The Junk Drawer

Exquisite Illuminations by fleur_de_lis

For my Christmas post this year, I have decided to show you a few examples of illuminated manuscripts. Illuminated manuscripts are huge works of art made in Medieval times. They are bound by leather, written on vellum (a soft animal skin), encrusted with precious jewels, and usually of the Bible, although one of the most beautiful illuminated manuscripts is a book of hours for the Duc de Berry known as les Tres Riches Heures . The word illumination is derived from the Latin word for "adorn", and refers to the frequent practice of applying gold and silver leaf to some of the letters and pictures. Many of these precious works were done by monks who would spend their entire lifetimes in their endeavors. Because few people in medieval times could read, these works were also meant to tell the stories of the Bible visually. Above is a beautiful example of an application of gold leaf. The following are some examples of an entire manuscript: The rest of the examples are pages from an...

Home to Thanksgiving by fleur_de_lis

Home to Thanksgiving--Currier and Ives From my house to yours, here's hoping you have a warm and family filled Thanksgiving! This year will be extra special for us as it is the first time in 4 years we will be all together. My daughter was in Iraq last year, and my globetrotting son was in LA. Now that he is in Denver (permanently, I hope) we will really be able to enjoy these special times together on a more regular basis. Blessings to you all from Nebraska.

Favorite 'The Day the Earth Stood Still' (1951) quotes by fleur_de_lis

I have seen this movie several times, and I am definitely looking forward to the new version coming out in December. I know I have plans to see it, do you? Hopefully I won't be disappointed. Here is a sampling of my favorite quotes from the old version Helen: Gort! Klaatu barada nikto! (If they don't use this phrase I will be very upset)! Klaatu: I'm worried about Gort. I'm afraid of what he might do if anything should happen to me. Helen: Gort? But he's a robot. Without you, what could he do? Klaatu: There's no limit to what he could do. He could destroy the earth. Mr. Harley: Your impatience is quite understandable. Klaatu: I'm impatient with stupidity. My people have learned to live without it. Mr. Harley: I'm afraid my people haven't. I'm very sorry...I wish it were otherwise. (first lines) American Radar Operator: Holy Mackerel! Call headquarters. Get the lieutenant. Old Man: Why doesn't the government do something, that's what I'd...

My Favorite Artist by fleur_de_lis

My favorite artist of all time is the man that made the following painting, Claude Monet. I am joining in with millions of others who consider him to be their favorite as well. I have mentioned him a few times in other posts, and I will whet your appetite with this example of his work that has some interesting background: The name of the painting is Impression: Sunrise . It was from this painting that the movement Impressionism got it's name. The painting created plenty of 'scandal' and reaped it's fair share of negative criticism when it was first exhibited. One critic said, "Wallpaper in its embryonic state is more finished than that seascape." Despite his rocky start, Monet went on to become one of the most influential and successful artists of modern times. More to come.....

Avida Dollars by fleur_de_lis

"The one thing the world will never have enough of is the outrageous." "The only difference between myself and a madman is that I am not mad." Flamboyant, greedy, money hungry, egotistical, and definitely outrageous, this artist began exhibiting his bizarre behaviors as a child. He was born 9 months and 10 days after the death of his older brother and was given his brother's name--a fact which many believe contributed to his desire to stand out and his perverse behaviors to draw attention to himself. He relished causing his parents grief by pretending to throw himself down the stairs or choke, and as an adult his 'grand' entrances to events, his appearance, and his antics were the stuff of the tabloids. If you haven't figured it out yet, this artist is Salvador Dali and Avida Dollars is a 'catty' anagram of his name given to him by a fellow painter, Andre Breton. Salvador was known amongst his fellows as the man who would do anything for a buck...

Old Master by fleur_de_lis

He wanted to be so famous and so successful that he would be recognized by his first name only. He achieved his fame and success early on in his career but fell into obscurity at the end of it. He amassed and spent several fortunes, eventually falling into debt and being forced to sell his house and all of his possessions. This giant of the art world, this old master, is Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669), and still today, he is a name that all the world recognizes. Rembrandt is most known for the strong use of light and dark in his paintings to emphasize important elements, his willingness to flout convention and break the rules of the day, and his ability to capture an action and vitality in his figures that was lacking in paintings done by other masters of the time. By far my favorite work of Rembrandt's, and also one of my top ten favorite paintings is The Night Watch . What a tangled web of facts, myths, stories, and lies have been woven around this one! The Night Watch is actually...

My New Shoes.... by fleur_de_lis

Every woman has a fascination with...well...shoes! I have recently decided to pamper myself with some outrageous new styles. Tell me what you think! Ah, yes, who wouldn't want to leave their very own hoof prints... Extreme stiletto/ballet slippers...hmmm, I don't think the toes would enjoy the experience. Gulp... Look a little tricky to put on, but what the heck...I've got a little time on my hands. Just in time for Halloween...Hobbits are my favorite creatures. Couldn't resist this little color coded storage unit--just too cool.... And this multi-layered number...well, what can I say. The favorite of my collection, though, is a driveable Reebok, oh yeah!

By the Numbers for my TKR by fleur_de_lis

Alright, a quick post after an absence of a few days. I am home recuperating after a total knee replacement. Here it is, by the numbers: 1 orthopedic surgeon, 1 total knee replacement 12 red roses 1/2 mile covered with my walker (a new word in my vocabulary is walkering--I no longer run, skip, trudge, limp or even plod--I walker)! 5 blue latex gloves, blown up into balloons by the grandsons 40 staples to hold my knee together 40 pain killers 3 physical therapists 10 sets in each group of leg exercises 1000 frequent flyer miles so as to be surprised by a visit from my son 8 gallons of gas used by my daughter in her chauffeur duties for me 21 blood thinning shots I have to inject myself :( 100 miles away from home 4 nights of prepared meals brought into us by friends 2 TEDS anti embolism stockings 1 pampering husband, 1 fussing mother, dozens of prayer and thanks sent up to God. And good grief, Joe, I am afraid I just couldn't get into your Whack the Patella game!

Avast, me fellow bilge rats!! by fleur_de_lis

A great, big AAARRRRGGGHHHH to one and all! It finally be Talk Like a Pirate Day and it be time to go a plunderin' on the blogs! Me tentacled twosome Scruffy n' Scoutmom be on deck it seems, and Cap'n Joe...well, we will see, we will see....

Pirate Comic Countdown--1 by fleur_de_lis

Pirate Comic Countdown--2 by fleur_de_lis

...and

Pirate Comic Countdown--3 by fleur_de_lis

Pirate Comic Countdown--4 by fleur_de_lis

Pirate Comic Countdown--5 by fleur_de_lis

...and one more:

Pirate Comic Countdown--6 by fleur_de_lis

And here be another one, cuz I've got extra! Har, har, harrrgghhhh!