Games Galore

Posted on by Thor

Over the Christmas Holidays there wasn’t much need to go outside in the cold in Iowa. Instead we played endless card and board games. This sketch is of a late night game of Quelf which is an unpredictable party game that gives random a new name! You might be asked to answer hilarious trivia, perform ridiculous stunts, or obey silly rules. The game inspires creativity, wit and sense of humor in ways you’ve never imagined. Pam had to answer questions using nothing but song lyrics. Destiny at one point was crawling on the floor. Some questions had to be answered within 30 seconds which was timed with an hourglass.

Card games were also predominate. Euchre and Canasta seem to be the games of choice. I started to catch on to the rules of Canasta, but euchre is very fast paced and I never caught on to all the rules or strategies. Another board game we played quite a bit was Parcheesi. In this game you move your players, (bulls, bears, camels or elephants), around the board and try to be the first to get all your players home. There is some strategy with blocking and knocking other players back. It was fun to play. I won my first game but lost the other two.

Orlando’s most increadible private Christmas light display.

Posted on by Thor

Once a year I seek out the best Christmas light display in Orlando to sketch. Folks in Florida tend to be fanatical about their displays which start going up right after Thanksgiving. My online research this year lead me to Christmas in the Shire (14645 Grand Cove Drive Orlando FL). The display has moved this year and is bigger than ever according to passers by.

I parked quite a few blocks away to avoid any possible traffic jams near the display. Traffic however was thankfully light in this new suburban neighborhood. Road work was still in progress on streets as I drove in. I walked through the neighborhood in my black hoodie enjoying the smaller light displays along the way. As I passed a mom removing groceries from her car, she said to me, “Do you want to see that display?” when she turned to look at me, she said with a start, “Oh! I thought you were my son!” I laughed.

What is truly unique about The Shire is the number of Christmas trees both on the yard and inside the home. More than a dozen trees were illuminated in the yard with many more inside the home. Andrew Albertson began collecting Christmas decorations when he was eight. He has over a thousand plastic snowmen, and he only displays the ones that tie in with a theme each year. Inside the home are 53 trees. He owns over 300 artificial trees that are four feet and higher. In all he may have 100,000 lights in the display.  Other displays might have more lights, but he has realized over time that quality is more important than quantity. The front door was always open inviting people to come inside.  At the foot of the driveway was a donation box. When people made a donation, bright white strobe lights flashed throughout the yard in appreciation. This was the only blinking lights in the display. I like that they rely on the simple beauty of the display for a calming effect.

Christmas tunes played all night long. A young couple standing in the driveway started to waltz to the music. Other families children ran around playing tag and excited to find out what was inside the home. It was rather cold the evening I went to sketch. My fingers stiffened and the tablets warm processor is the only reason I was able to finish what I started. Working in watercolor wouldn’t have worked. If you want to visit a spot that is certain to warm you up to the holiday season, then head to Hunter’s Creek to visit Christmas in the Shire.

Fa La La La La Park Avenue Window Walk

Posted on by Thor

On December 10, I Luv Winter Park organized a stroll down Park Avenue in Winter Park. People gathered in the Hidden Garden Courtyard from 5 to 6, taking advantage of Happy Hour libations at The Bistro. Then, around 6-ish, everyone walked  down the east side of Park Avenue, then back up. It was a chance for friends  to get into a  holiday mood and have some fun while checking out the  windows up and down Park Avenue!

I couldn’t get to the bistro at 5, so instead I simply found a spot on Park Avenue to sketch. I chose to sketch Be On Park jewelry store (152 S Park Ave, Winter Park, FL) simply because I didn’t have a parked car blocking the view. Large orbs of light were hung in the trees all along Park Avenue. It was quite a display. Eventually the strollers did run across me.  Clyde took pictures of my sketch in progress.

A mom and her daughter, dressed in an elegant Cinderella gown stopped to meet every one. The little girl proudly showed off her glass slippers rotating her foot on point. After everyone left and I was getting close to finishing the sketch, a rather disheveled man stood in front of me and angrily asked, “Are you an artist?” It is the one question I can’t stand. I looked around wondering if my wife put him up to it. I made some polite reply. He wanted money for new shoes, but his shoes looked fine to me. When your sitting still you are an easy mark. It started to rain as I made my way back to my car. Why can’t they afford snow?

Infusion Tea

Posted on by Thor

I often stop into Infusion Tea in College Park (1600 Edgewater Dr, Orlando, FL). I usually go to Soft Exposure to listen to poets and authors but this evening I just stopped in for a bite to eat. The food is delicious and it is always fun to try a new blend of tea. I get over whelmed when I order since there is a wall of teas behind the ordering counter. There is also a counter where you can order gelatos. Gelato is healthier than ice cream.  It uses more milk than cream, and less fat. Additionally, it usually uses fewer egg yolks, another source of fat in custard-based
ice creams. Ice cream is churned quickly introducing more than 50% of air into the mix. Gelato is churned much slower which makes it more dense. Gelato has a more direct flavor. It always reminds me of Rome.

Infusion has a 60’s retro feel with the yellow Formica tables and lime green chairs. Some people come to sit for hours, sipping tea and working on a laptop.  Outside a patio enclosure has been added that looks like it came out of a shagadelic Austin Powers movie. The Arts Co-op, a  chic gift boutique inside Infusion is also a great place to get unique local hand crafted items for the holidays. Now through the end of the year if you buy one item, you get 1/2 off on another item. Many of the items are perfect as old fashioned Christmas decorations.