Things to do in Madison

There are always more things to do in Madison than you can possible do. This morning Linda and Nancy and I went to this Master of Fine Arts Exhibit at the Art Lofts Gallery UW-Madison. The paintings were done by Ada Gonzales. This piece was my favorite. We all enjoyed her colour palettes and that she seemed to know when a painting was done. Both things I am not good at.

A couple weekends ago John and I went to the Frank Stella exhibit at MoMCA. We both liked the exhibit. I was a bit disappointed that there was not more of his earlier graphic work. Also wish I had gotten to his lecture which would have given me a better understanding of his later work.

Both exhibits are still on. You could easily do both in an afternoon.

Later this week I am meeting Linda to see the Art Department Faculty Exhibit at the Chazen. Looking forward to that one too. Plus we are starting the day with breakfast at The University Club. Always a treat.

And on April 24th I am taking my sweetie to Doors Open Madison. Anyone who knows John well knows thathe cannot resist a closed door. Especially a small door, or a unique door, or a locked door. Especially a door he has been forbidden to enter.  Twenty-six buildings and only 5 hours, so John will need to be selective. To make it easy there will be a trolley.

Everyone one of these interesting things to do is FREE, well, except for breakfast. Madison is truly a great place. Everyone should get out and enjoy it.

The Graduate Hotel

We recently stumbled into the Graduate Hotel here in Madison. I was completely charmed. They have a more casual college type restaurant on the main floor. I want to take my computer there and spend the day on one of the red leather couches working and soaking up the groovyness.

If this wall isn't right out of a Wes Anderson movie I don't know what is.

Love the canoe lighting. I think they are all old UW canoes. Great choice of different bulbs. Good eye to detail everywhere.

Quirky art.

And I ask you, who doesn't love a good bathroom?

The Blind is the 7th floor restaurant. It has a good vibe. And great food. Next time I must have the beet salad and squash soup. But John is completely taken with the burger that has a jalapeno jam topping it. Snacks, small plates, large plates, all good. The Blind has both views of the Capitol and Lake Mendota.

And this really is a hotel. The beds look comfy. I liked the clean, spare look of the rooms, with interesting things on the walls. It is on Langdon near the UW. So a great location too. #thegraduatehotel #thegraduatehotelmadison

Fondue Party

I like having people over for fondue. I do steak and cheese. I've also done chocolate but that seemed like over-kill. Fondue parties gave me an excuse to get this new 50s tablecloth and seven, yes seven fondue pots. After embracing the life-changing magic of tidying up I did get rid of two. I know, but it is a start.

A fondue party is perfect for a small group that you enjoy and want to chat with for hours.

John's very dear Aunt Jacquie lived in Switzerland. She gave me her fondue pot and all her cheese fondue recipes. I've made the recipe below four times. It is easy and has been perfect each time.

Enjoy!

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo

I am the Queen of Hidden Clutter. Every drawer, cupboard, closet are so full that I can't find anything.

I am only 50 pages into this book but I am a believer. She starts with having you discard anything that does not make you feel joy. She has a strategy that makes sense to me and will change how I view clutter forever. It is a new mind set. And I am enjoying and embracing it.

iPhone speakers, 1 bag of clothes, 1 heavy bag of books and 2 bags of yarn have already left our home. And there will be lots more.

dear rae, love dad siting!

I am never more delighted than when I see one of my fonts used really well. Here are Ellen and Lenny and Dear Rae, Love Dad!

Designed by Nancy Warnecke, who can be found at hello@moonlitink.com.

sweet, sweet mail...

I want to share this with you because it is so perfect.

And it hits the mark on so many levels. Some sweet words, nice lettering, the colors all work in a nice subtle way and the stamps.

Yes the stamps, not only do I like the stamps but I enjoy the positioning of them and that it was hand cancelled.

But the stamp. I admired it on the envelope and then went to the Van Gogh to Pollock exhibit a couple days later and...

Here was the exact Motherwell painting. I love it that I could text a picture of this to my friend who of course had chosen that stamp especially for me.

I know you are wondering what was in the envelope. Well it is a very old Carte Postale stamped 27 4 08. For some reason I have a real connection to the Sacre Coeur.

And then a couple days later I got another meaningful card in the mail. My ex-roomie Rhonda had bought this card for me over a year ago. The illustration is an actual piece of vintage, hand blocked, painted wallpaper. And because she knows me so well the message was dead on. And just the thing I needed to read that day. Thanks Rhonda!

I realize the bar is pretty high here but ignore that and send your Mom or Grandma a card. In a sea of bills and catalogs there is real power in real mail. I know this to be true.

heirloom tomato and onion quiche

This is a great way to use up some of this years bumper crop of tomatoes. It is quite tasty. And to cut prep time I use a frozen deep dish pie crust. Too bad I didn’t make 2.

And here is the recipe http://www.recipebridge.com/g/108/4763565/heirloom-tomato-and-onion-quiche

van gogh to pollock

at the Milwaukee Art Museum. Had an enjoyable time there last Saturday.

I love Andy Warhol and this iconic 100 Cans! I had to check if all the cans were beef noodle soup. I would have made one chicken noodle. Later I found out that John looked for the same thing.

Also a fan of Roy Lichtenstein. This one is Head--Red and Yellow. I really like the course halftone screens in his work.

And Marc Chagall, the Peasant Life. I have a small print of his that I bought years ago in college.

Love the color and shapes in this Wassily Kandinsky, Fragment 2 for Composition VII.

Then there is this Robert Motherwell, Elegy to the Spanish Republic XXXIV. There is a story that goes with this painting. And I will share in my next post.

And Frida Kahlo, Self-Portrait with Monkey. Love that monkey and those eyebrows.

And, of course Jackson Pollock's Convergence. This painting was huge and mesmerizing.

These photos do not do these paintings justice. If you live in the Madison-Milwaukee area I suggest you catch this show before it is gone. It ends September 20th. I don't think you will be disappointed.