Wanted: Autumn Mix

I love all things fall (and Christmas of course) but one of the indications that the season has descended upon is...

AUTUMN MIX!

I realize that some of you may disagree and argue that these adorable little candy corn pieces with pumpkins are nothing but sugar coated wax...and to that I say: "Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion."  Despite my normally very health conscious eating habits, I always make room for a little splurge, and Autumn mix is one of them. 

To me, Autumn mix is one part childhood, one part delicious, one part festive and one part rot your teeth.

In short, I can't get enough!

What is your favorite fall candy "splurge?"

Babalu! "I Love Lucy"

One of my favorite television shows growing up was "I Love Lucy."  We had several episodes on VHS (remember those?) and I would watch them over and over and over....

My two favorite episodes were when Lucy and Ethel worked in the chocolate factory (oh how I wanted to eat chocolate!) and the episode where Lucy makes (or attempts to make) wine from stomping grapes in a huge vat.  That looked like so much fun!

So you can imagine my delight when the Library of Congress opened up a special exhibit: "I Love Lucy: An American Legend" in honor of the 60th anniversary of the show's debut.

The idea for "I Love Lucy" originated when CBS considered transferring its successful radio program, "My Favorite Husband," starring Ball , to the then-new medium of television. Ball’s real-life husband, Arnaz, became her costar.  Ball and Arnaz were apart much of the time because Arnaz was touring with his band and Ball was acting.  She saw the show as the opportunity for them to do something together and salvage their marriage.

I stopped by the exhibit on Friday before Kern and I went to a special concert honoring Arnaz's Cuban music in the Coolidge Auditorium at the Library on Saturday evening.

I was mesmerized by her beauty!

This is a manuscript drum part for "Babalu" from the 1940s!

Ball and Arnaz did not have children for almost 10 years after their marriage.  They had been married in City Hall, so Ball insisted they re-marry in a church.  They did, and Lucie and Desi Jr. were born in the years following!

They were the "First Family"

Sheet music: "I love Lucy and she loves me...we're as happy as two can be!"

Their son and daughter were part of the evening's music. Singer Lucie Arnaz headlined the evening which paid homage to orchestrations of the Desi Arnaz Orchestra.  She told hilarious stories and reminisced about her childhood.  

I wish I had taken more photos but I was too busy dancing in my seat to the Cuban music!  There was a full 16 person orchestra.  It was a wonderful evening!

Chalk Paint Class

For months I have been wanting to take a class on Chalk Painting.  I have taught myself several techniques, but I was eager to get some guidance from a professional in attempts to hone my skill and improve.

Celeste, who owns Catfish Creative Furnishings in Rockville, Maryland is the stockist I have used to purchase all of my Annie Sloan paint and supplies.  She has been trained by Annie and does amazingly beautiful work.  Read the story of why she is nicknamed "Catfish" here.

There were 6 students in the class, including me.  The class was held in the studio portion of On a Whim in Lucketts, Virginia.

Celeste advising the group and giving tips

I had my own table to work on and get messy!

In the morning portion of the class, we worked with sample boards and practiced different techniques and finishes

Celeste teaching us how to make colored wax

In the afternoon portion, we got to select a piece of furniture from the warehouse at On a Whim to paint! I chose a side table. 

I was drawn to the legs and the medallion.

I decided to do the "Two Color Technique" on my piece.  This means that I will layer two colors, then distress the piece when I wax it for a layered finish.  I promise to devote an entire blog to this piece so stay tuned!

Layer 1: Duck Egg Blue

Celeste was a great teacher and I had the BEST time.  I was literally grinning from 10am to 4pm.  I hope to take the advanced class when it is offered in the spring.

Boston: Spectacle Island

On Columbus Day, we set out without an exact agenda, and ended up down by the wharf.  What better way to celebrate the discovery of the new world than by going on a ferry ride?

Since we had walked a majority of the city the past two days, we decided to venture to one of the Boston Harbor Islands: Spectacle Island.

Boston Harbor Islands national park area has 34 islands that make up 1,600 acres and 35 miles of coastline--all within 10 miles of downtown.  We chose to visit Spectacle Island because it has the best view of the city from the peak point.

Leaving the busy inner harbor area

This is not the view the settlers saw when they landed in the 1600's!

We made it!  It was almost 90 degrees...hot!

There were people swimming along the shore, but we hiked up to the top of the island and just relaxed by watching the busy harbor and admiring the city from afar.

Karate!

Wish Kitty got to ride her first boat!  She had a great time.

All too soon, it was time to leave!  Bye!

I bought Wish Kitty in Japan (ok in Disney World) and she jumped in my suitcase to Boston.

We hiked back down the path and returned to Boston for a quick early dinner and caught a late flight back to DC!

Boston: Mike's Pastry, Cambridge, Boston Commons

On Saturday night, we hung out in the North End.  I waited in line for almost 30 minutes at Mike's Pastry.  Mike's is famous for it's homemade cannoli--they have tons of flavor options.

It was so packed I couldn't even see into the cases until it was time for me to order!

Victory is mine!  I got my Mike's box.

After a delicious dinner of Italian tapas, we made our way to a park to dig into the cannoli.

I got espresso (for Kern), chocolate creme and florentine (nutty/cinnamony cream)

Tired but happy: I have left over Mike's and a Boston Christmas ornament (see paper bag on top)

On Sunday morning, we took the T to Cambridge to see my cousin, Amanda, who is a 2L at Harvard.  We had brunch and Amanda showed us around campus.

Amanda, her friend Jess, and me

Sunday afternoon was spent doing a little shopping (ok I had to see the Boston Kate Spade store) and then walking around Boston Commons.

I loved watching the ducks!

Can you see me?

Every city I visit, I purchase a Christmas ornament for my tree.  The ornament I got from Boston showed the scene behind us: The George Washington statue in Boston Commons.

Make way for Ducklings!

Don't I fit in?

On the walk back to our hotel, we stumbled upon "Occupy Boston."  From what we could see, we were just glad we weren't a part of it: a women juggling fire, kids running around, people yelling...and people sleeping in tents.

Nevertheless, it was an experience.  Especially when we were asked if we wanted to join the group...we politely declined! 

Tune in tomorrow for the last segment of our Bostonian adventure!