MERRY, MARRIAGE and MEATBALLS

HAPPY HOLIDAYS MY DEARS!

 

The village is agog with activity everywhere!  Kathy, Janet, Susan, are aflutter hanging tree lights, decorating the gazebo, hanging 8' cloth Christmas trees, and adding smatterings of Christmas decorations throughout the village....Lai is stretching high to decorate the archway leading into her patio alcove....Jane has dug out her yearly Christmas decorations that line the roof of her studio.  Other villagers are busily adding wrapped gifts hanging from the patio trees and some wrapped gift boxes decorating the patio grounds. 

Judy's lighted white Christmas trees in her patio are perfect for Christmas photo shoots.....

Other than decorating for the Holiday Season, do you know why the village decorates this time of year?????

IT'S CHRISTMAS IN SPANISH VILLAGE!

FRIDAY DECEMBER 4TH AND

SATURDAY DECEMBER 5TH

FROM 4 PM TO 11 PM

Card Design by Spanish Village Artist Sue Britt - Studio 34A

It's time for December Nights in Balboa Park, where the holiday spirit is abound in happy hearts engaging in celebration.  Throughout the Park, caroling, Santa Claus (s), vendors, food booths, organ music, dogs and 2-leggeds dressed up in holiday garb, ethnic foods at the international houses,  free admittance to all the museums, and so much more add to the festivities. 

At Spanish Village, there is the traditional charm of the Christmas, twinkling trees lights festooned in the patio, artists share and sell their art in outdoor booths, the aroma of tasty foods and the sounds of live Christmas music drift through the air.  Our 37 working art studios welcome you to see and buy their creative artistic endeavors.   

Our December Holiday celebrations  are incomparable to any celebration in San Diego.

Other than preparing for the gaiety of the coming weekend, I have more news.....
drum roll, please....
Elizabeth got married!  Yes, Elizabeth, the potter, and member of the village for near on 30 years, finally tied the knot!  I hope she noticed the piece of pizza Brandon and I left in front of her door, along with Emily the village squirrel, and Franklin, the arachnophobic rat's wedding gifts to her.
Congratulations to you, dear!

 

DECEMBER NIGHTS are FAMILY and PET FRIENDLY!

I look at Brandon, my poodle buddy, and angrily wonder why he doesn't marry me....and then I remember it isn't the social convention for dogs.....although trumpet swans, hawks, and other  non humans, do mate for life.....

Remember to come to Spanish Village's Christmas Celebration!  And....  Come early, parking is limited.

Bring coats and jackets....it generally gets very cold.
A shuttle is available at various locations.
...and there's the traditional traffic jam, coming and going.









Brandon and I will be wearing fluffy, bright, red and green Christmas bows, and Franklin and Emily look forward to your discarded scraps of food!



Love to You All!

Bella
Woof!  Woof!
I welcome pizza and meatballs.
Peace and goodwill to all!

This Bella Blog is in remembrance to our best friend.

 

LOUIS (aka Louie) January 2001 - November 2014





HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM OUR ARTISTS!

 

 

 

http://SpanishVillageArt.com

 

 

http://Balboapark.com

 

@spanishvillage

@balboapark

@where_sd

#visitcalifornia

#visitsandiego

#balboapark

#spanishvillage

#sandiegan

#passport_sd

 



 

 



 

SWEETS, SPOOKS AND SCANDAL

HELLO MY DEARS!

It's the month of October, and you know what that brings?

HALLOWEEN!!!!

So, I am calling out to all ghosts, goblins, vampires, princesses, Teenage Ninja Mutant Turtles, Superman's and anything else a 2 legged or 4 legged friend can be costumed for this fun event.

YOUR ARE INVITED TO:


HALLOWEEN DAY, at Spanish Village Art Center,
October 31st
Saturday, 11 AM to 4 PM
for a SPOOKTACULAR DAY
of Trick or Treating, Halloween Bag Decorating and
an Annual Doggy Costume Contest and Parade.


Throughout the village, art studios will be welcoming trick or treaters with wrapped yummies and smiles......Studio 26 will be loaded with milk bones and fresh water for the 4-legged participants.


