Thursday, July 9, 2015

H is for Hole




Original Art by Marc Burckhardt, Gallery Shoal Creek, Austin, TX


H is for Hole

As in, 

Down the rabbit hole!




Exhibit Organized by Danielle Brune Sigler, Harry Ransom Center 
Associate Director for Research and Programs, with assistance from Alexandra Bass.


The Harry Ransom Center ~ The University of Texas

recently hosted a very special exhibit

in recognition of the 150th anniversary of 

Lewis Carroll's, 

ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND.







Come along with me down the rabbit hole

for a glimpse of this fascinating exhibit 

that celebrates one of the most popular 

children's books of all times

and the magical imagination of Lewis Carroll.




Photo of Alice Liddell

It all began on July 4, 1862, when Charles Dodgson

conjured up a fanciful tale of a bored little girl

who fell down a rabbit hole.  

His intent was to entertain the three young Liddell sisters

on an afternoon outing, now known as "the Golden Afternoon."




Little Alice Liddell was so taken by the story,

that she asked Mr. Dodgson to write it down for her,

which he did some two years later.

As they say, "The rest is history!"




Writing under the pseudonym of Lewis Carroll, Dodgson's,

ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND, 

was first published in 1872 with illustrations by John Tenniel.




Harry Rountree, Illustrator, London 1908


By 1907, the British copyright had expired and countless new

 editions have been published through the years

with new artwork by artists and illustrators who have 

provided their own artistic interpretations.



Milo Winter, American Illustrator, 1916




Alice Around the World Display


The year after the first publication, Lewis Carroll 

worked with his publisher to pursue translations 

of his book in both French and German.

ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND

has since been translated into many languages.






Early on, Lewis Carroll encouraged 

the commercialization of 

ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND.

The postage stamp case, top right, was produced in 1890.

The Eberhard Faber colored pencils are from the late 1920s.

The board game, "Alice's Race in Wonderland" is English, undated.






One of my favorite contemporary interpretations 

currently available on the market is Robert Sabuda's dazzling

pop-up version that includes seven full page pop-ups plus more

pop-ups within mini-books included on the pages.

Available here on Amazon.





I felt especially fortunate that this

incredible exhibit was right here in my home town.

I wish all of you Alice fans could have seen the exhibit

as I've only presented a mere sampling of the 

amazing collection the Harry Ransom Center 

spotlighted within this exhibit.





It goes without saying that this Alice fan

has collected things herself through the years. 

Passionate about children's literature since childhood and

an avid fan of Lewis Carroll's Alice, 

certainly you are not surprised that I  have a few copies of

ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND 

in my own library.





It's nearing time for the annual

Mad Tea Party @ A Fanciful Twist.

Hope to see you there on Saturday!


Joining

Monday, June 29, 2015

G is for Grand Old Flag





G is for Grand Old Flag

The song, You're a Grand Old Flag

was written by George M. Cohan as the opening song 

for his stage musical, George Washington, Jr. in 1906.





"You're a grand old flag





You're a high flying flag





And forever in peace may you wave



You're the emblem of




The land I love.



The home of the free and the brave.




Ev'ry heart beats true



'neath the Red, White, and Blue,




Where there's never a boast or brag.





Should auld acquaintance be forgotten,



Keep your eye on the grand old flag."

Words by George M. Cohan.
All photos from my files and taken by me at 
various places through the years.  

Happy 4th of July!

Joining

Monday, June 15, 2015

Tales of the Traveling Tote #1 ~ E is for Excursion



E is for Excursion




Excursion ~ a short trip or outing to some place, 

usually for a special purpose, 

and with the intention of a prompt return.





I just know you have all been anxiously awaiting

June 15th and the first installment of 

Tales of the Traveling Totes.




A little background ~ I'm one of a group of bloggers

who are long time fans of MacKenzie-Childs.

When MacKenzie-Childs offered these Courtly Check totes

on clearance, Patti @ Pandora's Box sent out an alert

so we could each snag one for ourselves.

Patti suggested we share a series of 

travel adventures taken with our totes.

Tales of the Traveling Totes 

Come along if you enjoy "arm chair" travels.





Spring in Texas!

~ Miss CC's Maiden Excursion ~

Round Top Antiques Fair!





Time to leave the big city

and enjoy a little country time.





The roadsides and fields were covered

in beautiful bluebonnets.




There are over 60 different shows 

during the Round Top Antiques Fair,

and over 100,00 vistors from across the

US flock to TX to ether buy or sell.

Marburger Farm is one of my favorites!





Marburger Farm is spread out over 43 acres 

with 10 large tents and 12 historic buildings 

filled with antique treasures from 

early Texas to Mid-Century Modern.

French ~ English ~ Asian ~ Continental

Architectural ~ Garden ~ Silver ~ Art 

There is something for everyone.





~ Beautiful Ceramics ~




~ Copper ~ Tortoise ~ Unique Finds




~ Tartan Ware ~




~ Bovine Butter Molds ~




Amazing Assortment of Heart Themed Objects 

~ L ~ O ~ V ~ E ~




~ Victorian Bamboo Furniture ~




The instant we spied this piece,

it was love at first sight.





With Miss CC's approval

and a thumbs up from the "chef",

this beauty is now part of our sun room.





Yes,  I'd say Miss CC had a perfect day 

among the bluebonnets and antiques.

Miss CC is the perfect shopping companion!

Fall Show ~ September 29 - October 3, 2015

Make your plans to join us!




Miss CC had such a great time

shopping at Marburger Farm in early April

that she wanted to tag along on the Hill Country Antiques Trip 

with the Austin Antiques Club to Comfort and Boerne.





Off bright and early on a Wednesday morning,

our hostesses served us breakfast treats

during our bus ride to Comfort, TX.





We arrived ready to hit the streets

in search of antiques and other finds.





A day out shopping with girlfriends.

What fun!





~ Religious Art and Icons ~ 




~ Reproduction Signs and Gifts ~




~ Antique Chocolate Molds ~




But it was this little 

guy that captured my heart.

~ J Chein and Co. Vintage Tin Toy c1950 ~





Next Easter, he'll join this vintage tin toy

I brought home from Marburger Farm.





We enjoyed a delicious lunch

at 814 A Texas Bistro.

Chef and Owner, Millard Kunkendall, 

usually open only for dinner,

welcomed our group for a private lunch, 

serving a delicious mixed green salad 

along side a crab cake on cheese grits.

Dessert was amazing! 

~ Double Walnut Cinnamon Bread Pudding ~





The bistro is housed in a charming 1910 building

that was originally built for the Comfort Post Office.





After lunch the bus drove us

on to Boerne, TX for more shopping.





This  Bradley and Hubbard 

brass letter holder caught my attention.





As did this set of 

Wedgwood Napoleon Ivy.





I wanted to add this rather large 

chocolate mold to the group I have,

but I left him behind.





Before heading to the bus,

we stopped to sit a bit with Wild Bill Hickok.





Back on the bus, our hostesses

were  ready with a glass of wine and savory treats.





As the bus made 

it's way back to Austin,





Everyone relaxed and visited about our day

while Ruben, our competent driver, 

drove us safely back to Austin.





Stay tuned for more adventures

on the road again with Miss CC.


Until then, join my friends below to see more

 Tales of the Traveling Totes.

Patti and Miss Kenzie @ Pandoras Box

Linda and Miss Posie @ More Fun Less Laundry

Debbie and Miss Aurora @ Mountain Breaths
Colleen and Miss MacKenzie Joy
Tami and Miss MC La Mer

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