Pamela Jane's Studio

getting in the island mood

2012-02-04T20:04:00.012-05:00

This island pace here on St Maarten may be slower, but our days have been full and I've barely had time for photos. So I snapped some quick ones just to get my photo finger going. Of course, I'm spending lots of time with this little lovely, my 5-month-old granddaughter Eliää, and her daddy.

Today was spa day for my daughter-in-law at the Christian Dior spa in the lobby of their apartment building. Afterwards, she enjoyed sunning with her spa partner Jackie while Eliää and I waved down at them from our balcony.

Some more views from the apartment's balcony overlooking the glorious ocean:

And here's the balcony chair where I'll sit doodling for my April class and other projects while listening to the waves tumbling in. Can I really call this a working vacation? Well, tomorrow morning at 6 am, Eliää and I will watch from the sidelines while her parents run, swim and bike in the island's triathlon. That's work, right?

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back to st maarten + journal pages

2012-01-31T19:50:00.057-05:00

Down to last-minute packing for my winter visit with my middle son's family in St Maarten. While there, I hope to share more photos of beautiful island scenery again this year. Meanwhile, we're having odd winter weather here in Virginia, with temperatures today in the 60's. But that can't last, can it?

Before heading off, I mailed both my book and my first guest pages for a round robin book swap that includes 11 talented ladies. Sherry, my super-organized first swap buddy, obligingly mailed me her book early so I could finish her pages in time.

My "Tales of a Creative Life" covers are made of fun upholstery fabric swatches picked up at JournalFest buddy Michelle Geller's favorite Good Will shop during my visit with her in Portland. I'm hoping the heavier brown textured leather, leftover from another book project, will help protect the softer fabric as my book travels the country. I think the book feels so nice to hold.

First of several sign-in pages, with doodles and watercolor.

My first guest pages were for Sherry's theme "Sisterhood".
Since she prefers a soft neutral palette,

I opted for a delicate sketch and watercolor approach,

using faces I found on Pinterest for reference.

Off to finish packing! Mustn't forget my camera and doodling supplies!
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doodling class in april

2012-01-18T19:01:00.027-05:00

I know, it's a tough life ...

lately I've been spending more and more time just doodling!

But really, I do have a good reason.

In April, Rachel Velder McGough will host her Second Semester of Handmade U near Omaha, and I'm so excited

to be teaching a fun doodling class during the weekend!

This intimate retreat held April 19-22 will take place

in Minglewood Lodge, where classes and meals will be held

and the majority of those attending will stay.

So cozy!

Registration for the event has just opened on

Rachel's blog.

On the Friday, my journaling buddy Michelle Geller will be teaching

a full-day bookmaking class called Stitched and Stashed.

In the morning we'll stitch our journals together,

using Michelle's fresh take on the Coptic binding technique.

During the afternoon, we'll add to our journals

with papers and ephemera from her wonderful stash and our own.

The next morning, in my doodling class called Doodle Ink,

we'll make a small sampler book and then practice the fine art of doodling!

More than just a mindless gesture, doodling in art journaling

can be a joyful form of stylistic drawing.

Starting with my tips about tools and process,

we'll approach doodling as a a serious but playful addition to one's pages,

including lettering, borders and frames, and stylized birds and flowers.

It will be all hands on!

In the afternoon, Rachel will teach her prize-ribbon class,

using her fantastic ribbons brought back from France!

I hope you're coming!

Please say yes!

p.s. By the way, I doodled this "Yes!" in response to another invitation

to participate in more doodle fun!

Hope to be able to tell you more soon.

happy thanksgiving to you

2011-11-24T09:33:00.003-05:00

As I started setting the family table early this morning,

gathering pieces collected from making our home in so many previous places,

I was pleased to welcome a sunny day to celebrate this Thanksgiving.

Later, while I make the butternut squash soup to precede the turkey,

I'll add the place cards to the votive holders

filled with tiny cones from our hemlock tree.

And all day I'll be thankful for the blessings of a family that gathers,

some already here, some not yet here,

to give thanks together wherever we live.

I hope your day is shared with those you love!

time to get crafty for the holidays

2011-11-07T14:14:00.045-05:00

After months of preparation, my sweet friend

Amy Powers' latest Inspired Ideas Christmas ezine

is now available, just in time to get crafty for the holidays.

With almost 2 dozen projects to choose from, there's certainly something new

and wonderful to add to your craft repertoire for this year's celebration.
And you can treat yourself to your own $3.99 copy right here.

Would you like a little preview of the contributors?
You'll find Tracey Fisher, Koralee Teichroeb, Mary Engelbreit, Matthew Mead,
Heidi Grace, Katie Runnels, Catherine Thursby, Sally Keller, Lynda Kanase,
Hope Ellington, Cherie Wilson, Molly Knox, Jone Hallmark,
Jerusalem Greer, Pat Wehmeier, and Rebecca Rehnquist.

And, as in Amy's previous Summer ezine, this Christmas ezine
also includes my doodled title frames and hand-scripted lettering.
Last spring, on the plane home from visiting Mary Englebreit in St Louis,
Amy and I were so excited over this idea
of adding a hand-drawn touch to her magazine.
Since then, we've been having lots of fun figuring out whom to "frame" and how.
I hope you enjoy this extra bit of craftiness meant to inspire you
as you decide which projects to tackle first.

rest, recover, resume

2011-10-18T19:30:00.002-04:00

--Spanish proverb.

Do you, like me, occasionally need a reminder to sit still for a few minutes so you can settle your heart and appreciate the beauty around you?

harmony in autumn

2011-10-01T21:38:00.011-04:00

--Percy Bysshe Shelley

a little penmanship practice on another cold and grey rainy day here in VA . . .

will the beautiful autumn colors still be there after these endless rainy days?

and if you're wanting to craft fall roses from some of those beautiful falling leaves,

go here for a photo tutorial.

the grandgirls' summer

2011-09-26T00:10:00.008-04:00

Here's to the gift of remembering the pure joy of summer through one's granddaughters!

A few photos, from oldest to youngest (11 years, 9 years, and 6 weeks old).

our hearts are full

2011-09-12T08:54:00.015-04:00

This weekend we remembered and repledged ourselves to live both with our history and for our future. Our hearts are full of sorrow and hope. At the top of my wish list is a visit to the beautiful memorial pools at the regenerated Twin Towers site, where state-of-the-art engineered waterfalls cry for us as we face our depths. And today we have the incredible gift of starting fresh, choosing again to build beauty.

These simple sketches were made using these magic tools here, which I just found this morning on a past post on Geninne's blog. With a little exploration, I quickly found the line options and color wheel but not yet the eraser. :) You, too, can take a moment to brighten your morning!

Note: The linked Mr. Doob tool page may look blank at first, but you'll see the short but sweet tool bar at the top. Just click on things and play around with it like I did. :)
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shoring up for irene

2011-08-27T12:46:00.006-04:00

We've been enjoying a concentration of family visits lately, with our beautiful new grand baby capturing everyone's heart. Wonderfully, our three sons and their families were all here with us in VA at the same time this week. Definitely a houseful. Then yesterday shimmered in the sun as we celebrated the passing of the last of our great-grands in a service at Gettysburg National Cemetery, followed by locally-made ice cream at Rakestraw's, our favorite for decades. So many family milestones have been accompanied by ice cream at Rakestraw's. Even our youngest's first "food" was their delicious strawberry ice cream; yesterday he enjoyed renewing the memory with a huge double-dipped nut-rimmed cone so generous that he could barely finish it. While our daughter, away on a month's assignment in Germany, missed both her 44th birthday and the service yesterday, her 12-year-old son became our photo journalist to record the event for her.

Today we're reining in the weekend festivities to accommodate hurricane Irene's arrival, grateful for all the good weather in recent weeks. The 5.8 earthquake briefly shook our afternoon plans on Wednesday, but now we're actually ready for a couple low-key days. Our oldest son's family has flown back to Martha's Vineyard to finish their summer; we hope they will be tucked in safely. Our middle son's return to St Maarten was delayed by the airlines from Monday to Tuesday, so we have him with us and his baby daughter for an extra day.

I'm posting this before our electricity goes out again and stays out. But as the weather and the visiting calm down, and we start trekking our grandson over to his school in MD for a couple more weeks, I hope to be back in my studio, zealously organizing. Many projects need doing, like sprucing up my latest finds (above): a library card catalog and a pair of large wood finials. Hope you are savoring your last lazy weeks of summer (if that is your climate) and energizing for fall.

doodling for eliää

2011-08-23T08:48:00.009-04:00

Over the last two weeks, while my middle son visits for too short a time, I've done very little that isn't grandbaby related -- lots of company, dinners by candlelight so little Eliää can sleep alongside us while we eat, some baking for the gaggle of sweet tooths, sitting in the sun listening to my son expound on the medical explanation for everything we can think to ask while we rock the baby and mama dozes on the deck lounge, and so on.

♥

Somewhere along the way I started this doodle page to announce sweet Eliää's arrival. In addition to banners proclaiming "soar" and "fly high" and other good wishes, I'll add her name and birth date...and lots of color, of course. But since we still have company coming and going every day this week, culminating in a Friday funeral service in Gettysburg for the last of the great-grands, I'll share the page-in-progress now, just in case she's in college before I finish it. You know how that goes, right?

Hope you are enjoying some lazy days of summer!

we're tickled pink

2011-08-15T17:26:00.011-04:00

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We've had a houseful of family coming and going and oohing and aahing in celebration of our newest sweet granddaughter Eliää Rose, who arrived herself on Thursday and came home on Saturday. Noticing all the visitors most is our puppy Bogie, who apparently thinks everyone is here primarily to provide laps for him. But when the California relatives flew home on Sunday, diminishing the crowd a little after a week's well-timed visit, Bogie took over on guard duty, barking anytime little Eliää cries to make sure someone rushes to her rescue. Thank heavens our 12-year-old grandson is also here and happy to keep Bogie busy while his lawyer mother tries a month-long case in Germany. Next to arrive will be our very-anticipated middle son, finishing his med school first-year exams on St Maarten at 8:30 pm today and flying immediately into the island sunset to be here with his beautiful new daughter.

