Idyllwild # 3 - snow!

On the day we were to leave, early in the pre-dawn, it snowed. This was intensely exciting to our kids who have only ever seen snow twice before, and one of those was from a moving vehicle. It doesn't snow much in Los Angeles. So overnight the forest was turned into a winter wonderland.


Headed back home on a crowded freeway. You can tell from the palm trees we're back in familiar environs. The kids had so much fun frolicking in the snow that they slept the whole drive back. It was nice for me to get out somewhere different and do a little sketching too.

Idyllwild # 2

On the second night we all huddled around the laptop watching funny videos on YouTube, thanks to the high-speed wifi connection. Roughing it in the cabin (ha). The kids had never seen Michael Jackson's Thriller video before; then got a huge kick out of watching the Lego version (a little out of focus, but funny nevertheless).

Idyllwild # 1

We're home, and I found a scanner. This is the view across the valley from the back porch balcony. It would snow the next day and change this view dramatically.

Two families, five kids. My friend Mark and I played a lot of guitar, mostly Robert Johnson blues standards. Very fun.

Old back porch

This is from last weekend -- a wonderful time spent at my brother and sister-in-laws' house. They have a beautiful 1911 home in Orange with a great back porch.

This weekend we're in Idyllwild with some good friends. This is the first time I've blogged from a distant location. Unfortunately I forgot to bring my scanner, but I'll put up the sketches when I get home. They say a snow storm is on its way here. Hopefully we won't get snowed in!

Daily Monster

This is a fun video blog: Stefan G. Bucher's DAILY MONSTER. He draws a new monster every day, based on an ink spill he creates. Fun to watch him think and come up with something spontaneously. Mr. Bucher is a designer and his regular web site is here. There's a whimsical feel to it that's refreshing.

Waiting while Mom shops

Creme Brulee

We had some fancy dessert last night. Joan's showing Jane how to properly use the butane torch on the Creme Brulee. Fun and tasty.