Artfully Ooglebloops

Tea on Tuesday

2012-02-28T08:36:00.000-08:00

I discovered this "new" tea, that I would like to try-Nilgiri Tea-

I will have to check with my tea source, Susan at Julieanna, and see if she can get some of this!

Upcoming is the World Tea Expo- one of the subjects will be about tea becoming as popular as coffee- will it ever?

It seems to be catching up - altho, sadly, local tea rooms in our areas have been closing down. I don't know if that is a reflection on there being more coffee drinkers out there, or just the economy.

It is Tea on Tuesday, but, I cheated today, and made my coffee- decaf mocha- I must say, despite the fact that I had no whipped cream available - mine tasted as good as the ones I buy! I guess, if I make it with grounds from a local business, I will still be supporting local business- even if I make my coffee at home!!!

I have to share my new FAVORITE teapot!! It combines 2 favs of mine - elephants and teapots!! I saw this on Pinterest, and just had to have one!!

What could be better than one of these?

Well, TWO of these!!
My husband ordered the first one - and it had a chip hidden inside under the lid. So, he ordered another, waiting 'til that one arrived, before returning the first. When the second one came, in perfect condition, he could not be bothered to return the first - so I have 2 elephants!!!

Please join us every Tuesday for tea - visit Patty and Kim for a list of other tea lovers!

A Day in the Life............

2012-02-27T07:15:00.000-08:00

Just some photos of what I see from day to day....................

lichen

Can you spot the fossil?- a friend informed me that this area is fossil rich!!! I have a few, will be looking for a whole lot more!!! This is an area overflowing with Native American artifacts, fossils, and Civil War goodies.Look where you walk, you never know what you will step into!!!

While working in the garden the other day, I cut several of these mystery items below, out of my lavender and sage. My friend, Maryanne, informed me that they were "keepers" - they are praying mantis egg cases!! Woohoo!! My front garden had several mantises last season- it is interesting to watch them eat - and they pose for photos quite willingly !!! Good to know, I will have a boatload of babies come spring!!! And, these cases are practically indestructible - I tried to cut one open with a trowel- trying to figure out what was inside- friend or foe- and fortunately, was unsuccessful in damaging the case!

Below, one of the first harbingers of spring - the mini daffies planted last year!

Friend, Maryanne, when she came to pick up a truckload of manure for her garden, brought me a beautiful helleborus- with a promise to bring me some actual plants for my garden soon!

No street lights in the boonies -it's DARK at night...

A really poor shot of a wondrous view - of the crescent moon with Venus below, and Jupiter off to the side.

Every time I got the camera in focus, a cloud would obscure the view. It was cold, and I got tired of trying to get the perfect shot!!!LOL

Quite a neat barn swallow nest, high up in an indoor riding ring.

Up close and personal with a friend's cows - I happen to be standing between them and their food - not too smart on my part! They may be huge and ungainly, but they can mooooove!!!!

And last, my two favorite "posers" - giving me the eye.................

Tea on Tuesday

2012-02-21T05:24:00.000-08:00

The dusty little ceramic trivet pictured at the bottom of this post, pretty well sums up my every morning!!!

LOL

It shouldn't, but it does- my mind wakes up stressed, and calms down as the day progresses....

This morning starts with my last teabag of Twinings New Zealand Morning, heavily doused with local Wildflower Honey.

I debated putting the tea into one of my 2 "new" thrift store finds- but then opted for a pottery mug instead!!!

Here is the first thrifty score- a partial set of several heavily crazed, vintage cups and saucers, and one cracked sandwich plate. But, I love the brown, and the style, so a use will be found for them, despite their age and fragility.

Copeland Spode Buttercup- cute little basketweave design

Vintage Frankoma tea (really coffee) pedestal pottery mug

Tea napkin rings

And, that dusty little ceramic trivet, that about sums it all up- I will have to attempt using Picasa today, to see if I can resolve blogger's issue of refusing to right my pix-

Let the stress begin.......

