THE KING'S SPEECH

This is an amazing movie and we are off to see it for the third time tonight, our grandson has asked to see it with us. Addressing the subject of speech impairment provides an awareness of the many obstacles of frustration that children and adults face trying to express their thoughts and needs clearly.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR CHICKEN IS SICK

I have been watching our chicken, Reddy for the past few days. She has not seemed like herself, quite slowed down and not keeping up with the other chickens. After careful examination, I could find nothing wrong, so I spent alot of time just observing her. They say that when you suspect an illness, the sick chicken should be separated from the rest of the flock, but since nothing was apparent, I felt that the fresh air and sunshine and scratching around were the best therapy. Today she was better, just a little careful leaving the coop door and trailing behind the others, but she was more active and did take her own dust bath in the afternoon (total relaxation therapy for chickens). It was probably just Reddy's way of getting used to the change in seasons, after being cooped up most of this long winter and the excitement that Spring brings was probably so overwhelming to her!

BLACK HISTORY CELEBRATION - FRIENDS AND FAMILY REUNION

We look forward to the last weekend in February as the special time that we visit with friends at the Annual Black History Celebration. It is an opportunity to experience warm fellowship, music, dance, inspirational speakers and of course, delicious food!

GETTING READY FOR SPRING!

Yesterday, we racked the mulch off of the herb garden, fixed birdhouses and filled the feeders. It won't be long until the birds' return!

ON THE VERGE

ART OF THE NJ STATE HOUSE

The NJ State House maintains an extensive collection of art, from the oil portraits of each NJ Governor which line the rotunda gallery to the woodcarvings, rug and chandelier in the Assembly Room. The piece that I enjoy most is the Boehm Porcelain in the Legislative Wing corridor. This sculpture is named, "The Glory of New Jersey" and is a one of a kind porcelain which displays all of our state symbols. Male and female goldfinches, the honey bee, purple violets, and the red oak are all represented here in this amazing sculpture.

LINCOLN VISITS THE NJ STATE HOUSE

President's Day was spent at a reenactment of Lincoln's address to the NJ Legislature.

BINDING MY TRAVEL PHOTOS

I am finally getting around to finishing the bookbinding for my photos of dear England. I took over 500 pictures and have been making several books to house them in, the largest being 11" x 14". I have separated the photos according to town: London, Gorleston, Great Yarmouth and Norwich. The final book will be on the genealogy, that is the most time consuming. It is an overwhelming process, so I must do it "in-between projects!"

INDOOR GARDENING

Who could resist those adorable Bonsai plants on a cold winter day! They give a jump start to Spring and brighten up the indoor scene. The elephant ear bulbs were also in and it is good to stock up on them before they sell out in April. Marie chose a Sago Palm Bonsai and Chris chose a Ponytail Bonsai and several bulbs. Marie is taking hers back to Brooklyn on the train.

JAPANESE TEA GARDEN

The last exhibit that we visited yesterday at the Philadelphia Museum of Art was the Japanese Tea Garden. I am so glad that we saw it before catching our bus back to NJ. I always leave with such a feeling of peace and contentment and inspiration. Careful examination of their bamboo fence design has motivated me to start thinking about bamboo utilization in my new yoga room in the barn that I am planning for the Spring!

THE HOLIDAY AND MUSEUM BUS TRIP

It was a beautiful day for a drive along the seashore heading up to the Highlands for a girls' night of movies and great food. After dinner at the Marina Diner, we settled in for a night of movies ("The Holiday" with Cameron Diaz & Kate Winslet) and feasted on unusual snack combinations
which included chocolate eclairs, bagel pretzels with spinach dip, chips and salsa, goldfish and chardonnay. In the morning, we headed for Brookdale for our bus trip to the Philadelphia Art Museum. We spent the early part of the day at the public tour of African American Art and the large scale paintings from India. Then across the street on the shuttle to the Perelman Building, with its beautiful art deco exterior ornament (office building transformed into museum annex)
to see "The Peacock Male: Exuberance and Extremes in Masculine Dress".

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!