McConnell Mansion Ice Cream Social - Moscow ID

I want to apologize for being behind this week. I had forgotten my pictures so I had to wait until I could get them on the computer. This past Sunday was the McConnell Mansion Ice Cream Social. This is a yearly event and is free to the community. For those not able to attend the social, the McConnell Mansion is still open to the public Tuesday through Saturday 1-5 (check the website for any changes in the hours).
The Ice Cream Social is a huge event with multiple groups coming together to offer a glimpse into the lives of those who lived at the time the mansion was built (it's not really a mansion but a historical house museum). This year there was a group with a hunting/trapping display.



My son had a great time identifying the furs.
There was also dress up for the inspired.


After dressing up the clothes need to be washed.

We stopped in for a tour of the mansion which included a really great radio display and lace making demonstration.





And, of course, there was ice cream.

We finished the day with a short hay ride around the block.


I highly recommend taking a trip to see the museum. It's a fun peek into another world. We had a blast looking at the closet space and talking about how on earth would we fit our clothes in them. On the main floor towards the back of the house is a gift shop with some fun nostalgic items, including wooden toys.

CUB Gallery - Reinterpreting Reality

It was not my plan to talk about each show at the various art galleries but to inform people that the galleries existed and to encourage you to discover them on your own. This afternoon, I went to the CUB to get a present for my son at the bookstore. Returning to work, I decided to walk through the gallery to see what was "hanging". I was so impressed by the art there that I had to share.
The current exhibit is called Reinterpreting Reality. I am going to borrow the information from their website because I don't want to give false information.
"Five women at WSU, students, faculty and staff, submitted five works
for the new art exhibit entitled, Reinterpreting Reality, seven years
later this has become a signature event for the Washington State
University Women's Resource Center with each year reaching a record
amount of entries. The goals of Reinterpreting Reality are to examine
the artistic expression of personal thoughts and experiences of women as
they redefine themselves within the traditional roles of society whether
it is expressing frustration, anger, celebration, self-discovery or
identity. This annual art exhibit also provides a specific venue for WSU
women artists and community artists to voice their opinions and
experiences to the larger WSU community. Kim Barrett, the founder of
this art exhibit, wanted to target more specifically the closet artists
in the WSU community. Many women create art only for themselves, they
often do not have the opportunity to submit their art for exhibits or
feel that as an amateur artist their work would not be accepted.
Reinterpreting Reality was created with the hope that all women who love
to create would finally have a chance to publicly display their artwork
in a gallery setting."
It is an amazing and eclectic exhibit. The artwork is stunning. The collection includes 2 quilts, ceramics, sculptures, paintings, drawings and photographs (and maybe a few other things I forgot to mention). I wish I had taken my camera and may go back next week for pictures. It's incredible (I need a thesaurus to continue to describe this exhibit).
Take the time to walk through. It's a lot more artwork than has been there in the past but it's a good time for all.

WSU Art Museums - Pullman WA

WSU has several art galleries and one actual museum on campus. The exhibits change out often but you can always find the latest information on their websites. http://museum.wsu.edu/ http://www.wsu.edu/~finearts/galleries.html https://studentinvolvement.wsu.edu/cubgallery I didn't realize that it took several webpages to find out all the information. WSU definitely needs an all encompassing art exhibits website but not all the galleries are run by Fine Arts. I can't guarantee that the galleries at the Fine Arts building and the one at the CUB are the only galleries but they are the most advertised.

The CUB (Compton Union Building) gallery is located in the CUB entryway on the far eastern side of the 1st floor (just outside the auditorium). It's a small space and you have to pay attention to the entire room because exhibit pieces can be anywhere. The CUB gallery used to be it's own room but I think that having the gallery actually in the entry way makes it more open and visible. There still isn't as much attendance as I think there should be but maybe it just feels that way.


This current exhibit is titled Origami Unfolded and is amazing. It's a small exhibit and should only take about 5 minutes to enjoy the art. You are welcome to linger but if you are in a hurry go out the east exit and enjoy some art on the way.
The Fine Arts building (kitty corner to the CUB) houses a gallery and a museum. Outside of the building is some art and may be a changing exhibit in it's own right but I can't say with certainty.


You enter on the main floor and if you go in either direction and turn down the hall opposite the entry way (the halls are split by a stair case in the middle) and come around the corner you will be at Gallery 2. I assume this is gallery 2 because the museum is gallery 1 but I don't know. Currently gallery 2 is empty to prepare for an exhibit opening this week. I have seen artwork in the little foyer across from the gallery. The pics here are of art work that I believe is in the area to dry but I liked it anyway.


Heading to the south of the building and down the hall to the right you will be in alignment with the Museum entrance.

To the left of the entrance is a hallway with the most amazing art from reflectors. I really want one of these.


The fuzzy pic is mine so I borrowed another from the museum website to give everyone a clearer picture of the art work.
From there - enter the museum. Currently Cynthia Finch is represented at the museum. I found her work to be more bizarre than I like but someone obviously likes her. I was asked not to take pictures so I am just including one from the promotional pictures on the website.

Hanging out in downtown Moscow ID

Moscow, Idaho is only 7 miles from Pullman and practically sits on the Washington border. I wanted to share a few of my favorite places to go to when I need something to do.

The Moscow Food Co-op has been a favorite place of mine since I discovered it during my pregnancy. 14 years later, I am a lifetime member and can't imagine ever not having a co-op in my life. The co-op is a grocery store that caters to the more natural and organic but it's so much more.


They have a full service deli with sandwiches, deli foods, espresso and some of the best baked goods you will ever eat. Want something that tastes like a combination of your childhood and luxury - go for a sandwich on their in-house pesto rolls. These rolls look like cinnamon rolls but are stuffed with pesto and cheese. My husband says they taste like Bologna but I think they taste like something out of a fancy Italian restaurant. I remember one year, my friends and I tried to recreate these but nothing comes close to the original.
If the food doesn't draw you in - the co-op has nights with music, arts and crafts and even wine tasting. Most events are free to the public. You don't have to be a member but members have great perks - not only do they get discounts at the co-op but many local businesses offer discounts to co-op members (and once I was able to use my membership at a co-op in Port Townsend).

Just down the block from the co-op is the Prichard Art Gallery. This gallery often features work from U of I art students and is amazing. I haven't seen a show there that didn't take my breath away. I love the gift shop (seen behind the window) which is full of work done by artists. I haven't asked if they are local artists but I should. The work there is just as stunning as the gallery.

Further north on Main street is Gem State. It's not really on the must see list for touring Moscow but it's a family favorite. I can't remember how we discovered this store but every time we are in the area my son begs to go in. How can a store full of rocks be interesting. Well the rocks themselves are fantastic. Some are carved in intricate drawings and some are just plain interesting.

The reality is - the snake is what draws most people into Gem State.

The story goes - this rattlesnake was discovered in a parade entry that was full of hay. Somehow the snake got to the store (I can't remember this part of the story). The owner decided to give it a home and use it as an educational tool. He said that people who go rockhounding needed to know what a rattlesnake looked like. The snake is really mellow and disappoints onlookers with it's casual manner. My son once sat watching for an hour as a mouse ran around the "cage" while the snake just watched. He finally left because the snake just was not going to perform.
Next to Gem State is a little open area with a nice little fountain. In the summer, this fountain is full of children playing in the water.

Down a little further and across the street is Hodgins Drug which has been entertaining children large and small for ages.

When you walk in you forget that somewhere in this wonderland is an actual pharmacy. It nearly startles me every time I come upon that counter. The front of the store is a magical playland.



There is an aisle dedicated to Playmobile and another to Legos. It makes everyone want to be a kid. Hidden (just a little) is a stairway leading to the "hobby" floor.

That floor is filled with games and things for model building. I think there's role playing stuff as well but who knows.



I think what's best about it is the store is full of possibilities. It reminds me of movie toy stores where magic can be a reality. That's what this place reminds me of.

Well that's just a few places in downtown Moscow that are worth taking the time to stop in.
As the weather gets warmer, these would be good stops for after the Farmer's Market.

Geology Museums - WSU

The Webster Physical Science Building houses three geology collections that are amazing. I know geology brings to mind rock collections and boring cross sections of dirt but these collections make you love geology.

The first collection is The Culver Study Memorial that has a few rock in cases and several science experiments to play with.




From there you enter the Harold E. Culver Memorial Room (Room 124) which houses the other to collections. On your left as you enter is a curtained "closet" with the S. Elroy McCaw Fluorescent Mineral Display. This is not a place for those scared of the dark. It is a wonderful display of rocks that glow under certain light spectrums. There are a few to choose from so don't walk away from it until you've tried them all.




The last collection is the Jacklin Collection which has fossils and various rocks. There are some neat shapes and some look as if they have been carved.




The museum is open Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm but if you want a special weekend tour call the School of Earth & Environmental Sciences at (509) 335-3009.