Bookmarks

B + I are really enjoying this album as of late.

Watched Seasons 1 - 4 (!!) of "Doc Martin" during the flu of February... ugh. LOVE IT. The show takes place in the fictional Cornish town of Portwenn and reminds me so much of the 90s show "Northern Exposure."

We started watching "30 Rock" from the beginning and ahhhhh! - I'm Liz Lemon. I can't wait to read Tina Fey’s new book Bossypants.

It's CSA season already- our first delivery was the first week of April. I'm SO GLAD because menu planning was getting borinngggg. I just love our farmer. It's so fulfilling to support someone that truly enjoys what they do. How many of us can really say that each morning?

This bag seems a little too nice for a shopping bag. I like the simple construction.

How's that for rambling thoughts and links.
.... And Scene.

Matisse, The Beatles and Coco Chanel

I very much enjoy roaming the Art Institute of Chicago by myself. We have a membership pass and whenever I'm in the area, I try to squeeze in time to wander around the museum- even if it's just for 20 minutes. I don't mind the company but I'm also quite content exploring on my own. I like to people watch and overhear conversations. After an appointment on Friday, I wandered over to the museum to check out the Matisse exhibit.

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Our neighborhood church organized a "Beatles Mass" last night. I'd say it had a rather progressive theme: Celebrate peace and love - ancient Christian tradition with a Sixties spin :) Big turnout...

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When Brad and I were still dating, we saw "A Hard Day's Night" at this dumpy movie theater in Old Town. They had two movies playing that weekend: The Beatles & "Requiem for a Dream." Both films ended @ the same time. Half the movie goers were giddy and chatty... the other half looked pretty depressed.

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I rented "Coco Before Chanel" last night. It was a bit of a departure from The Beatles... haha. I liked it, didn't love it. There were two Chanel movies that came out about the same time. Rent this one- the French one. Audrey Tautou {Amelie!} stars as Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel.

Sharon Jones + The Dap-Kings

Brad introduced me to Sharon Jones + The Dap-Kings {thanks babe} and it was my errand-running-decluttering-soundtrack-of-the-week. I think this is my favorite track- love the horn section. I had the album in the background as I was cleaning up the kitchen Tuesday night before we watched "Up in the Air" {liked it, didn't love it}. To our surprise, the movie soundtrack began with Sharon Jones + The Dap-Kings- ha! Have an enjoyable weekend...

Doo-Nanny

Did anyone else read this piece in the New York Times about the Alabama artist, Butch Anthony? He lives on 80-acres, built his own home & filled it with his own art.

His folk art/personality reminded me a little bit of the artist in the film Junebug. [great movie- have you seen it?]
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The article also mentioned the Doo Nanny- the annual alt/folk art “micro” festival held on Anthony's property.

{all images from the NY Times}

Salvador Dalí and Disney

~ digital illustration of Salvador Dalí ~

"In 1945, Salvador Dalí and Disney began collaborating on a project that would have been the surrealist's only animated film. With only 18 seconds finished by the original artists, the short was completed in 2003 from storyboards." --- Watch the project HERE.
{thanks for the link, Brad}

The Lives of Others

... enjoyed a dinner party w/ these lovely people on Saturday night
... around Chicago not Door Co., WI.

Congratulations on your book deal, Vana!!
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... congratulated dear college friends on the birth of baby Siena
... Nashville, TN proved to be a bit too far to bring over a casserole :)

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... had a lazy Sunday chat/visit with Brad's old coworker + his family
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... and watched this film. so good.
Did you have a nice weekend???

the holidays

We had a quiet Christmas Eve in Chicago... he worked 1/2 day, she cooked, cleaned and called some family & friends. We watched Kitchen Stories, a quirky Norwegian film.

