Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Dreaming of Spring


I am back in Boston, where we are expecting a snow storm in the next couple of days. So it is a bit surreal, to be downloading these photos taken just last week in South Carolina. However, it does help with the dream of spring being right around the corner.






















Happy week everybody!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Spring in Charleston

I am lucky enough to be visiting Charleston, South Carolina this week. It seems that spring has already arrived here in February. This city is so beautiful & photogenic, that it is hard to know where to turn your camera. Here are a few photos, that I hope will convey the beauty of this colorful place.





































Friday, February 17, 2012

Béatrice Casadesus


Last summer, I saw an exhibition of the work of French artist, 



It was shown at the musée de Cahors Henri-Martin, in the lovely southwestern town of Cahor.


The exhibit featured the beautiful, etherial paintings of  Casadesus, as well as, her soft sculptures, of layers of hand dyed fabric.



There was also a short film, which I have included below, of her at work in her studio. I always enjoy seeing how other artists work, so I was intrigued by the way she achieved her deeply layered paintings. Especially interesting is that she uses bubble wrap to create her mysteriously beautiful images.




Although, the film is in French & is a bit long, it does, never the less, offer an interesting insight into the act of creation.

I hope it may provide a little bit of inspiration for a productive & creative weekend.


Happy Friday all!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

My Funny Valentine




This weekend I received an early Valentine. 


It was from my granddaughter Gracie, in anticipation of her dance recital.


Gracie was to be a Bluebird, in her ballet school's production of 
Snow White. 



On that night, no photos were allowed during the performance, which was fine with me, all the more time to relax & enjoy the show.




Backstage though, I was able to get a few shots of the little bluebirds, the youngest dancers in the troop, waiting in the wings with nerves  & excitement.





The cast & choreography were amazingly professional. Naturally the scene with the tiny dancing bluebirds was my favorite.


After the performance, each little bluebird had a chance to have her photo taken with the main cast members.


Here is our little Gracie with the lovely Snow White.


Finally, it was time to trade in her ballet slippers for her cowboy boots & head home, a job well done.


Happy Valentines Day 

Everyone!

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Laboring Over a Hot Stove


Although, we have had a pretty mild winter so far, it still is that time of year when one likes to spend afternoons in the kitchen cooking warm & nurturing foods.
Sometimes we forget how easy our lives have become over the decades. 
Here are a few photos that I took last summer of kitchens from days gone by.


This stove was probably the height of modern convenience when it was first installed in its  medieval castle. 


This stone cook top had burning embers below & pots that fit into the holes above.


 I believe that this large caldron in a vast fireplace, was used to boil water for laundry, which was then stirred with the pole to the right.


I loved this old bakers oven found in another medieval town. No longer in use, it does resemble pizza ovens of today.


This photo was taken in the home of a sculptor, who created the circular table in the foreground. He actually uses his fireplace to cook his meals, as they did when his house was first occupied in the middle ages.


The last two photos are of village bread ovens, where early villagers would bring their bread to be baked communally.


This one belongs to my neighbor in France, & is still used to bake the occasional pizza or fire roasted meal.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Family Outing


Sunday brunch with my family 



in honor of my turning sixty-five.



I can not think of a better way to celebrate


than being surrounded 


by the ones I love.


 Thanks everyone!!


Now on to the Super Bowl!

( ....just to be clear, I do not care about the Super Bowl... I will be taking a yoga class.... however, the rest of my family are very excited.)