Tolpolara

Some small-scale works I've been making - recently'ish

2011-04-20T15:41:00.000-07:00

Mica/muscovite on paper - either flat or folded card - less than 11x11"

Watercolor on paper - either flat or folded card - less than 7x7"

6 month milestones!

2011-02-27T17:07:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pictures of 6 month milestones...

getting used to sleeping in the crib...I feel bad, because this looks like the poster for "what NOT to do" (ie blankies, dolls, toys in the crib).

she's enjoying taking some control (like holding the bottle)...doesn't work so well when nursing :)

First trip out in the big-girl car seat!

Out with Pai/Daddy to story-time. They have gone three times (while I'm at work, before Cassio goes to his job)...he's the only daddy amongst many mommies and kids.

Story time

Finally put her in some clothes that aren't cozy pj's

My sweet valentine :)

girl time

Off to story time!

6 month birthday and 1st day of daycare!

Sleepy Melina with Teacher JoAnn

making music

Daddy's first time with sweet potatos

Daddy's portrait of sleepy, messy, full Melina.

look out WORLD!!!!!!!

2011-02-25T16:03:00.000-08:00

Melina is licensed to travel!!!

Two passports = citizen of Brasil/America/THE WORLD

Valentine's Party!

2011-02-15T11:30:00.000-08:00

Went to play and make Valentine's with some gals from work and Melina.

I always enjoy time with friends and Melina certainly enjoys new people and places...as you can see, by the end she was pooped (it was 8pm and I wanted to go to bed tooooo) :)

Sitting...

2011-02-12T18:34:00.000-08:00

...and other stuff.

awesome outfit #462

holidays 2010 part II

2011-02-12T18:15:00.000-08:00

Here are a few other pix from the holiday season. Melina was doing her best Santa impersonation and met Tabitha (of the Leahy-Whitney clan). The girls will help us carry on the yearly visits and will restart the "kids table" at some point.
Melina also met her Great-grandma and absolutely loved spending time with her uncle Ryan and aunt Denise.
Just the start to MANY wonderful holiday seasons in the future!

Christy, Logan, and Dylan visit us!

2011-01-01T14:07:00.000-08:00

3 of the 5 Smith-family members came for a quick visit while we were in Georgia. How beautiful are they?!?!?! Wish it could have lasted longer...it was an absolute pleasure to see those happy, lovely friends!

love xoxoxoxoxox

such great heights

2011-01-01T13:56:00.000-08:00

ok, so you can't see the air she caught, but that's cause my timing was off....in any case we don't want anyone thinking that we throw her around all the time :)

INTRODUCING.....

2011-01-01T13:48:00.000-08:00

Here's the announcement we had printed as well as the text from the LA Times and the Porto Alegre newspapers:

click to see full text.

holidays 2010 part I

2010-12-19T10:39:00.000-08:00

Came to visit parents in Georgia with Melina and then Cassio flew out to be with us.

Here are some fun times....

Learning to squeal!!!!!

Getting better at hugging and grabbing onto stuff.

New "mint chocolate chip ice cream outfit"!

Loving Tia Kerley's fleece zip-sack....warrrrrrrmmmmmm. :)

Learning how to make tents with mommy!

Mommy tries to fit in tent!

Daddy arrives! Melina has changed sooo much in a week!

Experimenting with rice cereal and mommy's milk. Dirty, fun job!

New friends (many from Jim Henson's family).

Boompapa likes sleepy Melina, but LOVES when she smiles and charms him!!!!

Great-grandma's sweater and awesome leggings that were hand-me-downs!

more rice cereal from Grandma!

feet

2010-11-20T16:30:00.000-08:00

When we left the hospital with Melina, the only thing we were missing was a set of her footprints....in fact, we were told that they don't do those at the hospital anymore. huh?

Below are a few sets of prints we made when she was about 3 weeks (pink) and 5 weeks (black)...and there are a few pictures from one of the "print parties" with my brother and Cassio's sister (which ended with Melina needing a bath to remove tons of ink!). We were surprised it took several people - I nursed the baby, another person applied ink, and the third person was in charge of the paper and the stamping process. Babies like to wiggle a lot!

