Peach Coglo

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!

Plimoth Plantation

While we were in the Cape, we visited Plimoth Plantation.  It is a historical recreation of a Wampanoag homesite and of the English settlement that was just up the road from it.  At this "museum", you can "experience life" as it was lived in 1627, or something approximating it.  Plimoth Plantation partnered with National Geographic to write up my absolute favorite book about Thanksgiving. 

As many of you know, I love travel, museums and history so I was all about this place.  It was wonderful talking with the reenactors.  I don't know where they found these people, but they were spot on in character and knowledge.  I was very impressed with their skills, accents-just everything.  We spoke to an English immigrant who really was repairing a gate that a cow broke through.  He talked of how he preferred his old home back in Europe, of how lonely he felt here - quite fascinating. 

We also met a housewife who could not read.  She told us who we could visit to get answers to some of our questions.  She explained that her place was in the home and she didn't know much outside of her home duties.  She did know enough that she could tell us that part of their purpose of being in the "New World" was to make a profit for the company that sent them over.  I got a sense of how life could be isolating for women (more so than the men).  I knew this already but it was something to see a live person, dressed in period clothes with a period accent telling me this.

The Native Americans weren't exactly reenactors.  They are Indigenous Wampanoag telling the story of their people and America from their perspective and experience.  It is something to think that they have lived in what is now New England for more than 12,000 years.  It was so interesting and just plain wonderful to hear of their experiences through their own modern words even if the tale is a tragic one.  Several visitors became uncomfortable with what some of the people said about history as well as the present day treatment of Native Americans and the environment.  It was something to observe them checking their watches and slowly backing away.  The woman we spoke to was none too impressed with Squanto.  I had no idea he was revered so much in English culture.  She soon put to rest any "pure and innocent" ideas about his character. 

I could see this woman was very powerful and feel what she was saying.  I didn't know until talking to her how the Wampanoag saw male and female as equals and how they approached family, time and raising children.  She definitely did not approve of the way we rush ourselves and our children around trying to make appointments and beat the clock.  It was a wonderful sense of connection to "go back in time" and absorb the environment and surroundings. 

The fog that day definitely lent some more atmosphere and mystery to an already engaging place.

This is the teenaged boy Helena was so smitten with that day.  I wonder if Howl knows about him.

Beautifully dyed reeds made up the walls to one house.

By the way, the only light coming into this house was from a hole in the roof-amazing.

Hmm a possible painting.  I have such a backlog of images it's scandalous.

This guy has the best ensemble.  Check. It. Out.

We had an amazing time.  We'll go back soon and visit the Mayflower II.  If ever you have the chance, I highly recommend stopping by Plimoth Plantation.  It is fascinating to experience, in the flesh, the stories of the people who lived so long ago.

Happy Tuesday to you.

A Boston Walk

Back when my in-laws Lisa and Lyle came  to visit, we took them on a big walking tour of Boston.  We didn't get to see all of it, but we saw a lot in a few hours.  I am so lucky to live amongst and near so much early American history, Native, African, English and Dutch.  It is true that without at least a grasp of the past, we are floating and unanchored.  I am very lucky to be able to share this history with my children.

I was doing a lot of walking and talking in between a few sprinkles of rain so I got only a few shots.  Here is some of what we saw:

The Hancock: it's amazing how people have jobs  (spotters) watching the windows to ensure they don't pop out and fall to the ground below.  I couldn't even get the entire building into frame.

 

The Public Garden

Feeding squirrels on purpose.  You know about my relationship with squirrels. 

They did get to be up close and personal with it though.  I have to admit that was neat.

Here's the lady Helena wanted to exhume.  The  Granary Cemetery is a fascinating place.  It is humbling to be amongst the bones of Sam Adams, Crispus Attucks, Revere and Mother Goose.  The grave markers are absolute works of art.

It was a great visit. I got to see Boston with new and more appreciative eyes.

Where do you like to go to soak up some ancestor vibes? 

The Robert Gould Shaw and 54th Regiment Memorial across from the State House. 

