WINDING THROUGH WINE COUNTRY

Can't tell you how many times since living in San Diego; which by the way has been 3 years now, that we have had people say, "What? You haven' been to Paso Robles yet"? You can only hear that comment so many times before you finally say, "Fine then. Twist our arms." So we ended up staying at the coolest cottage on an olive orchard and roaming the countryside taking hundreds of photos, visiting wineries, art galleries, eateries and just enjoying every twist and turn. 

Early evening view from our Lanai

Proulx Winery

Moonstone Beach in Cambria

I took hundreds of photos and hoping you will see some of those along the way in the form of paintings. Tim and I haven't been able to pinpoint why, but for some reason this short trip was at the top of our favorites. 

Now back home we have taken on our biggest remodel so far. Plastic tents, upholstery all covered, rugs rolled back...we are doing it! Finally gutting the kitchen. I will be sharing our step-by-step remodel once we get far enough along, but in the midst of the disarray I make myself little vignettes; hopeful inspiration of things to come.

SCOTTSDALE GETAWAY PART 2

THE ONE TIME WE FORGOT TO ASK "WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO WEAR?"

This is my dear friend Nancy.  We were neighbors and friends back in Indianapolis and were thrilled to join them in Scottsdale recently.  But as I went through the photos taken, it was the same problem we always seem to have...photos of us were blurry, out of focus, or just plain bad.  Out of frustration, I still wanted to capture this one funny moment.  Nancy and I have a history of asking what the other is going to wear, except for this one evening.  We both stepped out of our bedrooms to realize we dressed almost identical.  I recreated the moment with paint instead.

Nighttime in Scottsdale was filled with color, good eats, great shopping and a full moon.

Have a colorful weekend!

SCOTTSDALE GETAWAY PART 1

If you've never been to Scottsdale I highly recommend it.  We got back recently and my mind is still swimming from all we took in while there.  We decided to drive the 6 1/2 hrs from San Diego and watched the purple mountains, valleys, hills and landscape change before our eyes.  The highlight of our time in AZ was to visit friends, but we took in a few sights as well.  We did a day tour of Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West and I am still seeing everything in color ranges from blues to purples and oranges to rust with a little pop of greens and aquas; a delightful combination.  

I admit that this is not my first choice of architecture or landscape, but the attention to detail, materials, colors, the arts and how Wright orchestrated it all into the landscape is amazing and I am so inspired by the experience.


You know how I love doors?  Well, Scottsdale did not disappoint.  Here is just a couple doors I spotted leading into a courtyard.  Oh, I am so intrigued by what's behind those doors.  No door-to-door salespeople, that's for sure!

  
And there were fruit trees EVERYWHERE.  Literally, while on daily walks there were oranges, lemons, tangerines, limes and an occasional grapefruit just laying on the ground or sidewalk.  We would pick up a few and when we got back to the condo Tim made us fruit smoothies.  Yup, since we were driving we brought our Vitamix to impress our friends.  I think we succeeded.  More on that later. 

Another treat was a luncheon with my dear fabric pals, Jona (left) and Bari J (middle).  It was so good to laugh and get caught up while stuffing our faces.  I had just come from a long walk, then blew it all with a ballion calorie meal.   Somehow thought I'd just suck it all in for the photo..didn't work.  Just looks like I quit breathing.

This has been a glimpse of Scottsdale during the day.  Scottsdale at night is also rich in color, foods and friends.  Part 2 coming soon.    In the meantime, I hope your Valentine's day was filled with a few warm fuzzies and none of these prickly hearts!

SURVIVING THE STORMS

I know you figured I must have been blown into oblivion since I have been absent, but I survived all those storms.  Every other spare moment that wasn't spent in the dark was devoted to painting and designing my next lines.  The last storm knocked out the air conditioning during temps in the 90's and humidity much worse.  I moved my studio on the back porch and kept plugging away.  I must say that I am in my element when I have a paintbrush in hand.  Remember the movie "Chariots Of Fire" when Eric Liddell said "When I run I feel God's pleasure"?  Well, that is me when I paint.  Like I'm doing what I was meant to do.  I am never more focused than when I am painting the glorious face of a flower.   

