A Designer's Detritus: 11/28/10

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

looking at December

   I do not think I can say December is my busiest month - although it probably is with finals to grade, course grades to calculate, all manner of Christmas-y things to prepare, make, view or listen to (I am thinking of my daughter's Christmas concert which is next Thursday). However, Christmas is my favorite holiday and December my favorite month. In my family two of my sisters and I are born in Dec., my husband's dad is a Dec. baby, too. We were married in December, and then of course, we have that big birthday bash on the 25th for Jesus. We even, occasionally get to go out for New Year's Eve - but not often. I love all the lights (although my house is rarely decorated in them), the smell of the wreaths and trees, as well as all the compulsory baking for the holidays. For my sister, who is Wiccan, there are Yule celebrations, so I keep her on my mind as the days get darker.
   This year, as with most, we will be doing a lot of driving. To Ocean City, MD to see relatives, to Richmond, VA to see dear friends, to a farm in the northern part of MD to see other friends, possible stop in CT to visit family, and home again. Nothing light in our Christmas schedule.
   I am spinning and knitting - but cannot show anything yet as a possible recipient of these activities may be reading this. Suffice it to say I am pleased with the colour choices, the results of the spinning and the way the project is knitting up. Pictures will happen after it has been unwrapped!

Monday, November 29, 2010

Visiting the Dinosaurs

My youngest is a nut for dinosaurs. At age five, he can tell you all their names, which period in the Mesozoic era they lived in, the length and/or height of many, whether they were theropods, sauropods, carnivorous, herbivorous...well, you get the idea. This past Friday I thought it would be fun to take our younger two into NYC to the American Museum of Natural History so we could see the amazing array of fossils they have.
We set out, taking a train and subways - first time for our son to do either. We were lucky with the weather, because the anticipated rain never arrived. When we got to Grand Central Station, we showed him the ceiling first. After the subway trek, we got to the museum. First we saw the Ocean creatures,
since they were on the first floor,

This whale is very large!

then headed up to the fourth floor to see the dinosaurs.
Wow! I had never been to this museum, having always opted for the Met when in NYC. I was duly impressed. The number of fossils is very impressive. I loved watching my son look at the apatosaurus - seeing it is so much more impressive than just reading about how long it is.

The Tyrannosaurus rex was fairly mind boggling as well.

However, I must admit I was more excited by seeing the parasaurolophus,

the deinonychus and his terrible claws

and the triceratops with its amazing solid bone head crest.

I am not sure who had more fun, my son or me!

checking out the maiasauras

My daughter was crossing her eyes with boredom by the time we got to the room with the pterosaurs.

However, a trip to Rockefeller Center,

St. Patrick's Cathedral, and even Times Square gave her the diversions she was hoping for.
I love visiting NYC and often think I would like to live there - but not with kids. Maybe in my old age, I will chuck this country living and become a city mouse. Maybe...but I don't really think so!

Thanksgiving With the Family

All dressed up and ready to go to grandma's! Wearing the coat that was his father's when he was that age!

Was at my mom's for Thanksgiving along with 2 of my 4 sisters, their kids, my eldest sisters kids and a few of their college friends. It was a nice weekend. Too many dishes all washed by my eldest niece and me, but at least we did not have to look at them in the morning.
It snowed for about 10 minutes, which sent all of the kids racing outdoors - no coats, no shoes on the youngest so the older ones carried him - and they ran around chasing snow flakes with their tongues.