Needing Cape Cod

I need Cape Cod today or something like it.  I'll take a pond at this point.  This morning was one of those mornings when I am left exhausted, wishing school were already over.  Tuesdays are now choir rehearsal days for Doran.  He loves choir and since there is so little he seems to like enough to participate in, Greg and I gladly encourage choir.  There are a few things I think he would love to do but doesn't have the motor coordination or speed in order to participate in a mainstream school band or sports team.  He can participate in mainstream choir.  He does it very well and most importantly he loves it.

It's important enough that I spend once a week really rushing in hopes of to getting the children fed, dressed, snacks and lunches prepared and all of us out of the door by 7:30am on choir days.  I can count on one hand how many times that has happened for the whole year of choir.  I know many of you conquer this feat daily(and at earlier times) and I am in awe.  However, no matter how early I am up, or how early I get the kids up or how much I have prepared the night before, we usually end up late-not too late, but late all the same.  It's really easy to get into a self-criticizing spiral about that though I try not to go there. 

Usually it's one of the following that contributes to the tardiness: someone has a tantrum; someone really messes up a diaper or training underwear at an really inopportune moment; another person can't find what I told him or her to put in his or her backpack the night before; someone falls down the stairs (I'm not joking); the town decides to do major intersection work during rush hour; it goes on and on. 

This choir morning was pretty unbelievable.  Doran had one of his intense sneezing incidents (a lot of children with autism have sensitivities to the environment that cause different atypical and intense physical reactions).  I won't go into it due to the gross factor, but it's an unpredictable morning ritual-occurring anytime from the moment he wakes up to when he steps into the school doors.  I don't know what happens after that.  With so much going on every morning, I can't hover over him with tissues, and he has yet to get the timing of using one on his own so you can imagine how things develop.  This is one way autism affects him. 

Then I discovered that Doran had opened the child-resistant (ha!) cap to the liquid allergy medicine and simply balanced it on top of the bottle-perfectly.  I couldn't even tell it was open until I picked the bottle up by the cap and medicine flowed freely all over the inside of the cabinet.  I should know by now to never pick up anything in this house by the cap.  I think I need some behavioral training too.  ;-)

We did manage to get out of the house, but then there was a huge traffic jam on the side street that I use to get out of our neighborhood.  I;m talking cars hanging out in the middle of the intersection through red and green lights kind of traffic jam. I imagine there was some sort of chaos on the interstate because this rarely happens.  I took the long way to school so that we were at least moving and had a chance of getting to school while choir rehearsal was in session.  Helena was not pleased with this development.  Doran was a good 25 minutes late for rehearsal, but he got there.

Luckily the choir director understands that I am working by myself in the mornings.  Doran doesn't do too well waiting for things to start anyway.  It's usually much better when he can go right into something and start.  It works out but I still have nagging guilt.

So this morning I am left with a need for Cape Cod.  Maybe you are too after reading this. ;-)  Thanks for your patience and for coming along for the school morning ride.  I'm happy to hear your stories too.  Feel free to share any morning or day challenges you have had lately.  I'm all ears.

And now it's time for some soothing pictures.

 

The dunes can get very tall.  I find them fascinating.

Tasty and inexpensive seafood can be found here.

Ah better now.  This makes me feel like I can go anywhere and do anything.  Happy Tuesday!

Weekending5111

It's Monday so I am joining Amanda over at the habit of being for her Weekending series.  Feel free to join us.

 

This weekend brought:

the first weekend in May and the realization that the year is speeding by all too quickly

a slightly slower pace, one that I really like, and hope to experience more often

the realization that Miss Helena's ballet recital is fast approaching.  This is one of her most favorite times of year

new battles with squirrels and feral(?) cats.  What gives?

some precious, precious time painting.  Things are moving along slowly but still more quickly than my pre-studio days

the certainty that I need to write up my family and household routine with the help of the Fly Lady.  I haven't reached true Sanford and Son proportions yet, but I need something to organize all of my work without having to remember everything.  May is a very full month to put a positive spin on it.  My overtaxed brain can only handle so much.  A nice notebook telling me what needs to be done in the house and out of the house and when will help, at least I hope so ;-)

our first Sunday being completely unplugged as a family.  I was inspired by wonderful Heather over at beauty that moves

our annual Spring pilgrimage to Hancock Shaker Village, one of my most favorite places in the world.

