Lobster rolls and More

Disclaimer:  This is hard to look at and read if you crave lobster rolls.  It will make you want to bite into one sooner rather than later.

 

My friend and I went camping at Hammonasset State park.  We walked to Lenny and Joes’s  Seafood many times and ate the best hot buttered Lobster Rolls.

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We met a man in Madison while we were shopping for car coasters and books.  He told us we must go to The Clam Castle and have a grilled cheese Lobster sandwich.  It was totally wonderful to eat BUT I’ll still need my lobster rolls.

We continued to eat another Hot Lobster roll while camping at the beach.  Can you get too much of a good thing?  Not according to Liberace the musician who said “Too much of a good thing is Wonderful.”  I agree!

We switched out one meal to whole belly fried clams from The Clam Castle.  They were good and I had leftovers.

On my way to Deer Isle, Maine for my workshop at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts.  I camped overnight in Freeport, Maine.  Before I visited L.L.Bean I stopped for a lobster roll.  On the menu was a combination mini lobster and crab roll.  I made a wise decision when I ordered that!  Yummy, and it gave me the energy to shop at L.L.Bean.

The next morning I made my way to Belfast, Maine.  I was hunting for SueCakes a store run by a former elementary school student of mine.  She is quite the pastry artist.  I enjoyed seeing her, drinking a delicious smoothie and looking at her gluten free cake creations.

I went on my way, winding around back roads forever, when I spotted a roadside stand filled with cars.  I stopped at the best cold lobster roll place of my whole trip.  It was on the lake.  I found a parking spot and had a Spectacular Lobster roll.

At Haystack Mountain School of Crafts on Saturday night we could order a Lobster to be served as a picnic on the rocks.  The people that lived in Maine didn’t order but all the rest of the people ordered a $20. lobster. I don’t know if it was the price, or eating lobster on the rocks?   I didn’t get a picture as it was enough of a challenge to eat the lobster without managing a camera.  It was a soft shell, good but not as full.   Leaving Deer Isle, Maine I went to Bar Harbor, Maine and had a blueberry soft serve and did a sketch along the ocean walk.

A little store by the campground at Acadia National Park had a take out Lobster Dinner.  Add a box of wine to go with all this Lobster.

On the way to Acadia National Park I stopped here.

 

I visited Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens a beautiful place.  It was lunch time.  I saw a Lobster roll on the menu but the man behind the counter said they were out of Lobster.

I left and saw a $9.99 Lobster roll back on the road.  How could they be out of Lobster the man said?

I picked up my friend and we went to Ogunquit, Maine.  We enjoyed the Marginal Way.

Lobster enjoyed with my friend at the Lobster Pound in Ogunquit, Maine.

I can’t believe what I am seeing in this post.  It is from June until August but it’s a lot of Lobster!

My next post will be my cross country trip.

Food, Food, Food and Eating

Chickens, chickens, chickens everywhere.  In Connecticut we stopped by my girlfriend’s relatives to see the production.  They were getting about 80 chickens ready for eating and freezing.  I think not everyone wants to see the pictures, but most of us like to eat free range home grown chicken.   It was quite amazing to see.

 

My friend has peacocks that roam the property and were fed leftover pancakes or bread.  The pancakes were fresh home made.  I don’t know how there were any leftovers but I think she made some especially for the peacocks.

Picking strawberries in the town I used to live in was fun!

I traveled to Pennsylvania next.  The trucks  through New Jersey were aggressive and the worst I had experienced in my cross country travels.  I was happy to arrive at my Aunt’s farm.

I was greeted by LuluBelle and Daisy.

We picked asparagus and lettuce from the garden.  My Aunt has about 25 chickens that wander the grounds.  One day they had to stay inside the barn because we went to the Reunion.  I told them about chickens that never got to go outside. They seemed indifferent.

My cousin made a delicious Shoo-fly Pie for me.  Yum!

My Aunt and I drove to Schafferstown to get 2 smoked tongues.

We went to the family reunion and see alpaca, deer and more food than you can imagine.  People related to me that I had never seen before were there.  First a lot of eating and then everyone introduced themselves.

Roots Farmer’s Market always has lots to see and good food to eat.

 

Bus tour of Kreider Farm in Manville, PA.

Visiting Lititz, PA

Lititz, PA

Garden in Lititz, PA

My cousin and I visited the quaint town of Lititz, PA.  We shopped, ate lunch, toured the Julius Sturgis pretzel factory, went to the Wilbur Buds Chocolate Store and had a great day.

The Pretzel Tour.

Drawing on the Edge – the Grand Canyon

Fun sketching all day. The Grand Canyon is a challenge to draw! 

I wish we had this sign at The Overlook by the Ocean in Corona del Mar!

I arrived for my drawing class at the Grand Canyon  once again drawn by the mysteries of the Canyon.

 

Looking at the Colorado River and wishing to be on one of the boats at Hermit Falls.

The instructor Allen Petersen doing a demonstration  on drawing the canyon.

