Monday, March 28, 2011

Ode to Elizabeth Taylor

Known as the greatest actress of her generation and hailed as the world's most beautiful woman, Elizabeth Taylor has left this world at the age of 79. To celebrate her beauty, you may enjoy this video by Philip Scott Johnson, which is a tribute to 80 years of breathtaking stars entitled: Women in Film
Enjoy!

Monday, March 21, 2011

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz


Is it spring yet?

Monday, March 14, 2011

Y is for Yellowware


Yellowware is a buff colored clay produced in England and Scotland in the 16th and 17th C. Pieces were made in America before the Revolutionary Ware (1775-1783) as a transition from redware (porous terra cotta earthenware). Yellowware was less expensive to make and more durable due to lower levels of iron which vitrifies at higher firing temperatures. By the late 1800's yellowware was present throughout New England as the clay was abundant along the Northeast and Ohio Valley Riverbanks of NY, NJ, and PA. Although these clay deposits were not plentiful in CT, the demand forced potters to supply yellow clays to all parts of New England. Potteries included the Goodwin Brothers (Hartford, CT), Asa Hill and LV Wheeler (Norwich Pottery Works), Chase Chamberlain Sutenburg, Sidney Risely, Noad and George Day, Smith Pottery, and Roseville Pottery (OH). Bennington Pottery (VT) still produces yellow ware to this day. Kitchen items such as crocks, bowls, plates and cups were made plain or hand decorated with a single band of white, blue or brown, or were spattered. The yellow color can range from corn yellow to dark mustard. Diameters of yellow ware bowls range from a diminutive 3" to a substantial 18" with early pieces made by hand and thrown on a potters wheel. PIeces made after the mid 1800's were manufactured in molds which afforded more decorative elements including slip banding, geometric, floral and scenic motifs. Yellowware was very popular in kitchens of the 19th C to early 20th C, with millions of bowls produced between 1850 - 1930. Signed pieces account for only 5% of all yellow ware and subsequently are worth about 25% more. To verify authenticity the piece must have a clear glaze over the yellow clay base, NOT a yellow glaze. Mold marks and designs indicate the age of a piece. Rims of bowls made in the 1800's are generally rolled, with bowls from the 1900's less rounded with a wide-collared rim. The 1930's to the 1940's brought an end to the popularity of this type of pottery, as tastes changed and the preferences turned to white.

The glaze on all pieces of yellowware contains lead, therefore it is important not to store food in it and avoid using chipped pieces for food preparation. To own a bowl or two of lovely yellowware will most certainly grace your kitchen with pizazz and history, and makes for an interesting display. Pieces are fairly abundant and most affordable.
Enjoy the hunt!

Monday, March 7, 2011

Your life


Yesterday I saw The King's Speech for the second time. It touched me even more to witness the struggles of the man Bertie, soon to be King George VI, and his triumphant tackling of his fear. With the myriad of problems in this world, I especially applaud the Oscar decisions for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for a film chronicling a personal disability being overcome. Below is an inspirational quote that summarizes this film and aptly applies to all of us as we live life as kings and queens of our own personal worlds. The message is clear that we each can make a big difference by starting with ourselves. Kudos to Albert Frederick Arthur George!

'Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do.' Pope John XIII, 965-972

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