How was your weekend?  Have a great Monday!

 

Weekending41711

~It's Monday again.  Another weekend has fairly flown.  I am joining Amanda over at the habit of being for her Weekending series.~

 

This weekend:

we enjoyed visiting with our relatives from Kansas

I got to talk quilting and crafts with my sis-in-law Lisa.  She is quite fun and mellow.

we made our first trip of the season to the train nursery

we saw such luxurious color

the children got to swim in the hotel pool, always a treat

we explored a flea market recommended by Heather

Greg will definitely be paying for buying the kids a singing trout

I watched and heard a super-heavy rainstorm

we had some delectable hamburgers

there is nothing like a "fast" walking tour through parts of Boston, from Copley Square to Quincy Market and back with four children

the visit to the Granary Burying Ground was quite interesting and humbling

something about being near the remains of Crispus Attucks, Sam Adams, Mother Goose, John Hancock and the like moves me

of course I was snapped back into reality when Helena said it would be interesting to dig up Mother Goose.  I never knew she had archaeologist leanings.

Helena thought it would be good to dig up Mother Goose

we felt the excitement of the Boston Marathon preparations

we hung out with my mom and dad. Mom made a birthday dinner and Dad made birthday cake for me.

the weekend and the visit were over too soon

How was your weekend?

 

 

A Trip to the City

The ceiling at Grand Central.  There's my sign-Aries.  I can't believe they were trying to tear this place down for a parking lot.  I am so glad that didn't work.  Thank you Mrs. Onassis.

Signs in the station's bathroom.

Last Sunday, I went to New York City with my mom.  We met up with my younger brother, Walker, who is lucky enough to live in there.   We took one of the most harrowing cab rides I have ever taken.  I have never had a harrowing cab ride in NY, but I did that Sunday.  It was so intense Mom wanted to get out early and walk the rest of the way to the restaurant.  I think we had about three near accidents-at least that was my perspective.  I saw and felt the cab pass within an inch or a half-inch of buses and trucks.  I think my mother's eyes were closed for the entire ride. She doesn't even know how much she paid him.  Maybe that was the cabbie's strategy.

To recover from our wild ride, we walked around the city.  We then ate a delicious organic brunch at  Isabella's.   The food was spectacular.   Walker had lemon-scented french fries.   I'll have to get some next time, as they were one of the best things I ever tasted.  Before brunch while Walker waited in line, my mom and I went to the Sunday flea market across the street from the restaurant.  It was so fun.  I could have spent hours looking around at all of the cool stuff.  After brunch, we walked our way to Broadway, past Lincoln Center and all kinds of interesting architecture.

 

Then we saw Memphis!  That was the best musical I have ever seen.  My mother got tremendous seats.  The Shubert is a small theater and we were about eight to ten feet from the stage in the orchestra section.  Thanks for a fabulous birthday present Mom!  I saw sweat flying.  I saw beads (from the beautiful beaded dresses) flying and bouncing across the stage.   The actors were working.  It was great to be able to look right into their faces.   The stage design, music and story were phenomenal.  I am very privileged and lucky to have been able to see this show.   It was a gift.  This is just a reminder of how necessary art and creation are.  After the show, we talked about how one of the first things a repressive government does is shut down or defund the arts, calling them frivolous and unnecessary.  We talked about how when people (same or different) dance or just listen to music together, how their differences melt away and community is built.  To those who would have it otherwise, art is a dangerous thing.

After the show, we scooted to a little Greek restaurant.  The meal was delicious and the company was so fun.   I hated to leave New York, but I needed to get back to my loves.  So I have vowed to go to the City more often and to take the children, well at least some of them.  Eden may have to wait.

 

Back to Grand Central

What places energize you and nourish your soul?

 

Weekending 41011

* Today I am joining Amanda over at the habit of being for Weekending*

This weekend was full indeed.

