AMERICAN LADY BUTTERFLY

The American Lady Butterfly silkscreen print with gold leaf.

SWEET!

Autumn is the time for strawberry jam making. I found these sweet, half-pint Mason jars, which are a anniversary limited edition and plan to use them for Thanksgiving table decorations. I also added my secret ingredient (from the herb garden) for extra accent!

WORLD TRADE CENTER 1985

One of my most interesting projects was the design and illustration of a 24 page book that was produced in 1985 for the NYNJ Port Authority. I remember taking my two young daughters with me to photograph the World Trade Building. It became a family outing, a day to visit all of the places in lower Manhattan that we had talked about. The WTC was filled with eager young school children on their class trip to see the building for the first time. The book would eventually become a promotional piece to be given out to all the school children who toured the building and observation desk. It would be a learning tool to keep them busy on the bus or subway trip back home.

After 911, I forgot about the project until yesterday. My grandson was told to wear red, white and blue to school for a 911 Remembrance Day. I pulled the book and the old sketches out of the file to show him. I told him about the observation deck atop the WTC and how far you could see when looking through the binoculars. I told him that there was a wonderful top floor exhibit designed by one of my favorite illustrators , Milton Glaser, who featured the many different breads of the world, and the trade that influenced them. It opened up a dialogue
of different cultures and understanding, perhaps a learning tool for the future.

JUST LIKE YESTERDAY

Our dear friend Zenia and her wonderful husband Mike visited us yesterday afternoon from Seattle. I last saw Zenia 35 years ago. We met in New Brunswick, NJ, fresh out of college and looking for our first jobs. We had so much fun together, taking Tai Chi classes in the park and making soap, and planning the future. We never lost touch with each other, we corresponded over the miles and yesterday was magical as we caught up on all of life's experiences, just like yesterday, it was perfect!

SPANISH PARADISE EXHIBIT AT THE NY BOTANICAL GARDENS

The Alhambra, a Palace of Moorish grandeur and elegance, is recreated at the NY Botanical Garden. The Alhambra's gardens and architecture represent sophisticated plantsmanship, art and engineering that were the hallmarks of Islamic culture from 711 to 1492. Washington Irving, famous American author, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" visited Alhambra in Granada, Spain in 1859. The following excerpt is from the book, "Tales of the Alhambra"

THE ALHAMBRA BY MOONLIGHT
I have sat for hours at my window, inhaling the sweetness of the garden and musing on the chequered fortunes of those whose history is dimly shadowed out in the elegant memorials around. Sometimes I have issued forth at midnight, when everything was quiet, and have wandered over the whole building. Who can do justice to a moonlight night in such a climate and in such a place! The temperature of an Andalusian midnight in summer is perfectly ethereal. We seem lifted up into a purer atmosphere; there is a serenity of soul, a buoyancy of spirits, an elasticity of frame that render mere existence enjoyment. The effect of moonlight, too, on the Alhambra, has something like enchantment. every chasm of time, every mouldering tint and weatherstain disappears, the marble resumes its original whiteness, the long colonnades brighten in the moonbeams, the halls are illuminated with a softened radiance, until the whole edifice reminds one of the enchanted palace of an Arabian Tale.

Washington Irving
Spring 1859

HAPPY FATHERS DAY

Happy Fathers Day! Fred gets his own very comfy slippers!

THE BEAR POND FERRY

GENEALOGY MADNESS!

I have been immersed in genealogical research for the past few weeks -- no, I was not raptured up. So intent on getting my family tree finished for the big presentation next week for the third grade immigration project! I will be sharing some tips on how to use the internet to find long lost relatives and research family history. With my own family investigation over the last few months, I have discovered and connected several important answers to the puzzle of one missing family - the Garnhams. I was able to trace them through the census, UK village records and the most important document - the family will!

TOMATO POTATO

I came across a fun magazine illustration that I had done years ago. Working from a photo that was given to me from the art director, I rendered the plant as they wanted me to. I never really saw an actual Tomato-Potato Plant, but I think of it every year when I go to get my new crop of tomato plants. Today grandson Chris and I picked out heirloom, cherry and plum tomatos and planted them inside of the bamboo obelisks that we had made. Now we just have to wait until August!

A THOUGHT...

In Buddhism, we are taught to regard all sentient beings as having been our mother at one time or another. Imagining this helps us to develop compassion and kindness towards others.

SENSATIONAL COLOR!

Here is the recipe for Violet Jelly, it is perfect for Mother's Day. The two cups of boiling water are poured over the violets and put into the frig for 24 hours. Then the violets are strained and the infusion left for jelly making.

VIOLET JELLY

2 Heaping cups of fresh violet petals
2 Cups of boiling water
1/4 Cup strained lemon juice
4 Cups of sugar
3 oz. of liquid pectin

As soon as the lemon juice is added to the violet infusion - VOILA! a magnificent color is created!

VIOLET HARVESTIME

There is a profusion of violets this Spring. Lots of thought on how to showcase them, in ice cubes, candied, and of course, violet jelly!

SEASCAPE

TOASTING WITH TEA AND MERLOT

Val and I enjoyed every minute of the Royal Wedding yesterday. We moved from screen to screen celebrating with the same tea that the Queen has for breakfast every morning - Darvilles of Windsor. In the evening we donned our hats and sapphires for Happy Hour and a perfect ending in the hot tub.

BLUE FAIRY

BELVOIR BEACH

We had heard that Tom's brick had been placed on the walk in the park in Beach Haven. It has been a year of missing T.C. so we took the trip on this foggy morning to the park to see the little tribute. Afterwards, we sat on the beach at Belvoir and listened to the ocean and the memories.

SPRING POND

LUNCH AND GENEALOGY

Liz and I had a wonderful visit to Manasquan. Luckily, the thrift store was open and we came away with several unexpected bargains. Liz bought some very cute Spring ornaments and I found a 2 cup teapot to replace the one that had broken. Then on to Surf Taco for lunch, genealogy talk, and what to look for on our visit to the Atlantic View Cemetery. It is always good to have a map of the cemetery that you are visiting. It is never good to rely on memory, but after much scouting, we did find what we were looking for!

SHERRILL

SHERRILL

HAPPY EASTER 2011!

GETTING READY FOR EASTER -INDOORS/OUTDOORS

We are busy inside working on the finishing touches for Easter Dinner. Fred is outside doing the gardening and transplanting. Even the bunny showed up, I suspect he is enjoying some fresh, young bamboo shoots.