Field Trip

I see Buddha everywhere. Gumps had a diverse selection. This Buddha is one of Coleman's faves.

I am so fortunate to be part of a wonderful community of metals artists, all at varying stages of our journey in metal craft. This Saturday I traveled with this group to San Francisco and Palo Alto to visit some galleries and shops who sell beautiful works by artist from around the country and world. Our first stop was Gumps in San Francisco. It's a department-type of store that carries one of a kind art alongside mass produced works. All very upscale, a bit overwhelming from a visual perspective - just soooo much to look at. As a group of metal artists, the jewelry department was pretty impressive. Yet, not really my cup of tea for a retail experience. Gumps also had some really amazing real bugs on display - groupings of the most remarkable looking insects (right image). Not sure where these bugs come from or how they are harvested. They are beautiful, though, and I suspended my usual reaction to just enjoy their colors and shapes.

I walked about with my friend Linda, and our second stop was Xanadu Gallery on Maiden Lane. This gallery is located in an historic Frank Loyd Wright building. From the location to the architecture we were embraced by this experience. This is a lane that is foot traffic only. Just beyond the doors of this gallery is a lovely Italian cafe which filled the air with a remarkably inviting aroma. I couldn't even tell you exactly what the smell was, just that it made me want to remain on that street. The gallery attendants were very friendly and warm. The work in this gallery ranged from ancient to contemporary and it was all quite something to look take in.

Next stop was Revere Academy on Market Street. I have been curious about this school for a while. So glad to have had to chance to meet the owner/jeweler himself, Alan Revere, some of his students and experience the space. They offer diplomas and focus on learning the technical skills through very specific projects. I find it compelling and repelling at once. Skills through a very specific set assignments would be liberating in one dimension. Not to worry about how artful or unique a piece is, just that the seams and joints are precise. However, one could conceivably accomplish similar skills by just making your own work, and a lot of it. It's all about practice, right? I think if I were to go back to the beginning, when I was fresh out of high school this would have been the perfect place for me to start. But I didn't know then how drawn I was to metal work. Ah, well, hind sight and all that...

The we hopped back onto the bus and drove to The Velvet DaVinci where we took in a lot of contemporary artists, mostly jewelers. Though, I was mostly moved by the small sculptures around the gallery. This is a wonderful gallery to visit.

When our time there was up we took the bus ride to Palo Alto to visit one of our own local artist's, Paul Cheney's installation piece at the Keen store on University Ave and then to De Novo Gallery. At this point my camera died and I don't have any images of this leg of the trip. The Keen store is worth a visit if you're in Palo Alto. Most of their display and furniture are made from post consumer waste - from the hoods of old VW bugs to 55 gallon metal drums - and they have some very clever display mechanisms for their shoes.

It was a great day! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend too.

Now, That's an EGG

This was a giant green egg produced by one of our Auracuanas. I didn't measure it, but that brown egg on the left was a super big egg too, the one on the right an average "large" egg. Inside this beauty were two really good sized yokes (cooked to perfection, I might add):
 

{this moment}

A Friday ritual. A single photo, a single moment to savor and share. 

inspired by soulemama.com

 

 

Eat: gluten & dairy free breakfast food

I've been trying to get back to my GF and DF diet of late. It's hard. You really need a plan when you change your diet so significantly while the rest of the crew (whom you prepare meals for) remains happily and blissfully gluten and dairy full. Breakfast is important, not for the usual reasons, but because it is important you don't start the day doing exactly what you don't want to do by having a latte and a piece of buttered toast (which is to say the very thing I do want). This little cereal mix is filling and with enough raisins is quite sweet - no refined sugar for me right now. You can use just about any nuts and dried fruit, I really like puffed rice and almonds so they are always in the mix for me. Coconut milk takes a bit of getting used to because it has a slightly thick consistency, but I've grown to enjoy it.

