Day 4.268: Blue sky on a rainy day

On Saturday afternoon, after our wet and chilly but fun trip to the Norman Rockwell Museum, we succumbed to a rainy day activity.  This jigsaw (from the Ravensburger Family Fun range) did the trick nicely.  It's made up of three interlinked areas, each made from a different sized set of pieces.  You can just see that the kids have taken one of each size out of the finished puzzle above.

It was great and kept everyone's attention longer than any single-sized puzzle could have done.  E5N1 started on the biggest pieces and later swapped places with Exile #4 who had started on the middle-sized pieces.  Exile #3, Exile #2 and I mainly worked on the smallest pieces and eventually the whole thing came together.  Very satisfying.

Day 4.267: Another country

I was delighted to find that not only had Exile #4 and E5N1 been working on these constructions (E5N1 called his 'a picture' and Exile #4 called hers 'a tower', Exile #3 pointed out that her sister's resembled a daffodil), but that Exile #4 had also taken the initiative and found the camera to photograph them.

I was also delighted by this conversation at the dinner table.

Exile #3: I made a new friend today...she's new at the school.
Exile #4: Like my new friend - he's new too and he's from another country.
Exile #2: Oh?  Where is he from?
Exile #4: New Jersey!

Day 4.266: Turn over an old leaf

When I arrived home from work, E5N1 was busy in the backyard.  "I'm collecting beautiful leaves!" he told me and led me up to the table on the deck to show me.

I turned over a few that had ended up the wrong way, but he was concerned, "Where is the white one?"  I was now concerned that I had turned one that I shouldn't have but he assured me it was white on both sides.  Sure enough we found it on the floor and restored it to its place with the other 'beautiful leaves'.

And now, inevitably, my thoughts turn to raking...

Day 4.265: Hold the cheese!

We were having such a successful visit to the Normal Rockwell Museum yesterday that we decided to stay for lunch. The museum cafe was rather appealing despite being out on a covered terrace on a cold day, but due to a combination of dietary restrictions and dietary preferences it would have been hard to find something we all would and could eat, so we had a snack and decided to have a late lunch when we were ready to leave.

So, we left at about 2 pm expecting to resort to some lowest-common-denominator family food option. Instead, we ended up stopping at the Shaker Mill Tavern in West Stockbridge. Exile #2 asked about gluten-free options (the menu advertised GF pasta on the evening menu, so we were hopeful) and was informed that they had three GF rolls left. Not sure what to make of that, at ordering time she asked if the polenta was gluten free. The server went to check and came back saying that it was not. While Exile #2 considered another option, the sous-chef came rushing out of the kitchen to correct his error and confirm that the polenta was OK. I was greatly encouraged by this - both because they were willing to correct the error and that their not-sure position was to assume that it was not safe.  Exile #2 said that the polenta was excellent and she was delighted to be avoiding the uninteresting GF staples she often has to fall back on.

Even better, all three of the kids chose pasta rather than something-flavourless-with-fries. The bowls of pasta were huge but astonishingly most of it disappeared - just as well we had worked up a good appetite inspecting the robots.

In fact,  I was the only one who succumbed to fries - accompanying a rather good chicken BLT sandwich with chipotle mayonaise. I'm not sure it really classed as "southwestern" as it was billed but it was rather good. Nicely cooked and interesting flavours. On the menu it was listed as including swiss cheese. Of course I declined this, but I was left wondering why on earth anyone would want a slice of swiss cheese on this sandwich. No, I take it back - I'm still wondering!

All this in the rather appealing surroundings of the Inn.  It seemed so cold yesterday (after a 15 degree temperature drop from Friday) that we could easily imagine how cosy it could be with the fire burning on a cool winter evening.  As it was, we enjoyed our food and got back on the road.

Day 4.264: Norman Rockwell

With a number of options rained-off and a strong desire to get out of the house on a rare free Saturday, we decided to brave the suddenly cold weather and made an often-considered trip to the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge MA.  We were fairly sure that it would be a good fit for Exile #3, but were not so sure how Exile #4 and E5N1 would find it, but we all had a very good time.

There is no photography allowed in the galleries, but I will try to give you a flavour.  The museum clearly has a huge collection, but still manages to be compact and manageable and to pack in a lot of variety in its visiting exhibits.   As far as "Mr Rockwell" (as they generally seem to refer to him) - there are a number of works on what I suppose are permanent display including the four freedoms and a at least 300 covers spanning more than forty years of the Saturday Evening Post.  They also have, at the moment, a room filled with his pictures that include dogs - a great way to pick a range of his work from the collection to display.

Alongside all of that, is a fascinating and large exhibit about Blue Sky Studios - the animators behind Robots, Ice Age and Rio.  There is lots of hands-on stuff and plenty to interest adults and children alike. Downstairs is a small but well-stocked "Creativity Zone" and a collection of drawings of musicians by Sol Schwartz (which I loved).

Outside, where I could take photographs is a collection of sculptures of robots. If you'd like to, you can see if you can identify (or at least revel in the puns of):

A - Robot Sam - a true Ameri-Can
B - Mom Bot and Tots
C - Regal Robot
D - David
E - Robo 88
F - The Shaman
G - The Knight
H - Mr. Fahrenheit
I - Huckleberry Tin
J - The Custodian

in this rogues gallery:

Also in the grounds is Mr Rockwell's studio, which was moved here - in one piece - on the back of a flatbed truck.  We encountered one of several excellent guides there - all of whom seemed to be very dynamic and ready to engage the children and make things accessible to them.

You can see the workshop below - the green robot is keeping an eye on it.

"Please tell your friends!" the sign says.  Consider yourself told!