Northampton, MA...Smith College...Part 2

Smith College Museum of Art! This is a lovely building with lots of really nice art work. The main exhibit that I went to see was African Beaded Art: Power and Adornment. The exhibit is only there until June 15 and it is impressive. Over 100 pieces of art and more beads in them than any of us could ever count. (Unfortunately it was one of the displays where you could not take any photos). But you can see a small photo and read about it here along with the other three exhibits that I could not photograph... 1) Sol LeWitt: Wall Drawing #139 (Grid and arcs from the midpoints of four sides)

2) Gary Niswonger: About Place - there were some beautiful paintings in this one. He is a professor of art there and did this particular work while on a sabbatical.

3) Sandy Skoglund: Radioactive Cats - graduate of Smith.

One of the more interesting works of art are the two restrooms. Not only are they considered a permanent exhibition - they are also used as the public restrooms so I could not get into the men's room to photograph it.

But...I did manage to photograph the Ladies Restroom...


Each sink has a very different design...and they are gorgeous!
The floor is also part of the art work as is the design in each of the toilet bowls. Everyone of them was different..
The walls also are works of art...It was stunning!!!

One of the other galleries which I could photograph...I'm not into portraits or most painted art...but, what I did love about the art work at Smith - besides the layout of the galleries - was that all the benches that one would sit on to view the art were also art...

This bench was my most favorite! Just look at the work on that...it is a double bench hooked together at the top...this is one side of it...
This is the other...
And again...another gorgeous bench!!!
There is another trip planned only next time I plan to go to the Botanical Gardens...yes, there is a link for that too...

Northampton, MA...Smith College...

Smith College! One of the Seven Sisters...

Growing up my dream was to attend college at one of the Seven Sisters -

(Mount Holyoke College (originally Mount Holyoke Female Seminary); Vassar College; Wellesley College; Smith College; Radcliffe College (originally The Harvard Annex - no longer open to students); Bryn Mawr College, and Barnard College)

Well, dreams are just that - and instead I attended the local university where I could commute and which was much more reasonable on the pocketbook!

But during the years I have been able to check them off one at a time - and so far I have visited Barnard College, Radcliffe College, and now Smith College!

The entrance to Smith College - and their gorgeous campus!The common building where students hang out, get their mail - basically their student union building.
Clark Hall...
The church that sits between several Smith College buildings
Not sure what building that one is - but, it looks like the performing arts building...couldn't see a name on it.
Two building joined by a common entrance - they appeared to be either dorms or apartments.
The Library is on the right and is on a common with other buildings surrounding the common. It is lined with beautiful old trees and lots of walkways. There is a very peaceful feeling on the campus.

This weekend: Smith College Museum of Art

Northampton, MA...WEBS...

Thursday, the 15th - was a get-away-day for me!!! My little brain had been working overtime and I wanted to go to Northampton...actually to Smith College.

But, then I heard WEBS was there! YEA!

The drive down was uneventful...nice trip - not a lot of traffic...just a quiet jaunt on Interstate 91. Was heading in what I thought was the direction for Smith when I saw a sign for a bead shop. Now that grabbed my attention. So, I pulled in. The bead shop belongs to WEBS - the same people who own the fiber shop...

I was directed around the corner to the fiber shop - and from there everything went to you-know-where-in-a-handbasket!

The front of the store! The entrance to more-yarn-than-you-can-count! I strolled and then I discovered the back room! But, I was a good! And, I didn't spend a lot...I could have done a lot of damage - but, I was reasonable!
Jaeger Baby Merino - 200 Yards - enough for two sets of Henry's Paws or the adorable hat I've been looking at. ($2.00 ea)
Berroco Comfort DK - Nylon/Acrylic (50/50) - enough for a pair of socks that I promised someone and this is a great blue for them. ($3.00 ea)
And, finally, ten skeins of Plymouth Linen Isle - cotton/rayon/linen - enough for a cute little summer shell...or vest type thing... ($2.39 ea)

I'll go back there...it was a fun place to look around and the yarns are very nice...

Tomorrow: Smith College!

NHS&W...The Fiber Babies...

Everyone of them is adorable...Please enjoy their photos.

Without them and others like them we would not enjoy knitting or any other fiber arts as much as we do!

Just Got Home...

Northampton today...

Discovered WEBS...

Great Exhibits at Smith College Museum of Art...

Now off to read for a while and fall asleep!!!

Great day...more tomorrow (when Blogger lets me post photos!)

Day Trippin' ... Harrisville...Part II...

My intended stop: Harrisville Designs!

According to their website (which you can reach by clicking above), they are a family owned and operated business , "started in 1971 as an effort to preserve and help re-establish the economic vitality of the historic 18th century textile village of Harrisville, New Hampshire."

And, they have done it with style! You should look at the website as it shows that creek I was talking about in my last post as it is right next to their building.

Upon arriving I entered the building and not being sure where to go I went upstairs - and ended up in the classroom. It is huge! A very friendly lady asked if I had been to the store yet - and when I said no she walked me back down the stairs and opened the door to this:

The store is beautiful! There are no other words to describe it. Gorgeous wooden floors! And, yarn, looms, wheels, and knitted samples everywhere! The other thing I noticed was that it was clean - there wasn't a speck of yarn or anything on the floors.

The above case showcases their New England Shetland (100% pure wool). The colors were gorgeous! It was like be still my heart. Most of the yarn that is in the store is made right there in their mill - they did have a few other yarns that they do not make (like one of my favorites Reynolds Soft Sea Wool).

Orchid Yarns - with Cashmere (25% Mohair, 70% Fine Virgin Wool, & 5% Cashmere) filled this case. It was so soft and so beautiful...but, I was looking for sock yarn ... and this would not have held up. But, it sure would make a great sweater or maybe a shawl.