Melina, Family, and Friends - Part 1

2010-11-20T10:36:00.000-08:00

Here are pictures of some family and friends since Melina was born...as well as some of our/her travels. August-November.....not really in order FYI.

coming home form the hospital

so new!

With Lyssa, our wonderful doula.

Rachel came for a preview.

Ludo and Luis couldn't wait to see the masterpiece!

Eunice, Meghan (with Melina), Rachel and Kristin came for a lunch date.

Millers and Tolpolars (except Ryan and Denise couldn't be here that day).

Necklace charm with Melina's name...from Cassio's family collection.

Rejane's passion!

Sara and Dave at our openhouse.

Ilana and Viviane

My Mom had a great birthday with us together.

Uncle Ryan is fantastico!

Tolpolar clan arrives so they can meet Melina!

I hope Melina doesn't make this face in her school pictures in kindergarten. (see cassio)

Dad meets Melina!

with some LACMA buddies (Albert and Alicia).

Felicia finally meets Melina!

mothers and daughters :)

Heather LOVES some Melina...and she's a baby whisperer.

Erin is a natural :) (PS the flag in the background is not a patriotic choice, but it has been there since Cassio's naturalization ceremony last year)

Looks like a military meal.

Tia Kerley found love. AND she was really helpful :)

darn cute.

Ludo and Luis came back for a follow-up visit! Melina was bigger and had a little more hair!

My brother and Cassio's sister with their niece.

Always fun to see friends when you least expect!

Does cookie monster brush his teeth too? Cookie was one of Ryan's favorite friends back in the day.

Melina's first manicure.

Elmo makes a guest appearance.

babies like IHOP.

Babies also like the wine section of Ralph's

Grandma Amalia got two great-grandchildren in one week (Melina and her cousin in Brazil). yowza!

Proud grandpas!

4 generations of Tolpolars!

Rachel and Richard agree that the Rainbow Connection is great!

we went to the Farmers Market (it was cold and rainy).

Teaching Melina to love Anthropologie.

A walk in the neighborhood.

first visit to LACMA.

Melina can't help but relax when Heather is around :)

Old-school Strawberry Shortcake came for a visit.

Dolly and onesie from Croatia also came for a visit (from Rosane and Renato).

Learning to chill.

Melina and Friends - Part 2

2010-11-20T10:35:00.000-08:00

Here is a classy video that Cassio edited from family/friends footage and a sweet muppet soundtrack....

go here:

http://www.vimeo.com/16353918

Melina and Mommy duet - video!

2010-11-20T10:31:00.000-08:00

Please check out some footage from our first recording session of lullabies!! Available this holiday season at babies R us!jk

click here -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfGJ2kZRw jA

Melina's first Halloween!

2010-11-11T11:48:00.000-08:00

Cassio, Melina, and I went to the Larchmont Farmers Market on Halloween...lots of food samples, beautiful weather, and fun. Melina had several wardrobe changes - a halloween bib and several halloween onesies (courtesy of grandma), and a one-piece black romper with an orange skirt and glitter pumpkin....which she has worn several times since.

we are mom and dad now :)

2010-09-09T18:14:00.000-07:00

blogspot has become a little more technically sophisticated just as i become a nursing mother typing with one hand :)

alas, here are a few pix from recent days...Melina as an Inter fan (just like daddy) for Porto Alegre and a quiet post-bathing moment with mommy.

best to all!

Hello MELINA!

2010-08-31T11:31:00.000-07:00

Melina Ann Tolpolar arrived on August 23rd, 2010 at 8:51pm. She weighed 7lb 8oz and was 20 inches long. pretty calm and was happy to be placed on mommy right upon arrival. I was immediately in LOVE!

Fortunately, we had the GENIUS idea to let my mom know that the baby was probably coming that day (which was 6 days early), so she was able to change her flight plans and arrived in LA at about 1am, just 4 hours after Melina's birth.

Between the hospital staff, our Doula (Lyssa), and of course, Cassio and my mom, everything was great before, during , and after the delivery.

Cassio and I had a great experience overall and enjoyed the process as much as possible.

Here are a few early picture from that night....more pictures to come soon.

Grandma Pattie xoxoxoxoxox

cat in hats

2010-08-31T11:20:00.001-07:00

We're putting Querida's modeling portfolio together...she's so versatile.

Goodbye Belly......

2010-08-31T11:10:00.001-07:00

6 days before her expected due date, Melina Ann Tolpolar was born!

Here are the final belly photos from week 38.

Goodbye my dear belly...I will miss the outie belly button and all the wonderful kicks and punches happening on the inside...I enjoyed having the baby as my constant companion.

Onward!

fresh styles from 1977

2010-08-17T18:11:00.000-07:00

My mom pulled a few of my baby clothes out and mailed them to me... most I remember quite clearly, although I suppose I looked through them at some point in the last 33 years.

In any case, she also included little cards with notes as reminders as to their origins.

Before our lives become focused on our little one (she is due in just 11 days), I thought I'd go ahead and document these in case they sucked into the contemporary baby goodness that has taken over her room.

Sweetness below...

Holly Hobby or Little House anyone? I think I wore these often, including my first trip to the beach. Gingham is great.

Booties made by an aunt....sweater is cute but not sure where it came from.

Polly Flinders dress. I remember the dress well, but didn't know that the brand was especially swank. Perfect light weight for those days above 80 degrees in Corning, New York (so maybe once per year) :)

Hand-made by an aunt, I think.

Sweet swiss-dot blue-ducky item....I think I would call it a pinafore (check out wikipedia "pinafore" for a reminder of what it is).

A special number for my baptism from grandparents :)

The following set came from my grandparents. It must have been kept for special occasions, cause it's still white and looks brand new.

Leaving the hospital, I must have been tickled pink :)

This little terry footed sleeper was a favorite (from my recollection)...the little flower patch on the left chest is sooooooooo in my memory.

The two following outfits are sweet jumpsuits with little bellbottom pants. I must have been a little older when I wore these...1.5 or 2 yrs? First is cotton gingham and the second is a polyester number.

week 38-watermelon

2010-08-15T16:24:00.001-07:00

So here is a picture from the weekly Trader Joe's trip (this morning), which also happens to be the first day of the 38th week! woohoooo!

My weekly email pregnancy updates, told me that she is the size of a watermelon (about 6.5 lb) now and truly it is a lot to lug around with the other 30 lbs. Sheeeesh. It was also great to reminisce with the other fruits and veggies she has been over the last weeks/months...those blueberries, kiwis, peaches, ears of corn, and papayas all seem so small now, so it's fun to have graduated to the watermelon at last :)

All in all, I still have a smile on my face most of the time. Feeling pretty good and just waiting around for her to come play with us.

(frontal view gives it no justice, but we forgot) :)

a few other shower photos

2010-08-05T08:28:00.000-07:00

Although it was over a month now, the baby shower is still something I think about often.

In fact, Walter put a few photos on Facebook and I have also put them here.

Super-nice...

Antonio, Tom and I

Pastel Black......(spinal tap, anyone?)

Ted, Walter and I....damn we are a handsome bunch!

Ludo, Luis, Lane and Lara......many L's = good

museum water is special.....

2010-08-03T07:24:00.000-07:00

I've had lunch several times with a few other mommies-to-be from the museum...two are due the day before me, so I look forward to potentially seeing them in the halls of the hospital as we are walking around in our sweet non-slip socks and hospital-grade robes.

It has been fun to compare all aspects of the pregnancy process (the belly-buttons might be the most bizarre and silly) and a bit helpful to know that none of us are exactly prepared with the child-care and full on reality of having to come back to work. To some degree, I think we are all ready to move to other countries where we would be given a paid year away from work....for bonding, breastfeeding, etc.

So here's a picture of several of us:

Besides the four of us, I know of 4 other folks who have had babies in the last 2 months and I know of at least another 5 who are due sometime in the fall...all from the museum!!!!

Have juice or coffee if you come to the museum, cause I think the water is a little "special".

I love having to wear something that I would normally never wear....

2010-07-30T15:13:00.000-07:00

On the first day of camp at the museum, our entire department wears matching camp t shirts. I chose mine about two weeks earlier and by the first day of camp it was fitting a bit differently compared to how it fit when I picked it out.

Here's my model side-pose....I look good enough to be on the Target maternity website or something.

July 4th weekend - 32 weeks

2010-07-14T11:30:00.000-07:00

My fantastic mommy came to visit over the July 4th holiday weekend. We worked on the baby's room and prepared for the little one's arrival over the 4 day weekend...satisfying but exhausting :) She was magnificent help!