Wanting to use bright island colors, our daughter-in-law chose some of my recent doodles to make Eliää's birth announcement. If there's any time to post at all, I'm afraid this blog may become something of a baby photo gallery for the next month, until Eliää returns with her parents to St Maarten, for we are indeed all tickled pink.

summer afternoon

2011-08-15T06:15:00.016-04:00

Lovely quote from Henry James.

Hand scripted for Amy Powers' Inspired Ideas summer ezine.

Sharing these summer afternoons with our beautiful new grandbaby.

it's an inspired summer

2011-07-29T18:26:00.025-04:00

rafty and techie at the same time, my hard-working friend Amy Powers just published the bright new Summertime issue of her Inspired Ideas ezine. If you have plans for crafting this weekend or this summer, it's just in time for you to treat yourself to a subscription (only $3.99). You'll find over a dozen colorful ideas with full instructions and beautiful photographs -- and a batch of my summery doodles, too!
While Amy was hard at work, I was hard at play -- whiling away my summer afternoons doodling birds and borders, houses and hot-air balloons to illustrate the projects in this issue. Amy thought her readers might enjoy using these doodles, too, so they are available for purchase and download through her magazine site. They're called the Inspired Ideas Summery Doodles Bundle, a batch of almost two dozen bright and colorful doodles selected from the magazine that could be printed out for your stationery and scrapbooking needs or uploaded to your blog.

Already I've had fun printing some black-and-white doodle boxes and "bluebirds" on Avery shipping labels to send some special envelopes and packages to my arty friends. My hand-penned quotations in the magazine aren't available yet, but maybe we'll collect enough good ones for a quote library.

Happy crafting this summer!

all-day art journaling with pam garrison

2011-07-28T10:16:00.020-04:00

A couple weekends ago, the highlight of my long weekend in CA was a day spent art journaling with ever-so-talented and generous Pam Garrison at Jenny Doh's lovely home in Santa Ana. Jenny is an indefatigable supporter of artists, and we ten women were so lucky to bask and play in her art room and beyond. Throughout Jenny's home, Pam shared a feast of her glorious art journals, embroidery and paintings, and then spent the day demonstrating and encouraging us. Although I took few photos, here are some glimpses.

Jenny's art room, photo by Amy Tan

Pam's journals spread out on the dining room table

Ready for class, photo by Jenny Doh

Class kit, including Pam's new papers from Papaya

Jenny and Pam

Amy, Cindy, Pam, Jenny

Jenny, Gina, Pam

my pages autographed by Pam & Amy

(who let me borrow her feather stamp from her new

Amy Tangerine scrapbook line with American Crafts)

my page autographed by Jenny

with her "art saves" logo inside my sewn and doodled frame

Beach visits and rides along the Pacific coastline filled out my weekend getaway. With Amy's recommendation of what to visit close to my hotel in Marina del Rey, on Monday I shopped at Urbanic and lunched at Lemonade, where this yummy dessert was presented on a green glass stand like ones in my collection. On Tuesday I raided the vintage-styled booths at Urban Barn down in Escondido, then flew home with stuffed suitcases (frames, vases, linens, the usual) Tuesday night on the red-eye.

in the flower garden

2011-06-25T18:43:00.015-04:00

Stopping by to say hello --

we've had lots of rain here lately,

but today brought such lovely sunshine and

happily a chance to work in the garden among the flowers.

Now I'm ready for a shower and a lazy afternoon nap.

Hope you have sunshine or rain, whichever you need.

(still doodling with my Copic markers -- wait till you see what's up!)

weekending with mary engelbreit

2011-06-16T23:24:00.038-04:00

an you imagine a happier way to spend a girls' weekend than sharing Mary Engelbreit's birthday in her St Louis studio surrounded by her cheerful designs and crafting with the likes of Charlotte Lyons and Kathy Curotto? The weekend went by so quickly that I took barely any photos, but you can find more photos here, here, here and here. Mary made us all feel as though we were the very friends she wished most to share her birthday.

Hostesses Barbara and Mary

Red magnetic wall display

Mary's birthday included gift bags for us

Charlotte's class setting

Kathy's display board and a small part of her class supplies

The birthday girl blowing out her candles

During two full days of crafting, we all made our own version of the four fun class projects offered by Kathy and Charlotte. I wish I had photos of the very creative outcomes that proliferated in each class. But at least I can show you my weekend projects.

In her first class, Kathy had already sewn for us various sizes of canvas bags, straps and pockets so that we could chose our own combinations and move right to the fun part of embellishing. My bag includes a pocket inside and another outside, the latter sewn to the front on three sides with a folded-over flap concealing one pocket while another is open at the top right behind it. Since I hope to use this bag on my next visit to St Maarten, I used a Sharpie to write "on holiday" across the pocket. My trims all came from Kathy's room-filling stash of trims, buttons, fabric, and more. I enjoyed sitting next to Jen, a recent design graduate, who fashioned a small hand bag with a zipper and an embroidered octopus. Fun!

During Charlotte's afternoon class, we gaily painted papers, tore them up, and collaged them back together with whatever other paper mementos we chose. Then we decoupaged our compositions to the back of a glass plate. In addition to quoting from Mary on my own plate, I was tickled to add handwritten dates and names to other commemorative plates. Now I am part of those wonderful memories!

Kathy's second project was paper-based, again with a room full of stationery supplies, vintage papers and old books, boxes, ribbons and trims--enough for endless possibilites. Among her inspiration photos, Kathy had some folded book art, which I had never tried. She gave me a quick tutorial on some options and an article from Mary's Home Companion magazine. While others made their very different projects, I patiently folded my old poetry book page after page, imagining myself sitting on the beach since Kathy said that's where she and Mary and Barbara folded their books. :) Then I added some stickers and a banner reading "once upon a time", surely still the best lead-in to a book adventure.

Charlotte's final class was all about shadowboxes. Using cigar boxes and foam board, we divided and papered our boxes and added our collection of tiny items to tell a little story or showcase a vignette. Many of my items came from a little gift tin assembled by my sweet friend Amy for our trip. My shadowbox also includes a hidden fold-out section behind the Eiffel tower (from a gift bag at Kim's Moulin Rouge event), which proved to be just the place to tuck a little gift Cherie gave me at the end of class. Again each creation was so different and personal.

As we wandered around Mary's studio, enjoying all the creative vibrations and new friendships, it was not easy to leave this magical place. Finally, Amy and I did leave, but only with a lovely invitation to return tucked firmly in our pockets. :)

Mary plans to host another crafty weekend in her studio in November. Stay tuned.

my little red suitcase is packed

2011-06-02T21:50:00.018-04:00

ust in time for my flight tomorrow to St Louis and Mary Engelbreit's two-day birthday workshop, I've finished packing my little red craft suitcase. It was my friend Amy's idea to take a craft suitcase tailored with supplies for the event.

You don't have to do much to a cute red suitcase from Paper Source except fill it up. But I did add a couple helpful "containers" to the inside lid. First, I made a coordinated blue pocket from a leftover product package, taping it firmly on three sides. It holds various papers and labels. Then I taped the red packaging base from my iPad stand, with its elastic ties already in place, beside the pocket to make a handy hanger. It holds some crystals, netting, and some French ribbon tape.

To organize the case, I made 4 blue boxes, each cut out of one 12"x12" piece of cardstock and folded up sort of origami style, to put in each corner. On the lid of each box, I glued something, like a button or a flower or a butterfly, to remind me of the assortment inside. Can you see the pearl button on the box in the back left corner (below)?

After adding a couple favorite vintage tins for more storage, I stuffed all the remaining space to the brim. I sure hope the cardboard suitcase is comfortable with this cramming technique. Obviously, there's a limit to how organized I can get.

doodle morning

2011-05-28T14:10:00.015-04:00

his morning, with lots of weekend errands and inevitable car-sitting time (waiting for the vacuum-cleaner repair, for instance), I enjoyed the sunshine and doodled. I've been trying to discipline myself to stake out some time to get back into drawing more, but that hasn't been easy. For me, drawing requires a little patience and no interruptions so I can focus. But doodling seems to fit more easily, and it suffers less from change of focus.

So this morning, I took along a journal, a black pen and some Copics. After starting one spread (the one with the curtain below), I lost interest in it when I came back to the car. So I happily flipped the page and started another one (above). Since I'm excited to be joining Pam Garrison for her journaling class at Jenny Doh's home studio in July, I doodled the spread above in homage to Pam. It is inspired by a wonderful page in her Sketchbook Project 2011 journal. I can't wait to practice at the elbow of Herself.

As you can see, I'm not exactly a minimalist. Since I'm used to working on large-scale paintings, up to 5 feet by 8 feet, I tend to crowd the page. But I do have fun. What is your doodling style?

organize to inspire, or inspired to organize?

2011-05-23T16:08:00.017-04:00

ow I wish my craft supplies were organized in a truly inspirational fashion! Instead I have piles accumulated with each passing project, never enough time to put them away, and soon barely enough room left to work. My friend Amy and I are each working to outfit a small craft suitcase in which to take our supplies to Mary's birthday party workshop in less than two weeks. Amy says this is a project to organize her, but I know it is an attempt to organize me.

So far I've snagged the last two large red cardboard suitcases at my local Paper Source stores. The closer store in Reston had only one red suitcase in poor display condition, but it does have those cheery polka dots inside. :) Was it worth the half hour drive to find it? The further store, on M Street in Georgetown, involved a bear of a drive, literally -- I growled all the way through miserable traffic. If I hadn't had other business nearby, I would have needed major payment to tackle that maze. The traffic closes in on you like the hedges in that Harry Potter movie. Anyway, they had one red suitcase in better condition, but it has stripes inside instead of polka dots. Of course, the real issue is whether I can find work space enough to tailor the suitcase to my needs. Given any success, I might even be inspired to finish before the last minute. We'll see.

