Girl's day out
Tell you what.Today, my daughters and I ditched the babies, boyfriends, husbands, work, and other assorted responsibilities, and got out of town.A whole day of flea markets, antique malls, garage sales and general bargain hunting, wandering round small towns meeting new friend and discovering treasures, and, only after we shopped till we dropped, walked for miles, had some yummy lunch, and talked our heads off, did we drive back into the city.That was so much fun. :DI treasure these times with my girls.
Drawing Challenge: Stars
As a follow up to "a little night music" may I present "owl light". You might remember I started this in 2014 and then I put it in "the pile". This is the "never get to" pile, sometimes also known as the "must do" pile, and occasionally the "burn it all" pile of begun canvases. Well, this week it was the "project completion" and "check it off one painting at a time" pile. I'm so glad I called this drawing challenge, it gave me a little push. :D
Art: Oh gosh, where to start. There's a collaged 1915 Chopin music page named Nocturne on a wood support, then acrylics, then inks, then chalk, then gold dust, then oils. All glued, rubbed, stencilled, painted and generally mucked about with. That was fun. :DCome visit with all our stars by owl light: Patrice, Carole, Barbara, Ariane, Tammie, Viola, Melodye, Joke, Lucia, Eric, Stefanie, Roberto and Renilde.
A soft morning
Boy oh boy it takes a lot to get us going in the morning. Not only is there breakfast to eat and teeth to brush and ponytails to make, there's Tupperware to explore, blanket and couch forts to build, beds to jump on make, and moisturiser make up to put on. And only then are we ready for our Sbux run! Evidence of Sbux run on my instagram. :D
Our little girls are here
How lovely is it round here? My daughter Kerstin brought our little girls for a super long weekend visit. Last night we had a lovely talk and a lovely play, read a few books, built an airport, made some masks, cuddled the baby dolls, and everyone went to sleep way past their bedtime, tired out and happy.
Announcing the next Drawing Challenge: Stars
As a child I used to sleep outside on the roof-top terrace of our summer cottage with my grandfather and he would point out individual stars, name them, and teach me to see the constellations.This has grown into a life-long love affair, and this week, on the 25th anniversary of the Hubble telescope, I'd like to propose a new drawing challenge: Stars.
(Credit: NASA, ESA, and G. Bacon (STScI))I'm fascinated by stars.Fascinated by the whole cosmos, that "What else is out there? How does it all work?" feeling.Say yes, join me and come explore the stars.As usual, I'll put up a post on Friday 1st of May, and link everyone who leaves comments here, by email or on my FB in, and we'll have a visit over the weekend.Reaching for the stars my friends. :D
And, if you like, for added inspiration pop over to the HubbleSite news centre and see amazing images like this one:
(Credit: NASA, ESA, and G. Bacon (STScI))You can also read the accompanying story: For over two decades astronomers have been patiently monitoring the fading glow of a supernova in a nearby galaxy. They've been looking for a suspected companion star that pulled off almost all of the hydrogen from the doomed star that exploded. At last Hubble's ultraviolet-light sensitivity pulled out the blue glow of the star from the cluttered starlight in the disk of the galaxy. This observation confirms the theory that the supernova originated in a double-star system where one star fuelled the mass-loss from the aging primary star. The surviving star's brightness and estimated mass provide insight into the conditions that preceded the 1993 explosion.WOW!
Hello from Sunday night
Well then!I'm feeling terrifically accomplished and successful and even am getting this post up on Sunday night! :D ...although I'm hopelessly behind on commenting, visiting and replying to my comments. Boy, blogging is hard work. And to think that today I told Robbie that he really has to have his own website to showcase his brilliant designs. (What a rotten girl I am making more work for him!)He said his YouTube and his forums were enough for now...unless I want to write his blog posts! 8OBut it's been a wonderful weekend round here for us. C and I went climbing on Friday, instead of our usual Wednesday, and I was very pleased that I got to the top of two of the easier routes. (And to think I was doing this on cliffs 30 years ago. Oh well, I'll work up to it again.)