I would post a few pictures of Mom, but would prefer to get her approval first (since she owns the publishing rights to her image).

And, I apologize for the weekend attire (I don't normally wear a nightgown out and about, but it was a weekend and we were going for comfortable just around the house).

Here are a few pictures:

Cassio as "the baby whisperer"

Crash test kitty 1

Crash test kitty 2

Crash test kitty 3

Crash test kitty 4

Crash test kitty 5

Finally bed has been cleaned, mattress put in, new linens laundered, and the sweet quilt on the wall.

View with mobile (given to us by my Grandma Ginna) and the gingham patchwork quilt my mom made this summer - based on the quilt that I had as a child and wore to shreds (because it was my blanky and it accompanied me everywhere and because I sucked my thumb).

Kind of cute belly (if I do say so myself). PS, the crease along the belly is from the powder-blue fleece sweatpants I was also wearing...very chic.

Purdy fabrics

Purdy birthday flowers from Cassio

My first time getting "Stork Parking"

took a shower

2010-06-29T11:04:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday, we had a few folks come over for a backyard BBQ/Baby Shower!

Many thanks to those who came and we missed seeing those who couldn't attend.

Also, thanks again to those who helped (grill mastering, taking pictures, setting up, loaning lawn furniture, bringing food/drink, smiling)....we had a great time and I know the baby was loving every moment!

Here are some pix below.....

the bump

already exhausted but having funnnnn. (Cassio with Guarana in hand)

finally a real summer day this year

flowers

Kristin and Julie making fortune tellers/love notes for the baby

Helen making a thoughtful note

Bernie and Steve

Steve and Cassio

Sarah and Kristin

Fun on the LACMA blanket :)

Teresa

We had beans, rice, and plantains...along with farofa. Chicken and burgers from the grill. some snacks. fruits and veggies. hummus. mmmmmmm, now I'm hungry.

Beautiful Miki

Chris and Sohana

Paola and Sohana

Mock sangria...Heather, you're a genius!

Shawn and Cristiani

Also Elana and Viviane

Ludo and I

Ely and Bernie

Walter and Pav

a few moments before I sent the champagne cork over the roof

Ted, Ely, and I

me opening a few presents

10 weeks to go! (now I'm only counting on my hands!)

2010-06-21T13:56:00.000-07:00

Two and a half months to go and now I don't have to count my toes too!

Baby girl enjoys making her presence known...she's fully active in my belly...both Cassio and I enjoy watching my skin jump and roll around. She's certainly more active at particular times of the day (or night) and after I eat, so I'm getting used to it. Although the last two evenings she has woken me up from shallow sleep just as I've managed to fall asleep...on both occassions it has frightened and startled me...and each time I've jolted awake as though someone has thrown a rock at me while I sleep. It's funny a few minutes later, but nobody enjoys being pulled from slumber with a thud in their innards.

Below are some pix of me (dressed in prego stuff and headed to work)...the nursery with some of the fabrics placed and some sweet drawers...and finaly, I've always wanted a fuzzy toilet seat cover. Very classy.

week 28 - gaining

2010-06-11T15:11:00.001-07:00

This has been a week of gaining....while I've been gaining weight (obvious, I suppose), I've gained a few other items and experiences.

Other things I'm gaining:

-more back/hip aches and pains. I'm not walking as quickly or as far as before (and if I do, there are consequences).

-swollen ankles and feet. Super sexy cankles, for sure. I did get a pedicure so at least the callouses and ragged nails aren't making them look worse and are no longer a danger to the public!

-insomnia. Between restless legs and charlie horses in my lower legs, sleeping at night is not so plentiful (which I hear is good for preparing for once the baby arrives).

-stuff. Everyday, there seems to be another box or envelope from the post or UPS. As helpful as these things are (or will be) it's intimidating gaining so much stuff. I guess it will pay off to stay organized.

-perspective. We went to our first birthing class in the beginning of the week and there was a woman there who was MISERABLE with her pregnancy. She has had every bad side-effect related to pregnancy and really had no positive things to share about it (and was clearly to tired to even try to pretend). Alas, as I'm hobbling around and borderline frustrated from lack of decent sleep, I've been thinking about her and happy with all the things I'm gaining.

beachin'

2010-06-01T11:31:00.000-07:00

We took ourselves to Zuma Beach on Monday morning...easy drive there...easy parking...took a walk and then spent some time enjoying the cool breeze, warm sun, and snacks.

