separate occasions.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BiMtVmVvuMPW9lX_fOly8LjN69bQhRHaKbje2JHErvyBAJurLQIFE6tUvtViAvZBqyyj4V8ElSOMUhc3VwCEfM30UrCfSbSX-GTm4Ir0pv8d-tfRkh2KVAg9OEVzwq4tr2DmCAg-0GQ/s1600/waterlilies.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BiMtVmVvuMPW9lX_fOly8LjN69bQhRHaKbje2JHErvyBAJurLQIFE6tUvtViAvZBqyyj4V8ElSOMUhc3VwCEfM30UrCfSbSX-GTm4Ir0pv8d-tfRkh2KVAg9OEVzwq4tr2DmCAg-0GQ/s400/waterlilies.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488225219374874258" border="0" /></a>The lily pond is another special place, and it is sack dab in the center of the garden. Lots of yellow lilies, too, and carp. If you want to venture a little further afield, you can drive the short distance into <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Silverton</span> and stroll the town. Some of my favorite stores are Stone Buddha and The Purl District and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Lunaria</span> Gallery.Silver Grill is another good restaurant.And down the road a little further is the very beautiful Silver Falls park, where you can take a short hike to several beautiful falls. Consider <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Silverton</span> next time you need a getaway from the city.cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03335503746673401133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218534539321923740.post-43350336652938414142010-06-21T06:14:00.000-07:002010-06-21T06:49:19.112-07:00Top Spots Spokane--Summer Solstice?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGBZ3DjPMOGT9cvoBeTpjCEHxEh1Iih1beIo6u9as2ioOsz-r5L9lQ_HDjjI0_aGU2QzyabAGp6T_hIjA9i1QgUMeDihmK0w3snCvTw-TBmZeWI8zb0UX1N3FLWdAxoINvZj6hSEdugs/s1600/radio+flyer+2.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGBZ3DjPMOGT9cvoBeTpjCEHxEh1Iih1beIo6u9as2ioOsz-r5L9lQ_HDjjI0_aGU2QzyabAGp6T_hIjA9i1QgUMeDihmK0w3snCvTw-TBmZeWI8zb0UX1N3FLWdAxoINvZj6hSEdugs/s400/radio+flyer+2.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485217650483043458" border="0" /></a>I have a few more scenes from Spokane that I wanted to share before I move on to another subject. But first, I just want to say, "Is it really the SUMMER SOLSTICE today? Where did June, and early summer, or even late spring weather go? I hope we get some sun soon, or I am off to Arizona!<br />This is one of my favorite scenes from Spokane. That is Jim, waving from inside the radio <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">flyer</span>, just to give an idea of the scale of that thing. The handle is a slide, which nearly wrecked my knee as I tried to go down, But what a piece of sculpture. It is situated in the very lovely Riverside park, a focal point for the city, complete with antique carousel, churning falls and a little gondola ride that traverses the falls in a short ride. A week after we were in Spokane, Garrison Keillor brought the traveling <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Prairie</span> Home Companion show there, and professed that it is one of his favorite cities since childhood.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27HgqwbK4_gLwy3Rkv6sFk32jkHKBUfnrMpwil3qX6mg3GcjC7yCHgadCzsHZQmmZvdDHnbmSWGsUPkxDEO53g1MZcnPuptjtWV8OZ-7rfd2bCv06sh10dWLOzUs9_6rjza8fWbJV-M8/s1600/milk+bottle.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27HgqwbK4_gLwy3Rkv6sFk32jkHKBUfnrMpwil3qX6mg3GcjC7yCHgadCzsHZQmmZvdDHnbmSWGsUPkxDEO53g1MZcnPuptjtWV8OZ-7rfd2bCv06sh10dWLOzUs9_6rjza8fWbJV-M8/s400/milk+bottle.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485217647710330706" border="0" /></a>I'm so glad we found this place, Mary Lou's Milk Bottle! We escaped the crowds at Farm Chicks and had a great lunch here. It has been around since the 30's, and is a classic Spokane landmark restaurant. I love finding places like this that still exist in forgotten corners of America.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWgNZOSRIwRon-MFI4MoxO_d1nhMH28BYPZILAGvf3-8aDnTOVtVFLMHeHie4WgZ6B9urUJMLimIZnPPbafz0F787NvbxOQpVCUc_ElxjerOyss30xwkunTUBFFabkS1YQkTovcZUe6o/s1600/milkshake.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWgNZOSRIwRon-MFI4MoxO_d1nhMH28BYPZILAGvf3-8aDnTOVtVFLMHeHie4WgZ6B9urUJMLimIZnPPbafz0F787NvbxOQpVCUc_ElxjerOyss30xwkunTUBFFabkS1YQkTovcZUe6o/s400/milkshake.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485217640391587106" border="0" /></a>The mocha milkshake is almost worth driving to Spokane for. It is always thrilling to find a place that still serves up a shake with the metal tin it was made in. The special included a hamburger, shake and a side (including pie!) for $8. Now you may not want to eat this very often but it was truly a find, as was the whole Garland neighborhood, a well preserved piece of history.