put to memory

As the title of this post says, yesterday is put to memory.  Firstly, because it was an unexpected and delightful adventure – and secondly, because I am a pathetic photo journalist and hardly have any pictures to share.  Sometimes you just have to live in the moment and forget the camera – but it is good to have a few so you have evidence that it actually happened. 

I’ll spare you the long story of how it all came to be, but here we are – ten women who gathered at the home of my sweet friend Judi Riesch, who is always the best hostess – and yesterday welcomed those from near and far. 

Lmphoto_mw_jr_jw

Mw_the_girls_1

Mw_the_girls_2

We managed to squeeze into the busy schedule of Judy Wilkenfeld as she is stateside for a seemingly whirlwind trip (hailing from Australia!) and happened to be visiting with her friends on our coast this week.  After being treated to a tour of Judi’s art-filled home (you can imagine the squeees after getting to see art we have become familiar with in our favorite books), we were privileged to have Judy tell us about her Twelve Tribes of Israel book which was on tour with her.  The book is so much bigger than you can imagine – breathtaking…stunning… layered and embedded with meaning and symbolism, representing the twelve sons of Jacob.  It was so special to be introduced to the tribes, to listen to Judy’s deep passion for this project (which I loved!!) and to meet her and her friends.  It didn’t escape me that yesterday was also the first day of Passover. 

Mw_the_girls_4

I’m counting on the other girls to have a better account with photos than I do – stop by their blogs and see if anyone shows you more evidence, or at least my cool shoes.  Here they are:  Leslie Marsh, Susanna Gordon, Judy Wilkenfeld, Bee Shay, Judi (let’s bug her to update her website shall we?), Kathryn Gilbert, Jerri Weitz, Karen Cole, and Joy Snyder.  I shouldn’t have given John a hard time for taking a blurry photo – the guy had a harem lobbing cameras at him – he was a wonderful host.

I admit I avoid blogs that show food pictures.  Can’t stand it.  I think foodies should warn you before they assault you with their dinner plates.  (Like just tell me to quickly scroll down about 3 or 4 inches so I can get past the food I don’t want to see).  I’m breaking my own self-imposed rule of No Food Photos because I have to share these things with you that Judi made for us.  I can’t even bring myself to call them sandwiches, because that’s a pitiful word for what this is.  Since I’m not a foodie I have no proper vocabulary to replace sandwich.  So here’s your fair warning, scroll down quick if you can’t stomach seeing food on a blog…..it’s only one photo, so a quick 4" flick of the mouse should cover it.

Mw_food_photo_alert

Mw_the_girls_3_2

So that’s all I have as photographic proof from yesterday – but the treasured memories are countless.  A spontaneous day spent with women who found one another because of our love for art! 

Comments

18 responses to “put to memory”

  1. Carrie Avatar

    What fun! And yum, those caprese better-than-sandwiches look fabulous. Okay I’m off to check out the other blogs!

  2. Julie Prichard Avatar

    Bring on the food!!! Open faced caprese sandwiches? DELICIOUS!
    Thank you for sharing these pictures with us. I love how people can come together and share a special day like you guys did…those are the best of times.

  3. Terri Avatar

    Oh Yum!!! Those sandwiches are truly a WORK OF ART!!

  4. hedwig Avatar

    WOW Michelle, how wonderfull to meet all these girls and that book of Judy is so WONDERFULL & RICH & SPECIAL!! You are sooo lucky to have seen it in real and hear more of it. Thanks so much for sharing and for gathering the pictures (i don’t have problems with food photo’s, specially not when they look so yummy!)
    Hedwig

  5. Judy Avatar
    Judy

    What a fun looking bunch of artists! You truly must have had an amazing day! What creative energy there must have been in that house! Thanks for sharing your adventure. Doesn’t look you got around to playing any art though…although I do admire your hand spread in the previous post.
    And what about those shoes? I didn’t see that anyone posted about them….you just may have to.
    See you in 10 days!
    Until then,
    Judy

