Z is for Zinnias

Z is for Zinnias

Zinnias are a common annual grown here in Texas. They are a popular garden flower that grow in full sun and can tolerate the extreme heat of the summer.

Native to the American southwest and Mexico, zinnias are noted for single blooms on long stems. The range of bright colors ~ orange, pink, yellow, red, purple, lilac, fuchsia, and white ~ are as festive as a Mexican fiesta.

Zinnias are the perfect cutting flower. A handful of cut zinnias simply placed in a ceramic pitcher is a common summer sight around our home.

Thank you, Mrs. Matlock, for hosting Alphabe-Thursday for the past 26 weeks. It's been great fun! Click here to find a list of other Letter Z posts.

This post is also linked to the following weekly memes:

Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound

A Few of My Favorite Things

@ Bargain Hunting & Chatting with Laurie

Summer Sundays @ The Tablescaper

Y is for Yoga

Y is for Yoga

I took yoga some years ago. It's a relaxing process that brings mind, body, and spirit together. A consistent yoga regimen yields youthful energy and leaves one looking and feeling younger. I think I need to resume yoga.

The lotus flower is a symbol of peace and enlightenment. One that many yogis assume before meditation, the Lotus Pose is classic and considered an advanced pose. I never mastered this one. The best I could do was a modified version much like the golden frog. LOL

Click here to join Mrs. Matlock. She's waiting with a class full of students eager to share their thoughts on the letter Y.

X is for . . .

Warning: This post is not intended for those with xenophobia.

X

is for

eXtraordinary ~ eXtravaganza ~ eXperience

Each July, the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe, NM hosts an International Folk Art Market. This incredible event brings together artists from around the globe. The 2009 market featured over 140 artists from 46 countries. Each booth was a treasure chest of beautiful handcrafted items that reflected the traditions and cultures of the countries represented.

As you might imagine the weekend event is full of colorful sights, music of the world, dancers, international food, and eXtraordinary art from around the world, not to mention thousands of visitors eager to support these visiting artist.

Costumed ladies entertain on stilts.

Attendees dress in colorful clothes 

and hats and watch the amazing sights.

Thousands of visitors shop the market during the two day event, and over 1500 volunteers make this event possible.

Note the sign: these baskets represent a year of work on the artist's part. Last year's artists averaged $15,100 in sales. The artists retain 90% of their sales and their revenues are used to support their families and help sustain their local communities.

These colorful paper 

maché roosters are from Haiti.

A talented blacksmith from Uzbekistan

hand forged these whimsical scissors.

The embroidery on these "bayeta",simple hand 

woven woolen cloths, depicts scenes 

of daily life in the Andean village of Chijnaya, Peru.

These brightly colored hand embroidered 

textiles reflect the flora and fauna of Peru.

Mud resist block prints are created 

by a family of brothers in India.

This mother and daughter from 

Kyrgyzstan are experts at felt making.

They create these charming little felt dolls. Each doll has an expressive embroidered face and wonderfully embroidered details on the clothing.

Look at the joy on the face of this artist 

from Namibia, as she weaves a handmade basket.

These coiled baskets are made from palm leaves 

and bark and used as everyday domestic use.

Another artist from India wears a 

distinctive mirrored and embroidered dress.

Notice the amazing work on this patchwork 

and embroidered quilt from Pakistan.

Batik dyed fabrics from Nigeria 

were sold in various lengths.

Intricate images were carved 

on these aluminum panels.

This elaborate seed beaded 

collar is from Ecuador.

Here the artist from Ecuador 

demonstrates her beading skills.

These beautiful carved horn bracelets 

were created in Lima, Peru.

There were many amazing textiles 

from the People's Republic of China.

One can see the results of many hours of work 

on this detail of the textile in the previous photo.

To learn more about the International Folk Art Market view the excellent video below which is narrated by Ali MacGraw.

Santa Fe International Folk Art Market from David Moore on Vimeo.

The market is truly eXtraordinary, and this year, the eXtravaganza will feature more than 170 artists representing 52 countries. To eXperience the market is a treat beyond imagination.

7th Annual International Folk Art Market

July 9-11, 2010 ~ Santa Fe, NM

On going during market days will be an opportunity to groove to the beat of music from around the globe, savor international flavors of various cultural foods, and purchase amazing folk art treasures to add to ones personal collection, all while contributing to help sustain these individual and their communities.

Hope you'll get the opportunity to attend this eXtraordinary eXtravaganza eXperience sometime. Now click here to catch up with Mrs. Matlock and the other students participating in Alphabe-Thursday.

Folk art is definitely a favorite art form here at HFTS, so the post will link to Laurie's A Few of My Favorite Things on Saturday, and since this is one of my favorite summer activities, I'll also be linking this post to Summer Sundays with The Tablescaper. There certainly is Pink among the photos to qualify for Beverly's Pink Saturday.

Special Note: Much of this post was recycled from my September 1, 2009, post on the International Folk Art Market.

W is for Wonderland

Summer Sunday in Central Park

W

is for

Wonderland

Vintage Copy of Alice in Wonderland

That magical nonsensical world Alice 

fell into as she swirled down the rabbit hole. 

The strange characters of Lewis Carroll's 

Alice in Wonderland 

were etched into my memory as a young child.

Did you know there is a bit of 

this magical world in Central Park?

Oh, yes! 

You will see Alice there!

You'll find Alice sitting 

with her sweet little kitty, Dinah.

The March Hare is there, 

umbrella in hand . . .

Rushing past in a hurry . . .

With his watch out of his waistcoat pocket

"Oh, dear! Oh, dear! He must be late!"

"I dare say it's a French mouse, 

come over with William the conqueror."

"Don't be startled by seeing the 

Cheshire-Cat sitting on a bough of a tree . . ."

The Mad Hatter will greet you.

You won't find a tea party, 

but you're welcome to sit among the mushrooms.

There, right by the little Dormouse. 

There is plenty of room.

Yes, many of my favorite curious characters 

of this literary nonsense tale are there, 

a tangible presence waiting just for you and me.

You'll find them up the path from the model boat basin 

with its miniature sailboats skimming across the water.

This 11' bronze sculpture 

is one of Central Park's most beloved. 

Unlike other statues, this one was built with children in mind. 

One can climb and crawl all over Alice and her curious friends.

Circling the base of this sculpture are bronze  

plaques within the pebbles of the terrace. 

Each features a different inscription from the story.

The impressive sculptural group was commissioned by 

philanthropist George Delacorte in 1959 as a tribute to his wife, 

Margarita, and a gift to the children of New York City.

Jose de Creeft, 

a Spanish born French-trained sculptor,

is the artist of this whimsical sculpture.

Fernando Texidor 

was the project's designer.

Please come back on Saturday. 

 The Mad Hatter will be serving tea.

No doubt you want to spend more time in the park, but you can't be late for Mrs. Matlock's class. There are more "Letter W" lessons waiting for you here.

This post will be linked to the following weekly memes. A big "Thank You" to all these hostesses.

Vintage Thingie Thursday @ Colorado Lady

Summer Sundays @ The Tablescaper

Outdoor Wednesday @ A Southern Daydreamer