Meanwhile, pop on over to Amy's for her latest giveaway connected with her Inspired Ideas Birthday issue. I think you'd love to win Tracey's fun layered prize ribbon.

crafty birthday inspiration

2011-05-12T11:02:00.001-04:00

If you are someone who has a birthday

and if you know someone who has a birthday,

Amy Powers' latest online magazine

inspired ideas: the happy birthday issue

features 245 pages full of crafty birthday projects

just for you.

Online and always accessible from your purchased link,

with pdf versions of each project available to print,

this huge ezine just bursts with inspiration.

Click here for details to make it yours.

painting weekend at art & soul

2011-05-06T22:05:00.020-04:00

his past weekend I thoroughly enjoyed a couple classes with Misty Mawn at the Hampton Art & Soul event. We covered a wide gamut of drawing and painting approaches on paper, including transfer techniques and stencils, all guided by Misty's sure hand. Since I tend to prefer building up the paint, layering each technique on top of another, I was less prolific than many in the class who produced lots of background papers. But here are some painted pages (11"x 15" cold-press 140-lb watercolor tablet) and a couple drawings photographed in class in various unfinished states. If ever you have an opportunity to take a class with Misty, don't hesitate.

does your puppy dance?

2011-04-11T22:12:00.006-04:00

Lots of family concerns going on around here during the past few weeks, but our sweet 8-month-old puppy Bogie is an antidote to our cares. That's Bogie on the right, dancing with new friend 2+1/2-year-old Danny at the dog park. They played and danced together till they were both plumb tuckered out. :)

heading off to moulin rouge

2011-03-14T22:56:00.012-04:00

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Home from the Caribbean after some grueling travel mishaps, I'm convinced my tan has already faded just from spending so much time shut away in airports. But no post-vacation rest for me. I'm about to pack up again (as soon as I finish the laundry) and head out to CA for a little magic at Kim's Moulin Rouge event. Here's a peek at one of the swap projects taking up most of my suitcase space. :)

my morning view

2011-03-09T09:48:00.010-05:00

It rained all day Sunday while we were out on the sailboat

for the final day of the Heineken Regatta.

Even so, my nose burned except for the ridge of my sunglasses (not a pretty sight).

But today is another glorious morning.

Each morning I wake up around 6 am with the tumultuous racket of the birds

in the trees outside our balcony and the cool morning breeze through the open doors.

It will be tough to leave the island and to go home soon.

dessert at sarafina's in marigot

2011-03-05T20:16:00.007-05:00

This weekend the annual Heineken Regatta is the main attraction on St Maarten,

with all classes and nationalities of sailing boats entered,

including the Merchant Marine boat (which won its class today).

We can watch the Regatta from its origin at Simpson Bay on the Dutch side

or as it passes our Rainbow Beach Club or in Marigot on the French side.

When we go to Marigot, we always go to Sarafina's, a favorite French bakery and

cafe, for lunch and dessert. Today's chosen desserts included

raspberry torte and tarte d'abricots (sorry, I couldn't wait to take a bite).

But there's always so much more to choose.

The savory crepes and the peach tea are delicious, too.

Tomorrow we'll be on one of the Regatta boats,

and maybe I'll chance taking photos to share.

sunny facades in curaçao

2011-03-04T08:30:00.000-05:00

morning market in willemstad, curaçao

2011-02-28T18:16:00.028-05:00

To avoid a water pressure problem in our area of Cupecoy on St Maarten that would take a few days to repair, my daughter-in-law and I decided to spend last week on Curaçao instead. That sounded to us like a legitimate excuse, even though we had to leave my son behind to fend for himself while he continued his studies. There wasn't a water problem in Curaçao, unless you count several days of on-off pelting rain while we were there. And when it rained, we drove our rented car from Punda to Westpunt, exploring as much as we could on an island that appears to have almost no street signs. The two helpful street signs we did find, Franklin D Rooseveltveg and Winston Churchillveg, formed an curious intersection that we now know by heart.

After a tail-gating taxi ride from the airport, we arrived at Het Klooster Hotel late in the evening to find this refreshing pool just outside our room. The small-scale hotel occupies a former monastery in Punda, within walking distance of downtown Willemstad.

Next morning, we set off to walk our way around Willemstad. Still early, the colorful produce and fish markets were set up right along the water's edge where the boats could unload their fresh catch.

Beyond the waterfront markets was the Queen Julianna Bridge, its span part of the Ring around the center of the island and high enough to allow the cruise ships passage in the bay -- and rather fun to drive over for the view out to sea and inland.

The Queen Emma Floating Pontoon Bridge, on the other hand, unlocked its water-level center span which was then floated open for boat passage. A horn sounded to warn pedestrians of the opening, everyone rushed to jump across the widening gap to the center section in time to either hurry on their way across the water or to ride on the floating section as it bobbled into its new position. Lined-up speedboats and other craft zipped through the temporary opening, the bridge then floated back into its locked position, and life resumed its normal slow pace.

Off in the distance below is one of the many oil tankers that bring Venezuelan oil to the refineries on Curaçao. The center of the island looks like one huge mass of refinery stacks, while the tourist business occupies the coast line. Besides oil refineries, we saw so many finance companies, banks and legal firms that we assume oil refining, money handling, and tourism to be the mainstays of the island. Oh, and endless casinos and lotteries.

I've shared just a glimpse at the downtown area along the water. Much of the town itself looks quite a bit like South America, a bit jumbled, a bit run-down, weathered by wind and water, with trash and drainage problems. There are over 100 languages spoken here by recent immigrants from many of the surrounding islands and countries seeking jobs, including a local patois called Papiamentu which seems to combine Portuguese, Spanish, French, Creole and much more. But we found some great spots without having to pay top dollar for the ritziest secluded tourist meccas. More photos to come.

island hopping

2011-02-26T21:48:00.005-05:00

Just returned to St Maarten after a week in Curaçao, part of the ABC group of islands in the previous Netherlands Antilles, with this photo from the waterfront in downtown Willemstad. Hope to share more photos soon, but first have to catch up on the inescapable laundry and grocery shopping.

another day in paradise

2011-02-20T19:08:00.006-05:00

The small island of Saba in the distance

Taking a few minutes from my busy day following the sun across the horizon to share a few photos. After many days of sunshine, we have had heavy rain during the night and a couple brief downpours sending us scurrying from poolside, but I'm not complaining. The news from my husband back in Virginia, by contrast, is 50-mph winds, fires, electrical outages, the national Christmas tree toppled on the Ellipse, and more snow in the forecast. I sure hope the sun is shining where you are.

(If you like, click twice on the photos to fill up your screen and feel the sun :)

escaping winter in the caribbean

2011-02-15T18:48:00.014-05:00

One of the three pools and walkway in front of our apartment complex

Spiral staircase down to the private beach

The morning pool, with steps at the far end leading up to our apartment

In case you're tired of winter, I thought I'd share a little Caribbean sun and sea from our beach front on St Maarten. I had to indulge in gelato twice today to stay fortified for so much loveliness.

From our beach, looking west at five-masted tall ship sailing by

Looking further east from our beach

The courthouse downtown in Phillipsburg

Welcome to St Maarten's Dutch side

follow your heart

2011-02-11T14:28:00.027-05:00

{from my vintage button collection}

Just in time to escape any more wintry bluster, tomorrow I'm flying south to vacation with my son and daughter-in-law in sunny St Maarten. High on my to-do list are sitting in the sun, reading by the pool, sketching near the waves, maybe a little hiking, a bit of sailing . . . If the sun and sea don't completely sap my mind, I'll take photos to share when I return. :)

For this Valentine's Day and every day, I wish you the joy of following your heart!

• Photo featured in Amy Powers' Inspired Ideas Magazine •

amy's inspired ideas for spring

2011-02-07T18:00:00.046-05:00

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Here in chilly wintry Virginia, snow still covers the ground in my yard and the woods, but I'm anticipating spring anyway. That's probably because my sweet friend Amy Powers has just published her Inspired Ideas Springtime 2011 online magazine, after weeks of intensive work. To share in some Valentine hugs and spring sweetness, you can subscribe to this latest issue here. Just look at that tiny Easter basket! You can make it and over 20 projects from the instructions inside this delightful issue. For a list of the projects, check out the Table of Contents in the magazine preview up there on the right in my sidebar.

Behind the scenes, I was pleased to help a little. Now I get to share in the giddy relief of having it done. This relief always brings on a surge of energy for me, so this afternoon I painted the woodwork around my bathroom windows. A fresh coat of gleaming creamy semi-gloss white paint certainly seemed fitting for a spring freshener, even if the view outside is not there yet.

Now that I'm refreshed, I'm ready to start gathering my supplies to make some of the delicious projects in the magazine. With 170 pages of fabulous content, over 20 projects and no ads, there's plenty of crafting whimsy. Please come join me!

{one of my photos in Amy's magazine » }

make something

2011-02-04T14:31:00.002-05:00

Be creative -- make something.

Almost ready to send this packet of goodies off to a sweet friend.

looking for a happy day

2011-01-19T12:46:00.005-05:00

Sleet and ice and overcast weather the last few days have left me feeling a bit of January SADness. So I've been reading and cuddling a lot with my sweet puppy Bogie and not doing too much else of merit. Today I found this print by Shelli here on Etsy. I think it might bring a little bright humor into my space. Thought you might enjoy it, too.

stephanie lee teaching here in march

2011-01-11T09:39:00.023-05:00

After several classes I had hoped to take at Art and Soul in Hampton this May were cancelled, I was so disappointed.. Fearless beginner crafter that I am :), and wanting to test myself in various mediums with excellent teachers, I appreciated that Hampton was close enough that I didn't have to drag my supplies clear across country to find these teachers.. Among those cancelled A&S classes were a couple taught by Stephanie Lee, whose work appeals to me as a creative and challenging out-of-the-box mix of mediums.

"Handbook of Elements"

So I jumped at the chance to register immediately for the next ArtBLISS workshops just announced for March 10-13. .Held at the Hampton Inn Suites at Dulles, these all-day workshops are even closer to me, right in my neighborhood.. And can you believe it?. "Metal Magician" Stephanie Lee of Semiprecious Salvage is teaching three classes collectively called Metal Magic.. One two-day workshop is the heralded "Handbook of Elements" that was my number-one pick at Art and Soul.. It mixes metal craft with plaster with book art.. How could I resist?. Another one-day workshop is an inventively-crafted "Pipe Dream" necklace, and a third is the Junk Drawer Metalsmithing Project.. I am thrilled with this prospect of intensive learning with an outstanding instructor in the smallish ArtBLISS class format.

"Pipe Dreams"

Cindy Wimmer and Jeanette Blix, the two very friendly, very accomplished local jewelry makers who sponsor the ArtBLISS events, are eagerly bringing nationally recognized jewelry and mixed media experts in their fields to the Washington D.C. area.. Their inaugural event last September impressed both teachers and students with the care and attention they gave to everyone.. Jeanette runs her own supply store and handily outfitted me with whatever tools I needed to add to my tool box, even bringing a last-minute order to the event for me.. Cindy was so gracious to me in Deryn's class, sharing her experience and design ideas and taking the edge off my inexperience.

ArtBLISS is such a wonderful workshop opportunity for this area. I hope I'll see you in class in March.. Registration is open now!
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hoping for a healthy happy new year

2011-01-02T23:24:00.009-05:00

I'm promising myself a year of hopefulness, healthy habits, and happy endeavors --

and no sitting around waiting for these gifts to find me.

While last year's endeavors have earned their rest in the chairs of my memory,

this year's adventures are still dancing out in front of me,

calling me to step eagerly into each day's potential.

For you, I'm wishing the same energetic and spirited approach

to a Happy New Year!!

merry merry christmas

2010-12-22T18:36:00.010-05:00

and be of good cheer!

may you love well and prosper

throughout the new year!

{photos from my collection of vintage ornaments}
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a christmas minute

2010-12-21T14:27:00.006-05:00

Yesterday evening, my daughter-in-law, two friends and I attended "A Candlelight Christmas" in its Fiftieth Anniversary season at the Kennedy Center. We were lucky enough to have front-row seats, where we could hear and see the full effect of the massed choirs and the National Capital Brass Ensemble, including the handsome young tuba player. :) We loved seeing all the happy expressions of the young singers from W.T. Woodson High School Vocal Ensemble, who were this year's guest performers. Especially jolly was their breathless rendition of "Christmas in a Minute," words and arrangement based on Chopin's "Minute Waltz" by Jeffrey Biegel. Imagine singing these words, as printed in the program, as fast as you can say them (at Chopin's piano pace)!

Christmas in a Minute

Jeffrey Biegel

Christmas is a comin' quickly you can't stop it, all the busy people busy buzzin' round the mall,

a buyin' lotsa presents since the fall the advertisers stop at nothing!

Little Johnny, Sammy, Suzie, Jack n' Lucy in a tizzy don't know what to buy for them on time,

perhaps it's easier to go on-line! They have enough already!

So I have a lot of cards to write to everybody, when I'm finished it's time to drink a toddy! (hands raised)

Then I have to get the dinner ready for the aunts and uncles, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews!

Everybody thinks that Christmas is so jolly, it's a lotta work for mistletoe and holly.

After I am finished with this Christmas minute I would like to take a rest!

(sing slower, in waltz tempo)

All the pretty candles glow, they simmer, glimmer over the Christmas snow.

Frosty moonlight, chilly air;

Skaters are gliding and tourists are riding in the horse-drawn coaches through the park;

Angels whispering messages sweetly; church bells ringing overhead; children are in their beds.

(sing fast again)

I got lost in all the shuffle, now it's time to find the recipe for making chocolate truffles.

Here we go again, another Christmas season's comin' up, it seems another year gone so fast,

I can't keep up, I don't think I can last another minute, so I guess it's time to buy the decorations,

Trim the tree with lotsa lights and lotsa tinsel, hurry up!

The phone is ringing, answer it! I know the tone, it's Auntie Penny, "Can I bring another guest for dinner?"

That makes twenty-three, I need a ton of food to feed an armory!

The turkey needs a stuffin' bake a batch of muffins!

Oh I just forgot to hang the stocking stuffers!

Carolers are singin', mailmen are bringin' packages and cards and gifts of wine for drinking!

Oh, it's getting very hectic in my house preparin' for the busy bees!

The lines at all the shopping stores are getting longer; websites on the internet are selling stronger!

Where is all the simple meaning, charm and reason that we celebrate together for the season?

All the television stations are a burnin' many Christmas advertisements they're a churnin'!

Now my time is up, I've nothing else to say, but "Merry Christmas one and all!"
All!

snowing in paris

2010-12-20T13:50:00.010-05:00

A friend in Paris emailed this photo to share. It's been snowing there -- a lot, by Paris standards! She writes: "Paris hasn't been the worst hit. The Loire Valley, Champagne regions and the Finistère region of Brittany have been completely snowed in as well. Because the snow rarely sticks in this part of France, no one owns a snow shovel, and Parisians probably don't even realize they're legally supposed to shovel outside their shops." Enjoy her video.

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bogie's first snow

2010-12-16T14:11:00.007-05:00

If you've been wondering what is occupying all my free time these days, here's the culprit. Our little Coton de Tulear puppy Bogie (short for Beauregard) is 4 months old now and as active, curious and lovable as can be. It's hard to get a photo of him because he's either in my lap, in my arms, or on the move. While experiencing his first snow today, he expressed his excitement by doing the Coton blitz at his short-legged top speed. So funny!

holiday classes in phoenix

2010-12-10T19:28:00.036-05:00

After a leisurely visit in Phoenix where the sun is still dependably warming the days, I've returned to record-setting cold temperatures in Virginia. Actually, I've been traveling so much lately that I think I missed the short stretch of autumn we had here. Already we have snow in the forecast. But the cold is bracing and a good excuse for tending to indoor tasks, like catching up with holiday decorating.

Photo from Denise

Luckily, the two classes I attended in Phoenix added to my holiday decorating. On Friday, I met the delightful Denise Hahn for an afternoon class at Earleen's house. We made a sparkly hanging ornament from an ingenious base that was inspired by the cheese cases in her grocery store. Decorated with plenty of glitter and shiny trims, our shadow box was lots of fun and easily finished in class, even with all the talking and laughing and eating.

Saturday's all-day class started early at Annette's house with 20+ women enjoying a full-scale holiday breakfast outside around her gorgeous pool and waterfall. Back inside, we exclaimed over Carol Wingert's elaborate "heirloom" book kits, presented with packages of her selected paper and fabric, a painted trunk full of trims, and her tissue-wreath place cards. Then we all happily spent the day alternating between creating Carol's white Maison de Joie book and enjoying lunch outside again and shopping from Carol's market table and admiring Annette's holiday vignettes.

Group photo taken by Sharon

(other photos borrowed with thanks from Sharon and Denise)

My class kit and place card

Annette's living room filled with crafters

My tablemates Gina . . .

. . . and Rachel

Teah and Karen (thanks for all the evening shopping :)

Colleen and Maija

My Maison de Joie cover

A few finished pages,

although I plan to write an appropriate thought along the right side of the angel page below.

happy thanksgiving to you

2010-11-24T20:00:00.006-05:00

At Rachel Ashwell's NYC Shabby Chic Couture

Wishing you a happy and blessed Thanksgiving!

streets of new york city, part two

2010-11-22T19:07:00.003-05:00

Posing in silver for silver (and green)

Debby Schuh, me, Michelle White at Balthazar's

streets of new york city, part one

2010-11-22T19:05:00.042-05:00

The weather in New York City this past weekend was just beautiful for walking. The unveiling of holiday window decorations had begun, and shoppers (including this window shopper) thronged the streets, stood in lines, paused for photographs, and did it graciously. I was in the city to join Debby Schuh for her class at Tinsel Trading Saturday evening. Meanwhile, along with lunching at The Plaza on Saturday, breakfasting at Balthazar's on Sunday, and checking out the Apple store for my youngest son who now works for Apple, I took a few photos of my own.

Kenneth Cole doorway needs no gift wrap

Saks Fifth Avenue windows still under wrap

"I believe in the . . . right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,

that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty;

in the dignity of labor, whether with head or hand,

that the world owes no man a living but that it owes every man an opportunity to make a living;

that thrift is essential to well-ordered living,

and that economy is a prime requisite of a sound financial structure,

whether in government, business or personal affairs . . ."

do we each still believe these things,

or just take it for granted that someone else will shoulder the responsibility?

Men in uniform (above & below)

Replica of this year's 9+1/2-foot tall Swarovski Star,

on ground-level view while the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree was still in scaffolding.

The real star is made of 25,000 crystals and 720 twinkling LED bulbs.

Rockefeller Center's first tree in 1933 was also covered with 700 lights.

Anthropologie at Rockefeller Center

more coming . . .

i heart silver bella

2010-11-09T12:58:00.013-05:00

I should be packing, but the paint needs to dry on one more Silver Bella swap. :)

This painted collage is for Kerry, my partner in the Custom Canvas Art Swap,

who likes black and cream, red and turquoise,

birds and trees, hearts, and vintage papers.