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6w6MHdRmGHfaLdLzzg5qS96sFnjuet-qOIF56UYRnsvNuHj2M9NR2k9oPNS3tLTh6dW_sQeUjMwMAJQpAduS8cVSNiI8FgCgPpMu1vSIndnhdJ4ifUL8yeRRVU7iNyOYoaBKpDbn5dX0/s1600/pamelot.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6w6MHdRmGHfaLdLzzg5qS96sFnjuet-qOIF56UYRnsvNuHj2M9NR2k9oPNS3tLTh6dW_sQeUjMwMAJQpAduS8cVSNiI8FgCgPpMu1vSIndnhdJ4ifUL8yeRRVU7iNyOYoaBKpDbn5dX0/s400/pamelot.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485217627747994530" border="0" /></a>Another reason to attend Farm Chicks is to see the caravans owned by Sisters on the Fly that are parked along the peaceful river at Riverside State Park. There was a small, but very cute contingent of these trailers assembled, and each one has a different theme, some of them decked out inside, too. These ladies like to fly fish, and gather together across America at various times of the year. There have been magazine articles and books published about them , too. They are now over 1,400 strong.cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03335503746673401133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218534539321923740.post-16481630715462812132010-06-09T17:02:00.000-07:002010-06-09T17:25:36.644-07:00More Farm Chicks in Spokane<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb3itKBSnFYJCn9SwCjADKDQjltaUYMZ_lns-ptXn2DSj1AK1Qk1g27nXvlWGWEmqOLhABhFdf_d7F4TzcgfhtixYBkeC4oYnFKTzxc_BA0FlmbEsj4981wQSurSbLZQcjdg_p4rpCxnk/s1600/flower+tin.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb3itKBSnFYJCn9SwCjADKDQjltaUYMZ_lns-ptXn2DSj1AK1Qk1g27nXvlWGWEmqOLhABhFdf_d7F4TzcgfhtixYBkeC4oYnFKTzxc_BA0FlmbEsj4981wQSurSbLZQcjdg_p4rpCxnk/s400/flower+tin.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480931373681097602" border="0" /></a>Of course I gravitated to this booth that had plants and flowers spilling out of it, tucked into all kinds of sweet containers and planters. I do remember Butter Nut coffee!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWAED8NFX-ih8rajkSnzx3AFOhYu1SIBbBPsxzxBrqy8ZDBa2m1vqr2pwwOJ8Su3Pc7_geyCrvzrl8Q739kpwgLhxlwFZ-8-YRF5-6PGd0RNm45dwdIt-XQXtRj8jQfFXvKMHWTmHwNM/s1600/slips.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWAED8NFX-ih8rajkSnzx3AFOhYu1SIBbBPsxzxBrqy8ZDBa2m1vqr2pwwOJ8Su3Pc7_geyCrvzrl8Q739kpwgLhxlwFZ-8-YRF5-6PGd0RNm45dwdIt-XQXtRj8jQfFXvKMHWTmHwNM/s400/slips.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480931363506571090" border="0" /></a>Oooh, this was probably my favorite booth, mostly for the memories it evoked of a childhood past, where we really did wear these starchy, scratchy full slips underneath our dresses. That was a wonderful time of my life, and I always felt special with that big slip on, and pretty grown up, too!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiqDVFMAKftkde6-F1K4L-1auBVdjOplnYeLhFVCA3aBpJuGor9etEOEcoG3FnUyr0BoiZ9bCyzwAbWKIp8k6BAdv87HVnRzOjCBBqkDrr6HreJV5BM6KQ3Jb2oDJlXofa_FhfSy6k_VE/s1600/eat+it.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiqDVFMAKftkde6-F1K4L-1auBVdjOplnYeLhFVCA3aBpJuGor9etEOEcoG3FnUyr0BoiZ9bCyzwAbWKIp8k6BAdv87HVnRzOjCBBqkDrr6HreJV5BM6KQ3Jb2oDJlXofa_FhfSy6k_VE/s400/eat+it.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480931360137791682" border="0" /></a>I almost couldn't resist this huge ice cream cone sign, but I didn't think Jim would have appreciated trying to bring that home in the Jetta. And what would be the appropriate place in the house for it, once home? Besides, I really don't need that message around all the time, fun as it was.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJZ60T-0MPeYRMfwX9uITij0DkVAM988GmExT311YE4FkqWZJL46ca_67qObF2Byb0u-7WvqUZo98ONQcAMSyeo0zogN9K40-QqENsctCpkq39sUtHaZ5-hLkuJQOPY5K6zUH9Qnss4g/s1600/mushrooms.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJZ60T-0MPeYRMfwX9uITij0DkVAM988GmExT311YE4FkqWZJL46ca_67qObF2Byb0u-7WvqUZo98ONQcAMSyeo0zogN9K40-QqENsctCpkq39sUtHaZ5-hLkuJQOPY5K6zUH9Qnss4g/s400/mushrooms.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480931348621858674" border="0" /></a>This was another favorite booth, <a style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);" href="http://hutchstudio.blogspot.com">Hutch Studio</a>. Everything was charming in a quirky way, and they had made things from the simplest materials like cardboard and book pages. I loved these little fabric mushrooms. They got my vote for best booth and sweetest merchandise.cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03335503746673401133noreply@blogger.com3