An Interesting Quote

Posted on May 2, 2009 by Laura

I saw this quote at an exhibit, “The Saint John’s Bible: A Modern Vision Through Medieval Methods” at the Walters Art Museum today.  Tina and I went there along with Flower Mart.  The exhibit features the St. John’s Bible, which is a Bible that is being illustrated in the medieval tradition but with modern illustrations.  For example, in Ezekiel, with the Valley of Dry Bones, the illustration is haunting – faces from the Holocaust, piles of eyeglasses, and even piles of dead cars (in reference to the harm we’re causing to the environment right now).

Anyway, there were also a lot of examples of calligraphy and script art in the exhibit.  This quote was there, in beautiful calligraphy.  The author of the quote is William Morris:

“If I were asked to say what is at once the most important production of Art and the thing most to be longed for; I should answer; A beautiful House; and if I were further asked to name the production next in importance and the thing next to be longed for; I should answer; A beautiful Book. To enjoy good houses and good books in self-respect and decent comfort, seems to me to be the pleasurable end towards which all societies of human beings ought now to struggle.”
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Happy Birthday, Dad!

Posted on May 2, 2009 by Laura
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!
Out of respect for the aged, I won’t mention your age directly.  But for everyone else?  I’m 32 and Dad was 30 1/2 when I was born.  You do the math!

We love you!

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Now I’m a real Baltimorean (no, not a Balti-moron)

Posted on May 2, 2009 by Laura

Tina and I went to the 92nd Annual Flower Mart this afternoon in downtown Baltimore, in Mt. Vernon Square.  We bought a few herbs and flowers and enjoyed the atmosphere.  In addition, I finally got to enjoy a traditional Baltimore treat – which evidently started in Baltimore:

Lemon Sticks!

I got this picture from Coconut and Lime.  Go to the Lemon Sticks link above to read her “recipe” for these and also a little more information about them.  It’s a fun cooking blog which features only original recipes that the blogger makes up herself.  She also lives just down the road from me so it’s fun to read the local references.

Now that I’ve finally had a Lemon Stick (which are strangely refreshing and delicious), I guess I can really be a Baltimorean!

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Laura, You’re not in Alaska Anymore

Posted on April 29, 2009 by Laura

Proof:
1.  3 days straight of 90+ temperatures, with another day of 89.  Finally, a reprieve today – and 56 feels COLD.
2. We have a garden growing, with plants to be harvested in the spring – before summer heat hits.  (Ha, ha – see #1.)
3. In my garden, all my perennials grew back – i.e. the winter didn’t kill any of them.

All I have to say about all 3 items above:
WEIRD

Posted in gardening | 2 Comments

Poetry Thursday

Posted on April 23, 2009 by Laura

Sometimes
Sheenagh Pugh

Sometimes things don’t go, after all,
from bad to worse.  Some years, muscadel
faces down frost, green thrives, the crops don’t fail,
sometimes a man aims high, and all goes well.

A people sometimes will step back from war,
elect an honest man, decide they care
enough, that they can’t leave some stranger poor.
Some men become what they were born for.

Sometimes our best efforts do not go
amiss, sometimes we do as we meant to.
The sun will sometime melt a field of sorrow
that seemed hard frozen: may it happen for you.

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It must be spring…

Posted on April 21, 2009 by Laura

I’m listening to “Do Your Ears Hang Low?” over and over through my open windows.  Anyone want to buy a popsicle with me?

Posted in just for fun | 3 Comments

A little Alaska humor for you

Posted on April 17, 2009 by Laura

So I know that many of you, my dear readers, also read my sister-in-law, Meggan’s blog, but in case you don’t, I thought I’d share this with you.  I got SO many questions about my Alaska connections during the election that I found this particularly humorous.

My mom just sent a birthday package up to Alaska for my niece Selah, who just turned 7.  It had a book in it and Selah just told Meggan that she wanted them to read “Sarah Palin Tall“.

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The kids

Posted on April 8, 2009 by Laura

Photo shoot for Nana with Auntie Laura’s beautiful pink scarf – there are many more where these came from if you want to see them!

At ballet – Selah is amazingly serious and self-possessed.  I know this is blurry but I like how it looks like a Degas painting.

Everyone’s excited for spring (even the moose below the deck!)


(This picture was taken approximately half a second before Jonas tripped on Noah’s bike tire and fell flat face forward on the concrete.  Nothing like the heights of joy before the depths of sorrow!)

Posted in Alaska, family, travel | 1 Comment

Opening Presents

Posted on April 8, 2009 by Laura

It seems that I’m not allowed to visit without bringing presents!  So yes, I did bring presents both from me and from Tina.  So here are some pictures of the kids and I opening the presents on Sunday night, after we’d come home from Port Alsworth:


(Tina – Selah loves her jewelry.  Thank you!!)

 

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Our trip to Port Alsworth (and oh yeah, the volcano too!)

Posted on April 8, 2009 by Laura

On Sunday, Drew flew Dad, Rachel, and I to Port Alsworth so we could go to church and see all of our old friends.  On our way there, we realized that the volcano was erupting.  We flew within about 10 miles of it.  Thankfully, the wind was blowing the other way – obviously, we wouldn’t have flown through the ash.  The day was unbelievably gorgeous and mountain flying is so much fun!  Here are a few shots from flying on that trip:


(That’s the volcano through the windshield)


(That’s Lake Clark, just as we were emerging from the pass.)


(There’s Port Alsworth itself!)

Here’s a couple shots from our flight back – Mt. Redoubt again and the Anchorage skyline:

Of course, when we were in Port Alsworth, we didn’t think to take pictures of those we were with but we did get to eat lunch with Jackie Wilder, and Lyle’s new wife Heidi.  We also spent about an hour with Ralph and Patty Nabinger.  It was a very nice trip!

Here are the four of us on the lake in front of the Nabingers’ cabin.

(This is one of the less serious shots!)

It was a wonderful trip.  I feel very blessed to have been able to visit there.  And it was fun to be introduced in church as a Stump.  I don’t get that in Baltimore!

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