Our diggs in Andalusia

Here is a link to where we will be staying in Andalusia. We take off today about 4:00, go to Boston, then on to Madrid where we will stay a couple of days. Then we will drive to Toledo for a few days and then to our place in Andalusia.

http://www.untours.com/propdata/prop.asp?SID=3208

Slide Show from El-Paso Working Mission Trip

One of Bob's team mates sent this wonderful photo account of their trip.
http://picasaweb.google.com/mhbrock46/ElPasoApril2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCOOag7LTzpyAzgE&feat=email#slideshow

Christmas in April

Bob and a group from our church worked on a home in Bowie on the Christmas in April project. He just glows when he is helping others.

Kay finished up two commissions for her dear patron, Nova Spear. These are 18 x 27" acrylics on canvas floor mats. They are art you can step on. Nova's creativity stimulates mine and together we created these colorful cuties.

Why I love living in the city!!

Today was the perfect day for a walk. In the city you can walk to the bank, drug store, market, coffee shop, laundry, book store, art galleries, etc. This is what I saw as I walked around Capitol Hill today.

North Carolina Avenue is elegantly adorned with blossoms.

Capitol Hill UMC

(where we used to attend)

More of North Carolina Avenue in bloom

St. Peter's steeple view from the very park near our house.

Bob is Back from El-Paso

Bob spent Sunday evening through Wednesday traveling to and from and working in El-Paso. He was part of a group from our church, St. Matthews United Methodist Volunteers in Mission, who went to El-Paso to refurbish a home for Jose Luis. Jose Luis is the host for the volunteers who build houses through Operation Hogar in Juarez, Mexico. He and his family have relocated to El-Paso for medical reasons and safety (drug wars). While there, the team painted, installed doors and bought some kitchen appliances with funds from our church members.

Bob had a very rewarding couple of days and Kay is very glad to have him back home. So is the Grand Jury of the District of Columbia. Ha Ha. Tomorrow is Bob's last day of an eight week stint of serving on the Grand Jury.

More Kreeger Photos

Posterized architecture.


Part of the beautifully home designed structure by Phillip Johnson.

CHAL Field Trip to the Kreeger

The first CHAL field trip, April 18, 2007, was to the Kreeger Museum, 2401 Foxhall Road, N.W., Washington, DC. Dan, Marilyn, Kay, Bob, Nancy and Geoff took advantage of this artistic feast. We could only take pictures outside, but some of the architecture and statues were well worth sharing.

Hey, Are you talking to me?

Ah the appreciation of a nice full figured woman.

Bob appreciating the full figured woman.

Some canned info about the museum:

This private museum was built for the 19th and 20th century art owned by philanthropists Carmen and David Lloyd Kreeger. The collection is unique because it represents the visions not only of the artists who created the pieces, but also of the two people who purchased them. Impressionistic works rate highly here, and include pieces by Monet, Renoir, and Pissarro. Works from the entirety of Picasso's career are on display, as well as an eclectically stunning mix of works by Edvard Munch, Wassily Kandinsky, Alexander Calderand Joan Mir. Other pieces include some African, Indian, and Native American works. Tours are given by members of the museum's docent program, and emphasize both the art works and the building that houses them. Like many museums, this one is not limited to displaying art. Conceived as a gallery, a residence and a concert hall, the Kreeger is considered to be a fine example of each. The museum organizes community outreach, education, and volunteer programs, and frequently hosts lectures on art and architecture as well as musical concerts. -- Chrissa Gerard

Links for more info:

http://www.kreegermuseum.org/index.asp

http://www.kreegermuseum.org/museum/collection.asp

More Easter Photos

In Her Easter Bonnet

Tulips in the Garden

Bob can't get enough of that hat.

Check the view of the Park from our table.

