Jillian Suzanne

Loeb Store window displays!!!

2011-11-09T13:29:00.000-08:00

Remember a couple of posts down I showed the cover for our Loeb anniversary book. As I mentioned before Loeb is a creative company known for its incredible store window displays. This Xmas Papagallo & Gollo are the theme for these displays! And I am so excited to share these images!!!!

Swiss Woodcarving

2011-11-09T13:27:00.000-08:00

Back in Brienz, it’s easy to see how the art of woodcarving has this town on the map. Sculpting wood is a centuries-old tradition in the Bernese Oberland. Early carvers took advantage of the area’s plentiful forests to create a variety of interesting objects. Well, now they have created a series of wood carvings from my characters in our Papagallo & Gollo books. How exciting is that!!!!

Papagallo & Gollo z'Bärn on Loebegge

2011-11-07T10:40:00.000-08:00

Our 5th book of Papagallo & Gollo has been released to celebrate the 130th anniversary of Loeb in Bern Switzerland!!!

Loeb was founded in 1881 and is run by the fifth generation of the proprieter family Loeb and is as important a landmark as the clock tower (Zytglogge) and BearPark.

On eight floors guests find a comprehensive range of international brand name products, regional specialties and unexpected treasures. Loeb is also known for the friendly, competent staff and its special services.

Loeb won its special reputation as a creative company through extraordinary campaigns, regular art exhibits, spectacular storefront designs and events with well-known personalities.

2012 family planner

2011-10-20T16:59:00.000-07:00

The 2012 family planner from our Papagallo & Gollo series is here...

Showing a picture of the cover and one of the months inside!

2 inspirational video's

2011-10-19T17:08:00.000-07:00

One for the eyes and one for the mind!

1) Pretty impressive piece of 3D facade mapping on the Kulturbrauerei's wall in Berlin. This excited me in all sorts of ways!

2) and this I found inspirational and just plain smart!

From Switzerland to Boston (photo essay)

2011-09-19T20:54:00.000-07:00

Tj (my best client ever) & Andrea ( visiting from Switzerland) & (of course) me.

Cigar

It's that dang banana skit again...

The Boston Common.

This reminded me of the entrance to Diagon Alley.

Rebecca & Tj pose with Elvis.

Andrea preferred a man in uniform.

Church of Scientology gets the best real estate.

The thinnest building I ever saw.

Reflections.

A day in Marblehead, MA. (photo essay)

2011-09-13T20:13:00.000-07:00

A place to sit and eat lunch...

Fort Sewall

A stroll through the neighborhood...

Old Burial Hill

I will be a hummingbird!

2011-09-12T15:29:00.000-07:00

You can watch the video here:
"I will be a hummingbird" - Wangari Maathai

In this beautifully animated clip from Dirt! The Movie, Wangari Maathai tells an inspiring tale of doing the best you can under seemingly interminable odds

A walk in the rain...

2011-09-07T20:07:00.000-07:00

This just in!

2011-08-20T15:11:00.000-07:00

This just in from my art director... picture of my books in a store in Bern Switzerland... the 1st 3 in a row on the shelf to the left and right in front the 4th ( route 66) book... This week finishing #5, on shelves in time for Xmas!

Must get out...

2011-07-19T19:38:00.000-07:00

Escaped my computer screen for a nice summer walk around town.

Papagallo & Gollo Route 66

2011-06-16T15:02:00.000-07:00

The 4th book of the series! Coming Soon to stores in Switzerland...

My Clients

2011-05-25T15:08:00.000-07:00

Swiss Rocker Gölä & TJ, my awesome clients (pictured with our 4th children's book)!!!

One Small Step...

2011-05-19T16:50:00.000-07:00

One Small Step... (into spring)

One week off...

2011-04-27T18:36:00.000-07:00

I have 1 week off between books. Just finished Route 66 and about to begin Loeb. I'm enjoying some spring walks for my birthday week!

Little Facts #1

2011-03-17T16:14:00.000-07:00

little facts # 1 :

1 pack animation paper =500 sheets which ='s 3 1/2 children's books which ='s time to open another pack!

I play poker like Johnny Cash plays music... slow and steady like a freight train!

I love matza balls without soup, and I also love corned beef on challa with ketchup, much to the horror of my mom!

1st Blizzard

2011-01-13T17:07:00.000-08:00

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

“I care not for Spring; on his fickle wing

Let the blossoms and buds be borne;

He woos them amain with his treacherous rain,

And scatters them ere the morn.

