Always on the Verge

Reflections and connections of a life-long learner.

Back to the Blog… and the tale of our trail to the grape.

 

DSCN1264Paso Robles, Round 1:  Weather pleasantly mild, accommodations comfortable, diversions aplenty. We started our adventure with a craft beer session at Firestone-Walker Brewery. It was Christmas Eve day and the staff was in a party mood. The pours were generous and when it came time to settle our tab it was clear that the server had either lost count or was literally going with the flow. A gift!  From there it was on to Sculpterra, a winery we had not visited before. It is a just a short drive west of town and the setting is spectacular due to the array of art installations. Take a gander at some of my favorites:

DSCN1266 DSCN1267 DSCN1271 DSCN1280 DSCN1278 DSCN1277 DSCN1281 DSCN1286 DSCN1292

But what about the wine?  I am happy to report that it was excellent; so good, in fact, that we joined one of their wine clubs. The line of wines – Viognier, Pinot Noir, Primitivo, and Cabernet Sauvignon –  is named “Heroe” (Spanish for hero) and is dedicated to the production workers. The labels on the bottles feature pictures of some of the workers themselves, and a portion of the profits are used to fund health clinics in areas of Mexico where many of the workers come from. Win-win-win.

Following our tasting at Sculpterra we were REALLY in need of lunch so we headed up the road to Cass Winery – a destination based on a local recommendation – to try their renowned food. While there I noticed a pole covered with birdhouses. On closer inspection, it turned out the “houses” were actually old shoes. How clever.

DSCN1296DSCN1298

One more winery – Tobin James – finished off our day. The wine there was good but not good enough to entice us to do another wine club thing. We did enjoy being served at the 1860’s Brunswick mahogany bar brought in from Missouri to help give the place a “James Gang” feel.

Pismo Beach: Timing was right for a stop at the Monarch Grove (migration is November – February). When we got there it was still a bit cool so our first sightings were of large clusters of butterflies hanging with wings tightly closed. As the sun warmed the area there was a gradual unfolding and lots of soaring. Park rangers had to place warnings on the ground requesting people to be careful where they stepped as many of the monarchs were making rest stops along the paths. It was quite a beautiful sight.

DSCN1309 DSCN1305

Solvang/Santa Ynez Valley: On a previous excursion to SoCal we intended to visit Solvang, noted for being the Danish capital of the United States. It didn’t happen then, so made a point of taking a day trip to check it out. Whoa – who would have thought the place would be so popular? It was Disneyland-on-a-school-holiday busy. But we did manage a Danish lunch, a short bit of walking, and a visit to a “I want one of everything on the shelves” bakery. Using uncharacteristic self-control I purchased only one small pastry to enjoy while we were traveling and a breakfast treat for the following morning. Both were as delicious as they looked. This doesn’t always happen (think Mexican sweet rolls~).

20151226_113442

Leaving Solvang we made our way back north through the valley to stop at a variety of vineyards. We made 5-6 stops. (Funny how that number blurs after a while…) Tasted a number of Pinots but none were intriguing enough for us to purchase. One of the best parts of the day was enjoying the beautiful views.

DSCN1319

DSCN1331

Paso Robles, Part 2: Since we went east on our first round of tastings we headed west for the second round. We revisited a favorite: Villacana Winery and Re-Fined, their distillery operation. Still (pardon the pun) as good as we remembered. Next up was Halter Ranch, with its historic buildings, and then Whalebone Vineyards, where we HAD to buy a bottle of their “flagship” wine, Bob; we also spotted the vineyard cat nestled in the souvenir sweatshirt display.

DSCN1330

DSCN1343

Our route then took us to Pasolivo, an olive oil company, where we had tastings of both regular and flavored oils along with seasonings and salts. Wonderful – so wonderful that a tin of basil oil and a container of Dukkah made their way into our shopping basket. Following that stop was Limerock Orchards to taste walnuts and oils. Once again, our palates were smitten and we made purchases of walnut oil and a bottle of Asian-spiced vinegar (a bit hot, and just a tad sweet). Time for lunch, so we settled on Opolo vineyards.

20151228_145217

The afternoon was complete with a stop at Turley, another favorite, where Bob treated himself to a couple of bottles of their old vine Zinfandel while I went for the salt cellar made from olive wood; then on to Rotta, the oldest vineyard in the area, established in 1908.

San Rafael: No wineries at this location, but that didn’t stop us from finding something great to drink. We used the Internet to guide us to a Happy Hour location and got lucky.  If you are ever in that area on a Wednesday, head for Brick and Barrel. Happy Hour not only has delicious, reasonably priced, and generously-sized appetizers; but all bottled wine is half price. We were with our friend, Denise, who is a former science teacher; so our choice of wine was spot-on: Consilience (in science, refers to the principle that evidence from unrelated sources can converge to strong conclusions). As evidenced by our empty bottle at the end of the evening, we concluded it was a very good wine.

