Peach Coglo

Christmas Crackers

Have you ever made Christmas Crackers or had the good fortune to be able to pop one?  I have always found them so exotic and romantic-brightly colored tubes that explode gifts - what could be better?

Over the weekend, we six went to the Connecticut Historical Society for some Christmas Cracker construction.  I love that place.  I am a history geek so I am all about it.  Turns out the kids really enjoy it too, which is lucky for them because we would be going regardless.  At any rate, we had a blast making the crackers.  They are super duper easy.  The Society set up all kinds of neat goodies to put in the crackers-sticky frogs (pure awesomeness), candy canes, kisses, confetti, bouncy balls and paper crowns.  I adore those paper crowns.  I do wonder if I am secretly English at Christmas.  Probably not because even though I love paper crowns, I am not a fan of figgy pudding.

The employees at the Society are very sweet and fun.  One woman was even dressed in a Gryffindor sweater and tie.  We all thought that was pretty neat.  We nerd hard in our family.  I don't think there was a particular reason for her outfit except that it was cold and she wanted to be comfortable while she walked to work.  Apparently other museum patrons enjoyed it too and why not.

After constructing their treats, we roamed the museum and the kids played dress-up with busts of historical figures.  I also saw a reproduced circa 1980's kitchen that made me feel a weensy bit ancient.  Man things do change quickly!  1980's microwaves were huge and all of that brightly colored Tupperware plastic was just over the top.  The kids had a chance to play with a rotary phone.  They looked really entranced with it and they marveled at how long it took to dial a number.  To be honest, I think they were a little horrified.

 

Later that evening, after a Nutcracker meeting and rehearsal, we headed over to Gledhill Nursery to catch the tail end of their Open House.  I picked up a Christmas Cactus, some paperwhite bulbs and an Advent ring (yay!) while everyone else snacked on cupcakes and cider.  Now that was a nice full, holiday day.

Are you taking part in any old or newly discovered Christmas or Hannukah traditions?

The Psychic Table

So there have been some interest in the psychic table I manned at my art league's art show.  There were four tables.  One table was set up for the an astrologer, two more for a married couple who were both ministers of a "spiritual" church, and another for a psychic who worked a lot with crystals and stones. 

It was all very ordinary and a little extraordinary all at once.  Even though I know better, I was picturing crystal balls and chimes.  What we had was a kitchen timer and psychics talking about their plans to visit Block Island.  The astrologer's computer was broken so she brought her tarot cards instead.  I had forgotten that today's astrologer's use computers. One woman stopped by to talk to a psychic.  I spent my time trying to ignore them which was hard because they were a foot away.

And that was the only customer they had during my one hour stint, besides the dog.  Yes, I said "dog".  One of the passersby had a cute little Bichon.  Out of nowhere the psychic called out to the Bichon's owner as she walked by and told her that the dog preferred "her purple leash", and that the dog "told" her that she liked the psychic's purple clothes.  At this point the dog was jumping up and down on the psychic's purple clothes.  The psychic said that was just the feeling she received from the animal.  Interestingly enough, the dog's owner said she had a purple leash for the dog at home along with a whole lotta  purple toys.  Weird.  Then, of course, a great gust of wind blew over the heavy wooden easel that was holding up the signs advertising psychic readings.  Hmm.

Soon my hour was up and it was time to go, but Helena who was helping me spotted some crystals.  The girl loves rocks so she and a couple of the psychics started some discussion about what some of the rocks symbolized.  The psychic had Helena hold a rock, while she put her forefinger on Helena's forehead and asked her to say the first thing that popped into her mind.  The psychic said she would guess Helena's first thought.

Over and over with stone after stone Helena said nothing popped into her mind.  This happened six times.  It was getting a bit awkward-at least for me.  Then the psychic gave Helena a green and white rock.  She placed her finger on Helena's forehead.   Again Helena said she had no thoughts popping up.  However, a second later though, she "admitted" that her first thought was fairies.  The psychic replied that she thought Helena was thinking about fairies, but didn't want to push it.  I don't know what to think of that, but then the other psychic (the one who heard the Bichon's thoughts) said she got the sense of "grass and green things" not necessarily fairies.  Helena replied, "Well, yeah, I have been making  a fairy house with my brother all week. We use grass and moss and flowers-stuff like that."  Strangely enough, my first thought was fairies too, probably because I have watched her build a fairy house all week.  Then again how was I to know Helena was thinking about fairies?  A good guess? intuition? or something else?  Hmm.

This story reminds me I have a couple of super weird stories about spirits, death and my family.  I think I'll save them for All Hallow's Eve.  Y'all be sure to remind me to tell you about them.