On the 25th, we went to Brad's grandparents' house and celebrated Gideon's 1st Christmas{day}. cute, cute. A pretty low-key afternoon/evening. I called down to the North Georgia Mountains & chatted with the nephews... and additional family members. {The boys are older now but that creekside picture is so darn cute!}

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My parents' gave me a gift certificate for a {speciality} cooking class. fun! Brad received a gift certificate to the board game store. :) And you can never go wrong with cash. We participated in a Secret Santa exchange with Brad's immediate family... board games, CDs, interesting new artwork, LAIKA Cosmonaut dog! Hoodie ... nerd points. And that includes the 2010 NPR calendar in my kitchen. ha! {thanks Joslyn}

Truth

{slow start... gorgeous song}


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Happy New Year! ... back from a blogging pause. Wow, 2010.

truth: The holidays are difficult for me, at times (family stuff). But New Year's is easily one of my favorite days of the year. For the past several years, we've spent New Year's Eve/Day with some assortment of studio friends.

We rang in 2010 with Joah and Candace. They visited family in MI for Christmas... dropped by Chicago for a few days... and left for Nashville, TN this morning. It was -6 degrees w/ the wind chill this morning... but that's another story- brrrrr! I never brought out my camera. lame. (They'll be married 2 yrs. this summer)


truth: We played a lot of board games over the long weekend. A LOT. And made meals together, listened to music, watched a great animated short, caught up w/ life stories, discussed career possibilities, had Sunday brunch with another college friend in the city, napped, read ... caught winter colds. Aside from the last part, it was a relaxing start to 2010.

"But friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life; and thanks to a benevolent arrangement of things, the greater part of life is sunshine." -Thomas Jefferson

Ralphie

Ralphie ornament ...

Christmastime in the Midwest brings to mind the movie- A Christmas Story. We watched it a lot growing. My parents even own a Leg Lamp (which they proudly display in their front window). The film has so many classic scenes.

I went on a solo 'L' ride & checked out The Renegade Holiday Fair this afternoon. I listened to my favorite Christmas album en route & modeled my new upcycled cashmere mittens {thank you Rebekah!}. Adding to the festive mood, I put up our Little Fake Christmas Tree last night. Working against the festive mood, we watched No Country for Old Men afterwards. Hmmm.
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The indie fair was unbelievably crowded but I prevailed and found some beautiful Christmas gifts. I have a tight budget and a small list of recipients this season; so I wasn't too overwhelmed. It was 1-part Christmas shopping and 1-part gallery opening. :) Just about every artist had an Etsy shop.
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A few pieces I admired...

--Screenprinted posters {... and a musician I like!}:
--Handmade dolls... and their photobooth antics:

--Homemade snowflake soap {scented with vanilla and sugar}:
--Animal Track ID Memory Game Set:
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I bought myself a birch wood picture holder. I will mention a few other finds later this month { ... after gifts are opened}.

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Movie recommendation ... as long as you can handle subtitles. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly was one of the best movies we've seen in awhile.

Harvest

“He that has a good harvest must be content with a few thistles.”
~Spanish Proverb

We had a friend over for dessert and board games last night. The setting was medieval Spain and my Grande was victorious. A couple times a month, we gather for a meal, games and divvy out the contents of our CSA share. It's a remarkable thing to eat seasonally. And since we're in the season of Thanksgiving, I'd like give thanks to our farmer. I made a simple apple/cinnamon/sugar bake as a topping over French vanilla ice cream. Our friend brought {gluten-free} brownies.
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I am attempting to be content with a few thistles. I've applied to several positions as of late. Given the current economy, it seems like my resume is a spit in the bucket. I don't know if I can handle another response of "we've received many interested candidates ... thank you for your interest... you seem to be overqualified"... or some combination thereof. The entire process is hugely depressing, is it not? ugh. thistles... Though I am grateful for the kind hearts and playfulness of children. I went to the park with my nanny kiddos yesterday and the chilly autumn air was refreshing.
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Brad + I have been invited to a quaint Irish pub gathering Saturday night. I love that scene in the movie, "Once", when they ride the motorcycle along the stunning Irish coastline. breathtaking.


Take care.

Sunday vignette

Last Sunday's fall date...

We walked around the Bluff Spring Fen Nature Preserve. The fen is located at the edge of the old Bluff City Cemetery. creepy!


