Only in Kansas City...

   ...Can you get the greatest-ever gourmet ice cream from Christopher Elbow's Glacé, and sit outside on the patio enjoying the perfect weather (and letting your Shiba Inu lick the bowls... they dig the goat cheese and honey, as well as the salted pretzel varieties):

   Then head over to the Nelson-Atkins for a cool-slash-creepy walk around the sculpture garden at night, with the reflection of the classical architecture in the pools, the Bloch building glowing from within, the Oldenburg Shuttlecocks, and the grove of gingkos:

   Then catch the end of Macbeth being performed live at Southmoreland Park. The funny story behind this shot is that we were walking along the south side of the museum and were approached by two friendly but very drunk young guys on bikes. We chatted a bit and then moved on. As we approached the museum, we heard what sounded like a bunch of loud teenagers chanting and holding a seance. It sounded especially creepy in the dark. Dad & Lindsey ventured a little closer to investigate, and discovered that it was simply a theater in the park production! So we stopped for a bit to watch the end. The stage, lights, and smoke effects were great—definitely worth returning to see the whole show!

   Between all this and the annual Dog-n-Jog event, and the always-awesome brunch at Eggtc., today has been absolutely packed...

Visit from the Fam

   Dad, Diane & Lindsey drove in from Columbus this evening. And they delivered this amazing painting by Tamara Peterson, of which I am now the proud owner. Have to figure out where to hang it. The dining room is probably the place. Which is perfect, because now I can sit down and stare at it all day because I love it so much.

   Tam was one of a small handful of my very very favorite instructors at CCAD, and I owe a lot to her for all she taught me about design, color, craftsmanship, work ethic, and life in general. She was a critical influence during my most formative years as an artist. And now that I'm leading a team I realize how important all the "other stuff" she taught me is, too... and holy cow, that lady can PAINT!

No caption needed. Huge smile says it all!

   My animals especially liked Lindsey. She seems to be a natural with them, and Gypsy even does "招き猫" for her. Though she looks slightly annoyed in this particular photo:

Lindsey tries to capture The Gyp doing Maneki Neko.

   I called my home phone from my cell phone to show off Aki's best trick. She howls every time it rings. No idea why. Taylor doesn't get it either. But I think it's pretty charming!

Aki does her howl-at-the-phone trick, right on cue

   We made it a low-key evening since we all had to get up early in the morning for Dog-n-Jog...

Christmas with the other Rareys

Kristin & I spent the afternoon at Dad & Diane's house, with Lindsey, Grandpa (who is turning NINETY in January, if I'm not mistaken), our cousin John, & Diane's father, sister & brother in law.

Lindsey entertained us with the violin. She had also received a Wii for Christmas, so I tried my hand at bowling & boxing against her, to no avail.