Dispatch From LA

Haunts, Hoods & Martinis

Carmel was enchanting as always. Spending a few days on the Monterey Peninsula under the fairytale snowglobe that is Carmel was a very good thing. And now, on the eve of 2008 it's nice to let myself be folded up into a set of new flannel sheets with a happy cat posse and a good book. Sometime over the long night I will spill out a jumble of words onto the pages of my writing journal. Utter contentment in thinking, writing, BEING alone.

I savored the drive up north while listening to a saved cache of THIS AMERICAN LIFE podcasts. Roadtrips with Ira Glass. Oh muchachos! It doesn't get better than this.

The beaches up north are so much more interesting than the Southern California variety. Windswept & rocky is more my speed.

I met dear Suzanne from Chicago, in Carmel and we enjoyed our drive back along the edge of the continent together. Good conversation, plenty of stops along the way, and drop-dead stunning views.

Later Carol from NYC joined us in LA. When Chicago and NYC come to call the Moss Tour of LA is called for. It's nice to share one's favorite haunts and hoods and martinis (!) with a couple of arty souls like this. Pure enjoyment.

The 101 Coffee Shop is a natural stop along the way. I know I've shared THIS video before, but it is so delightful that it bears repeating. Oh Ferraby Lionheart, you're a dear one. Yes indeedy.

Happy New Year!

7:03 p.m. 65 Degrees

This Christmas Eve a balmy wind has come to call. Today in the land of eternal sunshine the snow dreams were put on hold, the windows unlatched and opened wide. This is the first night in weeks and weeks that the heat hasn't been needed. But the air, warm or cold, isn't going to keep Santa at bay! No siree Bob! The cat posse is scanning the sky, eyes peeled for the magical team of reindeer pulling their special Christmas passenger. And down here on earth they are all set to chime the alarm. 3 meows in perfect unison will ring out across the house alerting me to hightail it outside with the camera. This is going to be the year. I can feel it.

Meanwhile the getaway car is packed and ready to head north. There's a real live Christmas Village to explore. A friend to meet. Pirate ships far out at sea to focus in on with my binoculars. Beaches to roam. And many many dogs wearing sweaters. Yes friends, I'm on my way to Carmel! And with any luck at all a great storm will blow in making it necessary to unfurl my raincoat and don my Astoria oilcloth hat.

The Merry Christmas collage above is on an 8x8 canvas. I sent that to my sister for her Christmas card. I had a grand time at the spraypaint station yesterday and today whipping up a small batch of mailart for a few special people. Those will be mailed from the road. 76 degrees is perfect spraying weather.

The bird theme continues. Today I used the giant bird mask over the blue-flowered vintage wallpaper.

Another unfinished page from the visual journal to be finished in Carmel. I never prep pages in advance so this is new for me. I'm strictly a one page at a time, one journal at a time person. The entire chaotic brain scan gets poured onto the page all at once. That's just the way I roll. But not this time.

In about three and a half minutes I'm going to be whipping up one of these babies in the kitchen. My sister will of course object to the way I've altered her recipe, but I can't help it. It's better this way. A perfect after dinner martini on a light-twinkling, magic-making Christmas Eve. Put on your party pants muchachos, the Key Lime Pie martini just pulled into town!

Okay and one last teeny tiny thing: THANK YOU. For continuing to stop by, and read, and comment, and share your thoughts, and ideas, books, music, art. All of it. Every last bit. xo

There Are No Snowcaves To Build

There is no snow here. There are no icicles hanging off the awning. There is no slick sidewalk to navigate on the way to the car. There is no brutal cold or unrelenting wind. There are no snow caves to build. Or even snowmen. There is no blizzard raging outside the windows. The roads are not clogged with cars that have skidded off the road.

I will read about winter instead.

Orange Alert

Today the sparrows are wheeling about,
starving after too many days
of sub-zero weather.

I go outside to fill the feeder.
I feel uneasy. The fate of all this
delicate life in the air above us.

Great oaks push their limbs
through gray sky. I raise my arms
high like branches, press against
the threat of storms.

A bird flies toward the window glass,
but turns aside at the last moment.

by Kirsten Dierking, from Northern Oracle

And piece together more collages in my visual journal.

You've seen these before, but not side by side.

I have officially jumped onto the bird silhouette bandwagon. Actually I was pushed. But now that I'm here I like it. I think I'll stay awhile.

Here's something else you've seen before. A paper chain. There is something so sweet and hopeful about a little paper chain garland.

A couple of blogs I've particularly enjoyed in the last few days. All new to me.

PINK CHALK STUDIO

CHICKENS IN THE ROAD

AUBERGINE

10:07 p.m.

The Ornament Express is plowing full steam ahead. So far my hands down favorite to make are the big sea anemone balls. (When I make these at home I probably won't use yellow school yarn.) The recycled paper fold-out star is a close second. Grab some grocery flyers, tape, needle, and thread and you're in business. Here are the links:
SEA ANEMONE BALLS
We used thick book pages I had torn out of my History of Japanese Art book that became my visual journal last year. You could use scrapbook paper too, or any cardstock weight paper. The possibilities are endless.
Recycled Paper Fold-Out Star
I made the one shown above in under 10 minutes and hung it in my window. Very cool.

How cool is this SNOWFLAKE CHANDELIER?

Loads of paper decorations over here at HOW ABOUT ORANGE

Like these 3-D SNOWFLAKE ORNAMENTS

The elves were busy polishing up their fine motor skills today.

When I got home this bag of goodies was waiting for me. Thanks Randi! I promise not to open a single solitary thing until Christmas Day. Not even the extra dark bag of chocolate at the bottom. In fact I'm not even looking at those. I don't even know they're in there.

Modular Mathematic Dodekaeder

It's a cold winter's evening in Los Angeles. Rain is pouring down all around Moss Cottage. I'm a little giddy what with the rain and the Snowdrift Martini I'm sipping. See that great big birdie up there in my journal? I found him HERE at Martha Stewart. Painted fabric silhouettes - it's a cool little project you might have some fun with.

I drove to work in the rain.

And when I drove home it was still raining. It's good to see the garden getting drenched with WET.

It's such a delicious feeling to hunker down up here in winter wonderland. The cat posse has folded themselves up into very tight round fur packages. They are scattered here and there. One of them just took a lick of my Snowdrift martini before I could bat him away. I could have sworn he winked at me.

Mostly I sit and stare at the lights and decorations. Later I'll lace up my snow boots and pretend I'm getting ready to hop on the snowmobile and get to the maple sugaring.

I found THIS tutorial for 5 Point Stars last year. I made them out of scrapbook paper. They're hanging everywhere.

If you start making them just know that you will be powerless to stop. They store easily with the other decorations by folding them up and securing with a paperclip. Tomorrow I'm making them with the kiddos. They always ask before we begin a project: "Is this gonna be hard?" I always say, "For most 2nd graders yes, for you, NO." The stars really are fairly easy.
THIS Modular Mathematic Dodekaeder looks less so.

Today we made THESE. I think they are BEAUTIFUL.

More gorgeous photos that Suzanne took in Italy. Most of these are from the Valentino show at the Ara Pacis Museum in Rome. The glass eyeballs are from the doll hospital. The big strapping fellow on the top left is delivering my present from Santa.

Try this now. You won't be sorry. Have 2 then try making the Modular Mathematic Dodekaeder. That's what I'm getting ready to do.

Greeks Bearing Gifts

My inner cupboards doth overflow lately with digital postcards. The one above featuring a bevy of Venetian menfolk is this year's letter to Santa. What? You think only 2nd graders write those letters? Suzanne captured that image during her 3 month stint in Italy. More of her outstanding photos are featured in today's (and tomorrow's) mosaic below. Suzanne and I are meeting up in Carmel in late December and driving back down the coast to Los Angeles together where she'll spend a few days in my neck of the woods. My sister and I are going to visit HER in Chicago in 2008.

This is the view from her Chicago condo taken at sunrise. Pretty spectacular I think.

I was thinking of my favorite Hem song when I made this digital postcard. Carol sent me this snowy photo last week. It was taken along her route to work.

More scenes from my growing visual journal.

It's a good friend that will scour the Athens flea markets and office supply stores for stamps. Beware of Greeks bearing gifts? Peshaw!

Some of Suzanne's photos were taken in Ospedale de Bambole, (doll hospital) in Naples. Hmmmm... I wonder if it's too late to change my profession to nurse?

