Benac.com Newsucanuse

S�raphine de Senlis Comes to Town

The Editor — 1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

As we gear up for our summer ARTCHIX event, the name S�raphine comes up again and again in our mind. As we celebrate this unique 'outsider artist' of France, we contemplate the beauty in art produced for the joy of it. We'll screen the film here and nibble and discuss; basically a classic ARTCHIX evening.

Something Fishy

The Editor — 1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Happy Birthday wishes are in order for our dear little Mr. Will of Austin, who turns, (gulp!) FOUR today. Growing up too fast down there! Will will celebrate with a bouncing party tonight. We really wish we could be there. We love you, Mr. Will!

Grandma Helen's Broken Vase

The Editor — 1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Grandma Helen has a lovely seashell vase she got during her Florida days. It used to sit on the floor with great pride of place in her living room in Fort Myers, where she and the late Grandpa Bill enjoyed many peaceful retirement years. In the move to Texas, one of the applied ceramic fish was smashed, and has spent the past few years abjectly disfigured. We finally got around to rectifying the situation during today's visit with a little craft clay, a little punching with a pencil eraser, and a little spray paint. It's not perfect, but that little fishy stuck to the vase is looking a whole lot more respectable now.

A Surprise Visitor

The Editor — 1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

We have a surprise visitor in the Rose Room! Can you GUESS who it is?

Flaky Friends Rides Again

The Editor — 1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

That Sarah! As the originator of Flaky Friends, she has been turning out odd little stitcheries for some time now. We are always tempted to proclaim, "This one takes the cake!," but then she comes out with another, more outlandish creation. Witness the custom laptop case she created for a customer; this in the form, of course, of an orangutan. Yes, that's right. Those long arms conceal clips that unite to form a carry strap. Sarah, we salute you and your kooky skillz!

A Singing Confabulation of Morphii, Sabina's Birthday

The Editor — 1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Oh, Happy Birthday indeed to little Sabina of Way-Too-Far-Northeast-of-Dallas, who turns officially four years old today. Never has a sweeter feminine confection been sent to the Planet, and we are so grateful to have her in the family.

On another note, we were blessed with a great quantity of Morphii last night as a musical rehearsal took place chez nous. James, David, John, Mandy and Matt Morphis and some attendant spouses joined in a hearty rendition of Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing followed by an impromptu pasta dinner and sleepover for a href=Selected Shorts. Ahh, family.

Taylor Family in Town!, Sabina Turns Pink

The Editor — 1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

What a joy to have our dear Taylors around the table today. Unca Keith and Aunt Marti were hosting daughter Jenny, cousin Ryan, a Coast Guard reservist living in Port Arthur, and Jenny's three beautiful children Alice, Laura and Baby Mark. We were falling all over ourselves in the joy of having them visit. Come back again, y'all!

Little Sabina of "Where?ly" is about to turn four. We can't believe it! Her very stylish momma Cat hosted a very, very pink-themed party. In fact, it was absolutely Pinkalicious! We love you, 'Bia! Happy early Birthday!

A Self-Confessed Dish-aholic

The Editor — 1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Oh, why did we ever look upon that first Nathalie Let� plate at Annie's house last month? Look what's HAPPENED here in Dallas. We now have our own quirky little collection of the trendy Parisian artist's signature dinner plates here at the Old Home. Actually, we are quite happy about it! Looking forward to hosting our visiting Taylor family here tomorrow for dinner. Should be fun!

Puppy Embroiled in National Controversy!

The Editor — 1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Uh oh, Puppy. You'd better watch out. We see you are embroiled in a hot controversy surrounding the latest Fred Flare publication of your blog post, Cactus Wrangler. The comments suggest that there is building polarization among your followers. Oh, where will it ever end? Stay tuned!

Book Recommendation: Empire of the Summer Moon

The Editor — 1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Holed up in a hotel in Austin, we find ourselves happily reading a new book, Empire of the Summer Moon, the story of the Comanches of Texas, and their 1836 capture of 9-yr old Cynthia Ann Parker, daughter of Texas settlers. We highly recommend that you download and listen to last month's NPR interview with the author. Cynthia became an official member of the Comanches, the wife of a prominent chief, and mother of Quanah Parker, the last great Comanche chief to stand against the European settlement of Texas. She was recaptured by the Texas Rangers and tried repeatedly to return to her people, thus dispelling the popular belief that given the choice, any sane white person would choose the civilized white culture over the bloody and violent life of their savage captors. A great read, gritty, violent and shocking depiction of the conflict of cultures at the "bloody edge of civilization," but true. And a great way to spend the day while Mr. Bill does business. Get your copy here. And yes, you can get the Kindle version, Mama Alice.

The Night Owls

The Editor — 1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

While others sleep, we create. That's the Golden Time for us Benac Wimmin'. Annie and Nubs got together last night to create Puppy stamps, carved from that rubbery pink stuff. Turned out great! No, we don't really get that much sleep around here. Is that so wrong?

New Canaan Ward Reunion

The Editor — 1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

A quick trip to Utah for the weekend was well worth the trouble as the Parents attended a reunion of our old New Canaan, CT ward. About 65 attendees made the effort to come and it was sweet, sweet, sweet! Thanks to the Jorgensens, our hosts at the Bar J Ranch, for allowing us to spend the night with them after the festivities were over. We also loved getting a tour of their renovated pioneer home in Ephraim, where we got the cook's tour. Here are some photos from our weekend love fest.

At Bethany's

The Editor — 1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

jA huge thanks to Brian, Bethany and catz for hosting the Parents overnight in their lovely home, a 1938 cottage which Bethany has turned into the chic-est of the chic dwellings around. Honestly, from the reclaimed basement-turned craft room to the backyard garden, her artistic design touch graces every corner. Thanks for the inspiration, BDM! The old folks are here in Utah for a New Canaan Ward reunion, having dined with Pat P. and Janet P. last night. We look forward to reconnecting with oodles of friends from our Connecticut days.