AN ANNUAL HOWL-O-WEEN DOGGY COSTUME CONTEST AND PARADE

will commence at around 1 PM in the patio.  The 2-leggeds will register the 4-legged contestants and a DOGGY PARADE will follow with Jeff (arrggghh arrgghh argghh) the Pirate leading the 4-legged contestants in a parade around the village patio.  (It is very, very, funny and the 4-leggeds are good sports about this).  This contest is FREE to the public.

Juried categories for the doggys include:  scariest, cutest, silliest,  and more.
Every contestant is a winner.
And, all winners get a dog-gone Howl-O-Ween prize.....
(no Boo-B  prizes).












Village Scandal:

Emily, the village squirrel, produced some 'alleged' squir-rats....a cross between Franklin, the arachnophobic rat, and Emily the village squirrel.  Franklin could not see a resemblance and scuttled away.  Emily ran after him.
When they both came back to the nest, all the 'squir-rats' had vanished....
I happened to notice Matilda, the canyon coyote, and Erika, the village cat, licking
their paws with a look of satisfaction on their faces....I will say no more.

The absence didn't seem to affect Franklin and Emily (the two pea-brains), and already
they were day dreaming about the Halloween yummies, discarded on the patio floor,  rodent ready to
gobble up and hide away.

Brandon, my poodle buddy and I, love Halloween.  We look forward to greeting you, pats on our heads, belly rubs, compliments and food hand-outs.

EVERYONE: our Halloween Spooktacular is FREE to the Public...Family and Pet Friendly.

Jokes from the village 4-leggeds:

From Franklin the rat:
- Knock! Knock!
- Who is there?
-  Franklin.
-  Franklin who?
-  Franklinstein.


From Erika the cat:  Happy Meow-ween!
                                                                      
                                                                      From Matilda the coyote:  Happy Howling-ween!

From Me and Brandon the poodle:
-  What do Brandon, me and spooks eat for Halloween supper?
-  Spooketi!

From Emily the squirrel:
-  What is a squirrel's favorite drink?
-  Nut Tea!


SEE You Spook-a-doggies on Howling-ween!!!
















I Love You All,



Bella the blogging dog.
Woof!  Woof!

CONTINUITY AND FRESH DUG HOLES

Hello My Loves!

It is a hot and humid day in paradise.  Thunder clouds surround the sky, teasing us with the chance of rain....but, it's like a sneeze waiting to blast out, or a flea waiting to be scratched off....no dice...just hot and humid....time to dig another cooler hole for relief.

Everyone, you are all invited to:

Spanish Village's Open House

Saturday, September 19

From 11 AM to 7 PM

It is our annual event where artists demonstrate, children have opportunities to experience first hand the creation of art, yummy food aromas and live music drift through the air, a silent auction is held with artwork created by village artists,  and 37 working art studios welcome you into their studios.

We are FREE to the Public.
Family and Pet Friendly...fresh water for dogs, doggy biscuits in studio 26...and more!
Some Studios have goodies/refreshments waiting for you to enjoy.

BUGS

It is a festive day for everyone!


It is continuity in our village.
...sometimes continuity takes a turn.


A few days ago, Brandon my poodle buddy, Matilda the village coyote, Emily the village squirrel, Franklin the arachnophobic rat (Emily's current squeeze), and I, said our good byes to our friend, Zorro, who lept to Heaven. We found a shady spot to dig a fresh hole where, in his honor: Brandon and I deposited a piece of cheese and pepperoni pizza, Emily and Franklin gave a slice of fresh apple, and Matilda offered a cherished piece of fried chicken.

We will miss Zorro's visits with his Mom, Carrie.

"Our Friend ZORRO"

ROB ROY

And, life goes on....now the word is out that Emily the village squirrel is expecting....is Franklin the father? Will the offspring be called 'squir-rats?' 
Is that even at all possible???!!##??


...stay tuned.


I love you all!


See you at the Open House!


