SAN FRANCISCO, CA

David and I took a long weekend trip to San Francisco and had a blast!  I had to get my Dutch passport renewed so we turned it into a baby moon as well.  I was a little worried about  being 31 weeks pregnant and having to walk up and down those steep hills, but you know what?  It wasn't all that bad!  I've been going on daily morning walks at home so maybe that helped a tiny bit?  3 days was not long enough, and now that I have had a little taste of California I most definitely will go back soon.

Fisherman's Wharf

One of the many views of Alcatraz and the bay. 

These were probably the sweetest and tart mandarins I've ever tasted. 

I think we walked for 4 hours this day.  It was such a beautiful morning. 

A LITTLE PIECE OF SPRING

Spring is my absolute favorite season of the year.  I love the freshness, the spring showers, the first time you see bits of bright green buds popping up on trees and bushes followed by beautifully vibrant colored flowers.   The Texas state flower is the bluebonnet, so I thought I would paint some to commemorate Spring!

LITTLE BIG DOG

This is my latest commission I completed for a fellow soon to be second time mom.  The little dachshund in this picture is her dog who last year thought he was such a tough guy and chased after a bunch of cows.  His ego grew extremely big after the chase!

MY FAVORITE ART SPACE

I'm a big fan of the Menil Collection.  In college I used to love it because it was free. (the front desk requests donations)  Of course I also enjoyed the fabulous collection of modern art!  Now, it's the whole experience of quickly making my way through the travel exhibitions before Amelia gets bored and when she does, we head to the park right next door where she gets to run around and play for a bit.

Currently on view: Lee Bontecou: Drawn Worlds,  which was my favorite, while David loved the expansive travel show, Memories of a Voyage: The Late Work of Rene Magritte.  Who knew Magritte incorporated so many self-portraits in his work!  Amelia's favorite was a painting with the ABC's painted on it, while she was singing her little heart out in the quiet museum.  Never a boring (uhh silent) moment with a toddler!

MARCH WEATHER

Like the rest of the country, Texas weather has had its issue with mood swings.  One day we will be running around in our shorts and tank tops and the next day it freezes and back come the boots and winter coats.  Amelia and Jordan had their share of fun today in the big puddle or what I call our backyard lake.

HOWDY GATOR

I recently visited Brazos Bend state park again.   The park inhabits about 400 mean looking alligators, so with that in mind I thought I would draw a happy one instead.

PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS

Here's my latest watercolor painting inspired by the many prickly pear cacti in Texas.