For the last couple of years, on the eve of art retreat, Sister and I generally go to the Huntington gardens. It's a wonderful break from the winter landscape for me, filled with of all sorts of amazing specimens which I never tire of seeing.
However, this year, after reading The Library Book we veered from that tradition and visited the Los Angeles Public Library on the day I flew in. It was an excellent choice. The murals, the architecture, the light fixtures, the green space, the elevators wallpapered with the old cards from the card catalog files!
Did I mention there was a wonderful art exhibit up? Plus this collection of Ansel Adams photographs from a shoot he did for Fortune magazine in 1940. I had not previously seen his photographs of "regular city life". He donated them to the library in 1962 for the sum of $150.00 saying he didn't think they were very good.
The painted ceilings and the murals in the children's section (that I didn't take any pictures of) were simply splendid. The paper mâché puppets, the teeny tiny tables and chairs, oh seriously... what a place to light the imagination of a child on fire.
The splendidness of a good field trip, even when you are a grown up lady person, can not be overstated.
Especially when paired with a creamy rich latte, accompanied by a piece of brioche toast, spread with a layer of whipped ricotta, and topped with apple butter, sliced persimmons, and pomegranate seeds. Oh. They don't make toast like this in Kansas. No siree they do not.
great day to start your trip, continued awesomeness Carol!
Posted by: jacki long | 01/23/2020 at 11:11 PM
I'm sure the library was wonderful but OMG that toast. It has opened a new room of thought in my mind about what I should put on toast, which I already love even when unadorned with all that great stuff.
Posted by: Leslie | 01/24/2020 at 09:24 AM