Visit from Jaja

Jaja came to visit this weekend and we had a blast!  We went to an incredible workshop at the Center for Art in Wood, in Old City where we created a "cabinet of curiosities" out of a cigar box and with great instruction and inspiration from the staff at the center.  We created a portrait for the front, and of course I chose to draw my cats.  Yes, I'm a cat lady.  I really like how it turned out:

 

They had great supplies for us to use, and the boxes already had elaborately patterned paper around the edges that we could use as a jump off for inspiration.  Apparently cigar stores just smash these boxes and throw them in the trash, so it's easy to get them if you're there at the right time.  Which I will obviously be doing now that I know how beautiful these boxes are without any decoration at all.

 

We also went to a work day at Farm 51, which is run by my friends Andrew and Neal.  We destroyed some raised beds and harvested broccoli, then had a bonfire and ate delicious home made coffee cake and cookies.  Their house next door is gorgeous and another constant source of inspiration:

 

 

 

An amazing and inspirational weekend and a great way to start the new year!

Sorry

In front of the Municipal Services Building.

Daily Inspiration

From an ad on the side of a bus shelter.

Morning Sky

I'm trying again to stick to a morning schedule so I can get myself to work by 8 and leave at 4 when it's still light out.

Waking up in the dark is the worst, but the sunrise in my little part of West Philly is pretty spectacular :)

Lunchtime Library

I got inspired by our recent trip and visited the travel section today, 917.8804.

This is the Free Library of Philadelphia, Central Branch, Social Science and History section.

Back in the Saddle.

Home Sweet Home

Well I had planned on posting one last set of pics from the last day of our trip, but unfortunately we all got food poisoning and spent the day in bed instead of at the fishing village we were supposed to visit!

So after 3 flights and a car ride we are home! The kitties are very happy to see us :)

Cambodia

Today we drove about an hour outside of Siem Reap to visit Beng Melea Temple. Our guide took us on a shortcut that brought us close to the village where he grew up and we got to see lots of incredible rural homes, which have thatched roofs and are raised on stilts to avoid flooding and poisonous animals and insects. We also got to see some brightly colored wedding and funeral celebrations, which are indistinguishable unless you can read the sign to tell which is which :)

The Angkor Area

1. Angkor Wat
2. Bayon Temple, Angkor Thom
3. Ta Prohm Temple Complex

Siem Reap

We're here in Cambodia! We got in around 5 and went to a dinner that included traditional dance performance. Boy, the people here sure are gorgeous. Even the airport was pretty.