Back to the Workaday World

I am so not ready to pick up a normal lifestyle again. "Back to work" means "back to the rat race," with only a week till WKAR shuts off its analog signal and goes fully digital. (This happens to be the day I leave for a conference in Florida -- which may be really excellent or really awful timing!)

I was thoroughly enjoying the holidays... parties, brunch with a good friend, celebrating someone else's art, and yes, even cleaning a bit. (The operative term being "a bit").

I've blabbed on about parties and fun enough. But let's talk brunch with Jane of Jane of the Jungle. She attended Jane Rosemont's photographic seminar in Italy last September and I was able to see her photos, talk art and photography and enjoy brunch.

We split a quiche and I enjoyed hot chocolate, while Jane had a coffee.

Chappelure is a new bakery/coffee shop and it has pastries to die for. Excellent food and absolutely stunning baked goods.

Like this one -- it's art.

Or this one.

Or this.

How about this?

Hungry now?!

On Sunday, Rick, Greg and I went to see the opening of our friend, Michael M. Smith's art show.

I met Mike years ago as a photographer who did covers for my magazine. He, in turn, introduced me to his wife, Kate -- who has become the best art buddy (and fellow foodie) you could ever know!

Beautiful work. See more at his website!

And then of course I scanned pictures, since when one gets a scanner, scan one must! Here are a couple I liked...

Yes, another Christmas memory. Well, memory isn't quite the right word -- I don't really remember this photo being taken or even being this young! But I love the beautiful tree in the background and the faded nature of the photo.

And this -- how come I look so happy in the snow? I remember this day -- I was in second grade and we had a snow-day.

Someday I must make up a story about that photo -- I'm not sure what it will be; certainly not real-life, which was pretty boring. Play in the snow, come in, go out, come in... But I'll think of something!I do remember that white jacket, though. I loved that one!

So, tonight I will take down a few more decorations -- swap out the Christmas china, perhaps. Prep for a workshop I'm doing tomorrow. Having finished off the last of the potato fennel soup and pita chips I did this weekend, I am more ready to curl up with a holiday book than take down decorations... we'll see.