Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Hadrian's Villa
Hadrian was a busy guy. He loved to build or rebuild stuff. Like Hadrian's Wall in England, Hadrian's Column in Rome and he rebuilt the Pantheon as well giving credit to Marcus Agrippa as it's original builder on the facade. He travelled all over the Roman Empire and was influenced by the architecture of the places he visited. So when he came back from his empire touring, he had this place built and made it his capitol. I wonder how easy it was to get here in those days?
This was a lovely scene and I wanted to know was just so interesting about this spot that was of such interest to this film crew.
I couldn't resist taking a photo of this handsome fellow. Yes, I'm sure he is a male italian lizard. Can't you tell by the way he's checking me out? And, even the lizards are sleek and stylish. Then, I came across these beautiful tile floors in need of a good scrubbing.
What beautiful patterns, don't you think? The niches are where the beds would have been so the floor is not as ornamented there. The historians were not sure if these were rooms for couriers or soldiers.
I would love to quilt the central pattern on this one.
Or this one.
Here is a nice geometric pattern.
And, this one of circles.
Unfortunately, the museum was closed by the time I got here. So, I guess I'll have to go back. But, maybe next time I'll bring a broom and mop and maybe some sketch paper and a tape measure to get some proper dimensions.
The Italians love to mix the old with new venues. I think they were setting up for a concert. There isn't much left of the architecture at Hadrian's Villa but it must have been a very beautiful and peaceful place. I wish that they would restore this but some say that it is too far gone for restoration. That doesn't seem quite fair to such a great builder.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
The Cosmic Universe
Then, it was quilted with iridescent thread on a long-arm machine with a special pattern invented just for this quilt that we called - wormholes and stars. This is what happens when science geek and quilting colide.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Raffaelo
This is Constantine battling Maxentius at the Milvian Bridge. Supposedly, Constantine had a dream the night before the battle where a cross appeared to him saying he would win the battle. He did and legalized Christianity.
The Disputa
The School of Athens
Some say that Raphael snuck into see Michaelangelo's Sistine Chapel and was so impressed with the work that he changed his style and added Michaelangelo to the scene. He is the one on the lower left, sitting at the block of marble.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Villa d'Este, Tivoli
Plus, I don't have this kind of acreage in my backyard.
For a feature quite like this.
So things will have to be scaled down a bit.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
A Perfect San Francisco Day
Tucked away up in the avenues are Rodin sculptures, Roman antiquities, china and the finest collection of European art I have seen outside of Europe. I went one day when my dad was in the hospital for two weeks after he had open heart surgery. In the mid-week when it first opened, it was like my own, personal private museum. Small and intimate. So when we made our plans to go, I wanted to be there when the doors first opened. That didn't quite happen. We got their about eleven and the place was cooking. I guess lots of people wanted to see Marie-Antoinette before she left town.
This is the view of the Golden Gate Bridge from near where we parked.
After we saw the special exhibit and the regular exhibits, we went here for a late lunch.
I had my favorite sandwich, fresh dungeness crab on sliced sourdough bread with cheese melted on top while we gazed at the view from our table. They have amazingly happy waiters here. I can't imagine why.
This is Ocean Beach and all I wanted to do after lunch was to lay down in the sand and take a nap. The day was absolutely gorgeous. Then, the fog started to roll in. Being native San Franciscans, we knew it was time to make our exit. Can you find the windmill in the photo? Oh yeah, it's there, part of Golden Gate Park.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Chocolate croissants
There is only on catch. They must proof or rise for 9 hours. Which means before you go to bed if you want to have fresh croissants in the morning. They look like this in the evening.
Then they look like this the next morning. Brush on a little egg wash.
And, don't even get me started on what real Danish pastry tastes like.