20151230_162605

St. Helena: Joined forever friends, Mark and Trudy, for an afternoon of wine tasting and New Year’s Eve dinner. We met at Hall/Napa, which they had not been to, just so they could see the beautiful grounds. (I wrote about Hall in a post last year…) Then it was into town to taste at Clif, not a vineyard but a tasting room for wines they make elsewhere. Remarkably good. Yup, you guessed it – another wine club.

20151231_140240

Next it was up the road to Markham and finally Mumm/Napa. Mumm is our favorite tasting room of all time. It doesn’t hurt that my drink of choice is champagne. The whole place was in a festive mood with party favors being shared (hats and horns) and extra pours with the tastings. It was a perfect way to conclude our journey and the final day of 2015.

20151231_170043

What Happened Last Night

20150724_123424July means Reno is celebrating Artown, and of all the amazing cultural offerings (500+!), the Midtown Art Walk is one of the best. Last night the streets were crowded with people out to enjoy the music, food, beverages (adult and otherwise), and exhibits. This year more than 90 merchants and close to 100 artists contributed to the event. One of the best features on the walk this year was the People Project. Over 50 life-size statures were placed throughout Midtown.  Local artists “dressed” them to reflect the various businesses that they adorned.

Here are a few that caught my eye:

20150723_174208

20150723_174334

20150723_174352

20150723_174422

20150723_174859

20150723_175515

20150723_180749

20150723_202121

20150723_202250

20150723_202349

20150723_202845

Overall, a lovely evening...
Overall, a lovely evening…

CA + Bday = F x 3

DSCN1224

An equation for a fabulous celebration: California (CA) on my birthday (Bday) was filled with family (F), friends (F), and food (F).  Actually the formula probably should read CA + Bday = F x 4 as there was so many food opportunities.

DSCN1183
My Bob found us a great VRBO rental in Rockridge (in the Oakland hills), within walking distance of a Bart station. Very handy for our trip to the Oakland A’s game. It was also convenient for jumping on the freeway to get to the west side of the bay and over to wine country.

On our first evening we headed into San Francisco to meet up with family and especially to get in some cuddle time with my niece’s new babe. Dare I say he is a perfect child?  Yes, he is. Walked from their near The Embarcadero digs to a fabulous restaurant, Fog City.  As my sister had been before she guided us through the menu and made some incredible selections.  I would let her take me anywhere…

On my actual birthday we took in a baseball game.  My sons surprised me with a birthday greeting on the big screen.  Found out that the money from the sign purchase goes to the A’s outreach program for local youth. A’s didn’t win the game (in fact we witnessed some pretty hapless playing), but the kids who benefit from the fund will be winners. Weather was a bit chilly by the latter part of the game so we were happy to retire to the club area for burgers along with a nice view of the game from behind glass.

While in Rockridge we did some window shopping (quirky little retail area within easy walking distance from our VRBO; when is the last time you saw 3 independent book stores in a 5 block area?) and one evening we headed for Tomatina’s in San Mateo for dinner with dear friends from the coastside. Then on to St. Helena to reunite with a former colleague/friend/one of my favorite people.

DSCN1184
Dining alfresco under an enormous and breathtaking fig tree at Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen.

Following lunch we stopped at Markham Winery, mainly to see the latest art installation: “iPhonic art” – all photographs taken and processed with i Phones; and a retrospective of Rolling Stone covers by Baron Wolman. And you can be sure we did not skip the wine tasting.

DSCN1186
Koi pond on entrance patio of Markham Winery.
Before leaving wine country we made a recommended stop (thanks, Denise!) to look at a winery that is as much about art as it is about wine.
Before leaving wine country we made a recommended stop at Hall Napa Valley (thanks, Denise!) to look at a winery that is as much about art as it is about wine.
DSCN1189
Camel contemplating the eye of a needle. Religious interpretations abound…
DSCN1195
Interestingly enough, a vine sculpture was in Northern Virginia when we visited there about a month ago. A new genre? Same artist?
DSCN1191
Note the signs in this and the following photo. Love a bit of wry humor.

DSCN1199

DSCN1212
After walking around the gardens we headed indoors. The building itself is a work of art.

DSCN1215

DSCN1204
And of course more art to be appreciated within.
DSCN1205
Sign that accompanies the above.