Saturday I stopped at my favourite nursery, Southlands, and had to take a photo of these brilliant signs Thomas put out. Yes, that's my cart, those are my beautiful plants...hands off you pleb! LOL
There was a plan to go to Costco. You know, that soulless, breathless, black hole of a box store, but neither C nor I could face it and so, citing hunger as our excuse, we drove past it to Ikea...OK, another soulless, breathless, black hole of a box store, but much more fun!We had a little lunch and then walked thru it sitting on all the furniture, testing it for comfort and exploring all the rooms...(you know you love doing that)...
...and having a general gigglefest. At one point, we made a video of C riding one of those huge shopping carts and bumping into the stacks of prefab boxes and sent it to R. Made him laugh.
And then, we drove in exactly the opposite direction from Costco and ended up at the George Reifel bird sanctuary!I've been worried about the world's bees these past few years, and was so pleased to see the hawthorns, and all other blooms, buzzing with bees.
We were so happy to see babies at the Reifel! Can you resist the yellow, baby bums? I can't. So far one pair of Canada geese have three chicks and one pair of wood ducks have five. The breeding cranes lost their first egg clutch to a bastard mink, but they are sitting on a second egg. Fingers crossed.
While I was up in the observation tower, I heard a strange bird call. No idea what it was, so decided to go investigate. The marsh is wet and boggy and no way to get off the paths, but I met a birder, an older gentleman, who told me it was probably a Virginia Rail. Then, on the way back, we met the sanctuary biologist, (who took a shine to C), who sang the call back to us and told us that the Virginia Rail chicks are much cutter than the Canada geese chicks. Impossible we said. He said, "take the goslings, multiply that by cuteness X 100% and make them a ball of grey-black fluff and give them legs which are miles too long for them." Oh man! Now I want to find one!
And then for something completely different! By 4pm, Costco was out of the equation, but groceries still had to be bought, so we had to stop at the store and I found this sexy thing! I took some photos for Robbie and put one up on Instagram. My son commented, "Eewwwww...Plymouth Prowler...C'mon mom!" and tagged me on a "real" rat racer! :D I'm like "what?" :D And had to tag him back on some brilliant photos I took of some rat racer earlier in the year. "Better" he said. :D
Saturday night C and I heard fireworks and ran upstairs to the studio and watched a lovely display on the downtown waterfront. Lucky us!
Sunday morning I had a decision to make. I stopped at an antique shop on Saturday and found a beautiful journal. Someone who had a laundry business in 1949, then pasted pay stubs over the laundry lists in 1960. I love that waste not want not mentality and thought some of these pages would be wonderful as a canvas for some paintings. So I could paint. On the other hand, there were all the seedlings I still had to plant waiting on the porch...and a whole week of rain ahead and a garden show to get ready for.
So planting it was, and gardening, and then, because one thing leads to another, then cleaning out the garage and organising the silversmithing bench.
I had an inspiration.Last week, I asked my friend Margot, (who has two horses), if I could have some straw for my strawberries. She told me that she has a whole hay bale that her boys won't touch and I can have it. We made a date for today and I drove over to the stables.My biggest mistake was bringing C along who immediately ran up to General for a nuzzle.
And then to Levy. Last time she saw them was in Princeton.
Margot and I moved all the hay bales off the one General and Levy didn't want and put it into the back of my Highlander, and I looked around for C.Where was she? At the end of the paddock making friends with the Clydesdale!
Oh boy there's a lot of hay in a bale! But I spread it around my strawberries, arround the raspberries and blueberries...
...and then around the garlic, kale, peas and potatoes too.I've never gardened with hay but figure it can go two ways, either horribly wrong or brilliantly successful, (or somewhere between). There's only one way to find out. :D
While I was cleaning out the garage, C came by and found her professional fire hula hoop, (which will never be lit again), and gave it a whirl and left it outside. After spreading out the hay, I had a go with the hula hoop. WHAT FUN!OK, now I want to hula hoop every day. Very surprised that I can keep it going for longer than two seconds together!
