The colors of Nemo

For more than twenty-four hours, Nemo visited the Boston area and left us crippled with just as many inches of snow. I appreciate any good excuse to stay nestled in at home and Nemo certainly provided us with one. However, after a day of hibernation, we slowly crept out of our homes this afternoon to brave the snow covered world. And then we went right back inside again. The storm was in fact beautiful in all its varied colors and expressions-it was eerie and fantastic in its strength. I loved falling asleep to the incessant howling of the wind. 

In truth, it was all somewhat refreshing, because during a blizzard nothing else matters except the reality of the storm. Nature upends our surroundings and while she does that, there is a temporary lull in time. Or at least that's how it feels to me. So during that temporary lull, I drink tea and eat girl scout cookies and watch movies in bed. I do all the things I love to do. So cheers to Nemo. Thanks for the visit. 

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Voltage Coffee & Art

Voltage Coffee & Art in Kendall can be found tucked away on Third Street, a few minutes walk from the Kendall Square T stop. I read of its existence from a number of different sources and made my first visit in December when I went to the nearby cinema. Unlike so many of the cafes I frequent, this one is considerably roomier which is refreshing. There's space to sit and sip a latte, but also space to view the artwork sprawled across the walls. As its name suggests, Voltage is not only a coffee shop but also an art gallery. I so respect establishments that try to be more than just one thing, because then they often become community hubs as well (perhaps I just believe that all cafes should be community hubs). Kendall Square is not my own community, but whenever I am in the area I do like to stop. As I mentioned in a previous posts, I'm in love with the names they have chosen for their "exotic" lattes. 

Here's a list of some of them:

Paper Plane

-Cardamom' rose water & honey

Devil May Care

-Molasses & lemon zest

Beyond the Sea

-Homemade caramel & salt

The Thieving Magpie

-Traditional almond rapture

Atticus Finch

-vanilla with burnt sugar

How perfect, right?? 

MFA: Favorites from the Art of the Americas Wing

When the Art of the Americas Wing opened a couple years ago, my mother and I made a special trip to Boston just to see it. I loved the wing then and I love it even more now. The wing is simply glorious, filled with an assortment of paintings, furniture, textiles and period rooms. I spend my time mainly on the first and second levels of the wing, which cover 18th and 19th century American art. There I find works of art by such masters as John Singleton Copley and a personal favorite of mine, John Singer Sargent.  The space is curated so lovingly that I find myself enjoying not only the art work but the rooms in which they are exhibited. In fact, the Art of the Americas Wing could be an entire museum unto itself. Above are just a few photographs of my favorite parts:

1. The Salon Gallery 

ah, how I adore salon style! 

2. The collection of John Singer Sargent works

3. A room from the Jaffrey House in Portsmouth, NH, circa 1730

4. 18th century Philadelphia furniture 

5. Newport furniture by the Townsends and Goddards

6. The Oak Hill Rooms 

7. And a favorite of my mother's, Little Miss Hone by Samuel Finley Breese Morse  

Such beauty abounds....!