An inconstant elf, he knows not himself,

Nor his own changing mind an hour.

He’ll smile in your face, and, with wry grimace,

He’ll wither your youngest flower.

“But my song I troll out, for Christmas stout,

The hearty, the true, and the bold;

A bumper I drain, and with might and main,

Give three cheers for this Christmas old.

We’ll usher him in with a merry din

That shall gladden his joyous heart,

And we’ll keep him up, while there's bite or sup,

And in fellowship good we’ll part.

In his fine honest pride, he scorns to hide,

One jot of his hard-weather scars;

They’re no disgrace, for there’s much the same trace

On the cheeks of our bravest tars.

Then again I’ll sing, till the roof I ring,

And it echoes from wall to wall—

To the stout old wight, fair welcome tonight,

As the King of the Seasons all!”

A winter walk

2011-01-12T17:12:00.000-08:00

Last chance to get outside for a couple of days...

2011 family planner

2011-01-03T19:08:00.000-08:00

Just received my copy of our Papagallo & Gollo family planner for 2011!

Not 1 but 2!

2011-01-01T16:17:00.000-08:00

Getting ready for not 1 but 2 Children's books this year!!! Gonna be busy over the next 8 months!

Forest River Park, Salem

2010-11-21T18:23:00.000-08:00

Another fall walk in the nearby park.

Fall Colors

2010-11-11T18:11:00.000-08:00

A walk around our new neighborhood to witness some fall colors!

Long dry time...

2010-11-05T16:48:00.000-07:00

10 hours of work and sanding is complete!!! Now time to stain... Staining outside in 38 degrees, the stain says use in 50 to 60 degrees... Going to be a LONG dry time!!!

Final touches indoors, matching the new digs pretty well!

New home...

2010-11-04T16:44:00.000-07:00

Signed the lease on an awesome historic house in Salem!!!!!! Found a gem and only one day of looking- I think the city is welcoming us in!!! Celebratory dinner! 1lb lobster, 6 oysters on the half shell, coleslaw, baked potato ($24) delicious !!!!!!!

2 days 2 hours my a**!

2010-10-29T16:36:00.000-07:00

2 days 2 hours my a$$.... We have arrived!!!!!!

Def not in California anymore!

2010-10-26T16:33:00.000-07:00

Def not in California anymore! Staying a bit longer in Chicago, visiting with the lovely Ralph & Rita (of Ralph's World)! Why you ask? Great friends & tornado warnings! Provisions accounted for are cameras and wine! Ok so moving from LA we experience the hottest day in 150 years and now in Chicago we are about to experience the worst storm they've had in 70+ years... It's on it's way, seen two flashes of lighting in the distance and the wind is slowly picking up! I'm a bit more excited about this one!!!

Reunion

2010-10-25T18:04:00.000-07:00

Great night at Ralph and Rita's! Eric came round ( we haven't seen each other for about 12 years) with his Awesome kids Levi & Chance!

days 6 & 7

2010-10-24T17:54:00.000-07:00

Gnomes in Omaha-ha-ha-h

So glad to be out of Omaha! The road out was covered with road kill, raccoons, foxes, coyotes, and deer... Kinda disturbing. Now just past Des Moines Iowa!

Lyric from the radio in Iowa "there once was a vegan who went to the U so he could get a sandwich and have a chew. He took a bite and screamed with fright OMGWTFBBQ!

5 days on the road...

2010-10-23T17:43:00.000-07:00

Bad weather ahead...

So happy after some intense driving to make it to Omaha and to get to see David ( who by chance is there for business)!!! 4 hydroplanes, 1 avoided deer and 10 white knuckles for a lil' skidding off road, ugh. David thank you so very much for putting us up in your awesome hotel!!! NE has been a lil creepy today... And now we feel safe and all tucked in for some shuteye! G'nite all! David you were a beacon In the stormy night! So wonderful to see you! After a shower and some food this is where we are leaving from! Depending on weather, I wonder if we can make it to our friends in Chicago tonight!

Virginia City! (2 days on the road)

2010-10-19T17:26:00.000-07:00

The trek across country begins...

2010-10-18T18:28:00.000-07:00

Gonna take our time, see some sites, see some friends, and drive and drive and drive!!!!

Reno was successful!

"Maky" Magazine cover

2010-09-14T18:59:00.000-07:00

Illustration for children's magazine cover well underway... Still packing and sorting!

It's for a magazine called Maky, a Swiss mag. Don't know their distribution, but apparently they print 1 million copies every month. This is for the December issue!