Just for fun, I tore old bird prints

into leaf shapes to collage around the painted birds and heart

and then added her favorite quote:

"Follow your heart

and let your dreams come true."

silver bella bagged and bound

2010-11-07T10:45:00.012-05:00

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In a couple days I'm westward-bound again, off to Silver Bella in Omaha with my tools and swaps and talented roommate Sue. It will be a swell time of meeting old friends and making new ones, too. One new friend will be my swap partner in the round-robin Bella Bag Swap. As my luck would have it, she has spent years (!) making and selling all sorts of totes and bags. Nonetheless, I persevered in my quest to make her the vintage-type bag I hope she'll enjoy.

My pink mini sewing machine is so cute, but it was totally inadequate to the job of sewing through thick feed bag and heavy lining material. So I settled for sewing most of the the bag by hand with crochet thread. Notice the vintage dishcloth that I tucked inside for a pocket? And see those yo-yo flowers up there on the front of the bag? I just learned how to make those when sweet friend Amy asked me to make an extra yo-yo tree (the pink one, of course) for her Inspired Ideas magazine article.

Ok, there's still one more swap to finish, tools and supplies to corral, and bags to pack before I meet that early morning plane. Hope to see you in Omaha!

jingle jingle on over to amy's inspired ideas

2010-11-02T22:26:00.007-04:00

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It's holiday gift time over at sweet Amy Powers' blog. She has just released the new free issue of her spectacular ezine: Inspired Ideas, the Christmas issue. There are so many great crafting ideas from so many talented guests that you will not want to miss this issue. From my lucky insider's perspective, I can tell you how hard Amy has worked to bring you this amazing and generous gift.

Go be Inspired for the holidays!!

happy halloween

2010-10-30T18:16:00.007-04:00

....from my little corner of the pumpkin patch...

a few more pages

2010-10-20T19:02:00.016-04:00

In between trips, I've made a few more collaged pages. Two weeks ago, actually the day after my return from Germany, this crazy pile of pages was mailed off to my new friend Jill Sibbald. Jill is hosting an altered vintage journal swap for Silver Bella and is undertaking the massive job of sewing everyone's swapped pages together. Yikes! Since all the pages will have their own bits and pieces, this will be a yummy keepsake, probably much too nice to actually journal in.

And during the weekend right before I left for Germany, I had the luxury of attending ArtBLISS classes in my own back yard! Lesley Venable's class, where I made these altered pages below, was full of fun stamping and stenciling techniques.

Photos taken by Kerry Bogart

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Tomorrow I'm off for a crafting weekend in Dallas -- no pages, all exciting new 3-D and bling! Yay for learning new stuff!
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wall painting in bavaria

2010-10-19T21:16:00.017-04:00

Maybe it's my painting background, but I was excited to see how much effort was being put into preserving this very Bavarian style of fresco. As we drove around southern Germany, we noticed so many buildings surrounded with scaffolding as painters renewed and restored the allegorical frescoes painted on homes and commercial establishments alike. I didn't think to take photos of the scaffolding. But we chatted briefly with a proud young man who accommodatingly climbed down from his perch where he was working on a home with mossy green walls and terrific window and door surrounds. And the main street in Bad Tölz, where I lived for a while with my young children, had several sets of scaffolding dotting the old facades as the frescoes were being renewed. I hope you enjoy this sampling along with me.

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walking around oberammergau

2010-10-14T11:58:00.026-04:00

Since Oberammergau's famed Passion Play happens only every tenth year, tickets can be a little tricky to get. Usually they come as a package deal, as did ours, including two nights at a local hotel, meals from the first night's dinner through the third morning's breakfast, and the play. For this last performance of the season, our friends from Atlanta joined us for the weekend.

Our hotel for the performance weekend.

Performed every 10 years since 1634 as pledged by the inhabitants of Oberammergau (with the exception of a 1770 imposed ban by the Roman Catholic Church and the two World Wars), the play has evolved in its production. But its story of the life and death of Jesus is still performed using only local inhabitants. This year that meant some 2,000 villagers or about half of Oberammergau were involved, acting the roles, singing in the large choruses, staging the tableaux vivants, playing in the orchestra, designing stages and costumes, etc. Children and animals were also on stage in the play's first half, and before the audience entered the theatre, you could wander the grounds and see the children playing and animals grazing as they waited their cues.

Painted entrance to the Museum

I remember seeing a rehearsal of the Play back in 1969, while I was living in Bavaria. Much has changed since then, including the very improved theatre itself. Back then, the area was also still famous for its quality wood carvers, but few were represented in the town this visit, except in the Museum.

Among its woodworking treasures, the Museum houses carved renderings of past mise-en-scènes for the Passion Play, plus collections of toys and figures of saints. These photos were taken behind glass in small dark rooms without flash and around people's heads (and elbows), so I hope you can see the remarkable details of this small sampling through the glare and blur. :)

While poking around the town, I did get myself invited into one woodcarver's studio and took a few photos, trying not to disturb him while his father worked on metal pieces nearby. Naturally, I'm always a sucker for hand tools.

Enough photos for now. But I'd like to show you some of the wonderful painted frescoes next. Will you come back?
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bavarian snapshots

2010-10-11T08:46:00.017-04:00

During our visit to Bavaria, the southeastern state of Germany whose capitol is Munich, we were treated to sweeping views of the Alps, broad farmland, and deep glacial lakes. In this predominantly Catholic area, the onion domes of churches populate the skyline, religious icons still hold place at country intersections and along stretches of road where supplicants may need a word with God, and church bells ring out through the day. Since WWII, the distinct Bavarian culture of fresco-painted walls, carved balconies loaded with hanging flowers on every sun-facing wall, well-tended fields for animals and crops, traditional country dress and so on has been continually and carefully restored right along with rebuilding a prosperous industrial hub.

Our trip included attending the last performance for another ten years of Oberammergau's famous Passion Play, riding a cable-car to the glorious top of the Zugspitze in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, hiking up verdant hillsides to visit King Ludwig's castles, lazy afternoon picnics beside deep clear green-water glacial lakes accessed by private roads, and long exploratory drives trying to find the homes where I lived over 40 years ago (before the road system expanded). It wasn't hard to recreate my middle-of-the-night ambulance route through the Black Forest from Bad Tölz to Munich where my second child was born (while my late husband was in Norway). And the downhill sweep of Bad Tölz' charming main street is still there, with its long-remembered outstanding bakery, although now the town center is reserved for pedestrians and scaffolding while old stucco and frescoes are being renewed. We found the much-restored house in Bad Tölz, but my homes in Fleck (with its German proverbs painted above the doorways) and Lenggries were harder to pinpoint after so many years.

King Ludwig's Linderhof Castle

Fresco painting in Garmisch

Typical carved and flower-covered balcony

Lakeside for an afternoon picnic

Small private chapel on farm

Would you like to have a tour of the Versailles-inspired Schloss Linderhof, my favorite of King Ludwig's three castles? And see more examples of beautiful Bavarian frescos? Or some exquisite Oberammergau wood carvings?

If so, I'll be back. :)
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heading home with castle daydreams

2010-10-06T14:35:00.006-04:00

After days of picture-perfect scenery and gorgeous weather in Bavaria, we're soon to leave the land of fairytale hilltop castles and fresco-painted stucco-walled houses. I'm so grateful for these travel opportunities that have landed in my lap. But over the past several months, I've barely had time to sleep in my new bed at home. Now with nutcrackers, puzzles, and crystal already packed away in my suitcase, it's soon time to head home and recover. Once I've conquered the inevitable jet lag, I hope to share with you a few photos of this magical place.

off to munich and oberammergau

2010-09-27T09:56:00.006-04:00

After spending a lovely crafty weekend at Art Bliss, I'm on the road again, off to Munich and Oberammergau for the Passion Play, and driving around southern Germany and re-visiting places where I lived years ago. Hope to have more photos to share on my return next week. :)

creative fun in phoenix

2010-09-22T07:29:00.006-04:00

The autumn theme of Carol Wingert's Heirloom Boutique class didn't bring the hot Phoenix temperatures down from 105+ degrees this weekend, but our hostess Patty offered us her beautiful home decorated for fall and a cool loft space for creating. Carol set each of our places with a rusty trunk full of vintage trims and supplies for making her "Bountiful Life" canvas book. Then to make sure we were awake, she started off the morning with a quick cupcake tutorial for the special cupcakes she had handmade for us.

From a big piece of canvas, we tore our book pages to size and began a day of layering, gluing, sewing, making ruffles, gilding with gold leaf, and waxing the embellishments for our books. My front cover includes vintage trims, a 7 Gypsies book board, feathers, flowers, a clock face, and even vines from Carol's back yard. On an inside page, a dragonfly flits among gilded leaves. As usual for me, there's still lots more work to do on this lovely layered fabric book.

Besides taking a day trip north to Flagstaff and doing some shopping, I also fit in a class with Dina Wakley at her local store The Creative Quest in Glendale. We had fun experimenting with her gel medium resist technique and creating a funky painted accordion tag book. Co-owner Kathie Shepard had a counter full of new Crafters Workshop stencils which we quickly snapped up to use in our books. Although I still have to add embellishments from Dina's kit and some journaling to my tags, I'm eager to use her gel resist technique on my journal pages. You can see it here on the cover side of my book.

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amy's inspired ideas

2010-09-15T19:40:00.007-04:00

Before I jump on the plane heading west to the desert heat of Phoenix, I wanted to share with you a hot tip. :) My sweet friend Amy Powers has just published the first issue of her new online craft magazine, Inspired Ideas. It was my pleasure to see (sometimes through my camera) her delightful offering develop. Now you can enjoy it, too, right here -- and for free!

60+ days

2010-09-12T19:14:00.019-04:00

When Suzanne posted her beautiful self-portrait starting her 50-day countdown to her 50th birthday, I thought it was a clever way to mark the year's end-in-progress. But darn, I forgot and missed my counting date. Then this evening I needed to take a quick photo of myself for something else. Although I haven't found the right photo for that project yet, here's the come-as-you-are "self-portrait in a bathroom mirror" version, complete with bad lighting and bad focus, to mark 60+ days till my 66th birthday. (At least I'm IN the photo, which was no easy task.)