Ladies of Capitol Hill

Easter on Capitol Hill

Bob and I relinquished our seats in church so someone who only goes on Easter and Christmas could have them. We usually get there late and don't like sitting in the vestebule. Instead, we spent a day on the Hill. We enjoyed shopping at Eastern Market and walking arount our beautiful neighborhood. We had brunch at the Park Cafe, our favorite restaurant on the hill or anywhere, for that matter. Here are some of our photos from this most pleasant of days.

Gift from Kay's Brother Jim

Most of our readers know that we are both aspiring artists, mostly watercolors. Kay's brother, Jim Holbrook, is a naturally gifted artist. Yesterday, we received this beautiful painting done by Jim. When we asked him what it was we got this reply. "It is a French Delahaye (about 1939), with a swoopy body by Figoni and Falasche (lovingly known, in the auto designers' community, as "Phony and Flashy"). We want to paint like that when we grow up and are so glad that he shared his talents and knowledge of cars with us. Now we can share them with you.

Lynn Redgrave - What a Gal!

Bob and I attended opening night of Rachel and Juliet, a play written and performed by Lynn Redgrave. It was about her mother's life and roles as Juliet. Her first Romeo was Lynn's father, Michael Redgrave. After having three daughters with Rachel, Michael came out of the closet. They remained married, but Rachel found another Romeo with whom she had a 30 year "secret" affair. Several years after her mother's death, Lynn received a box of letters that her mother had written to her secret Romeo. These letters inspired Lynn to write this play.

At the beginning of the play, the stage was very dark. Ms Redgrave entered stage right and moved towards a chair sitting in center stage. She missed the chair and fell. The music stopped and lights came up. She stood up, said that she was alright, made lite of the accident, went offstage and redid her entrance, as if nothing happened.

She also paid homage to her neice, Natasha Richardson, who recently died in a tragic skiing accident. A few weeks ago she was asked if she should cancel her performance. She said she came from a long line of strong actors and Natasha would expect her to go on with the show.

It was an amazing evening. This wonderful play runs from April 10-12, 2009 at the Folger. For more information check www.folger.edu.

Fun Activities That We Recommend

Bob and I had the good fortune to go out a few evening this week. Thursday, we went to an Art Walk at Glen Echo Park. Some of you may remember our local amusement park with a wooden rollercoaster that my Dad and I would ride over and over, in the front seat. Daddy would just pay the man who would let us go around again and again. Well today it is an artist haven. Visual art classes are held in the Yellow Barn and pottery in several yurts on the grounds. There is a theater and puppet theater as well as the beautifully restored Spanish Ballroom where they have many kinds of dance lessons and dances. There is a lovely restaurant adjacent to the property. This place is worth checking out. For more info check http://www.glenechopark.org/

Friday evening we ushered at Ford's Theater where the musical The Civil War is playing. This show was really wonderful. It rocked! It had great vocalists and a wonderful band, graphic art reflected, and special effects. So glad we got to see it for free, but it would be well worth the price of a ticket. For more information, check http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/wash/dc38.htm

Tonight, we were joined by our friends Elisabeth and Virginia for an evening of Chopin and Candlelight at the Dunbarton United Methodist Church. Brian Ganz was the pianist and the show was delightful. To learn more about Brian check
http://www.andersmanagement.com/soloists/bganz.php

Sorry, no pictures of these events.

Cia's Hydrangea

Just got word that the painting I posted here in early March has sold and is going to a new home in North Caroloina. Kay

Carolina Beach

It was a very windy day. Check out the new doo.

More of Wilmington - Judy's local Ya Yas

Barbara, Kay, Annemarie and Judy b














Barbara, Kay, Judy, Judy B and Anne Marie.

More Pictures of Wilmington Airlie Gardens

Kay's Trip to Wilmington, NC

Kay spent March 26 -31 with her Ya Ya Sister Judy. The flight left Reagan National at 4:00 pm, and arrived in Wilmington after 9:30 due to a delay in NY, NY. We had a delightful visit and some great pictures tell far more than words.