Period Peace

A few things I'm loving during my down time, these early days of October...

It seems always to be autumn in London.  Or that the city was made for the season.  In any case, Call The Midwife is such a charming story about a sisterhood thriving among quite dire post-war conditions in East London.
 I rented it from my local library.

Some of my fave Fall 2013 pieces...I have not one but TWO of the mustard cardigans I was hugely coveting in "Call the Midwife"...despite the fact that I had to wear one as part of my school uniform and hated it then...

The best ghost story I've ever read.  I was really dreading nearing
the end knowing I wouldn't find another great haunt like this one.

A completely indulgent pre-war soap opera.  They really knew how to do cocktail
hour back then...I love it! (Listen it's fluff, but it's imported fluff for me, ok??)

You all must leave your own tips on reads/shows that are perfect for fall evenings!  I want to know!

Artist In Profile: Fritz Koch-Gotha

As in previous years, I'm crafting a homemade 'zine to tuck into my childrens' Easter nests this Sunday!

This year, they will feature mini-prints of these richly coloured and very funny illustrations by Fritz Koch-Gotha.  I have carefully scanned and touched up the colours to share the illustrations with you here.

I hope you love them as much as I do!

"Easter Egg Painting Class"...the girl rabbit in the centre
having a meltdown because she's broken her egg is so funny!

"Off to School"...the brother bunny blowing his nose on a
cabbage leaf ...KG's imagination is vivid...

"In the Classroom"

"Class in Prayer"

"Musical Interlude"

"A Family Dinner".  Father Rabbit seems to be an
Army General...HA!

Which of these is your favorite?

I can't quite decide...

I'm a Finalist!

A few weeks ago I posted my fashionable foremothers...turns out one of my photos became a finalist in a contest!

If you are at all inclined, I would really appreciate your vote!  As I do not have a real presence on facebook, am not sure that I stand much of a chance but am hopeful still!  Voting happens until March 21.

Make sure to "like" both my photo and the store in order to have your entry be eligible!

One of the finalists!

Thanks friends...and have a wonderful weekend!

Fashions of our Foremothers

My favorite store for fashion finds is holding great contest at the moment:  the call is out for vintage family photos which evoke the fashion spirit!  The winner gets a nice little gift card.

You know I got busy!  Thanks to my mama who let me scan and submit some of these gems...

Most, if not all of these photos were taken in Switzerland in the 20's, 30's and 40s.  I love the ones where the Alps are the natural backdrop.  Can't make this stuff up!

An Exhibit: Vintage Illustrations by Children

As a mother of young children, I'm interested to know what they perceive about the world around them by looking at their artwork.  Sometimes it is sloppy and decidedly uninspired, but other times the joy that can be read is really very emotionally valuable.

Recently, I came upon these drawings by Swiss school children which will be on display at the National Museum in Switzerland until March 17.

All of these were created for an annual contest for Swiss school children.  The winning drawings earned a spot in the yearly calendar created by the sponsor.

I thought I'd share these:

1939 (Artist Unknown) A Day at the Fair

1941 Artist known to be a 13 year old girl. Childhood utopia, during a politically charged time in central Europe.

1940 (Artist Unknown) La Familglia .  Switzerland is surrounded by
facist states when this was drawn.  The cool atmosphere clearly
 perceived by the child artist as shown by the mother clinging to the
bedding and the angular lines of the drawing itself.

Instant Date Night: Crispy Stuffed Flatbread + Champagne

We put it in our calendar.

We sourced special ingredients.  Ones our children probably definitely wouldn't like.  That's how we knew they were special ingredients...haha...

Jamie Oliver's Egyptian Stuffed Flatbread, with a side of champagne

The two of us had a marvelous evening (after our two littles had been tucked in) chiffonading our herbs, seasoning liberally with za'atar, and considering our luck in finding the 1930's champagne cups at a German Canadian retirement home bazaar before Christmas.