Licks and Wagging Tails,


Your Bella

Flowers, Love and Social Convention

Hello My Dears,
 

The tropical weather has subsided, and we are in paradise, again.

Over the weekend, Spanish Village Art Center celebrated the yearly 'Art in Bloom".
 

Artists paint their interpretations of the fresh floral arrangements in the courtyard, where visitors watch, enjoy, and talk to the artists.....Humans seem to be the only creatures on earth who imitate and express themselves through art.

Gifts from Mother Nature are plentiful.

Flowers give us colors, shapes, and fragrances.  Our eyes dilate with the pleasure of their beauty, and we savor their aromatic bouquet.

 

And, with further consideration, we see the lessons of aging....first the seed, then the young bud, then to its petals blossoming beauty, then the petals fall, and only the seeds remain to start the process over again. ..just like humans and dogs, if you think about it.

 

 

Mother Nature's plan of Life, and, ironically Death. 

It applies to all her living creatures, even human and dogs....if we are lucky.

Artists, throughout time, have tried to capture its entirety.
 

Over here, Brandon, my poodle buddy, Matilda, the canyon coyote, and I, lazily share a freshly dug hole, listening to Franklin, the village rat, and, Emily, the village squirrel, (who are a 'thing'), making bizarre conversations.  Apparently, Franklin, the rat, claims to have a great-great-great grandfather who was a quarter squirrel. Even more, Emily the village squirrel, claims her great-great-great-great grandmother was pure rat.  Brandon, Matilda and I, listen to the two jabber, look at each other, roll our eyes, and bust out laughing (Matilda howls).

 

 

Love is one thing, whereas, being  'in-love' surpasses everything.....paving new roads for social convention.  For me, I love my buddies and Spanish Village.  

 

You can visit Spanish Village and all its beauty, 7 days a week, from 11-4 PM weekdays, 11-5 PM weekends, free for all, pet and family friendly. We offer summer classes for kids and adults, and have usually live music.  Our artists love to create, sell, and discuss their artwork.     

We are ready to welcome you!
 

This year is Balboa Park's Centennial Celebration, too!

There is even more to see  throughout the park, because of the celebrations!
 

I think of all of you often, and hope to see you at the Village!

Love to all of you, 

 

Bella the Blogging Dog 

Woof!  Woof!

I love pizza and meatballs!

CATS, DOGS, ANACONDAS, ETC.

Hello My Dears!

Artist - Padget Mason

It is beautiful here in paradise, the sun is out, it's warm, and there is folly Downtown with the celebrations of Comic-Con.....and the ongoing celebration of Balboa Park's Centennial throughout the park.

We just closed the yearly, juried, Catnip Show, in Gallery 21....a salute to felines of all kinds.....Brandon, my poodle buddy, and I, might feel slighted, but we look forward to December's yearly, juried, Dog Show....both shows donate some proceeds to benefit dog and cat foundations...It all balances itself out.  Honor, feed, love, play, and paint our likenesses.....we love it.....and, you will never find better friends than us.

Which, as I lay under this shady tree, makes me wonder why humans refer to us canines, of the 4-legged persuasion, in an offensive, unattractive, disrespectful (or worse), as 'dogs' when it comes to the perceived shortcomings of humans...(I heard someone refer to another someone as a 'dog' in an offensive way)....references to humans as  'dogs' as something that has no morals.  Morals are a human concept.  We, the real dogs of the world, have instinct....and, in many instances, more smarts and humanity than humans.....please don't use the work dog in offensive terms.

However, for us dogs, it is instinctual to not like cats....as cats don't like mice....etc.  

Here, in Spanish Village, we have cats, dogs, anacondas, giraffes, rodents, insects, etc.....a lot to like and try to like.  We all try to be copacetic, follow political correctness, and play nice....and then there are the artists.....they are like herding cats....(no offense to Erika, the rag doll, village cat, who is a buddy of mine)...she even agrees.

Here in Spanish Village, the creative pot is bubbling with diversified cultures, quirky personalities, and even bougeois values, and more,  that make great art.....who all enjoy the process of creating, talking about their creations, teaching their creations, and welcoming  you 7 days a week. 

It takes a good amount of heart and soul to make our community interesting and fun.

Come check us out!  We are open 7 days a week, 11-4pm weekdays, and 11-5 weekends....

and, we are free to enjoy, pet and family friendly....and always, happy to see you.

Come say 'hi' to me and my poodle buddy, Brandon....we like pats on the head, belly rubs, compliments, and really, really, appreciate pizza and meatballs.

In a couple weeks, we will celebrate 'Art N Bloom',  artwork with a flowery influence.  Stay tuned for more information!

                                                        

Love, Bow-Wow's, Woof-Woofs from, 

Bella the Blogging Dog at Spanish Village

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So Long 'Elements', 'Hey There' Earth Day, and the Sculptor's Guild

Art by Edward  Moores, Maryellene Deason, Kathi Vargo

 

Hellooo My Dears from Paradise,

Another day of blissful sunshine, warmth, and good stuff.  I am lying under the table at the Gallery 21, enjoying the village artists who are coming in to collect their art creations from the ELEMENTS SHOW, something special put on by the village for the park's centennial.  Too bad it is closing.  It is
the first of its kind, and quite a success.  However, I do enjoy the pats on my head, belly rubs and compliments as artist come to pick up their art.

   Art by Deanne Tiffany             Steve Maddy                Rebecca Lowell

 

 As we close down one celebration, we gear up for another.







Art by Carole Mathios, Lucy Wang, Linda Smith, Carol Foster, and Susan Mae Hull




This Sunday is Earth Day throughout Balboa Park....and annual celebration that brings thousands upon thousands of people.  Come see the booths set up in the park, displaying information about keeping Mother Earth well.  In our village, we will have demonstrations relating to art, too.

During this celebration, Brandon, my poodle buddy, and I, like to greet tie-dye folks,  polo shirt folks, flip flop folks, dread lock folks,  and whatever the cat brings in....(no offense to Erika, the village cat). We truly love to see the diversity of folk that Earth Day will
include....and Brandon, Erika, Franklin (the arachnophobic rat,) and his big squeeze the squirrel girlfriend, will enjoy the food droppings of our guests.  Best of all, we enjoy meeting other 4-legged friends and doing the smell test.

Later on in the month, the Sculptor's Guild, in the village, will have its closing reception on April 25, from 5 PM to 9 PM.....music, tours, refreshments, sculptor's raffle, silent auction, and a rocking ambience will invite an enjoyable time to anyone.  The Sculptor's Guild is comprised of local artists. The event is free.

Art by Roxanna Maria

 

Did you come to the EASTER EGG HUNT?  I saw Franklin lying on his back, feet up, from eating too much dropped candies....his main squeeze was squirreling mouthfuls of candy booty and running up the tree to store away....Matilda, the canyon coyote and Erika, the village cat, have formed a strong bond protesting the relationship between Franklin, the rat, and his squirrel squeeze....agreeing and bonding on the aberration in social convention (overlooking the strangeness of a coyote and fat cat friendship).

Such is life at the village.

Come visit us at the village!  We have 37 working studios, friendly artists who love to talk about their art, demonstrations and artist's vendor booths set up in the patio....we are open 7 days a week from 11 AM to 4 PM....and visiting the village is free.  We are family and pet friendly.

Until Later My Loves,

Bella the blogging dog
Woof-Woof, kisses, too.

PETER RABBIT, CHICKEN AND EGGS

Springtime is always a special season, leading in the freshness and newness of Mother Nature.  Birds fly overhead, twigs in their beaks, eager to build nests...colorful blossoming buds, spreading their sweet fragrance, and a renewed optimism toward longer, sunny, days.

In Spanish Village Art Center, we celebrate with:

THE EASTER EGG EXTRAVAGANZA HUNT

Come to the:

Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Easter Sunday, April 5th

11 AM to 3 PM

rain or shine

FREE to children

 

Easter Bunny Helpers will hide eggs on the hour, from 11 to 3, in the patio.  Colorful, plastic,  eggs, filled with pre-wrapped candy, will be slightly hidden for children to find....remember to bring your Easter basket!  And, in honor of  ''Spanish'' Village, this Easter, the bunny has brought   ''cascarones'', colorfully dyed real egg shells, filled with confetti...crack them for good luck! 

 

Brandon, my poodle buddy, and I, enjoy all the tummy rubs, pats on the head, compliments and

attention...   however, most of all, we enjoy seeing the return of the same children, only a little more grown up.....building happy, positive, family memories of Spanish Village, brought on by the fun activities, and the colorful, cozy, friendly environs, where introduction to all manners of art, demonstrations, and classes are offered by village artists.

 

 Over here, Franklin, the arachnophobic rat, and Emily, the village squirrel, have become quite an item.  Emily shares her raw peanuts with Franklin, he  reciprocates with bits of food scrounged from the village.  I hear Matilda, the canyon coyote, and Erika, the village cat, discussing the abysmal romance, calling it an act against social convention....however, I see they are happy together, and, after all, Matilda did run off and eat Franklin's first wife.

The weather has been quirky....one week it's as hot as the hottest day in the summer, and the next week, the weatherman is predicting rain....I suspect the plants are a bit confused.  On Saint Patrick's Day, Mother Nature waved her wand and created a severe solar storm (geomagnetic storm) that whipped through Earth's magnetic sphere, leaving in its wake a beautiful Saint Patrick's green across the sky, spanning from the Artic to parts of Oregon and Illinois.

 

Mother Nature, the greatest artist of all time.

I look forward to seeing you at the Egg Hunt!  There's talk the Easter Bunny will come...

(I so love the Easter Bunny, he tastes like chicken.)

 

Until later, my loves, 

Bella the Blogging Dog

Woof-woof!  Kisses, too!

HEARTS AND BARKS

BRANDON -my Poodle Buddy

FRANKLIN the  Arachnophobia Rat

HELLLOOOO My Dears!

Franklin, the arachnophobia rat has taken on a couple new wives... and, Brandon, my poodle buddy, is being more than attentive to me.

 

 

 

 

 

The weather and the season spell VALENTINE'S DAY!

 

Time for Love in all its s wonder!

Love comes in different ways.....

EMILY - one of Franklin Wives

I love pizza and meatballs, and cookies, and treats I find on the floor. Franklin likes wives. .....so does Brandon, in a manner of speaking.

 

For you lovers of art, COME TO ART ABANDONMENT DAY ON VALENTINES DAY THROUGHOUT THE PARK ART FREE FOR THE TAKING ...THAT'S ON SATURDAY.

PLUS! BARK AT THE PARK ON SUNDAY, AT THE ORGAN PAVILION A DOG AND DOG LOVER'S FUN DAY.


Come enjoy our day of love!

You know I love you! Bella

WHAT IS LOVE....ODDLY ABANDONMENT.

Hello My Dears, 

In a little over a week, VALENTINE'S DAY, is going to show it's flowers, candies, cards of love, and many  reflections of love.

 

AND, the birth of a new art concept from Spanish Village Art Center....

 

Welcome to the:

First Annual Art Abandonment Day, on Valentine's Day!

Saturday, February 14th....throughout the day in all parts of Balboa Park.

Abandoned art from Spanish Village artists will be placed in obvious 

places throughout the park, free to anyone who wants it and will appreciate it.

 

 You've heard of FREE LOVE? Well, this is FREE ART!

 

Bring your 4-legged buddies with you to enjoy the beauty of the park, and perhaps, find 

a wonderful piece of abandoned artwork from Spanish Village artist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AND, remember to come visit us at Spanish Village Art Center, between the Natural History Museum

and the San Diego Zoo!  

 

We are celebrating 80 years of existence!  And 100 years of existence for the whole of Balboa Park!

 

Come visit our 40th Annual Small Image Show, and our History of Spanish Village for the last 80 years!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's all free...open to the public....family and pet friendly.

ART ROCKS! AND SO DOES LOVE!

Keep the faith, my loves!

 

Love Bella 

Woof! Woof!

Bring me a cookie.