Home again

Today is filled with laundry and readjusting and smiles and pet love. Two weeks on the road seemed like a long time but it was a wonderful trip. Each part was so very different from coast to city to a lovely visit with my cousin to a race home from Yellowstone. We both knew when we were ready to go. We had the good fortune of seeing Ole Faithful blow (without a wait) and then a race back to civilization. We have traveled a lot in our relationship and it is always a fun adventure as we travel so well together. We took lots of pics which you may be seeing for awhile.

This guy looks like he is laughing, probably at the stupid tourists.

I had the opportunity to visit Tricoter, my favorite knitting store. Too bad it is in Seattle. Brought back lime green silk yarn with silver beads attached. This will be a fun project to create but for now I am ready to go back and paint. After the trip sinks in I believe I have a nature painting in me. For today I am about to hit the paints on an almost completed abstract. I got the confirmation in the mail for a watercolor class I will beginning soon. A dear friend of mine is taking ceramics at the same time so we can car pool and inspire each other for 5 weeks.

We visited eight states and most of what we saw was beautiful. We were above 6000' for the majority of the trip. Other than the ocean most of the gorgeous land is at the higher elevations. Beauty aside four days in Seattle confirms the depths of my city girl.

We played the license plate game and found all fifty states in under 24 hours. Gary was talking about where to go next before I could think of another trip but driving through Tahoe has me ready for summer. For today I am grateful to be home and relax, put my life back in order and spoil my pets. Home is always a great place to visit.

Further East

We are currently at my cousin Mimi's place about 30 miles up a canyon from Bozeman. Do not trust your GPS in the country as it tried to take us as the crow flies. In our weary from driving state we followed the GPS up a dirt road about 10 miles until we ran into a locked gate and finally figured out that something was amiss. We had been cracking jokes about no plumbing and no mail. Silly us. My cousin had a good laugh as something was watching out for us and we had cell coverage to find out where in the world we were. Back down the dirt road and on our way to this beautiful place. A nasty cold has been following us so we layed low today and will go to Yellowstone tomorrow.

This painting was in a restaurant in Seattle. It reminded Gary of a painting I did that is currently hanging over his desk. I choice this photo from Seattle as we saw so many friends and I did not want to look like I was playing favorites by showing only one of our gracious friends. Every part of this trip has been a different type of adventure so I can not say what has been my favorite. I will say it was wonderful to see so many people in WA.

As much fun as we are having traveling in the car makes the trip seem a lot longer and it seems like we have been gone a long time. We also lost a friend and a few relatives while we are away. Sad news isn't fun from the road. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the departed.

We are looking forward to a new adventure tomorrow and then heading home. We are thinking of renting a motor home in the near future for another adventure.

The Great Northwest

We left on our road trip yesterday and here is the view from our hotel. The upper Oregon coast is one of my favorite parts of the west and here we are resting and glad to be out of the car. Since our first date as most of you know was a week in the Azores, we figured out we are good traveling companions from the get go. One year of marriage and we are still like we were on our first date.
We are planning on visiting a friend on the Olympic Peninsula, a few days with friends in Seattle and then off to Montana to see my cousin. All of this is very exciting for me and I have a chance to show off my amazing husband to more people. I will keep you posted with news and photos along the way. We left without a true plan nor any reservations, a good ole fashion road trip.

We had oysters in Arcata last night. I don't think I have eaten any oysters since I moved back from the Northwest. They were grilled and quit tasty. Today we stopped and bought homemade pie, a memory of Gary's: Marionberry, Chocolate cream and the fav, Banana Cream. Healthy eating from the road.
Since my blog is about creating, I have been knitting and crocheting when I am the passenger. I brought watercolor pencils so I plan on doing some drawing inspired by the beautiful scenery. Who knows what I will come up with.
Updates and photos will keep you along with us on our trip.

Time Flies

Last week-end I decided to make chocolate eclairs. It was a large undertaking but well worth it. They were delicious. Generally when I am painting, beading or working on another intense project I am not too interested in the kitchen but these I could not resist.

I am about 95 % finished painting the large abstract. I have been working on it for quite some time and I am still enjoying the process (bright colors and palatte knives). I am not always happy about the way paintings look in photographs but there could be a photo soon. First we are doing a two week road trip so don't expect to see anything in the very near future. You will most likely be reading about our travels if we have easy Internet connections along the way.

I am also happily working on my knit/crochet dress. I am adding and changing the pattern as I go along. Looking forward to showing this one to you (and really excited to wear it).

This is my cousin Nancy and her husband Mike cutting the cake at their 40th Wedding Anniversary. We flew down to San Diego to celebrate with family and friends, four generations, a wonderful time. With age I am realizing more and more the value of family and long term friendships. I had a great time with so many of our family that was there and missed family that could not attend. And of course always the company of my wonderful husband.
Hopefully you will hear from me again while we are on the road. I don't remember the last time I did a car trip and I am getting excited about our adventure. I am even willing to trade my Christian Louboutin's in short term for REI hiking boots.

