December 1st, 2010

The Springhouse Art Reception and Awards Ceramony was a great success! There were between 300 and 400 guests, and the excitement was high. Everyone seemed to have a fablous time, and wanted to know when we were doing this again!!! I am sure we will do it again, but I need to sleep first! This project was one of the most difficult projects we have ever done, but it certainly produced a fine result. We learned so much, and will plan to do better next time. Well, off to history class. Another quiz! I am working on a movie project from the photos from our Europe trip, so stay turned! Love, ConnieMarie

Monday, November 1st, 2010 Back to Reality!

So, it was back to homework and back to school today. I was quite surprised to find out that I made an A- on my midterm in World Civ. II! I certainly didn't expect that! I am so thankful! It was great to be back in Clay class tonight. I love working in Clay. Now to sort out my thoughts on our European trip, and figure out what to do my project on. Well, chatt at ya later, ConnieMarie.

Home again!

After a very long day of traveling, we made it home safely, but our luggage did not! Total Jet Lag! Our luggage was delivered by morning. Three days later, and my head is just clearing!

We had a fablous trip. We saw so much art, my head is still spinning, and I can't wait to paint and create!!! It was educational, informative and inspiring.

Traveling is more difficult than a person may think. I am glad to be home. I LOVE AMERICA!!!

Thanks for joining us in our journey and adventures! ConnieMarie.

Last Day in Paris, France

On our last day in Paris, we explored the city a little more. We happened upon an incredible candy store, with delicious cookies and candies. Of course we had to sample a few! We made our way by subway to the highest point in the city of Paris, where the church of Saint Mary was. We were allowed in, where we sat for a while in silence and contemplation.

We made our way through the city to see a few other sights, then made our way back to the Italian restaurant for our last meal in Paris, that we had our first meal when we arrived two weeks ago. It was just as yummy!

On the last day in Paris, France

We went to the House of Rodin. It was actually the beautiful house that he had lived in after his success. We walked through the gardens that had many of his significant larger sculptures, then into the house that had hundreds of sculptures of his. I was actually allowed to photograph his work, and believe me I did! Rob was right, it was definately worth going to! Wade even enjoyed it a great deal. We found it inspiring. His work has such weight, movement and life in it. Some pieces have a great amount of detail, then others are very rough, giving us just enough information to have the impression he wanted us to have. He was a true genious. I just imagined what it would have been like to watch him work!

Last Day in Paris

The BEAUTIFUL white marble sculpture by Rodin, The Kiss!

LEAVING PARIS, THURS, OCT28th,2010

We are checking out of the hotel, on the way to the airport to catch our flight home. We did so many things in the past two days, I will have to post it at a later time when I have a few moments. It was a whirlwind trip, my head is still spinning, and my sences have been on overload since we got here! So many things experienced.

I miss those babies back home and can't wait to squeeze and love on them!!! Love, ConnieMarie

PARIS, TUESDAY, OCT.26TH

Even though our night train to Paris was cancelled due to the strike, my beloved Wade took care of the many details, arranged for a flight, and we just arrived at our hotel in Paris! He never ceases to amaize and impress me.

It is eleven o'clock at night, and room service just brought us a bite of dinner, so I will chat again tomorrow. God is so good to us, and keeps us in His care at all times. I am thankful. ConnieMarie.

BARCELONA,SPAIN OCT.26th,Tue

As you can see, we are having a great time in Spain.

Wade just returned with the news that our night train to Paris has been cancelled due to the strike! So, now we have to find a way to get to Paris in time for our flight home! We hope to see you all soon! All of our love, ConnieMarie.

BARCELONA,SPAIN OCT.26th,Tue

We then visited the Palau Baro de Quadras Casa Asia, a unique example of architecture. We were fortuinate to see an exhibit of MARISCAL, which Wade and I both loved! It was childlike and playful. Then we went on to see the Casa Batlio by Gaudi.

BARCELONA,SPAIN OCT.26th,Tue

Then on to see this famous old cathedral. Although it was under renovation, it was a unique example of architecture. It was very different on every side.

BARCELONA,SPAIN OCT.26th,Tue

This pink house is the house that Gaudi lived in for a period of time. He must have been an interesting character!

BARCELONA,SPAIN OCT.26th,Tue

Gaudi even created mazaics out of rocks.

BARCELONA,SPAIN OCT.26th,Tue

Next we went to the house of Gaudi. It was a wimsicle, enchanting place, with more mosaic tiles than probably anywhere elese. What an imagination this man had.

BARCELONA,SPAIN OCT.26th,Tue

Hola, We spent the day discovering some treasures of Barcelona, Spain. We went to the top of a mountain that had this beautiful old church, Tibidabo. It was breathtaking. We climbed to the top, where we found ourselves, literally at the feet of Jesus! I know it was just a stone statue, but as amazing as it was, it made me think of how mind-blowing it will be to truly be at the feet of Christ one day.

From this vantage point, we overlooked all of Barcelona. There are no words to describe the beauty of this city that is located on the edge of the sea.

VALENCIA, SPAIN, OCT. 23rd

VALENCIA, SPAIN, OCT. 23rd

Wow! Our hotel in Valencia is located right on the beach, with our room overlooking the ocean. Wade and I had room service on our terrace, with the full moon shining on the water. We are actually just chillin with a movie and blogging in our room. Yea, finally relaxing! Nothing like the sound of the waves to chill a person out! Now a little time in my sketch book. Talk at ya later. ConnieMarie.

FROM MADRID TO VALENCIA, SPAIN, OCT 23, 2010

After leaving Madrid, we drove about three hours southeast through a very different landscape. We experienced lush tree covered mountains in the north of Spain, the southeast was gently rolling hills that was very rocky and dry, at times, barren and desert like, then rolling hills with groves of olive trees and vineyards.