By about noon, we were ready to go home and realized there were bazillions of folks who had arrived for their beach-fix. It seems we could have made some bucks (sold our prime sand spot to some late arrival and our supreme parking spot was well worth $10 or so)...why did we not think to capitalize on these things until later???

Then we rode in the holiday traffic home...with miles of folks looking for parking at every beach between Zuma and Santa Monica, wacky drivers, ridiculous pedestrians crossing Highway 1 with their tents, chairs, coolers, kites, umbrellas, and floaties - all while wearing their sweetest bikini/sarong with high-heeled wedges.

We were so happy to get home safely...and was satisfied that we had enjoyed the morning to the fullest while everyone else was just heading out.

Here are some of my best impressions of a beached whale:

Happy

Here was our spot - before all the people arrived

25 weeks and counting (both up and down!)

2010-05-19T07:38:00.001-07:00

Time is moving along and I didn't think things were visibly changing that much (although I see the scaleand the weeks going up)...alas, I tried something on at a store and just had to laugh..where did everything come from!!!!!???!!!

My formerly baggy shirts are getting tighter...I resorted to buying a few more "flowing" options. hopefully these things can last these final 15 weeks.

Aches and pains have joined me...finally bought one of those maternity body pillows (the Snoodle).

Baby girl is pretty active and wakes me up when the cats are waking me up in the early morning. Have the three of them already conspired to bug me until I get out of bed? She's not even born yet, but she's got this routine going.

Talking with her everyday. Hopefully Cassio will be able to see and feel her soon, cause that's some good magic.

Ben and Kate's Baby Shower

2010-05-11T09:55:00.001-07:00

Went to another baby shower this weekend. Kate and Ben (below) will have a little girl sometime in mid-June, so friends and family came to celebrate Alice-In-Wonderland style....lots of hats, Cheshire cats, kids, women expecting kids, suspended tea kettles and sculptural stacks of dishes...and lots of food.
After such a lovely afternoon, I was about ready to roll down the hill (see third picture down).

:)

Elizabeth's baby shower

2010-05-06T06:44:00.000-07:00

Here's a shot from Elizabeth's (center) baby shower this past Sunday. It was a lovely day with some good girl companionship.

finally posting holiday 2009 pictures

2010-05-03T10:20:00.001-07:00

Alas, it seems I am late posting images from the holidays every year.

In any case, here are the highlights from this past holiday season with the family in Georgia:

Mom got a special cafe cup from Brazil.

Dad got a special beer glass from Brazil.

Dad also got a coffee cup...and shows his ambidextrous use of his thumbs. (consult previous photo)

Tigger took a nap amongst the wrappings.

This year there were many personalized photo books

and cups...here Ryan is surveying the wedding album that mom made from their (Ryan and Denise's) wedding photos.

poser

Here, our grandmother was checking out my collage calendar.

Ryan's birthday!!

Visiting Grandma Ginna in her "apartment".

Baby clothes from Porto Alegre!

2010-05-03T09:44:00.001-07:00

Cassio and I received quite a package from family members in Brazil.
His grandmother/vó, Amalia, has been working 'round-the-clock to crochet/knit special clothes for our little girl...so please have a look...these will be items that I'll keep LONG after she's grown out of them because they're so special :)

Obrigada!

Multi-colored sweater and booties.

pink and white romper with red buttons...will be adorable with a little onesie underneath.

pale yellow romper with yellow pearl buttons...she will be a snuggle magnet.

booties galore

From Tia Rosane...infant girl soccer/futbol dress (1st of MANY, I'm sure).

Go Inter!