(To be sure: Jamie Oliver delivers here again!  We made our flatbread with beef, and figured a slice of halloumi would be a treat of a stand-in for a vegetarian.  His trick to DIY press these into shape is pure genius.)

Family Portrait Painting - Christmas Edition

We are packing up the boxes and paper today (...and discussing the role/necessity/tradition of brussel sprouts at Christmas dinner...).  What a wonderful feast and festival we've had over these past few days!

I was most excited to give my sister-in-law a painting I finished, just in time.

 

 

Mr. Hausfrau has had this little picture of him and his sister sitting on Santa's lap circa early 80's forever...it was just recently that I thought it might be fun to paint!

Hope everyone is having a lovely last few days of 2012!

The Artist's Weekend Away

Recently I was invited to spend the weekend at a friend's home and studio for a weekend retreat.   All the participants emerged more filled than when they arrived, I feel that's safe to say!

1 getting to know one another over tapas + uber-trendy vino
2 my refreshed self in the morning
3 brunch at the neighborhood cafe
4 homemade dinner included an avacado + mango + shrimp salad,  the best orzo salad I've ever had, and a lovely quinoa + herb salad.  Oh, paired with Portuguese rosee!
5 our group pausing to admire wet november leaves on the sidewalk
6 a late morning walk led us to a beautiful old cemetery facing the river

On Sunday, my talented friend led us in a mixed-media-on-canvas workshop in her studio.  I went home with the most amazing loot-bag!

 

 

If there is an opportunity to have such a weekend with friends and discover a new neighborhood, it would be a sin to turn it down.  I encourage everyone to make one happen for themselves!




 

A Collection

Over the years, we have been lucky enough to become owners of some family heirlooms.  The crystal pieces we've got in our little collection now have come from Nans and Grandmas...their own special dishes that they have given to us.

Because I tend to set an eclectic, colourful table, a more classic plate is required, I think.  I reach for our crystal serving dishes often to add a sparkle - a subtle, yet rich layer - to the table that is set.

We serve any number of lovely things on these dishes:  bruschetta, salmon-asparagus bundles, even a casual summer meal, as photographed here.  This is a simple meal Swiss famlies eat often based around 'gschwellti', or new boiled potatoes.  Alongside the tiny taters, I usually serve a variety of cheese, crudites, creamy dip, ham or tuna, pickled vegetables, hard boiled eggs...you can improvise with whatever is seasonal or what you have on hand!

Cats at School

Before I introduce Oliver and Charlotte to these lovely books, I thought I'd upload some of the excellent illustrations in them to share.

These are from one of my favorite books that I had as a child.  My mom dropped them off for me last week and I'm so happy to have them!  They bring back such wonderful memories...

There are several books in this series with illustrations by Swiss artist Eugen Hartung (who also did the Dressed Cats series of postcards for the Mainzer company during the 40s, 50s and 60s) and text by Joerg Schneider:

Merry Cat Adventures (Die Froehlichen Katzenabenteuer)
The Merry Year of the Cat (Das Froehlichen Katzenjahr)
The Merry School for Cats (Die Froehlichen Katzenschule)

These are from The Merry School for Cats.

"On the way to school" 
Notice: mother cat on the left eyeing scene with disdain.

"Art Class"  Notice: student goofing in teacher's spot
+ student drawing mouse on peer's back!

"A Class Interruption"  Notice: taxidermied studies ironic?

"Home Economics"  (my personal favorite!)
Notice: taunting mice in window overlooking Alps.

"Smoking out Back"  Notice:  Teacher's coming!
Cat on the right..."I don't feel too good"...

"Chimney Sweeper"
Notice: Woman Cat knitting + Old Cat smoking a pipe!

There are several opinions on these illustrations out there.  I think they're very funny...lovely, even.  They are definitely taking "animals personified" a step further than Beatrix Potter, which is why they speak to me still as an adult.