This shot is taken from the front looking toward the back of the store...there is a nice little area where you can sit and peruse the knitting books. Plus they have their own original patterns complete with knitted samples!

There are Heathered Wool Bulky yarns, Wool Worsted and fingering weight yarns, the Orchid yarns, Flax and Wool Blend yarns, and Silk and Wool Blend plus they have 56 colors of Weaving Yarns and carded 100% Pure Wool Fleece! Their prices are very reasonable!

So what did I buy???

New England Shetland 100% pure wool. The colors left to right - Violet, Bermuda, and Periwinkle.

The day was a really wonderful day - not only did I get to go to store that inspired me - but, I was out in nature looking at the beautiful New England country side. The girls at Harrisville Designs sent me home a different way so I would not have as many frost heaves to contend with. So, I got to see more of the area.

Harrisville Designs is on my list to visit more often!

Day Trippin' ... Harrisville...

Harrisville, New Hampshire! What a beautiful trip to get there! The scenery was breath-taking!

Lakes like the one below were the norm. Actually on one road I drove almost all the way around a beautiful lake which was still frozen over.
This lake is on Route 10 right before I turned off onto 123. It was the way Google mapped me - and the scenery just kept getting better and better.
Immediately upon turning onto 123 there was a sign about Moose crossing, then a little further down the road a sign that read: Crossing Deer. Okay, got keep my eyes open for the moose and deer - only to find about 1/2 a mile later a sign with Cows on it!
The road was full of frost heaves. For those of you not from these parts and who have no idea what frost heaves are - allow me to explain. It is when the snow, water, ice gets under the road and it bubbles up - then when it all melts the road sink. Therefore it makes driving on that particular road seem like the worst rollercoaster ride of your life. That's what the above road was like. The speed limit was 35 - I barely did 15!

Never saw a moose or deer! Did manage to see a few cows but they were safely behind a big fence. So, needless to say I was breathing pretty easy when I turned the curve heading into Stoddard - only to come face to hood with a huge turkey. The suicidal turkey was crossing the road to catch up with his 15 or so brothers and sisters who had just crossed ahead of him. He managed to get across tail feathers in tact...and I continued along.

I was finally rewarded by arriving in Harrisville. First stop was the Harrisville General Store. Very nice people there - they along with a nice young man pointed me in the direction of my "reason" for going to Harrisville.

It seems Harrisville is rather a neat little artsy town. Beautiful painting and photos were featured on the walls of the store and were done by a local person. A rack of lovely photo note cards done by a different local was by the register. They also informed me that all the baked goods, soups, and other foods were locally made by the owner of the store.

The town had lots of old brick buildings...and a beautiful brook that ran right across the road from store and my intended stop.

The saga will continue...

Day Out...

Can't say where! But, I'm taking a day trip today!!!! There will be lots of photos tomorrow!

And, tonight is a new knitting group - Upper Valley Knitting group - and we are meeting at 6:30 in White River Junction. So, I'm going to get to meet some of the knitters from Ravelry! The yarn shop we are going to meet at is one that I go to all the time - (right next door to the quilt shop!)

Camera is in hand and I am out the door!!!!

Day Trippin' ... Barre...

Barre, Vermont...has been calling my name for the last several months...so, off I headed on Interstate 89...on the one clear day we had a week ago.

Dave, I know you will appreciate the above photo...and thankfully none of the dear little moose crossed the road in front of me.

(Although I don't know if you've heard - but, there is a precious little moose about an hour or two away on Route 100 in Vermont who doesn't have the gene that makes him afraid of humans - and he is staying by the side of the road and when cars slow down he actually comes over and puts his head in the window. The police are asking people not to feed him. It was on the news last week!)The road was clear and the skies were beautiful. Just a lovely winter day to enjoy a little day trip.

My reason for going up to Barre - is L.A.C.E. (Local Agricultural Community Exchange)! I heard about it from a magazine article and from a notice about a Jackson Browne Fund Raising Concert.

Ariel Zevon (Warren Zevon's daughter and Jackson Browne's god-child) is the founder of L.A.C.E.

You know me - such a firm believer in buying locally produced items - so, naturally, I had to go see what all the fuss was about.

Even though the above photo doesn't show up clearly, the market is bright and cheery with lots of local artwork on the walls and local products scattered around the store.

But, this was what I came for - lunch! Which I had heard through word-of-mouth would be very good. My sandwich - Roast Beef Rebuen - was so good. It came with some really good slaw - and it was yummy. Managed to catch a photo of Ariel as she was making some one's lunch...which she seemed to be doing the entire time I was there. The place was busy...

Shopped for a few things - and then headed for home. Took a different route - no interstate - and all the little towns were lovely. Stopped in Norwich at the King Arthur Flour Company to see what was new...and picked up the best French roll (I got the last one in the case)...and some pancake mix.

It was a fun day!!!

C is for Chocolate...

C is for Chocolate!

Of course, it is!

Especially, today!!!!

On a recent day trip I ended up here. And, where might this be...A wonderful little shop called L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates. Charming, isn't it? And, filled with wonderful chocolates!
The shop is located in the little town of Walpole, about 20 miles from my home. Not only is there the chocolate shop - but, they have a really nice restaurant as well as the factory where the chocolate is made. I don't think the factory is on these premises - if I remember correctly there was an article that I read that said they built a new factory. Oh, and they offer a four-day chocolate cooking workshop.This would be Ashleigh who took care of my selections and fixed me a cup of their wonderful hot chocolate! Yummy!!!!
And, more chocolates to look at...
And, the above is my most favorite from there...this yummy milk chocolate bar with hazelnuts!

They ship - just sayin'...

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!