From Tia Eliane...a sweet suite of white and aqua

getting a belly

2010-04-22T07:51:00.001-07:00

So I never leave the house with a tight shirt on, but below are a few pictures (one with a snug shirt)....so these are my modeling shots...always glad to see that black keeps things visually in place.
I think these images don't exactly show the greatness of the belly, but it's there.
The last picture has the dress I wore the day after Easter (since I have to celebrate spring with some sort of prettiness)...it's a chemise of the prettiest variety from Target (with a sweater over the skimpy top)...ultimate pretty. Oh, and I had jeans underneath.

cuteness

2010-04-22T07:47:00.000-07:00

Sometimes cuteness is all you need....

curating the nursery - awesome fabrics

2010-04-22T07:42:00.001-07:00

Since some memories from my childhood include the yellow gingham of my quilt and pillow cover, the multi colored gingham of my favorite patch-work blanky (which became my security blanket), and many other fabrics that I slept with or played on, I've decided that awesome fabrics should be the basis of the nursery for the new little girl coming to the world.

I can remember day-dreaming from a very early age, being surrounded by beautiful prints and patterns...I wasn't doing anything in particular but noticing the textures and colors an the way the sun would make them come alive.

So the following pictures show the fabrics and prints that I have collected thus far on my journey to curate this space...whimsical botanicals and shapes/colors that will be the basis of the nursery.

PS. the furniture is white and the nursery is certainly not finished :)

a visit from my parents

2010-04-22T07:37:00.001-07:00

What better way to celebrate President's Day than to have family visit!

My mom and dad joined us for several days and despite the head-cold/exhaustion I was trying to get over (we did take some naps) we had a great time both at home and out in the world.

This trip we took them to the beach (a perfectly warm day); lunch at the Counter; walks in our neighborhood (to the library); finally took them for a walk in Hollywood (which we had always avoided previously); shopping at Trader Joes; cooking at home; watching some Olympics; and they saw me practicing my mommy-skills with the cats (as shown below).

Great times, as always :)

And, I did wear other clothes during their visit, but happened to be in my favorite long-sleeved Tee everytime we left the house. Lazy or love?

one more picture of the lady - 21 weeks

2010-04-20T07:23:00.000-07:00

More pictures to post, but only one more of the little one since both she and I are healthy there will be no more ultrasounds.

She's about 10.5 inches (head to toe) and Cassio said he saw her gulp down some amniotic fluid during the ultrasound....hope she could taste all the good stuff I've been eating since her taste buds are rockin' now.

best day ever - and it's a girl

2010-03-25T17:11:00.000-07:00

As I noted last week, we indeed have a baby on the way :) wooohoooo!

This morning we woke up to go to a 7:30am appointment...got to see the baby and all of it's organs, bones, and awesomeness. It was better than a movie and was captivating, enthralling and insanely fantastic. Reminded me how much I enjoyed my anatomy class in high school (one of few classes I liked, in fact). But this is anatomy that is connected to Cassio and I, so it was even better.

Baby is a girl and things seem to be going well.

Below are two ultrasound images form this morning and then a picture of my belly that has surfaced.

Can't wait to meet the little lady, but I guess we should enjoy the process.

yay for creation!

Happy late New Year and great News!

2010-03-16T19:27:00.000-07:00

In mid-December, Cassio and I discovered that we were expecting a baby. Our holiday cheer was exceptionally different (and wonderful) this year and the New Year came and went...and here it is mid-March!

Currently, the 16 week cuteness is doing well and we will find out next week if it is a cuteness boy or girl. How is it already almost into the 5th month? And how is it possible that the pregnancy is nearly half over? Must be the good mood and elevated optimism. I've never been so excited about ANYTHING ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are all elated (family, friends and cats)...so here are some pictures. There isn't much to see yet (regarding the belly) so these will have to do for now.

8weeks and 4 days on January 20, 2010

Excited Cassio (or is he terrified)...he got some special door prizes!

11 weeks and 4 days on February 11, 2010

Me testing out the Peanut Shell on an unsuspecting guinea-pig (at about 15 weeks).

Cassio is now a Brazilian AND an American!

2009-11-21T12:06:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday, November 28th, Cassio and I drove to Pomona, CA to attend the oath ceremony for his naturalization.

I expected there to be a moderate amount of people, but it turned out that there were 1,800 new citizens attending and about 4,000 of their friends and family in the audience (with me).

Although the fairgrounds had people selling american heart-attack-inducing foods (fried, smoked meats and so forth) and cheesy certificate covers outside the hall, it was overall a wonderful day. I think we were both surprised at how many people were there and how excited everyone was (including ourselves).

Back in LA, we went to Los Balcones to fill ourselves silly.

