We have visited some art museums in our travels and a local one in Seattle when we lived on that side of the state. The piece above stood out to me on one of our visits. The description of this piece reads “One of the most penetrating portraitists of the seventeenth century, Phillipe de Champaigne assimilated his observations of real people into religious paintings giving them a down-to-earth quality. Here, the central focus is the aged face of Elizabeth, as she affectionately greets her younger cousin, the Virgin Mary. According to the Gospel of Luke, both women were pregnant–Elizabeth with John the Baptist and Mary with Jesus. For Christians, their meeting symbolized the transition from the Old Law to the New Law of Christianity.”
Thank you to Joyce for Hodgepodge Wednesday. Here are this weeks questions to ponder.
1. October 25th is International Artists Day…do you have a favorite artist? If so tell us who and why.
I enjoy Impressionists like Renoir or Monet.
2. Would you describe yourself as artistic? Elaborate.
No, and here is an example of my flop of a craft project…
Mine is the angry matryoshka on the far right. Everyone else had a cute result.
3. What’s a skill, task, hobby, or job you’ve done so often you now have it ‘down to a fine art’?
Setting a table…
4. How often do you dine out? Fast food, fine dining, or somewhere in between? Tell us about a less than stellar restaurant experience you’ve had recently (or not so recently if that’s easier).
We probably eat out once a week even though our choices are very limited here in Colville.
My less than stellar experiences are mostly my fault because I order the wrong item.
The latest less than stellar experience was not noticing that the waitress gave us the wrong bill and a week later when looking at the receipt I realized that error. We were suffering from jetlag and our brains were not up to par.
5. Do you celebrate Halloween? To what extent? Are there trick or treaters where you live?
We love trick or treaters but decor and celebrations are on the down low. Now that we live farther from the city and on a country road we do not get trick or treaters except for our grandchildren who dress up with their parents and come over for treats!
6. Insert your own random thought here.
Our larches have turned golden…
Enjoy the end of October y’all!







…you have always set a beautiful table. Your huge larch trees are gorgeous in their golden foliage.
Hello Ellen,
Your trees are looking beautiful, pretty colors. I like your cute dolls and the table setting looks lovely. Take care, have a great day!
Your trees are lovely as is your table setting!
Great tree pics!
Ha.. I am still laughing about the angry matryoshka doll. Too cute and funny!!
Beautiful table! And I think you matryoshka doll is cute : )
Always enjoy reading your answers.
Beautiful table!!!!
Ellen, I am like you…I enjoy Monet! And you definitely know how to set a beautiful table. I could take lessons from you!
Yes, the artists you mentioned are amazing. I’ve seen so many beautiful art work when I was in Europe. I think the Matryoshka doll is cute. That is one beautiful table setting. Enjoyed reading your answers. The trees are so beautiful. We don’t get that color in Southern CA.
Hello Ellen, I always enjoy your hodgepodge posts. Thank you! I bought something very similar to your matryoshka doll. We were in Alaska at the time.
Your larches are so pretty! And what a beautifully set table!
I am delighted to have enjoyed your journey through your ‘artsy hodgepodge’ this week!