Christmas in Baja

Here in Los Barrilles on the Baja peninsula it has been a warm Christmas. Friends and family all relaxing.

Packin up

I am moving to Portland Oregon. Will this be for just a year or permanent - I don't know? While I am still here in Philadelphia I am a full time grandmother helping to care for my granddaughter while my son and his wife sort out some problems. Maybe Portland will be like my year abroad - I am looking forward to author lectures at Powell's Books and catching up with West Coast friends.

Long Overdue

I had a wonderful trip to Portland OR in September and am moving there in November. Whew! Lots to do.
This morning I was looking for a knitting group to join there on Ravelry and thought I should post my latest sweater creation there and here. The sweater for my granddaughter looks great on her. I tried to take a photo of her in it but she is a constant motion toddler.
 Also here are just a few moments in Portland. Their famous Rose Garden is dreamy. We also spent a lovely afternoon at the Chinese Garden located in downtown Portland.

Beautiful Cool Alaska

Turnagain Arm on Alaska's Cook Inlet.

 This trip made me miss the West Coast. The last frontier is a blessing of nature.

Flowers everywhere!
I felt like I had turned back the clock to April with all the tulips and dafodils

Cordova Marina where the seining fisherman dock

Captain Cale & crew members

The Pagan and the Celtic Lady In Cordova Marina

Cordova eatery w/ excellent huevos rancheros

I was hoping to see a real puffin

Mermaids in Cordova

Ruby the Brav

More Spring!

The cool damp spring and the wet winter soaked the soil and there has been a profusion of spring flowers. The tulips and dogwoods are gone but now the rhododendrons are going wild. Here is one reaching the second story of a nearby house and just covered in blooms.

New sweater!

Recently finished this orange sweater for Rory. It is a good thing she will have to grow into it. The spring days we are having are lovely but the humid summer is on the way. This sweater should look good in the fall and her Mom likes it because her favorite sport team, the Flyers, have an orange and black logo.

About the yarn: It is a hand dyed yarn from madelinetosh.com. Superwash merino wool, color named Caravan.

This was a fun project. Knit from the top down on circular needles.

Let's see if it fits in the fall

Pretty in pink!

Spring at the Art Museum

What a beautiful day! Went to a lecture at the Philadelphia Art Museum on Kobe, and the Japanese art from that city. A lovely hour with art dating back to the 12th century. Most fun were the items depicting the first Western traders admitted to Japan in the 1800's. 

Here is a photo of the magnificent rear entrance to the museum. Most photos show the front with all the steps that Rocky ran up.  This architectural wonder is my favorite Philadelphia building. This side of the building overlooks a sculpture garden and the waterworks on the river

Winterhur

The drawing room with hand painted wallpaper from China

The Solarium

Hand painted wallpaper in an alcove

Only a glimpse at all the azaleas in bloom

Yesterday I visited the Dupont estate Winterhur at the beautiful peak of the azaleas  in bloom. I had no idea how fabulous the whole estate is. I took a tour of the mansion with its world renowned collection of American decorative arts. A tour bus takes you around the grounds with plantings from all over the world. I must go back. It is one of those places that cannot be taken in in one visit. There is an outdoor "fairy" garden for children, a museum and library - all of which I would like to see.

This next photo was taken right here in Haddonfield. Japanese maples are very photogenic. Here is one backlit in the afternoon sun.

Exercise!

Rory was two April 16

I am starting to notice a small increase in flexibility and energy since participating in my twice a week exercise class.  Yeah for me!  Now lets see if the advent of Spring and exercise will make me a more energetic retiree.

Here is a pix of Rory taken last week. Spending time with her at the playground is a joyful way to celebrate Spring.

Like Father!

My granddaughter at 22 months has climbed out of her crib. Her worried mother is trying to find a solution.
I am not one bit surprised. Last month I took Rory to a children's museum and she spent every moment running or climbing. Every photo I took looked like this one:

Energy In Motion

This is proof positive of a major hereditary occurrence  of her father's genes. Well do I remember his toddler adventures which kept me on edge and frantic as soon as he could walk.

Finally!

I finally finished my first sweater. I learned a lot and am actually enjoying the work on the new sweater I am knitting.  I am only posting this beginners first effort to show my knitting friend in California that I am on my way.

and here is Rory 

Chasing the sun

My plans for the beach are set and the NJ winter can continue because I have am escaping to the sugar white sands of the Florida Panhandle. Too bad it is weeks away but I have to finish the U Penn course I am taking.  The Penn program for Mindfulness is an examination of our emotional life with an exploration of stress management through meditation, yoga, and examining our inner resources.
Another trip to California, long talked about with my friend Carol, would also brighten the horizon.

I said I wouldn't do snow photos but anyway just to show how the mind thinks about the beach and California -------

well you see how it is!

I say balmy!

I'm not taking any photos of the snow because I am tired of it. Besides, I keep telling myself  what we have here in New Jersey is a pittance compared to other parts of the country. I just added a new blog I am following from a wonderful artist, knitter, farmer, from Massachusetts, Kristen Nichols'. Getting Stitched on the Farm.  Thanks to my friend and fellow blogger Carol for posting the great photos and info on her blog and all that yarn 
     When I look of Kristen's winter photos I know that New Jersey is practically balmy.

Welcome 2011

Snowbound today and sending a big thank you to Steve Jobs and the folks at Apple for my BFF my IPad.
I know there was a headline that said 2010 was the year we stopped talking but I am stuck at home and very content reading a book by David Rakoff, Half Empty.  I heard him on public radio last night and with snow predicted  I downloaded from my Amazon app.

When I finish this I want to buy his previous book with this engaging title

Don't Get Too Comfortable: The Indignities of Coach Class, The Torments of Low Thread Count, The Never- Ending Quest for Artisanal Olive Oil, and Other First World Problems.