England and Scotland Adventure #2 - London

Moving on after visiting Westminster Cathedral, we walked to another beautiful church, Westminster Abbey, having a good look at the outside but having to leave the inside for the next England adventure. Unhappily but without time to fully enjoy it.  A good excuse to return! We passed by the great Big Ben and Houses of Parliament and crossed over Westminster Bridge to walk along the South Bank and then later return to the other side by the Lambeth Bridge. Then dinner and back to the hotel. A pretty full first day after staying awake almost the entire night on the plane. Who can sleep in a little seat on a plane??

Westminster Abbey

Passed by here but I love all the details!

Hello Big Ben!

just a few colorful souvenirs!

England and Scotland Adventure #1 - London

It was an amazing 2-week adventure to lovely England and Scotland. So many interesting things to see and do there and the weather unexpectedly beautiful. Only one day of rain showers! Due to stormy weather in the US and missed flights, the arrival was six hours later than expected. But all was well after arriving at the hotel and finding great food across the street at the Marquis of Westminster Bar and Restaurant. Then a walk to the Westminster Cathedral to enjoy the red and white striped Byzantine-style Catholic church. Very impressive!

French Cheese

Another drawing from my little sketchbook.
Some nice cheeses I saw in France last year! 

Fromage de Paris

African Violet

This is one of the 28 African Violets growing in my house. They are blooming like crazy right now and this one is one of my favorites. The blooms are bigger than the others but nonetheless, they are all different and beautiful. The 10 on my kitchen window sill make me smile while I'm cooking. They remind me of my grandmother who had them in her living room and from whom I received several that I still have today after so many years! 

Austin's Smile

Fundraiser for d'Artists of d'Art Center in Norfolk, VA

Tomorrow, May 3, there's a fundraiser to raise money to support the artists at the D'Art Center that were affected by the explosion in the building which occurred two weeks ago. One completely lost her studio and others lost some walls, windows and artwork. It seems that it well be a few months before the center reopens. I think it will be a fun event with food, music and art! And sunshine and warm temps!

Selden Arcade Explosion

This is a photo from the local newspaper about the center where I have my studio. It remains closed while investigators determine the cause of the blast. It originated in a small hallway that contains electrical panels just off of the interior corridor. One studio was severely affected and some others, I'm not sure yet. Lucky for me my studio wasn't affected, even by the sprinkler system! I'm happy that there were no festivities that evening. But I don't know when we'll be able to return to work there.