Saturday, January 9, 2016

City Views, Country Dreams

Good afternoon from New York.

At the time of my previous post I was still deep in the midst of Santa's workshop.



I baked many of these brown sugar star cookies and gave most of them away as gifts.  All my knitted items and other gifts were completed and mailed or hand delivered.  It was also a pleasure to get together with friends on various occasions, to receive lots of lovely cards and to have Christmas as a day off.

New Year's Eve and Day arrived very quickly, and NYC was treated to oddly warm weather.  I did go to work on New Year's Day, and was astonished to discover how many people actually wanted to shop on January 1.  I observed the Southern tradition of dining on black eyed peas on New Year's Day, insuring good luck for 2016.  Time will tell.

One of my New Year's intentions is to get out and about a bit more.  This past week I met a friend at Scandinavia House, on Park Avenue not too far from Grand Central Station and the iconic Chrysler Building.  Surely these buildings provide splendid city views!  



We wanted to see an exhibition of paintings by Danish painter Vilhelm Hammershoi. We particularly liked the portraits and interior scenes featuring sparsely-furnished rooms and one or two figures.


I did want to show you all one of his landscape paintings though, to show that every so often he did go outdoors.

Earlier today, I took my chances on a grey, drizzly morning, to walk across Central Park.  The colors I saw were very soft and subdued.



There was something about the tangle of these branches that pleased my eyes.


My walk to the Upper East Side had two destinations.  The first was The New York Society Library where I returned the copy of John Lewis-Stempel's Meadowland, that I first checked out last year.  I kept renewing my loan, wishing to truly take my time in reading this account of a year in a particular meadow.  I highly recommend the book.

The second destination was The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where I wished to visit a particular exhibit, Fashion and Virtue: Textile Patterns and the Print Revolution, 1520-1620.  The exhibit will close tomorrow.

To reach this exhibit's area of the huge Met, I passed through the many Medieval Galleries where a crew was working behind screens to remove the amazing Neapolitan Baroque decorations from the huge tree.  The idea was to keep the prying eyes of curious folks like me from seeing this process. 


I did manage to spy a opening to give you all an idea of what was going on.  Interestingly, the annual process of decorating the tree can be viewed by museum goers from a discreet roped-off distance.


As I'd expected, the light in the exhibit's rooms was quite dim to protect the precious textiles and old books on display.  Since most everything in the exhibit was taken from the Met's own collections it was okay to take photographs, and I enjoyed taking some.  I think that the following photograph of a young lady looking at a video of some exhibit information has the look of a painting.


I liked the quartet of illustrations on this informative poster.  I think that you all will be able to click on the photograph to enlarge the image.


The items pictured below were gifts to the Met from a lady who'd made a great collection of samples of textiles that connected with very old pattern book pages.  There were quite a few of these sheets on display, but I found some of them were hung too high on the wall for me to actually appreciate the designs or the actual textiles.


Here's another view of some folks taking advantage of a pleasant surrounding to have a rest.  I think that these fellows' female companions were giving the exhibit a careful viewing.


A number of mannequin couples were on display to indicate how antique textiles influenced 20th century designers.


I apologize for the blurry quality of my photographs.  The lighting was quite dim.


The next picture was designed by Giorgio Di Sant'Angelo.  Perhaps some you all will remember his bright colors?


I would like to have slippers like the one in the foreground.


The mostly cross stitched embroidery on this outfit was quite lovely.


Wouldn't these lions make grand postage stamps?


Fabric and Virtue was located on the lower level of the Met's Robert Lehman Wing, reached via staircase.  (I'm guessing there is an elevator, but have never used it.)  On the main floor of the Lehman Wing one can always find an amazing collection of the late Mr. Lehman's Post Impressionist paintings.  His gift to the Met demanded that his collection be shown as a group, not in galleries along with the Met's other extensive Post Impressionist works.


Another 2016 activity around here has been my preliminary de-cluttering attempts.  One of the closets in my apartment is a deep recess with a high ceiling.  Discovering what I might have long ago stored on its topmost shelf is always an adventure, requiring a careful climb up a step stool and a flashlight.  

This week's adventure did result in my tossing out some things that I truly no longer wanted or needed.  However, it also resulted in my discovering some hidden treasure, a lovely assortment of vintage Patricia Roberts genuine Shetland "Woolly Bear" yarn in neutral tones.  Well, I have started a new hat, that should soon be finished.  I've added some PR slate blue/grey mohair as horizontal definitions to the neutral herringbone mix.