For a totally stress-free visit with other tea fanciers- drop by to "see" Patty (and hear all about her wonder-full vacation) and Kimmie (for art-full adventures)- they will have a link to other Tea on Tuesday folk!

Please feel free to join us every Tuesday to visit, or share your own tea escapades (tescapades?)

I am headed over there right now!!!

****Also -visit www.ooglebloops.com for the details on the upcoming Mountain Meadows Quilters Retreat- we have local bluegrass group Thompson's Store Revival playing in my back field after the workshop!! Their link will be up on the site tonite, hopefully!!

Tea on Tuesday - Have a Heart

2012-02-14T05:14:00.000-08:00

Native American Love Tea, in a heart shaped cup and saucer, with a tiny, heart festooned cupcake.

And a tiny red crocheted and starched vintage teacup - forgot to put the sugar cubes in it!!

One of my very FIRST quilts- made up of fabric from alot of the clothes I made for my daughter when she was little.

Three things we need EVERY day, not just Valentine's Day

And, today is my mother's 83rd birthday

Gloria Valentine

posing with roses from her grandson

Hope everyone enjoys the day, filled with hearts and heartfelt actions- AND tea!!!!

Drop by Kimmie and Patty for a list of other tea fanciers.......

Last Day of January, 2012 - Take a Walk With Me......

2012-02-01T11:14:00.000-08:00

.....it was sunny, and in the mid 60's - the day before February!!!!! Unbelievable!!!!

Gorgeous day!!!!!

Dawn................

If you look closely below (click on photo) you can see the tiny
moon still visible at noon, at the bottom center of the pic

Quince blossoms-sure signs spring is near

Proof the deer ARE still here

Mosses lush, green, and sending up signs of spring

Another rusty treasure to be unearthed before nature hides it away again........

In another couple of months, my house won't be visible from this vantage point

Tree adorned with its lichen brooch......

River art, placed by the current, and left out to dry

Dry riverbed's vivid greenery

Scavenged hulls from the walnut grove- for future paint stamping

Creek bed rock finds

I was searching for heart rocks, didn't find any - but these were cool - closeup below

Fossil or man made - not sure-I'm opting for fossil - it's a keeper either way!

Committee meeting!

Turkey or black vultures (buzzards) are very common around here. A band of buzzards is known as a committee, volt, cast, or venue.
I tell my husband NOT to cut down some of the dead trees (known as snags) -if they are not in danger of falling on someone or something-, because not only are the tree cavities great food sources and nesting places for woodpeckers and other wildlife, the dead trees are perfect hangouts and perching places for the vultures.

When you see vultures circling above (floating, playing, searching for food, or just hanging out in the air) that is known as a kettle. If they are feeding, that is known as a wake. Kind of resembles one, in a morbid way, a group hanging around a corpse. LOL

On that uplifting note, hope you enjoyed your walk with me today!!!!

Tea on Tuesday

2012-01-31T03:53:00.000-08:00

                                                First -

                  I must show you the happy, happy, VERY happy mail I received the other day!!!!

                                                                From Gene Black -

This happy little embroidered block, that I happened to notice in one of his posts, and admired- ended up in my mailbox!!! Woohoo- thank you, Gene!!!!
He created it from a free download with his Brother(?) machine.After much thought, I think I am just going to frame it.
                                           LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!!!
                                          And, it is perfect to show off on Tea on Tuesday!!

This morning's tea, at the crack of early, yet again, is one my friend Teresa sent me from her trip to New Zealand.
                         NZ Breakfast tea (made by Twinings) , with some local VA wildflower honey.

Here is the little group of teas that "T" mailed me - the Black Adder is licorice, and boy, you can almost smell it from across the room!!!!

I am working up my courage to try the hawthorn tea! We have some hawthorn trees on the property, and I attempted to dry some berries this past season, none too successfully. I am told hawthorn is good for the heart- I will test taste some and report back one of these Tuesdays!!!