DSCN1208

DSCN1220
Whoever would have though that bedazzled sweaters would have a second life?
DSCN1210
Look closely, the weaving is made from newspaper rolled and dyed red (the weft – horizontal) and assorted fiber (the warp – vertical).
DSCN1221
A Tesla charging station. With the battery production facility being built in Reno, this made my heart flutter with pride.
DSCN1227
Decked out for the holiday. Happy 4th, everyone!!

 

Washington D.C. Dichotomy: Modern and Ancient

DSCN1138It was warm and humid, but that did not stop us from getting in some great adventuring in “the District” during our recent visit back East.  But, since time was limited, we decided to go for a robust mix: modern at Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Gallery and ancient (Asian) at Freer and Sackler Galleries.  Here are some highlights:

DSCN1098
Not sure how this all applies to “form follows function”, but the exhibits were a delight to look at.
DSCN1108
I think the shadows are a large part of the interest with this piece.

DSCN1100

DSCN1094
Hirshhorn is circular and exhibits are “in the round” throughout the hallways as well as in separate rooms. The scrim that hangs behind this sculpture gives a peak at the building on the opposite side of the central court.
DSCN1105
This one captured my attention for quite a while. By looking through the globes from different angles the view changed in intriguing ways. The next photo is a close up of that effect.
DSCN1106
Pretty cool, huh!?!
My favorite piece.  This sculpture took up an entire room and you could wander around among the hanging appendages. The next photo is a close up of the materials used to create this beauty.
My favorite piece in this section. The sculpture took up an entire room and you could wander around among the hanging appendages. The next photo is a close up of the materials used to create this beauty – netting and styrofoam balls.  A new twist on the bean bag chair?

DSCN1102

DSCN1104
Though most of the items in this section were sculpture, this one was a painting. It definitely fits the title of the exhibit: speculative forms.
DSCN1125
Still within Hirschhorn, we were very moved by this amazing display. The images, videos, and audio clips were an examination of “women’s experience with power and identity in the Islamic world and particularly in Neshat’s home country of Iran, where she lived until 1975.”

DSCN1116

DSCN1119

DSCN1123

By far the most moving image for me was this interconnection of adult and children's hands. Aside from the artist's image, I liked the way this photo captured the people at the gallery admiring the exhibit.
By far the most moving image for me was this interconnection of adults’ and children’s hands. Aside from the artist’s image, I liked the way this photo captured the people at the gallery admiring the exhibit.
DSCN1126
Down the escalator we go…
And through a series of black light installations.
And through a series of black light installations… as we made our way to the gift shop, a required stop for all museum visits.

At this point our visit was abbreviated because there was a security evacuation. It was actually quite interesting and a first-time experience for us. Most visitors to the museum looked around waiting to be told what to do (though, in addition to a piercing siren and flashing lights, the system was sending out a loud message to exit the building), some visitors seemed to be ignoring it and even going about their gift shopping, and the guards were in various states of moving about quickly even if a bit flustered, trying to determine how to put all of those protocols they have been practicing into use.  (In an ironic twist, my Bob has just mentioned that being a guard in a museum had to be on of the most boring jobs in the world…)  We were good citizens and left the building promptly but we did see an opportunity to go across the street to the Sculpture Garden.  That lasted only a short time because the evacuation area was extended and they cleared a full city block.  I read in the WA Post the next day that there was a suspicious power outage in select government buildings and they wanted to be sure there was no outside threat.  Nope – just the usual suspect: PEPCO, the local utility company.

A few of the sculptures I managed to capture before we were asked to move along:

DSCN1140

DSCN1135

DSCN1136
If you recognize this sculpture it may be because I used a close-up of it at the the beginning of this post. I have been informally collecting images of full-figured women. Not sure why just yet, but they have an appeal.
DSCN1141
A number of the Smithsonian buildings have been refurbished recently. This one, the Arts and Industries Building, is still getting its landscaping, but how lovely it looks.
On to Fleer/Sackler.  The magnolia tree out front is in full bloom.  If you go through the entrance you see there is a wonderful underground building filled with classrooms and tiny exhibits.
On our way from the excitement at the Hirshhorn to the Fleer/Sackler we passed by a magnolia tree in gloriously full bloom. To the right of the magnolia, under the copper done, is the entrance to the Ripley Center.  After you go through the entrance you head down to a  wonderful underground building filled with classrooms and small traveling exhibits. I was fortunate to take a design class there a few years ago.  What a setting for learning and inspiring creativity!
This lovely flower arrangement greeted us as we came into the foyer of the Freer. The building and the way it is appointed is as intriguing as the exhibits.
This grand flower arrangement greeted us as we came into the foyer of the Freer. The building and the way it is appointed is as intriguing as the exhibits. Behind the window you can see the gardens which are enclosed by the 4-sided building.
One of the main attractions of the Freer is the Peacock Room.  Charles Lang Freer had this room built into his Detroit home as a place to showcase and display his vast collection of pots from various countries. This room has been reconstructed in the museum and features deep green walls with gold embellishments. The photo does not fully capture the beauty as the room is kept dark to preserve the interior colorations.  However, if you are lucky, you can go online and find out which days and which hours they open the shutters.
One of the main attractions of the Freer is the Peacock Room. Charles Lang Freer had this room built into his Detroit home as a place to showcase and display his vast collection of pots from various countries. This room has been reconstructed in the museum and features deep green walls with gold embellishments. The photo does not fully capture the beauty as the room is kept dark to preserve the interior colorations. However, if you are really intent on seeing this room in its full glory, you can go online and find out which days and which hours they open the shutters.

