Terry John Woods' New Blog

Photo taken at Marburger Farm Antique Show, Spring 2010

Terry John Woods, author of Terry John Woods' New Farmhouse Style, maker of delightful bears, artist, stylist and somebody I would like to meet, has a new blog. Now I wouldn't have known this so soon if Tall Husband had not noticed how longingly I looked at Terry's book the other day when we were at a bookstore. So today he took me back and bought Terry's book for me. I think it's an early birthday gift and only three days early. We don't buy gifts for each other unless the perfect gift happens along...perfect! The website listed in Terry's book led to my discovery of his blog. What a magical day this has been.

Rocks in My Heart

This sweet little book, Everybody Needs a Rock, was in my Cheerios this morning. A kindred soul has found her way to me. Ms. Byrd Baylor, assisted by the charming drawings of Peter Parnall, sets out the rules for choosing a rock. She clearly knows that rocks are really magic and that they must feel just right in one's hand. Which brings me to some of my favorite rocks. (Click on each photo to enlarge and read notations.)

One must have old, interesting containers for rocks. (See the dark rusty thing above, it's not a rock; it is the rusted trigger from a hand gun, found in my backyard. I wonder about the story behind that!)

The rocks that have been carved into hearts are sweet Valentine gifts from Tall Husband. (Oh, I know that the little French perfume bottle isn't a rock but it feels great in the hand. Besides, it has sentimental value: it belonged to my daughter when she was a student in Paris. If I remove the cap, I can inhale Misha's wild and heady girlhood.)

Photocraft

"Photocraft" by Caroline Herter, Laurie Frankel & Laura Lovett;
Bulfinch Press

Here's a book every blogger will want. It shows you how to do over forty chic projects using the photos you love. The authors also cover the technical aspects of the digital world in a chapter titled, "Photocraft 101." They also give your great resources: from photographic equipment, to fonts, to vintage Victorian images, etc.

My favorite of their projects is a vinyl shower curtain with a life size photo of Laurie's two sons playing in an old washtub. I'll refrain from showing that to you, as I want you to get the book and see it for yourself. It's a knock-out idea.

I showed the photo of the shower curtain to Tall Husband, "I was thinking that you could stand in the clawfoot tub at The Bunny Bungalow and I'll photograph you. The shower curtain would look great on the old clawfoot."

"I won't do it! Because then you would put it on the Internet. How about if we put your little fat ass on the shower curtain?"

I guess that's a "no"- for now.

Update: “Suite Française,” by Irène Némirovsky

“Suite Française,” by Irène Némirovsky; Translated by Sandra Smith

This morning, in response to my review of the book, “Suite Française,” by Irène Némirovsky, Liz Sinnreich with the Museum of Jewish Heritage, NYC, sent important information about an upcoming exhibition in New York City:

"I recently read your post about Irène Némirovsky and wanted to let you know about an exciting new exhibition about her life, work, and legacy that will open [to the public] on September 24, 2008 at the Museum of Jewish Heritage —A Living Memorial to the Holocaust in New York City. Woman of Letters: Irène Némirovsky and Suite Française, which will run through the middle of March, will include powerful rare artifacts — the actual handwritten manuscript for Suite Française, the valise in which it was found, and many personal papers and family photos. The majority of these documents and artifacts have never been outside of France. For fans of her work, this exhibition is an opportunity to really “get to know” Irène. And for those who can’t visit, there will be a special website that will live on the Museum’s site http://www.mjhnyc.org/.

The Museum will host several public programs over the course of the exhibition’s run that will put Némirovsky’s work and life into historical and literary context. Book clubs and groups are invited to the Museum for tours and discussions in the exhibition’s adjacent Salon (by appointment). It is the Museum’s hope that the exhibit will engage visitors and promote dialogue about this extraordinary writer and the complex time in which she lived and died. Please visit our website at http://www.mjhnyc.org/for up-to-date information about upcoming public programs or to join our e-bulletin list.

Thanks for sharing this info with your readers...."

-Liz Sinnreich (executiveintern@mjhnyc.org)

(Bolding of print added)