Focus on the Stars

 

Even though I am not Catholic, I was brought to tears by the transition and selection of the new pope. He has such a strong voice in the world that I was thrilled with the choice. Pope Leo can bring so much hope and light to the world in so many ways. His voice can help to sooth the souls of a broken, dark world. I am already impressed by what he has shared.

 

In his first Mass as pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, at the Sistine Chapel, urged Catholics to be a light in the darkness and focus on faith over material things. He knows my heart.

 

Then I came across this quote by Pope Francis, "Don't let your hope be stolen."  What an amazing way to think on hope, my word for the year. We cannot allow others to take our hope away, no matter what. We must hold on even in the darkest night.

 

My hope for Pope Leo is that he can contribute to peace throughout the world. With peace comes gentleness, truthfulness, and love. Just what my spiritual doctor would prescribe.

 

 I hope everyone here had a lovely Mother's day weekend. My afternoon involved a walk with family in the neighborhood where I found these wild roses in full bloom and baby duckling chasing their mama around the pond. Just the perfect sort of day to celebrate mama's.

 

Have a terrific week, sending love,

Marilyn

Victorian Fashions on Display

 Before I get started, my pictures loaded with the reverse of the show. If you want to see it progress the way the show went, start at the bottom and work your way up. If you start at the top, this first dress is the finally.

The main reason I chose to venture north to Port Townsend last weekend was for the Victorian Festival that takes place each spring. A friend from San Diego is actively involved in the fashion show. She wrote all the dialogue and organized the show this year. What a beautiful show. In the audience background you will also see that many of the attendees even dress in costume. It is quite fun. If you ever get a chance to attend, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

There were two men in the show. This one was the mortician. He really was enjoying himself.

 

 

The hearse with all kinds of surprises.

The black dress was the only dress that was original from the Victorian era. All other dresses were made by the models.

The blue dress was the models first dress made for herself. She did a great job.

Many of the models also made their accessories. I was fascinated by the shape of this hat.

This model has been involved in all the shows I have attended. Each time I am impressed with her sewing talents. This particular dress had a fun three tiered bustle.

I loved that there was a variety of ages, shapes and sizes of models involved. They all seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Here is my friend from San Diego. I remember many years ago she barely knew how to sew and now I am so impressed at what she does with her costumes. She even teaches classes at a costume conference.

Even the military was represented. He was carrying all his supplies from his bed roll to his dinnerware and pipe.

 The show took place in the local VA building and his costume fit right in with the surroundings.

 

 Here we are at the beginning of the show. I hope you enjoyed it. Several fabrics caught my attention and I quite loved this plaid.

 

Would you love living daily in one of these dresses? How comfortable are they? With all those layers and cinched in waist, I think I wouldn't be very comfortable. 

Have a terrific weekend, dear friends!

Sending love,

Marilyn

An Adventure - Pacific Northwest

 

It's amazing what you can pack into a week. One week ago today my two adult children celebrated their birthdays. They are four years apart, but both born on May 1st.  We had cake for two, chocolate and vanilla.

And then the next morning my "live-in gardener" and I drove north into Washington State to do some visiting. Along the way there were many sightings of rhododendrons and other beautiful things.

The first night at my sister-in-laws home, she took us out to dinner. Now that was a treat, but the restaurant manager said that we must walk in the garden. It was near sunset which made the garden all the more beautiful.

Each sunrise is amazing from my sister-in-laws home. This one really touched my heart.

One day we walked in the Rhododendron gardens at Fort Worden in Port Townsend, Washington.

The lighthouse at the Fort's park.

Then on another day we took the ferry to Whidbey Island to have lunch with a friend from my youth. We met at a garden shop that has amazing plants and their cafe has amazing sandwiches. I had the best tuna sandwich I have ever had and their special rhubarb/elderflower spritzer was a delight to sip.

 

And because we had a hour before catching the ferry back to Port Townsend, we walked in another rhododendron garden.

There were a few gorgeous primroses too.

 

Then as we headed home there was one more stop to visit a favorite Thomas Dambo troll with friends.

 

I think the past week could be called, Rhododendrons and Special People.

I do love a good adventure and this one was filled with JOY. A perfect ending to the past year of working of moving and personal business. It felt good to be released for awhile to play. It was much needed.

Sending love,

Marilyn

Teabag Art

Last year I participated in the Teabag Art show at A Framer's Touch in Forest Grove, Oregon. This year I haven't had time to paint much, but still wanted to see the creativity of art incorporating a teabag or two.

Enjoy the art show and see if you can find the teabag or two in each piece of artwork. What surprised me both last year and this year is how creative the artists were in their use of a teabag. Can you pick out the teabag in each of the pieces? Some were a challenge for me to see.

I found this one unique in that they layered the teabags from different teas to create different color/shades and then left a chart of the tea colors. I have dyed Easter eggs with different teas to create variation in shades, but hadn't thought of layering them for the different shades.

The teacup and saucer had been cut so they would fit into the artwork.

And of course I loved the Alice in Wonderland theme of several.

Seeing all the teabag art inspires me to pull out the art supplies soon and start painting again. First I need an adventure or two, but yes!!!! Creativity feeds my soul.

Sending love,

Marilyn