20150528_153446

Though this is a tool, the beauty of the stone used to make it is what caught my eye.
Though this is a tool, the beauty of the stone used to make it is what caught my eye as did the material and shapes below.

DSCN1150

Since our time at the mall was cut short we decided to tuck into a cool spot – an air-conditioned movie – in one of our favorite venues: E Street Theater. To compliment our art-based agenda we saw The Woman in Gold and highly recommend it. I do not, however, recommend using the attached parking garage (though finding street parking is neigh on to impossible; gotta love DC).  We paid $25 for our 2 hour stay; more than we paid for our movie tickets. Yikes. On the other hand, if we had chosen to use the Metro, which I actually prefer and have had great experiences with, we would have spent about that same amount to park and ride. Life in the big city…

Unless it’s Reno: the biggest little city. Glad to be home.

Baby Quilts and Blankets; oh my!

20150523_145619

Seems like there are a lot of people I know that are having babies right now.  Just today I finished putting the binding on a third baby quilt; and I have one more to make.  Also finished a knitted blanket and have made good headway on a second. Favorite part: choosing the fabrics. Love to come up with something personal for each family.

Quilt #1 - started with the elephant fabric and went on a hunt for fun coordinates from there. The back on this is a light fleece that is meant to inspire sweet dreams.
Quilt #1 – started with the elephant fabric and went on a hunt for fun coordinates. The back on this is a light fleece that is meant to inspire sweet dreams.
Quilt #2 - Totally love the pink black combo. Actually, the first fabrics selected were the pink flowers, and black/white polka dots. But my true love is the toile on back.  I would have toile in every room in my house if I could get away with it.
Quilt #2 – Totally love the pink black combo. Actually, the first fabrics selected were the hot pink with black and orange flowers, and the black/white polka dots. (Who doesn’t love polka dots?!?) But my true love is the toile on back. I would have toile in every room in my house if I could get away with it.
Quilt #3 - This is a special request quilt for a friend to gift to a coming great-grandchild.  I chose the dogs to honor the giver who fosters pups and the back is covered with stars because the little guy will be named Orion.
Quilt #3 – This is a special request quilt for a friend to gift to a coming great-grandchild. I chose the dogs to honor the giver who fosters pups and the back is covered with stars because the little guy will be named Orion.  
Love the pattern of this blanket.  This is the yarn I wrote about in an earlier post - the stuff I got when the guy at the yarn store kept trying to sell me pastels. So glad I went with this.  I think it makes a sophisticated statement and will not have to be packed away with outgrown baby clothes.
Really pleased with the pattern of this blanket. This is the yarn I wrote about in an earlier post – the stuff I got when the guy at the yarn store kept trying to sell me pastels. So glad I went with this. I think it makes a sophisticated statement and will not have to be packed away with outgrown baby clothes.
Spur of the moment creation.  We received the burlap tote as a welcome gift at a wedding we attended recently.  The blank canvas of it kept nagging at me so I decided to experiment.  One Sharpie and eight buttons later I had this.
Spur of the moment creation. We received the burlap tote as a welcome gift at a wedding we attended recently. The blank canvas of it kept nagging at me so I decided to experiment. One Sharpie and eight buttons later I had this.  Peeking out from the top of the tote is the next baby blanket I am knitting. 

Sculpture Fest

A beautiful day in Reno! Took a walk to view the installations at the first annual Sculpture Fest. Here are a few of my favorites. Enjoy!

People posted messages on all sides of this piece.
People posted messages on all sides of this piece.

DSCN0966

DSCN0973

DSCN0970

DSCN0971

DSCN0978
We watched them removing the “BELIEVE” sculpture. What a job…
DSCN0979
Love that the boat’s license plate says “classic vehicle”. Guess that is a bit of a stretch on the definition of classic.

