Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Spring fever

Some of the prints I made last week at the Monoprint Class I took Thursday!

Not that I have ever played much with painting beyond doing backgrounds for other items, but I like these.



This is my backyard this afternoon. Still snow-its going away but not quick enough for me.

Today-there was a cold seabreeze at Portsmouth and it didn't feel as warm as the 50 degrees that it was. Here's where I'm at-
1-There's still snow in my backyard and I'm not happy. ( see the photo)
2-I want to plan another trip so so so badly.
3- I want to be home doing art. I might be getting to that point in my life...but I love the idea of making money...not that as a teacher I make big bucks, but having a salary is nice. Supports the habit.
4-Dave's not sure he wants to spend money to do another trip. (He's good and responsible.)
5- I found out I have a job teaching next year-expected but very good news- and my Bachelor's plus 47 credits pay kicks in...nice-especially in this economy.
6-Microbiology won't run next year because not enough kids signed up- and I'm bummed.
7- Tomorrow is April-really good news.
8- I want to go away this summer in the worst way. This always happen as an aftermath of a trip. Travel fever is so tough to deal with.






Sunday, March 29, 2009

Rain, rain, it is actually nice






A rainy Sunday-I can go for it. Tired since I got to bed LATE last night-had some local friends over for a Mexican spring get together. A great day to relax and chill. Got my labs from school all graded. Plus this rain will make the snow go away even more than it has already. And I love that.
Today's photos- views from the Eurostar in Northern France as we headed from Paris towards Calais-before the Chunnel and our trip back to London to fly home. Not the greatest photos, but still, once the morning fog burned off (bottom photo), it was a beautiful day.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Discover


(Original)

(view 1)

(view 2)
(view 3)
(view 4)
I discover so much when I travel. I see new places and learn about the world. I learn about myself too-like how much French I actually remembered. I get to take cool photos too and as I edit I've realized that my originals keep getting better and better-though they should since I've had a camera since I was 8.
I discover so much when I scrap and when I do art. I get inspired when I read art books and magazines, and learn new techniques...like the simple one of outlining letters and borders with light watercolor markers. Found that out last night as I scanned a Creating Keepsake book. Wow- something so simple and it took me this long to figure it out...typical. I can be pretty dense.
I discover so much when I take classes. Tomorrow I am taking an all day class called Monoprints for Educators. I am excited and hope to learn so new skills and techniques. Plus I get to play art all day...and not rush out at 6:15 a.m. The kids at school aren't going to be happy with me for being out though.
I discover when I play too. The top photo is one I snapped at Versailles. The next 4 are various crops of the original. I like #3 the best and I wish I had taken more photos of people around the garden. I love their poses and expression. But I love how one photo that is way too busy can give you so many very different views.
Life is about the discovery- as sappy as that sounds. And is. But this week I once again discovered that I am a strong person...more secure than I give myself credit for...
OK, enough for one night...you need to keep your stomach contents intact and I tend to get real babblely-if that's a word.
So go make a discovery!


Monday, March 23, 2009

Twilight movie







Our ordered copy from Amazon arrived today, and since I hadn't seen the movie before but Katie did and she had to have a copy of it...we got it and we're now watching it and so far, I like it-quite a bit actually. I read the book, and it was good. So, to prevent my life from becoming infested with handsome vampires like Edward Cullen, here's some photos from Notre Dame. Let an angel or two look after me and protect me...

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Winter returns






Photos I took at Versailles
Some wind, some snow flurries, a couple of days of chilly ahead. But still, it looks more spring than not.Today Dave found a FedEx envelope in the addition that got delivered at Christmas which was a gift for me from Ina. Its been sitting there since December. Funny, but poor Ina, she must have thought me such a rude friend. And its an awesome photo-so appropriate of 2 women floating in a big margarita glass. LOVE IT!

I need to take some photos but today I played with Lutrador. I'm making a great Paris themed book. It was going to be a trip memory book, but when I woke up at 5 a.m. to use the potty I sudden got all these great ideas. So today I made many pages to this book, not quite done, but I worked for a long time and the pages are awesome. Didn't think I had this style in me...but isn't that a great thing about art, how it suprises you constantly?

A few more photos...hopefully they aren't too boring. I think they're great and I love posting them.






Saturday, March 21, 2009

Today is Saturday

The Seine from up high!
From the bridge that goes to Ile de Citi to the Right Bank.
Embankments and waterside parking.
Houseboats-as in the book I just started.
And though cool, another splendid bit of weather! Can I actually say it without jinxing us?- March has been lovely.
Yesterday finished reading Bill Bryson's "In a Sunburnt Country", about Australia, which has been my favorite of his to date (and since the fall I've read a lot of his). A+--- Now I started the Secret Life of the Seine by (I believe) Mort Rosenblum. Am waiting for the next book by Steig Larson in "The Girl" series to arrive-am getting a copy from the UK because The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was excellent and I can't wait to start reading the latest-which isn't out here in the US until late July.
And since I've been reading about the Seine today- a few more photos from the city it is famous for...(By this point you don't even need to guess, do you?)

Friday, March 20, 2009

Today is the first day of spring!





Spring arrives a quarter of eight this morning. Yahoo! Although there's still some snow on the ground, winter is over and we're having more weather above freezing. Keep it up.
Here's a few more photos of Paris that remind me of spring. All are of the Tour Effiel except the bottom one which is at the Park at Versailles.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Emotional Flat Line Today

Waiting for our tickets to go up the Tour Eiffel!
Paris street.
Katie at the top being brave and peeing out at the view.
From the river, ornate bridge architecture.

Today the new bed arrived, also went and had my blood work done for some presecription refills. We had to move my plants to get the bed in, and it was a mess afterwards-leaves everywhere, but got it cleaned and then I lost my enthusiasm and steam. Been puttering but am really feeling BLAH. But its grey out and cooler and even though we've had tons of melt the ground is still white or MUD. Anyhow...I'll post some random Paris photos to make up for my blahs..

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Monday, March 16, 2009

Just like in Paris

Dave had to work late tonight so Katie and I tried out the new crepe pan I bought over the weekend. Above, Katie is enjoying the fruits of her labor.
This is my crepe ready to slide on out and fill with Nutella and banana. Looks pretty good I think!

And here's the cook herself.
These photos are out of order, but the experienced crepe maker is showing me how its all in the wrist.

And how to add the batter!
And our filling of choice for dinner tonight (what a great Monday night meal!)
C'EST BON! TRES YUMMY!