Sunset near LAX

Last week when I came out of work, I was lucky to see an amazingly beautiful sunset.  I had a great view of it from the seventh floor of the parking structure and spent awhile taking photographs until the last of the light disappeared.  Here are some of those views, with LAX and the surrounding buildings lit up in reds and gold.  Enjoy.

Yes, it's still winter... LA style

This weekend has been rainy again - makes me want to stay inside and hibernate, but of course I didn't.  Rain is a good thing; seems like they're always predicting a drought around the corner.

Here are some random shots from the past week or so - beautiful skies, interesting views.  Enjoy.

Civil War exhibit and new dog :)

Happy New Year!  The last couple of weeks has been very cold (in LA terms), but today was warm and sunny.  Is winter over already??

A week ago I went out to the Huntington Library to see a couple of Civil War exhibits.  I really enjoy history and the Huntington always has amazing shows.  There were a lot of handwritten letters and journals, printed broadsides and documents, and photographs.  Going between the exhibits is also special, because you get to walk through the gardens.  Below are some photos from my trip.

In addition, I decided to adopt a rescue dog.  I've had many pets in my time (dogs, cats, birds, fish, bunnies... not all at the same time, of course), but I've been pet-less since my cat Nimrod died a year and a half ago.  There's a great pet store/dog adoption store near me on Fairfax Ave and I met up with the cutest little poodle-mix named Maya who had been rescued from an LA animal shelter and the rest is history!  She's really sweet and loves everybody.  I'm including a couple of photos of her, too.

Hope your year is going well and that you are anticipating good things in the future.

Art Gallery

Beautiful handwriting from a nurse writing for a wounded soldier.

A satirical certificate at the end of the war.

San Gabriel Mountains over the Conservatory.

Fall colors... a little later than other places.

Camelia.

Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina)

Tulip tree (Magnolia)

Maya

Sometimes she's a little silly... even when she's sleeping.

Costumes by Cospros Ltd at the Bowers

The costumes in the exhibit were really detailed and beautifully hand-made.  Rather than showing you photos of the whole costume, here are some up close shots showing the craftsmanship and beauty of the details.  Enjoy.

Fabergé - jeweler to the Tsars

Yesterday I visited the Bowers Museum, located in Santa Ana (about 45 miles south of LA).  I made a trip there almost 2 years ago (see it here).  This time I went to see a special exhibit of Fabergé.  Most people know of the Easter eggs the jewelers created for the Russian royal family, but the show included other examples of beautiful intricate enamel work combined with precious gems, such as jewelry, presentation boxes, picture frames and cigarette cases. There were also carved semi-precious stone figurines and bell pushes.  It was amazing - both in the craftsmanship and in the amount of money spent on everyday objects.  I'm including a few photos that show a sampling of the offerings.

BTW, the Bowers also had a wonderful exhibit of movie costumes by Cospros Ltd, London.  There were outfits from many movies I have seen, including Sense and Sensibility, Finding Neverland, The Golden Bowl, The Duchess, and Pirates of the Caribbean.  I'll have another post soon showing some of my impressions of the costumes.

Happy new year to all of  you :)

Golden brooch with gems and diamonds

Wood and enamel picture frame with photo of one of the Tsarinas

Diamond tiara

Snowflake watch, the "surprise" inside an easter egg created for Alfred Nobel

Carved obsidian gorilla

Gold and enameled cigarette case

Parrot carved from semi precious stone and hanging from an ivory ring

One of the beautiful gold and enamel easter eggs

The city at night

With sunset coming in so early lately, I tend to be out in the dark more these days.  LA looks different at night - lots of lights, bright colors, flickering images in the corner of your eye.  Here are some views of the city from this past week, clothed in its evening attire.  Enjoy.