Yay cassio!

looking ahead to the new year

2009-11-21T10:10:00.000-08:00

Although I can't seem to take care of things currently in front of me, I HAVE been able to make a 24 month calendar from my collage series Places I've been meaning to go...2010-2011.

You can preview and also purchase by cicking the link above (it will take you to www.lulu.com).

Querida likes to LOL

2009-08-22T14:18:00.000-07:00

Querida wanted to share this thought with a friend recently, and I thought it might be nice to share with YOU.

Pennsylvania Part II - Washington, PA and Pittsburgh

2009-07-11T07:49:00.001-07:00

During our trip for the wedding, there were many exotic and wonderful things to enjoy.

We toured Pittsburgh - the Duquesne Incline, Carnegie Mellon U/Ryan's helicopter lab, University of Pittsburgh(to visit Cassio's sister, Kerley), and Kerley's apartment and neighborhood in Squirrel Hill.

And in Washington, we made a bonfire (complete with marshmellows and nightvision goggles to see the wild animals watching us), we met Faye (the horse), we saw Faye roll around and act crazy, we took hikes and ate a lot.

I hadn't spent time in PA in ages and it was wonderful!

MY Best Restaurant in LA

2009-07-10T07:04:00.000-07:00

In my humble opinion, Los Balcones del Peru is the best restaurant in Los Angeles.

Pros:

Lomo Saltado

Ceviche de Camarones

Aji sauce

giant corn!

Casqueno

fortune teller/palm reader next door

large green dumpster outside

No florescent lighting!

Affordable :)

Cons:

slow service

Pennsylvania Part I - Ryan and Denise's wedding

2009-07-05T04:43:00.000-07:00

In May, Cassio and I went with my parents to pennsylvania to Denise and Ryan's wedding. Here are pictures of the wedding day...which was sunny and perfect...a great surprise to those of us that know how cold and rainy it can be there in the spring.

It was an absolute joy!

32nd birthday at the Farmer's Market

2009-07-03T08:37:00.000-07:00

We celebrated our birthdays again at the Farmer's Market wine bar.

Always good times with friends :)

our second 4th anniversary! yowza!

2009-07-03T08:33:00.000-07:00

In a highly dramatized moment (for our reality show), I show my slave-driving skills.....as Cassio cooks for me.

Wine tasting in Los Olivos and Solvang

2009-06-27T07:09:00.000-07:00

A Danish town, 29 wines, 6 friends, and 1 day.

Genius.

Fun.

free range kitty

2009-06-14T09:33:00.001-07:00

Until she actually learns to cook, we are not encouraging this from Fofinha...but it's pretty funny to find.

cassio's birthday

2009-06-14T09:21:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday's were in order on Friday...we celebrated Cassio's day with Peruvian yumminess at Inti.

Queridinha didn't join us cause she's on a diet.

Feliz aniversario Cassio!!

All pigmented watercolors stain

2009-05-25T18:42:00.000-07:00

favorite new reflections

2009-05-25T18:37:00.000-07:00

These are two of my favorite new reflections in the house.

There is a third, but I have to wait until the perfect time of day to catch it.

the 1st Annual Easter Orphan Brunch

2009-05-16T11:48:00.000-07:00

Since many of our friends have no family here, our friend Lynne coordinated the Easter Orphan Brunch so we could have our own brunch together at the Farmer's Market.

Hopefully we'll get some other pictures from other cameras, but for now our friend sent these pictures of Little P (the chihuahua) giving me many kisses.

Car Wall - Herman Village in Highland Park, CA

2009-05-16T11:37:00.000-07:00

One of the Teaching Artists I work with was teaching at Bushnell Way Elementary for several weeks and had discovered that the mythical Car Wall was close by....but had quite a time finding it up amongst the trees and labyrinthine streets and driveways.

Alas, he showed myself and a coworker. A nice hidden gem in Herman Village.

classy news

2009-05-16T11:32:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week I noticed some hard news headings of interest on cnn.com.

What a smattering of junk.

