How has your Saturday been?  Today I went for my first ever Myofacial Release massage.  It was a complementary treatment, since the young woman is trying to build her business.  It was a very interesing experience.  It wasn't the massage I was used to, but I did leave feeling quite peaceful. 

I was able to come home and work on a collage I've been slowly developing over the past couple of weeks whenever I get a block of time to get out all the supplies. I had been itching to work on my project... needing to work on it and I feel much better now that I have!

We have been talking about rearranging some things in our house so that we can have an area that is kind of a studio space.  It will just be a space that, while it can't be left super messy (because it's not in an area that has a door to close - and I don't deal very well with "super messy" generally anyway!), we will be able to leave works in progress out on a table and not have to clear off the table for dinner.  I am SUPER excited about this possibility and will post pictures of it - and my collage - as things develop.  The work space, incedentally, won't be a reality until April sometime when my mom moves into a new house and we will get her table, but it's just around the corner!

Yesterday was just a terrific day.  It was our homeschool small group field trip day and this month we went to visit the Asolo Repertory Theater for a backstage tour.  It was really fun!  We were not able to actually walk onto the stage as other tours often get to do, because the stage hands were busy tearing down the set from the recent show of  "Amadeus" and were preparing the sets for "Pride and Prejudice," which M and I think we will attend next month.

The Asolo is named for Asolo, Italy where the theater originated.  It is home to the professional Asolo Rep acting company, the Sarasota Ballet Company, and students from the Florida State University/Asolo Conservatory.

There are 3 theaters here and the main theater, called the Mertz Theater, was originally built in 1903 as an opera house in Dunfermline, Scotland.  It was all brought here to Florida and is just a lovely building.

The kids wanted the "box seat" experience.

I could have just kicked myself for forgetting to get my camera out when we toured the costume shop.  The crew was in there busily preparing the costumes needed for "Pride and Prejudice."  It was my favorite stop on the tour.  The storage room was filled with countless hats, scarves, and other costume props.  We didn't get to see the main costume storage place.  But the costume shop itself was just a sight to behold.  It was electric with creativity!  On one wall were hats from a recent performance of "Peter Pan."  They were hats "the Lost Boys" wore and they were beautiful with colors of the forest and lovely feathers.  There were gossamer wings from the Shakespeare production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and masks and gowns on dressmakers dummies being put together for P & P.  I wish I could have stayed there all day, but,alas, we needed to head out.

So, to a favorite park we went for a picnic.  We went to the Sarasota Bayfront Park.  This is a terrific park on a bay and by a marina.  People are always out strolling about, exercising, or walking dogs.  There is a small restaurant that often has live music, and a playground for the children that also has a fountain for the children to play in too.  It always has somewhat of a festive feel there.

It was sunny and 81 degrees, so we sat under this amazing tree for our lunch and noshed on pasta salad and oranges from our backyard tree.

In this picture, portions of Sarasota are to the right and the marina is there to the right too.  To the left, another cool tree and to the far left - at the very edge of the picture - you can just see the bridge that links Sarasota to Longboat Key.

This is just another cool tree.  Florida has oaks, but not with leaves like I was familiar with in the north.  These oak leaves are much smaller, dark, glossy green, and hard - like holly.  They are called "Live Oaks" and "Laurel Oaks" and there are a bunch of other similar kinds that I am do not know all the names of.  BUT, even though the leaves are different, they still live many, many years and have the wonderful, snaking, twisty branches.

At the top of my post is a new sculpture that they installed at the park since we were here last.  I thought it was really beautiful!  I couldn't find the name of the piece or the artist's name anywhere.  Here are some close-ups.  The children's expressions are fantastic!

This upside down one is really amazing to me.  His expression is perfect!

Finally, here is a shot of the fountains overlooking the bay.  The little boy with the bucket is about to go up steps that have water flowing down them.

The statues that the children can sit on are all creatures familiar to Florida including this gator, the Florida panther, a sea turtle, a dolphin (I think), and a fish (see above).

Here is the top where the water begins its journey down the steps and where the littlest ones can play in their own mini-fountains with some froggies and a cute baby manatee sitting at the head of the steps!

It was a wonderful day!  Thanks for having a look!

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Comments

Mar. 10, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by SmallWorld

It all looks so lovely!! What an exciting area you live in!

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Mar. 10, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Kelli

Oh, that theatre is incredible! I wish I could join you next month! It will be so nice to have a little spot to keep your project out on, I'm looking foward to seeing your collage. Thank you for sharing the wonderful pictures of the park too!
Kelli
www.kellishouse.blogspot.com

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Mar. 11, 2007 - Lovely!

Posted by Denise @ www.henandchicks.typepad.com

It sounds like a lovely day out! And I can't wait to see both your studio space and your collage when you are finished!
Thanks for sharing!

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Mar. 11, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Kelli

I forgot to answer your question about our Bradford Pear Tree! The blooms don't really smell at all. It would be nice if they did and if it grew pears too!
Kelli

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Mar. 12, 2007 - beautiful

Posted by jenn4him

My kids would love that water park. Of course ours won't be open for another 10 weeks or so! I will just have to live through your pictures....
Jenn

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Mar. 13, 2007 - Ah. . . . . .

Posted by Anonymous

The thea-tah. I do miss the costume shop - it was always so alive with creativity, drawings, pieces of scrumptous fabrics . . . . .. you could really get lost down there!!! So glad the girls are getting a bit of the family "heritage"! :)

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Mar. 13, 2007 - PS

Posted by Anonymous

That last post was from me.

Lael

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Mar. 19, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous

I had so much to say about this post that I wasn't exactly sure where to start.

First I guess is that I love, love, love that group of statuary. Most of the stuff in Boston is more formal historical-figure-type. I wish we had ones that were so fun and full of energy.

And I can't believe the temperatures there. I was happy with a 50*F day last week, and 60*F was crazy for March. I can't even imagine 80+*F in spring!

omly @ http://omly.blogspot.com

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