"Blossoms of the Night"

This summer I photographed fireworks at neighborhood summer festivals. I am showing these
fun photographs in upcoming fotoMuses show "Dusk to Dawn"

Lyman Woods forest preserve, Downers Grove Illinois

I went for a walk in Lyman Woods. Leaves are turning color, fall flowers are blooming, and I almost got run over by couple of deers. It is a beautiful, quite, peaceful forest in a middle of a city with many wildlife. I love going their and it just happens to be behind my house.

Toad Lilly

In the fall as the weather cools and leaves starts to come down, Toad Lilly will quitely open up in my garden. It looks like clusters of small orchids and it never fails to bring smiles to my face.

fotoMuses

I belong to a group of women photographers and our fall show this year is at downtown Chicago,
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Stop by if you are in Chicago, opening reception is Fri. Oct. 2nd from 5:30pm to 8pm

University of Redlands Mascot grandpups

Aren't they the cutest pups? Boy pup is solid white and is rarity in the bulldog world. Girl pup has some markings on her face. They are only couple of weeks old and eyes are not even open it.

Acorn

We have many oak trees in our yard, and this fall it has produced bumper crop of acorns. I hear it coming down on our roof with a "bang" 24/7. These acorns will provide food for squirrels and deer through out the fall and into the winter.

Apples

I have been admiring my neighbors apple tree laden with beautiful red apples. Today I saw a sign next to the apple tree that read "free apples". So, with my hubby in tow, we picked enough apples to make an apple pie. Thank you neighbor.....

The art of Healing & Evidence on hands on stone

"The Art of Healing" and "Evidence on hands on stone" are two exhibits I saw recently.
"The Art of Healing" is a collection of paintings by two ladies, Mary Sandoval and Sindee Viano. Sindee was my boys art teacher at school that they had attended. She has now moved on to teaching at her studio and became an art therapist. Her brightly colored art works used different medium to express herself.
"Evidence on hands on stone" is by Jeff Curto, head of photography department at College of Du Page. He has traveled to Italy for many years, and has taken photographs in this beautiful country. This collection he has concentrated on stone works. One photograph showed how stones were smoothed down by people of streets walking on it day in and day out, to huge granite columns that were carved by hands, to huge carved statues.

"The art of Healing"
The Doederlein Gallery
Saint Luke church
1500 W Belmont Ave
Chicago, Il 60657
773-472-3383

"Evidence on hands on stone"
The Union League Club of Chicago
month of september
They are both inspiring in their own way, and something that should not be missed.

Cream Puffs at Beard Papa's

I love Cream Puffs especially ones at Beard Papa's. The Fat balls of choux are baked all day long and when you order yours, an employee fills it with sweetened cream (several flavors, but I love vanilla) and dusts it with powdered sugar . The outside is crunchy and never mushy, and the cream, especially if it is just made is just sooooo gooood, not too sweet, and really creamy.

Beard Papa's
333 W Alameda St.
Little Tokyo

I hope they will decide to put a store in Chicago area. I would go everyday...

Josh Merrill Photography

I visited Josh Merrill photography's tent at the Downers Grove fine arts festival yesterday. He specializes in nature photography and has taken photographs in Alaska, Wisconsin, Minnesota and others. He has a stunning images of wildlife and serene landscapes. He's quiet personality translates into his photographs and are quite stunning. He is just starting out but I can see that he has a bright future ahead of him with his drive and his passion.

He will be at the Downers Grove fine arts festival again today (Sept 13, 2009) from 10 am to 5 pm
tents are set up on the Main street, south side of the tracks.

Swiss Chard

I found these Swiss Chard at the farmers market today. They were being sold at the flower shop to show the beautiful different colored stems. But I know that they are delicious as well.

Swiss Chard Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 large bunch of fresh Swiss chard
• 1 small clove garlic, sliced
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 Tbsp water
• Pinch of dried crushed red pepper
• 1 teaspoon butter
• Salt

Method

1 Rinse out the Swiss chard leaves thoroughly. Remove the toughest third of the stalk, discard or save for another recipe (such as this Swiss chard ribs with cream and pasta). Roughly chop the leaves into inch-wide strips.

2 Heat a saucepan on a medium heat setting, add olive oil, a few small slices of garlic and the crushed red pepper. Sauté for about a minute. Add the chopped Swiss chard leaves. Cover. Check after about 5 minutes. If it looks dry, add a couple tablespoons of water. Flip the leaves over in the pan, so that what was on the bottom, is now on the top. Cover again. Check for doneness after another 5 minutes (remove a piece and taste it). Add salt to taste, and a small amount of butter. Remove the swiss chard to a serving dish.

"Katsu" in Manhattan Beach, calif

"Katsu" is a little Japanese restaurant in Manhattan Beach, Calif. that I visit whenever I am in Los Angeles. It is only 15 min. from LAX and there is a city parking across from the restaurant.
It is on a very busy city corner, but to the west, down the hill is unmistakable Pacific Ocean. While you sit in a lime green dining room, you get the ocean breathe that feels so right. With fresh sushi and sashimi what more can you ask for.

"Katsu"
302 Rosecrans Ave
Manhattan Beach
310-546-3761

090909 -- Union Station Chicago, IL

I wanted to capture this special day -- Sept 9th 2009 with a grand classical architecture encompassing its emptiness to symbolize our economy.

Luna Garcia

"seconds"room was like a little candy store for the
pottery lovers.
I loved the colors that they offer and the glaze was thickly
applied that gave really warm feeling to all of the pieces.

Luna Garcia is in Venice Beach, California. It is a pottery studio housed in an old building that used to be a place where the band Eagles and others used to hang out in the 70's and played for the Venice Beach crowd. Now it has been converted to an pottery studio where artist/owners Cindy and Curtis Ripley creates handmade dinner ware and other beautiful pottery. I liked the "seconds" room where pottery that are little off are sold for reduced price. I thought little imperfection actually gave each piece unique handmade quality and the price was great.

201 San Juan Ave,
Venice, Calif.
1-800-905-9975

There is a parking reserved for the customers in the back of the store. The owner Curtis was really nice when he found out that I had parked on the street with meter ticking he went out and put several quarters in for me so that I can shop without worrying about getting a ticket. Thank you Curtis.

Off to see the USC 2009 -2010 football home opener

I am off to LA to see the home opener of USC Trojans football game.(Well, actually the marching band). My son's first year on the drumline playing the snare drum. Expecting a great game and a great sounds. Photo courtesy of Mark Jrebilas