Marionettes, Up Close and Personal

Tomie and Friends

Liz and David Shanks gave Tomie marionettes of his favorite characters: Strega Nona, Tomie, Big Anthony. They presented the marionettes to Tomie at the 75th birthday party in NYC that Penguin threw for Tomie. David Shanks is CEO of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. Liz Shanks presents "Penguin Storytime with Liz Shanks" in the "Screening Room" of the "The Publisher's Office" at www.us.penguingroup.com.

Marionettes & Dolls by Joan
Ft. Salonga, New York
631-544-0604

A Counted Cross Stitch Guadalupe

Stephanie used all of 2009 to create this wonderful "counted cross stitch" Our Lady of Guadalupe for Tomie because Tomie has an affection for Guadalupe items. Stephanie, now known as artist, is better known as the cleaner of Tomie's home.

Click on the photo to get a better look.

Feeling Blue?

Feeling blue? Then, think of this sofa in Tomie's house.

The sofa is a Benjamin Thompson/Design Research design covered in Mexican fabric. The pillows are Alexander Girard designs. The pillows were a gift several Christmases ago from Anne Taylor Davis.

2009 After-Christmas Party: Before the Guests Arrive

(You can always click on a photo to get a better look.)

Spectacular Cut Glass Tabletop by Artist Susan Azodi

2009 After-Christmas Party: The Boys of Rockwell's

(left to right)
Jeff (Sous Chef), Jerod (Rockwell's at the Inn Chef/Owner), Jon (Martini Master), Tomie, Allen, Bryan

Why Jerod has his finger in Jeff's ear is anyone's guess.

www.rockwellsattheinn.com

2009 After-Christmas Party: The Girls of Rockwell's

(left to right)
Mackenzie, Anne Marie, Tomie, Natasha (Rockwell's at the Inn "Front of the House" Manager), Meg

www.rockwellsattheinn.com

2009 Canadian Fruitcake Challenge: Jennette v. Stephanie - Dark Triumphs!

Dark fruitcake triumphs over light fruitcake. Jennette wins the 2009 Canadian Fruitcake Challenge! Since Stephanie won the 2008 Canadian Fruitcake Challenge, the competition is tied. Good luck, ladies, for the 2010 Challenge.

2009 After-Christmas Party: "Sound of Music" Sing-along

Top Photo (left to right):

Robert Jensen, David Cleveland, Tomie, Ashley Seybold

2009 Canadian Fruitcake Challenge: Jennette v. Stephanie - The Judge's Statement

"Although judging always contains some subjective elements and a certain degree of arbitrariness, it was inspired by the words of M.F.K. Fisher: 'the teachers, everywhere and always, showed their people real food, real wine to prove to them the truths of spiritual nourishment.'"

Well, after reading the statement, the competitors must know which fruitcake was selected as the 2009 winner.

2009 Canadian Fruitcake Challenge: Jennette v. Stephanie

Although this fruitcake competition is called "Jennette v. Stephanie," it could be called "Dark Fruitcake v. Light Fruitcake." ANOTHER age-old question that will never be satisfactorily resolved.

2009 Canadian Fruitcake Challenge: Jennette v. Stephanie - About the Judge

Anne is an advertising company owner in the fashion world in New York City. She is Harvard-educated. She loves to travel. She reads voraciously, and cannot wait for the next Twilight series book. She loves to catch snowflakes, and run barefoot on the beaches of the 'bu. She attends funerals in Europe of long-deceased royalty. Her brussels sprouts are beyond. Her favorite music genre is Country and Western, but is quick to get down to the music of the Jonas Brothers. Favorite fashion icons: the Olsen twins. Favorite TV show: High School Musical. She has no prejudices regarding fruitcake. When asked to be the judge for Round Two of the Canadian Fruitcake Challenge: Jennette v. Stephanie, she exclaimed, "I'm not worthy." Nevertheless, she spent hours, literally hours, online researching fruitcakes.

Happy New Year!