Dinner with friends on Saturday evening provided an interesting statistic to contemplate. Heidi, the young mother of a 3-year-old daughter, remarked that, among girls now 3 years and younger, one out of two is predicted to live to be 100 years old. Imagine!!
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new windows

2010-09-08T15:19:00.007-04:00

Our little remodeling effort is nearly finished. It's been a long wait since this spring when we ordered another set of custom windows to open up the back wall of my "studio" room (actually the family room) for a full view of the woods beyond.

Cutting such a large hole in the wall required structural changes that required a county permit. Building the correctly-sized windows with French doors consumed time, too. So here it is September, with temperatures still in the mid-90s, and the air conditioner has been overwhelmed. The house has grown hot, but I'm happy to see all that natural light. County inspection scheduled for early tomorrow, then the finishing details can be added.

Through the long stretch of windows and doors, I'll be able to watch the tree colors change and day-dream to my heart's delight. Maybe even get a little work done with the doors open as the autumn temperatures cool.

First, of course, I'll have to re-organize my studio. Ahem.
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home in body but not in spirit

2010-09-05T14:32:00.034-04:00

Although I'm home, I'm still missing Paris and thought I should share another photo.

Every day as I walked to the metro, I passed this wonderfully aged wall

of an old lycée.

This old school wall hints at what I'm doing to get my feet back on the ground

on this side of the Atlantic.
Through the fall, I'm taking a bunch of classes --

in Phoenix, at Dulles, in Dallas, in Omaha, and in NYC,

tucking in a side trip to Oberammergau to see the last performance

of the 41st year (during 375 years) of the Passion Play.

A route-numbered birthday is coming up this fall, too,

so I'm heeding the call of the road while I still can. :)

Is anyone else old enough to remember Nat King Cole or Chuck Berry

singing "Get your kicks on Route 66" (well before John Mayer)

or the 1960s TV series that drove a Corvette across America on Route 66?

Hope you are relaxing and enjoying your long weekend

before you start your list of autumn activities, too!

glimpses of august in paris

2010-08-28T03:05:00.011-04:00

Enjoying a quiet spot in the Luxembourg Gardens,

where I often read and rested my feet :).

Did more of the same at the Tuileries.

Looking across the Seine at the Louvre

One of the many endlessly-fascinating truncated-corner buildings in Paris

Looking up at Sacre Couer

Water lilies at Giverny

Monet's front porch at Giverny

Starbucks, Paris-style

One of my many cafe summer salads

You may be wondering where all the people were while I was photographing during my weeks in Paris. Of course I visited most of the usual crowded tourist places. But since this was my vacation, I was especially trying to capture quiet moments where my imagination could live on without interference, where I could experience the efforts of the designing hands that created the beauty that still elevates this city. I hope you enjoyed a few glimpses along with me..

paris in the afternoon

2010-08-27T08:18:00.017-04:00

In the last minutes as we were leaving a sunny afternoon luncheon/reception,

shaking hands and kissing cheeks and lingering in the garden,

I turned around to take this photo across the shaded lawn,

where only a few empty glasses waiting to be cleared

reminded of our earlier presence.

Isn't the setting delicious?

postcards from paris: la tour eiffel at night

2010-08-26T08:14:00.009-04:00

In case you haven't had a chance to climb the Eiffel Tower yourself, I thought I'd share a few more photos, including some night-time close-ups of the wrought-iron engineering marvel of its time. Scheduled to be torn down after its construction as the entrance arch to the 1889 World's Fair, it remains the tallest building in Paris. Although it is open to the public every day of the year, it has to be repainted using brushes and 3 shades of brown paint every 7 years. After showing our reservation for dinner, we were whisked up by private elevator to the dining room, where we happily spent the evening at our table next to the windows, enjoying a stellar meal and spectacular views.

Plates reflected in the restaurant window as I photographed up inside the tower.

The tower is covered in lights that consistently illuminate it at night,

but being inside when the lights flash on the hour for 5 minutes is like sitting inside a Christmas tree.

The view across the Champs de Mars to l'Ecole Militaire.

The view of les bateaus on the Seine.

Vacherin with raspberry sorbet, my dessert. :)

flower-petal sorbet

2010-08-25T11:56:00.004-04:00

A quick snap of my middle son holding his 4-petal sorbet cone from Glaces Artisanales. From many delicious flavors like mango and raspberry, you can choose one flavor for the central scoop and up to 4 more for the petals, which are artistically layered with a flat scoop around the center. Its many customers looked like a fruit-colored bouquet coming along the sidewalk at us as we walked to the shop.

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au revoir to les puces de vanves

2010-08-24T18:54:00.029-04:00

Did you happen to notice here, in the corner of a flea market display case, an oval frame with gold bullion embroidery on black velvet? For some reason, although I passed it up on first inspection, it stayed in my mind. You know the feeling, right? Friday night we were up late celebrating my son's birthday with a delightful dinner up in the Eiffel Tower. Nonetheless, I made myself a promise to wake up early and return to les puces de vanves the next morning. Maybe the framed piece would still be there for another look.

Of course, by now my suitcase was already bulging, and I really didn't need to exacerbate the problem. Still, I did have all those Euros I needed to spend, since most of my recent expenses were on the credit card and I was nearing the end of my visit. And Paris was experiencing a heat wave with temps in the mid-80s, so staying cool in the shade of the acacia trees that lined the market would feel good before the day heated up.

Following the now familiar route, I walked about 2 kilometres across Vanves to the metro stop for Line 13 that goes to Porte de Vanves, right near the flea market. As I wandered along the market's aisles lined with tables, I finally found the same vendor with all the religious artifacts. And there was the frame, still in its glass case, still with its hefty asking price. These vendors have styles and personalities that can make a purchase more fun or not. This vendor remained as brusque and haughty as before. But after a little bargaining, the frame and a couple other items were tucked into my bag. And with the purchase of sheets of old music for a Silver Bella swap and a handful of number-stitched torchons (dish towels) at two other tables, all my Euros were indeed gone.

Earlier in the morning, as I had been searching along the aisles, I noticed that another vendor whose quality wares I had liked on previous weekends was there again. With my Euros at this point still hopefully dedicated to the framed piece I remembered, I enjoyed merely looking and fingering various tempting pieces and asking him a few questions, learning from the information without intending to purchase. Then on my way out, as I passed his tables again, I once more lingered over a few still-tempting items, saying my goodbyes. Suddenly it occurred to me to ask him if he took American money. Of course! he said. This vendor was very chatty and particularly amused as I dug into the zippered pocket of my purse for my emergency stash of dollars. An emergency can be declared under various circumstances, right? We came to an amicable agreement over a set of 12 Napoleon III knives in their case, each of us enjoying the predicament and its stages of resolution. I smilingly told him he was très gentil, and he assured me that he really liked Americans. :)

Original case and label of l'orfèvre E. Peter (ancienne boutique Rue Fléchier à Paris)

For the rest of my trip, I have sworn to buy only consumables, like the yummy petal-shaped sorbets on cones we bought this afternoon. Oh, and the French CDs that will slip into my purse. I'm old enough to still enjoy singers like Charles Aznavour and Jacques Brel who were au courant when I was in college. And bal musette singers like Fréhel, who led a tragic alcoholic life somewhat typical of the 1920s-30s.

When I return to Virginia, I hope it will have cooled off a little, because I will probably be wearing both my sweaters, both my scarves, my jacket, and my heaviest shoes, not to mention layers of assorted clothing, in order to lighten my suitcase carrying my treasures. For once, I will be glad that the long flight home will be in a cold airplane with a drafty air vent too high to reach.

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postcards from paris: un peu de bleu

2010-08-23T10:40:00.012-04:00

Elegant doorways can be found all over Paris.

But this photo is cropped at the knees because inelegant trash cans

lined the sidewalk edge just in front of the doors, as is often the case.

A little red, white and blue.

Another wonderful doorway, marred visually by posted announcements.

To control this, many public buildings still retain "défense d'afficher" chiseled or painted in scrolling fonts along eye level (although the original 1881 law had larger intentions, including holding the "press" legally responsible for anything it printed).

Ways to maneuver around the city.

After a long walk, it's lovely to sit on a bench in a small tree-lined park

with one's pastry and Kindle, listening to the gentle fountain sounds,

feet up if possible.

paris metro vs motorbike

2010-08-18T17:25:00.026-04:00

My son, who is now here visiting for a week, and I just spent the late afternoon at the local garage, trying to figure out why our on-loan Peugeot motorbike has suddenly developed catarrh. Believe me, there are a lot of French words I didn't know before, like les bougies (spark plugs, previously known to me as candles, not automatic for non-automotive me to make that transition) and l'allumage (ignition) and l'ordinateur (computer) hidden under or in la valise, I'm still not sure which. After several hours of prodding and poking at small hidden parts, this all led to the conclusion that it is an electronic problem and requires a Peugeot dealer. Far more interesting to me than motorbike parts were the very friendly gentlemen who worked in the garage and others who, walking by, joined in trying to help solve the problems, both of the motorbike and of the translation. As I was trying to comprendre the word bougie, one gent went to his car, opened his trunk, and pulled out his spare ones in their package to show us. :) We joked briefly about just plugging the engine computer clip into the iPhone, but we couldn't find an app for that. Although we didn't resolve the problem, everyone seemed to enjoy trying. They were très désolés that our vacation was being hampered.

Metro stop at Anvers

While walking the motorbike home, we were glad to find a pizza place that made a huge variety of pizzas from scratch. And they were offering a special, two for the price of one. So we placed our order, watched the cook start forming the dough rounds, then agreed that we would return in the appointed 20 minutes à emporter our take-home supper. Enough adventure for one day.

