Sunday we went with Alexis and Joe to see Wicked at the Cedar Hills Cinema. First off let me say how surprised I was at what theaters look like these days, or at least that theater. The last time we saw a movie in a theater was two years ago in Mayenne, France to see a Jurassic World movie – BTW I was able to understand the dinosaurs just fine, the French dialogue, not so well, but the plot is not too subtle so it was fun. Cedar Hills has plush recliners that you reserve, and no dirty sticky carpets like we remembered from years ago in Seattle. Wicked is getting a lot of well deserved positive media hype, what a good way to start our week.

Monday we visited my son who lives in Vancouver, nice to be close. Tuesday I walked way too far in the pouring rain just to get a haircut, I discovered that my water resistant Brittany coat is just that: resistant not waterproof, I got soaked. Wednesday was a Christmas party here at the apartment building, we met some new neighbors. Then yesterday afternoon I met up with Tim at The Fields for a bit. We are pursuing a few days of boredom before Christmas next week.

I finished an oil painting, Dreaming of Provence. Oil on 5×7” panel with pallet knife.

My painting set-up has temporarily taken over a bit of the living room area for the sake of good light.

Oil painting tends to suggest a different pace so I have been working on the same painting for the last few days, it is still quite a ways from completion. We wanted a painting of where we lived in Normandie, so I am using this as a reference photo.

I started with a sketch using acrylic burnt sienna then after it dried I started blocking in the big shapes with oil paint – the darkest areas first.

The slow drying process and the longer time to complete a painting was always one reason I stuck with acrylic, but I must say I am enjoying it now. In next week’s post I should have this one completed, we will see.

It is hard to believe that next Wednesday is Christmas. When we contemplated returning to the US I told friends that I had a dream of waking up on Christmas morning in our own place, we are so grateful that it is happening. We will spend time with Alexis and Joe, but we will have tea right here in The Pearl, still missing France of course, but thankful that things have worked out the way they have.

I hope you have a Merry Christmas and that it is filled with grace and peace in the midst of these turbulent times. Be sure to check out Tricia’s post today on the 9th and 10th arrondissements of Paris.