The Philbrook Museum of Art

Believe it or not we still haven't run out of fun things to do in Tulsa!  I probably have said it every day that today's museum is my favorite.  I love Woolaroc, Gilcrease and the Philbrook.  These were 'treats' we got to visit on school and girl scouts trips.  They are the places we took Frankie as she was growing up. 

Today we're at the Philbrook Museum of Art.   It is an art museum in the historic home of Waite and Genevieve Phillips with expansive formal gardens. It is the site of part of the family's former 1920s villa. The museum features nine collections of art from all over the world.  And being located in former American Indian territory is features a collection  of Native American art including basketry, pottery, paintings and jewelry. 

At Christmas time the museum foyer is decked out with the most amazing Christmas Trees.  I have wonderful memories of taking Frankie and he Camp Fire Girls group there each December. 

The weather for our visit today was perfect and the view was spectacular.  The gardens are simply amazing.  Mom and I stopped off for a muffin to celebrate her upcoming birthday.  I'm pretty sure we've had a treat everyday, because after all, it's her birthday (almost)! 

I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees.  Ecclesiastes 2:4-6

The American West

Today's denture with mom took us to the Gilcrease Museum.  The museum is named for Thomas Gilcrease, an oil man and avid art collector, who began the collection. He deeded the collection, as well as the building and property, to the City of Tulsa in 1958. Since July 1, 2008, Gilcrease Museum has been managed by a partnership of the City of Tulsa and the University of Tulsa.

Thomas Gilcrease grew up in the Creek Nation. At the turn of the 20th century the federal government distributed lands held by American Indian tribes to private citizens. His tribal membership entitled him to an allotment of 160 acres. The land became part of one of Oklahoma's major oil fields. In the 1920 Gilcrease's visits to European museums inspired him to create his own collection. Pride in his American Indian heritage and interest in the history of the American West provided a focus for his collecting.

The museum is dedicated to the American West.  Mr. Gilcrease believed that the story of the American West could be told through art and that the history of the native Americans and his own American Indian heritage could be preserved through painting, sculpture, and other forms of art. He was a patron to a number of native American artists of his time and purchased over 500 paintings by 20th century native American artists alone.  However, my favorites will always be the Remington sculptures! 

Has not the Lord Almighty determined

    that the people’s labor is only fuel for the fire,

    that the nations exhaust themselves for nothing

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord

Habakkuk 2:13-14

Woolaroc Visit

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In the furthering adventures with Mom, we took on Woolaroc today.  The name Woolaroc is a portmanteau of the words woods, lakes, and rocks that are featured in the beautiful Osage Hills of northeast Oklahoma where the ranch is located. The name was originally intended for the ranch house, but it soon became the name for the entire Frank Phillips ranch.

I have great memories of visiting Woolaroc as a child and memories of Jon and I taking the kids there when they were young.  Woolaroc was built in 1925 as the ranch retreat of oilman Frank Phillips. The ranch is a 3,700 acre wildlife preserve, home to over 30 different species of native and exotic wildlife, such as buffalo, elk and longhorn cattle. It is also a museum with a collection of western art and artifacts, American Indian material, and one of the largest collections of Colt firearms in the world. Also on display is Philip's aircraft that won the ill-fated Dole Air Race in 1927. 

Mom and I went out on a nature trail and a living history area to experience the natural environment of Woolaroc, and the life in a pre-Civil War 1840's mountain man camp.  We both shot rifles and listened to great stories.  

He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”  Luke 19:40

Visit to Pioneer Woman Mercantile

My first adventure with Mom this week while Abigail is at Four Star Leadership in Oklahoma City was to visit Food Networks Oklahoma star Ree Drummond's Pioneer Woman Mercantile.  It is located in Pawhuska, Oklahoma and is about an hour and fifteen minutes north-west of Mom's house. 

Patrons lined up around the block to enjoy the home cooking and see the bit of nostalgia in this quaint store.  The Merc was built in 1910 and originally called Osage Mercantile. Ree and her husband, purchased the property in 2012 and restored it into what it is today. The 25,000-square-foot building includes a retail store and deli (complete with grab-and-go coffee and goodies) on the first floor and a coffee bar and bakery on the second. 

The Mercantile gets 6,000 visitors a day on average. They said that number sometimes goes as high as 15,000.  Which is especially surprising considering the small size of the town, Pawhuska:  population 3,477! 

The food is amazing.  I had the grilled cheese and tomato soup!  Amazing! We also shared some olive bread that was delicious.  Think french bread with chopped green and black olives sprinkled with cheeses and broiled!  Nothing on the menu is more that $20.  The place is packed but it's Oklahoma and everyone is friendly! Oh, and did I mention, Sweet Tea is $0.25!  

Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:35

Four Star Leadership with General Tommy Franks

Months ago Abigail applied for Four Star Leadership, she made it through the interview process and was notified she was one of only 70 students accepted this year! It's a huge honor and we're very excited for her!

If you're not familiar with Four Star Leadership here is an excerpt from their website:

"Four Star Leadership with General Tommy Franks is a world-class leadership program developed as a partnership between the General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum and Oklahoma Christian University. Four Star Leadership offers 70 top high school students invaluable leadership experience through an exciting and challenging curriculum at no cost to students.

​Since 2008, Four Star Leadership has welcomed 504 U.S. high school students from 48 different states and 49 international students. Working with a range of leaders including kings, governors, senators and Olympic gold medalists, these students have explored critical national and international issues such as educational reform, foreign policy and entitlement spending.​"

Today I dropped her off at Oklahoma Christian College where she will stay for the week. She's going to have a great week. 

Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? Ecclesiastes 5:6

Granny's Visit to the Frisco Heritage Museum

Granny came for visit this weekend!  Hooray! Unfortunately, Caleb is out of the country again but we got to spend time together.  On Saturday we took Granny to Frisco Heritage Museum.  

The museum has all kinds of rail memorabilia.  It also features a turn of the century printing press, and a service station with cars from 1915 and 1930.  Frisco is one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S. and the museum was created to preserve the city's heritage. 

Granny shared stories with the girls about packing a lunch and riding the rail with Aunt Cathy to go visit relatives when they were little girls. 

Granny and Frankie worked on a puzzle together.  I think this time it was horses! Imagine that!  Granny joined us for church this morning before she headed back to Tulsa. 

Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Ruth 1:16

Stained Glass Art Class

It's time for another Teen Art Class at the Dallas Museum of Art.  The kids have studied a lot of different medium of art through these classes and today was no exception. 

They began class looking at the stained glass in medieval cathedrals in the Art and Nature in the Middle Ages exhibit. Later in Tech Lab they made their own 4”x6” glass panes. 

Using Plexiglass panels they took essentially a glue gun with black sticks to create the iron work and then painted their panes of glass.  

Each work was very unique and when they were flipped around to allow the light to shine through it was quite impressive.  Because they were working with Plexiglass each student to draw and lay out their design and then transfer it using the 'iron work.' 

To others, show mercy mixed with fear of sin. Hate even the clothes that are stained by the sins of those who wear them.  Jude 1:23

Science Spectrum Museum

Part of LCU's homecoming weekend is all the events for the alumni.  Caleb had a welcome home breakfast with the alum from his club Kyodai this morning. As an officer for Kyodai he was up early setting up for the event. 

Frankie and I enjoyed a little breakfast in the hotel and the boy joined us after his event.  

Caleb's friend Sonny took us over to the Science Spectrum, a science museum in Lubbock where she is interning this summer. They have over 250 hands-on interactive science exhibits and live science shoews.   The museum also features a 160 degree panoramic view on a 58 foot domed screen.  

It made for a fun afternoon exploring and hanging out together.  Sonny made sure we got the VIP tour of the museum and she made sure Frankie had a great time. 

To Him who made the great lights, For His lovingkindness is everlasting: The sun to rule by day, For His lovingkindness is everlasting, The moon and stars to rule by night, For His lovingkindness is everlasting.  Psalm 136:7-9

DMA Teen Class

Time for another amazing teen art class at the Dallas Museum of Art.  Today's class was Conserve and Collect.  The teens were able to explore the Conservation Gallery to learn more about the unique problem-solving skills conservationists use to protect art for future generations.

In the gallery lab the youth were given painting samples and had to mix colors to match and touch up art work.   They also worked with foils to simulate the gold leafing on the ornate picture frames. 

Abigail and her friend Tessa enjoyed the class together while Ms. Beth and I toured a small portion of the museum.  

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10

Monet: The Early Years

What to do, when you are studying the mid 1800's and there happens to be a Monet exhibit in Fort Worth?  Sounds like a field trip day to me! The Kimbell Art Museum is hosting a special exhibit devoted to the young genius of Claude Monet, called Monet: The Early Years.  It concentrates on the first phase of the artist’s career, from his Normandy debut in 1858 until 1872, when he settled in Argenteuil, on the River Seine near Paris.

The exhibit includes his early work as a teenager, portraits of his favorite model turned wife, and his children in their early years. The exhibit include still life and landscapes including snowy scenes and windmills.  The exhibit included an audio tour giving the history behind many of the works. With probably over sixty works of art from various collections, the exhibit gave an extraordinary look at life in Monet's younger life. 