A is for Annie, Apron and Anthropologie

The Editor — 1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

A is for Annie, Apron and Anthropologie. Great combo. Great times crusing the mall today, something the Editor never does. But with Annie, it was fun, and she got a great little apron out of the deal.

Annie's embroidered toile

The Editor — 1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Thanks, Annie, our dear Artist in Residence, for sniffing out the Editor's predilection for toile, and embroidering this choice little scrap of cloth for future use as a very treasured pillow top. She started it at Christmas time, snuck it home in her luggage unfinished, and put the final stitches in last night. We love it! Notice the flowing water into which the laundress on the left dips her wash, the lightning storm in progress, and the shepherd's invitation for a kiss (bisou). Oh, this is a treasure indeed. We love our artsy girls of all ages.

And oh, that SARAH! She made the news today as the founder of a huge crafters guild in Vegas. Check out the article here. What's the matter with you girls!? Don't you have vacuuming to do?

Cat the Humanities Professor

The Editor — 1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Well, well, Ms. Catherine. We are right proud of your latest accomplishment of having been hired on as an adjunct humanities professor at the central Park branch of Collin County Community College! All that culture shoved down your throat as a youngin' led you to just the right place, we think. Lucky students of our lovely daughter will have something beautiful to look at in the arts AND the professor. You go, Catherine!

Lamb Roast 2010

The Editor — 1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

In what might be the culminating event of our protracted 4th of July celebrations, Daddy Bill roasted a succulent lamb yeserday at the rural retreat of cousin Joe and his lovely Dutch wife Jessica. It was a day to remember. Thanks, Joe and Jessica, for allowing the 40 of us to overrun your spread. The food was delicious, the company exquisite, and the cattle were lowing. photo album here.

Happy Birthday Mary!

The Editor — 1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

This is your day, lovely Mary. We celebrate your birthday as a daughter of Liberty. We envy the way you always seem to find your way to the water each fourth of July. We love you. Have fun paddling your canoe to the fireworks in Boston tonight!

Lobsterfest!

The Editor — 1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

"In which a fortunate convocation of Benacs assemble together over platters of hot steaming lobster."

Correct. That is indeed the answer to the question, "What is Lobsterfest?"

We like it. And we like having family around. Thanks to Daddy Bill, the Master of Our Feast, to the Kidz for coming in for the event, and to the grandkidz for being so truly entertaining and....cute. If you're interested, click on the slideshow button on this link to see the pix.

Thank you, Mary and Ram, for giving Annie the inspiration for her latest Puppy comic on the Fred Flare website. Your plan to rent canoes and row them along the Charles River to watch the fireworks and listen to the Boston Pops from your floating perches sounds absolutely romantic.

A Rained Out Picnic and Alice Instead of Shakespeare

The Editor — 1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Our planned al fresco picnic fizzled with the torrential rains today. Undaunted, we proceeded to picnic indoors, and substitute a large-screen viewing of Alice In Wonderland (can't get enough of that movie, really-be sure to watch every single bonus feature on the DVD) for the Shakespeare In the Park event we had on our calendar. Oooh, the picnic was great. Come celebrate the day with us!

The Arrivals

The Editor — 1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

It has truly been a "Cool Thursday" around here as we begin to celebrate the 4th of July weekend with the arrivals of our dear ones. Bethany and Brian joined us for Disco Night at the Dallas Arboretum's Cool Thursday concert, along with our friends the Asays. It was a gorgeous and entertaining evening indeed, and we were additionally thrilled that John and Mamie and and their darlings decided to come in a DAY EARLY. What joys! We miss all our other darlings around the country and hope everyone has a wonderful weekend contemplating the blessing of freedom and the responsibility to preserve it.

Ugly Beast Transforms into Tasty Treat

The Editor — 1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Mmmmmmm, mmmmm, good. Thank you, Great White Hunter Daddy Bill and thanks also to Karl Kuby for transforming a really ugly wild boar into the most delicious sausages on the planet. We have 95 pounds of really savory links to enjoy and share. Just let us know if you have a hankering. It's GOOD! We cooked a sample up today in a fruity barbeque sauce and, hoooeeey-it was right tasty!

Back at the Flaming Tableaux

The Editor — 1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Is it wrong to enjoy making these Flaming Tableaux of Welcome for our adored visitors? We're gearing up right now for the Maloufs and Annie's upcoming visits. And John and Mamie's, and Lucy, and Rowan, all of whom will grace our humble digs for the Fourth of July festivities and beyond. If you, Gentle Reader, have a serious objection to these little confections, do let us know, and you won't get one!

Another Creative Generation

The Editor — 1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

Imagine our utter delight to hear voices downstairs this morning, and find our dear Cat and her 4Darlingz coming to pay a call, have breakfast, play dress-up, and in Lille's case, join the Editor in her latest fancy, wood block printing. We mixed up some paint, she chose her blocks and printed on some extra fabric, then sewed her creation into a little drawstring bag to take home. We love these Crafty Kidz!

Kate's Indian Adventure

The Editor — 1970-01-01T00:00:00+01:00

We have a friend we've never met. Not face to face, that is. But she is a friend, and she learned from us about Pathway, and wanted to go over and work there. We salute Kate Robinson of Vermont, who has raised funds by selling her block prints to buy art supplies and has just recently arrived in Chennai to begin what we predict will be the greatest adventure so far of her lifetime. Six weeks with the Pathway kids teaching art. Have a glorious time, Ms. R. We shall follow your adventures via your blog, which will be kept at the top of Benac.com.