Last night, I attended a fabric trunk show at J&B's Country Store/Ben Franklin, in Broadway, Va. Very interesting, and some really cool fabric. Of course, I ordered some.........!!!

Here are some of the quilt tops created from some of his fabric lines:

Some of the samples - I think I ordered the lime green with black swirls below.

OOPS! My friend Bobbie timed walking in front of me just right, I see!!! LOL

**(I had some of my fliers for the upcoming Mountain Meadows Quilt Retreat (August 25, 2012 with Pat Sloan!) printed - so did a little networking and passed them out at the trunk show!!

As soon as the website is up and working, I will let everyone know - so you can make your reservation- class max is 25 students! And, you know, you don't want to miss out on becoming an official "Sloanie"!)

Please join us every Tuesday for tea- drop by Patty and Kim's blogs, for a list of other tea fanciers!!!

Tea on Tuesday

2012-01-24T04:03:00.000-08:00

Came home yesterday to a hysterical daughter, who, when she went out to feed the horses, could not find mine.

She looked everywhere, thought someone stole him. After calling her dad, she came back to the barn, calling my John, and heard a groan - he was in one of the other horse's stalls, on the ground, up against the stall door.

He was down and could not get up.

Katie, on the verge of a panic attack, got ahold of the vet- and she was coming to meet me when I pulled in the drive.

My husband had been calling me to go home and meet someone who was coming to look at the car we had for sale.

I pulled in the driveway, and Katie said - dad lied.......I could not figure out what she was talking about,( she later said I was just staring blankly at her-)and then she told me about John.

D/H had lied to get me home, thinking I would have driven off the road in my haste to get home, had I known the truth! I wouldn't have- but I certainly would not have stopped to get my sandwich, had I known my horse was in such dire straits!! D/H and I had a little chat.......LOL

There is nothing sadder than sitting in a pile of poop and pine shavings, holding your groaning horse's heavy head in your lap....sigh ...and not being able to help.

Very long story short, after some IV fluids, and alot of heaving and pushing, mostly on the vet's part -we managed to get John on his feet.

He wobbled very unsteadily out of the barn, only to collapse shortly after in the mud of the paddock. More heaving, tugging, bribery, pushing, finally got him up again.

He has been upright since, in a separate paddock from his friends to recuperate. Not allowed in the barn the next 2 nights, lest this happens again.

Near as we can tell, he fell and got stuck in the stall, with a weak stifle- the muscle above his knee/elbow on the rear leg. Maybe a sprain, from the alternating ice and mud we've had lately; maybe something worse, we will know more on Wednesday depending on how he's progressed. I won't bore all the non- horsey people with any more details!!!

John is the dominant gelding- he may have injured himself, trying to put one of the others in their place. I'm betting it was Cisco - since John was down in Cisco's stall, and Cisco looked quite guilty!!!LOL They can't understand why they can't all be together- but at least it is only a wire fence between them.

It's always something!!

So, I will be drinking heavy doses of chamomile - to relax!!!!!

For more actual tea related posts - please visit Kim and Patty for a list of other tea lovers!

Quick and Easy " Recipe"

2012-01-19T08:18:00.000-08:00

I love old gold and gilded frames.

My master bath is filled with antique gold framed mirrors.

I have 2 ornate frames, found in a thrift store, that I had mirrors cut to fit, and put in. Those hang in my living room.

But, I do really try to keep the gilt frame theme in the bathroom!!!

Here is a quick and easy earring display I made for my bathroom.

Most of my earrings are stored in jewelry cubbies- sometime the earrings of the day are just tossed into a huge abalone shell on my counter. This frame not only solves the problem of where to put them, but also lets me see what I have,- rather than wasting time rummaging thru the cubbies looking for a certain pair. (And, believe me - I have way more than are hanging on this frame!!!)

recipe

1 gilt thrift store picture frame- no glass

1 backing- pattern/design up to you

Cut a piece of chicken wire (or 1/4 inch mesh) to fit within the frame

Put frame backing on

Hang earrings on wire

VOILA !

