Where does the time go?

What a question...if only I knew the answer. I have not had an internet connection for several days now and am just starting to get back to this blog of mine! I will have to post Art History Monday tomorrow, but for now I think I will catch you up on all of the things happening in my neck of the woods.

So I HAD my house cleaned, and then we had guests over for trick-or-treating. Therefore, my house is no longer clean but rather looks well loved and smells like candy and fun. I seriously think that the kids are just now coming down from their respective sugar buzzes. I am seriously considering next year to be the year of the Candy Fairy. She is a cousin to the Tooth Fairy and, like the Tooth Fairy, comes at night. What does she collect? The leftover Halloween candy and exchanges it for a present! The rule is that you may gorge yourself on as much candy as you like Halloween night, but you must leave a large amount for the Candy Fairy in order for her to be able to turn it into a glorious present. Neat idea, huh? I think the guys will go for it...hopefully. Presents trump candy anytime!

At any rate, I am feeling rather antsy today. So I think I will do a little cleaning, a little cooking and a lot of creating art, or at least organizing my studio. I really want to start selling and showing again...and I want to start my own Etsy shop. I know, I know...big to-do list. But I can do it! Oh...today is another beautiful day so I think the boys and I will play all afternoon outside before the weather turns ugly. Carpe Diem, I say! So, with that being said, enjoy the day and don't forget to stop and take a look at all the little things going on around you!

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?