driving

Kind of an odd day today. One minute it is cloudy and overcast, the next minute the sun is trying to come out. Last night we actually had some snow flurries in and around ABQ. I know this, not just because of the weather report.. but because I had planted fresh mint into pots on my patio.. and had to go and cover them up. (kinda like washing your car, only to have it rain)

I feel like I have been driving alot as of lately. To and from doctor's appointments, to and from CNM, driving around ABQ. Over the weekend, I was with some friends and we drove down to the gallery in Tome(http://www.tomegallery.net/). I have never been to Tome... and would like to go again sometime. I took some random shots out of the back seat windows as we drove down the highways and back roads. It was cool. (http://newmexico.hometownlocator.com/nm/valencia/tome.cfm)

The first shot I did in a style not unlike when I used to do Infrared B&W shots and hand color them. At one time, I was one of only a hand-full of artists doing this style... and I still really enjoy the look. So--- a little "driving tour" photographically today.... enjoy :)



**all photos by Elaine A. Russell

ABC Wednesday





*all photos by Elaine A. Russell


ABC Wednesday is a blog posting with a twist. The host (Mrs. Nesbitt) hails from Great Britain... and there are participants from all over the world. Each week, people focus their post on a letter of the alphabet. They started with the letter "A" --and each week you post something in regards to the next letter of the alphabet. It is a fun, imaginative exercise... and it is great to see what everyone comes up with. This week's letter is, "O".

Today there were just soooo many choices.... organic, ochre, orange, omnipotent.....olive, opalescent, owl, ozone, ort.....

In the end, my word choice was:
Oratory: Etymology: Middle English oratorie, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin oratorium, from Latin orare. Date: 14th century
: a place of prayer; especially : a private or institutional chapel

To go with this word, I decided on photos I took at the Los Poblanos Ranch this weekend. It is a totally organic farm, inn, shop, heritage house, and lands located here in ABQ.
To me.... this garden area is an oratory. It definately feels like a sacred place of prayer to me... enveloped in gorgeous cottonwood trees, falling golden leaves, peaceful winds, and the sound of songbirds.

To see more on this fabulous place: http://www.lospoblanos.com/

Los Poblanos Ranch


This weekend, I went to the Los Poblanos Ranch with a couple friends. I have never been there before.... wow... what a shame. This is the kind of place that you could spend years at, and never get tired of. ((http://www.lospoblanos.com/)) While there, we saw the poultry area, the lavendar fields, a gorgeous sitting area amidst the cottonwoods, the farm shop... there was even a plein air class going on.(http://painting.about.com/od/landscapes/a/plein_air_paint.htm). Words cannot adequately express how beautiful the place is... so I will leave you with some photos. I will show more photos over the course of the next few days.




*photos by Elaine A. Russell

the St. James Tearoom



wow. What a wonderful day. I will savor it's deliciousness for a long while.
I had the pleasure of going with a couple fabulous people to the St. James Tearoom (http://stjamestearoom.com/) on Rio Grande in ABQ.
If you have never been to tea... I highly recommend it. From the sweetly decorated rooms and garden patio; to the savory treats and sweets... it was just delightful. The company was exquisite, and so was the food.... not to mention the tea (perfect)
I could go on and on..... but I will leave you with some photos from the day.





*photos by Elaine A. Russell

aint no mountain

*photo by Elaine A. Russell


...that song is running though my head as I edit this photo from yesterday. Love the song. So glad the hubby is home.... hate it when he is gone. After almost 20yrs of marriage... we still don't like to be apart.

Have alot going on this weeked-- places to go, people to see.... stuff to make :)

I have been working on my garage/studio a little. It has been in total chaos since the remodel began (actually-- it was in chaos long before that... but).

Sold a couple of items on Etsy, and just found out that one of my photos is being published in the NM Free Press; a newspaper out of Santa Fe (http://www.nmfreepress.com/).

The remodel project has run into a slight glitch with the installation of the bathtub... apparently the wrong size panels were cut... so it'll be a few more days before they come in. And ... we are waiting new cupboards to come in before the demo starts on the kitchen. So-- a little bit of limbo for a week or so.

