Thursday, December 31, 2009

New Computer

Blue Moon on the last day of 2009
Happy to end and start the year with a new computer. Don't know if my laptop will ever be working again but for now the tower will do. I can now receive emails as usual and that is a plus.

Anyway Curt is leaving tomorrow afternoon for his new digs in Tacoma, WA and a new job starting on the 4th. He is pretty happy about the new adventure.

Today is what you call in France "Un grand beau temps" the sky could not be crisper and bluer. The sun is all out and it is the perfect day to end the infamous 2009. So much as happened this year, some great things but a lot of nasty things that could be left behind before moving on to the new year. Unfortunately some health issues are going to go on and I will try to get them under control soon I hope. So I am welcoming 2010 with optimism and happiness. I am looking forward to have a show at Virtue in March during the Fiberfest even more since Nancy will be joining me in the venture. What a fun way to do one more thing with my friend. Of course she will already be in sunny warm Colorado (by that time) but that is just a detail. The show must go on. hahah.

So out with the old and on with the new. I am ready!

Friday, December 18, 2009

I might not have a Christmas tree in the house but...

...it is definitely a Christmas Tree delight outside. The scenery couldn't reflect more the season. After a fog that capture the city of Anchorage for few days snow fell for three days and then the cold settled in (5 F) freezing everything and everyone. It is just spectacular! Makes me want to sing Carrols all day long, inside my cozy Topsyturvie (don't' remember the spelling) house. We have been really active those last two weeks and a lot has been accomplished. Many trips to the Salvation Army, a Big Brothers and Big Sisters pick up and a run to the dump. We are leaving with boxes coming out of storage. Only two wrapped presents for Christmas and they came through the mail... I am very late for the event and it might bypass me altogether. The spirit is with us though and the celebration will happen ready or not. I will be merry and jovial. I will be thankful and peaceful. I will drink my glass of champagne with gladness and it's glow will welcome the sunshine coming back for another circle of life. I will remember with tenderness all the celebrations that happened in this house and all the friends and all our family that are part of our lives. I love you all sincerely and deeply. Happy Solstice, Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah. It is the season of light.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Moving

Curt has accepted a new job in Tacoma, WA.
A new phase is about to start. Alaska has been good to me. I have made incredible tied with incredible people. I have found my passion. I have endured long winters and they have made me stronger. I have witnessed amazing scenery and natural phenomenas that are proper to this extreme place. I am grateful to that extreme lifestyle that pushed me beyond my control.
Going back to Washington is a bit like going home to me. I have loved that state since I set my foot on it's ground. I still have strong very strong friendship there that makes it all seems like a reward to go live in Tacoma. I do like that town a lot. On the edge of the water, at the foot of Mt Rainier, the Museum of Glass, 6 hrs away from Bend, Oregon (where Emily is), 12 hrs from California where we have family, Closer to France (travel time), Closer still to Grand Junction (watch out Nancy, I will come to visit as I hope you will too), four seasons, moisture, big trees, roses, apples trees, and so many other things that are luxuries where I have been living for 15years.
Two of my favorite bookbloggers (Margaret and Iliana) are moving to new places too, and if you believe in the "never two without three" saying than it only seems normal and logical that I should be the next in line to move.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Ruby Tuesday

once upon a time.... Ruby Tuesday "Spring Flight"

"Spring Feast"


Moody Monday: COLD



"Crispy Cold"

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Moody Monday: Weepy

Moody Monday: Weepy"Tear of the Green Giant"

My Sunday Lit.

I just finished up to the end "Prodigal Summer" by Barbara Kingsolver. I am saying that because I had not been able to do so the first time. I had been in need of a different kind of read at the time. Sometimes it is worth the wait to really appreciate a book. This book is hiding behind its fiction stories real and important facts about the environment, life as a farmer, new and traditional ways, views of farming,and rules of the wild. The book is looking at the different lives of people living in the Zebulon Mountains of Virginia. Three different situation separated by titles as "Predators", "Old Chestnut" and "Moth Love". Some of the characters most of them are related some how by their past, present and future lives. A fantastic structure for a book. One that reminds me of Wilkie Collins in his "Woman in White" novel. Also used by Kingsolver in her "Poisonwood Bible" and "Animal Dreams". I like the differences in the language of the narrators. My favorite is this old man who is not really in tune with his actions and sentiments but "gets it" at the end against his best judgement. The underlying teaching of science of botany, ecology, religions, respect of human ideas, all that is also masterfully done. I finish this book with being more knowledgeable and having a better educated opinion of many subjects and I am sad to have to let those characters live on their fictitious lives without me.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Gobble Gobble Day


Those might still be running wild somewhere and that makes me thankful. It also makes me thankful that one is roasting in my oven right now and that I will eat it soon with Curt,my companion of 28 years, Paul my son (if he shows up on time), Emily my daughter and her boyfriend Travis (who cooked all morning), Lorraine who is such a dear friend, and Collin who is Lorraine's son and that lights up my life every time I am close to him. Of Course Gaia is on guard for anything that could potentially fall.

Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone. There is so much to be Thankful for, isn't it?

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Friday, November 20, 2009

Being Under a Spell, a Cold Spell!

Pixie dust doesn't do it for me as I have never seen any, but I like to be under a Cold Spell. When the temperature is 0F, you can start seeing the air freezing in mid air, add a little ray of sun to it and you have a Cold Spell. Just as tiny fireflies of the North those little crystal of fancy just for the true amazement of the moment start appearing in front of your eyes. Makes one want to dance among them.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Hello Sunshine!


The sun is hitting my face this morning like a shot of caffeine. It was hiding for hours behind the mountain and at once a spot shines on me. Like on queue I am animating all my senses into making a stretch of "welcome to you your majesty". My sun salutation is rewarded by a bit of warmth coming from the window. A bit of life. A bit of change. A bit of fun. A bit of light. A bit of time. A bit of wealth. A bit of luck. A bit of awe. Only few minutes and it will all be gone again behind other mountains, playing tricks on my hibernating brain. So for now and now not only I am taking in my vitamins and counting my blessings.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Ruby Tuesday

"Rubynesque"

"Falling Ruby"


Moody Monday: Whimsical


"Whimsical"



"Dancing in the Street"



"Wintry Cupboard"


Saturday, November 14, 2009

My notebooks and such!





















A couple of my blog visitors asked me to show some of my journals, sketchbooks and such. So I have taken pictures of few... of them and will just make a little random showcase of the whole lot. Those are reflecting 15 years of Alaska. I don't have really specific ones for specific tasks... not surprise at all by that if you know me as I don't like to organize my life in predictable ways. Nonetheless of course I do have some watercolor "carnets" for painting and I even have one that I give myself challenges associated with books that I read about colors. I do have a good memory though on where things are, sure.
What I lack is memory for names so I write those down in my notebooks along with my doodles, quotes, sketches, movie stubs, books and authors, ideas for future quilts poems, thoughts and the lists and such go on and on... not to forget the journal entries of what is happening in my head, my heart, my life, my ideas, it all translate into this pile of personal memoirs.
I hope that you have fun watching those images.