Are These For Real?

I suspect they are, and Igor Siwanowicz has done an impressive job capturing great "poses" and incredible detail of these colorful, unlikely creatures.


These first two look like something Dr Seuss might have dreamed up, and the green one also reminds me of the mutant parakeet.






























This is one trippy, punked-out caterpillar!










And this critter looks like he's singing an aria!





















We're lucky to see this one away from the foliage it usually hides in; I doubt we would be able to pick it out in its natural habitat.


You can see plenty more here! (Left click on images to enlarge!)

Glorious Fall Sky (In Portland)

I posted this picture last year, but made a mistake-----when you would left-click on it, it zoomed all the way up to poster size so you couldn't get a good look at the overall image.


What a good excuse for me to post this one again, but correctly sized this time.(Left-click to really see it.) ( Djinn, this is one place where splitting the infinitive works. See, I'm not completely hidebound!)

Better Weather, Richer Color

It's been so gray, rainy, cold and dreary here that I feel compelled to post a picture from my garden from last Spring. Behold one of my favorite peonies------a named variety called Old Faithful. It's too early to be looking forward to Spring, but still.....

Have a great Weekend!

What a Costume!

(Left click on pics for greater clarity.)


Last year when we were visiting Antwerp, I really liked the sculpture depicting the "ongoing" work of finishing the Cathedral there. When the church was originally built (starting in the late 1400's), they ran out of funds, and one tower remains incomplete. In the 1800's, a sculptor fashioned these figures which stand alongside the church, continuing to "work" on what is now considered a permanently unfinished building.

When I first saw them, it was too late and dark to take pictures, but since it was not far from our hotel, I decided to double back the next morning, and take advantage of better lighting. When I arrived, I saw that a street performer was puttering about amongst the figures, putting on the finishing touches of a costume to make him blend in .

In vain, I struggled to get shots that did not include him. I felt too shy to ask him to get out of the way for a few moments, but now what I like best about these pictures is the fact that he was getting ready. You can also see the mirror (top pic) that he used to apply his make-up, and of course, his tip-jar.


All he needs now are his gloves.

My New Favorite Lanscape Photographer

I found a link on The Daily Dish for landscape photography by Marcin Sacha, and was completely wowed by his images. Here are two terrific ones, but you should really check them all out.


They remind me of the dreamy hyper-realism of Grant Wood in his famous depiction of The Midnight Ride Of Paul Revere.

Invisible Man Or Ghost?

I came across some of the artworks by this man, Liu Bolin last year, but couldn't find them again. As luck would have it, my husband saw these and thought I would like them, so now I am going to put them where I can always find them------you're welcome to enjoy them as well. There are lots more here.

Nailing It

I am really struck by how evocative Vlad Artazov gets nails to be. This pic is my favorite of this series even though in this one the nail is relatively static.

He has more pics here too.

Looking Forward to Warmer Weather, Happier Times

It's that point in the Winter when it's finally noticeable that the days are really getting longer. But I can't imagine the days will get ever long enough to give people the idea that they have enough time to make creations such as these. These sand sculptures are incredible! Too bad they crumble so swiftly! But at least we can enjoy these pics. (This first one features lots of storybook characters. Do you see Rapunzel with her braid out the window? ) Puss-in-boots can be better seen from this other angle. Such meticulous crenelations on the castle! Don't you just want to wander through that tunnel on the right?


I just love this dragon wolfing down someone digging in the sand.



Perhaps it would be nice to have more public art in the stimulus package. It might seem like a frill, but at least it would employ people while creating things of lasting value (one would hope).

To see more of these marvelous creations, click here!

More From Portland's Japanese Garden

I really can't recommend visiting this garden in the Fall highly enough. I was lucky that the sun was really bright the day I was there. The only challenge was taking shots that didn't have other photographers in them. The camera bugs were out in force.

One More Good Reason To Visit Portland

This pic was snapped in the Japanese Garden in Portland in mid October, 2008. I'd use it for my desktop except the icons don't show up well against it. (The picture has much more clarity from the file on my computer. I'm not sure why this image is so fuzzy here when enlarged.)

New Thanksgiving Recipes!

For the ultimate experience of that warm and cozy Thanksgiving repast, consider the possibility of the entirely felt feast! Yes, that's right, the following pictures are all of food made entirely of wool felt. (Not recommended if you or a loved one has frequent trouble with hairballs.)


Notice the perfect lattice work on the pie, and no floury kitchen mess!


The turkey can be completely white or dark meat, you choose the wool!


That's right, all the trimmings from pats of butter, (so much lower in fat!), to cranberry sauce, (no messy stains!), can be crafted from felt. Low carbohydrate mashed potatoes and buns are another benefit. These recipes are so light that no one will leave the table feeling over stuffed. Guaranteed!


Make sure to enlarge the images to see these creations in all their fuzzy glory.


But I would stick to wax candles; felt can really catch on fire!


(All these images were snapped by me, kerfuffler, on a fact-finding mission in Portland, Oregon. Unfortunately, I lost the name of the knitting store that had this wonderful display. Kudos to them for what looks like a marvelously flaky crust.)

It Doesn't Get Much Better Than This!

I just couldn't resist.

This was NOT photo-shopped. If he can spaz out this much over which direction to turn to shake the moderator's hand, do we want him anywhere near that red phone?

My most astonishing nieces

They dressed themselves. I'm so proud (sob!) I so love clothing myself (shallowness rocks!). You both look gorgeous, with the sort of style that those "blessed" with fortunes pay mid- to large amounts of same to approximate, and yet, never quite pull off. Much love, Aunt Genie

Must cut post short...off to purchase items they may deign to wear.

Stars at sunrise

The window in the staircase in my house. My friend Amy made the stars; (see, over there? You could click....) I like them. Sweet GeeBee took the pic, it goes without saying. He made dinner tonight, too! Is there anything hotter than a man saying, and I quote, "Sweetie, what would you like me to make you for dinner?"

Refrigerators!

I think refrigerators are just peachy! So many fun images, so little trouble displaying them. Two favorites: the orange drawing in the upper left clipped out of the New Yorker with a caption reading: "The noted air guitarist William Ocean," and the pic of me, mom, and dad in the lower center-left; oh, and, of course, Johnny Rotten, uh, forgive me, John Lyndon, also upper left.

Pic by my dearest GeeBee.

PS. Extra points if you can guess my favorite color.

Snapdragon--Epic, Fierce.

My very own S.O.B. girl. Such a proud mama!

Chillin'

At home with friends.