I Love Norman Rockwell



Triple Self-Portrait Post Cover 2/13 1960

       Today I have a million things to do....so of course I'm procrastinating and I have decided to share with you one of my passions. Art. Not just any art. Art from one of my favorite artist ever...Norman Rockwell. We were fortunate to go to The Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Mass  three times. and every time I saw something new and interesting. They say that he painted America the way he wanted to see it. I don't know what it is about his paintings...is it the fact that they tell a different story every time you look at them? or is it because he was such a detailed artist that it takes your breath away to view them? Gives me a sort of lump in my throat to see the heart felt love and dedication that he had for his art. Here are a few examples of the work of  my Most awesome Favorite artist. The first one above is truly amazing. He is painting himself painting himself using a mirror! genius.


The BodyBuilder, Post Cover, 1922



Just look at the way the boy is standing. Doesn't that remind you of every gawky teen kid? Even the socks are falling down on this poor skinny guy; and take a look at those feet! He truly captured that age when we would rather be anyone but ourselves.




Traffic Conditions. Post, 1949



 This one tells several stories. There's the truck driver that just wants to finish his route. If you look on the left there is an artist that is excited about the scene and wants to paint it. Upper right there is a woman beside herself with fear...perhaps its her dog? and then there's the poor pup wondering what all the fuss is about. Hope you enjoyed the art. Blessings, Joanne

Silent Snow

   I was up early this morning and looked around at the quiet transformation of our back yard. Winter wonderland is here. Here are some pictures and a short video.

Fresh snow...not a foot or paw print in sight





               

My Kid's swing set waiting for spring



Max was overwhelmed by the amount of snow that fell. I guess he'd never make it in Montana!

              

Snow Day!

YAHOO!

            Tonight the automated message from my kid's school district called to say that tomorrow is a snow day. Hey no fun! They are taking all the fun of lying awake in the wee hours of the morning waiting for that phone to ring. Remember the phone chain? There were always those few people that would break the chain and call all their friends first then inevitably you would wind up getting three or four phone calls instead of one or worse .....not get a phone call at all! A woman I worked with ( at a Pre-school for Children with special needs) got her call then went right back to sleep prompting all the people after her on the chain to trudge in through  a snow storm only to find the school closed. Needless to say she was not very popular after that. My kids are already planning their day out on the "hill" where all the neighborhood kids go to try out their sleds and inner-tubes. It takes forever to climb up (feels like ten minutes?) and just seconds to zoom down, but what a rush! Oh heck I may take a couple of turns too. Isn't that what you're supposed to do on a snow day? Fling yourself off a mountain and scream with delight as you go careening toward the bottom? I just hope I have extra strength advil on hand 'cause I'm gonna need it. Wanna join us? I'll see you at the top!!!!! WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And The Award Goes To....

 Today I received another award (thankyou again Becca) and I have a confession to make..when.I first got one I  didn't even know what they were and what I was supposed to do with it. So I have the first one there on the side bar of my post and since I just got another I figure it was time to pass along the first one I received.

The first Blog I wish to give the award to is to   Retired English Teacher at http://sallysbloggingspot.blogspot.com/   Because her writing is straight from her heart.  Back in school my favorite teachers were always English teachers and I know I would have loved to have been in her class.

                                   

The next one goes to Looking Glass Miniatures at http://lookingglassminiature.blogspot.com/  She creates the most wonderful miniatures you have ever seen!  Creates mini worlds that you just want to get lost in.

Last but certainly not least  The Poetry of Lee Strong http://leestrong.blogspot.com/   Short poems I enjoy reading. Some are funny and others make you say hummmm.

My Affair With Mickey

       Yes, It's true. I have carried a long time emotional affair with ....a mouse. Mickey Mouse that is. I am a Disney Freak. Wait let me do this right........

My Awesome Mickey Watch

Hi,...my name is Joanne and I am a Disneyholic.  There it's out. That is the first step, but there is no way I'm going to say that it's a problem! Now don't get me wrong. I do not go around wearing Disney sweatshirts or have a house filled with Disney chachkis (sp). I just think of Mickey and a childlike excitement simmers quietly within me. The first time we went to Disney as a family my Daughter was 9 mos old. Everyone thought we were crazy for taking her while she was so young. We made the reservations when she was just two months old and the thought of going to Disney kept me sane all those months of sleep deprivation and Chronic colic. And quite frankly getting away from all the (well meaning) interference from Grandparents was also a great plus. When we walked through the gates my Husband ( it was his first time ever) and I had smiles and we became big kids again. It was a Magical week and we loved our first vacation as a family. As is the norm the souvenir shops were a must stop. We bought our baby lots of cool t-shirts and toys from Disney but for me I wanted just one thing....a watch; something I could look at all the time and it would remind me. I wanted something that would  make me smile during those dreary long "after Christmas" months. From then on every time we went to Disney I got a watch. For the last few years we have not been able to go...so I have not added to my small collection. A few days ago my best friend handed me a small box and inside..........A beautiful Mickey watch! I'm all smiles....sing with me will ya?..........~whose the leader of the club who's made for you and me~ M-I-C-K-E-Y   M-O-U-S-E~~~~I have spent the last ten minutes with that song happily stuck in my head.