There was outside tent-making with tomato cages and old tablecloths

Elijah racing remote control cars at a buddy's birthday party

and all four going to another birthday party-this time a super bouncy one

Celebrating a certain someone's tenth year on this Earth

I am so grateful for this precious being

I realize more every day that despite all of the challenges and true frustration how lucky we are to have Doran

I enjoyed Helena and Elijah's generosity of spirit towards their brother

and love the creativity and fun spirits of all four

There was a rainbow birthday cake

There was mud play

I soaked up time with my mom and brother in NYC

and spotted John Goodman strolling off Broadway-quite random

I recognized how much I adore and miss Manhattan Island

and felt so lucky to be able to luxuriate in the freedom that the City allows you to just be

I was energized and inspired by the most phenomenal show

If you can get yourself to Broadway, you must see it-truly

I had no idea David Bryan from Bon Jovi was such an incredible composer- mad props to him

It is clear that art is most elemental and necessary for the human spirit

I was sad to leave NYC but happy to see my family in CT again even if they were asleep

It's definitely time for the kiddies to go back to NY

This weekend ended with me feeling lucky and blessed in every way

I am incredibly grateful

 

How was your weekend?

 

Diner

Whenever Greg's parents come out, they always treat us to a meal out of the house.  That is always awesome.  While I enjoy cooking for the most part, mama gets dog-tired.  This visit, we decided to eat on our way to  Mohawk State Forest.  Greg's mother enjoys seafood and we like for her to get some good seafood while she is near the ocean.  I am a seafood lover from way back and a bit of a seafood snob.  I am completely spoiled by the quality of seafood available in New England so it really isn't my fault.  I am convinced she probably thinks I am a little crazy because of some of the places we pass up because it doesn't look, feel or smell right to me. ;-)

On our outing we went to a little diner that has been there for decades.  The wait staff were very sweet and I loved their Greek (I think) accents.  Quite a few of them have worked there for twenty-five years.  This place had homemade bread and a bar!  I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the Sambuca.  Doran ate all of the bacon out of his BLT.  I should've just ordered bacon for him.  They had some lovely fresh, bright green pickles.  I think they must have used European cucumbers for pickling.  Greg's mom enjoyed her seafood and Eden ate almost all of my cream of spinach soup.  Helena played her first game of Hangman ever.  Grandma brilliantly distracted her as she was starting to get into increasing amounts of trouble while waiting for our meal.  She says her quickness at distracting children is one benefit of having had five children.  This is a distraction I must use in the future!  It just never occurred to me.

 

 

 

 
The remains of Doran's BLT.  He left everything but the bacon.  I was hoping he would do what he sometimes does-eat the whole thing or most of it.  C'est la vie.

 

 
Who would think that the owner of such a sweet innocent face would purloin (without regret) my cream of spinach soup?

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

A Stunning Discovery

Whenever Greg's parents come out to visit we like to take them around to different parts of our state and New England.   Sometimes we take them to our favorite haunts, sometimes his parents have places they would specifically like to visit and sometimes we make discoveries.

Greg's mother was hoping to see some fall foliage at an overlook point of some sort.  During one of her prior visits, we had come upon a beautiful mountain range and valley combo in Vermont.  Since we didn't have time to make a trek to Vermont, Greg looked for a vista a little closer to home.   This is what we found.

 
It was beautiful but a little stomach churning for me.  I made Greg put on the parking brake and restrained the kiddos who I think we ready to just walk/tumble down the ravine.  They had absolutely no fear.  That attitude was good to a point, but mama just asks for a little restraint and care.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
This is where Miss Eden was while everyone was taking in the view at the first overlook.

 

 

 

 

 
What you can't see here is Elijah's magnifying glass.

 

I would love to have rock tables like these in my backyard.  You can just imagine the fairy tea parties, dinners, and dances. :-) 

 
There was this crazy two-story tower in the park.  I don't know why or who built it, but I will see if I can find out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The mountains you see in the distance are in New York.  The forest is incredibly beautiful.   There are trails, a bog, even an antebellum school site.  We are definitely going back to explore more parts of it.  Have a great day everyone.