Happy 4th of July!!

Liberty Bell (Celebration)
Norman Rockwell
cover illustration for American Artist (July 1976)
courtesy of Norman Rockwell Museum 

Have a Happy and a Safe July 4th!!

Norman Rockwell

Norman Rockwell's Liberty Bell
American Artist Magazine
July 1976 issue
courtesy of the Norman Rockwell Museum

 

 

Wishing you a safe and a happy 4th of July!!

Merry Christmas!!

"Santa Consulting Globe"
by Norman Rockwell

The Saturday Evening Post Cover
December 4, 1926
courtesy of
Norman Rockwell Museum

Merry Christmas
to all who celebrate!!

 

 

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Saying Grace"
Norman Rockwell
1951
The Saturday Evening Post Thanksgiving Cover

information compliments
of the Norman Rockwell Museum

Norman Rockwell is one of my favorite artists.  We are due to take a "road trip" back to the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA.  With each visit we always refresh our memories and view more of his beautiful works of art.

"Saying Grace" is so interesting and it has so many details!  A grandmother and a boy are giving thanks before eating in a crowded restaurant.  The other customers are watching them with 2 others sharing their table.  Outside the restaurant we can see a train.  What a great painting to remember this Thanksgiving Day weekend! 

Happy Thanksgiving!!    

Enjoy!

Have a Safe Labor Day!!

"The Lineman"
by Norman Rockwell in 1948
courtesy of the Norman Rockwell Museum

The Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA has been one of my fave places for a number of years!  Every visit brings me back to view paintings that I have enjoyed so many times before like "Home For Christmas"- 1967 (Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas).  Some works are on view on a rotation basis, so it is a welcome surprise to see them.

On this Labor Day when we honor and remember the American workers, how fitting it is to spotlight Norman Rockwell's "The Lineman"- 1948.  This was an advertisement for the American Telephone and Telegraph Company.  With Hurricane Dorian on the east coast, there are many dedicated workers spending their time making preparations.  Currently, everyone is getting prepared.

Thank you to all of the workers who are coming to the aid of the people who will find the next few days very challenging!

To all in the path of Dorian, be safe! 

      

Merry Christmas!!

"Santa Consulting Globe"
by Norman Rockwell
The Saturday Evening Post Cover
December 4, 1926
Norman Rockwell Museum

A great museum to visit in Western Massachusetts is the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge!  Familiar favorite works of art along with new exhibits are always so interesting.  A few years ago when we took the short "road trip" to the Berkshires to visit, we enjoyed viewing the covers of The Saturday Evening Post that were illustrated by this artist.  There were so many!  Each so very interesting to view!

Suddenly, I saw Santa Claus!  It is timeless!  Santa is holding a book titled Good Boys as he uses his globe and magnifying glass to plan his route.  It's also interesting to learn that the magazine cost 5 cents in 1926.  

History is fascinating!  Viewing "Santa Consulting Globe" has reminded me that we need to make the yearly visit to the Norman Rockwell Museum and enjoy dinner at the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge, MA, soon.

Enjoy!

"Statue of Liberty"

"Statue of Liberty"
by
Norman Rockwell
(Courtesy of Norman Rockwell Museum)

Last year I learned of a beautiful oil painting by Norman Rockwell when I attended a lecture given by Tom Daly from the Norman Rockwell Museum (in Stockbridge, MA.)  "The Statue of Liberty" is a different view of our beloved Lady Liberty. 

On July 6, 1946 this was the cover of The Saturday Evening Post.  The men of different backgrounds are all working together to repair her torch.     

The oil painting was once owned by the film director Steven Spielberg.  In 1994 he donated it to the official White House Collection.  One day last year while watching the national news on t.v., I saw this beautiful work on display in President Barack Obama's Oval Office.

What a beautiful painting!

Have a Safe &
Happy Fourth of July!!!  

Enjoy!

"Santa Consulting Globe"

"Santa Consulting Globe"
by Norman Rockwell
The Saturday Evening Post Cover
December 4, 1926

Norman Rockwell's work for The Saturday Evening Post  is always great to revisit!  Living in Western Massachusetts & appreciating his work, it's a tradition for my hubby & I to travel to the Berkshires (farther west in my state) & visit the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA.  We visit at least once during the year.

In 1926 The Saturday Evening Post cost 5 cents.  On December 4, 1926 the magazine was printed with a Norman Rockwell Santa Claus.  Santa is studying the globe, planning his route, so he may visit all of the "good" children when he makes his journey around the earth.

Enjoy!

 

Veterans Day!

"The Homecoming G.I."
Norman Rockwell
THE SATURDAY  EVENING POST Cover
(May 25, 1945)

Thank you to all Veterans who have served and protected our country!

Free Fun Fridays- 2015

It's in my state of Massachusetts! It's totally fun!  It's FREE!  It's from June 26th - August 28th!  It's for everyone- children & adults!  FREE FUN FRIDAYS!!!

Every Friday during that time period, there are 7 museums/ cultural venues with no admission fee!  It is a program sponsored by the Highland Street Foundation. (Click on their name for their info.)  This program is for residents of Massachusetts, tourists vacationing here & also visitors driving through my scenic state.  It's a great opportunity to spend a day at one of 70 interesting places with no general admission cost.

Every Friday during the summer months starting on June 26, from the Berkshires, throughout the Pioneer Valley, to the Boston area and the Cape (Cape Cod) there is no general admission charge at some great places to visit on specific Fridays!  This program ends on August 28.

With all of our snowstorms in MA this winter there have been so many "snow days" added onto the current school calendars of towns & cities.  During summer vacation continue the learning process by learning while having FuN! 

These are some of my faves:

Old Sturbridge Village

Springfield Museums

 

 

 

Norman Rockwell Museum

Heritage Museums & Gardens

The Franklin Park Zoo is a fave of my grandsons!  The Eric Carle Museum will be on their list!  So many great places to visit!      

Click on the link here to view & print your copy of FREE FUN FRIDAYS!  Thank you Highland Street Foundation!

Where will you spend a Friday this summer??

Enjoy!

             

Free Fun Fridays - 2014

It begins Friday, June 27th and ends on Friday, August 29th!  FREE FUN FRIDAYS!!!  Each Friday during that time period, there are 5 museums/ cultural venues with no admission fee!  It is a program sponsored by the Highland Street Foundation. (Click on their name for their info.)  This program is for residents of Massachusetts, tourists vacationing here & also visitors driving through my scenic state.  It's a great opportunity to spend a day at one of 66 interesting places with no general admission cost.  During the summer school children sleep a bit later in the AM!  No homework or papers are due the next day.  However, it's always a great idea to feed those inquiring minds!

There are so many FuN places to visit in Massachusetts!  So many are on this list.  Take a look at the schedule & click on a venue.  Click on the venue's website.       

The Franklin Park Zoo (my grandson's fave), Tanglewood, Plimoth Plantation, Springfield Museums (where I volunteer), the Boston Children's Museum, Historic Deerfield & Museum of Fine Arts, Boston are 7 of the 66 choices!  So many more wonderful places waiting for you, your families & your friends to visit.  Take this opportunity!  It's for children of all ages!

Here is the complete schedule.  Remember:  5 specific venues will be offered throughout Massachusetts to visit.  This occurs on Fridays!  Find your fave & spend some family time learning together!  Visit more than one!     

Thank you for your generosity,  

Highland Street Foundation!!!

We will enjoy!