Lego Art

The most ambitious display at the Morris Museum when we visited was the "brick art" of Nathan Sawyca.  The artist actually glues each piece of his lego art together and if he wants to undo it, a hammer and chisel are required.  His work is amazing!

This artist self-portrait was probably my favourite piece at the Morris Museum display.  If you want to check him out, try this link:    http://brickartist.com/category/gallery/                                                                             

Morris Museum

I am a fan of the Morris Museum located in Morristown, NJ.  We went for a visit on Jan. 2 this year, basically to view the lego art.  What a treat!  The museum, during this particular visit was very kid-friendly with the lego art, a wonderful model train/town display, storybook "trees" created by kids, a permanent dinosaur discovery area and a small wildlife display with a lego play area adjacent  to it.  I plan to do a post about the lego art if I ever figure out how to do that!  Took lots of pictures - not sure if it's legal to post them.  I'd recommend this museum if you're in the area - to me it really beat the Crayola Museum in Easton, PA and was considerably cheaper.  Maybe not quite as kid-friendly, however!  Some good photos of the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy on display as well and there's an unusual collection of early musical playing devices and automatons as well.   Check it out if you're in the area.  

The Table

 I purchased this table as an impulse buy about 2 months ago and have wondered from time to time if it was a good idea.  It's going to be a table that will need vacuuming, if the boys pull it over on themselves they'll be killed, and if anything spills into the grooves of the leaves it's going to be a nightmare to clean!  However, it's a work of art.  I've been away for three weeks and I'd actually forgotten about it.  It looks great in the room and I REALLY like it.  So with all the analysis I've done about this table, I think I've finally accepted it as a wise move.  Happy New Year, everyone!

Mary Maxim Moves to New Millenium

 I know that there are lots of people still knitting Christmas socks out of old Mary Maxim patterns but I just got sent this picture from NJ and I'm very happy to see that these Christmas stockings still stand up!  We're now on the second generation and it appears that this is one old tradition that intends to last in our family.  I guess if something remains for two generations in this fast-changing world, well, I'd have to call it a tradition.  Happy Christmas, all!

December Gardening

Other than my year in Isle of Man, I can't recall doing any gardening in December.  Today, I dug the carrots. This event took place because I fear the colder weather arriving and we won't have snow cover.  We seem to be on the fringes of the snow area, although tonight's forecast says that it is coming.  We shall see if it arrives.  If it does, fine.  My carrots are cleaned and currently stored in the fridge.  Plan to make a carrot, cashew and curry soup later in the week.  Nice to have 9 gardening months here in the Kootenays.

Remembrance Day, 2013

I'm always a little surprised at how many younger people will come out to honour Remembrance Day.  In Kaslo, there is about a 15 minute outdoor commemoration with the placing of a number of wreaths around the cenotaph.  Yesterday we had a beautiful sky day, with a very brisk wind off the lake, and fairly cool temperatures.  People stood respectfully and watched.  Following this, many people go into the Legion Hall for a more formal "service" with some music, an address, and the national anthem and a prayer or two.  I find it refreshing that young families will bring fairly young children to this event - not many, but there are a few.  I was also pleased to see the degree of respect shown by adolescents and youngsters who attended the outdoor ceremony.  In fact, I only heard one cell phone ring twice just before the Kuimba choir was about to sing.  There were actually considerably more people at the Remembrance Day service than showed up to support our protest over the cancellation of 24/7 ER care here in Kaslo.  Interesting.

Thanksgiving, 2013: Flying Solo

Dave left for Nepal on the eve of Thanksgiving weekend so it has been a very different weekend for me!  I didn't cook a turkey, nor bake a pumpkin pie.  I did buy a pumpkin pie in Trail and have been enjoying it in bits over the entire weekend.  Not as good as homemade, however.  Had a great run with Jennifer on Saturday a.m. and then spent Saturday p.m. reading and snoozing in the armchair.  Headed off to the launch of Requiem for A Glacier at the Langham - will have to revisit it because it was CROWDED!  Sunday, I made squash soup for my Thanksgiving supper and it was divine.  Thanks to Gerry and Pete Burgess for that recipe so many years ago and thanks to the earth for growing those great squash!  I planted spring bulbs on Sunday p.m.  Today, I did more work in the garden, had a nice run around Mirror Lake and rode my bike into Kaslo to see my hospice client.  Even got to watch some of the movie, Secretariat, while holding her hand. Whenever  I visit, I'm always thankful for the good health of my parents, both mentally and physically.  I had a fine conversation with my Dad on Sunday.    I'm ever so thankful for the beauty of the land where I live.