And as a brilliant finish to this lovely weekend, at the end of the garden, past the strawberries and blueberries, under the Japanese anemones, I found a lovely display of lily of the valley. I collected a small handful and had a search for the perfect vase.Really, what else could you ever put in this little vintage treasure?Now on my bedside table for sweet dreams. :D
Sharing with Judith and the mosaic Monday bunch.
Drawing challenge: Coat, the von Alemann coat
I was so happy when Patrice called this week's drawing challenge: coat, and, for me, this started with a book.
Not just any book, THE BOOK. One of the most precious books I have, the book of my family, the von Alemann family.The book used to belong to my grandfather, and has study notes written in his handwriting. There are also study notes in the handwriting of others.The book is written in high German, and begins in 1281. Somehow, over the years, there grew a small collection of odd things in the book, like a pressed edelweiss and beech leaf between the halves of a Czech receipt for bread, along with the usually kept death and birth certificates.
There are property documents, and locks of hair, and names. Loads and loads of names; centuries of names.
A few names keep repeating. Here, the death certificate for my grandfather's father Lord Emilian Karl von Alemann; before him his father, Lord Wilhelm Johan Karl, and after him my grandfather Lord Karl Emilian Maria, and my son is also named in a fashion after this tradition of repeating names: Jonathan Karl (he has the full right to use the Lord title).
It's funny how it goes. So comfortable for me, like a warm coat. My coat of arms. The image passed down thru centuries. The family which started the entire Alemannic world. My world.I started this DC on a sheet of music with the title Prelude. It felt like homage to all those who came before me.
I drew my Germanic von Alemann family crest, I drew the Czech lion, the lion of my childhood.
I gilded the Czech lion with copper leaf; that warm golden pink light of Prague.
And there we are. I think this little piece of art might end up collected in the book for future generations to puzzle out.
Later, Chloe and I put on our family crest rings. We looked thru the book for a while longer, and then I closed the book and put it back in the safe.
Thank you for a lovely and touching DC theme dearest. xBut the fun is only starting. Pop over to Patrice's for links to everyone who is clever enough to slip their coats on in this weather. :D
Round here, and a little gardening
Oh boy, I'm really having to THINK to pick up my camera these days. But I'm trying to get my garden in some sort of order to look lovely and welcoming for the Art in the Garden show at the end of May.
The tulips are on their last hurrah, but haven't they been spectacular this year? I'm so glad for happenstance. Last fall I had to return over 40 blighted red tulips, but all the nursery had in exchange were white ones, so I had them, and planted them all over the garden. They turned out to be so beautiful. I love white flowers and think old Vita definitely was onto a thing or two. Not long ago I read this article where, back in Australia, there was a similar type of show where judges would visit the gardens of various people and score it on several bases. The winner of the show was from Gold Coast and thanked MyLawnCare gardeners Gold Coast in his speech for helping him out by providing their skilled experts who helped him get such a beautiful garden. I wish I could use their services here too.Robert has been sending me photos of the tulips I planted last Sept at our garden at West Cottage, and they look so lovely and colourful. I deliberately chose the brightest colours because R loves big bold and bright flowers. I miss my English garden. I hope your tulips are spectacular where ever you are in the spring-time parts of the old globe.
Chloe has been promoted from art teacher/in charge of social media to art teacher/course writer/social media maven/branding expert/personal assistant/coffer purchaser, and still is pursuing her own interest, like designing a set of graphics for t-shirts for two upcoming music festivals and is pretty busy round the clock. We all miss her company and some of us in the household have taken to sleeping beside her to get in on some C attention.
And I've hit the garden with vengeance. Just like last year, I figure and hour or two per day should get me to show garden status in the next month.
