The Walker Art Center & Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

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Shawn and I will be heading up to Minneapolis this weekend. Among the things that I am most excited to see is The Walker Art Center & Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. The Walker is considered one of the nation’s “big five” museums for contemporary art and has an amazing collection that encompasses Visual Arts, Performing Arts, and Film/Video. I’m particularly looking forward to seeing the 1964 Exhibition that is going on right now:

“1964 focuses on works made during a period of tremendous upheaval and transformation politically, socially, and artistically in the U.S. In the year following the assassination of John F. Kennedy, the country saw riots erupt in a number of cities; President Lyndon Johnson ordered the first bombings in North Vietnam, and the Beatles invaded with their first concerts and their appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show.

In the art world, a number of impulses were gaining momentum. Claes Oldenburg and George Segal introduced elements of pop culture in their sculptures, and an explosion of consumerism reverberated in the paintings of Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein. The bravura gestures of 1950s Abstract Expressionism gave way to explorations of distilled forms, colors, and geometries in the work of Ellsworth Kelly, Donald Judd, Carl Andre, and others. Meanwhile, Fluxus and other artistic movements were fusing together visual art, performance, music, film and graphic design; and a profusion of prints, multiples, artist’s books, and films was creating more open and democratic channels for disseminating art. With nearly 100 works, 1964 shows how the Walker collection mirrors this remarkably fertile moment in contemporary art.”

I’m also hoping that the weather will cooperate so we can check out The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. It’s located across from The Walker and is one of the largest urban sculpture gardens in the nation. The centerpiece of the garden is the Spoonbridge and Cherry (1985–1988) water sculpture designed by husband and wife Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. It also contains several Calders, as well as works by Jenny Holzer, Frank Gehry, and Henry Moore.

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. Photo courtesy Walker Art Center

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

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The flag is flying, I’m wearing scarlet and gray, and my buckeye necklace is polished to a high shine. Yes folks, tonight marks the kick off of the 2010 Ohio State Football season. Something that I have been looking forward to since January. My favorite time of year, as the hubby says, “When Football is King!” There is truly nothing better than some smash mouth football. I’m in heaven!






Taking the Plunge

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I have a big announcement to share with everyone. I’ve been debating on whether or not to do this for some time now and I’ve finally decided to take the plunge and open up a shop on Etsy. Drum roll, please. . . . . Widdershins Handmade Knits.

My mom, Roz, and Shawn were the ones who really talked me into doing it. I really love knitting and have been making things as gifts for people for a while now. Actually, I’ve been trying to think of people to give items to just so I can knit them! I’ve been told many times that I should open a shop or try selling my work, I’ve thought about it often, but never really got up the nerve to do so. The thing that pushed me over the edge was my mom “commissioning” me to make a couple of baby sweaters for her to give as gifts to some of her staff. It gave me the “Okay, I can do this!” mentality I needed to push myself forward.

I just opened the shop on Etsy yesterday and have posted two items for sale. It will be a work in progress to figure out how this will work, but at least I’m out there now. I excited and looking forward to seeing where this new adventure will take me!








Say Hi to Gladys

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Please say hello to Gladys, my lovely new friend. Isn’t she great? I came across her while when I was out looking for shoes for they wedding we’re going to this weekend out in NYC. She was so sweet I just had to take her home with me. Especially since I didn’t have a purse to that worked with my outfit and she matched perfectly!

I know that this was another investment that I will cherish. I’ve already been using her a ton. The shape and size of the purse are perfect. Just big enough to hold my daily haul, while not too big to be bulky or heavy. The adjustable/removable shoulder strap is key. I can take it off for the wedding, but have it to sling across me while huffing through the streets or running errands. The textured leather has beautiful metallic finish that really is perfect for making the transition from day to night. I think that it looks just as good with jeans as it does with the dress I’ll be wearing. I think we’ll be friends for a long, long time.

Mockingjay!

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I got home from spending a few days down at Club Ponderosa and look what was waiting for me: Mockingjay!! This is the final installment of The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins. I must say that I cannot say enough about this series. I recommend it to everyone and have to say that by far, this is one one the best I have read in a LONG time. Great characters that you fall in love with instantly and a truly riveting plot. I first started reading The Hunger Games while on vacation in HHI two years ago. I was instantly obsessed and couldn’t put it down until I was done. This year I brought the sequel, Catching Fire, to HHI again so I could lay around by the pool reading and yelling out to myself “Oh NO!!” and “Katniss!!” -yes I was that pulled into the story! Ever since then, I’ve been anxiously awaiting the release of this book all summer. I even went so far as pre-ordering the book online so I would get is ASAP. Now I can’t wait to dive in and see what happens to Katniss Everdeen and the rest of Panem!

Lovely

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I splurged a bit and picked up these amazing Vera Wang Lavender Label flats while I was out in Columbus last week. I needed a pair of fancy shoes that were still comfortable enough to walk in. (I’m headed to a wedding in NYC next weekend, so you know that I’ll be hoofing it around a lot.) These are absolutely perfect! The leather is so very soft and they are a great lavender-greyish color. I love the little leather bow and pewter colored crystals on the toes. I can’t wait to wear them! 








Behold: The Krispy Kreme Cheeseburger

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The past few weeks I’ve been telling everyone about our trip to the Wisconsin State Fair. Specifically, all the crazy food we tried. Here’s the question that everyone asks “Sam, what the heck is a Krispy Kreme Cheeseburger? . . . . Well here it is.

**Please note that I didn’t eat this thing, only the hubby. I’m happy to report that he’s still alive and in good health after eating it.

Home Sweet Home

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Well, I logged over 1450 miles across four states and think that the trip was a success!

I had an awesome time with Roz seeing The Black Keys in concert. Amazing show! We didn’t let the heat and humidity stop us from rocking out the entire time, although it looked like we got out of a pool when the concert was over. We spent Saturday going to the North Market, swimming in the hotel’s stainless steel pool (a surreal experience – I felt like I was in some science fiction movie) and then sharing a fantastic meal at Z Cucina. I dropped her off at the airport on Sunday and headed over to Dawn’s house.

The week was spent hanging out with good friends, playing with their adorable babies, and just enjoying each other’s company. Such wonderful friends, I am so thankful to have them in my life. Even though we are miles apart, I feel just as close to them as if we still lived across the street from each other as we did in college. 

I then drove up to North Canton to see Shawn’s family. It was great to spend a little quality time with my mother-in-law on Saturday evening while Shawn was doing his golf thing. (He won the Senior Cup! Woot!!) Sunday we visited his grandparents house for the afternoon. It means a lot to me to spend time with them, since I have no living grandparents. I always tell Shawn how lucky he is to still have them around. That evening we then went over to his aunt and uncle’s house for dinner and a quick visit which include taking us out on the lake in their pontoon boat- what fun! Monday we drove back to the Land O’Cheese.

I had a wonderful time on my little road trip, but I’m glad to be back. I’m looking forward to getting settled back into my normal routine.

Road Trip!!

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I’m leaving later today to start my road trip to Ohio! I’ll be meeting my sister down at Club Ponderosa tonight and we’ll be heading out tomorrow morning. We’ll be seeing The Black Keys in concert Friday, Saturday we’ll be hitting up the St. Brendan’s Festival and meeting up with some friends. I’ll drop her off at the airport to fly home on Sunday while I head over to Dawn’s house to spend the week. Saturday I’ll be driving up to North Canton to meet Shawn and hang out with his family, then we’ll both drive back on Monday. Good times await!! I’ll be taking a break from posting, but will be sure to let you know of my Buckeye adventures when I return.