Official Walk Report

Had to take my coat off on the walk because it was too warm! You-hoo.

Who the heck does NOT love tulips? 

                        The Adirondacks make me extra thirsty for spring and summer. Hurry.

One Red Chair I shall love sitting in this summer.

I met Macy today. I was charmed.  

Another Christmas Day

...is unbelievably almost over. All day I have meant to mosey on over to this keyboard to wish all who enter in a joyous and memorable day. Pesky things kept me from completing this adventurous goal; you know, opening up lovely presents from husband, family, and friends. And having a fine and traditional breakfast including bacon crisped up to its perfect spot, AND walking the neighborhood (we have the best street in Tehaleh and a view of the mountain, so there), AND getting into some new books, AND having another fine and festive dinner meal so, you know, things like that.

Mt. Rainer looms over the neighborhood

..our street twinkles,  yes it does. 

That's one red chair in there!

But here in the perfectly wintry but not icy cold Puget Sound, it has not yet reached midnight, so I can still qualify this as a holiday wish, for whatever holiday you celebrate. I hope this finds you well and content and filled with joy on this day that comes around so fast and goes away faster still.

Bob and I are blessed and we are so thankful to have health, family, and friends, 

and a country we love, despite its potholes, pranks, and pitfalls. 

More than ever we all will need to work extra hard in the year ahead to

speak in friendly tones, practice our values, be an informed reader and listener

of events and news from trusted sources, 

and hold on tight to optimism and hope but

stay ever aware and thoughtful and assertive. Let us not take
anything for granted and let the past serve up wisdom 

for a challenging future and

a test of our strength for a country we all hold dear. 

Sheila

Inspired by the Sketchbook exhibit, I mosied on over to the Compass Cafe and sketched Sheila.

Life-sized fun

I visited the Seattle Museum of History and Industry, christianed MOHAI locally,

Gabriel Campriano's sketch of the museum

and bought membership too, because I know I'll want to revisit and take visitors to the exhibit of the Seattle Sketcher, Gabe Campriano. Gabe, who also started the Urban Sketchers group and edited The Art of Urban Sketching which I blogged previously about, has become Seattle area's Pretty Official visual documenter of all things Puget Sound....

The exhibit is bright, colorful, airy, with walls and walls and nooks and crannies filled with pages from his sketchbook...

including several "life-sized" enlarged versions.

This wall greets the visitor.

 I'm imagining this is a favorite, a view of the Sleepless in Seattle houseboat. 

And sketchbooks from other urban sketchers are also on display. 

It is an awesome display of sketching talent and will be at the museum to mid-May. (Alas and alack, Fraser's chair is now gone, along with the other Seattle in Media goodies. Can't have everything.) 

Read more about it in the Seattle Times article below.
http://seattletimes.com/html/thearts/2022631135_seattlesketcherreviewxml.html

Sketchbook Project Redux

Earlier this year I posted that the sketchbook I created for 2013 Sketchbook Project was online for viewing. At the time, actually, my entry had not been posted, and when it was a bit later, it was incomplete.   It was a total mess – only half of the pages got scanned and since my artwork was generally a two-page spread, it was hard = actually, impossible to follow. After several friendly emails back and forth, and lots of months of wait, it was corrected. It’s almost okay now, although the gutter area art is lost about halfway through.

You can find my book, called Hometown Journeys, there. (If you go, take some time to look at some of the many sketchbooks posted in their digital library. Some are truly amazing. )

However, the book shows much better on my Flickr page which you can access directly here or click on the little picture of my book in the right column of this page.  I still like it when I revisit it, which is a good sign of something! It was a lot of work!  But also great fun. Every page has a photo “proof” of my visit to each place, surrounding by drawing and painting of the rest of the scene. I hope you will take a peek.

This page, for example, got lost in the translation at the S.P site. 

The Last Sunrise of the Year

...and what a gorgeous one it was. This was the view as I woke this morning.

Afternoon at SAM

Just saw the Elle's exhibit from Centre Pompidou at SAM and now enjoying gelato here. This was my favorite. It's At the Edge of the Sea by Romaine Brooks, and Italian artist.

Treated myself to lunch at Taste Restaurant in the museum: a salad (with memorable dressing) and squash and ginger soup: perfect rainy grey weather food. On way back to Metro, I stopped here for some gelato.

Good but not as tasty as those in Italy but maybe it's my rainy mood ...or the $4 price tag?  Oh, I suppose it's still cheaper than round trip to Rome.  Oh, but I can't do Rome right now... I'm currently pretty busy in Venice with Mary Ann anyway.

Bragging Rights?

Well, I probably have no bragging rights except as proud family member but hey anyway. Jeff, my nephew-in-law, created and runs a great deli in my OTHER hometown (stand up and wave, Elgin) where the sandwiches are named after all the schools. The best-selling sandwich, I hear, is the Lowrie. My old haunting grade school grounds. Just saying.

November afternoon

I don't like to see the end of summer but when these gray cool damp November days come, I try to embrace them. Perfect reading weather, as well as coffees, cafes, and croissants of the chocolate variety. Just ate one of the best bread salads I've had and delving into a croissant (okay, good, but not Paris where they make The Best Ones, just saying). A favorite place for lunch on a misty November Saturday. Really tasty bread salad. Trust me.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

..and bread salad made perfectly at Essential Bakery on Madison in Seattle. I treat myself here occasionally.

Because it's really really good!

I visit Gasworks Park

for the first time.

Why don't I go on the ferry more often? Daytrips to Bainbridge, Vashon? Each time I do I enjoy the ride and the destination. I need a job that gives me back my weekends.