But it's not all work. Our lovely friend Katie came for a visit and a chat. And we spent a lovely couple of hours catching up. Also, I did a little bit of plant buying. The autumn crocuses and spring bulbs, which are in full force just now, will die down in the next month and leave bare patches, so a few annuals are in order. On this year's plant list are lovely things such as calendula, bee balm, pinks, nicotiana, asters and rocket snapdragons. I have also taken the time to read the Ryobi review on https://www.lawnmowery.com/best-lawn-mower-brands/ryobi-review/ and have ordered it as it was time for the old rustic lawnmower to go.
Morgan loves to be in on all the gardening and conversation.
It's evening now and the sun is beginning to fade. Rain is forecast and it's a good thing too, the garden can use it. Chloe is still working and Milo is doing his longest cat in the world impression in a bid to get fed early. My friend Julie asked me about the windows. "How do they stay clean?" she asked. Oh boy, they so don't, and you should see the nose prints!
All is calm and lovely round here, and, as the sun sets, I'm looking forward to a couple of hours of climbing with the Clover tomorrow.
Stalking my heart's desire (warning, this post has gone to the birds)
I found an opportunity today to drive way across town, and end up with a couple hours free in the George C. Reifel Bird Sanctuary. I haven't visited since this last time.
Oh what luck! This is such a wonderful place, where one can get this close to the birds. Close enough to count the drops on the drake's back! :D
And the animals are so tame that one doesn't need a super telephoto lens.
A marshland/delta/ocean view location, ideal for all sorts of wildlife.
Like beautiful wood ducks.
And American wigeon.
And pintails. Er...excuse me?
Ah, there you are. :D
And, of course, the ubiquitous Canada geese.
Who are a bit neurotic and bitchy right now, hissing up a storm.
This is about the safest distance...unless you have bird seed in your pocket. It may be mating and egg time, but everyone is friendly for the bird seed!
And the sanctuary provides loads of nest boxes in all kinds of habitats,
So whether birds like trees, or marsh, or even for the do-it-yourselfers, there's a nest, or materials for a nest really close at hand.
And many are already being occupied, like this one in the middle of a pond has been claimed by a pair of purple house martins.
I climbed up the three story tower to have a good look around.
It's 360% from up here!
And up close and personal down there.
But the real reason I came, the real object of my heart's desire, are those magical sandhill cranes.
A few are resident here. Last year they raised a couple chicks, but sadly the chicks disappeared and never grew to maturity.
I'm hoping for a better outcome this year.
Bye for now.:D OK, now I'm just writing silly lines to justify sticking one more picture into this post. But if only you know how many pictures I want to post and stop myself, you'd be impressed! :D
A random roundup for Friday
There are times when I see something and it's just so lovely that I have to take a photo. These things are usually everyday ordinary things, like this little escapee/volunteer pansy up against the blue pot, but the everyday things are magic to me...you know, that common magic I sometimes go on about.
Speaking of magic, who can resist sunlight dried towels and sheets. Oh it's the best, isn't it? That fresh smell. I never use fabric softeners or dryer sheets, too toxic, but I always marvel at how companies try to mimic what is easily done freely...and non-toxicly.
I opened all the windows to air the house out, including the windows in my studio. Downtown looked sparkly across the water.
Morgan immediately jumped out onto the roof and walked around to the skylight and jumped in thru the skylight onto my drawing desk. Milo ran around like a mad cat in thru the front door and out the back door ad infinitum.
And on my drawing desk are birds! Birds and more birds. I was so happy that my FB friend Diana suggested I draw a Mockingbird and then Melodye asked to use it to illustrate her writing. Morgan comes around and jumps up for a cuddle and I can't paint! She knows it and sniggers.
The other day I found a brand new pair of retro climbing shoes at the thrift for $6! Chloe urged me to buy them. I had a second thought about that because that meant that I was probably committing to climbing! Oh, what the heck, we're only young....er...as long as we feel like it. :DI'm nowhere near this spider monkey child of mine, but I was pleased with being able to reach the top of the easier routes and very pleased with my muscles!
I cleaned up the patio table. Time for an alfresco...something!
In the morning I usually have a couple bed-ferrets invade my bedroom.
I love it. :D