Useless Art History Trivia

First off, did you know that the Rome Pieta by Michelangelo is the only sculpture he ever signed? He carved his name right into the sash that Mary is wearing. Rumor has it that once it was finished, some people thought it belonged to a different artist other than Michelangelo. So, he decided to carve his name so that EVERYONE would know he did it and not someone else (perhaps a certain contemporary that he did not get along with...possibly Leonardo da Vinci?).

Second, speaking of Leonardo, did you know that the Mona Lisa is not finished. You can tell by looking at the background. Also, no one knows who she is or if she was even a real person! Pretty amazing since this is, arguably, the most famous painting in the world!

Well, there you go. Two useless trivia facts for you. Fun, isn't it? FYI I have not read the Pop Art book yet...I have been flipping through the pictures A LOT. I also checked out the Moosewood Restaurant's New Classics cookbook, which I am TOTALLY loving! They have an amazing flaxseed banana bread recipe...I did add some vanilla extract and cinnamon to it. It is so delicious and the perfect pair with coffee in the morning.

Now I am off to organize and clean this place. I feel pretty ambitious today so hopefully my to-do list will turn into an I-did-it list. Toodles!

Ding-Dong the witch is dead

Finally my head cold is gone! Not completely, but at least I have joined the land of the living and the doing again. I think head colds are the worst because you cannot think straight, you cannot smell or taste anything and they just suck! So, with that being said, I am on to do much needed house work. I will post two art history Mondays this Monday to make up for the one I did not do. I just checked out a book on Pop art from the library, so I am thinking some Pop art will pop up!

Difficulty Level: Easy

So sushi rice was not as hard as I had thought it would be, thanks to Mr. Alton Brown! I did not use any sushi fish...but Nathan had sort of California rolls. At least I got the rice done brilliantly!

Why Donatello is not turtle worthy

This is, quite possibly, the BEST lecture on the Italian High Renaissance artists that I know of. All of the credit is given, once again, to Dr. Richard Gergel. He tells this story with the most passion, since he LOVES architecture. Soon you will understand what I am talking about, so here we go:

Everyone knows that the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are Michelangelo, Leonardo, Donatello and Raphael. Three of these are Italian High Renaissance artists and one is not. Can you guess which one is not? (this is where the Jeopardy theme song would be playing)

If you said Donatello, then you are correct. Donatello was part of the EARLY Italian Renaissance and died in 1466, a good 30 some years before the High Renaissance in Italy began. And so, based on this fact, Donatello is not turtle worthy (in some opinions). The other three are definitely Italian High Renaissance artists, Michelangelo, Leonardo and Raphael. So who should have been the fourth turtle? The answer: Bramante. He was the architect of the day and famous for his work on St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. It should be noted here that he did not build or design this building himself...he just aided in part of it. I believe it was started by Constantine and then worked on by several other architects in the future (including Michelangelo!). But has anyone ever heard of Bramante? No! Plus Donatello has a nicer ring to it than Bramante. Bramante just does not fit with the other names like Donatello does. And so, poor Bramante is not the fourth turtle as he should be.

Well, bunny readers, here is the art history lesson that should have been posted yesterday, but I forgot about it. I have a head cold coming on...yuck...and have been a little out of it. Tune in next week for more fun with art history! I think I will continue this series with the Italian High Renaissance artists for now. They are fascinating individuals.

Dive in head first...my first attempt at sushi rice

Here we go...I have never made this before. Sushi rice. Wow. I will have to let you know how it turns out. Rice and I do not exactly get along well. Perhaps I can make peace with this grain in order to make sushi for my husband. Keep your fingers crossed! I do have Alton Brown on my side.

Catch Up

Wow...where did this week go? I have really been trying to post something everyday. Obviously I have not done that this week. So, here is a thankful Thursday for you to enjoy:

I am thankful for the sunshine and the fall leaves everywhere. So beautiful! I am also thankful that Eli wants to go apple picking again...I think I have an apple picker on my hands. I am also thankful that he was bummed to see the granola jar empty. It was flattering to know that he loves that granola SO much! I told him we would make some more after school today. I am thankful that Ammon seems to be doing better in school, making friends, all that good stuff. I am also thankful that a new episode of the Office will be on tonight. I love that dumb show.

What are you thankful for?

Oh, so that's why olive oil is so expensive

Oh the things I have learned from Greek mythology! Who doesn't love Greek mythology, right? Anyway, here is my thought on why olive oil is so expensive:

The people of Athens needed a name for their fair city. So they decided to have a contest between two of the gods, Poseidon and Athena. Whichever god bestowed the better gift to the city would, in return, have the city named after them. Well, Poseidon struck his triton into the ground and up sprang a salt spring fountain thingie. This is useful, since salt is used for preserving things. BTW, here is where I interject a nerdy art history fact; have I told you that I L-O-V-E art history? If you look at a photo of the Acropolis in Athens, and look at the back porch of the Erechtheium (the Porch of the Maidens (caryatids) is the front porch) there is actually a hole in the floor that the ancient Athenians left on purpose. Supposedly, according to legend, that is the very spot where Poseidon struck his triton into the ground. The hole is still there and is marked by ropes so that you know what it is and not just a spot from decay or something. Anyway, let's get back to the story. So the Athenians thought this gift was pretty cool and useful, but wanted to see what Athena would give. Athena gave the Athenians a fully mature olive tree grove. Okay. So that is definitely not as dramatic as mighty Poseidon striking his triton into the ground. Who cares about a fully mature olive tree grove anyway? Well, obviously the Athenians! As it turns out, and here is a fact from the story: it takes an olive tree 40 years to mature and bear fruit. 40 YEARS!!!!!!! That was a VERY cool gift and very lucrative for the Athenians. So, obviously, Athena won that contest hands down. And so the fair city of Athens was named after her. They even built a huge gold statue of her in the Parthenon! It is a shame that war had to destroy this statue. I have heard that there is a replica of it somewhere in Tennessee, though. Anyway, if any of you want a fun read, here is a link to Howard Crosby Butler's The Story of Athens. Scroll down to page 10 of the book to skip to the part about Poseidon and Athena.

And that, dear friends, is why olive oil is so expensive. Or maybe there is another reason but this one is more fun and educational. It takes an olive tree 40 years to mature and bear fruit. Wow. Maybe I should make Mondays Art History Mondays on my blog...or maybe things I have learned from art history. What do you think? I have the best one for next Monday already!!! I'll keep it a secret. It is, quite possibly, the best lecture on Italian High Renaissance artists ever....and all of the credit goes to Dr. Richard Gergel :)

Why I should be at preschool

One word: boxes. Today the teachers drug out a bunch of painted boxes for the kids to play with. HOW FUN IS THAT!!! I remember making forts and houses with my sister when we were little with boxes. Once we made a kitten sanctuary out of a bunch of empty boxes with my cousin. Let's just say we were in heaven surrounded by boxes AND kittens. The kittens loved it too...the boxes at least :) It makes me happy to know that my Eli gets to play with boxes! Did you know that the box was inducted into the toy hall of fame? I know, pretty cool, eh?

My Top Ten List...right now

No, not David Letterman style, just ten things I am digging right now.

1. My husband (he's great...awwww!)

2. My kids (loving the creative spontaneity)

3. Morning walks with my dog

4. Homemade Citrus Cleaner (this stuff rocks!)

5. Ellie Krieger's "The Food You Crave" (YUM!)

6. Avocados...as always

7. Fall leaves (even though I know winter is coming)

8. Oreos

9. My Dustbuster

10. My fat cat who keeps my feet warm at night

There...I think that does it. Of course there are so many other things, but these were the first things I thought about.

FYI I just burnt a pot of Kashi Pilaf, which is a real bummer. I guess I should not blog and cook at the same time. Noted.

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