A Kosher Day

We made it to the Griffith Observatory today. Parking was no problem. We couldn't figure out why these CHiP's officers were there though. And why they were allowing the rabbi, his children, and everyone in the Asian tour group to take their pictures on the bikes. It was quite a sight!

After the photo op, we were the next attraction. Everyone stopped by to see what we were working on. One woman asked us what university we were from. Maybe I'm not as old as I think I am.

And we thought the cops were there to tell us that we couldn't sit on a blanket on the grass. Lucky for us they were occupied with the tourists. Just another gorgeous January day in Los Angeles.

Rock With You

Last night DD and I watched This Is It on DVD. It was just as fabulous as in the theater and has great bonus features. I am grateful to the concert organizers, director, etc. who put this footage together to share Michael's last creative endeavor with us. I have been a fan forever and there just aren't words to describe the talent, the creativity, the vision, the impact, or the love (L-O-V-E love) of the man. It is still hard to believe that he is gone. Yes, he was surrounded by controversy---but what celebrity isn't. He had more to deal with than anyone. No one single person had ever experienced being as great as he was. I am so glad that he was able to develop his talent and live his dream of sharing it with the world. Anyone who can take their talent and passion and turn it into what they do for a living is an inspiration to me. So in honor of MJ I've rocked out all day to his music---singing at the top of my lungs. Shamone.

FlyAKite is official!

"When you send it flying up there,

All at once you're lighter than air!

You can dance on the breeze

Over houses and trees;

With your fist holding tight---

To the string of your kite!"

 Inspired by Mary Poppins, our new Etsy shop is FlyAKite. www.FlyAKite.etsy.com Check it out! I'm super excited about how these cards turned out. Each card is handpainted on acid free 90 lb. cold press watercolor paper. The kite is cut from recycled fabric scraps. The tails are hand tied and machine sewn to the card. Each card is one of a kind. I'm searching for boxes so that I can sell note card sets in the future. Wish us luck!

Chasing Sunsets

On Saturday, after a week of wonderful rain DD and I went in search of some sun. We packed our painting supplies and headed out for a new park. We set up shop, and the ground wasn't too wet. We know because apparently it is against the rules to sit on a blanket.

DD

Me

DD painted a tree. She finished. I was inspired by a parking garage. I didn't finish. We stayed until the sun set behind the huge buildings behind us and the wind became frigid. (Sunset #1). A fun afternoon.

Then we decided to try to catch the sunset from the Observatory since the air was super clear. We never did figure out what exactly was going on up at the Observatory, but there were sooo many people up there. And a huge traffic jam with everyone trying to find a park. So we drove up one side and down the other. We missed the sunset (Sunset #2), but decided to stop at the park at the bottom of the hill. We did some sky flying---our new favorite photo trick!

We laughed hysterically! And then we did some star spinning. Very dizzying!

By this time we were freezing, and we headed home.

I forgot I was a painter

One of my goals for the new year is to work on my talents. It has been 10+ years since I have done any painting. I watercolor because my mother watercolors. I tried oil painting in high school and didn't like it. Too messy, too smelly, and it takes too long to dry. Plus, I've been watercoloring all my life. Be forewarned! I am not as good as I used to be. Rusty, would be the word. And I definitely need new paint. It's all a little crumbly. I was lucky to even find my pallet. All my paintbrushes seem to have disappeared. I picked an oil painting by Claude Monet to copy as my first practice piece. First, the original (not a very clear copy).

Sailboats on the Seine, 1874

I already know that oil doesn't translate well to watercolor. It also doesn't help that the picture I was looking at was 2 inches wide. I'm not making excuses. I already told told you this was practice.

Some parts were looking overworked, so I stopped. After some more practice I want to take my stuff out on location. Stay tuned.

Mother Goose

The fair maid who, the first of May,

Goes to the fields at break of day,

And washes in dew from the hawthorn-tree,

Will ever after handsome be.

Once upon a time, many, many months ago I found some FANTASTIC upholstery fabric. I had visions of how fabulous it would be. The only problem was I didn't know what I wanted to embellish it with. I had enough for two bags. DD knew exactly what she wanted, so I made her bag embellishments and all. And it turned out great! Much time passed and I finally decided to make up my own version. In the meantime I had designed a new style, The Bette, and that is where I got stuck. What should I put on it? What colors should I use? I stewed and fretted. After pain, blood, tears and too many crocheted flowers I had a rough idea about what it might look like.

When it was all said and done, my first thought was that I had created a Mother Goose Bag. It looks just like the nursery rhymes I used to know from my childhood. I still love the fabric, but I'm not sure I love the bag. I'll use it everyday for a while. The lining was another struggle, but I'm pleased with what I chose. The best part of this bag is the pocket material. I found a quarter flat that I fell in live with. The photo doesn't do it justice.

I've already started planning my next personal project. I've just got to let my stitching fingers heal little first.

Best of 2009

I started out to make a top ten list represented by photographs, but realized I had way more photos with good memories. So I decided to make a "Best of" list of things in no particular order.

