Fun with Acrylics

Dear Liza,

Ruthie Inman has done it again. On a chilly day after two very busy days, I was feeling tired and not terribly artistic. Not awful, but … blah. And sure enough, within ten minutes of our art group’s beginning, I was slapping paint down like an inspired ten year old.

Before we got together, I had started an alternate project, coating the photo side of old postcards with gesso so they would take paint better. My plan was to use the same paints from Ruthie’s project on my alternate postcard project. I pulled out a dark blue, lemon yellow, and white as my color scheme.

I started with my project, laying down colors in a pleasingly haphazard way. Wet but not runny, brushing to blend until I liked it.

Then, at an inspiration from Ruthie, I pulled out my impressions makers (an odd collection of Starbucks coffee cup holders, fruit packing sleeves, crumpled tissue and bubble wrap) to change the textures of my colors.

I made about eight postcards in all, and one even looked something like Ruthie’s idea, this lovely, opalescent landscape. Of course, following directions is always optional, but it’s good to try new things.

Anyway, with this pile of colorful backgrounds, I can think about what can go on for the next layer. Some more textures? Collage pictures or words? Maybe some handwritten sentiments or just pretty squiggles?

Who knows?

Love,

Grandma Judy

Crossing the Vista Bridge

Dear Liza,

While Auntie Bridgett was busy with her table at the Alliance Française Christmas Open House, I took the opportunity to explore the neighborhood. The day was very cold but strikingly clear.

Just behind the Kamm Mansion’s tiny parking lot is a stairway that goes straight up the hill! I counted the steps, and it’s at least three stories high. I wish I had thought to take a picture, but I was anxious to see what was at the top.

And what I found were amazing views! Downtown was laid out in sparkling detail. I stopped every twenty feet or so and took another picture. Here is the Fremont Bridge (on the left) with Mt. Saint Helens, 70 miles away, beyond.

A few more steps, and I realized where I was: directly above Goose Hollow! That meant I must be getting close to…

The Vista Bridge! I have gone under this bridge dozens of times, on the train to the Zoo and Washington Park. It was built in 1925 and links two sections of the West Hills.

It also, as the name implies, offers some amazing views. Here is Mt Hood, shining brightly behind Downtown Portland.

Here is one that includes a hint of the chain link fence the city has installed. It sort of frames the view. Perspective is good.

Once I was across the Vista Bridge, I made my chilly way through the neighborhood and back to the Alliance Française. A few cookies and a glass of champagne, and I was toasty warm.

Always something to do around here!

Love,

Grandma Judy

Joyeux Noël avec l’Alliance Française!

Dear Liza,

The Alliance Française is an international organization dedicated to teaching the French language around the world. Here in the States, it also serves as a social meeting place for French-speakers and Francophiles, like us.

On Saturday, the Portland branch of the Alliance had its Christmas Open House, and they invited Bridgett to come sell her artsy goodies! We packed up the boxes and drove across the river to The Kamm Mansion, a glorious Victorian house in the west hills.

As usual, you meet the nicest folks early at these sorts of events; the people helping set things up, work out problems, and help everyone be successful. We met MariePierre, who is a native French speaker and teacher at the Alliance, setting up a table she shared with friends. MariePierre was camera shy, I guess, because I can’t find any pictures of her.

We met Betsy, a retired high school French teacher. She fell in love with all of Bridgett’s things and made a fine set of purchases before the Open Hiuse even opened! She spend the rest of the time running the children’s art room next door.

A fellow named Gavin came in, frazzled from his dash from Bend, and got set up in record time.

The next three hours flew by with crowds of happy people, lively music by an accordion and clarinet duet, champagne, sweets and snacks.

We were just at the ends of our respective ropes when 6:00 came and we headed for home. A nice out-of-the-fridge dinner and all was well.

Love,

Grandma Judy

Open House at Happy Anyway

Dear Liza,

Last Friday was the holiday ‘Member only’ Open House at Bridgett’s new favorite shop, Happy Anyway, down in SE Hawthorne. This tiny, delightful boutique sells handmade items and quirky vintage thingees.

We got there just a bit after opening, and the place was decorated to the gills and very crowded. It was a series of negotiations to get around the room to shop, then a few more to get through the line to buy your goodies.

Fortunately, everyone was cheery and friendly, so it was less ‘waiting in line’ and more ‘chatting’. We chose a few little treasures for the Christmas tree. This tiny duck and peanut will join the rest of Auntie Bridgett’s multitude of sparkles.

There was also gift buying for family in San Diego, which I can’t show you, because they read this blog! But we did find these three ceramic ladies who really wanted to come home with us.

Once we had made our purchases, we hugged Stephanie, the owner, buttoned our coats back up, and walked home. Our clear nights are so chilly!

Love,

Grandma Judy

Happy, Tasty Thanksgiving!

Dear Liza,

Our Thanksgiving was busy and full of food and family.

It started quietly, with Auntie Bridgett and I watching the Macy’s Parade. We enjoy the floats, musical numbers, and the marching bands. But the special thing about the Macy’s parade is the giant balloons. This one, being a minion, is particularly adorable.

We got the appetizers set out for when Auntie Katie, the cousins, and Douglas came over. It’s it a pretty spread?

Once the company arrived, we chatted, and then the ukuleles came out. Katie and Douglas practice a lot, and they sing well together. Cousin Jasper brought his drumsticks and played a nice accompaniment on Kestrel’s heavy leather purse.

Once the dinner was ready (thanks to Bridgett’s good help!) we all settled down and ate ourselves silly. Of course, we kept an eye on the desserts waiting for us!