I have more to share from my trip to CA.  While there, I selfishly purposed to squeeze in every ounce of time alone with my beautiful surroundings, my husband and finding inspiration for my upcoming designs.  However, there were two gals I did stop to visit with.  You might know them. 

Kay Ellen   Kay and I met through blogging and our shared love for design.  Kay's blog Kay Ellen Design is exceptional.  She is exceptional.  And last January (09) Kay drove down from Riverside to meet me here in person.  She showed me around the South Beach antique stores that I couldn't wait to visit again.  I was quite excited that she made the trek to meet me again at the same place one year later. 

Missy  As in Missy Severson aka Sweet Funky Vintage.  We first met in Chicago at a Country Living Event in 2008 and continue to connect whenever possible.  Her and the fam came through Indy last year but Tim was, of course, on a business trip.  So Tim and I met her and Mr Hunk, I mean Chris, for dinner and laughter.  We took another opportunity to let them know how much we appreciate the sacrifices they make while Chris serves our country.

There were others I would have loved to see if there was more time.  Hi Deana (old friend from Indianapolis) and Cynthia (Heavenly Hostess).  Maybe next trip?  

A change of scenery was certainly what was needed to jumpstart my creativity.  Here's a bit more of all I absorbed and you might just see some of these in upcoming designs.  I stuck in the Bird of Paradise just because I can't believe the cartoon-like nature of this flower.  It all just amazes me. 

SEEK SHELTER IMMEDIATELY

Tim was gone from Friday morning until Tuesday night.  No problem since I planned to use the entire time to sketch, design, paint and do my female version of baching it.  What I ended up doing instead was a bit different.  It stormed almost the entire time.  I have put a serious dent in my stash of half-burned, mismatched holiday candles that I was saving for no good reason.  We recently cleaned out my mother-in-laws house and hauled bags of red, white and green candles to the trash, so I had begun to secretly question my own hoarding of the candles.   O, me of little faith.  

My 15 1/2 year old Lhasa works up a lather over storms, so I juggled candles and a paranoid dog for four long days (and nights).  See, I couldn't even get up to take a pic without him freaking.   We sat on the back porch when possible (where there was a breeze) and I tried to sketch out a design by the light of candles and lightning.  Also spent more time in the SEEK SHELTER basement than I ever wanted to during the worst of it.  I hopped in the car to make a quick run to the grocery store between storms, but the car was dead. Whaa?  Doesn't this sound like the beginning of a movie involving chainsaws?  So thankful that we came out unscathed. 

I leave you with a few pictures of where I just came from and where I really would have preferred spending these last few evenings but wouldn't we all?  Hope you are all safe and sound. xo

DRIVE BY SHOOTINGS

DO NOT FREAK.  While these shootings were drive-by, they were taken with my camera while Tim was driving.

I'm back and am quite refreshed and almost ready to dive into the tons of designs that are either swarming around in my head or have already been put to canvas.  But before I dive too deep I promised to share some of my trip with you and the inspiration I found as we drove up and down the coast.

No better way to describe how these photos were taken...many of the were taken as Tim was driving and I was shooting the camera at just a few "cottages", doors and gates.  If you follow my blog you might remember I have an irrisistable weakness for interesting doors.  Last time photos were mostly in Santa Barbara here, here, here and here.  These were taken mostly in La Jolla and Bird Rock:

We referred to this miniature, impeccably kept home as the Keebler cottage. I was so tempted to knock on the door to see if Mrs. Keebler would  let me take a peek inside.

These are entries that lead to the entries. I bet they don't get many solicitors, ya think?

Here are a few more, but believe me this is just a sampling.

Is this amazing?

(I only wish I could add the coastal breeze, wonderful smells and the warmth of the sun for you.)