We are just back from a quick trip to London and Paris where we saw old friends, made new friends, and shopped flea markets under a warm winter sun. We had other touristy adventures as well but I'm limiting this post to "friends" and "flea". No Eiffel Tower pics today, sorry!
Read moreTrying to Fly Above it All
I'm leaving on a jet plane. No, not headed to Canada, though it feels good, getting off this planet, even temporarily. The plane ascends rapidly and I let out more breath the higher we climb.
Visibility is excellent today. We are nearing Chicago and there is the distinctive lacy dome of the Baha'i Temple. A moment later, Wrigley Field, which for all its larger-than-life history, looks so small, like Casey's diamond in Mudville. Then, south of the skyscrapers, the large swathe of green in Hyde Park where President Obama will build his library.
Read moreArtists in the Family
The couple in this photo are teacher and student. The photo was taken in the early 1950s. He looks like Salvador Dali with his pencil mustache, artsy beret, painter's smock and flamboyant tie. His lovely subject is dressed similarly and clutches a bouquet of paintbrushes. Their names are Hugo Martinez and Gisela Ballesteros and shortly after this photo was taken, they married. They have spent their lives in Bogotá, Colombia where they have dedicated themselves to the practice of art -- she as a painter and he as a sculptor.
Read moreWeekend Listicle // Sending Love
Below are the links that brought me some comfort last weekend. I hope they help you too:
A traveler, powdered sugar, and a cell phone come together in this lovely short essay that will heal your heart.
"No one leaves home, unless home is the mouth of the shark..." by Sarah Jameel on Medium.
These are the kind of monsters that actually inspire kids.
A view of Paris from Connecticut.
My own love letter to France, written a little more than a year ago.
My Camera Lens Takes a Vacation
Last week, we took a few days off and flew out to Washington State to visit our son. I brought along my new camera lens, purchased recently for taking product shots in my studio basement. This was my first time using it outside, and its lightweight size made it easy to carry, even on long hikes. The lens is a Nikon AF-S 35mm 1:1.8. It is a fixed lens, also known as a prime lens, which means that it does not have a zoom feature.
Because of the lack of a zoom, I must compose my photo by moving my body, not my camera lens. What I see through the viewfinder is exactly what I get. Which means contortions to get the right shot. But the big advantage to a fixed lens is all the light that pours in. Colors look great. Also note in the photo below of the law books how the background goes nice and blurry while the foreground stays incredibly crisp. At $200, it is very affordable, as far as lenses go. I feel good about this purchase.
Read moreHappy Spring from Lulu and Daisy
Today's post features Lulu and Daisy. They are two cuddly lambs who live at O'Day Farm Studio where Renn (pictured above) and I went to shoot these photos. Renn is my trusty and talented photographer and the sheep farm/art studio belongs to Renn's mother, Mary and her husband Patrick. It's a beautiful spot with outbuildings that double as art studios, rambling gardens, spotless and well built barns, green paddocks, rolling farmland, and sheep. We loaded up a bunch of furniture and accessories, enlisted a son (Nick, also pictured above) to model, and drove the forty minutes out there because, why not? How often does one get a chance to frolic with lambs? It was a delightful day that convinced me I am right to dream about someday raising sheep and making feta. Here are some outtakes I thought you would enjoy, since spring is blowing coyly in our ear these days.
Read moreHeavenly Bogotá for the Holidays
Instead of packages under the tree, this year we decided to take our children along with their grandfather to visit Colombia, their grandfather's homeland. It was a dream vacation. The kids met the South American branch of the family and they embraced us with enthusiasm and warmth. At our first event, great aunts and uncles literally pulled us into conga lines of dancing. From then on, it was one big bouncy lovefest. We are all glowing.
Our first day, we joined pilgrims and tourists making the steep trek up to Monserrate (10,341 ft.) where Christmas Day services were held in the lovely open air Catholic church. Many Colombians wept as they ascended towards the peak.
Read moreFun on French Streets
Readers of The Bubble Joy know that my recent journey to France was far from a pleasure trip. My husband and I spent much of our time in a hospital room. (More on that here.) However, French hospitals enforce strict visiting hours, so most mornings and late evenings, we found ourselves sometimes wandering the streets of Dijon, relishing the little differences and chuckling at the similarities.
Read moreAmerican Fish and French Coconut
I have been quiet for a few weeks following an emergency trip my husband and I took to France. Our son, studying abroad, suffered a terrible accident. We are all home now and he is recovering beautifully, which means I can breathe again and string words together again and most importantly, express my thankfulness. So, here is my Facebook-style gratitude list:
Read moreOutstanding in the Field
The food caravan is coming to town, folks. Step right up for your tickets to a dinner worthy of anyone's bucket list. A few upcoming events in the Midwest still have seats available. But not for long. (The Bailey's Harbor, WI dinner sold out just a minute ago.)
I'm talking about Outstanding in the Field, the organization that stages farm-to-table dinners in idyllic outdoor settings often connected to the meal. They travel the country, collaborating with local chefs and farmers to create an evening that is like a red wine reduction sauce -- a sensory experience made richer by what is taken out, not what is put in. They remove the barriers between farmer, grocer, restaurateur, chef, and diner. And by the end of this season, they will have set the table in all fifty states and many countries as well.
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