AIC: Art + Appetite

This is the garden at the Art Institute of Chicago.   The Autumn colors continue to show off!    

It was raining - so kept the camera under the umbrella ; )

The vines on the blocks were screaming colors!

As were the trees in the gardens ...

Facing Michigan Avenue ...

I visited a few galleries:

The Mezzotints of Hamanishi Katsunori + Japanese Art of the 1960s

Violence + Virtue:  Artemisia Gentileschi's Judith Slaying Holofernes  on loan from Florence.   I have a book on this female artist - should read it this winter!

Dreams and Echoes:  Drawings + Sculpture (David + Celia Hilliard Collection).  Nice drawings in the current selection, personal favorite - Millet.

When the Greeks ruled Egypt

(mask is incredible!)

Spent the majority of my time in the Art + Appetite:  American Painting, Culture, + Cuisine Exhibit.   Regenstein Hall.   A wonderful exhibit, gotta love Claes Oldenburg's beans.    When I exited, I craved fresh fruit!   (perhaps with a little wine and cheese, would have been nice, too)     

I enjoyed the 2pm lecture and managed to get 

a lot of reading done (short stories) on both of the commuter train rides.

Picked out some post cards and note cards (picture below) ---

btw, see the still life above?   They had actual sugar bowl

and pitcher in the display case next to the painting.   It was fabulous to see

the painting + compare with the actual objects!

I'm looking forward to seeing the Holiday Thorne rooms ... and, over-the-moon excited about the Neapolitan Creche to be on display soon.    " The Art Institute’s crèche features over 200 figures—including no less than 50 animals and 41 items of food and drink  "           AND    " Due to the fragility of the original silk costumes and exquisite embroidery, the Neapolitan crèche can only be on view for a few weeks every year. "     

Saturday ....

Following a wonderful Carrickmacross Class [taught by Anne Reaves] ... 

DH + I Enjoyed the 2pm tour at the Indianapolis Museum of Art.   The exhibit, Matisse, Life in Color, was colorful and impressive.    Should time permit, don't hesitate to visit and see the collection.   

The last Matisse exhibit I saw with with DS in 2010.   It was at the Art Institute of Chicago.   While it is always a challenge to compare - there are good things in all exhibits, I have to admit the pieces in Indianapolis were just spectacular.   

More information on the IMA Web site, Link HERE.   Thank you Baltimore Museum of Art for sharing!   

Before our entry time, for Matisse tour, we enjoyed a quick peek at some fav paintings ... namely,

Claude Monet Charing Cross Bridge

John Sharman At the End of the Porch

[I want to live on this porch]

Amedeo Modigliana The Boy

We enjoyed our visit to the IMA.   The Bald Cypress Trees were show-offs!!!   The sky so blue [think Florida blue sky] and trees just starting to shed:

Photos taken in front of the Museum before we entered.    

Delighted to hear from DD, while in the Gabor Peterdi special exhibit - intricate etchings & marvelous colors!, and, arranged to meet her at Oliver Winery!

As we arrived ahead of her, we picked up our club order and then took the tour.   Was interesting to go behind the store and learn more about wine production.   I enjoyed the barrels - photos in THIS POST on their blog.   Especially the oval ones == $35,000.00 ones, photos in their blog post.   I think they are just So large and beautiful!

We were getting scores from the Football game, on DH's phone.   Game at Indiana University.

and decided to drive on campus for Mother Bear's Pizza + Starbuck's coffee to go.

Again, Cypress trees showing off!

and other trees in Autumn color.   We parked at the Union and the game was in the final quarter.   Nice to walk around & see the autumn colors in the trees --- went to get pizza / get a table before the fans arrived following the game.   

And, I.U. won their game [against Illinois].   Seemed quite festive around campus.

Enjoyed spending time with DD + was sad to leave for drive home.

A new bag

Oh so pretty in Autumn colors.  One of my GFs has a 

brand new bag.

This moda fabric sews like a dream.  Maybe it was because

I changed the sewing machine needle, or used Coats & Clark

brand new thread -- Really like the outcome.