BEST MUSEUM

In January D.D. and I visited The Getty Villa on a very rainy day. I remembered it having more paintings than sculpture---not the case. We even saw a bust that looked exactly like Liev Schrieber.

BEST BET

We used to bet each other $1 to do stupid things all the time. This bet turned out to be a little bit embarrassing.

I bet D.D. $1 to get up on this little stage and strike this pose from the movie Thoroughly Modern Millie. I didn't think she'd really do it in front of a room full of people. She did. And earned her dollar.

BEST REUNION

Reagan is the queen of $1 bets! It was great to see her last summer. She flew to LA for Michael Jackson's memorial---lucky girl! And she had enough time to have dinner with us. Just like old times.

BEST ACCOMPLISHMENT

Steele graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in Social Science in May. We had a little party at Grandma Wilde's house where we debuted a montage of Steele's life set to music. It was quite the undertaking.

BEST PHOTO SHOOT

D.D. and I joined Steele on his "Tour of Jamul" ride. We were the team car. We covered a variety of terrain. Saw a few outfit changes. And overall, got some really great action shots of the pelaton.

BEST PHOTO

This photo is my crowning achievement. The time trial of The Tour of California in Solvang was crazy with people. We managed to get a great park, and an even better position at the finish line. If you know nothing about cycling, this is Lance Armstrong. Had we not been stuffing our faces with bagels earlier in the morning, I would have been able to take more pictures of Lance and probably talked to him too.

BEST PHOTO CONTINUED

The next day of The Tour of California saw the stage finish with 5 circuits around the Rose Bowl. Again we lucked out with parking and a great place to take pictures from. The Tour allowed us to see not only the return of Lance Armstrong, but also some of our very favorite cyclists in person: Thor Hushovd, Tom Boonen, Mark Cavendish, George Hincapie, Levi Leipheimer.

BEST SUNSET

My favorite place in the whole wide world is La Jolla Cove. On a hot and humid night we tried to escape the heat by heading to the coast. No such luck. But I did capture this fantastic shot. The awkward wedding couple is not included.

BEST BASEBALL

The only baseball I witnessed this year was Dodger baseball. Sorry Padres. This was an insanely hot day, but the absolute best game of the season. Back to back home runs for Ethier and Loney. It was a slamfest.

BEST ROAD TRIP

Steele was kind enough to drive us to Salt Lake City in August. The car was stuffed to the gills! Over 80 handbags and his bicycle gear. We had a boutique and he had social appointments. He rode his bike around Utah Lake with childhood friend Austin Boaz. Ambitious. Then he spent time with cousin Broc, his wife Joanna, and children Brady and Brett.

BEST IMPROMPTU PERFORMANCE

The Moodys are always good for a laugh. Usually laughter that ends in tears. White sweat pants? Dean and his brother? The sisters entertained us with their old high school pep routine. You can't tell from this shot. Here they are trying to remember what comes next.

BEST COSTUME

Our family has a Halloween reputation to uphold. We didn't disappoint. Dad still has his viking look going strong. We're just glad the sharpie he used on his teeth wasn't permanent.

BEST CONCERT

October was concert season. First we saw Ben Gibbard and Jay Ferrar singing their new album One Fast Move or I'm Gone. Next we saw A Fine Frenzy. Both those concerts were at the El Rey. Both were amazing. Fantastic musicians. But the BEST CONCERT title goes to The Swell Season. It was at The Wiltern. Words can't describe. Probably the best concert I've ever been to (not that I have been to all that many).  Glen Hansard is a consummate performer and someone who clearly loves what he does. I admire all musicians and songwriters. Their talent blows me away. And this concert was so much fun. I think the encore was as long as the scripted show.  Thanks D.D. for taking me and keeping me cultured.

BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT

Okay, this wasn't my gift, but Dad's. Anyone who has ever been to Grandma Wilde's house knows about her peanut jar. Everybody loves it, eats out of it and wants it. This year, Grandma went on a quest to find replica nut jars so each family could have one. She found similar jars and wrapped them up, including the original, mixed them up and passed them out to each of her kids. Dad was the lucky one. It was a tearful moment. After he took it home he felt a little guilty. So he took it back to Grandma's. It's there on loan for everyone to enjoy.

BEST CANDY MAKER

After attending a traveling chef homemaking meeting D.D. took up candy making. She bought a candy thermometer and she was off. First she made Almond Roca. DELICIOUS! Then she tried peanut brittle with chocolate. DELECTABLE! Matt was jealous.

A few more events sans photos that made 2009 memorable: eating at El Zarape, Dancing With the Stars,  reliving Mom's Mediterranean cruise, Monte Vista Football coaching stories, Name That Artist, Liverpool Rummy, Cilantro-Lime Pesto Sauce, driving Dylan, THE Candy Bar, It Might Get Loud, Puppet-Up.

I'm sure I've left out key moments and memories. Hopefully next year I will be a better documentarian.

Happy New Year! Have a wonderful 2010!