Pluviophile, a new word describing our feelings yesterday

Someone who finds joy and peace of mind on rainy days.  This leads to petrichor (n) The smell of earth after rain.  I guess we know what we like!  Yesterday was a blissful sharing of good food, beautiful still life, friends and sketching.

Aren't they gorgeous!

SQUASH season!

Eat your heart out Van Gogh, these are from Trader Joes!

Autumnal Feast at Barb's House

I must admit I went a little crazy at Barb's Autumnal Feast. The feast for the eyes just wouldn't let my sketching hand stop! The feast in the kitchen was too good to resist. And, of course, the Sketchers themselves are always delicious. The house was warm and cozy, the conversation lively, the still lifes sumptuous, and I must say I left sated on every level. Thanks to Sherryl for the brilliant idea of getting a party platter from Patron. Thanks to Barb for making her home so welcoming and warm. And certainly thanks to the Sketchers for just being who they are. And Happy Birthday Dave!

Autumn Sketching at My House

Autumnal Crow

On Thursday I was sitting at my office in Seattle, and Phyllis called my cell phone.  "Barb!  It's urgent ... we need a place to sketch!  It's gonna be raining, and it's gonna be a small sketcher group.  Faye's in Tuscany, Mary's in Paris, others are yonder ... and we need a cozy comfy place.  Can we sketch at your place?" "Oh, yes!"  I LOVE hosting the sketchers.  Such a fun, warm, talented group.  "Tell folks to bring something to add to an autumnal still life," I suggested. I swung by Trader Joe's where they had these awesome heritage pumpkins and together we set up an incredible still life on my dining table. Phyllis and Sherryl brought a huge tray of Mexican food from Patron's, everyone brought wine, gourds, squashes, and even a crow for the still life.  It poured cats and dogs outside, but we had a big fire in the wood stove and created a little slice of heaven.  Welcome, Autumn!