By // by Ashley
My friend Pamela gave me a great gift…a very special book that came all the way from Paris’ famous Shakespeare and Company bookshop. A little water damage makes this book even more of a treasure because it’s a paperback that has been loved. The book, 84, Charing Cross Road is easily on my top books …
The Passion for literature and the romance of lettersRead More
By // by Ashley
Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the TCEA conference (Texas Computer Education Association) in Austin. TCEA is the leading state organization committed to the use of technology in education. Many of my fellow teachers who had attended previously gave me a forewarning, suggesting that I would be so overwhelmed with the amount of …
By // by Ashley
Stepping in to the Eisemann Center in Richardson, Texas on Friday night was an exhilarating feeling. Entering the theatrical atmosphere, the audience saw the signature red windmill lit up and slowly spinning. It made me feel as excited as I was when I saw the Moulin Rouge in Paris. The Royal Winnipeg Ballet set the …
By // by Ashley
Jean Paul Gaultier has always had an open-minded view of society; exploring and investigating ideas with a grand sense of humor. Gaultier started his career in 1970 at age eighteen as an assistant to Pierre Cardin, and more recently he has been the creative director of Hermes from 2003 to 2010. Gaultier is known for using …
The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk in DallasRead More
By // by Ashley
One of the most beautiful sights you can see in a theatre is the American Ballet Theatre in a live performance. ABT is the country’s oldest surviving ballet company, but the word ‘old’ doesn’t suit ABT. This past weekend the company displayed an exciting mix of traditional and avant-garde in Dallas’ performance. It was a …
Bei mir bist du schön: means ‘American Ballet Theatre’ is grandRead More
By // by Ashley
When I take my children to the museum, I wing it. I think it’s almost better to not have a plan and just have the attitude that you’re going to see what you can see as long as the kids can last. I love to be led by my children and see what artwork they …
By // by Ashley
After the holiday time for drinking egg nogs, hot toddies, and wassails, much of the world ends the year on a zippy and festive note with champagne. I love to drink champagne from the glamorous coupe glass. Champagne drinkers may tell you that the broad surface of the coupe allows champagne to lose its bubbles …
By // by Ashley
One of the greatest Christmas albums of all time is A Charlie Brown Christmas. It is so pleasant that you can really listen to it any time of year. My husband gives me a hard time for doing this, but he knows he married someone who wanted to name …
By // by Ashley
Sunday morning (my favorite time to cook) I begin to bang pots and pans getting organized before I chop my vegetables. I had gone to bed thinking about what I would make the next day. Cold weather has me craving comfort foods. Craving warm meals means I am thinking of my Polish babysitter Zofia who …
By // by Ashley
Did you ever have a pen pal when you were younger? I had several and I’m sad to say that I’ve lost touch with most of them. I remember skipping back to the house after checking the mailbox when I was younger and I couldn’t wait to open my letter from my pen pal Susanna …
Pen Pals: Writing Letters That Capture Innocent WhispersRead More
By // by Ashley
You know that feeling you get when you dream you’re flying? Well, that’s the feeling created by watching Pilobolus; watching them is like being in a dream world. I imagine the Paul Klee painting “Fish Magic” scene because only in this dream world would underwater skating and roly-poly people co-exist. Pilobolus Dance Company recently performed to …
Pilobolus Dance Company: charming audiences with their je ne sais quoiRead More
By // by Ashley
The holidays are here and it’s time to go shopping. I’ve got some ideas for everyone on your list that I think you’ll like. To me a personalized gift is the most thoughtful… something with a hand-embroidered initial or a photo… When in doubt, make it personal. Consider handmade gifts from etsy.com or fab.com and …