Visiting a Shrine of the Muses

Museum: Shrine of the Muses; a place for inspiration and education; holds and preserves items of value; encourages the study of objects of scientific, artistic or historical interest.

Saturday started off in a spectacular fashion.  As a volunteer for Historical Reno Preservation Society (HRPS) I was invited to join a small group of fellow history lovers for a private tour of University of Nevada Reno’s Mackay School of Mines, and more especially the Keck Museum. By the end of the morning my head was bursting with new information and admiration. Our guide, Garrett Barmor; museum administrator, started us off outdoors at the foot of the statue of John Mackay, one of the big four magnates of the Comstock Lode.

Mackay's statue was created by Gutzon Borglum, the sculptor who also gave us Mt. Rushmore.
Mackay’s statue was created by Gutzon Borglum, the sculptor who also gave us Mt. Rushmore.  The building design was done by a New York City firm (one of its partners was Stanford  White – more about this connection coming in the next photo) and intentionally reflected East Coast campuses as the desire was to make UNR an institution of similar standing and reputation. Later work to expand the size of the building was done by Fredrick Delongchamps, a well-known Reno architect, and the upper floor reading room (window on upper right of picture, below Mackay’s elbow) has furniture made by Frank Lloyd Wright.  The building is an excellent example of adaptive reuse and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
It anyone notices a resemblance to the University of Virginia, you would be correct.  White designed the quad at UNR to replicate "The Lawn", UVA's beloved campus centerpiece.
If anyone notices a resemblance to the University of Virginia, you would be correct. The quad was designed by Stanford White, the architect responsible for Madison Square Garden, the Washington Square Arch, and Boston Public Library – to name a few. White’s plan for the area was based on “The Lawn”, UVA’s much-admired campus centerpiece. White also designed Cocke, Rouse, and Old Cabel on the UVA campus.  The Mackay building matches those in style.
A map of early North America show that Reno once boasted ocean-front property. Our state fossil is the Ichthyosaur, a predatory marine mammal.  NOTE: the Ichthyosaur is NOT a dinosaur.  It does not have the correct hip structure to be classified as such; it was a swimmer and did not "walk like a chicken". Further trivia: G
A map of early North America shows that Reno once boasted ocean-front property. That makes it easier to understand how the Ichthyosaur, a predatory marine mammal, was named our state fossil. NOTE: the Ichthyosaur is NOT a dinosaur. It does not have the correct hip structure to be classified as such; it was a swimmer and did not “walk like a chicken”. Further trivia: Great Basin Brewing Company and Nevada’s oldest craft brewer named it’s inaugural brew Ichthyosaur.  It is known around town as an “Ichy”.
20150418_100800
This photo and the one below show displays on the upper level of the museum. The cases are original as is the wood floor.  Along with fossil specimens, the museum features mining and ore exhibits plus mining related relics and old Nevada photographs.  The Keck is the second oldest museum in Nevada.  (Though some would argue that it is the oldest.  The Nevada Historical Society was founded first, but the Keck was the first to actually serve as a working museum.)

20150418_100742

 

20150418_102002
This map was created for the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, also known as the World’s Columbian Exposition. (BTW: Stanford White was a major figure in the architectural undertakings at that extravaganza.) Data for the map was collected with transits, levels and compasses – no modern equipment for those folks. The map was formed and painted by hand. Contrary to the feel as we drive those long expanses between Las Vegas and Reno (going North-South) or between Wendover and Reno (going East-West) I learned that Nevada is the most mountainous state in the US. (That pairs up with another jaw-dropping fact I recently learned: Nevada is the 3rd most urban state, behind California and New York. Wonders never cease…)

A few photos of the beautiful lines and shadows within the building:

20150418_100808

20150418_105352

20150418_105330
As you look up the wall you can tell by the color change in the bricks where additions were made to the height of the room.

One of the most voluptuous displays is in the lower level of the museum: the Mackay silver.  John Mackay had this made as a gift for his wife.  The work was done by Tiffany’s, and they also designed a custom monogram.  Interestingly enough, the monogram is the same font Tiffany’s used for the New York Yankees logo.

20150418_103004

And how many melon knives are in your silver service???
And how many melon eaters are in your silver service??? In addition to this gold vermeiled set there was another one in “just” silver. Vermeiled means that 24K gold was poured over the silver.  No plain old gold plate for the Mackays.
And what evening is complete without cigars?
And what evening is complete without cigars?

On the the lowest level, which is actually housed within the foundation, we were fortunate to get to tour an area that is closed to the general public.  There we got to see the seismic isolators that were installed to insure the preservation of the original building in the event of an earthquake.  At one time the building was shut down because it did not pass earthquake standards.  It was slated to be razed, but locals (largely HRPS) rallied to encourage the Nevada Board of Regents to find a way to retrofit the structure and make it usable once again. They did!

