War Horse On The Stage

It has been awhile since I have been completely blown away by a stage performance...but War Horse was absolutely AMAZING, powerful, moving and original! Nick Stafford adapted the story to the stage (premiering in 2007) from Michael Morpurgo's1982 best selling novel. Two thumbs up and 5 stars is this girls vote! I now know and understand what all of the hype is about regarding this show!

About to go in to the Paramount up in Seattle! Finally!!! I get to see the show and cash in on a ticket that I received as one of my presents this last Christmas.

My father and I took a quick snapshot at the intermission.

I have yet to see Steven Spielberg's (2011) film or read the book that started inspired this amazing show, but I am so glad that my first experience was watching it live on stage...you really can't beat that first impression!

Go see it as soon as you get the chance!

Snapshots and Sketches

Wow, it's been awhile! Life has been crazy...good! So much to be thankful for! Lots of music performances and travels for 2013 and they are fast approaching! I just got back from Ft. Polk, LA to visit loved ones and I can't wait to go to Hawaii at the end of next week!!! I had an amazing weekend with more loved ones and an art shopping trip to Daniel Smith in Seattle...needless to say that my eyes weren't big enough for my head when I walked into this store! Haha! It's amazing how inspired I became just by being around supplies!! Thank you Robin for introducing me to this place!

I have been doodling and sketching and collaging like crazy ever since!

Quotes and words of inspiration seem to be the center of my thoughts. I don't have any agenda other than to let my mind go and to try and create/ stay in a creative mindset as much as possible.

A word or two (or three) seem to come to me daily/weekly that I like to ponder...

I can't stress enough the importance of carrying a camera AND/or a sketchbook with you at all times!!! You never know when inspiration will hit you! I can't even begin to count how many sketchbooks I have!!!

GROW!!!

Fuzzy slippers to keep my toes warm this winter...

Leftover mini pumpkins...why does it seem everything is cuter in a "mini" version?

My beloved Puffers...how I miss you!

A quick snapshot/self portrait that I felt captured me for the day!

Photo Walk

On October 13th I was invited and able to participate in the The 5th annual Worldwide Photo Walk. What is a photo walk you might ask? It is basically a social photography event where photographers from all over the world meet up in their local communities on the same day and go out into their communities and take photos together, meet other photographers, share tips and tricks and look at photos that were taken that day by other photographers. Afterwards you have about a week to submit your favorite photo that was taken that day for a chance to win one of many prizes. You can find more info at:

http://worldwidephotowalk.com/

Here are a few of my favorite photos that I captured while on my walk in downtown Gig Harbor Washington 2012:

Despite some rain, I had such a fun time!

Laughs

Sometimes you just need a good laugh (or a smile at least)! Enjoy!

The last book to make me laugh out loud (multiple times) was the 8th book of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series called, "Hard Eight"...

Last movie: "What's Your Number" Starring Anna Farris and Chris Evans (Helloooo Chris Evans!!! I know he is good to look at but he is so adorable in this film and it's nice to see him away from the "Captain America" role!!!)

Yoga:

Clean/cute Jokes:

The nerd in me:
If superheros posed like their female counterparts:

Or...if...wait for it....Disney characters were superheros!!!

Animals being animals:

The "Funnies"...I remember back in the day when it was always a race between my sister, brother and myself to get to the comics section  (especially on Sundays) from the news paper (remember those?) first...

Of course one of the favorites was Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson:

Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire

Welcome to Faire!

An unexpected surprise! My brother has been telling me for several years now, how much I should become a part of Faire...much to his delight I finally agreed to get involved in Faire this year rather than just attending as a patron. Honestly, I never saw myself becoming a member of any guild for Faire, but I finally agreed to become a part of the Kumpania Paramitsha when I was asked to sing some amazing music. Oh yes, the proverbial "carrot" of music was temptingly held over my head...and it worked. Note to self, if you ever want me to say "yes" to something just mention that music will be involved and you will likely get the answer that you were hoping for. 

Check out a quick clip of one of the songs that a friend captured. It's called: Mori Shej, Sabina

A beautiful sunrise around 6:00 AM the second weekend of faire.

Jane, getting ready for the day

"Dalia" as I liked to call her, trying to hydrate before the 90+ degree weather. We lucked out with amazing weather all three weekends!

One look of several, with my bodice and layers of skirting.

As ready as I will ever be for my first day of Faire!

A quick picture of some beautiful ladies!

Thank you Larry Bennett for capturing this shot! Click the following link if you would like to see more amazing pictures from Larry Bennett .

Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire is the first three weekends of August. Click the link for more information

Luminitsa must get upon the noble donkey during one of the stories told by Vidor who acted as narrator for the story of the Salt Mill.

The Kumpania Paramitsha (more commonly called Gypsies) are a collection of performs who delight in story telling...and riding camels!

Oh yes you heard right, there were camels!!!

I met so many amazing people, performers and friends including Rocco an amazing horse that "Sir Nigel of England" is sitting upon"ith" (in this picture), and both of which are members of the Cavallo Equestrian Arts, a group of amazing and diverse performers.

I can't believe how fast time went...and that it is already over. What an amazing time that I will treasure. Until next year!

Rainier's Baseball surprise

Happy Birthday Dad!

 Totally surprised him when an amazing cake arrived and the crowd sang him "Happy Birthday" as his name flashed in lights on the score board for the whole stadium to see. Good job Toni on an amazing surprise!

 The Rhubarb mascot is so cute! I just want to squeeze him!

 

 The weather was beautiful, not a cloud in the sky and cooled down just enough for a...

Dance Off!

 

 Rhubarb totally danced circles around Harry the Husky!

But in the spirit of things, "Go Dawgs!!"

What a fun night!

Later that week, my dad and brother were absolute dearhearts and came over to help me replace my back patio roof!

 

 I had every intention of working on this but between the two of them, my job quickly became handing them roof panels, whenever they called out "panel"...so I decided to do some calking around my back door in between running to get them supplies.

I saw a lot of leg from the guys during this project! haha!

 

I am so blessed and thankful for all of their help. I can't begin to tell you how amazing it is to sit on my patio under the shade, enjoying the cross breeze with an iced beverage, all because of the help from these two amazing guys!