In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb

March is coming soon...my birth month.  The Forsythia will burst into bloom, the daffodils will open and here on the mountain, the wind will howl!  But no matter, our house is made with insulated Styrofoam forms filled with concrete and stands like a fortress defying the gales. Not a month to spend outside, especially with the junipers in full reproduction mode spreading their pollen, so I look for fun things to do.  Here are some things coming up you might like to include in your plans...

Attend the Spider's Market Sale

  
Dance the night away at St. Mark's Mardi Gras Party

Attend one of the many events planned in conjunction with Women and Creativity Month...

Women & Creativity is an annual, month-long series of events that celebrates women’s creativity and entrepreneurship across the disciplines; this year, 2014, will mark the ninth anniversary of the program. Coordinated by National Hispanic Cultural Center and Harwood Art Center, and based in Albuquerque, NM, Women & Creativity typically works in collaboration with over 35 local and regional partners.
Events take place during the month of March – to coincide with Women’s History Month – in theatres, galleries, performance spaces, retail businesses, museums, parks, neighborhoods, and other venues throughout New Mexico.  Events include presentations, performances, art exhibitions/installations, workshops, classes, cinema, demonstrations and interactive events.

Drop by St. Mark's to see the ongoing show in the Sacred Arts Gallery (and yes, there are some of my things on display!)

Visit the new (and very classy!) location of one of my favorite vintage shops...

   5901 Lomas Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico  505-266-7777

For those readers who don't live in Albuquerque, in a future post, I will give you a little peek inside.

I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom.
Thomas Carlyle

I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom.

Thomas Carlyle

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/boredom.html#O0Zv0ejw0yos0DRI.99

I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom.

Thomas Carlyle

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/boredom.html#O0Zv0ejw0yos0DRI.99

Pretty in Pink

Building in San Juan, Costa Rica

Valentine's Day came and went and the cards I bought to send to my friends are still in the drawer!   I found that I was drawn to pink instead of red for this holiday, so I did the decorations for Celebrities' Luncheon at St. Mark's in pink and orange.  My friend, Charlotte, who shows up faithfully to help (and covers for me when I travel) was thinking pink as well and brought pink candles and heart shaped doilies to augment what I had made.  We hung paper pinwheels made from wrapping paper and the pink and orange stars that I saved from my daughter's wedding over the tables and then I forgot to take a photo!  The pinwheels had a huge impact for a very little investment in time and money.  Here is a tutorial that I found on the "Honest to Nod" blog that has extremely cute ones...

Photo Via

 however, I used a glue gun instead of staples because of helpful instructions I found here at Green Dream DIY. 

Photo Via

 
Because my pinwheels were seen from both sides, I folded my long strips of paper in half horizontally so that both sides had the design before beginning the folds.  I have lots of pink and hot pink cloth napkins which added even more color. 

Perhaps I was inspired by my granddaughter, Eliza's closet...

Is it any wonder that when I asked her father what she might need in the way of new clothes as she has out-grown most of these, he replied..."ANYTHING BUT PINK!"

Sorry that I neglected to take photos of the Celebrities luncheon! You will just have to use your imagination!

Class -WHAT -Rapids?

If you follow this blog, you will know that we recently returned from a three week trip to Costa Rica.  We arranged this trip through Costa Rica Rios.  Jane and Fraser Tyrrell are the owners.  Jane is originally from New Zealand and Fraser is from Scotland.  They have two "wee ones" who tumble around like exuberant puppies and are just beginning to learn to kayak.

Jane primarily manages the office and Fraser takes the clients out to their adventure sites.  They are very much involved in all aspects of their business and frequently show up to check that things are going well on the outdoor adventures they plan for others. 


They have hired a fabulous staff of professional athletes to keep their guests safe and happy on the river trips, well cared for in route, and highly entertained by sharing their intimate knowledge of the flora and fauna you spot. 

 Above photos via Costa Rica Rios Website

And here are some photos of what we experienced on the rivers.

A LOT OF BOATING...

FROM CALM

TO ROWDY

 

Wendy, Vicki, Heather, Gary

Norm

Lee

Ted

Joanne

TO MY FAVORITE PART...LUNCH PREPARED BY SOMEONE ELSE!

Fresh Pineapple every day!

Passionate about Orchids

We had a fabulous time during our three weeks in Costa Rica thanks to Jane and Fraser Tyrrell of Costa Rica Rios.  This is the third year that they have arranged our travel in Costa Rica.  Our adrenaline junkie husbands love the boating and would spend every single day on the river, but some of us took the opportunity to spend some time getting to know a little of the normal every day life of the wonderful people of the country.

In a country where orchids grow wild everywhere, folks still take them very seriously.   We were privileged to visit the private home of a man who has spent most of his life collecting and propagating orchids.  In the tiny village of Sitio Mata is a little bit of the Garden of Eden.

 He has over one hundred varieties of orchids and many more plants of the same variety...sort of a plantation which he grows next to his house. His son-in-law shared that he spends a least four hours a day tending to his prizes.

 Some are so tiny you might overlook them.  Others are flamboyant.

Most of the orchids bloom in May, so we only saw about twenty plants in bloom, but I imagine it must be stunning.

While technically not in the house, Costa Ricans frequently have no walls between their indoor and outdoor spaces, so I think this will count towards Jane's Flowers in the House Party which I am linking to here.  Head on over to see some pretty, pretty flowers.  I could show you photos of my own orchids which are blooming a little early this year, but the flash is washing them out.  I had painting class today and forgot to take a picture of them in the natural light.  Will update tomorrow.

Blatantly Hawking My Wares for a Cause

Usually, I don't sell my watercolors except at the Sacred Arts Gallery at St. Mark's or to friends, but I need to raise some money to purchase art materials for a non-profit Arts Camp for children to be held in June, so here goes...

These are 4x6 inch signed original watercolors matted for 5x7 inch frames, but you could re-mat them for larger frames if you like.

For a $20 donation to Arts Camp, you will receive your favorite (as long as it is available).  First pick your painting and let me know by email with your mailing address:  heathergaume@gmail.com   If it is still available, I will let you know and then you can send a check made out to St. Mark's Episcopal church with "Arts Camp" in the line item along...or if you are in Albuquerque, you can pick up your painting at 431 Richmond NE.  Thanks so much for supporting young people who wish to explore their talents through the arts!

Many of these I painted on my recent adventure tour of Costa Rica.  The snow ones were done as demonstrations for the art class I teach on Mondays.

"River Camp" Sold

"White Rock"

"Battered Rocks"

"Solitude" Sold

"Holding Back the Jungle" Sold

Heavy Burden

"Approaching Storm" Sold

"Butterfly" Sold

"Reflections"