We went to a matinee of "Where the Wild Things Are." {Very enjoyable but don't take young children. Too dark} Early dinner.


And then met and cuddled with our new little nephew, Gideon. :)

In These Arms

You'll have to pause the background blog music {scroll down} but I assure you this clip/song is eqally as beautiful and contemplative. :) The Swell Season has a new album coming out, "Strict Joy." It is their follow-up album to the enormous success of their little film, "Once." The video is a snippet of Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova's performance on NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts. You can watch the 34 minute session here.

Away We Go

Brad and I watched the arty film "Away We Go" yesterday. After a weekend of feeling sick/blah and attempting to work on some projects (she: sewing new curtains; him: working on original board game art), it was a relaxing pause.
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Thinking about new beginnings {movie reference}... today, we're anxiously awaiting news on whether we'll be aunt + uncle to a wee little nephew or niece. :) yeah! Saying a little prayer that Racquel's delivery goes alright... {Print from Sarah Jane Studios.}

The Autumn

'Tea with the Pumpkin King' print. Love it.
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We're feeling a bit under the weather around these parts. Something is going around the office & my nanny kiddos' school. It is supposed to be a cool and rainy weekend in Chicago. I even heard mention of possible snow flurries Sunday night. {what??} Hmmm. The boy & I have a good excuse to be sleepy bums and art-project buddies. And hot tea and movie watching chums.
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If you haven't noticed, I posted some background music of a group I've been listening to a lot lately. Balmorhea. Most of the background sounds are from their 'Rivers Arms' album; Pitchfork gave it a pretty good review.
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Did you see Jim & Pam getting married on The Office this evening? :) Awww... perhaps the cutest couple on TV.

Have a nice weekend...

Country Caravan

This song seems fitting for a road trip post. Brad + I drove down to Nashville, TN with our friends, Jenn and little Rin. They were in town visiting family.



WE... Had a picnic lunch break in Columbus, Indiana.
{First Christian Church ~designed by Eliel Saarinen}
LOVE this building. I even mentioned it in my very first blog post.



Explored parts of Downtown Nashville.



Played with little Rin. Ah, I miss that happy boy...



Brad and I went to a movie {loved it!} and walked around the Opryland Hotel.



Toured the Frist Center for the Visual Arts {beautiful building!} and made art. The Chuck Close exhibit was fascinating.


Checked out our friends' living arrangements.
{Joah + Candace's take on "American Gothic"}



And we spent a good deal of time catching up on each other's lives. We've known one another for about ten years now...
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On the way home, Brad + I visited Fort Massac State Park. Several years ago, I worked at an architecture firm in downtown Chicago- as part of my degree requirements. I supported the project manager of the Fort Massac reconstruction project. However, I came in quite late to the project and never actually visited the site. The story of the fort is rather interesting but the park itself was a little bit of a let down. I had it pictured in my mind to be much grander... oh well.

I realize I'm late to the buzz about this film, but have you seen Doubt?? The film is an adaptation of the John Patrick Shanley stage play "Doubt: A Parable." The play won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. What a powerful piece. It still has me thinking... and I watched it last Friday.

VARMINTS

I was asked to be one of the teaching leaders {paid!} at a 2-week church camp downtown. My themes include environmental stewardship and community development. It is fairly new to the program this year as they are trying to integrate a "green" component into the camp curriculum. My first of three sessions was this past Monday. I had the younger children and we read "VARMINTS" {by Helen Ward and Illustrated by Marc Craste}. I love this book! It reminds me a lot of movie "Wall-E", for reference.

After a brief story discussion, I led them on a 2-MILE! "urban nature hike" from the cathedral campus to the zoo. The story is fairly brief but Ward breaks it into three sections. The second chapter has a bit about "...little pieces of wilderness." THIS was the theme of our trek. Myself, along with my two adult volunteers, led the children around the city... across city intersections... along residential streets... through bits of Lincoln Park... attempting to stay hydrated... and exploring this concept of "little pieces of wilderness." I asked the children to find examples along our walk.
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I recently learned that "VARMINTS" has been made into a 24 minute film. You can watch the trailer here.