Ca d'Zan

Finally! Some photos I promised you of Ca d'Zan, the winter residence of John and Mable Ringling (as in the Ringling Brothers Circus) in Sarasota.

I was going to write that I had a busy weekend this weekend, but then I thought: "It just felt busy, but really wasn't." In fact, it was a slow weekend.

I did a lot of reading and some napping - I forget how very tired the humid heat makes me all summer long. Even with air conditioning, I feel as though I only function at half capacity all summer.  I also did some cooking and baking and (of course) eating, one of my favorite past times. Daniel made us cucumber and cilantro margaritas - yum!!! But I digress...

Back to our day in Sarasota. It was quite warm as well, which is why you'll see me on plenty of benches and chairs in the shade...

Apparently this was the winter residence of John and Mable Ringling and she oversaw every detail in the designing and building of it.

It was stunning and I am totally going to overwhelm you with photos, which were all taken by Daniel, the talented photographer! ;-)

I could have moved in and stayed there for the rest of my days. With plenty of staff, of course!

Here I am half moved in! Resting in the shade on "my" beautiful marble terrace overlooking the water.

Daniel thought it was pretty amazing as well. Look how he is dressed to blend in with the railing and the water and sky... I could almost not find him!

 Admiring the view from "my" palace.

And another sit-down. Feeling right at home...

 Daniel as well...

And now many more photos (I told you I'd overwhelm you). Enjoy!!

Did you notice those were only exterior shots? Just wait until my next post showing you the interior. It was opulent to say the least!

Along the pathways were a few buxom ladies like this one keeping watch.

And little putti, this one sporting a watchful lizard.

And just to remind you again - this is in Florida! I kept forgetting as it felt so mediterranean to me. Aside from the humidity maybe...

I hope you all had a great weekend and are enjoying the slower pace of summer. I'm ready for my pace to pick up a little tomorrow and hope to be back on my blog with more (lots more!) photos soon!!

❧ Silke

New Painting!

It really feels as though I am painting my heart and my soul these days - and it turns out they are very colorful! Which just makes me happy.

I love color! I've tried to go the monochromatic route, but bright color really speaks to me.

And I love painting faces - wondering what expression they'll have, how they will look at me.

This was a large canvas - 2 x 4 feet (61 x 122 cm) and that is a lot of space to fill.

 I had trouble at first finding that balance when the whole painting feels it is "done."

But I just kept at it, painting what I felt inspire to paint.

Painting things I've never before painted - like these abstract flowers and the bird.

I love how some things have definite form and then disappear into the abstract again. And things that don't belong where they are painted.

And here it is, my largest painting yet! And ... as you may have guessed already, I'm on to the next one. Can't get enough these days...

I know I promised you a post on Ca d'Zan, the Venetian palace/winter residence of John and Mable Ringling, but I just had to show you the painting first.

Stay tuned for the next Florida trip post. And to all of you celebrating, I wish you a happy 4th of July! I'm off to bake a peach pie for a party we are going to tonight...

❧ Silke

Going to the Circus!

When we were on our Florida vacation, we drove to Sarasota one day to visit the Ringling estate. It was one of our favorite days!

Part of that was the Circus museum, which we thoroughly enjoyed! Do you remember the excitement when you were a kid when the circus would come to town? I sure do!

These are some of the original costume sketches for the famous movie "The Greatest Show on Earth."

Here is the private train car of Mr. and Mrs. John Ringling when the circus was touring.

The interior was beautiful!

Daniel took lots of photos of a number of stunning, hand carved circus wagons.

We loved those wagon wheels!

I leave you for today with this little bit of silliness.

In my next post I'll take you on a tour of John and Mable Ringling's private mansion.

❧ Silke