#LeapDay

Leap

Do you have a Leap Year tradition? If I have one, I can’t remember what it is.

It would be fun to have something you do every 4 years.

As it is, I’m just looking at it as an extra day. There’s usually not a February 29, so anything you actually accomplish is bonus, right?

Also, I’m pretty sure calories don’t count, which is good because my local Culver’s is offering 29-cent custard cones for the occasion. But maybe I should leap a few times just to make sure.


Microblog Mondays: Write in your own space

Linen Lux Paris: Lampshades over the City of Light

Have you seen the photos of colorful lampshades hanging above Paris streets?

Here’s one…

Lamp shades in Paris via Fat Tire Paris

This was the first one I saw, and it was posted by Fat Tire Paris, a tour company I follow on Twitter, with the caption “The lamps (officially) came back out today! You can find them on Rue de Furstemburg.”

I was intrigued. What were these lamps? An art installation? Some kind of elaborate sidewalk sale?
Continue reading “Linen Lux Paris: Lampshades over the City of Light”

Branches

Maybe it’s because I grew up in Phoenix, where trees either don’t lose their leaves or lose them very late (like in the middle of our “winter”),  but I think there’s something kind of lovely about bare winter branches.

Branches

When we were at Boyce Thompson Arboretum in mid-January, I kept taking photos of plant shapes silhouetted against the afternoon sky.

image

Eucalyptus leaves in silhouette

Pomegranate tree branches

How are the trees looking in your part of the world right now?

Tree at BTA

Microblog Mondays: Write in your own space

Happenings in Arizona: February 2016 and Beyond!

We’ve been including a list of hand-picked maker/artist/explorer events in our monthly newsletter, and I thought I’d share the Arizona portion here today.

Arcosanti cafe

Now – Apr 30 Arcosanti Resident Art Show

Arcosanti, near Cordes Junction. Art by Arcosanti residents and alumni for sale. The day we had breakfast at Arcosanti was also during an art show. Work for sale included jewelry, photography, and mixed media pieces.

  • Gourd Art: Mar 2 + Apr 6. Basic gourd art for beginners. $35-$45.
  • Terrarium: Mar 11 + Mar 12. Choose your succulents and create an indoor garden. Walk-in class. $15.

Macayos margarita

Feb 21 – Mar 29 Macayo’s Tequila Dinner Series

Macayo’s Mexican Grill & Cantina, Scottsdale. Read our review of the redesigned Macayo’s Scottsdale.

  • Feb 21 3-8pm (National Margarita Day!): Tequila & Margarita Tasting to benefit the Leukemia Lymphoma Society with 9 Top Shelf Tequila samples, 9 handcrafted cocktail samples, appetizers, and live music by Nick Hranek. Open house style event. $40/person.
  • Feb 23 5:30pm: Tequila Dinner & LIVE! Macayo Salsa Challenge
  • Mar 29 5:30pm: Tequila Dinner

Eucalyptus trees at arboretum

Mar 2 – Apr 6 Craft Classes at the Arboretum

Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Superior. Whether or not you take a class, it’s a lovely place to spend the day.

  • Gourd Art: Mar 2 + Apr 6. Basic gourd art for beginners. $35-$45.
  • Terrarium: Mar 11 + Mar 12. Choose your succulents and create an indoor garden. Walk-in class. $15.

Heritage Square Phoenix

Mar 5 Phoenix Flea

10am-5pm in Hertiage Square, Phoenix. Market for vintage goods, fine art & crafts, fashion, and artisan food.

Southwest Maker Fest

Mar 12 Southwest Maker Fest

12-7pm in Downtown Mesa. Read about a previous SWMF or my travel journal workshop.

Quilling

Mar 14 CraftHack

6pm at Gangplank Chandler. Meet other artists and crafters and learn something new or bring your own project to work on!

Art Detour

Mar 19-20 Annual Art Detour

Phoenix. Self-guided tour of studios in Phoenix Arts District.

Ceramic art by Robin Ray.

Now – Apr 3 Arizona Fine Art EXPO

26540 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 100 artists set up shop under big tents in Scottsdale for 10 weeks. Also cafe, sculpture garden, and weekend music. $10 season pass.

January Photo: Monticello Fog

After looking back at what an app considered my top photos from last year, I realized the app doesn’t really know my life.

So this year, I’ll be choosing one of my Instagram photos each month that speaks to where I’m at in some way and sharing it here as my own Photo of the Month.

image

For January, I chose this photo from the foggy day we visited Monticello during our DC and Virginia trip. Phillip and I enjoyed exploring the grounds, and the fog added a layer of romance and mystery.

Also, I find myself drawn to photos with empty seats in them. Maybe when I see this type of image, it makes me feel like there’s a place for me in the space. Maybe I take them (and post them), so you can feel like there’s a place for you in my photos too.


Microblog Mondays: Write in your own space