On May 4th we set out for a long drive to Portland, Oregon to visit our son and
daughter in law and grand baby, Allie Bel!
We stopped first at Ashland, OR and spent the day and one night with my cousin Betsy, who had just turned 90! Betsy has a great sense of humor and normally I find it hard to keep up with her pace, but unfortunately this day she had something going on in her tummy that was bothersome and she didn't feel much like playing with us per usual. Next time!
daughter in law and grand baby, Allie Bel!
We stopped first at Ashland, OR and spent the day and one night with my cousin Betsy, who had just turned 90! Betsy has a great sense of humor and normally I find it hard to keep up with her pace, but unfortunately this day she had something going on in her tummy that was bothersome and she didn't feel much like playing with us per usual. Next time!
Before getting to Ashland we drove by Mt. Shasta! I drew while my husband drove, and yes, I even painted in the car while traveling. We had lunch in Ashland sitting outdoors, as the weather was perfect.
And we stopped at the art gallery where Seth Apter had a show of his wonderful mixed media art on display. So nice to see in person!!!
After one day in Ashland we were back on the road. We used the huge outdoor store, Cabella's as a stopping place to get out and walk around. I bought a soft stuffed bunny rabbit for Allie while there. In Albany we stopped for lunch at a Mexican restaurant and I had "The Lynn". ;-)
I did not draw a lot while we were in Portland, as all my focus was on being with my family. I did draw this day while Allie was taking a nap. Her mom, Jackie was in the backyard gardening. (She is much more beautiful than this woman in my picture...sorry Jackie) And my son was mowing the lawn.
We continued to eat well there, as my kids keep to a Vegetarian/vegan diet for the most part.
Allie loved it when grandpa sang and played his guitar. She would "sign" asking him to play.
I also got to spend time with my two oldest grand children, Mikiah 22 and Kaeli 19.
They are beautiful young people and so full of love to share with their grandma!
My grand daughter is brilliant! I taught her "colors" while there, and she remembered them as we went over this lesson each day. Here she is coloring with her crayons I bought her when they were visiting us in California in April. Again, I didn't think I'd captured what they really look like well, but when I asked Allie who the woman in the drawing was she said "Ma Ma". And when I asked who the baby was she pointed to herself! Like I said she's a very smart little 22 month old!
One of my reasons for going to Portland at this particular time was to take a workshop given by Seth Apter of the Altered Page blog. I took some notes in my art journal there and quickly sketched Seth as he was teaching the class. It was a very fun day. My girlfriend, Sam, came up from Glide, OR to take the class with me. We created "Dream Boxes" and learned a lot about layering gesso and paint and glaze!
It is never long enough it seems, as the day to leave eventually smacks us in the face.
So hard to say goodbye. My heart aches missing my family ... especially little Allie.
She and I spent so many precious hours together, talking and playing, and me just holding her getting her down to sleep leaves an impression on my chest that will be there forever. I just have to think about it to feel her warmth!
We traveled down to Roseberg, and spent a few precious hours with Cris, whose blog you visit. We got to see her chickens in action and pet Annie. Her garden of roses was in full beautiful bloom! Our husbands had a long chat as if we had just been there yesterday! I also got to see Cris' latest painting in progress and her wonderful art journals! Art in person always far surpasses seeing it in photos.
From there we went on to Glide, where we had dinner and spent the night at Sam's house. Her art studio is always fun for me to see. She makes amazing mixed media art herself and I can see her teaching classes!
And then to Crater Lake where the beauty always takes our breath away!
The next day we had that LONG drive home. Retracing our steps past beautiful Mt. Shasta all covered in snow. DH drives, I draw and paint. I left a space there to fill in with being home and getting Henry home. He was not happy being cooped up in his cat condo for such a long time, and he cried a lot after he got home. But day two he seems to be settling in once more.
Now I am back to work, lunch at Tacos Jalisco, and life as usual.
However, I do have our next trip planned out for the end of June!
Nice to have that to look forward to and seeing everyone mentioned here again!
I will link this to Paint Party Friday and Sunday Sketchers.
You can visit each blog via the icons on my sidebar.
Thank you for your comments left ... your words always warm my heart!
