Snoooowww!!!

There is nothing like a snow day. Especially for a dog. Stanley LOVES snow, he leaps and dives in the snow, coming up covered in the stuff. We ran outside in the morning when we saw some neighbors walking by with their dogs, so they could play a little in the alley. No worries that a car could come.
Our street is virtually undrivable, the parked cars are covered halfway up the doors, and that is before the plow piles more on. Snowdays like this happen very infrequently in Chicago. We do not get nearly as much snow here I we did growing up on the other side of the lake, Midwesterners put down there heads and bear through most snow storms and the city is fully equiped to handle large amounts of snow. So waking up this morning to large drifts (the one by the garage is five feet tall!), and hearing that the city had grounded to a halt the night before was a little surreal. The radio hosts on NPR were playing old stories to fill in for other hosts that couldn't make it in to work.

So our day becomes marked with shoveling. Mike shovels, has breakfast as the snow continues to fall. Then before lunch goes out and shovels again. Mid-afternoon a walk and more shovelling. Time for hot chocolate, tea and cookies. It all makes me long for the days of Little House on the Prairie, which always makes the winter sound like an idyllic time, as long as everyone is safe inside!

But here in Chicago in 2011, we get only a day of respite, of winter wonderland before we have to return to our go, go, go lives. But for the moment I'm just trying to live in the moment. Lucky Stanley has no problem with that, he is loving every minute.

I Love Lists

I keep a lot of lists. From the basic to do and grocery lists, to gift ideas and things I wish I had in my wardrobe. If I come up with two things that I think should be a list, I cannot stop thinking about them until I write them down. My new 2011 planner is quickly becoming filled with them.

Some of my favorite lists are the ones that have to do with my crafting goals. I keep one of specific project I want/need to make and another that lists the different techniques I want to master. Because my knitting and such hold so much joy, planning and dreaming about the next thing is blissful, and will often help speed me through a project that may have become stale-feeling.

So with my mania about lists, you can imagine my delight at reading a friend's blog about creating a yearly list of achievable goals and dreams. I immediatly want to pull out my planner and begin my own. But this is not as easy as most of the lists I write, which usually come about because I think of line-items organically. Starting with an concept, is much, much harder.

I started with the crafting front because this area is one I am constantly making goals for. In my knitting, I want to delve into the art of intarsia. This is a very difficult kind of colorwork that requires concentration and a relaxed, even tension. I also want to create a sub-section of my website (which I currently use for resume purposes) for showing off my knitting. Lastly, crafting-wise, I want to create some original letterpress designs. They may be for my use only, but exploring this creative outlet should be VERY fun!

Thinking about my professional development, I would like to begin studying the art of oral history more closely, and most of all do some interviews. I want to develop my voice as a professional librarian and start writing about the things that catch my attention, too.

For my non-crafting free time I have a few ideas. I want to try growing brussel sprouts in my garden. Walking somewhere (to the train counts) at least 6 days a week is a goal that is a lot harder to stick to during the winter, but I think I am up to the challenge. Reading LOTS of nonfiction, I'm thinking every other book I read, won't be so hard.

Wow, I feel great. Some of these are a little more ambitious, some will require more dilligence, but I truly think they are all doable. Here's to new hopes and lists!

Holiday Highlights

We had a very busy holiday season. Stating with me visiting my mom, mom visiting me, and then Mike's (and my) niece visiting us from Texas. She was a blast to have around and was thrilled when it snowed!

Her and Stanley ran outside to enjoy the cold beauty of those falling flakes. Since it was the holiday season she got her fill of holiday parties where she knew only us. Ending in our annual cookie extravaganza.

There were many beautifl cookies at the end of the night, and I think everyone, even AJ had a good time.

I had to take her to the bean! Which I think she could have stared at for hours. But we had a date with Mike.

He took her ice skating! They had a great time, and apparently it was a good work out too.

