I'm just back from a brief shooting expedition. I journeyed forth from my home to a nearby pond in order that I might take photos of some interesting red berries I’d seen a few days before. However, when I arrived, I saw that I'd been preceded by another amateur photographer who seemed determined to document the life and times of a rain water drainage pipe. This just goes to prove that no matter who or where you are, you’re never the nerdiest or the weirdest person around.

Every time I see the blue Morning Glory blossoms that cover my backyard in early day this time of year, I marvel that God invests so much beauty, care, and detail into something so tiny and which will only exist for a couple hours.

It reminds me how important it is to take time over the little things, and invest love in things that I'm naturally prone to take for granted. After all, it's the little things that make life worth living.

As Sherlock Holmes once said, "Our highest assurance of the goodness of Providence seems to me to rest in the flowers. All other things, our powers, our desires, our food, are all really necessary for our existence in the first instance. But this rose is an extra. Its smell and its color are an embellishment of life, not a condition of it. It is only goodness which gives extras, and so I say again that we have much to hope from the flowers."

To celebrate our 5^th Wedding Anniversary, Jason and I hopped on a plane and visited northern California. We stayed in this little vintage town called Ferndale, where a number of blockbuster films – including The Majestic starring Jim Carey – were shot.

(RIGHT: Jason next to the ticket booth where Jim Carrey visited The Majestic Theater.)

Ferndale is absolutely beautiful. When I say it’s a “vintage” town, we’re talking late 1800’s. There are rows of little Victorian style homes with elaborate trim, spires, multiple chimneys, and a whole array of colors. In short, one rather feels like one has stepped out of The US of A and dropped into an idealistic European fairytale town.

First we stayed at The Victorian Inn, which, besides Hotel Ivanhoe, is the only hotel in the town. Our room was decorated with antiques, hand crocheted doilies, and Victorian era decor and photos. The adjacent eatery, VI Restaurant (where I performed an impromptu concert), serves the most amazing pizza on Tuesdays, and sundry other sublime delectable every other day of the week.

Next we stayed at Shaw House, which is a quaint little B&B set in the founder of Ferndale’s original home. The owners, Paula and her tom-kitty Teddy, were excellent hosts. Our bedroom opened up onto a second story balcony decked with vines and tree boughs. Every morning we woke up to the smell of the sea, the sound of songbirds, and fresh pastries and tea in the ornate dining room downstairs.

And when I say “ornate” I mean ORNATE! Here are some photos of the house and surrounding gardens:

We also hiked through The Redwood Forest, along The Lost Coast, and took a gander at an lovely local beach not five minutes from Ferndale.



Above: A local beach near The Lost Coast. It was nippy & windy!



That tiny person is me ... and that giant tree is likely hundreds, if not thousands of years old.



Jason peering through a hollow trunk.

We also met up with my Aunt Linda and her boyfriend Steve, who took us on a tour of San Francisco. We got to see The Botanical Gardens, we ate at hole-in-the-wall restaurants (including Burmese, Russian, and Italian), saw The Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Robin William’s house, John Lennon’s house, and The Painted Ladies.



The Golden Gate Bridge stands like a ghost in the fog that so often sweeps into the bay.



My Aunt Linda, Cricket and I at The Botanical Gardens.



Jason at The Botanical Gardens.

I’ve got to say, San Francisco seems like an artist’s dream-city. Nearly every building is an architectural work of ark, there’s live music everywhere (even impromptu performances in the parks and along the streets), and enough galleries, museums, studios, and festivals to keep one busy for a lifetime.



The Painted Ladies. See the little vintage white bug? That's my Aunt Linda's car!



George Harrison's house ... or one of them anyway. The gate was really unusual!



Jason, Aunt Linda and Cricket at The Botanical Gardens.



Me and Jason at a little diner in Ferndale, California.

Disclaimer: As I write this, it is Saturday, at 12:40 PM.  I woke up about half an hour ago after our VERY big Prohibition shoot Friday night.  So … This may not sound as coherent as my average blog! LOL!

Last Sunday we had our first rehearsal.  My sister Kaitlin Grassman (of Penny Electric Studios who is producing the video) and Elisa Haaland taught everyone 1920’s – 40’s dance moves, including The Charleston. 

Tuesday we shot the “Wood Fairy” scene in the woods behind Spring Cypress Church in Spring, Texas.  We got all our beautiful little girls decked out in flowy white dresses (except one girl who was wearing in a lovely slate bubble dress to match another dress I wear in another scene).  They danced in the woods with me as the sun went down through the trees.  It was QUITE magical. Very haunting (o:

Wednesday we had another rehearsal.  We had all our rehearsals over at Spring Fitness Gym off FM 2920, who sponsored the video by letting us use their beautiful big aerobics room for dance practice.  Their support was invaluable! I have no idea how we’d have gotten all those dance moves down (or had so much fun) without that mighty big room, great floor, and wall to wall mirrors. It was awesome!

Thursday we shot The Jazz Band.  Jonathan Castillo did an uncannily realistic performance on a plywood saxophone, and a hysterical performance on a fake drum set (which was in fact a painted cardboard box).  Jason played a GIANT bass guitar … the thing must be 7 feet tall … and he was a total nut! You’ll die laughing when you see it!  Homer Martinez and Raul Aguilar were our horn duo.  And before you ask … no, there are no horns in The Haunting. However, visually it just made sense somehow, and it’s going to look absolutely perfect. Homer and Raul did an amazing job!  It was too much fun (o:

And Friday … Friday was the BIG shoot and we had A BLAST!!!  I’m totally exhausted. Vintage dancing is quite demanding!  LOL.  I’d like to especially thank Kelly Harwick of Vamp Vintage Wear for sponsoring us by doing makeup and hair and bringing some to-die-for costumes (including Jason’s amazing shoes!).  Ms. Hardwick did a fabulous job, and was extremely professional.  I felt like such a diva!  I’d also like to thank Darla Guyton of Guyton Photography who sponsored us by capturing some incredible behind-the-scenes photos and even … a video clip!!  Enjoy:

   

See all the photos in higher quality at Guyton Photography's Facebook Page.

The beautiful venue is the elegant and very vintage Prohibition speakeasy inspired cocktail bar in the Houston Galleria off Westheimer by Saks Fifth Avenue.  Thanks Lain, Anh, Dennis, Shay, Justin, Jon, Thian, and everyone at Prohibition for your continued support of my music and this video project.  Y’all are amazing!

To all the cast and crew – Thank you so very, very much!  I’ll post the full list of credits soon! (o:

Love,

Jennifer

Last night (from 10PM to 12AM) was my debut gig at Prohibition, a new 1930’s inspired cocktail lounge and piano bar in The Galleria Mall next to Saks Fifth Avenue.  It went great!  Everyone was so friendly and appreciative of the music.  I really feel it’s a great place to showcase my songs.  I was actually getting requests for my own original material!!!  I just felt that everyone there – the whole environment of the place – was really cultured and appreciative of the arts.

RIGHT: Prohibition bartender, Justin.

So no.  It’s not your average bar where strange men who’ve had about 8 too many Bud Lights request Black Sabbath songs and then challenge your husband to a duel so they can take you home with them (yes … that actually happened to me once in a hotel bar … LOL ... thankfully Jason wasn't actually there and the guy's wife intervened and made him leave me alone!). 

But seriously.  Prohibition is very classy, relaxing, elegant, and artsy.  Everyone there was really kind, considerate, and truly enjoying the vintage ambiance and flavorful artistry of the drinks.  It was such a cool experience being there, and performing.

And I have to tell you:  You’ve never had a cocktail until you’ve had one at Prohibition!

They use all organic fruit, fresh squeeze their own juices, and hand-make all their own flavorings.  There are no prefab syrups, or drink concoctions you’d be able to duplicate yourself at home.  Each drink is quite literally a work of art with a very involved recipe (and history) behind it. 

A few of the fruits and herbs I was able to identify at the bar were mint, rosemary, thyme, bananas, tomatoes, cherries, pears, pineapple, pomegranate, and various citrus. There were also a number of mysterious edibles that looked quite exotic.  And of course, CHOCOLATE!!!

The cocktail I got to try was the “Prohibited Mule.”  I only had the one, since it’s rather hard to sing and play piano on too many cocktails (o:  The Prohibited Mule has a zesty white wine zip, with a light pear flavor, and something rather fresh and herbal about it.  Instead of leaving me feeling like I’d been baked (like other place's cocktails have), I actually felt refreshed after drinking it.  And there was a cherry tomato perched on the edge of the glass!  It was shockingly delicious.

Everything in Prohibition, from the drinks to the décor, is inspired by 1930’s era speakeasies, fashion, art, and culture.  With a modern twist!  There’s art deco paintings, 1920’s – 40’s photography lining the walls, Steampunk lamps, really unusual and vintage looking furniture, and gorgeous wood floors that give the place absolutely stunning acoustics (perfect for live music!).

Anyway, I shall be playing at Prohibition again very soon.  Keep an eye out on the “Tour” page for gig dates, and subscribe to my email list for monthly updates.  I’ll be making a BIG announcement soon (o:

Love,

Jennifer