Easter 2013

We had a lovely Easter with Marcello and his family.

Busboys and Poets - Again!

My name sister and I met again at our usual haunt for good conversation and good food. An important topic of conversation - raising children.

More Snow - March 25

 Just when we were ready for spring, we got some more snow. Perhaps we have had a total of 3 inches this season? Or maybe that is stretching it?

 

Afghan Lunch with Pam

My friend Pam and I enjoyed interesting conversation and delicious food today at the Afghan restaurant at Rolling Road and Old Keene Mill in Springfield. We both went vegetarian and had dishes composed of pumpkin, eggplant, and spinach. We began our meal with vegetable soup.

Christine and Pam

Finally Snow - in March!

 Our cars in the driveway

                                              Our front yard and houses across the street

Semla - cardemom bun (Nordic Cool)

Today I visited Nordic Cool for the last time. How sad! I was beginning to feel so much at home in the midst of this wonderful Nordic celebration at the Kennedy Center! This was my seventh and final visit.

I went to the KC Cafe to purchase a pastry called Semla. This Swedish pastry is traditionally served during Easter and specifically on Fat Tuesday. It is a cardemom bun with a filling of almond paste and topped off with whipped cream. It is also a big hit at Easter parties.

It was delicious! (I do, however, still believe that no one in the world makes pastries as fabulously divine as the French.)

The Norwegian Concept of Koselig (Nordic Cool)

This image was on display as part of Nordic Cool. The accompanying explanation read as follows:

In Norway we have a concept that is very popular, koselig.  Kos and koselig are all about being snug at home with family and friends.

Koselig is snug and warm, often with an open hearth and a wood fire, candles and handwork - maybe a glass of wine.

In Norway people all get koselig as often as they can; that's why the home and the cabin are incredibly important. 

Sami Concert: Joik (Nordic Cool)

I met Larissa, Ivan, and their friend Susan at the Kennedy Center to enjoy some more Nordic Cool.

Before Susan arrived, I showed Larissa and Ivan the four Nordic houses. Here they are in front of the most beautiful of the four: the Norwegian house.

Then we met Susan and went to the KC Cafe for refreshments.

              In the KC Cafe

 Then we went to the fascinating Joik concert on the Millennium Stage. It was very well attended with people standing in the back and sitting on the steps. I invited my Siberian friends because I think their native music is similar to Joik and American Indian music. They agreed!

Here is some information on Wimme, the Sami joik singer we heard. He is very impressive!

Wimme

Sami joik singer Wimme Saari's music has been described as “shamanistic chant meets modern soundscapes.” Joik has certain elements in common with Native American music, most importantly a reverence for the earth and the elements. Wimme combines traditional joik elements with original improvisations.


The Millennium Stage - free performances every single day of the year!

Ivan, Larissa, and Susan

 Ivan, Larissa, Susan, and Christine

Danish House (Nordic Cool)

The one-room houses designed by architects from Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland were on the Terrace Level of the Kennedy Center. The Danish one was located outside in front of the Kennedy Center. You can see the Watergate in the background.

Film: The Almost Man (Nordic Cool)

I met my "Norwegian" friends George and Norbert to see the Norwegian film The Almost Man (Mer eller mindre mann).

Here is the summary from the Kennedy Center program:

In this frequently hilarious, engaging, and brutally honest portrait of a 35-year old man with a definite case of arrested development, Henry has a new apartment, a challenging job, and a beautiful pregnant wife, which is where the trouble starts.

After the film George and I viewed some of the Nordic Cool exhibits.

A real model and a mannequin

George in front of the Viking ship made out of men's shirts

Film: All That Matters Is Past (Nordic Cool)

Andrea and I went to the Kennedy Center to see "All That Matters is Past," (Uskyld).

Before viewing the film, we had dinner in the KC Cafe. I had the Norwegian yellow pea soup and the Swedish pancakes with blueberry sauce as usual.

          Andrea in the KC Cafe

                                              Andrea in the birch woods with a beautiful model

 Andrea at the entrance to the Terrace Theater

Here is the summary of the film from the KC program:

As an investigation into a woman's death proceeds, details of an emotionally searing triangle involving two brothers and the woman begin to unfold, stretching across decades. An unsettling yet moving story of love, lust, jealousy, and fear. 

More Nordic Cool: Dance

 We arrive at the Kennedy Center. Here is Arthur at the entrance to the Hall of States. Note that he is wearing his great-grandfather's Greek cap.

We began the evening with dinner in the KC Cafe. We then attended a spectacular performance by Carte Blanche in the Terrace Theater. We were mesmerized for 70 minutes! Carte Blanche is the Norwegian National Company of Contemporary Dance. The choreographer was Sharon Eyal who, according to the program, "is always toying with the erotic, androgynous, and sometimes the grotesque emotions in her choreographics. Her art is variously described as fabulous, beautiful, raw, and relevant." 

We saw "Corps de Walk." To see a short video of Carte Blance, click here: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3Ka5A3tVOU&feature=youtu.be

Eyal writes, "In recent works I have used a system of walks. For me walks are the new dance. Walks with a combination of sketched technique create a kind of hi-tech building in which I see beating hearts of gold, emotional forms."

We had some time to look at some of the exhibits again.

 The beautiful glass birds in the Grand Foyer created by the Finnish artist.

 Close-up of one of the birds

          Art work at the entrance to the fashion exhibit

In the room with the four Nordic one-room houses, there were exhibits along the walls. Here are photos of some of the shadow boxes.

"The Nordic Neighborhoods: The Population of Each Nordic Country"
Sweden, the most populous, has the tallest skyscraper.

Seamstress at work

The Classroom by Author Erlend Loe

Inside the Norwegian House

Lunch in Early America

Andrea, Arthur, and I had an interesting dining experience today. We went to Clyde's Willow Creek Farm for lunch. This restaurant was created by joining four farmsteads. Here are some views within the vast space of this delightful place. There were many dining rooms and numerous exhibits.

 

The primary entrance

 Arthur and Pitcher Display

 Pima and Arthur at Table

My Lunch: American Farmhouse Cheese Sampler

It consisted of  housemade pear butter and pecan raisin bread and

Bay Blue Easton, MD - cave aged raw cow's milk blue cheese

Equinox Londonberry, VT - cave aged cow's milk cheese

Mountaineer  Galax, VA - cave aged alpine style cow's milk cheese

Talcot Goshen, NY - cave aged semi-soft raw cow's milk cheese

One of the many dining rooms

Filtered Water 

 Display of Pewter-ware

 Lovely Antique Pie Cupboard

Arthur and Horse

                       Pima and Horse & Buggy

Artistic Arthur in pose 

(please note sketching pencils in pocket)

National Museum of the American Indian

Anne and I went for a quick visit to the NMAI.

This wall shows the names of native American languages, many of which are now extinct.

 Anne stands under the Raven Who Stole the Sun.

A Wolf Mask