Not Just About A Book Club Reads "Orhan's Inheritance"

Our book club met January 19th to discuss an historical novel written by Aline Ohanesian entitled "Orhan's Inheritance". Much like the famed Turkish rugs this story weaves an intricate tale. One which speaks of the  tumultuous history of the Turks and Armenians in the early part of the Century and the effect of this time on two families in particular. It is a story of  hidden secrets, generational divides, honor, love, and redemption. 

Our book club member Jeanette who is of Armenian heritage chose this book and hosted our meeting at her home. 

Jeanette shared so many special aspects of her Armenian family traditions, food and culture.

The national flag of Armenia consists of three horizontal bands of equal width, red, blue and orange.  

Pomagranates are visible in many forms in Jeanette's home.   She made a refreshing champagne and Pomagranate juice drink for us and also served Armenian pomagranate wine.

I learned that the pomangranate is the fruit of Armenia. The pomegranate has a prominent role in the  expressive representations in Armenian art, mythology, literature, movies, fashion, and cuisine. In Armenian mythology the pomegranate symbolizes abundance, happiness, marriage and prosperity. Jeanette has a delightful collection of pomagranates in her home.

 Even on her apron!

We all enjoyed a fabulous array of Armenian food that Jeanette and her daughter had made. Jeanette described each dish and showed us how certain things are combined and eaten.

We had a lively and interesting exchange of questions and ideas about this book...

Jeanette had planned a very special surprise for us after we had begun discussing the book. She said she had arranged a skype interview with the author herself, Aline Ohanesian! We were so surprised and thrilled

 Ms. Ohanesian was so gracious, giving us insight into her eight years of research and writing of this historical novel.  Many many thanks to her for the time she spent sharing her story with us. 

Of course there was a dessert to be shared

  delicious baklava made by Jeanette!

What an interesting and most wonderful experience. Thank you Jeanette for such a great book club get together.

Coffee Time

The Knitters

My sister Jocelyn and Nancy are both knitting like crazy these days. Neither rain, nor snow nor a visit to the Getty Villa could stop them from their knitting projects.

Even after we left the Getty Nancy continued to knit at Jocelyn's home. 

 While they were busy I took a "cat nap".

 

A Day At The Getty Villa in Malibu with David Capra

I met David Capra through an email introduction from my daughter Athena.  We then met up when he was visiting L.A. two years ago. *(See links below to that visit). I was able to see one of his exhibits at the Museum of Contemporary Art when I was in Sydney last March. David is winding up a 3 month European tour with stops in N.Y., San Francisco and L.A. He has been busy researching for a planned collaborative exhibition in 2018. 

Thankfully no rain today.

Doing fun things in the family learning center.

We all loved the museum gift store.

Thank you David for saving some time to meet up with me, Jocelyn and Nancy  at the GETTY yesterday. Lovely to catch up with you and exciting to hear about your newest adventures in art. Extra bonus to hear about your wonderful family reunions in ITALY .

 two earlier blogposts from 2014 when I first met David*

 http://followbarbsbliss.blogspot.com/2014/05/a-great-adventure-begins-part-1-meeting.html

 http://followbarbsbliss.blogspot.com/2014/05/a-great-adventure-begins-part-2-who-is.html

 http://followbarbsbliss.blogspot.com/2014/05/part-3-great-adventure-continues.html

 http://followbarbsbliss.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-great-adventure-continues-part-4.html

Like Morning Light

"It was only a sunny smile and little it cost in the giving, but like morning light it scattered the night and made the day worth living."-F. Scott Fitzgerald