Stupendous poppies

Dear Friends,

These flowers are stupendous. I encountered them a week ago when Zing! and I were walking through Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park, and I just had to go back to see them again. Sunday, when I finally got to draw them, people gathered around — not to see my work, but to see the flowers.  Everybody started talking. I learned they are called Matilija poppy and are named after an Indian chief. They come from southern California. They shed their flowers and turn into sticks after summertime. And their nickname is the fried egg poppy.

… and when I checked the web, I learned Matilija poppy is native to chaparral and coastal sage scrub habitats, primarily from Santa Barbara County, and that it was a candidate for state flower, but  was beat out by the California poppy. Below my drawing is a photo I took yesterday. 

Love,

k

Nothing-special Fridays are my favorite

Dear Friends,

A nothing-special Friday. I think this might be my favorite kind. I went to the gym, bought markers on sale at the art store made rice pudding, cleaned house. And walked Zing! 

Love,

k

Rhubarb and maybe strawberries

Written yesterday:

Dear Friends, 

I’m writing this around 4 p.m. because I just finished drawing (and cooking) the rhubarb. I remember Grandma Krumm cooked rhubarb, but I don’t think Mom did. It is from the farmers market. 

Later I’m going to meet Mary Kaye and Leigh to try out a new restaurant in East Sac. 

Now I’m going to paint … waiting until the last minute to take Zing! for a walk — maybe it will cool off a bit.

Love,

k

Two days to draw an artichoke

Written June 10

Dear Friends,
I would have drawn an artichoke for today, but I ate it.

Janie, Sandy and I just came back from Ella restaurant (I have been told people around here call it Ella, not Ella’s…) where we celebrated Sandy’s birthday and also her purchase of a condo here. She liked renting here so much that she bought a place. That’s when I ate the artichoke. 

Other than that, I did organizing, paperwork and budgeting. I would rather draw an artichoke.

Written June 11
And, yes, I did get some artichokes today. The recipe is from the New York Times. Dip the leaves in lemon juice, garlic and salt, whisked together with melted butter. Or maybe olive oil. 
Love,
k