darling duckie

art and meaning

Girl in the Yellow Suit by Lisa Golightly

 

“…We see a haystack by Monet, an iris by Van Gogh, or an asparagus spear by Manet and marvel at their presence and spirit and think that these works were about haystacks, irises, and asparagus. Not at all! Monet, Van Gogh, Manet employed haystacks, irises, asparagus to speak of the symphonies of light, the glory of God’s creations, the life force residing in all forms. We care about those paintings more than we care about stacks of hay, flowers, and vegetables because we care more about light, God and life than we do about any of their particular manifestations. Meaning, not beauty, is what we are after. Big, deep, wide meaning.”

~Peter London, from the book No More Secondhand Art

We really like art here in at the Fish Residence. Sometimes I think I buy too much of it but then I remember that there is a lot of value in having art in your home. Billy and I like to meander through museums. Of all the museums in Utah that we love, the Springville Museum of Art tops it. It is a beautiful building full of art with variety and lovely, deep meaning. It may be a little bit of a drive but it is so worth it. (Plus it's free. Woohoo!) We have been waiting for their upcoming art exhibit, the 40th Annual Utah All-State High School Art Show. It should be a good one. (High quality high school and university exhibits are my favorite. So many different styles and techniques. They are searching for their voice and style and it makes for amazing shows)

Most of the art in our home comes from independent artists we find at fairs and on etsy, with the rest of the art coming from my Grandpa Graehl's basement, thrift stores, ikea, and all posters. We collect from anywhere, but I do have to pace myself. Even putting this collection together for you made me want to buy a few paintings while Billy slept (tehehe).

I know very little about technique but I don't think you have to in order to appreciate and feel something through art.

Here are some of my favorite artist. We own some of these prints while the rest are on my wish list.

Who are your favorite artists?

What are your favorite museums?

 

The Kiss by Gustav Klimt

 

Bridesmaids by Cassandra Barney

 

By Vivian Maier

 

Take Me for a Walk by Sarah Jane

 

Voyages Over Edinburgh by David Fleck

 

Justin Hackworth

 

Mother and Child by Cassandra Barney

Mountain View by Ryan Fowler

 

by Dorothea Lange

 

Almond Branches in Bloom by Vincent van Gogh

the day we took Millie to the winter x games

That's right... we took her to the Winter X Games 2012. She begged us to. "Mother dear and Father dear, please let me go where the air is clear and records are broken. I want to see the superpipe in person."

Let me guess... are you asking "What are the X Games?" We keep getting that response. The Winter X Games is an international competition with snowboarding, skiing, mono skiing, and snowmobiling that is held just outside of Aspen, CO. Pro athletes like Shawn White compete. 

We were there for some crazy stuff. Like this: (if you can't tell, this was a pretty big deal... first ever front flip on a snowmobile.)

 

Millie loved it. Except for the very cold air, the late nights, and the fact that she was not allowed to crawl through the crowd. But my, was she was a hit. Everywhere we turned we had people congratulating her on her first Winter X Games. Some people even wanted pictures of her. Not many babies get to experience such a thing as this.

We stayed about an hour outside of Apsen in Glenwood Springs at the Hotel Colorado: a very old, very interesting hotel that has housed such guests as Teddy Roosevelt, Al Capone, Buffalo Bill, and The Unsinkable Molly Brown. We had a huge room (there was actually three rooms, which was perfect for us with Millie) with radiators and big windows and squeeky floor. It was romantic and maybe a little bit haunted.

I spent the first two days of the trip trying to figure out how we could possible move there. Cute little town (very similar to Logan and you know how we love Logan) with very nice people and so much to do (hiking, swimming, skiing and snowboarding, etc.).

We had planned on leaving early so Millie would sleep but of course she just had to wait just before we leave to break out with chicken pox. We survived it though, by stopping along the way and jumping around with her.

All Hallows Eve

We love Halloween. I would say that it is the most wonderful time of the year. And every year we go to the family Halloween party. Everyone dresses up. Adults and kids. Everyone. And this year my family did a theme... Harry Potter. I was Miss Luna Lovegood while Billy was Professor Snape and Little Miss Millie was the Sorting Hat, of course.

Then there was Professor McGonagall and Mad Eye Moody:

And Ginny and Harry:

And Nymphadora Tonks:

With Belatrix Lestrange and Nearly Headless Nick:

an autumn concert

I thought that I would write a little about how to make your experience at the Rooftop Concert on Friday night more enjoyable.

The parking terrace where the magic happens is on the corner of 100 North and 100 West. There will probably be lots of people and lots of signs.

There is an issue with the traffic. As you may or may not have already experienced, there is a bit of ridiculous traffic in the part of Utah that we call Utah County. Most of the freeway there is under construction. Take that into consideration when planning when to go. It gets even more complicated becasue they have shut down the Center Street exit. Plan ahead of time which alternate route you are going to take and it will lessen the stress of the construction considerably.

As it is October and the weather has cooled down significantly in the last couple of days, bring blankets and hot chocolate so that you can cozy up as you enjoy the show. The show starts at 8pm but if you want better seats, get there a little earlier. We like to go out to eat when we are down there because there are some really great places. The Indian Palace is next door to the roof, often tempting us with their savory smells that gently tease our noses. There is also Sammy's, Brick Oven, Bombay House, Sensuous Sandwiches, Demae, and SLB Pizza. For more restaurants, see here and here. Be adventurous and try some place new. Because Will doesn't get off work in time to go out to eat, I am going to make a chowder and pack a picnic so that we can get there early and get good seats.

For more help with things to know about the night, I would read this post by C. Jane, giving her tips on the night. She is one of the planners, so she would now.

This video was created by Mango Productions of one of our favorite concerts from this past summer. It had such a fantastic feel. I think this next one will be similar. (Can you tell I want you to come?)

