SHOPPING THE PAPER SOURCE

One of my favorite stores to visit in Princeton is the Paper Source. But it is not a good place to take husbands and children. You have to fully immerse yourself in the visual experience without distraction and confusion. I love to browse the handmade paper collection, printed in 1 - 4 color silkscreen or handblocked. I usually zero in on one color (red today) and go from there. The prices are on the back ranging from $4.00 to $20.00 a sheet, 20" x 30". They also have a complete bookbinding area, it is a shop that you can spend a half a day in!

MAKING THE TOY THEATRE

Today we went to Princeton with my grandson, Christopher for his ear doctor visit. We usually get an early morning appointment and spend the rest of the day on Princeton University campus. After lunch at the student center, we went to the Cotsen's Children's Library, a very special place for the imagination. The current exhibition, "Making the Toy Theatre" shows the wonderful work of Henry James Webb, English puppeteer and toy theatre maker. The creative process from drawing of the figures to the final ornamentation of the puppets using elaborate metal tinseling is featured in three large displays. Sadly, it is a forgotten children's past time of the 19th Century, when families would sit in front of the fireside for an evening of pantomine and toy theater.

MORE SHAKESPEARE

VALENTINE BREAKFAST & PUTTING AWAY THE HOLIDAY DECORATIONS

Fred and I packaged up our last minute Valentine's presents to take to the post office. But before they opened, we had a Full Valentine Breakfast at Connie's, our favorite early morning restaurant. We had eggs, pancakes, homefries, toast and coffee at our favorite table and talked about Spring plans and the day's activities of taking down the Holiday decorations.

LOVE BEADS AND LOVE!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY to all my Sweethearts on this wonderful Day of Love! I enjoy looking at all of the mementos of years gone by, including my appleseed love beads, circa 1968. Love to all on this perfect day!

Bamboo Geek: Bamboo pruning tip: 'Legging Up' gives bamboo that classic look

Bamboo Geek: Bamboo pruning tip: 'Legging Up' gives bamboo that classic look

STARTING HERBS

It is never too early to start herbs indoors. I have thyme and basil in containers and have just started catnip seeds this weekend. It won't be too long before we can get outside and start getting the ground ready!

POSTERS WITH HEART

THE POET OF LOVE

One of my favorite poets is Walt Whitman. I was fortunate enough to find an illustrated, slip-cased copy of LEAVES OF GRASS at my used book store. This replaces my well-worn, paperback with the missing cover. It is a large edition with fine black and white lithographs and in quite good condition, and it was only $4.00! In the introduction, Whitman's masterpiece is referred to as a love letter to every reader. It is a proposal to the individual's love and respect of self, as in
"Song of Myself"-
I CELEBRATE MYSELF, and sing myself,
And what I assume, you shall assume,
For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.

CLEANING THE STUDIO AND SQUIRREL WATCHING

I am attempting to get my studio cleaned and in order. There are many boxes and old mat board waiting to be recycled and I must make room for a new shipment of frames, there is just so much space available! Smokey Siamese has made my silkscreen area into a watch perch for squirrels. Even though I can spend hours organizing, I am never alone!

VALENTINE ELEGANCE!

The big day of romance and love is approaching...

BROOKDALE ART DEPT - 1989

The white iris has been cultivated since ancient times and may be the oldest iris in cultivation. It originated in Yemen.

ALICE'S BIRTHDAY!

Birthday Wishes and Love!

GOLDEN EGG BREAD

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, lightly spray large loaf pan. The ingredients for a large, lovely loaf are:
1 package yeast
3/4 cup warm water
3 cups white flour
1/2 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1/4 cup olive oil
pinch of salt

Stir yeast in warm water and set aside in a warm place for ten minutes. Place yeast mixture in bread maker, then add flour, sugar, eggs, olive oil and salt. Knead on manual setting then remove and place in bread pan, cover with towel and place in warm area for 45 minutes-1 hour.
When bread is finished rising, place in oven and bake for 30 minutes. Cool before removing from pan.

THE COLOR OF LOVE

RED is the color of Love. In Chinese tradition, red is believed to bring good fortune. The Chinese Wedding Chair is filled with auspicious symbols and the bride wears the color red.
"There is not a moment of stillness in all creation. If we understand the changelessness of things, then all things, including ourselves, have no end." (Su Shih)

THE EXQUISITE ART OF HAITI

Haiti's complex history, traditions and
culture are represented in the genius
and spirit of Haitian art. The Ritual Flag commemorates a specific saint or spirit. It is composed of 20,000 sequins and beads on a satin background and took over two weeks to complete.

The narrative painting by Haitian Artist, J. Durosaire depicts everyday life in the mountain village. It is exquisite in color and detail, a joyful story of community.

FEBRUARY STYLE

Hot tubs can be brutal on bathing suits, mine were so embarrassingly faded, so I decided to invest in several new ones today. I love the sarong type leopard print, it looks great on and I also chose a basic black to go with my yoga pants. Both were on sale, everything seems to be on sale for Valentine's Day. I couldn't resist buying earrings and sunglasses to go with them, pearls in pastel shades of pink to smokey grey and rhinestones in crystal blue, purple, pink and white.

GARDEN OF LOVE - FEBRUARY

February, the Month of Love, will be dedicated to loved ones, special times, places and objects of affection. After all, "Love Conquers All!"

Garden of Love. Engraving, 1450, France.
The scene is the garden of love, a man offers his lady a goblet of wine, other young couples play cards, make music or caress. It is a perfect landscape of woods, meadows and fairy-tale castles. Bottles of wine are cooling in the brook and a meal is being served.

GROUNDHOG DAY

I am sure those little guys will not venture out tomorrow, it is thick hard snow, and nothing green for them to eat, let them rest, see you in the Spring!