The other delish dish I enjoy in the morning can actually be eaten at any hour for any meal or even for a snack. It consists of Brown rice, avocado, almonds and salad dressing - olive oil and balsamic - and lots of black pepper. Pretty simple. Very easy.

What are you eating these days?

| memories |

Ah, summer always brings me back to being a kid. Do you remember being a kid? I have vague memories of my childhood. The memories I cherish most I cannot replicate for my children. I remember family gatherings at my Nana's house. Her backyard filled with her many children and their offspring. Swimming in that lovely blue pool of hers, diving off the diving board. Grampy always said there was a shark in the deep end and I figured I ought to be careful, so after diving I would swim as fast as I could into the shallow end or to the side and right out of the pool as quick as I could. I remember family surrounding me and lots and lots of love. I remember the love and simple warmth of being a part of something whole and wonderful.

This past weekend the boys camped out in the back yard with some friends. Roasted hot dogs and marshmallows over a fire. Stayed up late. Played video games. Rode their bikes at the bike park - after riding from a friend's house to the park! Swam in a big creek. Went to the movies and ate junk food and drank soda. I'm hoping these moments weave themselves into the fibers of their memories as precious ones and bring them as much joy remembering them as they had living them.

I hope everyone's summer is wonderful so far!

Horse Camp Pictures

Max finishing the egg race with the egg still in the spoon! He won!

Max's horse, Wave leans in for a hug.

At the end of the horse show we walked up the driveway and had a little picnic.

A blue ribbon for each camper.

Grateful: Special Places & Friends

There are many things to be grateful for each day. Every day I am grateful for the friendships we have forged here in this place we now call home (we've been in CA for 8 years!). I'm sure I've said before that it has been a stretch for me, outside of New England, being here on the west coast. It's rather like another country, we speak the same language, yes. But language is a funny thing. Just because you understand the words, doesn't necessarily mean you will understand the people. One thing is for certain, though when you push your own comfortable envelope, that's when you will have a chance to understand yourself better.

This weekend we had some of the boy's friends over for a sleepover and day adventure(s). One little trek we did was to The Garden of Eden in Felton. It's one of those magical places for walking and swimming and just plain being. I hope to get there a few times this summer with the boys and whoever else we can bring along for the adventure. But we'll have to leave Kitty home next time, no dogs allowed. So glad we missed the Ranger giving out tickets. I think they cost a couple hundred dollars these days. Indeed I would be able to engage more with the kids anyhow without worrying about Kitty who can't stand to be in the water.

Our First Week of Summer

This first week of summer the boys both launched right into summer camps. Max started his first week of horse camp where he takes natural horsemanship. He's one of four kids in the camp. I think it's just right for him, the number of kids and the number of hours, the horses...Coleman began a week long football camp at the college down the street from us. He's been just dying to play football and he's signed up for Pop Warner starting in August, but having had no experience I was very pleased to find this skills camp for him. He loves it. He's learning something he really enjoys.

As for me, I have begun to clean my studio out and I'm preparing to make some stuff. Hopefully to sell. I'll be starting the summer off with clay and from there who knows what materials I'll be using. I'm looking forward to my mum's visit this August!

Chris is working away in his office long hours this month. Though he has had the chance to go on a number of bike rides. Which he usually does, but the weather has been delightful.

Life is good. How about you guys?

Eat: Max's Blackberry Crumble

Max's Blackberry Crumble: It's what's for breakfast.

Ingredients

1 cup oats

1 cup all purpose flour

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup white sugar

2 sticks softened, salted butter

4 cups blackberries

juice of one lemon

Directions

Rinse blackberries.

In a 9 x 13 baking dish, combine blackberries and juice of one lemon. Set aside.

Mix together first four ingredients, then with your hands combine the dry ingredients and softened butter until a crumble forms.

Evenly cover the blackberries with the crumble mixture.

Place baking dish into a 375 degree oven for 40 minutes.

Let the Summer Begin!