A Slow SPRING day in VIRGINIA - !

Yesterday, just had the best day 'touring' favorite spots in Richmond. Starting at the MAC store at Shortpump, I had my ONEONONE with Krista, who showed me how to integrate my new 17minutes VOICE Record of Chiesa Cristiana Evangelica Battista di Roma's special choir (rehearsal for Pascua this weekend) into 80 photos and 2 videos of recent photos from The City of Eternal Light.  This will have to wait until a quicker upload - thank you to Hughesnet's archaic 200mb load for the day limit!

Onwards to an 11:30 luncheon at LEWIS GINTER with our Firnew Artist Circle. 16 of us met for many great photo and painting ops, and a guided tour of these incredible acres of beauty including ORCHIDS GALORE a temporary exhibit of Orchids. Make sure to grab lunch at the Teahouse - the view is breathtaking.

The conservatory which held the Orchid Exhibit. Lady Slipper - my very favorite!

Next, we drove down to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts to their PICASSO temporary exhibit from Paris.  If you do go, plan on downloading their online guide gratis - onto your iphone - no need to buy the audio tape at the museum.

Link for the audio  is VMFA: Audio + Virtual Tours: Picasso: Masterpieces from the Musée National Picasso, Paris Audio Tour.  Well worth the visit down - I would've liked to spend more time at the Museum - but how much can a group from the farmlands of Madison do in one day!! We're planning our next trip soon (either Italia or Richmond, or both!  This group simply rocks!)

Can't stand this - these guys were just posing away in the sunshine!!!

Next stop - yes this day keeps going! Was to waitlist for the MAPPING THE DARK collaboration of friend/teacher, Rosamond Casey - yes got the last seats available and well worth the risk. An interesting study in human desires, collections and weaknesses, directed by Fran Smith.  I had stopped off for a quick visit with Italiana Christina Ball of SPEAK and her daughter and doggie then onto The Blue Light Grill  on the downtown mall for a a bowl of Mussels steamed in white wine and bacon broth with a gorgeous glass of fruity 2009 Burgans Albarino at $9/glass, or your can buy, possibly at Robert's Market Street for $14/bottle..

from Google: Robert Parker 90 -The 2009 Albarino is light gold-colored with a lovely bouquet of white flowers, hazelnut, peach pit, and mineral. On the palate it is surprisingly complex for its bargain price with a viscosity bordering on opulence. If you enjoy Albarino, this is one to buy by the case.
Burgans' Albarino is an annual Best Buy in this journal but the superb 2009 vintage in Rias Baixas has carried it to new heights."

Who would ever say that life could be boring!!!  La Dolce Vita....

Off to Milano for Easter, and then London for two breathtaking days ar the World Photo Festival in London - every so slightly missing (really - a good thing, honest!) THE wedding. Think: Spring. Garden. Vacation.