Papagallo & Gollo In Asien

2010-09-10T15:42:00.000-07:00

The 3rd book I illustrated for the Papagallo & Gollo series, releases in Switzerland today! Very, very excited!!!

Familiarly, unfamiliar

2010-09-09T18:44:00.000-07:00

It is quite odd packing up and consolidating your life... Nothing is in it's usual place. So familiarly, unfamiliar.

Getting ready to sell (just about) EVERYTHING!!!!

Malice In Wonderland...

2010-08-15T15:41:00.000-07:00

Malice in Wonderland (1999) Oil, paper, and resin on canvas. 37.5” X 31.5”. “Malice” goes to her new home today! She was the first of a 10 year series, and the hardest to part with... Alas it is time! Goodbye Malice, I will miss you!

Given my 2 months notice!

2010-07-28T15:40:00.000-07:00

Anyone interested in living at the brewery Artists Lofts Complex in Downtown LA? We are looking for someone to take over our space Oct.1st. For further information please send me a message!

Dear Mom & Dad...

2010-07-22T15:39:00.000-07:00

Hi! The weather here is fine, the storm in the Caribbean is off in the distance. Bonaire is located in it’s special little area, hurricanes don’t come here. We can see lots of lightening at night, but it’s out over the ocean at least 30 miles away, so it’s just a fantastic light show at night on our balcony for us! Well, we are officially certified, passing both the theory written exam and our practical (actual diving). Our instructor even sent Rebecca and I out on our own for our last certification dive (with our compass to navigate our own way back), while he finished up paperwork for our licenses. As we were coming back we bumped into our friends (Jan, Gogi, Joerg, & Anna) underwater. Then we had an hour break drinking some of the best ice mochas i’ve ever tasted. After (since we were now certified), we joined our friends for another dive. Right away we saw a sea turtle and so many other amazing creatures; shrimp, an eel, parrot fish, a stonefish (pictured above) that camouflage themselves so well, it’s very easy to overlook them... and then there are these crazy worms that look like gorgeous tiny alien plants that when you wave your hand by them to move the water, they “POOF” fold in on themselves and disappear into the little holes in the coral. They made me so happy and giddy, like a tiny little girl, and I just kept hunting them out! Every time they “POOFED” I clapped soundlessly underwater ‘til I could find another. Today we ventured down to 50 feet underwater! Tonight we have a lil baby gecko in our penthouse... he is adorable and hopefully on mosquito control! Tomorrow is our last day for diving, we will do 3 dives. I think I mentioned before that you cannot fly for 24 hours (always go with the conservative wait time) because of the excess of nitrogen that builds up in your body from breathing through the air tanks. And this excess has to release from your body before going the altitude of planes so you don’t run the risk of getting the bends. So instead of diving on Saturday, we will explore the island, turn in all our gear and get ready to leave. This has been an amazing adventure and accomplishment and I can’t wait to see what we discover tomorrow under the sea! Now it’s off to bed!

Children’s Book #3 Complete!

2010-07-19T15:38:00.000-07:00

Officially have completed all the illustrations and had my final meeting to deliver color checks, for Papagallo & Gollo in Asia (Vol 3). To be released Sept. 10th, 2010... Now off to Bonaire!

Pagan

2010-06-04T15:35:00.000-07:00

I will be eternally grateful for the beautiful spirit that graced my life for 16 years. Yesterday it was time for her to move onto another journey. She left us as she should have, surrounded by so much love, peace and with her dignity. I will miss my little Pagan beyond what my words could express, but cherish everything she is in body and spirit and such wonderful, wonderful memories. May you run, chase, and bound forever more, and keep an eye on me from time to time. I love you my little almond eyes.

Happy Birthday Goldie!

2010-05-25T15:34:00.000-07:00

Getting ready to go visit my grandma Goldie on her 94th birthday! Happy Birthday Goldie!!!

(pictured me, Goldie, my father Bob-Sir)

Brewery Artwalk • April 2010 • P&G vol.3

2010-04-12T15:33:00.000-07:00

Greetings Friends and Art Connoisseurs

I’m excited to announce that I will be opening my studio for the spring 2010 Brewery Artwalk this coming weekend, Apr. 17th & 18th between 11an and 6pm.

As you may know, since December of 2008 I have been a busy bee illustrating children’s books. I’m currently in the middle of working on my 3rd in the Papagallo & Gollo series. During the Artwalk I will be engaged in painting and I invite you to stop by and share in the process. I’ll also have artwork for sale including pieces from the Puss in Bootz series, the Lil’ Gentlemen series, and my Fine Art series.

