Frequent Fountain

Living nearby makes it very easy for frequent visits to this incredible fountain located near Tarrytown, New York on the grounds of "Kykuit" a Historic Home part of the Hudson Valley.

This grand estate of the Rockefellers, a philanthropic family of all time will take you back to a time of the American Dream.

The name Kykuit is a dutch word, meaning birds eye view.  Perched high up on a hill, nestled above the Hudson River in Pocantico Hills is a breathtaking vista.  On this day that I went, it was overcast but ethereal.  The garden is well appointed and cared for with statues placed carefully as though they have always been there.  It was  Nelson Rockefeller who had a knack for placement, only fitting since his mother Abby Aldrich Rockefeller founded the Museum of Modern Art, MOMA, in New York City.  Clearly she was a woman of strength and vision to amass a collection of modern art.  

 There is a garden tour or a tour inside this amazing home also well stocked with Art and History.  Next time you are in my neighborhood, I would be happy to take you.  This bird is a frequent visitor as the view, the intrigue of that era, and that fountain of youth add years to my day and make anything seem possible.  

nantucket weekend

Snow is on the ground, and I am dreaming of a Nantucket weekend and this nantucket basket full to the brim of hydrangeas and attending a wedding by the sea.  This illustration was done for newlyweds to use as Thank-you notes.  Today, I give thanks for the seasons but I love the beach and the summer months.    Let your mind wander and dream of your weekend escape.  

Weekend Wanderer - Proud American

Proud American Flags are flying this weekend for the three-day weekend in honor of President's Day.  

American Flags appear in many of my illustrations as well and to me they are symbolic,"proud to be American!" Perhaps if we show that we are proud, the power of positive thinking will fix all the hurt, the economic uncertainty, the strife of the war, and bring us together as one nation in harmony.  Peace to each of you and may you all enjoy this three-day weekend with those you love with pride.  Tell someone that you are proud of them for serving,  for leading, for stepping up to be President, for hanging a flag, or for simply being an good citizen and recycling or simply making a bed.  Pride is as contagious as a smile.  Spread the word and I will be proud of you!

Do you hang the American Flag with pride all year or only on certain Holidays?  

weekend wondering

While waiting at an appointment a new magazine caught my eye - "Wondertime" and it was the article on the front cover that really caught my eye, titled, "Confessions of a Mommy Blogger."   Working from "home alone"- the world of blogging has opened up my window to a wonderful community of other like-minded individuals.  I wonder how many of you confess to blogging as a form of escape from the daily work-a-day world as a Mother, a wife, an artist, a writer, and decorator.  Whatever or where-ever your interest lies, ponder the possibility that someone out there is taking time to wonder a life beyond the daily grind, be the change and comment or join the blogging community.  Wonder woman bids you adieu!

Wonder Time, Mommy Blogger (not me)

The Weekend Wanderer

Weekends are a time to wander and to permit yourself to find a bit of pleasure.  For some it may be sleeping late, spending your day in your pajamas or re-counting a dream, or losing yourself in a book.   A dream of a book titled, "The Wanderer" has always been one of my personal favorites written by Alain-Fournier.   One weekend, I wandered into  a small shop of curiosities and was literally drawn to the cover which was illustrated by Edward Gorey. Picture a young boy cloaked in naive elegance, standing at the edge of the forest of adolescence.   I knew at that moment it was a meant to be acquisition, indeed a rare and lucky find.   This was the only book Fournier ever completed.  " The Wanderer"  was published in France in 1912 under the title "Le Grand Meaulnes."  The first English and American editions appeared in 1928.    

Permit yourself to be a weekend wanderer.  Indulge in a hot bath, a long walk, a spot of tea or an aperitif accompanied by a good book.   Allow  your mind to wander, after all it is the weekend! An artists prerequisite is to wander and in that quest, we are renewed.  A wandering I go.