20150418_104237
Between the red disks are balls that allow the building to move up to one foot in any direction. More precisely, they allow the building to “float” while the earth moves.
20150418_103959
These devices allow the building to accommodate wave motions.

For those of you in Reno, UNR is holding “Day at the Museums” on May 2, 2015. All eleven of the school’s museums will be open. Most are free admission and there will be hands on activities, scavenger hunts, food trucks, and special offerings for kids. For those of you outside of the area here is a link with more information: http://www.unr.edu/keck.  Enjoy!

Austin: Two Ways

First way: as tourists.

Since this was our first opportunity to check out this much-talked about city, we consulted travel sites, talked to current and former Texans and settled on an itinerary that included their top suggestions and also appealed to us.  We were fortunate to have friends join us for what I believe was one of the best days of sightseeing (because we were with them – thanks, Nick & Robin!).

Our day began at the LBJ Library.  It was very well curated. They did a wonderful job putting events in context and did not shy away from the controversial or unpopular aspects of Johnson’s life and tenure as president.

Upon entering the library you come upon this beautiful staircase.
Upon entering the library you come upon this beautiful staircase.
Going up the stairs you can see the stories of library materials.  I liked that they made the reference area a visual point of interest.
Going up the stairs you can see the tiers of library materials – 4 floors of them. I liked that they made the reference area a visual point of interest.
Faces done in metal at the top of the staircase.
More faces…and a classic smile from HST.
They had what I used to call in teaching a "synchronoptic  timeline". It shows a number of events that occur during the same time frame. It was one of the things that helped put events in context.
When I was teaching I like assigning my history students the task of creating a “synchronoptic timeline”. It shows a number of events that occur during the same time frame. The library had one, and It was one of the things that helped put events in context. Wonder what else happened in 1951???
An example of the displays. On the posts were telephones (the old fashioned kind) that were titled "Hold for the President".  You could push various buttons and listen to actual conversations that LBJ had with his professional colleagues. Most of the time it was LBJ doing the talking - and holding little back...until you listened to his conversations with Lady Bird.  Then you hear mostly her voice and his reply of  "Yes, Ma'am." It was delightfully striking.
An example of the displays. On the posts (the sides you cannot see, unfortunately) were telephones (the old fashioned kind: black with hand sets and rotary dials) that were titled “Hold for the President”. You could push various buttons and listen to actual conversations that LBJ had with his professional colleagues. Most of the time it was LBJ doing the talking – and holding little back…until you listened to his conversations with Lady Bird. Then you hear mostly her voice and his reply of “Yes, Ma’am.” It was delightfully striking.

After time at the museum gift shop we followed a recommendation from a LBJ Library staffer and headed to Hoover’s for barbecue – a natural choice for Texas dining. It is a local spot and quite popular. The creamed spinach with jalapeños was a unique side dish.

After lunch we went over to the University of Texas campus to go through the Blanton Museum of Art.  They had an outstanding exhibit titled “Art and Civil Rights in the Sixties”. It was a perfect companion event to the LBJ.  No photos were allowed in that set of galleries so I have nothing to show in the blog.  You will have to take my word for it: Fabulous!!!

Art gallery corner stairs
The lobby is a work of art in itself.
Another view of the lobby. I took way too many photos here because from every angle it is stunning.
Another view of the lobby. I took way too many photos here because from every angle it is stunning.
A taste of my favorites in the contemporary section.
A “taste” of my favorites in the contemporary section.

art - knotted cloth

art - spikes
The photo doesn’t show the dimensionality of this piece. It is made of canvas, wood and steel.

We followed up our museum visits with a walk along South Congress Street, called SoCo by locals. It is a very hip area and the weather was perfect for window shopping, a purchase of locally roasted coffee from Tom’s, and happy hour at “The Snack Bar”.

B&C @ bar

A sign too good to pass up.
A sign too good to pass up. Food trucks and trailers can be seen everywhere. It is a main form of dining throughout Austin and especially SoCo.

We ended the day with a late dinner at Stubb’s – another barbecue restaurant.  We got there at 9p and the joint was jumping’. We were lucky to get a table.  I recommend the beef brisket. Servings are generous and I was able to take some home to enjoy with our breakfast eggs.

Second way: a wedding and time with family.