For more details about the Artwalk and other participating artists, please visit www.breweryartwalk.com

Rainbow in my backyard...

2010-02-09T15:32:00.000-08:00

A lovely sign as I begin illustrating Vol.3 of the Papagallo & Gollo children’s book. This adventure we are going to Asia!

The Fringe Benefits of Failure.

2010-02-01T15:30:00.000-08:00

You can watch the video here:
http://vimeo.com/1711302

J.K. Rowling, author of the best-selling Harry Potter book series, delivers her Commencement Address, “The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination”.

"it is impossible to live without failing at something unless you have lived so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all. in which case, you fail by default." J.K. Rowling

Driving home from Vegas... Snow!

2010-01-21T15:26:00.000-08:00

Had a wonderful time on my father, daughter poker trip to Vegas! And playing my 1st poker tourney in Vegas = Cha-Ching!!!

For my neice...

2009-12-20T15:21:00.000-08:00

This is what I made my niece Lexi for her birthday (The image is from Hansel and Gretel, in my 2nd children’s book).

Charity in Switzerland

2009-12-19T15:19:00.000-08:00

I just found out that one of my original drawings (from my 1st children’s book) was given to the biggest charity event in Switzerland against Malaria in Africa. The winner paid 8,601 Swiss Francs (that’s about 8,250 USD)! Amazing!

SCBWI

2009-12-09T15:18:00.000-08:00

I’m very excited to have just become a member

Papagallo & Gollo Am Nordpol

2009-11-13T15:14:00.000-08:00

My 2nd Children’s book is released today in Switzerland, and on Friday the 13th! (Gotta love that)!

Purchasing my children’s books

2009-11-01T15:13:00.000-08:00

I have been receiving many requests as to where to get a copy of my children’s books. If you are interested in purchasing the first book (which is available only in Swiss German) or the 2nd book (available in Swiss german and French- to be released Nov.13 2009)

Go to the site http://www.papagallo-gollo.ch

Downloadable Cautionary Tale

2009-10-14T15:12:00.000-07:00

**Cautionary Tale sc1

As we did with the first Children’s book, there is another downloadable cautionary tale that will be available from the site http://www.papagallo-gollo.ch

I am now working on those 4 fun illustrations for a deadline of Nov.6th!

Children’s Book Vol.2 is finished!!!!!

2009-09-28T15:11:00.000-07:00

**thumbnail Papagallo & Gollo Am Nordpole (fairytale)

My 2nd children's book is finished! The release date in Switzerland is set for Nov. 13th!

End of the night

2009-09-06T15:11:00.000-07:00

**thumbnail from Papagallo & Gollo Am Nordpole

Finished the last scene for the “Gollo” stories in Book #2. That’s 25 pages of completed illustrations. We are in the home stretch now for my Sept. 28th deadline!

Long Overdue

2009-07-14T15:10:00.000-07:00

**thumbnail for Papagallo & Gollo Am Nordpole

Well what excuse can I have for this long overdue, and yet short post? I’m working on Vol.2 of the children’s book (from Switzerland), and it has been keeping me as busy as ever!!! I can’t show any images on here as of yet, but as soon as I can, I will!!!! But I can let you know that it is 6 weeks into the project and here is where I am:

7 pages of Completed Illustrations, 3 approved sketches being prepped for board, 13 sketches waiting approval (should have quite a few of those approvals tomorrow), 5 more thumbnails and the book jacket left to design

Damn! I work all the time! It’s a wonderful thing that I love this project!

Children’s Book Vol.2

2009-05-29T15:09:00.000-07:00

It begins! I had a wonderful first meeting yesterday. Found out the 3 traditional stories we are using and their scene break downs. Also was given the synopsis of the main thread story (that is actually still being written). I have plenty to begin with and will do just that today!

A lil slow on the blog front...

2009-05-20T15:07:00.000-07:00

On the Job front:

The phone call I’ve been waiting has come!! We are doing a Vol.2 of the children’s book!!! Stories should start coming in by next week and I should be well into working come the beginning of June. I’m so very excited! *Photo above of Vol.1

On the Show front:

The closing reception for my show at 410 Boyd in LA (see a couple posts down for full details) is Friday May 22nd. I’ve been asked to keep my work up for a month longer – so if you didn’t make the opening, can’t make the closing, or you just want to see everything again… You will have one more week to do so! Though I do hope to see you at the closing reception on Friday!

