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Archive for the ‘My neighborhood’ Category

Takes Two to Tango

Saturday, March 2nd, 2013

potentialmotifs 

I spent yesterday cooking Argentinian food for an opening reception at Trinity. The artist,  Mabel Astarloa Haley, is from Argentina originally. She does wonderful oil pastel drawings — some abstract and some of ethereal figures.

pastelfigures

She told me that she takes photos at busy intersections and then does the drawings from the photos. She does a wonderful job of capturing body language.

I made a garbanzo bean flour flat bread, called Fainá. I topped some with carmelized onions and some with cheese and sun-dried tomatoes — gluten free.

fainaonions

fainapizza

 

I also marinated flank steak in chimichurri sauce – so good.

flanksteakchimicchurri

 

And there was also manchego cheese with quince paste on crackers.

manchangoquince

 

I also had some empanadas and potato cheese things from Trader Joes. It was declared the best reception food so far!!

We also hired the Portland State Tango Club to come and dance for us. We wondered if they would try to tango the labyrinth!

tangodancers

 

Today, I did some household chores and some SDA work and then headed for the studio. I cut the batting for a large quilt. I started cutting and fusing some possible motifs for this piece. They are in the photo at the top.

I also have done a couple of drawings. I tried to draw my left hand, but it is kind of scary. I do have wrinkled and gnarled old lady hands.

drawing3-1-13

 

And this is the little Japanese maple on my studio patio. I really am happy with this one.

drawing 3-2-13

 

I walked down to the farm stand near my house with Scooter this afternoon. I love these daffodils growing in the parking strip.

parkingstripdaffodils

 

And as a counterpoint, this cluster of pinecones.

pinecones

 

 

February?!

Friday, February 1st, 2013

scooterman2-1-13

It was a pretty nice day today. Almost felt like spring. I took Scooter for two walks. Doesn’t he look handsome. He had his day at the groomer’s this week.

In the late afternoon, we went down to the Rhodie Garden. There was a beautiful sunset out over the west hills.

2-1-13sunset

 

The Hellebores are in bloom and the Rhodies are getting ready to pop.

purplehellebores

I had a big job to complete before Monday and I got it finished today. On Monday, we are jurying for the annual Trinity Artists Among Us. Almost 70 people have e-mailed photos to me. They were given specific instructions for sizing them. Most didn’t follow the instructions. I had to resize them and organize them into a Keynote slide show. It is done and looks really cool. I am excited because we have several new artists submitting who do wonderful work.

I finished the Alzheimer’s quilt edges and did a hanging ring and a label. I like getting work done early!

AAQEedge

 

fracturedsynapsesfinal

 

And here is my rendering of a balsamic vinegar bottle. Not thrilled with it.

2-1-13drawing

 

 

The Pause Button

Thursday, March 29th, 2012

I have been stricken with a cruddy virus for two days or more. Sore throat, aches and no energy. I have only managed to work on the Artists Among Us database, using Filemaker Pro. I am getting the hang of it.

I am behind with my 3 x 3s. I was going to organize some work to do while I was gone. Feel like I have lost two days!!

Since I have no work to show, I will post some photos of my last walk with Scooter.

This woman was walking 6 dogs off leash with her Granddaughter following along. The calmest woman I have encountered in a long time!! Three of the dogs belong to her daughter.

The state flower, The Oregon Grape, is in bloom.

A Tulip Tree in the Rhodie Garden.

The ubiquitous moss.

Lots of pink.

 

Trilliums.

The willow tree that graces the entrance.

We have had two days of wind and rain. March is going out like a lion. I hope the weather gets better for our drive south on Sunday.

Here is Paige all dressed to go to her home yesterday. Can’t wait to see her in person.

We Have a Baby!

Tuesday, March 27th, 2012

Here is yesterdays 3 x 3. That is a square of shibori in the center. I love how the yellow blends with the background. I didn’t post a blog because we got news just before dinner that Paige Ada Congdon had arrived. This photo showed up on my iPhone signaling the event.

What is there about seeing your DNA in a newborn baby that is so exciting and wonderful. She looks so much like Mark and me. Jayme says she sees nothing of her side of the family. I am sure it will show up eventually.

Here she is with her adoring Daddy.

 

Jayme sent me this photo this morning.

I can’t wait to see her next week. I plan to do lots of cuddling.

I found it difficult to concentrate on much for the last couple of days while we waited for Paige. I did manage to get 3 quilts ready to pack up for a local guild show. I delivered them today.

I also set up and printed tickets for our Artists Among Us gala reception.

I have taken lots of walks with Scooter and taken some spring photos. Here is a photo of some trees in blossom on the Reed College lawn.

Here is today’s 3 x 3. I have not felt well this afternoon. I have a sore throat and feel achy. I probably have finally caught a cold. I made it through the winter and now when we are ready to take off on a trip, I get sick. I dragged myself downstairs to do the 3 x 3. The miracle of creativity – it made me feel better.

And so, I am going off to bed early and hope sleep will help me feel better.

A Beauteous Day

Thursday, January 26th, 2012

I had to get up early this morning to walk Scooter since Mr C spent the night in Corvallis where he has been for 3 days starting his new consulting gig. It was a beautiful morning and the birds were singing. I took this photo which was an omen of the beautiful day to come.

Later, when I was washing dished in the kitchen, facing SW, the sun was so bright, I felt as if I needed sun glasses!! However, when I took Scooter out again, just before lunch, this was the scene to the south.

The clouds looked menacing, but  dissipated. At 4:30 pm, when I took Scooter out, there was a beautiful sunset from the Rhodie Garden.

Mr C arrived home, just as we walked back to the house. Scooter was very happy to see his other person. He kept running back and forth between us!

I can’t believe that I am running out of days for red 3 X 3s. Today’s is up at the top and here is yesterday’s-

I am trying to decide if I want to work my way around the color wheel or mix it up and do a random choice or go across the color wheel to the complement. I am feeling like I would like to go to the cool side for awhile.

Happily, the cold I thought I was getting did not materialize. I saw my dermatologist yesterday for a check-up. I had to have a suspicious mole on my upper chest biopsied. It was a tiny little thing. I hope it is negative. Then, I went to Kaiser Vision Center and ordered some cool red glasses. I have missed having red glasses! Today, I got the color on my hair refreshed. I am looking good!