FINI !

Happy Mail- Bonus Box!

2012-01-19T07:04:00.000-08:00

I forget when or where I started swapping with Michelle. But it has always been so much fun!!! I never know what treasures I will find when I open a box from her!!!

I love her blog, and I love getting packages from Poland- I hope she loves getting packages from the US!!!

Late last year, Michelle started a project with 50 participants- and asked me to be one of them. It was really more a project for HER! Everyone was to mail her 50 pages/papers of a certain size- vintage paper, art paper, ads, any old ephemera. She was then going to assemble 50 notebooks (!), cutting, mixing, and matching all the paper she received.

What a massive undertaking!!!!

Yesterday, a postage stamp encrusted box showed up at my PO - finally, after a long trip across the sea......

Unwrapping the box- I discovered a lovely handmade hang tag, and something wrapped in great brown paper.

Here, also, was the Projekt Zeszyt- Project Notebook!

Below, was what I found in the brown paper - I had sent Michelle some canning jars a while back - and she was sending me one - a great Polish glass jar! Took me a minute to figure out how to get it open- and then, that spring just FLEW off at me!!!!

The jar was stuffed with wonder-full pins- crocheted by Michelle- little flower brooches - and an adorable little button tree!!!

The jar was wrapped in a beautiful crocheted purple shawl- it is so nice - THANK YOU, MICHELLE!
My daughter saw it, and said - "It's PURPLE!"

Uh, oh, hide the shawl - she loves purple!!! LOL

And, finally - here is the notebook - upside down, of course (thanks, blogger, thought we had resolved this....)

There were 50 pages of all types - so neat - just took pics of a few of them - everything from vintage, to hand painted vellum, mostly European. I almost don't want to even put anything else on the pages - each page looks great as is!!

I did already take some of the polka dot red tape that was on the package, and use it on the cover of the journal. I will probably use the stamps, and brown paper in the journal somehow also, and one of the flower pins!

What a great swap and project!!!

Be sure to drop by Michelle's blog and see some of the wonderful things she creates!!

Tea on Tuesday

2012-01-17T03:00:00.000-08:00

Today's tea is a new Stash tea I discovered- Lavender Tulsi- definite scent of lavender, with the peppery tulsi flavor. I am not usually a big fan of Tulsi teas, but this one is nice.

I am using one of a thrift store set of black and white English Alfred Meakin ironstone- Old Orchard pattern.
I bought these several years ago to resell, but, as you can see, they never left!!!

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

In keeping with the Tuesday tea theme, you must visit: Milady Productions - Art Farm

for

Tea Time - A Drawing Challenge.

It's a blog post full of inspiration- with links to other participating blogs. I think anyone can still "play along".

Make sure to click on the link, at the bottom of Art Farm's post - Ariane- where you can see a list of all tea related posts- very cool!!!

Please drop by anytime- and visit Patty and Kim for a list of other Tea on Tuesday bloggers!

Scenes Around Town.....

2012-01-16T15:12:00.000-08:00

New Market, Va

Just playing around...................

I just love this door - someday I am going to open it!!!!

Hmmm, what's wrong with this picture?

Leaving Your Mark

2012-01-14T11:16:00.000-08:00

As I awoke this morning,with lots of unrelated ideas floating around in my head, I narrowed in on an idea for my Mountain Meadows Quilters Retreat on August 25th.

There are many ways to leave your mark- being philanthropic on a big scale- like Oprah or Bill Gates.
Parents leave their mark on their children, just by what they teach, and what they do.
Volunteering will leave your mark on your community.

But, something that has always intrigued me, and is a very simple, literal way of leaving your mark, is a signature.

Old autograph books have always held a fascination for me- my grammar school autograph book, my mom's, and antique treasures with spidery fountain pen script and silly flowery poems, like:

Remember me, when this you see.........

Hidden away somewhere, I even have an old pillowcase, signed by ladies from somewhere in the Midwest. They left their mark- we don't know why, but it is fascinating just looking at the old names, and trying to figure out who they were, and why they signed a pillowcase!!??

In my UFO pile (OK,OK- UFO MOUNTAIN!) are one or two signature quilts that are slo-o-o-owly nearing completion.
A thought came to me, why not have a signature quilt of some type, for my quilters retreat?

It would be kind of cool - especially if this retreat thing really catches on (and why wouldn't it?)- and I could do it again next year. To have a quilt that participants could sign, and be on display the following year.....hmmmm. I like it!

**Now,- shall it be a whole cloth - just a large piece of muslin, laid out for quilters to sign and date at some point during the day of the workshop? With a whole cloth, later machine quilted, there is the option for adding signatures another year.

**Should I pass out individual blocks, for each attendee to sign/embellish in their free time? That, of course, would mean, I would be responsible for putting those blocks together into some semblance of a quilt.
Big project.................hhmmmmmm.

**I also thought of individual blocks, signed, and then later put together as a fabric book. Also, a project , but not quite as daunting. And, could be added to, if the Quilt Retreat is a success and comes back next year.

A while back, my ever active brain designed a pattern for an autograph hound - remember those? - I had one in grammar school - wish I still had him! As I recall, he had more of my doodles than actual signatures on him- not really a testament to my elementary school popularity!!!LOL

Anyway, I digress- the hound will be for another project-stay tuned.

So, what do you think?

                                  A whole cloth signature quilt
                                                                            or

                                   individual 4 or 6 inch blocks
   (for a quilt or a book)

Valuable input, ideas, and opinions really needed!!!!

Miscellaneous.......

2012-01-11T06:22:00.000-08:00

On this grey, frosty morning- soon to be a rainy , grey morning - enjoy a bit of spring in our flowering bulbs:

AMARYLLIS

4 beautiful blossoms all at once!

The headily scented paperwhites

Their scent is a cross between hyacinths and something dead!!LOL

(I suppose, if I was thinking, I would have removed the for sale sign and taken a more artsy photo!!!)

Some thrift store scores.........a perfect $4 vintage scarf- maybe it will become a pillow, or just be casually draped in the hunt theme room

Some vintage folding rulers- I have and use my grandfather's- but can't resist whenever I come across these! These two will probably be put in my Etsy shop (another NY's resolution- get busy and stock that darn shop!!!)

This vintage folding screen below was in the truck with all the condo contents- I love it - altho' I don't love the teal color scheme that was an obvious favorite of the former owner.(Note the teal-ish magazine table!)

Right now, it is standing near my sewing table in the basement studio- to help deter the soot from the wood stove from wafting over my fabric! At some point, I will replace the fabric on the screen.

And last- more additions to my vintage horse tack collection:

A tangle of rusty bits was something I could not pass up - most will end up on Etsy, since they are duplicates) - EXCEPT for the two very cruel ones pictured below. Can you imagine - putting these in a poor horse's mouth?????

On a lighter note, ending this post, a happy baby pachyderm - brought home by my mom, to add to my elephantine collection!!

Tea on Tuesday

2012-01-10T06:26:00.000-08:00

Well, here we are............10 days into the 2012th year!.

I've made no resolutions - except maybe to blog more and be more artsy- finishing what I start!!!!
That's about as resolute as my scattered mind can commit to!!!!
I am starting a journal for the year.

I dug out a watercolour Moleskine I purchased last year. I calculated, that if I can get 6 days per side of a page - I can fit all the days of the year into this book!!!

So, I have begun- a little blurb about each day, and a little sketch or watercolour...... pigma pens, watercolour pencils and markers. Still have to put paintbrush to water on this page, but so far, I am keeping up with the days........just thoughts and scribble scrabble!

