More Baja

Afternoon wind - Los Barriles is a kite surfing mecca

Roadside shrine

Cristmas Cake

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.