Here’s a photo of a white truffle, in case you’ve never seen one. Not that money always equates with quality but this truffle costs $400 but a friend gave it to Paula. Good kinda friend to have, huh? It was Paula’s first time cooking risotto but it came out scrumptious and with the shaved truffles on top and a good green salad we were in heaven.
Simone and my goddaughter, Hannah. They seem to like each other, huh? Hannah showed us her sketch book of figures and fashion designs. She's really talented.
Troy with Tulea. (I can't seem to get rid of the glare in her eyes. Sorry.)
Simone and Paula
I leave at the crack tomorrow for Dusseldorf, Germany. I go there twice in the next 10 days! Once to make a speech on sustainability and earn money for my non-profit. The second time to get an award from UNESCO. Thursday I will travel the short distance to Bonn, birthplace of Beethoven and the city where his archives are located. Almost no one can get access to the archives but during the run of “33 Variations” (about Beethoven and the play took place in the archives) I met the man who runs the archives and he invited me to see them. Some composers (like Mozart) composed in their head. Beethoven composed on paper so there are 1000s of sketches that record every thing he ever wrote, every false start, every rewrite, all there. Can’t wait. I’m told Dusseldorf is a charming city.
In between the two trips I will be in Atlanta seeing friends, Daughter and grandkids. In fact we’ll have a sleepover on Saturday.
I’ll blog from Dusseldorf.
See you next time.
Mary Jane Stone
Great to hear about your award from UNESCO, Jane. I am not surprised. Also think it’s interesting about the archives. Is there anything in the air about a movie of “33 Variations?” Your fans would love it, I’m sure. Maybe it could be filmed on location. If anyone can make it happen, you can. Have a great time in Germany.
Silvia
Access to Beethoven’s archives and risotto with real truffle shavings! It sure can’t get better than that.
Enjoy the trip!
Kelsey
Sounds like a lot of traveling. So, I know you probably already noticed but today is NOVEMBER 3rd (as if you really needed me to point that fact out) and of course it is the day that you did take that BEAUTIFUL mug shot. Best one I’ve ever seen. Okay, so the circumstances weren’t the best but look what it has done for you! I mean, have you seen your store? Brilliant! Well, I thought it was cool! 🙂 I know this is lame, but I promised my friend I would mention to you that he named his rice sack baby for his psychology class after you. I did mention it was lame right? He asked me to be the sack’s mother. I’m proud. Anyway, safe travels!
Jason
Herzlich Willkommen nach Deutschland Jane,
So glad you’re coming here. Bring your winter woollies. It’s quite cold here at the moment.
Düsseldorf is nice, but Hamburg has been voted the most beautiful city in Germany. You should come here 😉 Have a good flight. Hope it’s a Lufthansa one and my colleagues will take care of you.
Best wishes from Germany
Jason
Bill Hillman
Love today’s blog. I’ve been wondering about the trip to Germany. Hope you have a great time. Can’t wait to hear about it and see pictures.
b
Gloria Luz
Hi Jane:
It’s very interesting what the truffle comment on the other hand, your trip to Germany and Dusseldorf specifically looks very interesting about the legacy of Beethoven, hopefully we can talk about it. Thanks from Mexicom City.
Gloria Luz
Claudia
Dear Jane: Dusseldorf is my home town (I now live in Toronto). It is indeed a beautiful city. Have a great time there.
jan
Jane, when you photograph pets if you point the camera so that it focuses to the side of them, instead of directly at their face, it helps a lot to reduce red eye. Hope this helps!
Jennifer
Love truffles. One of my favorite meals ever was at Babbo. Spaghetti with butter, parmesan, and truffles. Very simple and delicious. We use truffle oil for risotto, but it’s not the same! Ina Garten says truffle butter is a good substitute, but can’t find it. (will have to find truffle friend!). Germany is so beautiful. I never thought I’d like it so much. By happenstance we have friends in 4 cities in Germany thru my husbands studies. So I really know Germany. We make tours around our visits. Our last trip was to the Bodensee. Germany’s Riveara! The food, wine and beer are great. People are friendly. Very Jealous! Keep us posted.
Brandon
I have never had, nor have I ever seen a truffle. I want to though! They always seem so lovely and divine whenever I hear about them. One day!
Vanessa Kaufman
Wow, white truffle…yum.
Sandro
Hi Jane! Great to know that you’re busy and doing well! Have a safe trip to Germany! Please let us know about the Beethoven museum trip.
By the way, today I went to Annie Lennox’s blog (another lady I love), and I noticed that you’re both featured in a book called “Dear Me” which is about writing a letter to our 16 year-old self.
I think it’s a great idea since we go through such troubled and conflicting times during our teens. That project is also related to Elton John’s AIDS Foundation.
Can you please tell us a bit more about the project?
Love as always!
Sandro
Chris Cipollini
I hope you have a marvelous time in Germany. The Germans are a wonderful accomadating people and I am just a travel whore, so I envy you!
I myself am going to Prague in March!
Susan K.
I enjoyed reading about the truffle and risotto! I know it was delicious! What a nice friend….to give someone a truffle!
So nice seeing pictures of Troy, Simone, your goddaughter, Hannah, your friends, Richard….and the always adorable Tulea!!:)
It’s great that you’re going to have some time in Atlanta between your visits to Germany! I know your grandchildren, daughter, and friends miss you! You’ll have lots of fun during the sleepover with your grandchildren!
What a thrill it will be to see some of Beethoven’s papers! You’ll have to give us details about that experience!! Please!
Congratulations on the UNESCO award! Hope you have a great time in Germany! Stay warm!! Take care!
frederique dhenein
always something in store in this wonderful blog, nice to read you!!!Deutschland ist wonderful!so inswichen viel spass!!! Frederique Dhenein
Timothy Dougherty
Wonderful, award from UNESCO , very good Jane keep up the good work.
I spent so many years working in libraries ,I did my masters thesis on information and how they work and will change years ago. That sound very interesting Beethoven’s works, very nice.
I was just interviewed myself by a German exchange student on my Art show in Long Beach CA, RAWartist. I have meet many of late visiting the area must be cold in Düsseldorf this time of year.
That sure sounds interesting, they may not let you take photos in the archives, so I will look to you for a first hand review.
have a good trip Jane
Amy Brody
Hi Ms. Fonda,
I hope you have safe travels. Germany is a beautiful country. To get the glare out of Tulea’s eyes you need to have overhead lighting on, the flash off, and Tulea’s head down. If there is no overhead lighting make sure there is lighting to the sides and Tulea is not staring into the light.
Love to you and God Bless,
Amy
pam
The glare in Tulea’s eyes is caused by the position of your flash. It is likely attached to the top of the camera, probably a pop up flash. With people it can cause what is called red eye. With animals the effect is a glowing green or goldish color. The light from the flash is bouncing off of the eye’s retina. Don’t use the flash or get a camera with a hot shoe that allows you to attach a flash that sits above or to the side of the camera lens.
Hope this helps!
Tulea is beautiful.
Pam
Jason
Guten Tag Jane,
Thanks for being so kind to Hamburg and Lufthansa. Made me smile. Didn’t know you’d been here. Your friend Robert Redford got married here in the summer.
Anyway, hope they’re treating you well down there in the Rheinland!
Best wishes from up here.
Jason
pam
The “glare” in the eyes of Tulea is caused by the position of your flash. It is likely a pop up flash located just above the camera lens. You are getting the glare from the flash reflecting off of the back of the dog’s retina. The same effect often happens with people and is called red eye. Get a flash that mounts above or to the side of the camera.
Hope this helps.
Pam
Tim C.
Such lovely photos! Really, Miss Fonda, you should consider photography and publish some of your photos!
premji jairam babaria
Bethoven`sNineth symphony is great.Wish that original Ninth Symphony is being put on Net so that people can have access to this work of the great musician which is considered as eteranally fresh and will remain so as per the connoisseur of classical western Music.Though i have heard the other version of this great piece of music but it did not strike me as something out of this world as it is made out.But that doesnot diminish the eternal value attached to this great piece of classical western music.Jane is fortunate that she had access to the Bethoven`s archives.