In and Out of Town

We spent the night in the city last night, taking in "An Education" at Midtown Art Cinema followed by Sushi at Silk, which is conveniently located in the ground floor of our condo building. The movie was thought-provoking, but somewhat disturbing. The Sushi, on the other hand, was delicious as usual.

While at the condo, I felt the 'need' for art this morning and recalled that my buddy Gerrie had discovered a wonderful sketching app for her iPhone, so I found her blog post recommending Doodle Buddy, and loaded it onto my new toy. It's a lot of fun to use, and I'm sure that this morning's introduction has only just whet my appetite.

Another new dining establishment has opened right across the street from our little condo:

We've been eagerly awaiting the Concentric Group's Bakeshop, since first tasting their divine pastries at Piedmont Park's Green Market. YUMMMMM! Yesterday we enjoyed a little lunch there on the patio, with Barker in tow. This morning we picked up Danish and coffee after our morning walk through the neighborhood. I am looking forward to next summer when we can read the paper on their patio and enjoy their breakfast fare.

Barker is doing much better today! Thank you all for sending along your best wishes....they meant a lot. We've had two nights of very good and much needed sleep, and he has regained his appetite. Phew!! We had a very pleasant evening walk on the golf course at about 5:15 PM. The moon is once again almost full:

The sun is setting so early now, but I am reminded that in another three weeks, the daylight hours will slowly get longer again!

PEACE

Sick As A Dog

This handsome young man had us up and wide awake by 4:00 AM yesterday.

He desperately wanted 'out', but then when out, that didn't seem to satisfy. So, in he'd saunter (it was about 40 F outside) but as soon as he was in again, he'd want out. We finally got up, took him on a short walk, and then C trundled him off to our loving Vet. He stayed all day under observation, and then after two IVs, he was discharged to home on a very strict diet. So two weeks of an upset tummy may finally have come to an end. I sure hope so!

I spent a good bit of the day with my Mom. She was having two of our good friends, Bobbie and Jill, in for lunch, and then I stayed while her physical therapist put her through her paces.

After picking up Barker at the Vet's and taking him on another short golf course walk, I squeezed in just enough art to keep me sane. Here are four pieces done on card stock with acrylics:

I like to cut them up and use them as cards.......and it's a good way to play with color and free up my emotions.

PEACE

Giving Thanks

Over the past few days I've spent a good bit of time thinking, thinking about all of the things that I am so very thankful for in this wonderful life: things that I pretty much take for granted on a daily basis. I'm thankful for my wonderful family, my awesome friends, for good health, and the good health of so many that I hold dear to me. I'm thankful for an embarrassing abundance of food, clothing, and so many things that I have become accustomed to but are actually luxuries to so very many in this world. I'm also thankful to you all.....you who come and read, leaving for the most part positive but always thoughtful suggestions and comments, and offering wonderful friendships from all around the world. When I started writing this blog, I never imagined what I would gain in so many dear and cherished friends. My main goals were to document my work (and perhaps become more productive) and to keep in touch with distant family and friends. Well, you guys have made this all so much more! I cherish you all, and want to thank you for taking the time to check in with me, check up on me when I'm AWOL for a while, put up with me and my moods, and also participate. So, THANK YOU!!!

The last vestiges of Fall:

and look, my first bulbs are bursting forth:

and here are some gifts from this evening's dye bath:

ain't life grand!!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU ALL

and, of course:

PEACE

Morning Walk

As many of you know, Barker and I take a lovely morning walk on our nearby golf course several days a week (and C takes him on the mornings that I do not, so he gets a good bit of exercise). I have often wished in the past that I had my camera along so that I could share with you some of the beautiful inspiration that I find in those early morning hours. Well, my new iPhone has accomplished just that! We've had a rainy couple of days and the leaves are falling like mad, so the cart paths are adorned with some beautiful monoprints.

I just love this leaf.....and tomorrow its print will be there on the cement:

the pine needles leave interesting prints

ah, and a doggie paw print adorning a leaf print
there's that doggie!

one of my favorite views across our lake......looks like we may have a sunny day!

I had just a few free minutes to putter (aka clean up) in the dye studio yesterday. Here's a piece that I'm currently working on:

My Monday morning ritual is helping my Mom with her laundry and enjoying breakfast with her: they make the best biscuits and grits in town! MMMM!!!! While her clothes are in the dryer, we manage to squeeze in a few games of Dominoes.

Mommy finally beat me at this game! Doesn't she look fabulous for 92! The very interesting and unique painting behind Mom was done by Lola, one of her artist friends. Lola still exhibits at the Quinlan Art Center.........I want to be like Lola and my Mom if I ever have to grow up!

