Impressions of the Day

Song - Con te Partiro by Andrea Bocelli

Last Sunday Mr. B and I went to the Legion of Honor in San Francisco to see the Intimate Impressionism show from the National Gallery, Washington DC which they are remodeling.

Not Washington....but the Gallery.

Just thought I might have confused you there......

It was lovely and there were many great pieces but I did have a few favorites.

There are several pieces that I wanted to share with you....

The Artist's Sister at a Window by Berthe Morisot

The Artists Paint Box and Moss Roses by Edouard Vuillard

Sweeet!

Argenteuil by Claude Monet

Detail of Argenteuil 

Just look at those yummmmy colors!

Table Set in a Garden by Pierre Bonnard

I can just see myself sitting in that garden having a cup of tea.

The last two are probably my favorites because they are just so painterly!

Then Mr. B took me for coffee and cheesecake at Caffe Trieste because I have been commissioned to do a painting of the little coffee house and I needed some reference material.

And then I took Mr. B across the street to......

Church !

This is actually the Nuova Porziuncola at the National Shrine of Saint Francis and is a scaled replica of St. Francis's Porziuncola in Assisi, Italy.

As we were driving home, we both felt like we had a mini European vacation!

Without Chevy Chase!!!

"For it is in giving that we receive." --St. Francis of Assisi

If Aspen Trees Could Talk....

OK, OK, OK.  I know what you are thinking. 

Jeanette has gone off her rocker.

But just wait a minute.

Great eye, right?

After a month in the mountains without much to do but relax and enjoy nature, your mind gets to thinking.......

 

 

Confucius says......."sit back and enjoy a moment of silliness"

A surprised eye!!!

 

 

These two are joined at the hip!

One eyed man blowing smoke rings

Ancient Hieroglyphics

 

A Bear scratching tree

Everyone needs a hug now and then!

EYE see you two hugging over there!

"I see them hugging too, how about a big kiss?"

A one eyed alien critter attacks tree in Tahoe!

Take a hard left & go straight, until you come to a Y in the road

Somebody got a light?

Oh dear.  How did I get this stick in my forehead?

Ring around the rosy.....

Frankenstein or stitches?

Mom said she had to take my temperature before I can play

There is a bear with sharp claws in the forest

OK.  I know I'm not an Aspen BUT that's gotta hurt!

Home Sweet Home for mama & babies

Emerging From the Mountains

Song - Sugar Mountain by Neil Young

Lupine in a meadow near Fallen Leaf Lake

Mr. B, Mika and myself returned from the mountains on Friday evening.

An Evening Grossbeak

It felt like we were leaving too soon.

A female Tiger Swallowtail

After all, not everything on our list of activities had been done.

I mean we didn't even hike to Lemonade Lake or play Putt-Putt golf yet!!!!

"Mr. B can't we stay at least two more weeks?"

But I knew we had to leave, mostly because of several art commitments that I had in the Bay Area.

I cried a little.

My new "Electra"

Mr. B bought me a cruiser bike for my birthday and I had fun driving around the cabin.  At least until I had to go uphill.....without any gears.....so I ended up pushing Mika and my bike up the hills.  Andy and Mika took a spin over the weekend.

She looks like she is his co-pilot and on watch for bumps in the road!

Ashley chose to ride solo - It kinda makes you feel like a little kid again! Can't you just see it in her smile?

Butterflies were in abundance this year!

Now that I have settled in it is nice to be home and return to my own bed, my garden, friends and family but it's also quite a shock!

The clarity of Lake Tahoe near Zephyer Cove

Now the mountains at home are the mountains of laundry, dishes and "to do" lists!

Sunset from Sunnyside

As always, great memories of Tahoe!


I want to thank my parents and grandparents for having the foresight of treasuring this beautiful lake and spectacular wilderness!

            "How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains!"
         --John Muir


PS - Mama Robin had 4 babies while we were there.  She was a busy lady feeding her little ones!

Back in Paradise

For those of you that know me well, my home away from home is Lake Tahoe.  It is were I go to relax and rejuvenate!  It is a magical place for me and I dream about this special place weekly.

Upon arrival, I am greeted by a sweet little bear.  Must be the "year of the bear" for me!


Driving up the Forest Service road to the cabin, I delight in seeing this sign.

Because that is what I feel like when I am in the mountains!

And right next to the sign I see 8-10 rocks piled in a Zen like formation.

Perfect.

I unload the car and get the cabin all set up then head to the beach.  Still some snow on Mt. Tallac.

At the local bulletin board I check the annual bear sighting report.  There is one in the area....mmmm....

Glad Mr. B is joining me tonight!

There is a momma bird sitting on her nest right next to the deck.  Yesterday I was painting in that corner of the deck and she kept her eye on me the whole time.  Today I will set up farther away so as not to make her too anxious.

Mika likes to lay in the cool shady wildflowers and watch me paint.

Mr. B and I headed to the beach at stateline for breakfast yesterday and this was our view.

I'm in love....again!

When What to my Wondering Eyes did Appear?

Song - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

A TURTLE!

A turtle the size of a dinner plate.

Right in our backyard creek!

Mr. B and Andy spotted him several days ago and I caught my first glimpse of him yesterday but he plopped into the creek before I could get my camera.

Unfortunately he/she is not native to our creek, that would be a Western Pond Turtle.  Ours is a Red-eared Slider which is the kind of turtle you may have had as a child that is about the size of an Oreo cookie.  Someone must of released their pet into Las Trampas Creek at some point.

I think I'll name him Terry...........Terry Terrapin !



"Take a walk with a turtle.  And behold the world in pause." --Bruce Feiler