The lovely "Tante Lore"

My close friend's grandmother recently passed away, and I wanted to post these photos as a tribute to her; I spent a summer with her in Austria a couple of years ago. It was such a lovely trip, and she was such an amazing lady. We will miss you, Tante Lore! I spent half the time with her in Vienna, and the other half on the farm that my friend's aunt and uncle own, in Rappoltenkirchen- a little village about 30 minutes outside of Vienna.

This is a shot of Tante Lore's house taken from the courtyard below, where I often sat and read and painted.

These were photos taken as I traveled across Austira with my friend's aunt and uncle.

A quiet little spot on the farm, in a corner of the vegetable garden.

A beautiful sky on the last night I was there. (I almost missed my flight home, thinking I had an extra day.....when I discovered I was leaving at 5:00AM the next morning, I ran manically around the farm, taking pictures like a madwoman!)

new use for a paint chip: technicolor love note

Tunes.

We went to an awesome Silver Jews concert a couple weeks ago, and I keep thinking about it. I feel, unexpectedly, like it might be my favorite concert ever. Last weekend when we spent almost all Saturday gardening, we blasted Silver Jews albums on the outside speakers to reminisce.
Some other bands/artists I've been enjoying while I work:
Feist
M. Ward
She and Him
Bonnie Prince Billy
Clem Snide
Jens Lekman
Tom Waits
Mahalia Jackson

Any bands you've been particularly loving lately? Do tell!

Shanna & Betsy Calendar

I am creating a 2009 calendar with my wonderful, lovely, talented friend Shanna Murray, who does beautiful work, such as the piece shown above. I can't wait for it to be done!

Mention in Martha...

I feel so very honored to be included in this little "calligraphy glossary" in the Fall issue of Martha Stewart Weddings! Page 58!

Lovely finds...

Nick and I are members of Friends of the Pima County Public Library, which means that we get into their book sales a day earlier than the public. We have way too many books as it is, (literally hundreds too many) but we can't seem to stay away. I am slowly but surely building up our children's book collection with unique, lovely finds...here are two of today's treasures. The Schultz book is printed on magenta paper, which is of course totally charming.