No Longer Newlyweds

These are the bowls I painted at Tahoe. It is very decadent to eat a small portion of food in a large bowl. The insides are decorated also. Thank goodness I don't know where to do this locally as we would have painted ceramics every where. I want color in my kitchen but not overkill.

Yesterday was our one year Anniversary. Time flies, we have been out of town, busy and never got around to making plans. I decided since we spend all of our time together it would be fun to go out to dinner with a few friends. It was a very special evening. I no longer like large groups. A round table with 8 is the most I can take. Anyway some people that are very dear to us came and celebrated with us. It was a perfect day.

Lately I have been painting a lot and thinking about the creative people that inspire me. I spent a long time checking out creative blogs from people I know and being impressed with what they are doing. For now this is the longest painting streak I have been on for some time now and want to keep my blog simple and mainly a tool to keep me accountable.

Today is Memorial Day and I thought a lot about people I have lost. When I was younger it was just another three day week-end. Hope today was memorable to you.

Home Sweet Home

On my last entry I had a photo of a day at the beach. Here we are a few weeks later with snow at Tahoe. We read the weather report but still packed rollerblades, bikes, bathing suits. I found it to be the most relaxing vacation to date. Lots of fires and kisses. We stayed indoors most of the time but my sister-in-law Marci turned me on to painting ceramics. I made a few bowls for us and a plate as a gift. I was totally into it and it was pointed out that I get totally into anything creative.

We were without Internet for a week and believe me this was a challenge. I do have a blackberry but it has it's limitations like trying to type with 54 yr old eyes and adult size fingers. At least it kept us in the loop. We spent 3 hours one day using someone else's WiFi to catch up on business. Since we will never get Jetson flying cars then give us universal WiFi that works even as we are in motion.

I have been knitting and painting and happily doing lots of fun things lately. I am half finished with my masterpiece dress and 3/4 done with my current painting. Here are some fun baby hats I made for a friend expecting twins. I am grateful that there are not enough hours in a day for me.

Tomorrow is our one year Anniversary. We still have no plans which works for us. We spend all of our time together and have been spoiled with home cooking and other friends cooking. We had thought about reciting our vows at the beach but then we rented our beach house for the week-end. Now we think we want to spend it with friends instead of a romantic restaurant dinner. I will keep you posted on our plans.

We love to travel and so far haven't missed our international expeditions. The Dr. grounded us from leaving the country so we are trying road trips. We are going to the WA and MT in a few weeks, should be fun. For now we are glad to be home from the unexpected winter trip in our own bed with our clingy pets. Home Sweet Home.

Now that I have Internet access again I will try and post more often. It's that not enough hours in a day thing. Have a wonderful Memorial Day Week-end. We send out love and good thoughts for those we have all have lost.

I'm back

Writing my blog, painting and other creative outlets are like going to the gym. Once I get out of the habit it is hard to get back into it again but once I start again I can't believe I stopped. My hisband wishes I would get this about the gym, in good time.

I have been painting a lot the last few days and realize that painting has a very calming effect on me. Life has been a bit crazy lately with family. The newest family news is that my parents returned from Europe not as I had expected to see them, my father looked beat and my mother was in a wheelchair. Today they put her in the hospital for lung problems. I take things like health for granted which is odd since my husband has cancer. Denial, something I know a lot about.



Anyway back to a happy subject- Art. My friend (and Man of Honor) Bill and I went to see the new Oakland Museum last week. It was a fun outin but I'm not raving about the museum. There were some good abstracts which I appreciated as my current painting project is a large abstract. This is an interesting piece (see above). I will leave the subject alone as I am very opinionated about art and like politics will keep my thoughts to myself. My cousin thought my blog was political and had not looked at it. She now knows it is safe to read.

Again like the gym, we stayed at our beach house a few weeks ago and wondered why we never go there anymore. As most of you know we got married on this beach there almost a year ago. It was beautiful and there were baby seals on the beach until stupid people walked up to them and scared them away. We are going to Tahoe soon. I am grateful for all the natural beauty around us. Next month we are going to Seattle and Montana. Even more natural beauty.

I bought new rollerblades. A few years ago I bought blades with massive wheels for maximum speed. Unfortunately the large wheels positioned the brake so that I was never able to use it and haven't bladed much for a few years. I love my new blades and am excited to have a new physical activity just in time for the spring that may never happen.

I am happy to let you know that in my absence there has not been a lack of creativity. Starting this blog has helped keep me creatively active. Creating is a lot more important than I realize sometimes. For today I am remembering.