But first, a walk. Grandpa Nelson was worn out, but the rest of us layered up and made a pleasant round of Laurelhurst Park.The sun was going down as we visited with the ducks and wished them a happy turkey day. They were not amused….

Back to the house for dessert! Auntie Katie had brought a pumpkin and apple pie and tiny breads shaped like turkeys. These, along with the pinwheels and mince tarts I made, filled us right up to the top.

In fact, we all realized that if we sat down, we’d all fall asleep! And since Katie had work to do at her bookshop to get ready for Black Friday’s big sale, we all said goodnight, packed up the leftovers to share, and sent them on their way.
Happy Thanksgiving!!

Love,

Grandma Judy

Gearing Up for Thanksgiving

Dear Liza,

I remember my Momma, your great grandma Billie, making wonderful Thanksgiving feasts for family and friends. It seemed to me that it all happened effortlessly, but I was a pretty clueless child. I now realize how many shopping trips and hours of preparation went into those feasts.

It has taken me many years to realize that as delicious as the feasts were, it was not just the food that made them special. It was the being together and the feeling of being completely surrounded by fun and love. And cousins…. Lots and lots of cousins.

And I love Great Grandma Billie’s turkey platter more than I love roasting the turkey that goes on it!

I have figured out that a giant bird on the table is a Norman Rockwell image, not my ideal dinner.

So my Thanksgiving dinner this year, though still special, looks different than my Momma’s. I will making turkey, but just the thighs, because that’s the part we like, and the proteins will include bratwurst sausage for Kestrel and roasted tofu for Douglas. I have mixed sweet apple-y mincemeat and gluten free walnut shelled tarts for Auntie Bridgett as well as pinwheel cookies for Grandpa Nelson.

Auntie Katie has promised bread (she and Cousin Kestrel do a fabulous job!) and pies.

One thing I am following Momma in, though, is advance prep. One small chore a day in the week before Thanksgiving makes that day a lot more pleasant. I started Sunday with the cranberry sauce, so the flavors will be all melded together. Monday, the pinwheel dough got mixed up, rolled, and frozen. And today I make the mincemeat and walnut tart shells.

Slowly, slowly, catchy holiday.

Love,

Grandma Judy

The Beauty of Ginkgos

Dear Liza,

Fall just keeps falling! Our local ginkgo trees have been blindingly yellow for about a week, and are now dropping their leaves.

Just up the street, a young ginkgo in the parkway has carpeted the sidewalk, grass and half the road with brilliant yellow.

The strong winds make for some odd landing sites for the leaves.

This nearby cactus has a bit of haunting decoration….Ouch!

And in Laurelhurst Park, we get a double treat as the tall old ginkgo is reflected in Firwood Lake. Enjoy the color while you can!

Love,

Grandma Judy

Keeping Things Straight, Sort Of

Dear Liza,

I am finally getting to the middle part of my French map quilt, and it is a challenge.

First, the iron-on adhesive that I used to stick the purple Massif Central to the green plains makes embroidering a real chore. Instead of sewing easily along, I am having to stab each stitch through, and it is tiring!

Also, I have realized that the “rows” in the west don’t line up with those in the east. They are a bit wonky, which is fine, but how could I make them look good together? I don’t want to see it out of whack every time I look at it.

So I decided to baste some swoopy lines from east to west, to help me join the two sides in a cohesive manner. These took a few days to do, because of the thick fabric, but I think they will be worth the effort.

I’ve got a chunk of it done, and I like it so far.

Love,

Grandma Judy

Jay Ringer at The Foxtrot Lounge

Dear Liza,

It was rainy and chilly Sunday, but the new Foxtrot Lounge was open for coffee, tea, sandwiches and music, so Auntie Bridgett and I bundled up and walked over.

There wasn’t a big crowd, because even in Portland most folks will stay home a cold, wet Sunday.

We ordered some hibiscus tea, found a table on the patio by a heater, and listened to the music, a wonderfully sweet, nostalgic sound.

Once I had warmed up with a cup of tea and the music had stopped for bit, I headed over to the gazebo across the yard to see who was making it. I met Jay Ringer, a talented and soft-spoken fellow. He plays the pocket trumpet, melodian, and electric keyboard and sings, all very well. His playlist includes The Beatles, Donovan, Jim Croce, and standards from the 1940s to the 1980s, music I grew up with and have grown old to.

Foxtrot Lounge Jay Ringer Musicians in Portland Cafes in Sunnyside New businesses in SE Portland

We enjoyed looking at the decorative panels and fountains, oriental but not stuffy, exotic but not spooky, just the right quirky vibe for our part of town.

I know we will spend many happy hours at Foxtrot.

Love,

Grandma Judy

Ruthie’s Leaves

Dear Liza,

My buddy Ruthie Inman has been busy starting up a new art gallery in Peoria, Illinois, called Artful Journey, so we haven’t had our online class in a while.

So when we got together last week, we had a wonderful catch -up as well as an art project together. Ruthie had asked us to collect, trace, and cut out some lovely leaves to start.

Then we traced the shapes, overlapping them a bit. Ruthie directed us to decide which leaves would be the top layer, and watercolor them a light yellow.

To show the other layers of leaves, we gradually got darker as we went.

I wasn’t totally happy with my brush strokes, since I was using the wrong brush. In the months since we’ve done any watercolor, I have misplaced my soft brushes! Still, I pushed through.

Once it was done and dry, I realized I needed some stronger colors and more delicate lines… and maybe some nice hard outlines. Fortunately, that is always an option. But first, lunch!

Love,

Grandma Judy