AT Last I have GOOD WIFI.  I’m in Amarillo, Texas.  Sitting under a tree, just went swimming in the pool and now I’m waiting for a shuttle to go to the Big Texan Steak Ranch.  Life is good.  Oh, I also have a glass of vino and a fan by my side. More to come!

Before I left on my trip I saw the beautiful glass sculptures at Sherman Library and Gardens.  Be sure to see them this summer if you live near-by.  I loved them!

Coming on June 17, 2017, Happy Anniversary 50 Wonderful Years! I love you Both and Wish you the Best!

November in New York

A ticket to the Whitney Museum of Art to see the Frank Stella Retrospective.

Some of his work is very exciting to me.

Frank Stella Epic Painting. This is the painting that you first see when exiting the elevator.

“Wooden Star”, Frank Stella, 2014

“Black Star”, Frank Stella, 2014

Women and mens room.  I hope the non-English speaking people can understand this??

I love all the balconies at The Whitney

Indoor Frank Stella sculpture

I love the views from The Whitney Museum

Indoor Frank Stella sculpture

I like this Stella sculpture.

“The Fountain”, 1992. Woodcut, etching, aquatint, relief, drypoint, collage and airbrush. Artist Proof, by Tyler Graphics. Mural scale print on 3 mammoth sheets of handmade Japenese paper, from Moby Dick Series.

Print by Frank Stella

3 Frank Stella sculptures

Statement by Frank Stella “There is an energy- and excitement-in the newer work that the stripe paintings didn’t have.  I don’t think you can do it all at once.  That’s why you’re lucky you have a lifetime.”

Frank Stella smoke prints Cigar smoke, Untitled late 1980’s

Print by Frank Stella

“You can only take advantage of those gifts that you really have- that are part of your character, and you’re lucky to be born with these gifts”  quote by Frank Stella.

Leaving the Whitney I find a lobster roll.

Lobster roll with pickles

I’m here for Thanksgiving with my son, daughter-in-law and 3 grandchildren but in between I visit as many museums and sights in NYC as I can.

beautiful sunset looking toward the Hudson    River.

I visit the MOMA to see the Picasso Sculpture Exhibit.

I also see an exhibit of Jackson Pollock.

“Untitled” Jackson Pollock, 1951

Sculpture Garden at the MOMA

Picasso sculpture of Goat

In between we visit with Ronald MacDonald.  Gourmet Cheeseburger dinner.

Passing through Grand Central Station

I visit Morgan Museum to see Matisse books exhibit.

Matisse had many experiences illustrating books and working with friends.  I wasn’t allowed to photograph in the very interesting exhibit.

A trip to Wave Hill botanical garden in Riverdale.

It’s a beautiful day to do some sketching.

Lunch outside and sketching. A beautiful day.

small leaved Linden Tree

European Copper Beech Tree

Frida Kahlo at the NY Botanical Garden

Entrance to Botanical Gardens

I headed to the New York Botanical Gardens to see the exhibit about Frida Kahlo.

First stop was to head to the library to see the 14 paintings and works on paper.

Botanical imagery was featured.  The work I know

is usually focused on her accident and other body images.  I was very interested in her garden paintings.

I liked the painting of Frida’s face in a sunflower.  There were also still life paintings and

botanical paintings.  “Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird”, 1940 is a fascinating painting.  I stood in front of it for a long time.  It was compelling.

Next stop was the Conservatory and a look  at the Casa Azul garden, her life long home.

Her studio in or by the garden was also in the Conservatory. Her paintings had a very thick texture.

Looking at her studio with pigments,  I realized she had to mix these pigments with an oil binder and made them of a thick consistency.

The Conservatory had plants of Mexico not so easy in the New York climate.

Pigments from Frida’s Studio

Frida’s Studio

Studio Supplies

Mixing Pigments

 

Lunch at the newly opened Hudson Grill.  I had a great seat at the bar and watched the dishes being made.

The presentations were fabulous.  The woman sitting next to me told me I must see the rhododendrons and azaleas.  I walked there after lunch. On my way I saw the Peonies.  I love Peonies and they didn’t disappoint.

Peonies in Bloom

More Peonies

 

Beautiful

I loved taking the tram ride around the Gardens.  It is a wonderful place to visit.

Sketch book from my friend Maureen. I wished my friends were here to sketch with me. They would love it!

Beautiful Colors!

Frida as a young woman

 

Painting at Sherman Gardens Tour

Painting on a beautiful day.I’m ready to go.

I must make a quick stop at Sherman Gardens to make sure all is ready and then onto deliver a lunch to one of the artists.  At last to set up at the Garden I will be painting at.  I’m very excited about the day ahead!

Tables at Sherman Gardens ready for guests.

The Art Exhibit of paintings already finished is on display in the Adobe at Sherman Gardens.

Pictures from the Garden I am painting at.

  I usually wear old painting clothes BUT, my friends and I decided I needed to be more festive. I have a new apron from Sherman Gardens gift shop and I also have a bright, big magenta hat to wear. I’m ready to paint and greet the people on the tour.

I’m painting The Headless Woman in the Garden.

