Winter Painting

When we're not traveling, I while away the gray, damp winter days painting downstairs in the basement. I crank up my boom box or listen to NPR, then am totally surprised when 2-3 hours have passed. My greatest pleasure comes from painting landscapes, particularly from my favorite snapshots of Camp Colegate. How delighted I was when Julia asked me to paint her favorite view of Lake Rabun. It now is hanging over their bed in Greenville, SC.

Dobb's Point, Lake Rabun, GA

I had snapped an adorable photo of Bruce's niece and nephew, Addy and Colin, at The Garland Country Club outside of Lewiston, Michigan. We had gone there last summer to have a family dinner and bless them, celebrate my birthday. We had such a wonderful time, and the children just looked so cute. I know, I have some issues with proportion, color, and heaviness of the paint. I was talking with David Mays this morning, and the recurring theme in our conversation was, "I learned so much from this painting." I hope Addy and Collin's parents enjoy this painting, because I had so much fun and challenge with it - my first human figures in painting.

Addy and Colin at The Garland



 While we were in Michigan last summer, we visited Jamie and Amanda up in the Upper Peninsula, in Escanaba. We were particularly taken with their Montgomery Ward catalogue home. This is the bungalow of the '40's, maybe, that I adored as a child in Middletown. My friend, Pam Sloan, lived in one, and I loved to go there and sit on her porch. Jamie and Amanda are planning on repainting thier home, so I painted it in the colors that they picked out. Amanda was so gracious as to mail me her paint chips, and after several phone calls and emails, I hope I got the colors and combinations correct. I took artistic license with their landscaping. This is the first structure I have painted, other than the boat houses in the Lake Rabun picture.




Escanaba Bungalow



Winter Dawn at Camp Colegate

I have held back on painting from this photo for several years, but finally felt that I could paint the vibrant rays of the sun. Oh, no. This painting started out great, but try as I might, I could not quite get the vibrancy. I tried yellow, orange, then white, and every time I added white my colors simply went flat. This painting is all snow and ice, not blooming flowers. I was so frustrated at the end, that I used my palette knife to indicate the shimmer of the weeds in the foreground. Maybe one should stick to what one feels one does best?

Last Posting for 2011

We were so fortunate to be able to spend Christmas down South with both daughters. How nice not to have those work commitments anymore, when one of us was having to work. Our first stop was in Greenville to visit Kevin and Julia and the triplets. Although we'd be missing their lovely trio at church on Christmas Eve, we were able to participate in their dress rehearsal. In the past, Anna Kate would decide to have nothing to do with performing in front of people, and simply return to her Mommy in the congregation. Despite persistent coughs, they performed beautifully in their practice session and on Christmas Eve. I've always said, if you can stand up and sing in front of a congregation at church, you can do any kind of public speaking. I think they are off to a grand start. They look so tiny up on that altar. You can catch the video on Julia's Facebook page.



Family photo at one of Greenville's dazzling home light displays.



Not sure you can see it, but they have moved the family piano out on the sidewalk, and are playing carols.
For a very minimum charge, they provide hot chocolate and freshly popped old fashioned popcorn as you walk around.

This is the view of where the backyards come together.

On to Atlanta for Christmas Eve and morning. The Dalrymple boys answer Christmas relateed questions
in order to advance down the stairs to unwrap their presents.

Hunter is stepping up to the plate in the kitchen, makes his own omelettes,
and is helping Chris with the macroni and cheese for Christmas Day. That's Mini to the right.

Grant and Henry (pictured) amaze us with their Lego skills.
Not only can they interpret and apply these diagrams, they stay focused and get it done.

What a lovely end to the year here at Camp Colegate.
Photo taken after storm Friday afternoon. I told Bruce to look outside, as the air looked right for a rainbow.
The Cincinnati Enquirer posted the same rainbow over the stadium on the front page of this morning's paper.
Happy New Year to all of our family and friends.

Our Annual Christmas Dinner on the Town

Foregoing presents for entertainment, Bruce and I have enjoyed the best Christmas this year, beginning in early December with a sixty degree stroll around the Cincinnati Zoo as the Christmas lights were just coming on. Unfortunately, no camera. This seems to be a common lament this year, so now the camera comes with us. Last night we drove downtown for a lovely dinner at the Netherland Hilton in the Carew Tower. Art Deco heaven. Tonight we'll join in on a sing-along Messiah with the Cincinnati Symphony.

We arrived a bit on the early side, and walked around taking in the sights.
No, we didn't arrive in a horse drawn carriage, but we couldn't resist snapping a photo.



The tower was built in 1929 in less than a year, costing $7 million dollars.
This construction during the Great Depresseion eased the financial burden for Cincinnati.
Back then guests did arrive by horse and carriage. Imagine, walking through these gorgeous doors into the lobby.



My little digital camera barely captures the grandeur of the spaces.
These sculptures grace the ascent into the grand lobby.

Remember the old arcade going over to Pogues? The huge gingerbread city is center back.