Because museums aren't always a teenagers favorite field trip, Abigail and I joined her friends Elaine and Katrina along with their moms for this educational event.  Afterward the girls talked us into lunch at Sundance Square.   

 This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot.  Ecclesiastes 5:18 

Dallas Museum of Art Teen Workshop

Today's Teen Workshop at the Dallas Museum of Art was entitled Sensory Explorations.  The students looked at the impact the Silk Road had on Asian and European art. 

The youth led students to use their senses to experience the art in the museum.  During the workshop portion of the class they mixed their own paints using spices and pigments. 

Her favorite mixture was the  vanilla bean light grey pigment.  The least favorite would have to be the curry mustard blend!  

If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.  I Corinthians 2:17-18

Museum of Biblical Art in Dallas

Today was another field trip day with our PEACH home school group.  This time we visited the Museum of Biblical Art in Dallas.  It's a beautiful Biblical-themed art museum that hosts around 50,000 visitors annually.  

The museum opened up in the 1960's, but then re-built and re-opened in 2010 after a fire in 2005. The beautifully remodeled museum boasts eleven galleries, The National Center for Jewish Art, an on-site Art Conservation Lab, Via Dolorosa Sculpture Garden, and many cast of Michelangelo's sculptures. My favorites are the ones I saw in Italy with my parents like Michelangelo's Moses and the Pieta'. 

This was our families first visit since the opening of the new Via Dolorosa Sculpture Garden.  In Latin, "Via Dolorosa" means "way of sorrows" or "painful way." It refers to the path that Jesus walked on his way to crucifixion. Visitors follow that path and complete the 14 Stations of the Cross, which features larger-than-life bronze statues by Santa Fe artist, Gib Singleton.  When my parents and I were in Jerusalem we were privileged to walk through the stations thought to be traveled by Jesus. 

He began to be deeply distressed and troubled. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.” Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. Mark 14:33-35

Choose This Day

In addition to the Sixth Floor Museum's permanent exhibit, which tells the story of President Kennedy’s assassination and its impact, they have 2 special temporary exhibits.  Our PEACH homeshoolers headed to the museum to tour the museum with special emphasis on the two special exhibits.  

The first special exhibit is: A Time For Greatness: The 1960 Kennedy Campaign.  It’s a special election year exhibit about one of the closest elections in U.S. history, Kennedy’s victory over Richard Nixon in 1960. It's an in-depth look at what is often considered to be the first modern day presidential campaign—noted for being the first election to feature a televised debate, the first to include all 50 states and the first to elect a president born in the 20th century.

There is also a look at campaigning wives and how potential first ladies impacted their husbands run for president.  The museum offers educators guides for the classroom.  It was a great addition to our election curriculum as we move closer to the November election.  You can tell the girls enjoyed their visit, it won't be long until they are old enough to vote! 

Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens.  Exodus 18:21

Taken, Framed, Exposed, Shot, and Hung all in One Day

Art takes so many forms and today our PEACH group explored nature at the Dallas Arboretum to explore the art of photography. The students investigated the basic elements of photography and analyzed what a photographer must keep in mind when capturing an image of nature by and Arboretum educator.  

After classroom time we were able to explore the Arboretum’s 66 acres by beautiful White Rock Lake. The kids explored the mist in the Palmer Fern Dell and investigated the fossils in the water walls at the Lay Ornamental Garden.   

The Great Contributors exhibit is currently on display, it is a part of Gary Lee Price’s renowned art collection. Price is a member of the National Sculpture Society, and recognized worldwide for his life-size bronze sculptures.  Throughout the gardens we were greeted by his sculptures including Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Claude Monet, Albert Einstein, William Shakespeare, Mark Twain and the Wright Brothers.  

We had a great group of middle and high school aged students with all forms of personal technology like digital cameras, tablets, smart phones, etc. creating their own nature art photographs.  Abigail is looking forward to taking her photos and using some of the great tips she learned in the digital art class she took at the DMA.  

The grass withers and the flowers fall,

    but the word of our God endures forever.

Isaiah 40:8

Every Vote Counts

Our PEACH youth stepped into a candidates’ shoes at the special exhibit at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum.  The exhibit called Path to the Presidency gives youth a fun, interactive peek into past presidential campaigns, the changing face of the American electorate, and a glimpse at life on the campaign trail. 

The exhibit brings historic campaigns to life with artifacts, documents, photos, videos, and many other interesting components. There were great video clips of formal presidential debates and the kids got to try their hand at using a teleprompter to make their acceptance speeches.  Abigail and Gracie made their own political poster, and Frankie and Abigail re-created the iconic Kennedy brothers pose in the Rose Garden. 