Before I started sewing, I cleared off the desk - needed space

for cutting.   Well, almost everything.    

I like having the toys around,  they make me happy,

i-pod, headphones, sewing machine, + project going, BLISS....

and cannot forget, supervisor - Jasper.

once the i-pod battery runs out ... time to quit.

Lucky me ...

 Have you visited Rebeckah's blog, Rose Creations?

I am a new follower to her blog.   Check it out -- Rose Creations, handmade by Rebeckah.

She is very creative + an endless talent for making things!!!   She had a scrap box / Summer giveaway & I was happy when I heard from Rebeckah, that I was a winner of her scrap box ...

I received a box at the post office, and when open .... all these goodies popped out!

Thank you Rebeckah!!!

She has a better photo on her post --- HERE.

Imagine me, going thru all the fabric pieces - multiple colors and patterns!

Oh what fun --- have my iron plugged it ...

week-end went too quickly ....

Jasper keeping my sewing machine seat warm ....

I won a giveaway & the box of goodies arrived [photos to follow in another post].

Last night, DH and I went into Chicago, listening to the hockey game

on the radio ..... went to the

[tee shirt -- gotta have one!]

City Winery [couple blocks from Harpo Studio].

We went to the 2nd, 10pm show

for Margo Timmins, Cowboy Junkies.

I could listen to their music all night!   Anyhow, got so

swept up in her voice, the band, their

sound - and forgot to snap a photo while they were performing.  First song --- Sweet Jane.

They performed a couple songs from Kennedy Suite, their Nomad series,

and song, West of Rome [I think that was the title], song from their

first album, song name escapes me [the album before Trinity Session], and of course

Trinty Session album songs.   Walking after Midnight just rocked.   

Nice venue, great sound, perfect seats.

Wine, rose, was ok [I'm spoiled by Oliver Winery].   

Didn't have much traffic to deal with.

Finally a sunny/windy day --- took Tori's stuffed toys

OK, my toys, too --- outside.

Once back inside - all fresh!!! Now to arrange in the

doll beds and top of wardrobe.   Such a fun task to

end the week-end.

Lafayette Lacemakers is having a Carrickmacross Lace Class

following their next meeting.

So, I obtained a couple second hand books - which arrived - and I enjoyed going thru ...

Nellie O Cleirigh

Doris Campbell Preston

Think I'll do better with some hands-on instruction.   

Keeping my fingers crossed Mother Nature cooperates.  Looking forward to the class.

I had made a few bracelets & of course my Mom's broke.

Guess I need more beading instruction!!!!   This time I added double jump rings.

Fixed my Mom's bracelet - and mailed it ... what a week-end.

Time goes quickly.   

Alexander's Fav: Corn Pudding Casserole

One Can:    Cream Style Sweet Corn [14.75 oz]

14.75 oz  [Frozen] Corn

3 eggs, beaten

1 pkg Jiffy Brand:   Corn Muffin Mix

1/2 c Sugar

1 stick of Butter, melted

Combine ingredients.   Bake 375, uncovered 60 min, covered 20-30 min.

Goodreads has been good to me

In yesterday's mail ...

William H Coles

The Necklace and Other Short Stories

I think I'm a short story and historical fiction junkie ...

Still reading:

Daniel A Smith

Storykeeper

Historical Fiction

If you are not familiar, GoodReads has giveaways and

First Reads on their site.   Take a look at what is listed!

I've had a shelf and put some of the books on it that I've read.   It is a challenge 

to read as often as I'd like!!!!!

Recently purchased

Alice Munro's

Dear Life

and finished ...

Debra Dean's

The Madonnas of Leningrad

randoms .....

I had some freshwater pearls, purchased from AIC and Michael's.    Strug them with seed beads and completed five bracelets.    A lot of fun!

Probably should have used jump rings .... maybe I'll remember next time.

Isn't this neat???

front

inside

back

Thx GF!!!!   So Charming!!!!!