Mind you, my major knitting opus, the blue/green/cream/rose fair isle shawl collared cardigan/jacket is still unfinished.  I am very close to the final steps, and vow to have it completed well before the first signs of spring 2016 arrive in Central Park.

I think that it might still be permissible to send you all my wishes for a very Happy New Year.  I am very much looking forward to keeping in touch via our blogs, and thank you again for your visits and comments.

I'm adding an addendum on January 11 to express my sadness in waking up this morning to learn that cancer has taken David Bowie away.  I heard some vintage interview with him today in which he mentioned always feeling as if he was still in his twenties.  I certainly understand and share that notion, even as golden years pile up memories I'd rather not have.  Still, this new year might offer us all unexpected joys.



52 comments:

  1. Frances, what a feast you have given us! The exhibition must have been a wonderful experience and I would love to have seen the embroidered fabrics more closely. I wonder if you came away feeling inspired to create something?

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    1. Elizabeth, I know that you would have greatly enjoyed the Met's textile exhibit. Oh yes, I surely found inspiration there. xo

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  2. That embroidery exhibition looks fascinating! I wonder if you know of http://www.modernfolkembroidery.com I recently bought thread and linen in order to do some stitching this year (not sure if I will, light levels in winter make it difficult to work in our living room).
    What treasures you have found hiding in the cupboard! I love the blue/grey tones of your new knit.
    C xx
    PS thank you for the tea cup card x

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    1. Celia, when I got to the textile exhibit galleries yesterday, I was very sorry to have left it so late. I'd had preferred to have had a few hours to really, really have a good look. However, I do have the Met's recent Member's Bulletin that took this exhibit as its focus, so there is lots I can absorb from its pages.
      Best wishes to you on your 2016 stitching. It will be fun to compare notes as the months flash past.
      Oh, before I forget, I do now also have my copy of Gardens Illustrated Issue 228 and think that your illustration is particularly fine.
      (Glad you liked the tea cup.) xo

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  3. The Met show looks fascinating!
    Yes, your newly discovered cache of wool is your new year's gift to yourself.
    Buster and I about to venture out into the deluge!

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    1. Elizabeth, it was so odd to just slip in and out of the Met so quickly. I saw posters about several other exhibits I want to see soon. It's quite a place.
      Funny to find buried treasures on a closet shelf.
      Let's hope the weather warms up by Wednesday. Looking forward to seeing you. xo

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  4. A very Happy New Year Frances.
    I think many of us are in decluttering mode just now. I know I am. Way too much stuff hung onto for way too long is now finding it's way to the charity shop or the incinerator.
    Would have loved to have the exhibition of textiles. What beautiful things. I especially loved those shoes.
    Hugs from The UK-x-

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    1. Thank you Sheila for your comment. I also send Happy New Year's wishes your way. The Met is such a huge building, filled with wonder. I hope to find more time to visit thereabouts in 2016. xo

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  5. Those slippers are indeed beautiful. Lovely to catch up Frances. We were at a part last night with folk we had not seen since before Christmas and were wondering how long into January we could still wish a Happy New Year... So I guess it's not too late! A very happy 2016 to you x

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    1. Gina, I did think of you when I saw those slippers. Wish you could have seen them, too, and told me more about what stitching you found there. Yes...let's enjoy all the happiness that 2016 brings. Hoping to see you this year. xo

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  6. Lovely colours and designs in those textiles - the slippers are fabulous. Happy New Year :-)

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    1. Su, often intimate little exhibits like the textile show are much more accessible than are the Met's blockbuster shows. Of course, I generally love those shows, too, but just find the smaller scale easier to appreciate. Oh yes, the slippers were grand. Happy 2016. xo

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  7. What a busy bee you are Frances. Your social and private life seem very fulfilling. Thanks for taking us to the museum. What a talent you have for knitting. Love the results. It is 10 degrees here today and yet, I have to go out and unload my truck of things I am getting rid of. Not fun.

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    1. Donna, today NYC was rainy, misty, foggy, and then in late afternoon, sunny patches broke through and i think I saw some blue sky. Overly warm tonight...above 50 degrees. Something wild will happen overnight and tomorrow we will be back in the ice box. I will experiment with lots of layers, hoping for a warmly fashionable look at the shop.
      10 degrees is no temperature in which to unload a truck. Wishing you lots of success with the antiques market. xo

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  8. You are so lucky to live in such an amazing city.Your life is so very different to mine living in a small market town in N.Wales.