This pie RECIPE has won blue ribbons and awards and accolades and everything else. I made it yesterday. Wanna know how good it is? Picture my head flung skyward and a limp hand upturned and resting on my brow, eyes crossed, crumbs on apron, one or two tears falling down cheeks. THAT'S how good it is. You'll want to make it. I'm just saying.

We Moss girls like to bake. This just in: Peanut Butter Chocolate Cupcakes from Carol's kitchen.

I DIG teeny tiny houses like mine. This one of artist Denyse Schmidt was featured on DESIGN SPONGE recently. Go HERE to see more photos.

Are Santa And God Brothers?

Flaming clouds in the sky this morning as I set out across the city for school. I enjoy this drive. I've mentioned it before. And like all the things I love it will be repeated again and again.

Heading south through Lincoln Heights, across the Broadway Bridge.

Through Chinatown.

Past this giant holiday sidewalk shrine of La Virgen de Guadalupe.

Then arriving at school to kiddos whose mothers tucked them into suits and dresses for the Christmas program.

And other kids who came as they are. Bouncing packages of enthusiasm.

Below is our official Postman. It is his job to put the big envelope addressed to Santa in the mailbox on the corner tomorrow after school. He didn't believe me when I said I'd mail it. The rest of the class falls for everything I say hook, line, and sinker. Not him.

"Santa is just your parents."
"Well sure, there are plenty of fake Santas, but there IS a real one."
"How does he get into our houses?"
"Magic keys."
"How does he deliver all the presents?"
"He makes all the time stop in the whole world then he starts it again when he's done."
"How can he make all the toys?"
"Elves."
"What about electronics?"
"Easy, he contracts those out from China, Korea, and Japan."
"Will he really read all the letters from ALL the kids?"
"Letters are his favorite thing. They make him really really happy."
"But will he bring us what we say in the letter?"
"He tries really hard and he wants to, but he can't always."
"How does he know us?"
"He knows lots of stuff."
"Does he know that my mom died."
"Yep"
"Are Santa and God brothers?"
"Maybe, I'm not sure. They might be cousins."
"Do you got the address for where my mom's at?"
"Heaven?"
"Yeah. Do you got that address?"
"Yep."

Gypsy Caravans

1. Le Temps des Gitans, 2. La Roulotte de Mémé, 3. Untitled, 4. Jeanne Bayol, 5. Jeanne Bayol, 6. Untitled, 7. Mas de la Beaume, 8. Jeanne Bayol, 9. Jeanne Bayol

You've probably seen these richly embellished Gypsy themed carriages around before. I'm endlessly fascinated and charmed by them. I'm pretty sure I need one permanently parked in my large front yard. Maybe I should contact JAMES to hook me up. Or perhaps THIS German outfit can supply my Gypsy trailer. On the other hand something extremely ornate like THESE might best suit my inner landscape.

While I wait for my carriage to be delivered (preferably pulled by a team of reindeer... at night... by snowfall) I continue the decoration of the cottage.

In my cluttered mind, less is never more.

More chaotically beautiful dwellings can be seen HERE
AND HERE

And of course it goes without saying that most of the real Gypsies of the world do not live in such fantastic bohemian environments. Years ago I read an excellent article in National Geographic about these once nomadic people. HERE is part of it.
And ANOTHER

A Gypsy VIDEO journey from National Geographic.

Okay. Enough Gypsy love and dreaming. I have Christmas cards to write and maybe an ornament garland or two to straighten. A beautiful mess to make on my art table. A journal page to write on.

A nap to take.

Snow Clouds

Mostly sunny. High of about 65. Stacks of grey & white clouds lolling about. No real rain. Although it did rain steadily all through the night on Thursday. And it's true that slate colored clouds covered nearly the entire sky for parts of Friday. A repetitive tape was stuck in the class recorder. It went something like this: "I think it's going to rain. Is it going to rain? Look at MY umbrella! Those aren't rain clouds they're SNOW clouds. It might snow. Right Miss Moss? Miss Moss?"

While I waited for snow, I got out my box of Christmas decorations from the garage. Snow or no snow plenty of lights and glittery things are pretty to look at. Pom-pom garlands complete the look. These were hung in the kitchen. I think I'll string together about 10 more miles worth and drape them on the outside of Moss Cottage.

