Gates of Paradise

I went to Lorenzo Ghiberti's "Gates of Paradise" exhibit yesterday. I'd be a fool not to...my office is in the same building as the Seattle Art Museum.

I was blown away at the level of artistry and detail in the 3 panels that are icons of the Florentine Renaissance that are visiting the US for the first time. I was also blown away the Esau would trade his birthright to Jacob for a measly bowl of soup! The Old Testament has some crazy funny stuff (actually the word "stuff" is in the OT as well as a woman named Oprah!).

Here's a nice article about the exhibit that was in the Seattle Times. The picture is of The Creation panel.

Trees of Life

Carmen and I really like the tree of life motif. Art Nouveau is a style that just looks cool. It combines natural elements with simple, stylized designs. For me it started in Scotland with Charles Renee MacKintosh and then it continued in Chicago with Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright.

Yeah, I recognized that there was a religious significance too, but I didn't really get it. I still just really liked the way art nouveau looked. Last week in church we discussed the Book of Mormon's 1Nephi 8. We talked about how the tree represents Jesus Christ.

Sure, trees in artwork represent other things too. Yet, I liked the symbolism as it relates to the Savior. Fall, Winter & Spring represent the death and resurrection. The fruit of the tree represents all of Christ's best gifts. Etc, etc.

Now I'm reminded of Christ when I look some of my favorite artwork. Here's some that we have hung on our walls.

(Top- a cotton tapestry inspired by Gustav Klimt; Bottom Left - The Tree of Life woodcut...created by and on loan from my sister Jenny Mohanty; Bottom Right - Center of tree abstract by Jenny Mohanty...the trees out the window predate the house.)

Farewell to a Prophet

I love this man. I was privileged to meet with him while on a mission in Scotland. He gave us the advice his father had given him while he was a missionary in the UK back in the 1930s..."Forget yourself and go to work." I have been inspired by that quote many times throughout my life when I have felt like not giving my best effort.

Here is one of my favorite quotes from May 2005 of his that illustrates his self deprecating humor. When this talk comes on my iPod it always makes me laugh...

"I am now in my 95th year. I never dreamed that I would live this long. My life reminds me of a sign that hung by a rusty staple to a run-down barbed-wire fence in Texas. It read:

Burned out by drought,
Drowned out by flud waters,
Et out by jackrabbits,
Sold out by sheriff,
Still here!"

It's easy to say I'm a better person today because of the attitude, actions & inspiring counsel of Gordon B. Hinckley. Praise to this man.

Small-land @ IKEA

Today is Anna's 3rd birthday! She has been looking forward to it for months. Not so much for the presents and the pink cake...at 3 she meets the minimum age requirement for "the Balls IKEA." For months she's been reminding us this is her ultimate birthday fantasy.

This morning we fulfilled her birthday wish. She had a ball (no pun intended). Here are some photos.

BTW - We topped of the visit with a plate of Swedish Meatballs and Lingenberry Sauce. Yum!

Blizzard Mahem

No, it's not a new flavor at the DQ.

We had a great day goofing in the snow up near Snoqualmie Pass on Saturday. It's about 25 minutes from our place. It's nice to live less than a 1/2 hour from either the Mountains or the Sea.

At one point, when I was unsuccessfully trying to throw snowballs at a sign Carmen said,"I had a feeling you weren't that good at throwing." I guess she didn't marry me because I'm a jock.

Here are some photo highlights. We couldn't resist snapping this first one of Anna. Click to enlarge.

Random Observations from the Past Week

Scottish Highland Dancing is fun for 4 year olds. Aja skipped ballet and when straight for prancing around in a kilt. She’s having a blast & I’m thrilled to have a ‘wee lassie’ in our clan.

Being sick is NOT fun. However, it instills much greater empathy for others who are ailing. I just can’t seem to kick this flu/sinus-infection bug I’ve had for 1.5 weeks.

Happiness is found in enjoying life’s simple pleasures. It was Anna’s week to pick the FHE treat; she picked cough drops (Lemon Ricola to be exact).

Getting older can be fun. Birthdays are an opportunity to celebrate life and friendships. We had a house full of 25+ people to eat Carmen's amazing German Chocolate Cake and celebrate my 35^th (which is actually tomorrow).

Brazilian Jazz makes for the best party music. Put on some Walter Wanderley or some Antonio Carlos Jobim and you’re good to go.

What goes around comes around. Yes, I may have been a nightmare student to my Seminary teachers while growing up…so, now I’ve been called to be an Early Morning Seminary Teacher. Actually, the kids are much more mature that I was at their age. So far I’m loving every moment of it (except for the 5AM alarm of course).

Being a sportsfan is nothing but a heartache. Championships are rare, so most seasons end with a loss. The Seahawks flamed out in the playoffs again, but it was actually fun to watch that crazy Brett Favre work his magic.

Goals are good. I finally got mine for 2008 on paper. Watch out, it’s going to be a great year for me.

(Here are some random pictures of the girls this week for your viewing pleasure.)

Vote for your favorite Muppet

A friend of mine in high-school once mused: "Is it okay to talk like a Muppet on the first date?"

I'm not going to answer that question, but for the next two weeks I'm giving you the opportunity to vote for your favorite Muppets. I decided to limit the voting to old-school muppets. Yep, no Zoe or Elmo. This was hard for me---yet despite Elmo's great attitude and my 2 yr old Anna's pleading---I have to stick to my principles.

In case you're wondering, I voted for Dr. Teeth. This guy is the quintessential, 70's cool-guy rocker. (see the video below)

(Editors Note on 2/9: Grover dominated the voting w/ 50%+ votes. Animal and Kermit were tied for a distant second. Chicks dig Grover!)

PS - By the way, the last poll revealed that Pork (55% of votes) is actually the reigning champion of white meats. Not only did you overwhelmingly select it over chicken (20%), but beef (15%) and fish (10%) as well.