Moab

We've been busy, so something had to give and it was the blog. We visited Moab this past week for an extra-long weekend. Eddie was really excited about camping in a motor home... we'd been talking about it for a couple of months. We think he would have been happy to stay inside it the whole time, but we did get out to experience Arches National Park, slick rock, off roading and hiking. Aside from a few low energy moments of frustration on his part (the 3-year-old turn on a dime from great mood to nothing-will-be-right-ever-again), we had such a good time together.

On the road to Grand Junction to pick up the motor home.Entering Utah!Arches excitement...More at Arches..And Arches again....An oval window beetle in a VW junk yard.Off road trip...More off roading...A stop on Wall Street.Hiking to two arches outside of Moab...The destination.
Heading home. It was a great trip.

Off Road

Last week, I did not join the off-roading adventure, but yesterday I decided to see what it was about. It's mostly about being thrown around and holding on for dear life. But you do get way out there much faster than you do under your own power, which is the way I usually prefer to go. And we all laughed at how freaked I looked on one particularly steep and rocky pitch. The views were well worth it.

Auction Finds

Again, I've picked out a few things I like from auctions being held this weekend. These are not high design pieces, but ones that are funky or fun, and that might fit in any number of settings.

The first are from Burley Auction Group's Western estate auction October 11th and 12th. From day 1, Saturday...

this coffee grinder. We grew up with one of these in my parents home. My lucky sister has it now.

And from day 2...
this coffee grinder and

this iced tea dispenser.

From Neal Auction Company's Louisiana Purchase Auction October 11th and 12th ...

this Newcomb Guild "Spindrift Ware" Vase

this cast iron and Walnut work table

this wrought iron campaign chair

this Native American basket

and this bird lithograph. Enjoy!

A Little Skuut on the North Trail

We went for a lovely little Skuut on the North Trail yesterday. Winter will be here soon, so it was good to see a number of mountain bikers getting in those last rides. Eddie beamed each time a rider acknowledged him.

Leslie Hindman Auction

I found a diverse assortment of fun pieces at the Leslie Hindman Auction of Fine Furniture and Decorative Art being held tomorrow, the 5th... Here they are...

This simple, beautiful Swedish sterling silver bowl.

This fruitwood tea caddy and

This pear shaped fruitwood tea caddy.

A Russian enamel and sterling cigarette case.

These Georg Jensen candlesticks.

and these wacky chairs, which I think I would like much better upholstered in a soft white or cream so that their shapes speak for themselves.

I See Them!!

It's 6:47PM and my boys are still off-roading. And there they are! See that little light in this (sorry for the poor quality) photo? That's them descending from the clouds after 2+ hours bouncing around on BLM roads! I hope Eddie doesn't throw up when he gets out of the truck. I can't wait for them to be home!

Quiet Saturday

It's cold and rainy and my husband and son are out there somewhere. In a truck. Off-roading. Eddie's first time. Not Doug's. I might have been with them, except I hurt my back and that surely would not make it better. So, I'm in here, having fun on You Tube. There have been times in my life (including during 5th grade recess) when I've listened to this Three Dog Night song over and over again...

Happy weekend!

Montessori

In early September, Eddie started going to a local Montessori program three days a week. Though he did go to a Summer program at the same place, which we loved, there were no official Montessori materials. We're really excited that he likes the work he's doing now (he's not playing! he's working... he talks about his work) and that he is developing such a positive association with what he perceives to be work. They have an hour and 45 minute work period in the morning, bookended by two line times. Their work is of their choosing. We're not surprised (though we're relieved and proud) that Eddie's creating a lot of towers, finding hammers and screwdrivers in the practical life area, and finding a v-v-van in the V letter box. He's drawing pictures for us and starting to put some letters down on paper.

His teachers are so loving, and it seems like a good bunch of kids. The rest of the day is filled with the above-mentioned line times where they share and talk as a group. They have show and tell, which follows a theme (letters and continents assigned to each month). They have lunch, play outside every day and have a rest/nap time in the afternoon. I think he's thriving. It's a very calm, supportive, happy environment that suits all of us. Oh, and they do yoga!

As seems to be the case across the board with Montessori programs, parents drop off and pick up their kids outside the building. This encourages the independence of the child. The room is theirs to learn in and take ownership of. So, we are thrilled to get e-mail reports each day of what the children did. And we get frequent pictures. The pictures are amazing for us. We can't believe our child is off in the world doing so many things without us, functioning so independently!!

You Know You Want Me

Yes I do. I want you! And your shoes...
So I'm going to Tas-ka to get you.

Wright Modern Design Auction

On October 7th, Wright will hold it's next Modern Design auction. Wright is an auction house, and retailer of hard-to-find, original pieces, in Chicago. Most of the pieces being offered are the really iconic ones from the famous mid-century designers. Wouldn't I love to live with this bunch below?!!

This George Nelson thin edge bed.

This George Nakashima Conoid cushion chair!

and this George Nakashima cabinet 205.

This George Nelson clock.

This Edward Wormley desk 5735.

These Walter Lamb lounge chairs .

this V'Soske carpet.

This Piet Elling lamp.

and this Vladamir Kagan lounge chair!