On, And Off, The Road

Wow, it's been a whirlwind of traveling, teaching and what-not, for the last several months. I know you guys are still out there. I SO appreciate you hanging in here, with me! So, I traveled up to  New York and Connecticut, a couple of weeks ago to teach at the fabulous art venue, Art is You.

Btw, Art is You, along with several other art retreat organizers, is conducting a donation drive for those affected by Sandy. I teach for several of these wonderful folks, including Adorn Me and Vivi Magoo Presents. They're lovely, generous, professional people to work with and I love what they're doing with this drive.

Anyhow...I discovered that Number Two is going to Hogwarts for chefs. Look at this place. And this shot is just the back of the building! I'm telling you...it's Hogwarts, inside and out. Gorgeous.

Culinary Institue of America, Hyde Park

I tried to capture the front of the building with the panorama app on my phone. This just doesn't do it justice.

We were there on a rainy late afternoon and got to see our kid, briefly...

I present to you...Chef Jaron. Well, not quite a chef yet but working on it. Don't I look goofily happy to see him?

The inside of the school is beautiful and majestic. It used to be a Jesuit seminary, St. Andrew-on-Hudson Jesuit novitiate. The student cafeteria is actually in what used to be the "chapel." It's an incredible, domed ceiling room with amazing, huge stained glass windows. You can still feel the hushed holiness of it. Potter-esque looking, no? There was even this sign, in the restaurant:

I told Number Two that Hilde must surely have been a relation of Harry, somehow. He scoffed at me. Imagine.

Outside, the view is stunning. The school is set right on the Hudson in upstate NY. I'm just so glad and blessed that my boy is able to follow his dream to this place.

Speaking of dreams, I never dreamed I would visit this phenomenal place...Niagara Falls. I know it seems a bit cliche but I thought it would be good to stop in, since we were in the neighborhood. I'm so glad we went. It's one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen.

Of course, we had to ride the Maid of the Mist, which is the little tour boat you see in the photo above. It takes you right to the base of the falls and allows you to get drenched by the spray. It really feels like you're in a storm...wind, rain and all.

I didn't realize this but the falls are not just the Horseshoe Falls but also the American Falls, that you see here. Both are amazing.

The falls empty out into one of the most churningly fierce rapids anywhere (behind us) and they dump into a giant whirlpool. So amazing!

My wild adventure was topped off with a wonderful teaching gig at Art is You, Stamford. I met up with my friend Ronnie, here, and got to meet the lovely Sallianne and Ellen, for the first time.

This was such a fun group of people. Isn't Kecia adorable?

And my students were just so sweet and fun. What a blessing they were to me. Notice, Miss Bee's bracelet from my Charming Reliquary class. Thank you, students!

Of course, all good things come to an end and we were back on the plane, headed for home, before I knew it. And, before I knew it, getting ready for the next venue...The Prairie. I've got lots of great photos from that place. Editing, editing, editing...

See you here, soon...

deryn xxoo

Comments

[Bobbie Breden]

Deryn-

The CIA (the cooks, not the spooks), the culinary temple of America...you are soooo lucky! I have dreamed of visiting there for so long. I loved the pic of you and Chef Jaron (and I see that you two share the same smile!) and it is clear that creativity runs in the family; you create wearable art and he creates eatable art! Only difference? He get to eat his mistakes!

Best of luck to the aspiring Chef!

Bobbie

[cat kerr]

Wow,your one busy bee!!I'm so sad I didnt get to meet you at Art is...maybe next year! Happy creating! Cat

[Julie Ryen (jryendesigns)]

Your photos of Niagra Falls are gorgeous. That is quite a site to see... so glad you were able to take the time and see them.

[Jenni Connolly]

Looks like you have had a great time teaching, travelling and catching up with your son.Niagara Falls is on my bucket list.. I hope to get there next year( LONG way for me! (Australia.) I look forward to the Prairie photos.. this looks like an annual event now... hmmm... I wonder if I could do that next year too?!
jenni

[Jen Crossley]

Looks like you have been really busy,lovely photos Deryn.I bet your son was glad to see you.

[Michelle]

Looks like you had a great time! So glad you were able to see the Falls! Growing up here has made me take for granted their beauty. (That and it is usually so busy that the locals tend to avoid it! lol)

Your son's new school does have that Harry Potter feel to it! lol