Le Petit Poulailler

Myrna Loy and Blue Irises and Quilting

Catching up on my industry press releases (I don't really do this, but it sounds good.  Actually, this was in my Google Reader yesterday), I see that Pantone, Inc., "the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries" has chosen Pantone 18-3943 Blue Iris as the Color of the Year for 2008.

Cool.  Blue Iris. 

I'm not exactly sure what that means, especially as I'm not a painter, house or otherwise.  I like fabrics in all colors & I guess, if you would press, I'm most partial to greens.  Not that greens are any better than blues.  Some greens are quite horrid.  Wait, no they're not.  I'm just trying to be non-judgmental.  But greens really are no better than blues.  Even Blue Iris.  And yellows have their merits, as well.  Reds can be nice, too.  And, truth be told, my favorite M&Ms are the orange ones. (They really do taste better.  Word.)

This may very well be the reason I love quilting.  I don't have to settle on just *one* color.  I can use them all, each & every time.  Vibrant, varied splashes of every color.  Just another reason why quilting is cool.

But it's difficult to argue with the folks from Pantone.  They are "the global authority", after all.  From their press release ~ 18-9343 Blue Iris is
"a beautifully balanced blue-purple. Combining the stable and calming aspects of blue with the mystical and spiritual qualities of purple, Blue Iris satisfies the need for reassurance in a complex world, while adding a hint of mystery and excitement ... From a color forecasting perspective best represents color direction in 2008 for fashion, cosmetics and home products ...  As a reflection of the times, Blue Iris brings together the dependable aspect of blue, underscored by a strong, soul-searching purple cast. Emotionally, it is anchoring and meditative with a touch of magic. Look for it artfully combined with deeper plums, red-browns, yellow-greens, grapes and grays."

Now, I know they're serious and I shouldn't laugh.  But I am.  Not at them, really.  Well, perhaps a little at them ... I'm sure that 18-3943 Blue Iris IS all that and a bag of chips.  I bet I've even used Blue Iris 18-3943 once or twice even without realizing I was.  And most likely I will again.

(I especially like the "underscoring by a soul-searching purple".  I think that purple is a myth.  I've never been underscored by a purple like that & I do not believe such purple can be found.  If it does exist, I think I'd even date a purple like that and if I found it to truly be anchoring & meditative with a touch of magic, I might consider another trip down the aisle. Might.)

But when I was reading the Blue Iris announcement, it was Myrna Loy I could hear reading that silliness & I had the wonderful urge to watch Mr Blandings Builds His Dream House for the umpty-umpth time.  And not just because of Cary Grant being at his comedic best, either.  If you've not seen it, put it on your NetFlix queue or check it out at Blockbuster. 

I'll close with my very very most favoritest scene ~

Faerie Tales & Songs

These two beautiful books have been loved by my mother, by me & by both my daughters.  Published in 1927 & gifted to my mother, then aged 2 ~ their art still takes my breath.   I thought I'd share some photos with you.

 

Coming & Going

One of my favorite reads has slipped away.

Giornale Nuovo (of things near & far) was a most interesting read.  Mr. H had been blogging for about a year or so when I tripped across his very interesting blog 3 years or so ago.   And now, a full 5 years of noble effort; part journal, part diary, part scrapbook ... always interesting, always surprising ~ nevah *evah* predictable. ... and now, retired.

I thank Mr. H for his decision of keeping it available for a while ~ cold turkey is never fun.  It is with much sadness that I am moving his blog from Google Reader to Firefox bookmark-archiving status.

A few treats from the past ...

 

Three French Hens

I always wanted a brick & mortar shop with the name, Three French Hens.

Everyone would think simply that I'd borrowed the name from the Christmas song, The 12 Days of Christmas, & that my shop would be Christmas-themed (which it wouldn't be ~ or, at least, not solely).  Or that I am French & took the name to represent my 2 daughters & myself. (I'm Irish, btw). 

But I would know the deeper reasoning behind the name.   From my abiding faith in God & all that is good in this life ... to my hope in Winter's promise for the Spring to come ... to my simple love of the holidays & what it does to & for us all. Simply: Faith ~ Hope ~ Love ... Three French Hens. 

I'll excerpt from Dennis Bratcher, found while googling earlier ~

The 12 Days of Christmas is probably the most misunderstood part of the church year.  Contrary to popular belief, these are not the 12 days before Christmas, but are the 12 days from Christmas until the beginning of Epiphany, January 6th.

The origin of the 12 days is complicated & is related to differences in calendars, church traditions & the ways this holy day is observed Holy Day in various cultures.  In the Western church, Epiphany is usually celebrated as the time the Wise Men arrived to present gifts to the young Jesus. Traditionally there were 3 Magi, probably from the fact of 3 gifts, even though the biblical narrative never says how many Magi came.  In some cultures, January 6th is observed as 3 Kings Day or simply the Day of the Kings.  Even though December 25th is celebrated as Christmas, January 6th is the day for gift-giving gift. In some places gifts are given for each of the 12 days.

By the 16th century, some cultures combined the 12 days of Christmas with (sometimes) pagan festivals celebrating the changing of the year ~ usually associated with driving away evil spirits for the start of the new year.  Twelfth Night is January 5th, the last day of the Christmas season before Epiphany & often included feasting along with the removal of Christmas decorations.

The popular song "The 12 Days of Christmas" is sometimes seen as a nonsense song for children. Some have suggested that it is a song of Christian instruction dating to the 16th C. religious wars in England, with hidden references to the basic teachings of faith.  They contend that it was a mnemonic device to teach the catechism to youngsters. The "true love" mentioned in the song is not an earthly suitor, but refers to God, Himself. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person who is part of the Christian faith. Each of the "days" represents some aspect of the Christian faith that was important for children to learn.

I've always found all this hypothesizing interesting ... but to me, whether the song is seen as nonsense or with the deeper meaning of faith guarded through adversity, the distinction is unimportant.

What is important is we are reminded how through both giving AND receiving, Faith, Hope & Charity transforms us & our lives ... now, during this holiday season & throughout the entire year.

After all, is that not the meaning of Christmas anyway?

Images in this post are ~

Pablo Picasso's Rooster (tripled for my Shop)

Untitled engraving, c. 1860s

Creative Thursday's On the Third Day

The Slippery Slope That Is Blogging

97%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

Well, this was certainly eye-opening.  And to think ... my blogging days have only just begun (and yes ~ I *did* sing that last sentence as I typed it, all lisp-ie, just as Karen Carpenter would have).

The quiz came by way of this funny, lovely lady. 

They say the first requirement is admission a problem exists.  Personally, I do not see this as a "problem".

Regardless, I AM turning off the computer now & capturing some photographs before the sun disappears yet again.