We rounded out AJ's visit by going to It's a Wonderful Life a the Music Box. They go all out for this Christmas show, including a sing-a-long with Santa! Everyone gets decked out in their holiday finest and you better remember to bring your bell...

We were really glad that AJ liked the movie, because it is Mike's fav Christmas movie. Before we knew it, it was time to drive to Iowa and reunite her with her family for the holiday. It was great to hang at Bob and Char's and see everyone.

I was on turkey duty for the first time, and I must say that I pulled it off without a hitch.

Mike's favorite part of any visit there is looking at the old photo albums, which he always pulls out. This time Sofia spent some time looking at the old snaps.

But no trip tp Dubuque would be complete without spending at least one night hanging out with Todd, Joe and Jenny at the Hollister household. It was extremely festive and there were lots of new toys for the grownups to play with. The highlight for me was actually knowing the winning question to Trivial Pursuit!

But we weren't done yet, we headed to Michiana for MORE Christmas!

Complete with hats from the Christmas crackers!

My fav gift were these flavored olive oil from Jeremi and Logan. I LOVE THEM! I have only opened the Say WHAT Chili Oil, so far and it has the perfect amount of kick.

It was back to Chicago, just in time for New Years. Hosted by the newly engaged Lindsay and Al.

It was a small quiet affair, and I was glad to be able to catch up with a few friends.

New Years day was spent with yet more friend, out in the burbs for dinner at the Childer's house

I was really excited to see them, and especially to see the stocking I made them hung with care.

But the highlight by far was the announcement from our friends Sara and Mike that they were engaged!!! We were so excited for our friends, and cannot wait to celebrate all of these happy events in the year(s) to come.

Cube and Cushions

These two pieces made for very relaxing lunch hours. The first of which I spent sitting on the three-sided cube by Scott Burton. A surprisingly comfortable perch, from which you can see every other piece in the gallery.

Including the clamshell I enjoyed sitting in previously.

Next I enjoyed what became a new favorite, Good Separation by Long, which I refer to as the pod cushions.

The music written by Stereolab was relaxing and diverting, making for a great knitting.

I actually finished my last stocking in a set of four for the Childers family, which was really exciting. I couldn't resist a photoshoot with another piece, which made a great background for my piece.

The sculpture is make of plastic bags and has a slightly bouncy, grabby texture. Very comfortable to sit on, if awkward to walk on. I was glad to get these stockings done in time for the holidays, which is looking to be a very busy one!

Without You I am Nothing

So much of our culture now concentrates on things that are participatory. It seems that the more we get involved in the virtual world, the more we use them to feel connected to others. Blogs, Facebook wall debates, and voting on our favorite American Idol all make us feel involved an connected to the larger world.

I think this is also why I love the new exhibition at the MCA, "Without You I am Nothing." Art that engages has its roots in the 1960's, this show ranges from that era to today. Many of the pieces in the show are from the MCA collection, and it is nice to see these old friends again. But even beyond that, the power of this show are how these pieces beg for a connection. The idea is that all these pieces gain new dimensions of meaning when engaged by the viewer. It is a case of, if the art exists in the forest, where no one can see it, does it mean anything. And the curators take the stance that these pieces mostly don't. (In the pic above take special note of the clam shell, it will come into play later.)

I have a little bit of an extra thrill when looking at this exhibition, beyond loving the pieces. I assisted a curatorial intern to find quotes from each artist to be included in the labels:

It was very cool to see such a direct result of my work/time at the MCA library. Very cool.

Speaking of old friends,

Who doesn't love Koons's rabbit? It is gorgeous, and adorable, and literally awesome.

So many pieces in this exhibit must be experienced to really get the impact of the art. I plan on spending part of my lunch hour every day I am at the MCA enjoying this show.