We stayed in a VRBO and had a car, so were happy to provide transportation for arrivals.  Picked up son, Alex, and daughter-in-law, Melissa, from their morning flight and went directly to breakfast at Magnolia Cafe. It was on our list of recommended restaurants, and those folks were spot-on.  Since A & M couldn’t get into their lodgings until later that day we went out to see the Lady Bird Wildflower Center.  (I must say they were troopers – straight from a VERY early flight to sightseeing.) In spite of the intermittent showers we got to see some interesting flora and fauna.

wildflower sign

 

We were greeted by Sophia,  the owl who has made the Wildflower Center her home.  She and her mate have nested here for five years.  We were lucky to see her away during the daytime.
We were greeted by Sophia, the owl who has made the Wildflower Center her home. She and her mate have nested here for five years. We were lucky to see her awake during the daytime.
The gardens had a maze of paths and overlooks.
The gardens had a maze of paths and overlooks.
Thought the sign had an interesting warning.
Thought the sign had an interesting warning.
At last! The bluebells.  They were blooming everywhere.
At last! The bluebonnets – Texas’s state flower. They were blooming everywhere.
And the interplay of cactus flowering among the daisies was charming.
And the interplay of cactus flowering among the daisies was charming.
View from the tower overlook.
View from the tower overlook.

That evening, after a Happy Hour at The Four Seasons, we went out to dinner.  Happily, it had stopped raining and we were able to enjoy outdoor seating at a quirky restaurant called Fabi + Rosi.  It bills itself as a neighborhood restaurant offering European dining. We loved it!

fabi +rosi menu

And then the wedding itself.  The bride (who was marrying Melissa’s brother) had chosen a unique location – a ranch about 22 miles outside of Austin. How her planners got everything coordinated was nothing short of amazing. They actually created the entire venue in a pasture, even cutting a road for the shuttles that delivered the guests.

The tent where we dined.
The tent where we dined.
Cocktails following the ceremony.
Cocktails following the ceremony. Note the silver structure to the right: the rest room facilities; very well appointed. The tent to the far right is the staging area for food and beverage service.
The place settings were beautiful.  We each had our own blossom of butter!
The place settings were beautiful. We each had our own blossom of butter! The silver napkin rings were an assortment of styles.  The gave the setting a bit of unusual elegance.
Centerpieces were a variety of white flowers, arranged asymmetrically; felt lovely and organic.
Centerpieces were a variety of white flowers, arranged asymmetrically; felt lovely and organic.

And now we are back home thinking about our next outing: Virginia in May.  Another wedding, gatherings with friends, and helping Alex and Melissa move into their new home. The beat goes on…

What a Week!

It is Spring Break, and that means less encumbered days (no Kindergarten duties) and more time to tend to the various creative undertakings I have on my plate.  The week started delightfully with a Sunday afternoon class at Reno Bead Shop.  I am not a serious jewelry maker (though I do love my fabric beads) but have been yearning to learn more about wire wrapping so I could do a wider range of embellishing. Five students of various skill levels (me being the least experienced) gathered round as the teacher had us snipping silver wire, choosing stones, and – in my case – looking around frantically for which tool to use. I was reminded once again of how critical a good teacher is to a student’s success. Easy sounding instructions: “Hold the three long strands of wire parallel to each other. Now, using one of the short wire pieces you have cut, wrap the wire around the strands held parallel being careful to not let the parallel wires overlap each other. On each rotation use your tools to squeeze the wire closely around the strands and then crimp it to make a square.” Huh?!? I was gripping those wires so tightly that my hands were shaking. And having the teacher say it was not about perfection did not help.  I wasn’t aiming for perfection; just completion. But after a few false starts and some heartfelt encouragement and guidance from our instructor I did get the hang of it.  (Another student next to me, and a seasoned jewelry maker, thought we were using wire that was too thick. Thinner would have been easier, but it kinks more. I will keep that advice under my hat for when I do this on my own.) By the time I was done I had a finished product that pleased me enough to put it on a chain and wear it out in public that very evening.

Rose quartz, a stone of the heart that represents the feminine energy of compassion and peace.  Jade beads, which are thought to bless whomever they touch and to also encourage creativity. And a single pearl, my birthstone.
Rose quartz, a stone of the heart that represents the feminine energy of compassion and peace. Jade beads, which are thought to bless whomever they touch and to also encourage creativity. And a single pearl, my birthstone.

Being the first week of the month, it was also time for my Creative Connections group to meet.  Our challenge for this session was about stretching.  We were to make something we had never made before, or use a technique we had never tried before, or both. I had recently viewed a tutorial that showed a quilt-as-you-go lined bag made with a new product called In-R-Form.  Since I had this inviting roll of 2-1/2″ strips at hand I decided I would make the bag. It sewed up very quickly.  I like the way the In-R-Form keeps the bag stiff enough to stand up on its own.  I can see this as a perfect knitting bag. The balls of yarn will roll happily around as I pull the strands into my project and they won’t jump out or get tangled,

20150403_170848
The fabric has a tribal motif. I added pockets to the lining so I could bring along knitting accessories – tape measure, row counters, markers, etc.

