Taste of Spring

It's ironic that I am writing a post about the warm days of Spring during a blizzard. Outside my window, snow is swirling around in the 30 mph wind, the 50mph gusts evoking creaky groans from the northwest corner of the house.

It's our annual hunker-down, cancel school, stay off the roads Snow Day.

Just four days ago, we were basking in shorts and tank tops, reveling in the ample sunshine and 70 degF temperatures.

Throngs of people took advantage of the good weather to clean the winter's salt scum off their cars (we washed ours in the driveway) and took to the outside. The local parks teemed with families, couples, dogs and children. And the occasional bird.



The walking / running paths wind through the prairie, punctuated by sculptures. The art adds a unique touch to the park.


Even though there isn't any green showing up, the warm weather is a harbinger of days to come.



Just not a harbinger of today's blizzard.

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Mosaic Monday - Scenes from Florence

I finally finished up the very last of my pictures from Italy. Yes, the trip I took back in July. At least it's done now [and I can start on the Blurb Book].

We only spent one day there, so we visited the Duomo, waiting an hour to climb the stairs up to the top of the Duomo's Dome - totally worth the wait and effort. The views from the top are amazing. We also walked to the Piazza Della Signoria, adjacent to the Uffizi, checking out the Marketplace along the way and the replica of the statue of David.



I'm linking up to Mary at Little Red House and Mosaic Monday. There are a wonderful assortment of mosaics there today.

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Art In Sin City

Some of the fine art around the Aria:

In the Dale Chihuly Gallery:




He is the artist responsible for the glass sculpture in the lobby of the Bellagio:


The Typewriter Eraser, by Claes Oldenburg

Truthfully, I thought this was an abstract rendering of a guitar! I guess I'm too young to know what a typewriter eraser is.

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SOOC Saturday - The Via dell'Amore of the Cinque Terre

Or the Lover's Walk.

The easiest walking trail in the Cinque Terre takes you between the southernmost village, Riomaggiore, to its sister village of Manarola. Most visitors to the Cinque Terre National Park start in Riomaggiore and as a result, it is the most crowded and most traveled.

Along the walk, locks and graffiti adorn the fence line, even the rocks. Couples write their initials on the locks, along with a date (maybe an anniversary, maybe the current date), in order to represent "locking" their love forever.



The graffiti is mainly the "Lovers 4ever" type, in all languages. While I understand the sentiment, I didn't quite appreciate the defacing of this naturally beautiful coastline.

Lastly, the famous "Lover's Chair". A lovely piece of artwork, again covered with graffiti, so I was glad the sun light allowed me to capture a simple silhouette of the famous chair that so many clamor to sit on (with their lover, of course).

It was a easy start to our day hiking between all of the villages of the Cinque Terre.

Today's photos are SOOC (Straight out of the Camera). I'm still working through my collection from Italy, and will take every good SOOC shot I can!

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Mosaic Monday - Scenes From Allerton

A mosaic of a handful of the pictures I took at Allerton Park yesterday. For more information about the park, you can check out yesterday's SOOC post.



Mary from Little Red House hosts Mosaic Monday - you can check out the other beautiful mosaics there today and the rest of the week.

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SOOC Saturday - Visit to Allerton

I found myself in the most unusual situation this afternoon - no kids, no husband for the rest of the day and into the evening. So I made the most out of my temporary solitude by watching "The Top 100 One-Hit Wonders of the 80's" on VH-1.

Really, it was a step back in time to my high school and college years. So much fun.

But once the three hour show wrapped up (I bet you are curious what song took the #1 spot - I was, that's why I had to watch the entire show!), I drove out to Allerton Park in Monticello, IL.

Without going into too much detail, Allerton Park was once the private residence of Robert Allerton, now a part of the University of Illinois. The 1500 acre property includes extensive gardens, sculpture and art. I had hoped to visit the park "someday", and today was that day.

I'm sharing a couple of SOOC captures tonight - both from the peony garden (I'll have to go back next spring when they are in bloom):




I had a wonderful visit, and was glad to finally have the opportunity (and time) to experience the beautiful gardens.

Since it's SOOC Saturday, I'm linking to Melody at Slurping Life. There's still time today and tomorrow to share your SOOC captures there.

Edited to add:
The #1 One Hit Wonder of the 80s was..... "Come On Eileen" by Dexy's Midnight Runners.
I know you know the lyrics -

Poor old Johnny Ray
Sounded sad upon the radio, he moved a million hearts in mono.
Our mothers cried and sang along and who'd blame them.
Now you're grown, so grown, now I must say more than ever.
Go Toora Loora Toora Loo-Rye-Aye
and we can sing just like our fathers.

Come on Eileen,
I swear (well he means) At this moment you mean everything,
With you in that dress my thoughts I confess verge on dirty
Ah come on Eileen.

These people round here wear beaten down eyes
Sunk in smoke dried faces they're so resigned to what their fate is,
But not us, no not us we are far too young and clever.
Remember Toora Loora Toora Loo-Rye-Aye
Eileen I'll hum this tune forever.

Come on Eileen, I swear, well he means
Ah come on let's take off everything,
That pretty red dress Eileen (Tell him yes)
Ah come on let's, ah come on Eileen, please.

#2 was "Take on Me" by Ah-Ha (a total 80s classic)
#3 was "Oh Mickey" by Toni Basil

So there you go! Have a great day!

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Best Shot Monday - Have Baby, Will Travel

I love that my sister understands my photography obsession - she's quite the photographer herself, with several thousand pictures uploaded to her flickr stream. Things have slowed down a little bit for her, as she and Andrew welcomed their first baby to this world two months ago.
That doesn't stop Michele from going out and taking in the plethora of what London has to offer. Baby Felix travels quite well, decked out in his bright red pram. Even the rainy weather doesn't bog him down.



Michele also understands the importance of capturing the natural context of the picture.

Taken in the Cast Room of the Victoria and Albert Museum
The above capture wouldn't be as interesting as a close up, don't you think? I also waited for the crowds to clear before releasing the shutter. It's just mother and baby amidst the concrete sculptures. Warm and cold. Big and Small.

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POTD - Sculpture Garden

I took the time this afternoon to visit a local park which features a garden of large sculpture nestled in the prairie field. I had expected another foggy day, but was greeted instead with abundant sunshine.


Here and There, by Michele Goldstrum

This bronze piece depicts elements of a barn and includes a platform for viewing. I took pictures looking out onto the prairie from the structure's window.


Not sculpture, but a nice view of the prairie from the walking path.


I must come back to this peaceful place when I have more time.

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