Since I'm momentarily grounded, I thought I'd share a few more photos of metro signs, since this elegant system which opened in 1900 (about a decade after La Tour Eiffel) remains the mainstay of my transportation around Paris, especially on a rainy day such as Monday was. Did you know that Paris is a compact city of roughly 6 miles north to south and 9 miles across? Nonetheless, there are over 130 miles of metro track connecting all 20 arrondissements and edging into the suburbs beyond the 22-mile Périphérique that encircles Paris somewhat like the 64-mile DC beltway.

Metro stop at Notre-Dame de-Lorette church

Metro stop near Montmartre

cycling on the champs-élysées

2010-08-13T17:04:00.006-04:00

Just a quick report to let you know my wish was granted. This evening my daughter-in-law and I went to dinner by motorcycle, then enjoyed riding around to see all the sights lit up, down the Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe, along the Seine, under the archways into the Louvre, down to Notre Dame, back around the Eiffel Tower, Musee d'Orsay, Assemblée National, l'Opéra, and so on. Yes, cycling through traffic around the Arc de Triomphe was daunting, but it was a cool beautiful evening!! Bonne nuit!
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taking a break . . .

2010-08-13T05:07:00.011-04:00

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so much paris, so little time

2010-08-11T18:00:00.023-04:00

My husband tells me he is battling traffic in hot, humid 95-degree-temps in Virginia while I'm zipping around in cool low-70's here in Paris. But there's not enough time in the day, regardless. This timepiece sculpture outside the St Lazare train station appeals to me, hosting weary pigeons who need a break, stretching the hours, setting the time forward or backward as you choose. If only. The serious clock is still there in the background.

Each day I am greedy to see as much as I can, slowly but surely exploring different arrondissements around each special site I visit. And I measure time by how much my feet hurt by the end of the day. (Not really complaining, you know.) If only I had one of these motorbikes, ubiquitous here, noisily maneuvering through traffic, parked on every square.

Or if only I had one of the little toy cars that must have wheels that turn at 90-degree angles to scuttle sideways into impossibly small parallel parking spaces. Speaking of parking spaces, have you been wondering what's behind those great double doors that punctuate the serried collection of connected block-long facades? Now you know. Why doesn't my garage look like this?

Now it's 1 in the morning, time for the Eiffel Tower lights outside my window to flash and dazzle from top to bottom for 5 whole minutes and then to darken, just like clockwork. So I'm off to bed.
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postcards from paris: château de versailles

2010-08-10T05:39:00.048-04:00

So grand is the scale of the Château de Versailles that I could capture only small parts of it with my camera. You will have to rely on the many professional photos, or better yet, visit Versailles yourself to get the full impact. Beginning in the early 1600s as Louis XIII's hunting lodge, with its vast hunting grounds, Versailles became the transformed, spectacular, and increasingly centralized seat of the monarchy under Louis XIV (the "Sun King") who reigned from the age of 4 for over 72 years until his death in 1715. During three successive building campaigns, he brought much of Versailles to its current appearance by 1682, with the Chapel to follow. The palace's location outside the city of Paris allowed the King to house most of his court and many of his relations in one place (keeping track so he could live his long life, I guess). Only two more kings, Louis XV and young Louis XVI, lived there before the Revolution.

From the front gate (first photo), the massive cobblestoned courtyard opens up to an array of grand court buildings. The focus of Louis XIV's fourth building campaign was the Chapel, a masterpiece whose heightened vaulting was allowed to break the otherwise regulated horizontal palace roof-line.

Below is a ground-level view of the cobblestones, giving you some idea of their irregular walking surface. Even arriving by horse and carriage must have been a jolting affair, because the baby strollers on site were definitely jostling the little sightseers. By the way, the palace and park (over 800 hectares, or about 3 square miles) is entirely fenced.

Bronze sculpture of La Seine

The park of Versailles spreads out behind the palace. Here (in photos above) you can more clearly see the horizontal emphasis of the long palace extensions, set off by the long perpendicular view down the axis of the Grand Canal (below). Among the many bronze sculptures surrounding the pools and fountains is this figure of La Seine, matched by La Marne on the other side. The park view encompasses the model layout for subsequent French gardens, with fountains and sculptures in marble, bronze and lead, the Grand Canal that stretches the eye "towards infinity" and, off in the woods, Le Grand Trianon and Le Petit Trianon.

Looking down the Grand Canal

Looking from the turtle fountain up the steps to the palace

Last Saturday evening, we stood with the crowd on the steps to watch the fountain displays and fireworks over the Grand Canal. Here, on a Friday afternoon, you can just see them testing the gas flames that march up the grass and are synchronized as part of the evening's display.

Dragon fountain, just before the Grand Canal

Much too much to show here, not to mention Le Grand and Le Petit Trianons, plus the glorious interiors of the palaces and chapel. But how about a few close-ups of workmanship (click on any photo to enlarge)?

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down to earth in paris

2010-08-09T09:16:00.005-04:00

As I leisurely wander the streets of Paris on my visit, most of the time I am looking up. Up at the corner facades to check street signs, trying not to get too lost, although I do find some wonderful things when I'm not where I think I am. Up at the wonderful door lintels that parade down many streets -- sometimes it takes me a very long time just to walk one block, photographing up close, zigzagging across the street to photograph at longer range, continually smiling and saying "merci, madame" or "merci, monsieur" to those who politely wait and allow me my photo op. And of course, up at all the wonderful architecture that speaks of grand measures and quality workmanship meant to last.

But this is what I've found when looking down. My name, placed strategically around Paris. Makes me feel right at home, down to earth, part of the plan. Or something like that. :) The first two photos were taken on the way to a jaw-dropping day at Versailles.

The last two are in Giverny on the path heading home from an afternoon in Monet's restored gardens and painting studio (more later).

Fun, n'est-ce pas?
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suitcase-sized flea market purchases

2010-08-08T14:11:00.026-04:00

Besides the obvious budget considerations, it's important to gauge your suitcase size and the weight of your purchases, because you have to carry them all back to your suitcase as well as weigh them at the baggage check counter. :) Here's some of what I lugged back to the apartment from the Puces de Vanves. I haven't taken photos of the large linens until I have room to spread them out, but trust me, they are heavy.

Gien bowl, large mother of pearl buckle, antique frame and lithograph

Do you see that face?

Meanwhile, I do have a funny tale to tell. Last Saturday, after I bought some old trims and a large uncut piece of linen for some projects from a very generous vendor, a woman approached me in the aisle. She asked (in French, of course) if I were interested in more large linens. If so, she had some to sell, not too far from the market, she assured me. Intriqued, I accompanied her on a brisk walk for about a block until we reached her car. Lifting up the rear window, she produced several wonderful linen sheets, some with ladderwork, some stitched with monograms -- from her family's linen closet, she said. So I bought them all for one modest lump sum. After stacking them in a bag for me, she accompanied me back to the flea market and went on about her business, spending my money, no doubt.

Old trims, sampler stitching, nightgowns

I don't claim to be a talented shopper, because I usually love what I can't afford. So what do you think? How did I do?

An old cachepot, an enamel house number, and a pair of large painted tins.

Shaving bowl to hold under the chin, said the vendor

(unless it's for bleeding patients, as my dil suggests)

19th-century lithos of various artists at work

Silver purses to add to my collection --

at bottom right is a coin purse with a neck that expands to insert the coins.

marché aux puces de vanves

2010-08-07T11:20:00.008-04:00

Somehow the word puce sounds a bit unsavory. Literally the dark reddish-brown or purplish-brown color of the belly of a flea, puce sounds like the distressing color of a bruise -- or a flea. :) But that doesn't keep crowds of people from swarming through the blocks of over 300 vendor tables lining the flea market area in Vanves. Take the metro to Porte de Vanves, follow the posted street signs on the corner, and one end of the market is just around the block.

Stockman mannequin modeling an exquisite long-sleeved collar

During the past two Saturday mornings, I've entertained myself by looking and listening and marveling at the wide array of stuff proffered on tables, under umbrellas, and under the acacia trees. From one Saturday to the next, most everything was different. Prices range widely, much is open to negotiation, but politeness in the form of appropriate greetings and a little conversation will make any transaction easier. Some vendors are especially offended at photographs taken without permission. In addition to your purchases, you may wind up with a new history lesson, a recipe for acacia cake (I don't dare pass on my iffy translation of the ingredients), or a tale about a difficult older woman with a mother-of-pearl buckle.

Painted shabby metal chandelier among the fallen acacia blossoms

Tourists are not the only component of the crowds examining all the recycled ex-possessions, although their purchases tend more to fit in a corner of a suitcase. Many of the flea market shoppers are French, looking for home accents. If I were living here, I'm sure I'd do more than just photograph the larger items.

Crystal chandelier in dire need of a wash-up

Vanves has a plentiful selection, but the flea market at St Ouen/Porte de Clingancourt is the big one with quality furniture, paintings, chandeliers, and shipping agents to send home your crated armoire and all the bric-a-brac you can stuff into it. These photos are a very small sampling of Vanves' offerings.

A gilt mirror just like one I bought on a trip to Paris over 20 years ago.

Nightgowns fortuitously monogrammed with my initials came home with me.

From this vendor I purchased a beautifully stitched large linen sheet (bottom left corner) for my new bed and learned the history of some of her linens.

Napoleon III bronze candle stands

Marble table next to rusty watering can

Tortoise shell and silver vanity set

Keys to Paris

bonne nuit, la tour eiffel

2010-08-06T05:51:00.015-04:00

The Eiffel Tower is often visible as a point of reference as I meander around the city. Late this afternoon I finally found my way to PADD Paris Eiffel, a fabulous magasin équitation at 14 Rue de la Cavalerie. A few minutes away from the Cambronne and just diagonally behind L'École Militaire, PADD seems to carry everything high-quality for horse riding. The young manager was expert in his advice about the proper helmet to choose, and when my French quailed at the details, he spoke excellent English, too (I think he's from Texas :). While I was there, several young women were in the shop trying on helmets and boots. However, I think their most rigorous customer is the equestrian guard still in operation at l'École Militaire.