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    1. Thank you for that comment. I do enjoy NYC and sharing that enjoyment with you all. However...I think that I would also very much enjoy a small market town in North Wales. I want to learn more about where you live. xo

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  9. New York has so many beautiful museums and places to look at and visit. I am pleased that you give us a glimpse of what you see – beautiful exhibits and nature in the park. I really like the colors of your hat – it will go with so many outfits. In France we can wish a happy new year until the end of January – and I am happy about it because I am late wishing everyone a pleasant 2016 – I hope the coming year will be all you wish for it to be.

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    1. Vagabonde, thank you for this comment and also for your lovely Christmas card. I do like the idea of continuing New Year's wishes well into deepest January.
      Wishing all good wishes to you and yours for 2016. Hope to see you all. xo

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  10. Visiting museums, going to exhibitions and cleaning out closets are all wonderful January activities. Love the knitting too - wonderful colours and textures. Happy 2016 Frances!

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    1. Thanks so much for your kind comment, Marianne. xo

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  11. A happy New Year to you, Frances. Your city has been in my mind for the strangest and most unexpected reasons today, of waking up to the news of David Bowie's death. Once again, I've found your blog and its beautiful photos to be an antidote to sad thoughts and the rather difficult situation we're trying to cope with on the home front. Cxx

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    1. Thanks Chris. Yes, this is a tough morning. I'm glad if my little post has brought some joy. xo

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  12. I was also so sad about Davie Bowie, especially after hearing some of his new album, which I thought pretty terrific. On a more cheerful note, how fun to find treasures at the back of your closet, and what a wonderful hat you are making, Frances! I love to knit, and think your patterned knitting is so special.

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    1. I wrote this, and then, for some reason I couldn't attach my identity to it! Feels very strange not to have an identity. I'll try again with this "reply."

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    2. Carol, I agree with what you wrote in the "unknown" comment about DB and hidden treasures. I'm glad that you persevered, so that your reply to yourself was identified.
      Strange week here. In about two hours I will most likely sit in front of my tv to watch and hear the President's State of the Union speech. At least I can knit during this televised event.
      xo

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  13. Happy new year to you but also thank you for your addendum. How strange that Bowie was born so near to where I live and died so near to where you live. I have several of his songs playing on a loop in my head at the moment.

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    1. Yes, Lucille, a coincidence, but a good one to share. I agree about hearing that tune loop in my own head. And not for the first time this week.
      xo

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  14. I love those slippers Frances. And what a glorious varied post. You have made me wonder what might be at the back of my yarn and fabric shelves!

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    1. Do go exploring Elizabeth. See what treasures might await your eyes.
      My photograph does not do those slippers justice. They were splendid. I might have to return to the Met, now that the show has ended, and see if I could see them close up. I will stress my credentials as a former Met archivist. xo

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  15. Dear Frances,
    I too was saddened and felt a strong sense of loss at hearing about David Bowie's passing today. Since he and you and I are roughly the same age, I think it might strike us more sharply. I felt the same way about the recent passing of Natalie Cole, whom I had actually met once and found quite modest, pleasant & charming. What gifts these talented singer/musicians have given to our once wild and crazy generation. Can't imagine how devastated I will be when (Sir) Paul McCartney passes, or Paul Simon, Sir Elton John, Ringo Starr or Billy Joel. But meanwhile, it's Carpe Diem and you are certainly doing that with your resolution to get out & about more. So, in honor of the great David Bowie,
    "Let's Dance!"

    Warm regards,
    Diane in Denver

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    1. Diane, I am so glad that you saw my post and left your comment. Yes, to all you've expressed. Let's Dance! xo

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  16. Those stars look delicious! Yes, David Bowie's passing really shocked me as well, what a talent.

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    1. Thank you for your visit and comment. It only struck me after clicking the Update button to add my Bowie words, that I'd started my post with red and green sugar sprinkled star cookies, and Mr Bowie has now left us with a dark star to contemplate.

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  17. Just seen your addendum and also shocked and saddened. Such a wonderful innovator and musician. I saw him live in London in the early 70s during his Ziggy Stardust incarnation and the memory has stayed fresh in my mind. A sad loss and much too soon.