MADRID, SPAIN FRI, OCT23

We took a taxi to the Prada Museum in Madrid. We were fortunate to see an incredable visiting display of works of Renoir. There were portraits, still lifes, landscapes. The beautiful use of greens and blues, along with the light of his yellows and white, were all brought to life in the amazing brushstrokes that seem to apply many colors in one stroke. He was a genious when it came to applying colors in such a clean fresh manner of blending, yet allowing each color to show brightly through. What a guy!

The PRADA MUSEUM has a unique collection of masterpieces of El Greco, Velazquez, Murillo, Goya, Rafael, Joaquin Sorolla, and Carracci. I loved the work of Sorolla, Ignacio Pinazo, Emilio Sala, Edward Rosales, and Mariano Fortuny. I got to experience many pieces I was unfamiliar with that were extreamly moving, exciting and inspiring! I can't wait to PAINT!!!!

MADRID, SPAIN FRI, OCT23

A great nights sleep, and we are about to have a fablous buffet breakfast here at our hotel in Madrid. I am fond of the bread with brie, and the Kwiwis are amazing here in Spain. Madrid is a busteling city, with a very busy night life. People only begin to have dinner at nine o'clock in the evening. There are so many people walking everywhere, day and night, and the traffic is out of controll. The architecture is of all kinds, from extreamly old, to completly contempoary, and all so beautiful. Most of the people are very friendly and helpful.

Today we are off to the Prado Art Museum, then off to Valencia! I am excited! Love ya, ConnieMarie.

MADRID, SPAIN FRI, OCT22

Our hotel in Madrid is Grand in an Old Spanish style. I think we slept in later than we ever have. People, you've got to remember the pace we are moving at!!!

It is official, we do love Spain! Suzanne, we love the green olives and olive oil!!!

OK, I am trying to download two photos at a time, so enjoy. Love ya, ConnieMarie.

MADRID, SPAIN FRI, OCT22

Today we went to the Thyssen Bornemisza Museum where we saw a most fablous collection of Rodin, Picasso, Chagall, Dali, KeKooning, Pollock, O'Keeffe, Rothko, Wyeth, Francis Bacon, Giacometti, Henry Moore, Lucian Freud, Lichtenstein, David Hockney, John Singer Sargent, Winslow Homer, Goya, Delacroix, Carot, Gustave Courbet, Boudin, Moreau, Morisot, Manet, Whistler, Vincent Van Gogh, Pissarro, Cezanne, Gauguin, Toulouse-Lautrec, Degas, Modiglini, Kandinsky, Delaunay, Paul Signac, Pendergast, Edvard Munch, Emile Bernard, Morisot, Sisey, John Henry Twachtman, Franz Marc, Rembrant, Peter Paul Rubens, Van Dyck, just to name a few of my favorites!!! Wow!!! I wasn't able to take photos, but I certainly took notes!

After some lunch, we went on to the Reina Sofia Art Mesuem, where they had a tremendous collection of Piccasso.

MADRID, SPAIN FRI, OCT22

BEAUTIFUL SPAINISH POTTERY.

MADRID, SPAIN FRI, OCT22

An amazing display of many works from PICASSO.

Bilbao to Madrid, Spain

Well, Terry was correct. The Guggenheim Bilbao Museum was beyond spectacular! I was not allowed to photograph inside, but I did make notes!

Thank you for your prayers, after we left the hotel, I relized I had left my camera on the chair in the lobby. It was there when we returned!!! And gasoline and restaurants are not as prevalent here as you travel as we are use to, but it was as if we were led to where we needed to be.

Our arrival in Madrid was in heavy traffic. We were glad to have our GPS guide. Madrid is a huge city. Our hotel in Madrid is beautiful, with the most gorgeous marbels and interior decor. Now we are off to see the museums of Madrid! Sorry, can still only down load two photos at a time. I will try more later. Addios, ConnieMarie.

Oct.21st Madrid, Spain

We love Spain! It is so different than we imagined! The north was mountianous with beautiful trees, and now in Madird, more dry and rocky. Madrid is an enormus city! The only one bigger I remember was Moscow, Russia. We arrived at our hotel, very nice, and had a very customary Spanish casual dinner. It was awesome. Wade hade foie, and I had poatatoes with mayanoyes, and toasted bread with mushrooms and brie cheese on top, with some Sangreia, that Suzanne recomended. Fablous recomendation!!! Wow. OK, a late night. More in the morning. ConnieMarie.

Oct. 20th Bilbao, Spain

Our view of the Guggenheim Bilbao Museum from our hotel window! We had a fablous day here. The people are kind and friendly. One thing difficult for us to get use to is they eat diner about 8:30 - 9:00 pm. They are very laid back, Wade & I . . . not so much! ConnieMarie.

Oct.20th,From Bordeaux to Bilbao, Spain

Hello all, My last blog did not go through. I will try again. It seems as though I can only send one photo at a time. So I will as I can. We stopped in San Sebastian, Spain which was a beautiful town, then on to Bilbao, Spain. Our hotel is unbelievable. It is directly across the street from the Guggenheim Bilbao Muesum! What a view! We spent the afternoon there, then we went on to the Contempoary Art Museum, Museum De Bellas Artes De Bilbao. The Guggenheim is an archetectural achievement in itself. Completely beautiful. OMG. The Serra steel sculptures are unbelievable. I use to think very little of them, but seeing them and walking through them, they were absolutely a wonder! Wow, we both loved most everything we saw! We are both so inspired to create. Wade wants to create sculpture, I just want to paint!!! We then walked through the city, ate dinner in an Iberian restuarant. An amazing day. Love ya, ConnieMarie.