Things I Like! in the last week of January 2011.

This week, the Vons by our house was selling pints of Ciao Bella Maple Ginger Snap for 1/2 off - we bought all of them!

 So ridiculously delish!

Maira Kalman's exhibit at the Skirball Museum, Various Illuminations (of a Crazy World).  I have been reading her books to the twins, especially the Max series and Smartypants : Pete in School. We took the kiddos and had to breeze through the exhibit, which includes paintings, found objects, textiles, and installations.  I could have stayed for another hour at least.  The exhibition is in L.A. until February 13th.  

Do go visit if you can!

I couldn't afford the exhibition catalog, but I bought a postcard of this image. I love this mysterious lady.

 After I saw a poster of a Maira Kalman/Ralph Pucci collab of a little girl in glasses with red hair and braces from across the children's department at the Macy's in Cerritos(?!??!) on Saturday, and went completely ga-ga, Ivan is now trying to get me to write a note of appreciation to Ms. Kalman (aka "fan letter") and to ask her out for tea. Ha Ha, Ivan. 

I am dreaming that this little red-headed girl grows up to be the mysterious lady... this somehow reminds me of my own little lady, and it also reminds me of myself when I was 12 and just got glasses.

            and last but not least: the Put a Bird on It! clip from Portlandia.
 The sketches can be hit or miss, but the show has some really hilarious bits.
 I love being able to visit my old town while I watch this... 

Happy New Year!

We took a walk to the pier in Seal Beach today.  Breathing salt air is so therapeutic to the soul.

My inbox was glowing with this poem today, so I must share.

Thread of Life, by Christina Rossetti
The irresponsive silence of the land,

The irresponsive sounding of the sea,
Speak both one message of one sense to me:-
Aloof, aloof, we stand aloof; so stand
Thou too aloof bound with the flawless band
Of inner solitude; we bind not thee;
But who from thy self-chain shall set thee free?
What heart shall touch thy heart? What hand thy hand?-
And I am sometimes proud and sometimes meek,
And sometimes I remember days of old
When fellowship seemed not so far to seek
And all the world and I seemed much less cold,
And at the rainbow’s foot lay surely gold,
And hope felt strong and life itself not weak.

Thus I am mine own prison. Everything
Around me free and sunny and at ease:
Or if in a shadow, in a shade of trees
Which the sun kisses, where the gay birds sing
And where all winds make various murmuring;
Where sounds are music, and where silences
Are music of an unlike fashioning.
Then gaze I at the merrymaking crew,
And smile a moment and a moment sigh
Thinking: why can I not rejoice with you?
But soon I put the foolish fancy by:
I am not what I have, nor what I do;
But what I was I am, I am even I.

Therefore myself is that one only thing
I hold to use or waste, to keep or give;
My sole possession every day I live,
And still mine own despite Time’s winnowing.
Ever mine own, while moons and seasons bring
From crudeness ripeness mellow and sanitive;
Ever mine own, till Death shall ply his sieve;
And still mine own, when saints break grave and sing.
And this myself as king unto my King
I give, to Him Who gave Himself for me;
Who gives Himself to me and bids me sing
A sweet new song of His redeemed set free;
he bids me sing: O death where is thy sting?
And sing: O grave where is thy victory?

May 2011 be a year full of brightness and hope, of challenges and accomplishments, of grace and true companionship.