i've been busy.

Hello friends,
Sorry I've been a little non-existent. Last week I took up applying to four jobs a day again which was quite the challenge. I've also been walking A LOT. It's gorgeous here and I love being outside.

Which is the perfect transition to our trip to San Gregorio Beach. Our friends from church had an impromptu beach trip and we went along. We first saw the Fitzgerald Tide Pools up north of Half Moon Bay then drove south to San Gregorio State Beach. It was fun. However, I wasn't expecting the beaches to be so different. I had been told how cold the water is, but I didn't realize it was THAT cold. Seriously, like ice cubes were in it. Despite that, it was very fun to relax and spend time with really great people and soak in the gorgeous landscape out here.

If you go, just take a sweater. Once the sun starts going down it's get cold quickly. (That's actually the biggest difference I've noticed between Denver and the coast - the temperature drop here between day and night is much greater.)

 Here are some pics:

 Tide pools.

 Close up.

 More of the view from the tide pools.

 San Gregorio Beach, notice GOBS of driftwood. Much different than Southern California beaches I'm told.

 With the hubs.

 And again.

 Somehow I managed to get zero pics of our group, but managed to get a pic of Jonathan's sweet dog.

 Route 1.

And the seagulls started arriving as we were leaving.

All in all it was a fun day and I can't wait to explore more of the beaches. Maybe head a little further south next time? Who knows.
Happy Tuesday!

things to do and see: the cantor center for the visual arts

On my list of things that are free and awesome in this cool new town is the Cantor Center for the Visual Arts on the Stanford campus. It's a FABULOUS art museum that is completely free and has this collection of Rodin sculpture that made me want to cry. It was so great. I spent the afternoon yesterday wandering around this museum trying to take it all in. If you're in Palo Alto on days that aren't Monday or Tuesday (they are closed this day) then you should probably go take a peek, even if only to see the Thinker. The landscape art and portrait art was fantastic too, there was almost too much to see all in one go. Here are a few pics. 

 One of the Rodin galleries

 The Thinker

The Gates of Hell

 The Burghers of Calais

 Andy Goldsworthy piece slightly hidden. So cool.

Well I'm sure I'll go back and get inspiration for much more. I started a painting yesterday but today it's been especially warm in the apartment so we've just been a little lazy. It's nice. More job searching tomorrow.

Happy Sunday!

Another painting.

Here is one more that I did for my cousin by request of my aunt.
http://lauragross.blogspot.com/2012/06/vinnie.html
Loving the yellow lately.

Some work.

I've been catching up on commissions here and there and I'm excited to share a piece I did for my sister. http://lauragross.blogspot.com/2012/06/thomas.html
Check it out!

cloudy day.

Today the weather is cloudy and gray and I must say I'm enjoying it. I'm taking it a bit easy today, searching for jobs still but saving the applying for tomorrow.

I have a few more projects to get caught up on today so while I drink my coffee this cute little face is purring

right next to me.

Happy Monday!

a great weekend

This place more and more is starting to feel like home.

On Saturday, I found a Palo Alto chapter of PEO and attended a meeting. (PEO is a lovely women's organization that I was blessed to be a part of in Colorado, luckily there are chapters all over.) It was so great to get out and spend time with fantastic women getting to know them. It made me miss my sisters back in Colorado so badly my heart ached but I am hopeful that similar relationships to those back home will soon develop here.

Then this morning Ben and I went to the church that was second on our list. We had found A BUNCH on Yelp and Google and made a list of those that looked promising. Last week wasn't so good but this week was a completely different and awesome experience. We sit down and are almost immediately welcomed by a pastor who recognized us as not usual members. He was so nice and it really started the service out on a good note. The worship was great, not quite as loud as Flatirons but still good and we really enjoyed the teaching. After the service we took our visitor card to the welcome table to be met by a friendly guy who ended up not only introducing us to many people but inviting us to the Post College group lunch that happens after every Sunday. It was AWESOME. Going to lunch with people who are the same age and at similar life stages as us was so fun and they do a lot of things together. During the summer, every Thursday they have a BBQ and they regularly lunch after church and have dinners together and board game nights. Needless to say, we're pretty stoked and feeling especially blessed.

Having both days of this weekend filled with meeting people who are excited we're here was really good for my heart. And I got THREE paintings done this weekend (I'll put those on the other blog soon.) so I'm feeling super productive and excited about the week ahead. Still praying to hear back from the gobs of applications I sent out but today I'm more okay with being unemployed. :)
Happy Sunday!