I know. Not an interesting blog post. Sometimes life is just like that...kind of a "hurry up and wait." Here's a song while we hang out .....


mostly bright skies



So-- today I woke up to mostly bright blue skies. There are still some clouds, but it looks like the storm that has been here for the last few days is clearing out.
I had another doctor's appointment today. Mostly good news. Somehow I have gone from severely qualifying for medical disability to being (mostly) the picture of health... in the past 15yrs. It is really quite amazing. The downside in all this, is that I had finally worked up the courage to apply for disability... and now I probably wouldn't qualify. Course, the good news, is that I am much healthier. So--- extra money each month.... or better health. Easy choice.
Now, apparently I am quite deficient in Vit D, Vit B12, and Iron... so I need to take supplements. And, my cholesterol is a bit higher than it should be, so we are gonna try a new medication. Plus, I will do my best to improve my diet a bit :)


As a treat, I drove up closer to the Sandias for some photo taking. My camera has a panoramic function.... but I am having trouble seeing the screen in bright light in order to "stitch" the photos together as I take them. Will have to try again some other time... but in the meantime... here is the one that turned out OK.

**all photos by Elaine A. Russell (click on photo to see the panographic larger)

overcast

photo by Elaine A. Russell

It's been raining off and on for a couple of days now. Unusual weather for Albuquerque. It is sunny almost every day here.. and already people are wishing and waiting for the sun.
Myself, I like rainy days. I like the sky being overcast and cloudy. I like the chill in the air. I like the feel of the moisture on my face. I like any excuse to stay warm in a quilt and read or laze about, drinking hot tea and eating toast.
Today the daughter made pancakes. And not just any pancakes... each one had a different flavor. One with nutmeg, one with orange zest, one with poppy seeds.... and so on. What an adventure.
The hubby is due back from his work-trip tonight. It will be good to have him home.

ABC Wednesday



*photos by Elaine A. Russell


ABC Wednesday is a blog posting with a twist. The host (Mrs. Nesbitt) hails from Great Britain... and there are participants from all over the world. Each week, people focus their post on a letter of the alphabet. They started with the letter "A" --and each week you post something in regards to the next letter of the alphabet. It is a fun, imaginative exercise... and it is great to see what everyone comes up with. This week's letter is, "N".

nemophilist -- Ne*moph"i*list\, n. [See Nemophily.] One who is fond of forest or forest scenery; a haunter of the woods. [R.] ; one who loves the woods

I am a HUGE fan of the woods. Yes.... a "haunter", a wanderer, a wannabe biologist and/or botanist, one who is profoundly at home in the middle of trees (and ferns!).


MsBonz says...


photo by Elaine A. Russell


I took this shot the other night, peeking in the window at Que Chula! on Central Ave. (of course, altered a bit in Picnik). She is fabulous. Things like this really really inspire me. I've been doing Day of the Dead art for several years now, and it never gets old.

So-- the hubby is out of town on another work related trip (yikes). I hate it when he is gone. When the kids were little, we used to make a game of it. We would have "theme nights." For example...One time we got Chinese food, watched Mulan, ate at a table low to the floor on pillows, used chopsticks, and slept on futons. That was a typical venture.
Now that the kids are grown.... it has become more about photo days or some such. But today, the daughter is making "samosa" from scratch. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samosa). I slept in til the afternoon... enjoying my comfy bed and soft quilts and snuggled with my puppy. And I have spent several hours just reading and surfing the net for interesting bits.

Another great day :)

bumbles bounce


photos by Elaine A. Russell


Some days are just strange. I have been feeling overwhelmingly tired as of late... not sure if it is the lupus; or just the daily grind....but I have been in sort of a fog the past couple of days.

I had posted a camera lens on Craigslist for sale, it was given to me, and never fit my camera (and the camera is now gone). I had a buyer-want-to-be, and we scheduled a time to meet at the Sunflower Market. I love Sunflower... but I digress. 45 minutes later, my hubby decided to wander the parking lot, and found the people equally looking for us. Go figure. The lens did not fit; but I think there are adjustment rings that you can purchase for connecting lenses like that. SO.... I ended up giving them the lens in hopes that they could "make it work."
In the process, I managed to slip on this puddle of grease that was on the sidewalk where I think the store had been grilling food. It was a classic FLIP fall-- just like the 3 Stooges. It was embarrassing... but like any good bumble... I bounced. ((http://www.entertonement.com/clips/kgdjchfgkk--Bumbles-bounceChristmas-Rudolph-the-Red-Nosed-Reindeer-Yukon-Cornelius-))

Then there was the seemingl long time where I desperately kept trying to get up; only to continue to slide in the grease... legs slipping, feet sliding, sandals coming off repeatedly....
And then (once up)-- here are the hubby and I using handy wipes to try and get grease off of me and my skirt (right butt cheek was plastered with grease)... I'm sure it would have made an interesting video. Guess you had to be there... but it was definately amusing after a minute or so.

And like a dear hubby... he took me out to Flying Star anyway... and got me a treat :)

From there we had to go find him a suitcase for an upcoming trip, and we found one at J.C. Penney's on clearance for $43!! Woot !!!
Then we went to see "Where the Wild Things Are." -- I always loved the book... and remember reading it alot to my nieces when they were little.

So-- photo 1 is of the truck outside of Sunflower Market, photo 2 is at Flying Star, and photo 3 is of the poster outside the theatres at Cottonwood Mall.

VSA North 4th Arts Center





photos by Elaine A. Russell

The other day I went to visit a friend as she was getting done work. She works at the VSA Arts of New Mexico on 4th Street in ABQ. I have been to this place before, but only briefly. Now... I got the tour.

"North Fourth Art Center is a contemporary art center with a social mission. Our independent nonprofit name is VSA arts of New Mexico (VSA NM), affiliated with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. Our center is dedicated to full accessibility in the arts for people of all abilities, ages, cultures and income levels. Since 1981, we have focused on providing arts education and exhibition opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities. "

The Center encompasses programs through AmeriCorps, The VSA CenterArts, City CenterArts, and an explosive Outreach program.

The center has a gallery, ceramics studio, multiple classrooms, and a theater. "N4th Theater is a state-of-the-art, fully accessible 4,000-square-foot black box theater that produces challenging and adventurous contemporary performing arts productions and events, hosts two resident companies and serves as a community arts, culture and education resource."
---Not to mention... ALOT of cool art from the people who go there :)

For much more information; including current events and programs: http://www.vsartsnm.org/.

Our Lady of Kazan Skete





*all photos by Elaine A. Russell



The other day, frankly, I was lost in Barelas. I am not familiar with the area at all, but it is such a photo op of an area... that I just had to drive around for a bit. It was pretty much a perfect afternoon. I went to my jewelry class, then went for a drive around town... got a coke... and went exploring.
To my delight, I came across this wonderful grouping of buildings, known as the Our Lady of Kazan Skete. "The monastic community of Our Lady of Kazan began roughly 25 years ago south of Downtown Albuquerque as a skete - defined as a small community made up of 2-3 monks.....
The community has grown over the years to offer a counseling center, and works to pass on its skills and training to the surrounding community at large - including gardening, herbalism, bee-keeping, honey production, beeswax candle-making and iconography classes with our iconographer. " (http://www.kazanmonastery.org/)
Works of profoundly awesome art from the community are available at ORO Fine Art Gallery (http://gallery.orogallery.com/)

Heritage farms



photos by Elaine A. Russell

These are all photos from the Heritage Farm at the Rio Grande Botanical Gardens. Wandering through there is not very much unlike alot of the farm scenes I grew up around. Now, we didn't have a whole lot of grapes growing in PA... but... the orchards.. yes.

It is a truly beautiful section of the parks, and I encourage you to visit if you can.

More info here: www.cabq.gove/biopark
*click on photos to see them bigger :)

ABC Wednesday

ABC Wednesday is a blog posting with a twist. The host (Mrs. Nesbitt) hails from Great Britain... and there are participants from all over the world. Each week, people focus their post on a letter of the alphabet. They started with the letter "A" --and each week you post something in regards to the next letter of the alphabet. It is a fun, imaginative exercise... and it is great to see what everyone comes up with. This week's letter is, "M".

Today... I am posting a pic of the MIGHTY OAK. I have always loved trees, and the oak is a shining example of stature, strength and stability.

"Mighty oaks from little acorns grow" is a phrase often heard (at least when I was in grade school), but today it really brings me comfort. I may be small in this big wide world, but it is still possible to do great things, see great things, and rise out of the dirt.

In Celtic mythos, "The oak is a living legend representing all that is true, wholesome, stable, and noble. When you are in need of stability and strength in your life - envision the oak in your minds eye. Picture yourself drawing into its endless energy waves. Soon, you will find yourself sharing in its power. "

http://www.whats-your-sign.com/celtic-meaning-oak-tree.html

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/247100.html

*photo by Elaine A. Russell

at the gardens



photos by Elaine A. Russell


So -- yesterday, the hubby and I decided to take a stroll at the Rio Grande Botanical Gardens (http://www.cabq.gov/biopark/garden/). We haven't been to it in years, and it seemed like a "weekend" thing to do. Seeing as I overslept, we ended up going mid-afternoon... and only had a couple of hours at the park. I had intended to see the aquariums, but we ended up spending our alotted time exclusively in the gardens.

There is alot more garden area than I remember, and alot of it seems relatively new. It is fabulous. We strolled through the Children's Fantasy gardens (led by 2 very enthusiastic young boys), through the Sasebo Japanese gardens, the Mediteranean gardens, the rose gardens (my mother-in-law would've loved this), the Heritage Farm and gardens (my parent's would've loved this), and the cactus gardens of the southwest.

Having just a simple Kodak camera now... I was a little worried about getting the kind of shots I would like. However, my little "koda" surprised me. Of course, it won't take the macro shots that I would like.. but it is turning out to be a really nice little camera. As I get them re-sized into more accessable pics, I will load them onto my FlickR link to the side --->

We stayed until closing (5pm) ... then we went for supper at El Patio. The hubby and I have eaten lunch there many times... and it is a nice dependable place to get quality New Mexican faire. I had the huervos, and he had the chicken burrito plate. yuuuuuuuuuuuuuum. http://elpatiodealbuquerque.com/

perseverance

photo by Elaine A. Russell


When I was little ... growing up in the backwoods of PA...I had a neighbor up the street who had the most beautiful gardens. He and his wife were already "old" by my childhood standards .. and spent their days working in their gardens, drinking cocktails in the evenings and throwing garden parties for their friends at night. The man was a descendant of one of the first settlers in our area, and the house was a veritable museum of taxidermy animals, old books, and great china. I remember they had a taxidermy Great Horned owl that sat in one of the big windows.. and even though I knew it was there.. it always startled me. One of the first jobs I ever was "babysitting" their geese flock for a couple weeks when they went on vacation. But I digress.

I think my love of plants started then. They owned the whole back hillside as well as the property across from the dirt road by their house. This property consisted of a sizable hill full of forest, a creek, a couple ponds, an underground spring, lots of bear/ deer/ wild critters... and tons of wildflowers.

On the flat area across from their house, they had planted extensive flower gardens. One of the most brilliant flowers there was a very tall variety of tiger lily. I remember that the lady called them "turkish nightcaps".. and I imagined that little Turkish elves would come at night, dressed in all their woodland finery.. and wear the flowers as caps. I imagined that the lady elves would be wearing skirts of day lily petals in yellow and orange and red... and they would dance by the ponds under the stars when no one else was about.


Just this summer I went again to visit these woods. The properties are all "suburban" now... it was sold and divided years ago, and now there are 4 houses where gardens once stood. It is very sad to me... and yet.... I was surprised to see this one lone stalk of tiger lily pushing itself out of the ground and raising its petals to the sky...


*I just found out that one of my photos is now published in the Schmap Guide to ABQ ( see link on the right ) WOOT !

renovations


photo by Elaine A. Russell

Renovations are seriously underway. Like fall.. we are beginning to see some real changes here.
  • Instead of barely functioning sliding doors to the backyard, we now have working french doors with locks.
  • Instead of a front door that hangs lopsided, so that the locks hardly work... we now have a brand new steel door and accenting side windows.
  • Instead of outdoor brass & glass 80's lighting that was hung in the dining area and hallways... we now have beautiful frosted glass globes that hug the ceiling.
  • several holes have been patched, the area around the fireplace has been demolished, finished and textured, and the doorway to the garage has been moved over to accomodate a kitchen re-vamp coming in the next few weeks.

There have been a couple of "oops"....like.. today the doorknob was put on backwards to the garage.. and I didn't notice until the crew had left. Ah well. But all in all.... fabulous work so far.