Dutch Treasures

In the flurry of getting ready for vacation, I forgot to post this layout I did with My Blue Holland by Maya de Groot Designs. I have such a soft spot in my heart for all things Dutch, like this collection of Delft treasures collected over the years, including my newest tulip vase snagged for a couple of dollars at the Savers thrift store.

 

But it is rather timely in that twice this month, I discovered another Dutch treasure, affectionately known as "the girl".

 

She is just so beautiful, this "Girl with the Pearl Earring" by Vermeer,  the painting wonderfully restored, the colors bright and fabulously complementary, the expression so enticing. Of course there are no photos allowed, so these images are from the huge signage outside the De Young museum. 

 

I had to go not once but twice to see this masterpiece.  And if I get another chance before June 2, I will go yet again.  In fact it was the girl that influenced me to finally join the De Young and Legion of Honor, these wonderful museums that bring incredible treasures to the Bay Area.

 

Painted Ladies

"You already have pictures of these houses".

"Not today I don't.  Not on this day at this time in this season".

Some painted ladies, I think on Belvedere Street, using Jen Maddocks Urban II.  Photos taken on Mother's Day May 12, 2013.

Edisto Sunsets

The sunsets were spectacular on Edisto Island.  Since we were staying on the west side of the island, it was a relatively short walk or bike ride to Beach Access 35 or 36  to witness this closing event of the day.  There were a total of I think 39 beach access point, starting with #1 at the eastern end of the island by the pier, and progressing every block or so, a nice public path through the houses, jungle and dunes to get to the beach.  At the end of many of the access points there was a bench, perfect for viewing the sunsets.

 

Scrapped with A Taste of Summer by Maya de Groot.

Week 19

In which we spent the entire week at the beach, on Edisto Island in South Carolina, a jewel of an island and beach.  I loved the pier, the beach, the shells, the sunsets...I loved this island!

Week 18

In which the goats came to town to start munching on the Silver Creek grasses, I made a trip to the beloved Sunnyvale Library to pick up copies of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, before our trip to the South, we traveled to NJ and got to experience the cherry blossoms in full bloom, then headed to South Carolina and Edisto Beach, where we shopped all week at the Piggly Wiggly.

Edisto Island

We took a bit of a chance, not sure what Edisto Island would be like. Well, I am happy to report that I love this little island. Only about 5 miles from end to end, with a beautiful set of beaches that face east, west and south, dunes, southern plantation style architecture, on stilts to avoid the high tides and waves of storms, and an attempt to be somewhat trendy.

There is also plenty of character here, and tons of shells!!

The pig logo is from the Piggly Wiggly, the lone grocery store on the island.  It had everything one could possibly want, and plenty of pork.

Natalie's Art

On Thursday night we attended Natalie's art show at her school, Lacordaire Academy in Montclair. 

 The theme of the show was identity, featuring numerous takes on self-portraits done by the students.

I love how proud and happy she looks, and especially love the black & white self-portrait, which so much shows her personality.  I can't wait for her visit in June.

NJ Impressions

Just a collection of sights and activities.  Oops, there is a cherry blossom tree, and a dogwood tree, and some cherry blossom petals fallen to the ground among some very healthy dandelions.  So these are old stories, but then there are a couple of new ones.

The woodpecker on the chimney cap, making a racket which reverberated through the house and down into the basement where I was trying to look for things to clean and straighten up.  We thought it might be something amiss with water pipes, but turned out to just be a bird.

Then there was the accomplishment of getting dad's grave site fixed up, so hopefully by the end of the summer there will be grass growing on the newly leveled ground.  This was such a good story, starting with the best intentions to get bags of dirt and grass seed at the nursery, and ending with the cemetery staff taking care of the whole thing for us.

And the final story...the ice-cream truck.  It's not a Good Humor truck as it was in my youth, yet still there is a daily drive-by of an ice-cream truck, playing a silly song to beckon kids to come and buy their after-dinner dessert.