  6. Judy Avatar
    Judy

    What a fun looking bunch of artists! You truly must have had an amazing day! What creative energy there must have been in that house! Thanks for sharing your adventure. Doesn’t look you got around to playing any art though…although I do admire your hand spread in the previous post.
    And what about those shoes? I didn’t see that anyone posted about them….you just may have to.
    See you in 10 days!
    Until then,
    Judy

  7. bee shay Avatar

    tap tap tap 🙂
    …..oh my, what a day it was. First thank you to YOU Miss Michelle for pulling it all together and making it happen. A special thanks to Judi Riesch and all of her Judi Rieschness for embracing us in her home (and JOHN TOO!!), sharing her personal collection of art& feeding us a magnificent spread. Thanks also to Judy W. & Company for making the time (and probably being late for Frida) to share themselves. Judy’s 12 Tribes Book is a visual feast and the work has such depth and meaning…it was truly a joyful blissfull day. And a special thanks to Judy for catching Michelle at her best TWICE!!!! Who has a picture of Michelle’s shoes??

  8. Chris Avatar

    Sounds like fun, and I love that book.

  9. Lisa Hoffman Avatar

    Whoa!
    This is GREAT!!!!
    It’s like a yearbook filled with people that you’d love to get to know.
    Now I’ll be looking for that book.
    Now I know who’s who, kinda sorta.
    Now I know that Judi can spin on a dime and still be Super Hostess. She’s amazing.
    Now I know that Michelle Ward is like a Super Yenta, gathering people and making those juicy connections.
    Thank you for this post. It’s great to put names and faces together.
    I wasn’t there, but :
    “Cheers Girlz!”
    Lisa H.

  10. judy wilkenfeld Avatar
    judy wilkenfeld

    Yep it was a wonderful adventure, Indeed!!!
    Yep I got the shoes photo but you guys are gonna have to wait till Monday for that one. Although my aversion to feet photos is somewhat like your aversion to food photos but hey, rules are meant to be broken – right.
    To see Bee’s work was so awesome, to meet everyone was so awesome.
    And naturally to see Judi’s artwork and to meet her was something i will never forget for those who know me know that
    Judi’s work is so so so inspiring to me.
    Thanks yet again to you, Michelle, you are without a doubt such a special person and talent.
    xox

  11. eb Avatar

    wow – what a terrific gathering!!!
    the warmth and sharing are leaking right through my screen here – so inspiring – and to have been a fly on the wall – the food looks great too – but I do want to see the shoes…
    thanks to everyone present – I am blog hopping now way past bedtime – what a delightful group!
    thanks Michelle for the evidence…
    xox – eb.

  12. Leslie M. Avatar

    Such a fabulous time! I am still reeling from the art, the ARTISTS, the food, the ART! I didn’t elaborate on the title of my post, but I felt like I had landed in a jar of fireflys. All and each of you at that gathering on Sunday are so talented and so NICE.
    Thanks for making it happen!
    Hoping to see you again soon.

  13. Linda Warlyn Avatar
    Linda Warlyn

    Super Yenta!! I LOVE that, but so true! Mega-mensch matchmaker Michelle for getting everyone together. What an incredible afternoon that must have been as seen by the beautiful evidence and comments from the attendees. Looking forward to seeing those shoes! xox

  14. Susan Silver Dill Avatar

    How fun was that? Yes, I admit I am jealous. I wish I had artists like that to gather with and even just visit and share… not just to create with! What a treat to be invited to such a special event. You are such a fantastic artist in your own right, but it is always incredible to see other artists work, especially up close and personal. So glad you had such a wonderful time. Thank you for sharing all the info with us!

  15. Janine Avatar
    Janine

    What a wonderful even to have organised Michelle! Thanks for sharing …. xoxo J

  16. Dawn Gold Avatar

    salivating at these photos – my fave heaven on bread, tomatoes, mozarella and basil – sublime!1!

  17. robruhn Avatar

    So glad you got to meet our Judy,she’s one very talented lady. Looks like you all had a ball.
    Ro

  18. ruth rae Avatar

    WOW! it looks like you all had a great time!
    what a treat it all must have been!
    I really love your blog and how you share your creativity!
    (and the food post was not at all scary!)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *