Friday Featured Art: April in Paris

The Art Institute has mini tours available as PDFs for self-guided, thematic tours of the museum.  One that will take you to some of the highlights is called April in Paris and includes Gustave Caillebotte's masterpiece, Paris Street; Rainy Day.  The next time you're in Chicago, print out a mini tour and enjoy some great art!

Thursday Text: 1776 (Illustrated Edition)

History was the topic of this month's book club, and it made me pull out this fabulous book that my parents gave me.  It's an illustrated edition of David McCullough's bestseller 1776.  This edition includes beautiful artwork and replicas of letters and documents from Colonial America.  I haven't read the whole thing, but I would say it's definitely worth browsing!

Waverly Fabric

I found some really great fabric for valances in our exercise/laundry room.  I'll have to post a picture when I've finished them.  I hung a collage frame with pictures of various national parks that we've visited, and I was looking for something kind of Southwest-looking.  I liked the Santa Maria (brighter one), but we decided to go with the Mayan Medallion.  It's made by Waverly.

Burley Clay Products

When we were at the farm store the other day, my husband bought me this lovely clay crock made by Burley Clay Products.  I'm not sure what I'll put in it yet, but I love it.

Russian Gingerbread

Have you ever tasted Russian gingerbread?  We found some at the Global Foods Market in St. Louis, and it is delicious!  I believe the anglicized name is pryaniki, and you can find a recipe to try here.

Friday Featured Art: Maria Sibylla Merian

Did you notice the Google doodle on Tuesday celebrating the 366th anniversary of Maria Sibylla Merian's birth?  Her scientific illustrations are beautiful.  I like all of the little creatures creeping around.

Thursday Tunes: Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise

When we were in Utah, we attended Music and the Spoken Word at the Tabernacle.  It was really great.  One of the numbers that the choir performed was Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise.  I couldn't find a version by the Tabernacle Choir on YouTube, but I found this one of a combined Institute choir.  (They often sing this hymn for General Conference, so be watching this weekend!)

Alexander the Grape

Do you remember Alexander the Grape candy?  They're now known as Grapeheads, but I don't think they're quite as potent as they used to be...

Twig Terrariums

I saw a book about Twig Terrariums at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis.  I think terrariums are a lovely idea.  You can get fun DIY kits from their web site (starting at $25), and some include little people!

Shane Confectionery

Did you have a great Easter?  This beautiful sugar rabbit is from Shane Confectionery in Philadelphia.  I read about them in Martha Stewart Living.  I don't know if I would eat it or just look at it...