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    1. Marianne, I am glad you saw my note and added your own comment. I really do think that David Bowie's many contributions will resonate for a very long time. Lucky you to have seen him perform. I was fortunate to have shared a row of stalls seats in London theatre with Mr and Mrs Bowie. The play was Skylight. Having sky as part of those shared hours seems good. xo

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  18. So much to do and so much to see in your lovely city Frances! Hm, not like here on the countryside..but I have the sheeps hi hi :)
    Have a lovely week,
    Titti

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    1. Titti, I think that you have so much to see in your countryside. Let's continue sharing our very different settings via wonderful blogland. It makes me look forward to this unfolding new year's days. xo

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  19. Living in a big city has lots of advantages. Like you I enjoy walking around town, strolling through the parks and visiting museums as well. A lovely fashion exhibition.

    Have a good day!

    Madelief x

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    1. City living does offer many opportunities. Sometimes this seems a true feast, and sometimes...it's just sensory overload. Usually I find the feast! xo

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  20. The textile exhibit looks wonderful! A happy new year to you, Frances! I look forward to seeing what you will share with us!

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    1. Vicki, I think that you'd have loved the exhibit. It's now quite cold in NYC, which really encourages strolling within museums. xo

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  21. You have a distinct advantage in NYC of seeing the most incredible exhibits. The slippers you admire could be interpreted with your knitting skills, could they not? They made me think of the "King and I" the moment I saw them I am always delighted and amazed to see your knitting projects, as knitting is a skill I never acquired..

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    1. Thank you, Jeri, for those kind words. Yes...the slippers were very King and I. Perhaps such slippers could be done via knitting, but I think that the structure offered my needlepoint might work better. I'll have to put that project on my long, long list. Hee hee.

      I'm amazed that with your vast creative range, you've not yet been a knitter. I'm betting you will some day. xo

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  22. Happy New Year to you Frances, I shall return to your post again to read at leisure. Mum has taken a turn for the worse and so my life is all hospital visits. x

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    1. Val, thank you for your visit and taking the time to leave this comment. I send my very best wishes to your Mom and all your family. xo

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  23. Loved reading your blog today Frances, so interesting in so many different ways. The pattern and colours of your hat are gorgeous and I'm looking forward to seeing the finished article. Thanks for cheering up an otherwise dull and dreary day. I contracted shingles a few days ago so was feeling a bit down in the dumps. Love Jean xox

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  24. Dear Jean, I'm quite honored to know you like the little hat I'm knitting. I thought that I'd almost finished it last night, but in this morning's subdued, but natural, sunlight, I don't like the way the "top" was going so I'm going to unravel that bit and finish it up just a little differently.
    I am so sorry to hear about those shingles. Last month, at my doctor's advice, I got an anti-shingles shot, which will lessen my chances of ever having a serious attack. Or so I hop.
    As always, best wishes and thanks for all your inspiration. xo

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  25. Hello Frances, I just enjoyed reading all about your interesting day and visit to the fabulous textile exhibition. And I loved your own knitting patterns and colours.
    I must look up the book, love to read it. Walking here it feels like everywhere is so wet and damp, I am looking forward to see how the snow will magically transform the landscape. I actually came to see if you have snow, We woke to a frosty morning here and very chilly, now the snow is falling. Hence sitting by the fire. I have a little sewing project on the go. Hope you are keeping warm and relaxing with some knitting. Best wishes, millyx

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  26. Dear Milly, I know you would also have enjoyed that textile exhibit. I'm always glad when the Met stages a show that is not a "blockbuster" event.

    I've finished the grey hat and do like the way it turned out. After having a couple of days with unseasonably warmish temperature, our air is going to fall back below freezing, so a cosy new hat will be quite welcome!
    Snow flakes might appear by next weekend. I have seen snowdrops blooming in the Park already, and have bought a pot of primroses to brighten up my window sill. I might also draw them. xo

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  27. Such a pleasure to visit your blog after a long absence, Frances. As always, I am entranced by the richness of your life in NYC. How I would love to spend a day at an exhibit like the textile exhibit. Thank you for sharing a little of the wealth that surrounds you!....and Happy New Year!

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  28. Dear Pondside, you've added to the Happy side of the New Year with your visit and comment. I can well imagine how much fun it would have been to visit that Met exhibit with you, and then adjourn to one of the museum's cafes for a thorough catch up chat about a vey wide range of topics.
    Hoping to see more of you in blogland this year. I miss your posts very much. Wishing you and yours a very Happy 2016. xo

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