Chive Talking, and Anne Gets A New Hoodie

 It was a great weekend to be a Mom.
Well, it was a great weekend to be this Mom, anyway.

And now, I'm a-gonna brag.

You have been warned.

Our daughter Anne, second from left in the picture below, now holds a Master of Fine Arts in Design.

This year's graduates and their parents joined some faculty for an informal lunch on Friday,

at the beautiful old home of the woman on the left, below,

who is also the Associate Head of the Design program, to talk about the past 3 years.

From left, Vickie (a professor and administrator), Anne, Stefanie (the other costume design MFA),
Ellen (a professor) and Cathy (who runs the costume shop -- where the magic is made.)

On Saturday, it was Convocation for the Mason Gross School of the Arts, the Rutgers arts conservatory.

It was held at the State Theater in downtown New Brunswick, where Howard and I (inexplicably)

were given VIP seats.  We had a great view of Annie's head.

And a clear view of her walk across the stage when her name was called.  

For 246 years, since 1766, students have been granted degrees by Rutgers;

that's a lot of caps and gowns and proud parents.

On Sunday -- Mother's Day -- 13,465 students were granted degrees

in a university-wide graduation in the football stadium.

It was the largest-ever graduating class at Rutgers.

We were not there for the festivities;

Anne had already started putting her shiny new degree to good use, and was at work.

Now, about that new hoodie . . . . it's regalia time!

The hood is brown velvet, indicating a degree in Fine Arts,

and the red satin lining is for Rutgers, the Mothership.

Considering that Rutgers had more than 13-thousand graduates, it does amaze me

that the size of Anne's graduating class for costume design was . . . two.

Each year, only two students are accepted into this three-year master's program,

and the same with lighting design and set design.

So, dear Anne . . . Congratulations on a very impressive achievement,

and making it through three years of intense study and work, with blood, sweat, and even tears.

Dad and I could not be more proud.

***********************************

Doesn't this look like the edge of a beautiful ball gown

or even a wedding dress?

It's the edge of an iris, one of those flashy, show-off-y garden stalwarts.

Our iris plants are in full cry.

 Is it just me, or does this one look like a face?

An angry face.

Most are nestled along the stone wall border.

 My favorite ones, the peach and lavender, are not looking too healthy this year.

They jumped the gun, and began budding way too early because of the mild early spring.

And their little noses got frozed a bit.

And now for some Chive Talkin' . . . 

I know that to get the best flavor from chives in the garden, you should not let them bloom.

Or at least that's what I've heard.

But who can resist those lavender fluffballs of delight?

And speaking of fluffballs of delight . . . the State Theater where the Convocation was held

is a really beautiful building, with a fabulous chandelier.

Too large for our dining room, don't you think?

Have a lovely Wednesday!  -- Cass

Visit Susan at A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday.

At It's A Very Cherry World, it is Rednesday.  Go visit Sue!

Faded Charm blog has its 152nd White Wednesday.  Go!