Ghana: And a Celebration of African Art

Today, I woke up to an article from the BBC about the growing popularity of African art.  The display of African artists at the Tate Modern in New York.

Wow.  Could the timing be any more significant?

Here is just one of the African pieces I saw yesterday at the Artists Alliance Gallery in Accra, Ghana.

Is it no wonder that these artists are making their names well beyond the borders of Ghana.

Ghana: And Wishing....for Something Else

Sometimes I have to get on a plane. And fly very far away. Sometimes, it the last thing in the world I want to do.

As it was on Friday night, my tenth wedding anniversary and Stefan's last day of pre-school.  As we headed off to Dulles International Airport, I wished instead that I was sitting on our front porch, as we did last Friday night, sipping a glass of wine and chatting with our neighbors on Capitol Hill.

Today, I'm in Accra, the capitol of Ghana.  I'm not feeling very happy about being here. I'm feeling a wee bit homesick.  I'm feeling a wee bit blue.

But this mother and daughter brought a smile to my face today.  And perhaps I brought a little smile to theirs, buying 18 yards of colorful, amazing African fabric at the Markula Market for my next project.

Washington, DC: And a Very Special Day

10 years ago today, we were in....Tuscany.  Bright eyed, freshly married, basking in the glow of our Italian wedding with a small group of friends and family.  As I flipped through photos last night to give to Brad today, it seems like a lifetime ago.

So, it was that we skipped off to school today for Stefan's last day of pre-school on our 10th wedding anniversary.  As I was packing for Ghana...and as I was planning a surprise anniversary lunch with prosecco for Brad. As I was packing our final suitcases for our July on Fire Island.

Such is our busy, crazy, chaotic, confusing life some days.

Sounds very trite but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Happy anniversary, Brad!  10 years?  Seriously?

Australia: And A Country Oh so Far Away

I cried as I left Abby a few weeks ago -- luckily, the real tears didn't start flowing until I was almost out of her classroom door but they did nonetheless. She's grown up enough to tell her dad, "mom's losing it."  Indeed, I was.  Just that day as the emotions overcame me thinking about boarding a flight to Adelaide.

Australia?  Oh, yes -- it is exotic and lovely and exciting. And I love my colleagues down under.  But it is so terribly far away.

I love my work. Anyone who is reading this and knows me, knows that I truly cherish the work that I do and feel that I am making a contribution.

But, how I wish that Australia was closer to.....France.  The UK. Belgium.  Spain.  Okay, you get the point.

P.S. This was the view from my lovely hotel room in Sydney.

Sweden: And Lusting for Scandinavian Design of all Kinds

Need I say more? My amateurish pictures say it all.  Simply exquisite.

Sweden: And Eating Like a Swede

So, there is the food that one buys at Ikea that passes itself off for Swedish. And then there is authentic Swedish food, like we ate for 2 weeks on our recent, wonderful sojourn in Scandinavia.

First, our dear Easter host, Margareta, made the most amazing Easter feast.  Ham, smoked reindeer, herring of all sorts, potatoes with dill, delicious eggs topped with tiny shrimp.  My mouth is watering just thinking of it now.  Not to mention that the company was wonderful!

And then, of course, there is the fika, that very special Swedish way to go for coffee and a pastry.

And did I mention the fried herring with potatoes and lingonberries? Like the kind that Abby and I ate sitting out on a cold but sunny day in a courtyard surrounded by hip Swedes, as we happened upon an amazing "food truck" (Swedish style).

Oh, do I miss Swedish food.

Sweden: And an Amazing 2 Weeks in Scandinavia

Where to begin?  Where to tell the story of our wonderful 2 weeks in Scandinavia?

Perhaps I'll start with the snowmobiling...and dog sledding. The shrieks of delight from all of us as our young huskies took off across the snowy tundra and we laughed and laughed.

Racing off in our snowmobiles across large white patches, with beautiful mountains in the distance.

And stopping at a Sami tent for coffee, tea and such yummy Swedish cinnamon buns.

And finally, Abby and Stefan interaction with the dogs and puppies with such delight.

Just one of the highlights from our trip north of the Arctic Circle.....oh so cold, but oh so amazing.