More art deco showcasing the gingerbread city.

  


Look closely, as you can easily identify Cincinnati landmarks.




Now the Orchids Restaurant at the Palm Court, this used to be the lobby.



I'm sitting in our corner dining banquette, watching the whole dining room scene.
The pianist in the bar behind us is playing 'Night and Day' and Christmas carols. This is all too glamorous.

Here comes our meal! The kloches are removed with a flouirish and simultaneously.
We attempted to stay and watch the table next to us. The routine is to present the entrees with kloche removal, no matter how many staff it takes. We ordered dessert & coffee, but the larger group was still enjoying the the first course.

Intricately engraved and detailed elevators on the lower parking lot.
End of the evening for us, leaving behind a breathtaking building celebrating a unique page in history.

Back to reality. Christmas on Second Street in Clarksville.

Thanksgiving in Cambridge

Unfortunately, Bruce and I missed our Cambridge Thanksgiving last year. Lowe's grants only two holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Period. And everyone MUST work on Black Friday. Hence you may recall last year's 'Camp Colegate Thanksgiving for Two' blog. So much more fun to be with friends and family for the holidays. And I can never resist taking my camera and cathching those moments of anticipation and beauty.

Bruce opening the gates of the compound.
We marvel at the old trees, such as the hemlock on the left.
That afternoon, as we made trips between the main house and the cottage,
the air was filled with aromatic cedar from an older specimen that grows near the driveway.

Bruce and I were offered the bedroom in the cottage.
The greenhouse is accessed from rgus room, and here is the view from that room into the greenhouse.

The hanging baskets are extraordinary.

We weren't spending time on the wrap-around porches this visit, but there is something
about those outdoor rooms that just beckon you to sit down and enjoy the peace and serenity.

The view from the cottage great room and porch.
Words cannot even begin to do this beauty justice.

It's all about anticipation, isn't it?

I could not capture every one of the fifteen at this table.
 Our hosts Andrew at the end of the table, Brad in the very lower right corner.



The day afternoon Thanksgiving we visited Marietta, Ohio, only 45 minutes away.
A bright and comfortable day, like that year we went to Falling Water. Here the Muskingum meets the Ohio.




The Lockmaster's House along the rivers.



One of the early churches





One of many fabulous downtown buildings.
We also drove around the lovely homes above Marietta College.
This is definitely a destination to which we must return and explore on our own.

  






Fall's Final Farewell

I may be a little premature here, but as we marvel at the last fading colors of fall and bask in this lovely sunshine and balmy temperatures, we remark that we are truly blessed. Camp Colegate has never looked lovelier, and no surprise, we have been crossing off maintenance projects like little robots. So much of what we've done will make the spring chore list much shorter, maybe some time for fun in the spring. But let me share some of the beauty of fall at Camp Colegate.

Dawn at Camp Colegate.
Grace lies between the bench and the meadow. She would sit on the bench in the evening, watching the sun set.



Burning Bush that came from Glen Colegate's yard years ago.



The Mike Proud tree, gift from our neighbor.
Reminds us of all the Sweet Gums that line I-85 between Chrsi and Julia's.

Trees on fire in the northeast as the sun sets in the southwest.

We have enjoyed our time outdoors, reserving maybe one day a week for exploring.. Yesterday we drove to Clifton, lunched at a truly Italian owned and managed bistro and caught a Woody Allen movie at the Esquire Theater,  Then we drove around Clifton with my Historical Cincinnati Neighborhoods guide, marveliing at all the incredible architecture. Next time I'm going to have to take my camera. The trees impeded our viewing, similar to our experience the week before in Wyoming. These tours are going to have to be repeated in the winter or early spring. There is so much beautiful and historical architecture to take in. We are never lost.

Zany Zelda

We knew we could never replace Grace. As everyone whoever interacted with her knew, she was a most unusual kitty, incredibly patient of children, scoffing and disappearing when the dogs appeared, and always ready for a hike or a kitty massage. We went to the Clinton County Humane Society with the plan to look, reenforce that there are always kitties there for adoption, and return in the spring for a very young female kitty. Those of you who know Bruce, know that would not happen. We could not replace Grace, but we could fill a very empty hole in our hearts. Grace was easy to photograph, Zelda has been a challenge. It is eerie how much she looks like Grace, yet so different. Her underside is much more buff colored, her ears and tail longer. She runs to us, always, loves being petted, but resists being held. I walked Grace all over Camp Colegate as a kitten. We keep reminding ourselves not to make comparisons. We'll love her unconditionally, as she is slowly mending that deep wound.

Tribute to Grace

Words can't express our love of our dear kitty.

Please take time to visit and enjoy our memories of Grace throughout the years at Camp Colegate.

This is our view from the kitchen and porch.
In the summer Grace spent the last minutes of the day here, watching the sun set.
We chose this area as Grace's final resting place.  I had labeled this photo 'Grace's Throne.'