See partial heading below:

WHO DOESN'T LIKE TACOS?@#!&*"%^$&

2009-04-28T19:29:00.000-07:00

Remember the "Taco Time" taco is:

A crunchy all beef taco smothered in nacho cheese, lettuce, tomato, and special Southwestern sauce; wrapped in a soft flour tortilla with a layer of re-fried beans in between; wrapped in a savory corn tortilla with a middle layer of Monterrey jack cheese; wrapped in a deep fried gordita shell smeared with a layer of special 'guacomolito' sauce; wrapped in a corn husk filled with pico de gallo; wrapped in an authentic Parisian crepe filled with egg, gruyere, sausage and portobello mushrooms; wrapped in a Chicago-style, deep-dish, meat lover's pizza; rolled up in a blueberry pancake; dipped in batter and deep fried until it's golden brown; and served in a commemorative tote bag filled with spicy vegetarian chili.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/1447/saturday-night-live-taco-town

i suddenly feel the need for some feed.

moving in, setting up, and new places to sleep

2009-03-21T14:44:00.001-07:00

Moving was a pain (as one might imagine). And in time things come together, but since we're both in our full-times, there's not been alot of time to do much. Alas, the place is always getting better and more home-like...although Querida and Fofinha have been "at home" since day 1.

things that grow

2009-03-21T14:31:00.000-07:00

now that we have a yard, there are other opportunities to grow plants. But first I have to deal with a few plant structures that didn't survive our move. One trellis completely self-destructed. And the roses are fragrant like the besst here in LA...smell like candy.

Anti-valentines party

2009-03-21T14:15:00.001-07:00

From the pictures, it seems as though there was plenty of snacks and kitty-love to go around. I must have gotten lazy with the camera, cause I remember other things too.

New place to live

2009-03-21T13:54:00.000-07:00

In January, it became clear to me that we should move to a new place...and within a week (looking at places over three days) we found a great place...a duplex on a quiet street. Here is what we found...

Around town....

2009-03-21T13:50:00.000-07:00

Holidays 2008 (yes, I'm running a few months late)

2009-03-21T12:34:00.000-07:00

The holidays this year went by so fast and out trip was particularly important as a period of rejuvenation. We brought my grandmother into this century by showing her a bunch of stuff on the computer. My mom, dad, Ryan, Cassio and I went to the massive aquarium...it was about the best time 5 people in their 30's and over can have. Didn't even buy the stinkin' souvenir photo, I just took a picture of it myself.

Overall, there was my mom and dad's cat for laughs, a lot of napping, and blockbuster DVD watching. I even gave Cassio the gift-bag of his life: malt liquor, pork rinds, and beef jerky...always fascinating items for him and we were in the South for goodness sakes.

Milton came to LA!

2008-11-23T15:06:00.000-08:00

Just in time for the election, Cassio's friend from Porto Alegre/Montreal, came to participate at the AFI FF and to play for a few days. We went to Venice, ate burgers at the Counter, enjoyed the wine bar at the FM, and enjoyed the Brasilian reception for AFI (turned election party) at the Roosevelt Hotel (sweet suite with mirrored/glitzy decor and rooftop terrace).

Good times for all. Suzi and Guto, please come for a visit too!!!

Merica got married!!!

2008-11-15T11:12:00.000-08:00

Merica and George got married in October. Cassio and I met some of our friends from the east coast in Brooklyn (after out long journey from LA)...enjoyed being together, eating together, and drinking together again.

The following day, we went to New Haven, CT...relaxed in the crisp New England air and partied at a beach house with the Merica and George and numerous family and friends...shrimp and grits were included as well as fried chicken and those traditional night-before-the-wedding jello shots.

The following are pictures of our trip...in reverse order (not how crazy we look at the end of the trip compared to the beginning). Travel and excitement take their toll and I think we're recovering still today!

Best wishes to the newly weds! Much love to Gina and Nat too!!!

visitors from Georgia (not the Republic)

2008-10-19T08:30:00.001-07:00

My mom and dad came for several days in late August. Besides visiting the Observatory and the Venice canals, there was kitty cuddling and teaching mom to use Ebay. Excitement all around! AND visits to yummy restaurants.

Touristy pictures follow here...

black cat chronicals..

2008-08-09T15:20:00.000-07:00

entry one: slept again today...

Amy's wedding in TN

2008-08-09T14:54:00.000-07:00

I recently was a guest/wedding photographer for a dear friend and went to the east coast to meet with my friends/family (her family, actually) to attend and document the event.

Would post all images, but that would be silly so here are a few favorites: