How many other things are we missing?

I received this story via email and wanted to share...

Violinist in the Metro --- Wash, DC
A man sat at a metro station in Washington, DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes.
During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousand of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule. A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk. A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work. The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on. In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32.

When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition. No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars. Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats average $100.

This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of an social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people.

The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context? One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?

P.S. this story was confirmed by snopes.com.

I was surprised to receive a much-coveted digital camera for Christmas...not only is it fabulous - all the bells & whistles - but my family knows me well...it's bright aqua!
love, love, love...


view of an absolutely gorgeous sunset the other night
It framed our big white barn with awe-inspiring colors

My pic doesn't give it justice...still getting the hang of all the settings, especially for nighttime photos

Art Hunger

without fail, every year, I find myself positively ravenous for art and inspiration



when the tree and ornaments have been put away, the holiday guests are gone and the fresh new year has arrived
I take a deep breath, put on a new pair of comfy slippers, snuggle up with my dogs and devour every art, decorating and gardening book or magazine I can get my hands on. I literally stuff myself full of eye candy like a greedy child.



When I've finished every one cover to cover...my eyes bleary, my mind racing with inspiration and anticipation...I begin a fresh journal for the new year jotting down my ideas and thoughts with little sketches and doodles



A few years ago I used to feel somewhat guilty in partaking in this yearly ritual - was I being selfish and downright gluttonous spending so much time with my muse, gleefully flipping pages? But I've realized over the years that...



art is the culmination of inspired moments

Fresh Start

Here's to a New Year...


another year has gone to sleep
while a new one emerges innocent, pure and hopeful
the slate has been wiped clean

Upon Us

Things have seemed generally more festive lately...lots of giggling, amazing food, catching up with family & friends.
Despite the dark and dismal nightly news, it just seems like the folks around here have an extra twinkle in their eyes.
The holidays are upon us.
Time to give thanks and reflect on our blessings.
To hold our loved ones close, to watch children play, to snuggle up to our parents & grandparents and listen to old stories.

I absolutely adore this time of year and look so forward to the short pilgrimage to my aunt's huge old house - 3 floors of interesting rooms filled with fun, junky antiques. Every year she hosts an immense gathering of our close family (there are many of us). We gather around 5-6 tables end to end, with gorgeous homemade decorations & filled with food.

Each family member receives a special homemade gift made by the children of the family. My sister holds a special Thanksgiving prep craft session with the kids the day prior, where they carefully craft exquisite little tokens of love.

Now back to the food...aaahhh...the food is amazing. For such a large gathering we all contribute something. My aunt handles the turkey & main dishes, my mom & sis take care of the desserts and some sides and I get the relish tray.

I know what you are thinking...I got off easy, right? Dump some store-bought pickles and cranberry sauce in a dish and call it done? Well, as anyone who knows me well would say, I can't do "lowkey". It's just not in my DNA. So although its truly meant to almost be an afterthought accompaniment, I have been determined over the years to bring it to a new level of stature on the Thanksgiving table.



There have been experiments with pickling, olive medleys, chutneys and the like. Some were good, some were very, very bad. It got to be such an obsession that my hubby started calling me Chutney-Queen.



During this time of year, there is always a big pot of bubbling chutney on the stove.



And to serve all of these chutney labors-of-love?
First issue was the "tray". One tray didn't seem like enough for such a crowd, and I really wanted to do something creative, so I altered/decoupaged the rims of several ivory china trays with snippets of meaningful Thanksgiving phrases and words. They were sealed for protection and we carefully handwash them every season.
Now the serving pieces...those get a new treatment every year. I use them to not only serve the dish but to describe what it is they are eating. Sometimes I add tiny tags like "Spiced Pear & Apple Chutney", sometimes I've written directly on the handle and scrubbed it off later on.



If you've never had a relish tray at your Thanksgiving table, I really hope you try it. There is nothing more magical in the mouth then the combo of savory & sweet. Most recipes are quite simple and it also makes a great host/hostess gift during the holidays. Here are some of my favorites...I found both way back when on the Food network website.

Cranberry-Apple Chutney
Yield: 8-10 servings
1 (10-16oz) bag of fresh whole cranberries
2 crisp apples, peeled & cored, sliced 1" thk (I have used Macs or Granny Smith)
2 in piece of ginger, peeled & very finely grated
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water

Combine all ingredients in a large pot and bring to a simmer. Cook about 30 minutes - until softened, reduced and thickened.
Transfer to storage containers or pretty canning jars. Cool fully before serving. Can store up to 2 weeks refrigerated

Vidalia Onion & Granny Smith Chutney
Yield: 8 servings
3 Granny Smith apples, peeled & cored, small dice (should yield approx 6 cups)
2 Vidalia (or other sweet onion), medium dice (yield approx 3 cups)
2 cups golden raisins
1 tsp minced ginger
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup apple cider
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1 cinnamon stick
3 cloves
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp grnd white pepper

Combine all ingredients in a large pot and bring to a simmer. Cook about 1-1 1/2 hrs - until most liquid evaporates.
Remove bay leaf and cinnamon stick.
Transfer to storage containers or pretty canning jars. Cool fully before serving. Can store up to 2 weeks refrigerated