After climbing up and down off the step ladder a few hundred times I'm finished. Christmas decorations go up in mid-December and stay up unti mid-February around here. I like to pretend I'm trapped in a blizzard inside of a cabin high up in the Canadian Rockies.

With gingerbread, milky tea, and a pile of books of course.

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas going for a visit to MODERN COUNTRY might make you very happy.

More snowy winter scenes HERE. I do love the crafty blogs at Christmas time.

Ordinary Photos

Ordinary photos today. Of plants that caught my eye in the late afternoon light.

Of cats stretching out on the porch rail.

And a dusty old mailbox I never bother to clean. Something special arrived in here today.

A freshly knit pair of socks that my sister made me!

Here we have a chocolate cupcake with peanut butter frosting. I ate it.

Maybe there were 2. I can't remember.

The World Can Crush You With Its Beauty

An excerpt from my current reading pleasure, A Ship Made of Paper:

The sky is dark blue and the autumn sun is warm and steady, as if promising that winter will never arrive. A slow breeze moves down the street, carrying the perfume of the slowly dying leaves, a nearby field's last mowing, the river. What can the world do to you with its beauty? Can if lift you up on its shoulders, as if you were a hero, can it whoopsie-daisy you up into its arms as if you were a child? Can it goad your timid heart, urge you on to finally seize what you most shamefully desire? Yes, yes, all that and more. The world can crush you with its beauty.

Yes, it can. I am smitten. Bedazzled. The drive to school down Figueroa could turn into a day-long photo shoot if I allowed it. But obligation calls. And the squeaky voices of 7-year olds.

My neighborhood is the embodiment of VINTAGE. 100% worn urban vintage.

Not a Virgin Records or Old Navy in sight. Who needs Vera Wang when Catalina has bridal gowns like this?

A place where a person can get completely lost. Or found. Everything is possible through the lens of a camera. Photoshop furthers the story along. Where is it all leading?

In this case, on this day, straight into the pages of my hefty 8 pound visual journal. How did it get so big? My smallest member of the cat posse weighs less.

The weight of paper and paint and glue and odds and ends cannot be underestimated. And how much does RED weigh? I wonder. Surely more than the other colors.

I am redoing the inner walls of my frontal cortex in deep shades of red. Gold sequins litter the floor. The wallpaper and fabric patterns are competing in a fierce battle. What a spectacular gaudy mess things are becoming.

Look. Birds. They're everywhere. I'm in love with this blog that lives in Mexico. I think you'll be charmed as well. Head south for a visit to Geninne's Art Blog
And...drum roll please, she has stamp carving tutorials.

Please Bring Me A Baby Coyote For Christmas

Today's glittering yellow sun almost made me forget that yesterday a rare and beautiful rain fell from Los Angeles skies. All morning and afternoon puddles formed across great expanses of concrete. The arteries of the city were swollen with water. I dusted off my Astoria oilcloth hat and rain slicker and happily splashed to school. Yes boys and girls, sometimes rain really does leave the clouds and spill down on the earth - even in Los Angeles.

Today was windy and cold. Giant stacks of the whitest clouds surrounded the city. And I went for a stroll in my neighborhood.

You didn't think I was finished with Through The Viewfinder photos did you? Oh Muchachos! I'm just getting started!
A carnival was setting up yesterday in a neighborhood park. Perfect.

With or without the traveling side-show my neighborhood has a decidedly carnival atmosphere. Regentrification hasn't pulled in to my neck of the woods yet.

Plenty of old crumbling buildings still around on my stretch of Figueroa.

And old signs galore. Most missing at least 1 letter.

These kind of photos lend themselves well to the viewfinder frames. And my latest brush acquisitions lend themselves well to these fragments from the visual journal. The almighty GOOGLE machine was kind enough to provide me with every single possible thing I could ever want to learn about brushes. If you're a curious type it won't take you long to be brushing away.

Full Monty shots coming up tomorrow.

ATTENTION: Get your arse over to DAILY COYOTE First buckle your seatbelts and go get a rubber mallet to bite down on. My sister brought this blog to my attention. When she was here we saw a coyote watching us in some nearby hills. If a baby shows up on my doorstep the cat posse will have to make do because I'm bringing him inside and we're going to all pile on the bed together. You heard it here first.

Dear Santa,

Please bring me a baby coyote for Christmas. That's all I want. I'll feed him and water him and love him.
Amen.