Yesterday, thirty seven years ago, we got married at the Ronald Methodist Church in Shoreline, Washington. For many years we have spent our anniversaries at the Oyster Bar on Chuckanut Drive in Bow, Washington. Last year was no exception since we were back in the US for a visit. But this year, now that we live in The Pearl in Portland, it was just too far to drive, though we did entertain an overnight trip – maybe next year. This year we went to The Jory, in the wine country of Newberg. The Jory has a five star reputation but it was just not the same.
We have come a long way in our unpacking saga, not a whole lot more to do, though we do have a couple of pieces of furniture en route to fill things out. I found time last sunny Sunday to go up to the 16th floor Sky Terrace and do a sketch of the west hills.
The bread in France is amazing and cheap. A baguette from the local boulangerie is only 1.05€ and the Boule du Campagne that we loved was just 2.80€. Since similar quality here in Portland is much more expensive baking our own just makes sense. So here is my first attempt at a boule, and I must say it turned out quite well, we are pleased.
My genre of evening paintings with someone looking off into the distance continues to inspire.
One major difference between France, along with most of Europe, and the US is the prevalence of smoking. Smoking in public is ubiquitous there and infrequent here. One thing that is common on both continents is people walking while staring at their phones. Here they often have a cup of coffee as well, which is quite uncommon in France. There you stop what you are doing to have un café, here coffee is something you sip on while doing something else. So my candid photos have changed, thankfully our 4th floor apartment (3rd floor for our French and Brit friends) offers a nice perspective.
We have entered the season of Advent, traditionally a time for anticipation and hope. So my thoughts and prayers for all is grace and peace for each other, and for our world. We need it.
This time of the year our best journeys are to spend time with friends and family, so I hope you have some warm moments en route, and that you capture them with pen and paint. I even had a brief conversation with a Yamhill winery about Travelsketch workshops, hmmm… we shall see. And of course I love to hear from you.
theTravelsketcher 
Congratulations to both of you! Thank you Terry for my first lesson at the “Red Cup Cafe” in Mukilteo… I love playing and painting with watercolors. Blessings for a wonderful year ahead!
Katie Standley
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Congratulations to you both! Same here in Australia, seeing a smoker is a surprise these days. Thank goodness.
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I agree
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Happy 37th anniversary… what a significant and wonderful accomplishment. Thank you for including a photo of your 37-year-younger selves; it is fun to see. Tricia looks so happy, and if you weren’t eating your cake, I know you would be smiling just as big. Congratulations!
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Thanks so much.
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Congratulations!
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I hope the workshops manifest. Wh
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Are you in oregon?
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Oh I wish. I’m
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The message did not all come through, where?
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Carla Sonheim has a website. She’s easy to find.
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Congratulations and happy anniversary to you both. 😊
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Happy Anniversary and congratulations on successful bread efforts! Hope to see you soon.
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Loved the picture of Tricia feeding you cake.
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Congratulations. I hope you had a lovely anniversary.
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We did, thank you.
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A belated Happy Anniversary to you both. May you have many more together.
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