Boat Ride

 

Flying Jellyfish

Ah Boston.  Recently my mom treated me and the girls to a Day Out.  Thanks Mom!  We rode a ferry to Salem, MA for a quick visit.  After returning to Boston, we took a break at a crazy fountain near the aquarium.  The water shot up pretty high and the steam hissed; it was a pretty good effect and I was able to practice my water shots.  I would love to go back at night.  I am sure the light and the water would be spectacular.

 

I really enjoyed this fountain.  The water looked like flying jellyfish which is pretty cool as long as jellyfish don't really fly.  Could you imagine?  Eegh.  I have this thing about jellyfish.  I am simultaneously drawn to and disgusted by them.  That's probably why I am working on a jellyfish series of paintings.  Go figure.  Anyhoo,  I watched the fountain long enough to realize that the water basically makes sculptures in the sky.  I love it.  There is nothing like flying jellyfish sky sculptures.

Have a terrific weekend my friends.

Photographic Friday ~ Fifty-four

From time to time, I'll be posting photographs-exploration of time, space and being.  It's still kind of Photographic Friday, the day when I share practice photographs. They still aren't perfect, and I am still enjoying the process of concentrating, creating and working up my 10,000 hours of practice. If the spirit moves you, feel free to share your own creations, photographic and otherwise with a link.

 

Weekending~June 11, 2012

Joining Amanda for weekending . . . .

Oh the days and weeks speed by, I can't believe another weekend is over and we are heading for the middle of June.

We worked on several house projects, attacked the usual laundry towers and I attempted to be organized.  The organization is actually helping-I am finding more time to work, and actually feeling more relaxed even though my schedule has revved up monster-truck style.  I also felt a little sad that I can't get around the interwebs to visit everyone as often as I have in the past.  The reason for this shift is good-more work on the art front and children developing their own interests, but still . . . .

This weekend was filled with some exploring and gardening-Greg planting our Thumbelina sized tomatoes.  Poor things.  Next season plant the seeds in March Angie, March.  

On Saturday we went to the Mark Twain House in Hartford.  What a beautiful estate.  Twain was an incredible man; he lived quite the life.  We learned a lot about the Twain family's lifestyle, politics, more details about their attitudes towards race and justice, Twain's auburn colored hair, decorating preferences and how they existed and celebrated life-very interesting.  We took a carriage ride and listened to "Abe Lincoln" read several of his addresses and letters.  They chose an excellent actor for the part of Lincoln.  Later, Greg and I took turns to visit the Race, Rage and Redemption and A Sound Heart and Deformed Conscience exhibits.  It is too intense for little kids.  It was almost too intense for me.  If you are in the area, you should definitely see this exhibit.

We also took a tour of the Harriet Beecher Stowe House.   She lived a few hundred yards from Twain. She was also an incredible person, not to mention that she was the mother of twins too.  The story behind her book Uncle Tom's Cabin was fascinating.  As with everything people have a hard time confronting, the powers that be misrepresented the story, turning it into a 'comedy' of sorts for stage and film while contorting the character of Tom, twisting him into a weak, lost, undignified simpleton.  Again, if you have the opportunity to visit the museum and learn more about Stowe and her book, take advantage of it.

Sunday we ventured out to our town's local arts and crafts fair.  Elijah and Helena explored the jewelry makers' tents and asked all kinds of questions about the artists' technique and materials.  They were also quite impressed with a wood artist's creations.  I must say I love these events and being around people who create and celebrate the handmade.

It's undisputed!

The most nerve-wracking time for me was watching Helena and Elijah take their first ferris wheel ride ever, and they did it alone.  Doran begged to go down one of those Super Slides which I think he kind of regretted as it took him a long time to let go.  We didn't stay after the three kids took their rides as Eden was miffed because she couldn't ride anything.  Also those ride tickets for were crazily expensive ($2 for 1 ticket and most good rides were 2 tickets per person).  Yipe.

How was your weekend?

 

 

 

Weekending~March 25, 2012

Joining Amanda for weekending . . . .

 

It was a wonderful one.

My mother gave us the birthday treat of live theater!

While my parents watched the kiddos (thank you!), Greg and I went to see Ma Rainey's Black Bottom in Boston.  After wandering around the Prudential Center lost for a second, we made it out into the night air and down the street to the theater.

The performances were spectacular.  We saw an actress, Joniece Abbott-Pratt, that we saw last year in another one of August Wilson's plays, Gem of the Ocean.  Wilson's work is incredibly powerful and can be difficult watch at times because he relates pain in such a skillful and poignant manner.  He also portrays life's joys and silliness too.  It was amazing.

Oh and talk about range, Yvette Freeman was tremendous.  You may remember her from the show ER.  I never really realize how limiting these hit shows can be for actors, until I see them in live theater.  Wow.  Not to harsh on ER or anything, but I can see why, as an artist, she left to do other things.

We celebrated Greg's birthday (the first go-round as his birthday is tomorrow) with a wonderful  dinner made by my mom and a fruit tart.

I finished knitting my last felted ball.

I made a decision to push through the exhaustion and paint something everyday, no matter how small.  I am almost done with my color exploration charts as a result, and I am feeling calmer about getting my hands on my brushes.

And to top it off, I saw an inspiring documentary about a man and his topiaries-no joke.  If you get a chance, watch it.  It is unbelievable the art this man created.  He was 70 when the documentary was made.  I promise you will be inspired.

How was your weekend?

Moving Earth

Joining Amanda at the habit of being for weekending. . . .

It was a whirlwind, this weekend-too fast, as they all are

Hansel and Gretel was our movie of the week.  It was delightful.  I was surprised to see David Warner and Cloris Leachman.  She was quite entertaining as the witch.  This version did away with the stepmother angle and people kicking the bucket.

Saturday I went to WEBS with some friends.  That place is insane.  I had my project notebook with me; it helped-a little.  I was wayyyy overwhelmed by all of the yarn (discounted too) goodness at this place.  Holy macaroni.  There was all kinds of yarn: Noro, silks, wool, wool blends, pretty much whatever you want.  I got some yarn for projects for myself and for the kiddos' birthdays.   If you go, have your list of projects and necessary gauge information (something I forgot here and there).  I urge you to go if you can, but just make sure you have your lists and a lot of time.

After the yarn mecca, we had dinner in Northampton- a quirky and fun town.

I finished a felted ball; now on to the next one.  I also found some more delightful Easter projects-we'll see.

Sunday was incredible.  We spent most of the day outside, prepping the garden-chopping, raking and moving earth. I did take a minute to go buy some CowPots.  You can probably guess their contents.  I think I want to try them with our watermelon and pumpkins since neither plant likes to be transplanted and our growing season is so short.

I ordered a much needed Willow tree, and came a few steps further in deciding what stays and what goes, and which plant goes where.  I do enjoy this Spring ritual.  Speaking of which, the Vernal Equinox is only a day away.

We took about an hour away for the kiddos' Meditation First Communion program.  We all enjoyed the hour even though we had to stop our gardening to go.

Then Greg grilled some burgers and we had our first picnic dinner outside.  It was a chilly one, but it felt great.  We probably looked a bit strange plunked in the middle of our front yard, but oh well.

There was even a little bit of time left over for some Shaun the Sheep and Fat Albert viewing.

Here's to weekends.  How was yours?

The Flower Show

We have been visiting Elizabeth Park a lot lately.  It turns out they have an annual flower show and sale.  I am glad we caught it this year.  It smelled like heaven in the greenhouse.  I wish I could magic that smell into this post, but oh well.  I hope you enjoy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Tuesday!

Curious George Exhibit

The huge Curious George banner outside the exhibit.

Over the holiday break, we took a trip to the Norman Rockwell Museum to check out the Curious George exhibit.  We wanted a pretty laid back holiday and tried to not travel around too much, but this exhibit was too much to resist.  It was close and I wasn't sure the kids would ever get to see original art and manuscripts by the Reys.  I love looking at original artwork and seeing the original work, and sketches from the Curious George books was intriguing.

We learned so very much.  The kids were enthralled and really hung in there, actually studying the exhibit and looking closely at the details.  I tend to linger over museum pieces studying details too so I was happy to see this.  It's a bit easier to explore museums and their treasures when people aren't clamoring to go and are happy to observe the rich details.

I didn't know the Reys had to flee the Nazis, and I was unaware that they traveled so much.  It was intriguing but so interesting to see their passports, telegrams, art journal/diaries and New Year's cards.  There was also a pop-up book exhibit.  My favorite was The Pop-Up Book of Phobias.  Really people.  It is a bit subversive.  I mean all anyone needs is a clown or spiders popping up and out at them.  There was also a cool version of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.  The museum also hosted a few pieces by David Macaulay.  Book and art awesomeness . . . .

I can't show you any photos from inside the exhibit due to copyright laws, but I got a couple of shots outside the exhibit.  If you live nearby and get a chance, you should go.  The exhibit ends February 5th.

  Doran was the only one to brave meeting George.  I was happy to see this was the old-fashioned George  from the 70's.  You know the one.  I still have my stuffed George-tucked safely away from my children.  Sorry guys.  He was one of my absolute most favorite toys.

Blurry photo of the fam going in.  I am pretty sure this is legal.  To the Powers That Be: Please don't arrest me.  This was a fabulous exhibit and I wish I could show you more.  Seriously if you can, check it out!  There is a lot of inspiration and dreaminess to be found.

Happy Thursday friends!