Image is the cover from my 1st children’s book

Good, Productive, and Updated

2009-05-02T15:05:00.000-07:00

My birthday celebrations were wonderful! My show opening was a success, as it is always nice to sell a few paintings – especially when they are some of your favorites. (There will be a closing reception for the show Friday, May 22nd 6pm – 10pm).

Along with updating and adding pictures to this blog, I have also added the illustrations from my 1st children’s book to my online portfolio, so have a peek if you haven’t seen the book yet! It’s been quite a busy week since we’ve gotten back from our month in Europe!

Just thinking about and sending out a little wish for my Grandma Sylvia, who passed away 12 years ago today. I thought I would share this wedding picture / illustration of my Grandparents.

Image of my grandparents - Wedding Illustration (1940’s)

Greetings Friends and Art Connoisseurs

2009-04-27T15:03:00.000-07:00

From news update email: It’s probably been quite a while since you heard from me. So I thought It was time for a news update. I am happy to publicly announce my new website and blog (found here). Please visit (and check out my earlier blogs) to keep up to date with news, art, and shows.

Highlights: In December I landed a job illustrating a children’s book and made my artistic jump towards a new career. The book was set to release the end of March, and so I decided I wanted to go to Europe and see my first children’s book in stores. So the flights were booked and the plans were made and I was off to Europe for a month. I visited England, and Rebecca having lived there for 10 years, gave me a most phenomenal tour! We went to Ireland, and of course Switzerland... into Ex Libris to get my book! I had such a limited time between finishing the illustrations, plaaning and getting ready for the trip, and launching my new site - that this is the first chance I have had to touch base and let you know all the splendid news! Hope you enjoy and would love to hear your thoughts!

~Cheers Jillian

Solo Show @ 410 Boyd, Thur. Apr 30th 2009

2009-04-24T15:02:00.000-07:00

You are invited to Jillian Suzanne’s Solo Show

at 410 BOYD street Los Angeles, CA 90013 (t)213.617.2491

OPENING RECEPTION: Thursday, April 30th, 2009 6pm -10pm

CLOSING RECEPTION: Friday, May 22nd 6pm – 10pm

Last Day in Europe

2009-04-23T15:01:00.000-07:00

Enjoyed East Finchley and High Barnett – Spent a fair amount of time walking around, enjoying parks, and enjoying taking yet more pictures. Even found time to just lay on the grass, stare at clouds and even fell asleep for a nice grassy nap. Can’t even remember the last time I did that. Today (our last day here) I will meet an old friend and roommate from Art Center in Angel for lunch. It must be about 10 years since I’ve seen her and I’m looking forward to doing so!

JK Rowling & JR Tolkin

2009-04-20T15:00:00.000-07:00

We have had a wonderful time in Bream, near where JK Rowling grew up and hence visited a couple more Harry Potter places by chance (The Forest of Dean – which is not a place they have filmed at yet, but rather a place she references in her book). We have also hiked into Puzzlewood (also in the Forest of Dean) where JR Tolkien was inspired for his hobbits.

Images from the Forest of Dean, England

Wales

2009-04-19T14:57:00.000-07:00

Because we are near the border – we actually went into Wales to visit the ruins of Tintern Abbey, so that’s yet another country to add to our travels. Left Bream and headed into Richmond, London where we spent a night wandering by the Thames river and having a lovely dinner. Tomorrow we head to Finchley (where the kids in Narnia are from – at least in the movie, can’t remember if they mentioned it in the book or not).

Images from Tintern Abby & around, Wales

Whitby Abbey and the train from Hogwarts

2009-04-15T14:54:00.000-07:00

The weather at the Abbey was quite suiting with it’s moody impenetrable fog (as you can tell from Rebecca walking between the ruins). Braving the (3ft visibility) roads on the way back from Whitby, realized we were near Hogsmead Station and drove on over to try to catch the train from Hogwarts (as you can see I am quite confident it will come).

Images from Whitby Abby & “Hogsmead Station”, England

York

2009-04-14T14:50:00.000-07:00

Currently in Rebecca’s former haunt York, yet another beautiful academic town. Our B & B is quite nice – finally was able to get up in time for one of their incredible meals! although we missed breakfast today they were kind enough to pack us sandwiches for our visit to Whitby Abbey, a place Dracula laid port.

Images from York, England

Back in England with wheels.

