the days, they are good

Don't mind my misshapen hand.  I was drawing in watercolor with a little brush.  Terribly fun!

Tomorrow is portrait sketch practice day with Sister.  I found this picture of John for us to draw.  Vintage authors.  That would make a good series wouldn't it?

I wonder who she will find.

Last week I turned us both into Briarcliff patients again.  It seems unavoidable.

It's difficult to predict what will happen this week.

This afternoon I stitched up a journal bag for my completed Venice journal.  It has a pocket inside for all my postcards, receipts, maps, and small notebook journal.  I was operating under the Done Is Better Than Complicated Work Of Staggering Genius principle.  

Which.  

Left me more time to make some peanut butter chocolate frozen yogurt.

I followed THIS recipe and it turned out to be one of the best desserts I've ever made.  Ever.  Having an ice-cream maker could not have possibly made this any more delicious than it was.  

Let's call this chapter Frozen Desserts in the Depth of Winter.  

Cause that's just how I roll.

And then this happened:

And as if that wasn't enough, a reader sent me this wonderous collection of rare vintage Parisian photos shot in color with a process known as  Autochrome Lumière

Go HERE to see.  Seeing them in color is extraordinary after having only ever seen old photos in black & white.  Like time travel.  Only safer.  

Thanks Rhonda!

The book recommendations were fantastic!  I've started a Book Rec category to keep track of everything for us.

Comments

[Chrissy]

I want to see if you can capture that delicious little half-smile in his eyes. Or is he just dreaming?
He must have worked hard on that hairstyle. Looks like a man you'd like to know.

[donna, doni, lady d]

Yummy subject to draw. Have fun. The Paris post cards have left me in some sort of altered state. What a beautiful gift. You are indeed having fun .. carry on. xoDonna

[Maureen]

Those old timey images of Paris do startle me when I look at them. It's like when my middle child, years ago, asked me while looking through photo albums....When did the world change from black and white to color? Of course, the question makes sense since suddenly photographs changed.

Keep playing MaryAnn!

[emily cline]

Love love love. The Paris photos are amazing! truly. And I love the little red stitching in your drawing and on your bag! Nice detail!

[Rhonda]

Glad you liked the photos MaryAnn! I just knew you would!

Good idea the stitched bag to hold all your treasures from the trip! Mine tend to accumulate in boxes that I find later and wonder why I didn't use all the paper stuff I brought back with me... the endless cycle!

Have fun on your drawing day!
Rhonda

[Judy H.]

Loved your sketches and journal bag, loved the sunset and Paris photos, and will have to try the ice cream recipe. Thanks for sharing! Happy Wednesday!

[Barbara]

What a fabulous day!! Here's hoping today will be just as fantastic!!

[lisa cox]

I love the fabric for your journal bag!

[Sharon W]

Hmmm............those Moss sisters. I see them as two moss-growing characters in a strange and mysterious novel. They raise moss (on rocks) to sell to people who want to add it to rock gardens or to graves in the local cemetery. Now shall it be a paranormal volume, or a murder mystery? From their looks it could be a melange of both................I'll get back to you.

[Susie LaFond]

Yum, that is for all of it, the bag, the fro yo, the sketches that reveal hidden personality traits, oh yes indeed, it all looks like good, good fun.

[catherine lucas]

A big pack of those color photographs belong to the Albert Kahn archive. He was a rich businessman and lived close to Paris. As a banker he had lots of funds and send out photographers to take pictures all over the world.

http://www.albertkahn.co.uk

I have seen two documentaries on BBC about his work, and also have the book coming with the series. He died at the beginning of WW2, totally broke. Lucky his archives survived, and you can visit the museum now. It's on my to do list.
It might have been for the best that he died, as he was Jewish and high profile, so he probably would not have survived the Nazi's in Paris.
I love the little bag idea for your Venice album Mary Ann. Might have to do one for my States trip of 2013.
Your drawings have a special quality. Keep them up!

[stephanie]

I've been immersed in him lately. Revisiting his books and sitting out teenage daughters on the couch and shaking our finger at them while emphatically dispensing our parental wisdom and the necessity for every American child to watch Nic Nolte ('s pre-whacked-out days) as Doc. on Cannery Row. Watched that just this past weekend along with Malcovich and Sinese and puppies stuffed in coveralls.
John has had my heart since 5th grade when I read the Pearl and kept it a secret because i was sure that it wasn't cool for a girl to like any other books besides the Babysitter's Club. Incidentally, I also kept my adoration for Encyclopedia Brown a little on the hush hush because I just wasn't sure where he fit in on the cool factor.
Anywho, I'm on the hunt for a lovely, large photo just like the one you posted here to hang in my house. (I'm weird like that). One of these days I'll find the perfect one.
By the way, have you read "Travels With Charlie". It's my favorite work of Steinbeck's. I think you would eat it up as fast as that peanut butter concoction of yours. You'd be licking your lips clean of nut coated words.
xo

[francesca dileo]

i'm taking misty mawn's online workshop on portraiture... and i'm going to use this image with charcoal and white pastel. i'll show you my version if you show us yours.. lol :))))))))

[Chelsy]

Wow, those color photos are a trip! Didn't realize I had assumed the world was in black and white back then til I saw these photos, silly me. Thanks for the link!
Love your sketches!

[Joan Clarke]

Huge Steinbeck fan here. When I read East of Eden for the second time a few years ago, I fell in love with this man all over again. I had online discussions with his daughter-in-law when our book club was discussing the book. She gave many personal insights into this complicated man, his treatment of the people in his life and especially the family.

Now I must go re-read EOE again.

[Stephanie]

I saw the photo of John Steinbeck and had to stop and draw him at work today. He has a great face.

[Mary - Land-locked in central Ohio]

Love the new blog look! Rock on!

[Kate]

Call me the second who stopped everything and drew John Steinback while at work today. You are a bad, bad (read: awesome) influence on me, Ms. Moss. And yes, I might try drawing him again tomorrow. On company time.

[Jane Bumar]

Really enjoying the sketching, and the journal bag - are you going to share 'deets' over on our TTV sister site? Also quite intrigued by the new developments going on in the header on your blog. What are these mysterious new categories - what secrets will be revealed? Enquiring minds agog here...it's almost as intriguing than the news stories about "Is King Richard III actually buried under a car park in Leicester, England" (have you been following this?) these are the things that I care about. Archaeology, and the doings of MAM. Keep calm and carry on!

[Sharon]

Goodness you get a lot of joy from your days, don't you? Love the yogurt, drawings, portrait project and stash bag. And that sunset? Swoon.

[Lucynomoreinthesky.blogspot.com]

You are a very creative person... i love your blog!!

many hugs from mexico :)