The Headless Woman. 6″x6″ painting in the series. This is my favorite painting. Until I finish my next one.

Flowers by The Gift Shop

I have been working very hard getting ready for this day!  The paintings done before the tour are on exhibit in the Adobe at Sherman Library and Gardens.  The artists are all assigned and ready to go.

 

Callie is a wonderful dog. Painted in my small 6″x6″ series.

The houses are all perfectly groomed by the volunteers.  Two paintings by artists on the tour, have already been sold.  Yipee!  Ready to go!

These are 4, 6″x6″ pieces of the Garden I am painting at. It’s fun to put them into different arrangements.

Things I like about Ojai

 Painting, Printing and Cooking!  These are a few of my favorite Things.A Painting from my Walk.A new Collagraph Plate ready to Print.

Cooking

Diane and Colin are coming to dinner tonight.

Crockpot Corned Beef with Orange Juice.

My 1 1/2 Quart Crockpot, 2 oranges and tiny potatoes

recipe calls for 6 oz. can of orange juice but I use 2 fresh oranges.

Corned Beef to fit with potatoes.

More Potatoes on top. Cook on high for 5-6 hours or low 10-12 hours. So I start on High for 5 hours than switch to low.

I found this while googling Corned Beef in a Crockpot.  I have plenty of oranges here and it is very simple.  I added potatoes I got at the farmers market.  The purple ones are called Peruvian Potatoes.Spring is everywhere in the Garden.

The Three Ducks are always together. They are fun to watch.

Wildflowers on my walk.

Flowers are all in bloom after the rain last week.

I stopped to sketch.

I like the quiet, the mountains, the birds singing, easy biking, the trees and Spring.

 More working in the Print Sudio

This is a collagraph with bird stencil. “Bird in the Meadow”

Collagraph “Meadow”

 Chickens:  collecting eggs, chickens in the Garden

 The Print Sudio

I love the inking process with collagraph plates. It’s a lot like painting.

I use a small roller to apply first color.

Brush in ink

Daubing ink on collagraph plate.

The print Desert Cactus”

©carolkreider

Ojai Art Center

This morning I did all my chores.  Collected two eggs.

Libby out for her walk. Spotted Dog Art Studio is named after Libby.

 Soft boiled a duck egg for breakfast. Was it ever delicious. I can’t believe the difference in the taste of a fresh farm egg.

The ducks always waddle along in a group of 3.

 I fed Dexter and Libby and gathered up all my art supplies.

The chickens seem happy to see me.

I am meeting my friend Karen Lewis at the Ojai Art Center.

 Every Tuesday and Thursday am. they have a model for artists to come and paint or draw.  The model was fabulous.

 I was somewhat intimadatied when I found it would be a 3 hour pose. I haven’t been drawing from a model for a few years.  I decided to draw and move around the room every 20 minutes when the model took a break.  I loved the costume the model was dressed in.  There was also a bird cage and doves.  You know I liked that.  I had a great time.  I couldn’t believe it when 12:30 rolled around.  I was in the art time zone.

My friend Karen Lewis and I packed up and headed to the Ojai Valley Spa to see her exhibit of Plein Aire Landscapes.

Karen with 3 of her paintings

She is a wonderful painter.  I loved her work.  The paintings were alive.  We sat there and enjoyed her show. Next we went to her studio to see her current work.

I had to head home to check on the chickens, dog and studio.

Libby guards the back door all day long.

Drawing from Linda’s Garden

Off to Ojai!

OJAI

Rain clouds on Sunday and Monday

 

I’m going to  house sit for my friends in Ojai, CA.  I’m looking forward to spending some time in Ojai. It’s a trip back in time as Ojai makes an effort to keep big business out.

Vanna is parked out front

  Time to get instructions.

Ray builds these windmills.

Tuesday a.m. I’ve got my list of instructions:

I’ve fed the cat Dexter.

Dexter is a Huge Cat

I’ve fed the dog, Libby.  I haven’t gotten a good picture of Libby yet.

The Spotted Dog Studio

 

I’ve let out the 6 chickens and fed them.

I’ve let out the 3 Ducks and collected 2 duck eggs.

Time to draw in the beautiful garden and work in the studio.

Drawings for Garden Tour

GARDEN TOUR DRAWINGS 

Outdoor Staircase from Paris.

I have been busy doing black and white drawings for the Garden Tour.

Otter and Birds swim in Garden

Wooden Bird House blends into Tree trunk

 I started doing these small black and white drawings for the program, that acts as a ticket and describes the Gardens that are on the Garden Tour in April.

Rocks spill out by Potted Plant

Window boxes on 2nd Story

I visited the Gardens in January.  I have to use my artistic eye and imagination to sketch the Gardens as they might be in April. It’s all good.  I love it.

 I also get to pick the Garden I want to paint in.  Guess What, It’s all of them!  The Garden Tour Chairs laugh at me!

I’m grateful to Sherman Library and Gardens for starting me on this sketching path.

SHERMAN LIBRARY AND GARDENS GARDEN TOUR

SATURDAY APRIL 18, 2015

©carolkreider