 

 

the lower lights

Remember how we have been going to the Rooftop concerts?

(It's ok if you don't.)

We are coming up on the last concert of the season. And a great concert it will be.

The band is The Lower Lights (remember this song), a rather eclectic group of musicians that come together and play their version of some well-known and also forgotten hymns. They have a bluegrass feel that will be perfect for the coming fall weather.

Will and I have been waiting for this concert all summer and it is coming upon us. So put it on your calenders: October 7th in the Provo Town Square. Bring your blankets and chairs, your kids (or leave them at home) and come hang out with us. It's good music, free, family friendly, and on a rooftop. What more do you need?

(Plus there are some great places to eat down there before the concert. If you need some ideas, just ask us!)

Hope to see you there.

For more information, visit the official Rooftop Concert Series website... or you can ask me.

Oh yes, and just to get you excited, here are some of my favorites!

Video streaming by Ustream 

 

lavender

Billy and I talk about our life a lot. What fears we have, what things we want out of life, and what is making us happy. We both love being active and feeling like taking care of our bodies and putting good things into them.

But we both love milk shakes and cookies, we (mostly me, though) have a tendency to sleep in too late, and we forget to exercise.

We keep trying though.

And a few weeks ago, we "participated in" the Lavender Fields 5K at the Young Living Farms in Mona, UT. (I say "participated in" with that tone because we ran... and walked. Both. Mostly equally.) It smelled lovely, was beautiful, and was a great way to spend our Saturday morning. Millie even did it with us although she did sleep most of the time. It was a bit bumpy in the stroller but she loved it. She always loves when she is in motion.

pictures pictures and more pictures

The holiday weekend was crazy busy. And fun. And here are some pictures to prove it.

 

the logan trip: gardeners market

One of my absolute favorite places to be, besides a good book store, is the farmers market. All the colors and tastes and people. And Logan has one of the best markets I have been to. Though it is small, it has a great variety of booths that are very unique;the tasty locally made cheese, beautiful wooden toys, the delicate origiami art and jewlery, the wooden flutes. And I have to admit that I like quaint feeling. It feels relaxed, personal, and is not overwhelming. You can spend time at each booth, talking to the vendors about their creations, learning more about the products that they create, sell, and love. It is small enough that you can go see each one, deciding which apples look the juiciest and which flowers are the fullest.

When we lived in Logan, we loved to go each Saturday morning, taking our time, wandering through the market, buying tomatoes at from one vendor, squash at another. We bought almost all our produce at the market.

It was romantic and lovely. And if felt so good to be back.

This booth was my favorite. All the colors, the lovely scarves and adorable skirts. I couldn't help myself. The scarf that I wore to the zoo... that was bought at this booth. {Plus it got photographed the most.}

baby's first concert = rooftop concert series

A few weeks ago Millie was just dying to go to this concert... The Rooftop Concert of The Rooftop Concert Series. The first of the year. She begged and cried and argued and desperately tried to convince us that we needed to let her go. "Child, you are altogether too young to be out making such a ruckus" was our reply. But she persisted. Eventually she got permission but only with the stipulation that we be allowed to accompany her. She grudgingly agreed (grudgingly until she realized that she needed the ride anyway... and that she would not be able to climb the flights of stairs without us).

And that is how Millie got to go to her first concert.

Advertised as "family-friendly," we hoped we weren't making a bad choice in taking our two month old child. We have both been to many a concert and are well versed in how they go down. Drinking, smoking, and general misbehaviour. But true to what they said, it was very family friendly. There were still plenty of hoodlums but it was a pleasant sort of atmosphere... white chinese lanterns swaying above us, sweet music coming from the stage, no one drinking or smoking (including the musicians), with the best backdrop I have ever seen. (In my opinion, the mountains should be used every possible chance: from weekend getaways to drives in the autumn to the scenery for a summer concert series.)The music was wonderful (although it was hard to hear from the back). Paul Jacobsen and the Madison Arm. Fictionist. We were new to them and rather pleasantly surprised.

Altogether, it was a splendid way to spend the evening.

As it is a series, there is more to come. Next month (June 3rd, to be exact) it is happening again. Another evening show while sitting on the rooftop of a parking terrace. 8 PM. Family friendly. FREE (did I mention that? They are all free. We love free.) Downtown Provo. (Can I quickly add that Provo was not my favorite place, but I had never really been there. In the last year of living in Utah County, we have been to a few markets, art shows, restaurants, and now concerts. I can officially say we are being won over by the charm of Downtown Provo. If you need some help being convinced, I will gladly help.) Meaghan Smith and Mindy Gledhill. Should be good.

Millie will surely want to be there. Maybe we will take a little picnic and eat before it all begins.

Yes. I think we will.

 

 

 

 {Oh that cute little stare of Millie's. Get's me every time.}

 

 

 

we missed you

In past book club meetings, more often than not, we have not actually discussed the book, whether it’s because only two people came or only a couple people actually read the book. I knew when I choose Essays of E.B. White that discussion might be a little easier since one does not have to read all the essays to be able to get a sense of Mr. White, his voice and his style. Plus, with a new member joining us this month, I was determined to actually discuss the book. But surprisingly, the discussion came easily.

Needless to say, it was a pleasant couple of hours, sitting in Barnes and Noble café, sipping hot chocolate, eating cookies, and talking about the ever-so-charming Mr. E.B. White and his literary style and writings.  Cozy book. Cozy setting. It was so pleasant that the conversation leaked into other areas, other books and authors of note, travel, and children’s names.

It was wonderful and refreshing and I am excited for next month.

Side Note: I will let you know of the next book as soon as I know what it is. In the meantime, try E.B. White out. I believe you will enjoy him. Review still to come.