2009-04-13T14:46:00.000-07:00

Back in England we rented our car for the next 10 days and headed to Norwich for 2 nights.

Images from Norwich, England

Ex Libris and my children’s book

2009-04-09T14:43:00.000-07:00

Saw my book for sale in “Ex Libris” today (in Lucerne before taking the train to Thun), Very exciting!!! We are staying with TJ (my client) in his beautiful 200 year old farmhouse, surrounded by snow capped mountains. It is simply beautiful here!!! Been wandering around here and nearby towns and villages, visiting castles and enjoying sight seeing. Also I have finally had a good look at the children’s book!! It is amazing! The production value is incredible… I was thinking it would be just a stapled cd booklet but NO! Its a proper mini Jillian~sized hard cover book! It’s wonderful!!!!

Switzerland

2009-04-07T14:40:00.000-07:00

Yes after another long day of travel (4 trains, 2 tubes, 1 plane and 1 car) we are in Switzerland! It is so amazingly gorgeous… We are in the country surrounded by snow capped mountains and lakes. So beautiful that it makes you want to cry. Heaven would have a hard time competing. Should be able to find book tomorrow, if not in a store then when we are staying with TJ (my client), but based on the architecture I’ve seen so far seems I did a good job in my illustrations depicting the places. We are sitting in the piano bar of our charmingly amusing hotel and they play lots of hit ballads from the late 70’s and just played a round of Abba. Just drinking a nightcap and enjoying the wood beams and low ceilings of our surroundings. Also the walk to sit under a giant tree by the lake and watch the bats fly around us, with moonlight reflecting off the snow on the mountains was splendid.

Christ Church & Blenheim Palace

2009-04-06T13:02:00.000-07:00

Visited the Christ Church College, where they filmed some of Harry Potter - the stairway they go up when the 1st years just arrive - picture above left). Have also visited a charming little town called Woodstock, which is a little village just outside of Oxford. We had a lovely walk around the grounds of “Blenheim Palace” - picture above right. Also found a little antique shop, where I bought two children books. One is a 1st edition classic of “Cautionary Tales for Children” by H. Belloc and another old book called the Green Goblin Book – which should be fun to read as well. Really been enjoying our visit on the other side of the pond.

Back in England

2009-04-05T12:52:00.000-07:00

We are now back in England, to be specific we have been in Oxford for a couple of days. Oxford is very similar to Cambridge (they are rival academic towns). Of course still taking many, many pictures. My eyes are loving all the stone, all the green, all the spires, all the bell chimes, all the trees, all the graves – the town smells wonderfully lush and old and full of history. I'm quite expressive in my new warm coat!

A proper jacket =)

2009-04-02T12:47:00.000-07:00

We are still in Dublin. I finally got a proper jacket a couple of days ago, as the one I brought was not warm enough even with all the layers under it. You need wool or down rather then cotton for colder climates. The other day we met my friend and neighbor Nicole’s sister, brother in law, and mother (who was visiting in Dublin as well) on Grafton St. they were all lovely and so nice to meet all of them, especially so far away from home. Evan and his fiancé have been very generous and lovely to be visiting. Today we went to Glandalough and hiked around the monastery / church with creeks running through and a lake to go down to. Spent a few hours there before heading to a nearby restaurant for a pint and some chips. We drove back to where we are staying over Sallygap – which was a pretty drive. Tonight is our last night in Dublin dinner is smelling fabulous and almost ready and Evan has friends coming over to meet us. Should be a very nice evening!

Fresh eggs cook bigger & brighter & tastier!

2009-03-30T12:22:00.000-07:00

Last night we slept in a B&B that was built in the 1700’s and our breakfast came from the eggs in his hen house (above left). By the way fresh eggs cook bigger and brighter and tastier!

Images from B&B and nearby restaurant, England

Cambridge

2009-03-29T12:15:00.000-07:00

Cambridge England is incredibly beautiful (even with the hail – maybe especially with the hail). With it’s old and beautiful architecture ranging from as early as the 1200’s to numerous buildings from the 1700’s/1800’s and lush, lush lands around them. We took a tour around the perimeter of the city whilst being told stories of its history and colleges. Stopping at opportune views to get out and snap pictures. We were able to explore more the next day as the weather let up a bit. I’m in love with Cambridge!

Images from around Cambridge, England

No longer a Muggle!!!

2009-03-27T12:06:00.000-07:00

I went to Kings Cross Station and through platform 9 3/4’s! For the few of you who may not know, that’s the platform to get on the train to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.