This project was also a practice for the yoga bag I want to make.  The one I am carrying now is an embarrassment. I can only get away with using it as yoga types are so nonjudgemental and understanding. But they may be wondering how I even keep all my stuff inside as it looks as if the bottom is ready to drop out. BTW: the Creative Connections group liked the information on the In-R-Form, which only one person had heard of.  Nice to share something truly new, and it is payback for all of the wonderful ideas and insights I have gotten from other group members.

And I almost forgot; while sewing the handles of the bag I encountered a glitch with my new sewing machine.  The bobbin thread was getting tangled and the automatic thread cutter was not working correctly.  When it happened my heart sank.  How could my new machine be giving me trouble? I was having flashbacks of a former machine that was a mechanical nightmare. I took a deep breath and walked away.  When I was less put out I sat back down and did what could only be called the unthinkable: I got out my tools and dove into the workings of the machine to investigate. I didn’t have to look very long, fortunately, because I spied the problem (a small tangle of thread had gotten caught in the arm of the thread cutter). Now my heart wasn’t sinking but soaring.  Love that feeling of having gone into the unknown and come out wiser than when I started; a real confidence builder.  But…I don’t want to be doing any machine repair for a long time.

Our next month’s challenge for Creative Connections it to make something from the silk scraps we were “gifted” with at the last meeting. I contemplated and have decided that I will resurrect a couple of the felted bags I made during my Virginia purse binge and use the silk to make linings for them.  I think it will be just what they need to get them to completion.

20150403_171355

Speaking of challenges, I was surprised to get one I had asked for but really didn’t expect to get. (Be careful what you wish for???) The Modern Quilt Guild, of which I am a member, does an annual fabric challenge.  If you are chosen you have to

  • make something fantastic that is quilted.
  • make something you have never made before.
  • challenge yourself to learn something new.
  • use only the line of fabrics that is given to you.

It sounds very similar to the Creative Connections challenge, but with multiple constraints.  I have received my “inspiration” samples and been busy collecting ideas for what to make.  One of the members of my knitting group turned me onto a great book that got the juices flowing. The author is an amazing quilter and does her piecing without a ruler.  This is so unlike most “quilter thinking” that I think I just have to try it.

The inspiration pieces and the book I am using to guide me.  I like the color palette and am free to add more solids and patterns as long as they come from the same fabric line.
The inspiration pieces and the book I am using to advise my creative journey. I like the color palette and am free to add more solids and patterns as long as they come from the same fabric line.

With all of that going on I have also had some time to make progress on other projects:

Sleeve #1 of the cabled aran cardigan I wrote about in an earlier post.  This thing was started and "unknit" twice before I got a sleeve that looked like it was supposed to and was the correct size.
Sleeve #1 of the cabled aran cardigan I wrote about in an earlier post. This thing was started and “unknit” twice before I got a sleeve that looked like it was supposed to and was the correct size.
Top of a baby quilt all ready for batting and backing.
Top of a baby quilt all ready for batting and backing. Sorry about the unfocused photo.  The ones I take of the finished project will be better!
Going out of the box a bit for the thread choice on the baby quilt.  Was going to do gray as the stitches seem to disappear nicely, but then this spool of variegated thread spoke to me.
Going out of the box a bit for the thread choice on the baby quilt. Was going to do gray as the stitches seem to disappear nicely, but then this spool of variegated thread spoke to me.
Since we will soon be traveling I needed a "social knitting" project - one that does not require my complete attention.  The cabled aran sweater wouldn't do.  So I made a trip to our local yarn shop and brought home two sets of yarns for baby blankets. I know there will always be a sweet little one I can gift them to.
Since we will soon be traveling I needed an undemanding on-the-move project; one that does not require my complete attention and can be picked up and put down without having to reorient myself to an intricate pattern. The cabled aran sweater wouldn’t do. So I made a trip to our local yarn shop and brought home two sets of yarns for baby blankets. I know there will always be a sweet little one I can gift them to. The guy at the yarn shop kept trying to get me to use pastels – particularly yellow and green as the sex of the baby is not known  I patiently explained to him that sometimes it is nice to give a baby gift that can be used on into childhood.  He smiled and nodded, but I knew he wasn’t convinced.

And finally, while shopping with a friend I saw a pillow that definitely needed to brought home and put on the kitchen banquette.  Every time I see it I start to sing.  When you read it you will understand:

20150403_171736