Eiffel Tower visible from the back side of l'Ecole Militaire on my way to PADD.

The Eiffel Tower actually sits on the flat plain that extends in front of the school.

But for me, it is exhilarating and tout à fait cool to greet the tower every morning out the apartment's north-facing dining-room windows while I am eating my breakfast pain du chocolat and apricot juice.

And then to wish it a bonne nuit as I drop exhausted into bed after another day of testing my feet and my resolve on the cobblestone walks and metro stairs of this city that must be walked to see it.

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postcards from paris: symmetry

2010-08-05T04:01:00.011-04:00

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first take the photo, then eat

2010-08-04T16:24:00.030-04:00

It's been difficult to remember to take a photo before eating, especially the pastries.
Of course I want to share with you, but both my feet and my stomach have been demanding lately. The other day we suffered a calamity when our favorite local patisserie closed for the rest of the month pour les vacances. Thankfully, another patisserie only a little further down the road just re-opened after returning from their vacation, so we're ok now. Today we thought ahead and brought home extra pains du chocolat to fortify ourselves before starting early tomorrow morning.

Would you like some samples from my local patisserie whose windows call to me every day as I venture out to explore?

Ok, time to choose today's treat:

pain du chocolat, pain des raisins, and mousse framboise . . .

mais n'oubliez pas de prendre une photo avant de manger!

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postcards from paris

2010-08-03T06:50:00.001-04:00

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monday monday in paris

2010-08-02T15:59:00.028-04:00

Even on vacation in Paris, Monday turned into a typical Monday. First doing the laundry, hanging it out to dry in the morning breeze on the apartment's "penthouse" wrap-around deck (no energy-wasting dryer here). Then grocery shopping, lugging bottled water and bandaids and other basics home in our reusable shopping bags, squeezing everything into the tiny 1930's elevator and rattling up to our top floor apartment. Then removing the dried laundry so it didn't blow away while we went off to search for summer sales at the grand magasin Au Printemps. And then being caught in an afternoon rain shower that drenched us. Which required us to shop elsewhere for a cheaper alternative to the 150E parapluies in Au Printemps. And also required a coffee break under a cafe awning with plastic roll-down sides at that awkward hour when no establishment is serving food. Here are some highlights of just another Monday in Paris.

The grand two-block-long department store Au Printemps needs an elevated walkway to connect its two halves. The inside stairways are grand, too, but we elected to use the escalators.

Coffee and tea at a little cafe in Paris in the rain.

strolling around Saint Germain des-Prés

2010-08-02T02:58:00.020-04:00

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For our Sunday dinner, to be accompanied by lots of people watching, we took the metro to Saint Germain des-Prés, walked a bit along the Seine opposite the Louvre, and then headed into the narrower restaurant-lined streets past Saint-Michel. Of course I did far more people watching than photograph taking. I'm still trying to discipline myself to pull out my camera in the middle of a crowded street. This photo above was taken on the Pont des Arts crossing the Seine.

This looked like an interesting way to get around for those with blisters (ahem!) from all the walking.

One of the first crowds we bumped into surrounded these three jazz musicians occupying a street corner with their microphones, instrument cases, and the evening's tip case. Because they were really good, they were piling up the tips. The young teen-aged singer was the main attraction, with a great throaty voice for singing jazz, especially her rendition of "Sweet Georgia Brown." The older guy on sax enjoyed playing his riffs, too! I would have been happy to stay right there for the evening, but our stomachs were growling for dinner.

Dinner at the popular Le Relais de l'Entrecôte provided lots of people watching. Across the street was the intriguing Le Petit Zinc with its art nouveau detailing, but it didn't seem open for business -- maybe the owners were away on les vacances.

Occasionally I remembered to photograph some of the grand architectural elements that everywhere keep the city anchored in its history.

A little more walking and people watching, including a clown doing a solo act at one pedestrian intersection, finished our evening. Although it remains light until late, we headed back to the metro at Saint-Michel and were home by 10 pm so we could watch the Eiffel Tower light up from our apartment windows. Standing tall above the Paris skyline, at 9 pm the tower lights come on, at 10pm they flash for five minutes, then remain lit until 1 pm, when they flash again and go off for the night.

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a few photos from vanves

2010-08-01T08:15:00.020-04:00

The weather in Paris has been gorgeous these past several days, and I'm enjoying relaxing into my new routine here. We are staying in an apartment in Vanves, just southwest of the Paris beltway, with a beautiful park right outside the door and a metro a few blocks away. For the daily shopping, patisserie and brasserie sampling, restaurants, metro tickets, even the Puces de Vanves on Saturday morning, my rusty French has been in constant use. Yesterday at lunch, I even managed a little translation between the French waiter and two young Oriental girls at the next table. These few photos sample my lovely neighborhood for the next month.

Door across the street from the restaurant where we ate a leisurely lunch outside.

We also witnessed an accident at the nearby intersection, which elicited lots of

help from onlookers while waiting for the ambulance to arrive.

Under France's "Good Samaritan" law, onlookers or passersby have

a legal obligation to help someone in distress.

Metro access near the Vanves flea market. Our US credit cards didn't have the right security chip to use in the Metro ticket machines, but ATMs are handily available to draw cash. Bicycles are everywhere, even to rent from stands on the street.

Local fountains with small patches of park or garden often decorate the odd angles of intersections. You can see the warning "eau non potable" on the fountain in the middle of the walkway.

And the many local church bells chime often during the day, their gentle tolling punctuating the warm afternoons.

In the coming days, I hope to have more photos to share with you, maybe even some where I do more than point and shoot. Adieu jusque-là!
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that's me, the busy bee

2010-07-22T14:28:00.034-04:00

Busy, busy week. After many trips with UHaul and SUV, youngest son and girlfriend are moved into their new Arlington apartment. Check. Our master bedroom is emptied, carpet cleaned. Check. New bed frame scheduled to arrive this evening. Check. Bedroom furniture scheduled to move back in tomorrow. Pre-Paris dinner party with middle son and daughter-in-law tomorrow evening. Time to get officially excited about trip. Check. Then time to start packing for mid-week departure. Sure hope I can find my passport in this upheaval . . . got it, check.

Sneak peek of the new bed frame? These photos are from my favorite Beekeeper's Cottage, but think grey-white linen fabric and king-size. Hand carving on the painted wood surrounds. And dreamy!

This is one of the few pieces of furniture I've bought new and hand-crafted just for me in 40 years of marriage. (My West Point/Airborne/Ranger husband would be just as happy sleeping on a board.) Almost everything else came from when I worked as a designer or from auctions, antique shops and flea markets. Can't wait to test it tonight!!
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soggy morning

2010-07-14T19:24:00.010-04:00

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Thunderstorms throughout the past two nights have made for soggy mornings here, but the early temps have cooled down, too. Although all the deck pillows are still heaped in a protected corner, this morning I enjoyed my breakfast shake among the revived green trees surrounding the deck room. But I've given up on gardening this summer. A herd of deer who shelter in the watershed woods have eaten just about everything below deck height. On coming home one evening, my husband counted over 15 deer grazing in our sloping gardens and across the lawn. Among the few flowers not shredded of all growth are the butterfly bushes and the daisies. Since I'll be away for August, when the heat mounts even higher, I'll just have much less garden to worry about, I guess.

Tomorrow the fun begins, however, when my youngest son starts moving into his nearby apartment. Hope the rains hold off for a few days.

i'm in the mood for paris

2010-07-07T13:34:00.011-04:00

In three short weeks, I'll be exchanging this east coast heat wave for a month in Paris, although the temperatures there aren't much cooler right now. But the delicious excitement is building as I contemplate leisurely days to stroll the city and compare my memories from previous trips.

In 1964, as soon as my freshman year in college ended, I flew for my first time to Orly Airport, with only an undated return-trip plane ticket and a hotel reservation for my first night in Paris. Young and adventurous, I simply intended to go where chance led me until my money ran out -- maybe after a few weeks, if I were lucky. But traveling alone and speaking French made it easy to meet many gracious and generous people who were eager to engage with a smiling American. "Europe on $5 a Day" was my guidebook, but more often I dined with and even stayed with families in Paris, in Toulouse, in Pau, in Cannes, and throughout the countryside.

That adventure-filled summer was my wonderful introduction to France. I have so many stories. Towards the end of the summer, in Marseilles, I encountered a group of American college girls on tour. One girl, so bored with the confines of her tour group, broke off for a day to go climbing with me in the hills above the city. In great style, we toted supplies for a picnic by a rocky stream high in the woods, taking in great views of the sea. In return, she gave me her train ticket to Geneva, since she and her friends had decided to go home. On my early morning arrival in Geneva, I used my trusty guidebook to secure a tiny single room on the top floor of an elegant hotel and went off to find the University of Geneva's Institute of Architecture. As I wandered its large echoing empty halls, I happened on a room where 3 young men were working on their diplome projects. Our conversation covered a lot of territory, although my technical vocabulary wasn't up to par, until one of them broke off to phone his family to announce he was bringing a young American home for lunch. By the time we arrived at his family home, his mother had purchased a small bottle of milk to serve with my lunch, since everyone knew Americans drank a lot of milk. After lunch we all set out for an afternoon on the family sailboat on Lac Léman, occasionally being photographed by tourists on other boats passing by. That night I slept under a feather duvet in my small attic hotel room, greeted at dawn with a rooftop view through my tiny window, and was served my continental breakfast on a silver tray with a rosebud and a copy of the day's paper.

Eventually the summer ran out before my money did, and I returned home the day before my sophomore year began at college. Later trips to France to study and visit were never so carefree as that first summer. The times changed, my responsibilities changed, and Paris has changed. I look forward to making a new photographic record of what I see this time.