The best and most creative days can come from terrible beginnings. At least that's what happened to my family last weekend when we journeyed to Williamsburg, Brooklyn. If you read last week's, Wednesday Simmer - Good Old Family Fun, then you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't read it yet, go read it. No really, I'll wait..............(Sorry was that my stomach growling? Mmmm...........I could go for a muffin right now) Oh, you're done. Great!
So, as you know, last weekend my family and I went to Williamsburg, Brooklyn with a complete itinerary. Unfortunately, rain and a missing festival completely derailed our plans. But what could have been a disastrous afternoon, surprisingly became a creative adventure for the Schloss clan.
Over the past twenty years, the Northside of Wiiliamsburg has become home to many talented artists, musicians and people who like to eat really good food. There are Italian, Mexican, Polish and macrobiotic restaurants mingled with flea markets, galleries and bars. Everywhere you turn there is a delicious dish to smell and colorful creativity to inspire.
So, as you know, last weekend my family and I went to Williamsburg, Brooklyn with a complete itinerary. Unfortunately, rain and a missing festival completely derailed our plans. But what could have been a disastrous afternoon, surprisingly became a creative adventure for the Schloss clan.
Over the past twenty years, the Northside of Wiiliamsburg has become home to many talented artists, musicians and people who like to eat really good food. There are Italian, Mexican, Polish and macrobiotic restaurants mingled with flea markets, galleries and bars. Everywhere you turn there is a delicious dish to smell and colorful creativity to inspire.
We first stumbled upon this beautiful building bursting with color and personality. "Mommy! Someone colored a building!" My son squealed with excitement as he looked on in amazement. He certainly has never seen anything like this in our neck of the woods. I'm sure he'll be doodling on our walls again very soon.
As we strolled the streets, we saw another pop of color on an old Chevrolet truck. Being that trucks, cars and "hot-shot race cars" are my son's thing, this blue truck certainly got his wheels turning.

We turned the corner and this Hotel caught my eye. The sign is made of recycled signage. Very clever right?
But the highlight for my son, was the overturned car installation at this amazing art gallery called, Causey Contemporary. I'm pretty sure my son stood there staring for at least fifteen minutes until finally bursting out, "The car's doing a wheely! That's so cool!"
While we were there, we got a chance to look at artist, James Cathcart's black and white photography. His solo exhibition, Boneyards, featured "the rough, ghostly landscape of late-1980’s Williamsburg, Brooklyn and rare views of the U.S. Military’s aircraft repository." It was the perfect show for a little boy who LOVES anything with wheels and an engine.
Of course, when we finally found the missing festival, the skies decided to downpour. So, we ran our hearts out in the rain, jumped in some puddles and I showed Williamsburg my underwear. I was wearing white pants, so you can imagine the show I was giving.
Of course, when we finally found the missing festival, the skies decided to downpour. So, we ran our hearts out in the rain, jumped in some puddles and I showed Williamsburg my underwear. I was wearing white pants, so you can imagine the show I was giving.
Fortunately, we got the last table at this local Polish joint, S & B Restaurant, so I got to sit my toosh down. We chatted with great people and had a feast of perogies, stuffed cabbage, and blintzes. It was heaven.
And as we drove home in our soaked clothes, not only were our bellies full of great Polish food, but we were also stuffed with inspiration. A Kid's Festival with bouncy castles and hot dogs was not in the cards for us that day. What we got instead, was a day full of unexpected color, innovative art and exposure to new foods. I'd say my son lucked out and had his own private, creatively inspired, Kid's Festival.
Our incredible and accidental creative journey to Williamsburg, will be an adventure to remember.
And as we drove home in our soaked clothes, not only were our bellies full of great Polish food, but we were also stuffed with inspiration. A Kid's Festival with bouncy castles and hot dogs was not in the cards for us that day. What we got instead, was a day full of unexpected color, innovative art and exposure to new foods. I'd say my son lucked out and had his own private, creatively inspired, Kid's Festival.
Our incredible and accidental creative journey to Williamsburg, will be an adventure to remember.