To that end this week I took my knitting and sat in the clam shell. It really requires you to lay down, and as you enter the shell, you realize that there are gentle ocean sounds emanating from the center of the piece. When you lay back, the effect is extremely calming and almost womb-like. The ultimate relaxation break. The pic here is my point of view while laying in the shell. I look forward to sharing a pic of the POV from each piece which can be sat on, because the clam shell is not the only one. This is another thing which I believe truly thrills in an art museum--"You mean I can touch it!? I can sit on it!?" Wow, who can resist!? I for one often have to resist the urge to touch sculptures, which often seem to be begging for a caress. This exhibit has plenty of pieces you must still resist the urge (the Koons bunny), but pieces like the clam shell are a welcome respite, in more ways than one.

A Family of Art

I was very excited to act on the inspiration the education department gave me at their intern talk and volunteer at the MCA's November Family Day last weekend. I was assisting with a project called the Art Telescope. Kids were given cardboard boxes in their unfolded state, they were asked to paint them as fully and as abstractly as they wished.

Once the paint was (mostly) dry we volunteers folded up and taped up the boxes, with the painting on the inside. Because of holes that were already cut in the boxes, the kids could peek in from different angles and see what their work looked like from a completely different perspective than they had when they painted it. It was very creative and fun.

I loved getting paint on my hands and helping the kids. It was interesting to see all the different styles the kids had and styles of parenting the parents had. But even though it was fun, and I could have kept doing it all day, I was glad when my shift ended and I could check out all the other fun things going on around the museum.

In the 2nd floor annex there were performances by ensembles either completely, or at least featuring, kids and teens. It was great to listen to this very accomplished jazz ensemble of young musicians.

The third floor also had some arty activities, the most visually stimulating being the dress up area. Big squares of color-sorted clothes for kids to try on and get their picture taken in. I loved this little girl with a mulit-layer cape.

Family Day at the MCA was just as fun as I hoped it would be. And the atmosphere was truly like a big block party. Definitely a community, or even better a huge extened family. I will look forward to going back, and hopefully bringing some more people with me.

Halloween Magic

Can you see the witch? I loved this drawing when I passed it a couple weeks ago. Classic witch.

We had a good Halloween.

We were the Honeymooners with another couple (Al and Lindsay, aka Ralph and Alice). My "character's" name was Trixie, which Mike decided is going to be his new nickname for me.

On my own, most people thought I was supposed to be Peggy from Madmen. But no matter, wearing vintage clothes is a favorite past-time of mine, so though this was not so much of a recognizable costume for me, it was fun.

Where were we, you might ask. Well our dear friend, Cindy, has her birthday party every year on the closest Saturday to Halloween. This means we all have a fabulous Halloween party to attend every year. This year was the most fabulous yet, a private room at Fat Cat with lots of yummy snacks, candy and friends.

Thanks Cindy! (She's the lovely sinorita on the right, Cindy's fellow flamenco dancer on the left is Meg)

Their husbands were hilarious as a Chilean miner and the rescue pod.


They weren't the only Chileans in attendace here is another miner with his loving mistress.




We were also exceedingly lucky to have visitors from the west--our good friends Maria and Diane (aka Lady Gaga and Cleopatra) came back from San Francisco for the party!

We were so happy to have them stay with us. We have missed them so, it was great to hang out for two whole days. (Here with Maria, Diane and me is Megan, who makes one cute alien.)

I have to say that one of the funnest and most magical things about Halloween is how people in costume are normal and people in street clothes look strange. You see someone out of costume and they turn your head, like What the Heck!?! Isn't that funny? What a magical night it is, when the fun of make-believe reigns!

But sooner or later the good times had to end. We took one last picture before the last of us went home.

Speaking of magic, I wanted to mention this great children's book I recently finished.

A wonderful adventure about the power that books can have to transport a reader, the book in the story actually transports three children into the world of books they had read. The children are about 7, 9 and 11, giving the story parts that many children can relate to. However, there is one scene where the oldest girl innocently wonders at her changing body, so I wonder whether this should only be recommend for older children. But I enjoyed it and it was a fun read for anyone who likes to get nostalgic about memories of lazy summer days past.