PEACE

'Elizabeth B' asked after my last post, if I had added the gold in one of the scarves before or after the Shibori. Before! That scarf was dyed and painted a year ago, and I never got the color that I wanted, so I thought I would further experiment with it. I really love it now! Welcome Elizabeth! It appears that you live rather nearby in the big scheme of things. I wish you'd email me sometime.

Technology Aboundeth!

I could also title this post "Life in the Fast Lane"! Phew: it's been a whirlwind past few days! Almost all good, but definitely wild! Poor Barker has been sick with a gi upset......no need to elaborate! I think we've finally gotten to the bottom of that (no pun intended!), and he is now, thankfully, on the mend. In the meantime, we were celebrating our 39th wedding anniversary, so had plans to spend a few nights in Atlanta......not fun when you live on the 14th floor and have a pooch with the trots! UGH!!! But we rose to the challenge and Barker was a real good sport, allowing us as much advance notice as possible.

We dined out a lot, visiting two new (to us) Midtown spots: Atmosphere and Lupe (which is quite new); and reacquainting ourselves with an old fave: South City Kitchen. Atmosphere was once a home, which has now been converted into a charming French restaurant, and we loved both the escargot and the mussels....not to mention the company of our daughter, while her husband was out of town on business. Lupe is a fantastic Mexican restaurant, which is just across the street from our condo...........and the Margaritas (along with everything else that we sampled) are quite nice:

South City Kitchen is an old favorite of ours, but we hadn't been there in years....and we were not disappointed. They serve incredible southern style food with a modern twist. I enjoyed the vegetable plate, which included mac and cheese (yes, here in the South, mac & cheese is a veggie!) with cauliflower added; roasted root vegetables, and Brussels Sprouts that had been sliced very thinly and sauteed. MMMMMM!

We walked to the High Museum one morning and took in the new Leonardo da Vinci exhibit and also that of Atlanta's own architect John Portman. I was pleased that the High chose to show not only Mr Portman's fantastic structures, but also his paintings. What a talented man he is! That afternoon we walked to the Midtown Arts Cinema and saw "Precious". When it comes to a theater near you, make sure you see it!

Oh, I almost forgot about the title of this post! Duhhhhhh! I think I mentioned a few weeks back that C had purchased a new laptop for me. I'm still struggling to get that baby the way I want it! LOL Last week my cell phone contract finally ran out, and I got an iPhone....so I'm having a ball playing with it! (all of the pictures on this post were taken with it....the camera is quite good!). When we arrived home yesterday, a new printer was waiting for me! ;-) It's a wireless Epson.........and it's great! So, I think I'm good to go for a while now!!!!

My love for Shibori continues! If I'm not in the studio, I'm dreaming about future projects. Even though we were having a wonderful time in the city, my mind was always wandering back to dye jobs that I wanted to try when I got home. Here are two scarves that I finished this afternoon:

the one above has gold metallic in it. It is crepe de chine and about 45" square. I love the plum, green and gold combo!

This one is very yummy too: a combination of chartreuse and blue violet.
here's another view:

and this is a piece of cotton that will back my "Barn Dance for Francine" class quilt:

Hope you've had a stellar past few days!!!

PEACE

Barn Dance: For Francine

I've finally finished piecing my class piece from Jan Myers-Newbury's Shibori class at the Barn. It has had me so excited I've actually been getting up an hour early for the past few mornings, just so I can sew a few seams in peace! Now all I need is some batting and backing fabric, and I'll be ready to quilt! YAYYYYY!

I named this piece even before it was totally conceived and/or assembled. My friend Francine passed away while I was taking the class, and I wanted to dedicate this to her memory. She was such a great gal and a huge inspiration to so many people in the area. I know she is dancing once again and free from pain and suffering!

PEACE

yesterday

We are enjoying some glorious weather! I couldn't resist getting out my camera and snapping some pics yesterday.

Echinacea

Money Plant (almost all spent!)

Nandina

and more

and a wonderful sunset over the lake, to end our day

Hope it's beautiful in your corner of the world as well.

PEACE

Due to some spamming, I am having to add a bit of security to my blog. I apologize for the inconvenience, and hope that it won't keep you from leaving a comment, because I always love hearing what you have to say!

Jag är en Svenska flicka!

Yes, indeed: I am a Swedish girl! While my lovely Swedish cousin Eva does all in her power to help me with my Swedish speaking and my Swedish cooking, I must admit that this morning I had to resort to the Google translator to get out the simple sentence "I am a Swedish girl", and to Ikea for the Swedish pancake and waffle mix! Oh well, at least I try, eh?

