Derby Party--2013

The last three days have been a whirl of activity and beautiful warm Spring May weather.  On Friday I worked industriously ...if I say so myself...in the studio  and prepared the Mother's Day Greeting cards and set aside the design elements for the upcoming Father's Day cards series for 2013.  I organized and packed the Messy Monkey supplies and my updates into a large and portable plastic traveling case.  Have Monkeys will travel...so I can put together several ideas to fit the needs of each individual young artist.  I am now always on the lookout for additional Monkey ideas to employ in the future.

Friday night we had a quiet night even though I wanted to attend the Afro Pop acoustic performance downtown.  Friday night homemade pizza and The Life of Pi for family entertainment.  One of my early students Steve Hubbard won an Oscar for his digital manipulations and layers of digital imaging ...many employed when you see the tiger in the lifeboat with the narrator of this intriguing movie.

Saturday I went in to work with my young Branson.  He worked on four printing techniques and a large collage on black matte board.  I just give him the suggestions and he takes off....the hours seem to fly by...and there never seems to be enough time.  I had really wanted him to attend an Art camp at the Works this summer ...or the YES club summer experiences....but this may not be in his parents plans.  Branson was thrilled to see the new Super Hero movie.  This was quite a treat for him...movies are a real privilege and an expense his family has to make sacrifices for the boys to attend.

In the afternoon Ken and I attended a wonderful family event at the Leithauser family home for their annual Derby Party.  Family and her parents all come in for this enormous undertaking for all ages.  The excitement and Mint Juleps were made with Kentucky bourbon.  The foods...the music... the games for the children... just pure clean fun under the twin spires replicated in the rented tents on the side yard.  The  home is filled with photographs of the families united and the art works from all around the county.  This family went to Africa to visit dear friends who are missionaries over Spring break.  Courageous and heroic family...united to living in the day and making tomorrow a better day for all of us!  Thank you Joe in your great bow tie and Sue in her glorious sun hat and Clare teaching the little ones how to play lacrosse with Peter rushing off for his baseball game to return later in time for the festivities and little Sally for helping everyone feel comfortable.
Sally went around to make sure the elders all had food or drink refreshments during the pre-Derby excitement.  No we did not win...but who cares...I found the whole afternoon to be delightful and made me miss my Old Kentucky Home.  I love the Derby for so many reasons!

Today Ken worked in the side garden with some new plantings....he is trying to attract the hummingbirds to our small safe sanctuary. The black peat moss surrounding the bright lilies and the promising clematis...I am actually praying for a day of gentle Spring showers on Monday to nourish the newest plantings.  I worked upstairs in my studio ...taking time to organize one third of a cabinet and ironing small reliquaries of hand crochet pieces to be dyed in the very near future.  I also found and sorted several buttons and beads in their baskets and  moved them into see plastic containers for easy selection in future work projects and clothing I am working on right now.  Before I realized it I had been up there for four straight hours ...and yes it does take focus to make selections for keep...for sharing....and donations!  One day at a time is how I am planning this new arrangement.  By the end of June...that is my deadline for right now.  I hope you enjoy the photos that document the wonderful weekend filled with friends and festivities! 

Peter is ready and off for his afternoon game...He is growing into quite a young man ....I can not believe how he has grown this year.

 Our hostess Susan was styling in her favorite Derby hat and her Mint Julep in hand as everyone arrived....

 Todd and Melissa have arrived with their little charge ...Todd

 Happy Happy Happy friends begin an afternoon of festivities......

 the libations were home grown also....the beginning of the summer is almost here!!!!!!!!

 the barkeeps were so beautiful .....as I and Melissa waited in line.....maybe I should have brought my hat....the sun felt great!!!

 Happy Derby Day!!!!!!!!!

 Susan's Dad flies in for this happy reunion  every May...Susan graduated from Denison so this is like a family reunion every year....

 the sun room proved to be a place for the tiny little ones to play...put the baby to sleep!

 Little Sally was the perfect hostess...she has learned from her beautiful Mother.....

 the official Derby flag for the Leithauser family..........

 the crowds were mingling and all generations joined in on the conversations...........

 the beautiful bar keeps were still pouring the delicious traditions to their guests...........

 Mr. Ken took a quick sip of my Mint Julep.......whoa...it is only once a year and it was Kentucky bourbon....

 Ralph ...Mr. Devine gave me a wink and a hello whenhe saw his beautiful bride enjoying herself...........they have had a long week of Spring planting this week so the party was perfect for letting your hair down.....

 Susan's favorite French Chef ...a well loved cookbook...........

 check out this lovely fillies...........

 a new Julep glass for next year's Derby...beautiful roses for the run for the roses.......

 look at this family bulletin board...this family stays very busy....

 a familiar sign............ Early Times and Roses............

 My first and only Kentucky Derby Mint Julep..........yeehaw!

 deep serious discussions of the betting strategies...

 the track is muddy so " mudders " have an advantage........and they are off.............

 amusing watching everyone watching this two minute race of champions..........

 the final stretch ....and Orb is the winner and champion for 2013.............

 the smallest spectator was now ready for a nap..........

 two BEST friends............

 a place to be quiet and just enjoy the view.............

Now Tosh is ready for a race of his own here .....Dad is his racing partner...............................look at that smile!!!!!!!!!

 generations come to this yearly picnic...........

 my Messy Monkeys were here too!  riding their thoroughbreds ...

 and this handsome jockey is Mr. Campbell!!!!

 the tent is getting crowded and the music is great......

 two more best friends ...forever.......... Clare is her sister in many ways.....

 and the foods were spectacular..........

 picnics are just around the corner.............

 now the winners are ................

 yes I did get your good side..............happy happy faces.........

 beautiful fillies in beautiful hats............

 hey these ladies shared the cupcake pops .yummy sweets......

 Dad had three soccer games ...and is ready to relax now...........

 the party is still going on............

 the conversations were deep about the race and politics........

 then there were the wonderful Hellers with Michael...........

 ken and Jane have a great friendship...........

 and then................

 ooooh I can not believe  the day is almost over..........

 thank you for the great afternoon............

 still the youngsters will probably stay until the wee hours.........

 Susan has the best job ever...............the winners...........

 pumping the beer continues on..........

 the man of the day in his pink bow tie with green horses running...........

 Jon and Ken meet and greet as they arrive...as we leave.............

 Marcia had a very busy day.a shower.....and another Derby party.......

 the basketball game went on all afternoon............

 hide and seek among the tree limbs.....

 Cows in the back pasture...........

 skateboard tutoring..........

 my research for more desert flowers.....

 Carter ...Mr. Serious is sharing his appreciation for the Lorax...........

 butterflies to be printing and painting...........

the spirit of an aged tree spirit...........remnants of a life cycle..........

 Little Cooper came in after spending the day with his Dad........whatcha doing Mary?????????

 Little Rosie has a new do...............she is so ready for summer now and she can see freely...........

Branson working on his black matte background.....

 design elements and stamped shapes ....add interest.......

 he liked this Chinese stamp image for intrigue...........

 inking his name print image............

 the beginnings of two of the four prints.......now to play...

 more explorations next Saturday.........

 his assemblage with Marvel Comic heroes..............and a touch of gold......

 Have a great week little man!  Peace,  Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

 different drying works...........

I am really proud of this latest collage........

i hope you had a great Derby weekend and the Run for the Roses!  Imagine and Live in Peace,  Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart