Is there anything better than an escape from winter? I know that in some places (because I have lived in them!) that winter means snow and icy cold weather. In Sydney it never gets that cold but the thing is that the cold gets in my bones and I never feel warm. As soon as the leaves start to turn I start to panic about cold sheets, showers and shivers. So, it is with great pleasure that after a long flight on a cramped plane Sam, Grace and I ended up here!
The lovely rooftop pool of the Sunset Marquis. Ah, the bliss of a quick and refreshing dip in the pool and a marguerita before a quick trip to Venice Beach for some sight seeing.
Venice Beach..always things & people to see that just buzz on the strip. We came upon this very entertaining group as they prepared for a cool trick. This after guy after much ado, pomp and circumstance jumped over 10 people!
In my old life I actually participated in the renaming of Venice Beach to Muscle Beach ceremony so it was fun to go back and see that it is almost exactly the same except for these groovers posing in front of the gym.
There was so much to look at making it a great day for clearing the airplane cobwebs. Rooftops were a bit of a theme. We headed up to an apartment building to get a bird's eye view of LA and the Hollywood sign.
This is Grace, my niece, as she experiences the USA for the first time. As a History major Grace is here to find evidence of History. A noble endeavor for a young lady.
Although Sam has been here many times this is the first time as a "teenager". It will be interesting to hear what he thinks about it all at the end of the journey. Yo bro. As if he'll tell me anything despite my begging for info!
It was such a glorious day and such wonderful company...my good friend Bill and a new friend Lewis also visiting LA for the first time shared our day. For a gal that loves textiles this building caught my eye.
But the most beautiful thing aside from gorgeous company, the blue skies and the return to the homeland was our dinner at the Cafe Grateful. This place should be the centre of the universe. The atmosphere was charged with love and the food was fantastic. Check out this green drink called "I am rejeuvenated" and when I was done downing this sweet treat I felt cleansed and whole.
We were greeted with thoughtful affirmations and invited to discuss how each of us feels supported in our lives...and guess what, we did. Thing is that when it came right down to it we all felt supported by each other and then the dinner arrived. What a way to get over jet lag! I had a bowl of black beans and greens with garlic tahini dressing and lots of other things I can't spell. When it was done I have to say I felt complete, rested and completely rejeuvenated...just in time to head to yet another rooftop club for martinis! The ying and yang of life!
One night of a coma sleep on the most comfortable bed on the planet and it was time to get the plane to our next destinations. At LAX I swapped one gang for another and met Carolyn and Cath at the gate, newly arrived from Sydney, and we flew to Oregon...
As quilters we all looked out the window and immediately started to discuss options for interpreting the view.
So. SO! Here we are just arrived in Oregon! It is amazing, a word I rarely use for it's overuse but in this case oh so appropriate! AMAZING. Can you smell the air? Check out those snow caps! I have to say we can't wipe the smile off our faces. Even the fact that none of our bags arrived with us...(and that they were filled with our quilts for the exhibit!) couldn't dampen our spirits. I have to admit that learning that Sam and Grace got stuck in Chicago and were delayed 24 hours from arriving at my brothers place...uh, yeah, that was a worry. I think they are now finally at the bonfire enjoying the very special American treat of SMORES! So we can relax...we rest one more night before the end of the calm before the quilting storm which starts at The Stitching Post...a very special place for obsessive quilters!
I am grateful, thank you, more please!
if you see any of us here be sure to say hi!