We had a very fine walk on the golf course this morning: 48 degrees and not a golfer in sight! Barker was his usual well-mannered self most of the time, and so I was in a good mood and suggested that I tackle the Swedish waffles! I don't think I've made waffles since our daughter was still living at home (and that was always from scratch!), so it's 12 years! I'm surprised I could even find my trusty old waffle iron!

The mix made life very easy, but it was tough waiting for the waffle iron to heat up and then for the waffles to cook! But, boy oh boy, were they ever good! While the box suggested that the waffles be topped with lingonberry jam, I'm afraid that I was doing my level best to use huckleberry syrup!

We do have lingonberry jam........but it's at the condo, and we're not! Maybe next time, I'll incorporate a bit of prior planning into this foray into Swedish cuisine!

Have a great weekend!

PEACE

Dyeing Days

I can't seem to get enough of Shibori, so I hope you're not growing tired of seeing the results of my playtime. Yesterday afternoon I thought I'd go out to the dye studio for 'just a little while' and wrap up a few silk scarves that I'd put a layer of dye on last weekend. Well, that little while ended up being about four hours. Once I got the scarves wrapped, I spotted some lengths of cotton that could use some wrapping, so I felt compelled. And then of course, I couldn't just leave them to dye for another day, so I mixed up the dye pot, stuck them in and could barely wait for the results.

I'm bored with photographing my scarves on my model. Tell me what you think: do you like them better this way, or on the model?

C and I have just completed listening to "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" by Stieg Larsson, a Swedish writer. Apparently when it was first released in Sweden it was titled "Men Who Hate Women". I'm not sure why the title was changed for its release here in the States. I had a love-hate relationship with this book, but found it addicting, and was sad to learn that Larsson, the author, has passed away, but there is a sequel to the book! I've also just finished reading "Living Buddha, Living Christ" by Thich Nhat Hanh, and I'm almost through with "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett, a marvelous page-turner. What are you reading? Don't be shy, please speak up! We saw "A Serious Man", the new Coen brothers movie, the other day........it is unlike any other they have done, and that is all I'm saying at this point!

We're enjoying more lovely weather with sunny skies and afternoon temps climbing into the 60s.

Hope all is well in your neck of the woods.

PEACE

Rainy Daze

Tropical Storm Ida has dropped yet more rain upon us.....and that's fine, as I have so much to amuse me! I thought I'd share a few pics taken over the past 36 hours.

The lingering last leaves on one of our Japanese Maples are brightening an otherwise dreary landscape:

I've planted some of my Paperwhites, have you?

C brought me 18 of the most gorgeous long-stemmed roses the other day....and for no apparent reason! These are phenomenal, and were such a glorious surprise!

One of my most recent assignments in my photography class was to "photograph a person or thing from every angle". Barker insists he's a person, so of course I had to choose him! Here are just a couple of his angle shots:

Aren't the men in my life fantastic!

PEACE

International Acquaintances

I think I'm finally 'coming down' from the high I experienced during my weeklong Shibori class with Jan Myers-Newbury at Nancy Crow's Barn! Reality is setting in, but I'm now having the wonderful opportunity to sit back and reflect on all of the new friendships that we all developed. The Barn's environment seems to encourage that, especially during mealtime in the light and airy diningroom, with the yummy meals lovingly prepared by Margaret Wolf. One of the first people that I met was the awesome German fiber artist Heide Stoll-Weber who was there for two weeks of independent study under Nancy's tutelage. Her work is totally amazing: both her quilts and her hand-dyed fabrics. I wish that I had taken a picture of Heide, but that didn't happen. Anyway, please do check out her website. I think you'll agree that her quilts are one of a kind and very inspirational.

Below is one of my classmates, Birgitta (with Jan). While she currently lives in England (Dorset, to be exact), Birgitta hails from Sweden.

As you may or may not know, my maternal grandparents were both from Sweden, and I have cousins living there in Skane (whom I don't get to visit often enough!), so it was music to my ears when I heard both Birgitta and Gunilla first speak! I couldn't help but notice how much Birgitta looked like Augusta, my Swedish grandmother...........what a comfort!

This is Gunilla (and Jan):
Both Gunilla and Birgitta were extremely productive, and their work was lovely! It was a treat for me to be with them both! Gunilla has a blog and I'm looking forward to seeing how she progresses with her one of a kind fabrics.

Our weather today is quite rainy: thanks to Tropical Storm Ida. We are no longer in need of rain, but our most recent drought has taught me to never again complain about precipitation! I donned my rain gear early this morning and Barker and I had a very pleasant walk!

Enjoy your day!

PEACE