Weekly bird in the hand

This week's bird in the hand - the things I am grateful for  - is easy!

Photo by mikebaird

Yes, it's family.  My sister Mary, her hubby Fin, and my two nephews Matt and Peter have been staying with us for the past week.  We've had a great time and the time has gone really quickly.  It's been so lovely to share days together - some with different activities, some more leisurely.

They head off to Yosemite tomorrow and then SF on Wednesday.  We'll have dinner with them Wednesday in the city and then they fly home on Friday.

Thanks for coming sweeties. We'll miss you a lot. xxxx ...but not before an action packed day today!!

Gothic Arch - stained "glass" windows

One of the defining characteristics of Gothic architecture is the pointed or ogival arch which evolved from the Roman round topped arch.

As I sit in Grace cathedral each Sunday, where I sing in the choir, I just can't help but look at the stained glass windows.  Most of the windows have what is called an internal tracery made up of small ribbed arches with different pictures or patterns in each.

The colors and indeed the reflections of the colors on the floors and walls of the cathedral are just a delight to behold.

 

As I arrived a little early last week to sing, I wandered around and just looked at the windows...again...and thus was inspired to capture some of those arches as earrings in silver and using the color anodized aluminum to mimic the look of the stained glass.

I have more to show to you another day of the rose windows but hope you like todays arches.

Sunday's Spotlight - A Trip to San Francisco

BY GUEST BLOGGER PETE

I've never really been convinced when people in this area tell me that San Francisco is prone to cold and foggy weather.  Every time I've been there it has been bright and sunny.  Closely followed by New York, I would say that San Francisco is my favourite from the various US cities I've visited.

The trip we made to San Francisco just before our return to the UK looked as though we were about to lose our "good weather everytime we visit San Francisco" record.  We set off from Glen Ellen in overcast and foggy conditions and made the trip to Larkspur in just under the hour.

We'd taken a ferry to Angel Island before but never to the big city.  So the four of us boarded the "Mendocino" and set sail for the 35 minute trip.  As we pulled alongside the ferry terminal in San Francisco, the fog cleared and the sun broke through.  Phew!  For a while there, I thought we'd lost our record!

The ferry building and the Farmers' market outside were as colorful and interesting to satisfy any photographer and I was in my element.

We armed ourselves for the fray by having one of the strongest cups of coffee I have ever been fortified with! If you fancy strong - I really do mean STRONG - coffee, then go to the west end of the Ferry Building to Blue Bottle Coffee.  There you'll see a queue outside the coffee stall.  Pull your hat down tight and prepare yourself!!!

All the stallholder outside the building didn't object to photos being taken of their stalls.  When I get home, Photoshop will be working overtime; but then there's nothing new about that!

After lunch at a restaurant with seats outside, I set off along Market Street towards Union Square.  This Square is one of my favourite spots in the city. Why?  Because:
1. There is a very good Borders bookshop there
2. The square itself is open, clean and welcoming
3. It's a great spot to do some people watching.  In fact I think I'd make it number 1 on my people watching locations.

The four of us met up back at the Ferry Building to pick up the return ferry to Larkspur.  Pam had an advance kip on the ship but the rest of us waited until we arrived home for our little nap!  A great day out!

U.S. Citizenship!

Today's the day!
We head down to SF shortly for our oath taking and swearing in ceremony to become US Citizens. A couple of friends will be there to cheer us on too! I hope they have stamina as it can take quite a while with up to 1400 people pledging.

It's been lovely to hear people's reactions - and quite surprising too!

Then one of our friends suggested we go for hot dogs afterwards....Hmmm... Do we have to be THAT American????

So think of us at 1.45pm!

Fabrication class

I'm taking two fabrication classes back-to-back this week - the first one from Friday through Sunday and then second from Monday through Wednesday. The classes are at Revere Academy of Jewelry design in San Francisco.

My goal is that what I learn in these classes will enable me to fulfill some of my other design ideas that seem constrained by solely using metal clay. Lots of sawing and filing today......but a nice group of 15 of us. Lots of good tips and hints..think it's going to be fun :-D

But the days are long - I leave home around 7am and get back around 8pm - so not much time for blogging......