He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,

guarding the paths of justice

    and watching over the way of his saints.

Proverbs 7:8-9

World of Wonder

Who would want to visit a place called, “world of wonder” by the Dallas Morning News.  The Perot Museum of Nature and Science opened its doors in December 2012, but this was our first visit to this incredible museum.   One of our fabulous field trip coordinators for PEACH arranged for about 40 of our homeschoolers to enjoy the day at this amazing five story state-of-the-art museum.

It houses exhibits with 3D computer animation with life-like simulation.  There are plenty of hands-on activities, interactive kiosks and educational games.  The girls enjoyed the earthquake simulator, demonstrating tectonic plates.
 

The museum houses a 298-seat, multimedia 3D theater with 4 K digital projection and immersive surround sound. I don’t even know what all that means except it was the coolest, most realist 3-D movie I’ve ever seen!  We watched Tiny Giants; the story of a two month old chipmunk in a wild wood is forced to grow up fast when he finds himself alone for the first time. Only by using his ingenious superpowers can our hero not only stay alive, but also become a master of his universe.

Being a science museum, they have created a natural sustainable and environmentally friendly structure including a rainwater collection system, LED lighting and solar-powered water heating.   But I think the girls were more impressed with the café located in the museum which offered spectacular wraps and delicious fruit assortments!

The museum absolutely lived up to all the publicity and was made even more enjoyable sharing it with great friends.  We will definitely be back! 

behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale.

Revelation 6:12-13

Lone Star History Day

Today we joined a few homeschooling friends at Dallas Heritage Village for their Lone Star History Day. The village is a wonderful collection of 19th century pioneer and Victorian homes and commercial buildings in Texas. These buildings were moved from throughout North Central Texas to Dallas’ first city park. It's fascinating to see what life was like 100 years ago in Texas sitting right outside of the Dallas skyline.

For the Lone Star History Day, the Village had docents re-enacting life in 19th century.  We watched the local black smith forge nails. Ladies demonstrated their embroidery work, butter churning and soaping making skills.  Reading a book is a great way to learn, but I definitely prefer the hands on learning! 

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.  Ecclesiastes 9:10

Sixth Floor Museum Send Off

For the past five years Caleb has served on the Sixth Floor Museum’s Youth Advisory Council.  They are youth ambassadors and docents for the museum.  He has really enjoyed serving on the committee and interacting with the wonderful programs the museum offers. 

Today was the last Youth Advisory Committee meeting for Caleb and the other graduating senior Ellisa.  Elissa is headed to Johns Hopkins University as a Political Science major, with a minor in Economics. Ms. Ani, their adviser made sure they had a great send off!   

for there is a reward for your work,

declares the Lord . . .     

17 

There is hope for your future,

declares the Lord

Jeremiah 31:16-17

JFK Living History with Max Holland

 

Tonight's Living History for the Sixth Floor Museum featured journalist Max Holland.  Caleb and other members of the museum's Youth Advisory Committee served as docents for the program tracing the history of the Zapruder film.

 

Mr.  Holland is a journalist and author and tonight he walked through the tangled history of the most famous yet misunderstood piece of evidence from the assassination: the 26.5-second long film made by Dallas businessman Abraham Zapruder.

 

As a journalist, he has studied and written about various aspects of the assassination for more than two decades, with articles appearing in a variety of publications ranging from Newsweek, The Atlantic and The New York Times, to scholarly journals like Studies in Intelligence. His assassination-related book was The Kennedy Assassination Tapes.  In 2011, Mr. Holland was the lead consultant for a National Geographic Television documentary about the Kennedy assassination that premiered in November 2011, entitled JFK: The Lost Bullet. 

 

One of the fun portions of the Living History program is the question and answer segment.  Caleb said there was a lot of lively conspiracy theory conversation in tonight's program. 

His officials conspired against him and assassinated him at Beth Millo, on the road down to Silla.
2 Kings 12:20

Sixth Floor Museum's CSI Family Day

Today was the Sixth Floor Museums 9^th annual CSI Family Day.  It is visitors opportunity to examine a crime scene, gather and study evidence like fingerprints and eyewitness testimony, and crack the case.

Caleb and other members of the Youth Advisory Committee assisted aspiring crime scene investigators in examining a mock crime scene, complete with police report, and perform forensic analysis at evidence stations.

The program is a partnership with the Dallas Police Department, the University of North Texas Forensic Science Program, and UNT’s Forensic Science Club. The Forensic Science Club's mission is to enable students in the UNT Forensic Science Certification Program to learn about the forensic science field, establish a presence in the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), and several other really smart people!

Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night.
Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Daniel 2:19