This morning, I am drinking a tea, that suggests I should drink it with someone I love!! Since I am the only one home, I will drink with my fellow Tea on Tuesday bloggers!

Here's the tea:

As you can see - blogger still refuses to cooperate with flipping pix - I am so frustrated with my inability to figure this out. Considering this was taken with the camera upright - like all the other pix - and this is what blogger chooses to do with some photos.

Here is the teacup of the day- a thrift store orphan that was too pretty to pass up, even tho it had no matching saucer!!

Another sideway that was not sideway ....sigh

Really makes me want to go back to Wordpress, altho I would lose alot of followers!!! And that took me too long!!!! I am wondering what happens when I upgrade to the next camera- how blogger will react!! Never any issues with the Nikon, only with the Canon.....

Anyway, in keeping with the artsy "resolution" for this year, look at all the art supplies that recently fell into my lap! .

D/H helped a friend empty a condo - and all sorts of goodies found their way to my house!!

Portable easel with complete set of oil paints and palettes - never used!!!!

Endless supplies!

Water colours also!!!

So, more distractions added to my daily living!!!!

I will leave you with an early morning view out my window - frost quickly fading as the sun comes out!

Please join other tea fanciers- visit Patty and Kim for a list!!!

Fell free to join us every Tuesday, even just to visit and comment!!

George Carruth

2012-01-02T13:06:00.000-08:00

Remember the little wee creature, who silently greets all by the front door of my friend's house?

Well, it turns out, this sweet babe is a creation from the imagination and hands of sculptor George Carruth.

A mild mannered stone carver from Ohio, George's talent has expanded to include two shops of garden creations.

He has been commissioned to do pieces for the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., and has had an ornament on the White House Christmas tree.

Our little Fulks Run Grocery used to carry his pieces, but only has one small hummingbird plaque left in stock.

I am hoping they get more Carruth pieces in soon, because I NEED this little sweetie in my house!!!

In the meantime, if you want to read more about George Carruth, click on his name above, to view a PBS video, or click right here for his website and store.

First Day Gathering

2012-01-02T05:00:00.000-08:00

I had the pleasure of being invited to a New Year's Day party.

I much prefer this kind of gathering, to the late night,rowdy parties of my youth..

It was my first First Day party- I am not much of a social butterfly!

I read on someone's Facebook post, that what you do on the first day of the year, is indicative of how your year will progress.

So, I guess that means I will become more social? That could be a good thing, considering I have become more hermit-like, since moving here to the country!

I was afraid my social skills had become a bit rusty - but good food, nice, artsy, earth loving folks, and a welcoming atmosphere made for a good time!

This was a sort of progressive dinner - between two houses in the forest.

Mike and Karen's house was the first stop. Bonfire outside, a delicious assortment of potlucks and mimosas inside.One of the dishes, cooked in a cast iron pot, over the fire outside, was a delicious looking Brunswick stew.
It was made of of several types of meat, including squirrel, so I had to pass on tasting it!

Having just met Mike and Karen, I did not want to be rude and whip out my camera to take pictures of their VERY cool house!

We did get a tour. Karen and Mike are the 4th owners- the first owner, a single guy, started the house in the 70's, by building a very neat geodesic dome on stilts. Don't let the outer, rustic, quaintness fool ya'! It is gorgeous inside!

Each new owner added on- with windows, skylights, beautiful wood everywhere, and stripped wood logs from the forest out back for support beams and decor.

The hill right behind the house inclines directly into the National Forest.

After having great conversation, delicious food, and then there was that Mimosa (!), we all took a short hike down the road to the "dessert" house - my friend Maryanne and John's .

I have written about Maryanne and John's house before - they have a little late 1800's cottage for rent in the warmer months. This will be available for rent, when I have my quilt retreat in August-first come, first serve!!!!

My contribution to the dessert table: anise pizzelles, and almond featherweight pound cake (with some Trader Joe's pfefferneuse, chocolate covered edamame and pomegranate seeds on the side)

Maryanne made a delicious apple pie with Stamen (?) apples and pear thrown in ! Yum! Chris made rhubarb and strawberry jello, a local favorite - it was very good!!! There was a walnut sheet cake, snickerdoodles, and more-
yum,
                             yum,
                           and
                                                            YUM !!!!

Below are scenes from around Maryanne's house

I love this little wee one who greets everyone at the front door.....

Maryanne's rock art and cairns can be found everywhere

Heart rocks abound

Mr. Green Jeans going across the foot bridge - he took great delight in shaking the bridge as I was trying to cross and take pics! Not funny..........

View of the back of the refurbished 1890's rental cottage

Pump outside back porch of the cottage

Artsy wasp abode -everyone is welcome here-a very zen atmosphere

Maryanne's moss and lichen gardens can be found everywhere

(I'll be making some of these today!)

Despite what Martha Stewart says, this little mossy gardens do better outside

The gathering began at a bonfire.......................and ended at one

A great way to start the new year, and I thank you, Maryanne, for the invitation!!!

We Will NEVER Have Cars in Our Garage..........

2011-12-30T06:18:00.000-08:00

A friend used to kid me that I have never had a car in any of the garages we have had!

She's right - in our house, garages are meant for storage!!!!

Well, Carol- my 3 car garage was CLEAN for a whole 24 hours-

                                                               Then,

                                                                       THIS
                                                               happened:

D/H, aka, Mr. Green Jeans, rented a truck to help a friend empty out his mother's condo.The mother had passed away, the condo was sold, and the contents had to be removed.

This was all the stuff the friend did NOT want, and since Goodwill could not do a pickup in time,

D/H brought it home.

To our clean garage.............

I have spent the past few days (while D/H is in DisneyWorld!), sorting thru' the stuff. I have emptied ALL the boxes!

There are now several stacks of boxes ready to be loaded up in my car for donating to the thrift store; the kitchen counters are full of stuff washed, and waiting to be priced to go in the shop; a few things listed on Freecycle awaiting pickup; and there is a bunch of furniture yet to be unwrapped.

~Have a peek~

I love this little chair - my mom said she had a similar pair when she first got married - but doesn't remember what they were called. I have tried researching under so many different names- but cannot find a similar style.

Anyone out there know what this chair is??? It is small, low to the ground, almost child sized, altho' I can sit in it comfortably.

Below, are several nice, but not my style, chairs. We will keep a nice, small, green wing back recliner. I had given it to my mother, but she was not strong enough to operate it......so, it's in my room temporarily.

Another piece of furniture I can't use below- a gorgeous, Ethan Allen (?) white on white cloth 6 ft couch. We don't do white cloth in a house with 3 dogs! It will remain in white plastic wrap 'til it finds a new home! Some of these pieces will be sold, to offset the price of the moving van.

There is also a cute pull out bed/loveseat, of country blue gingham

Lamps or glassware, anyone?

Sigh...........................

I am keeping this cool old bridge floor lamp, with swivel bulb - if I can find the attachments to hang the shade. I found a company called Paxton online - but I would have to buy the shade and special socket attachment - which would run about $75. I did find a shade there, that I fell in love with, but I am going to try to hold out a bit for a less pricey solution.........I now know why I see alot of these style lamps turned into planters or having bird cages hanging from them - it's too expensive to replace the shades!!!!

Well, hope you liked the tour of my once tidy (albeit temporarily so) house and garage.

And, Carol, you were so right, my garage will NEVER house a car!!!!!!!!

Tea on Tuesday

2011-12-26T18:21:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays!! This is just a brief tea post, while I get myself organized!!!

My New Year's resolution is to be more organized and to definitely post more on my blog. (Please check out yesterday's post!!! I've already started!!)

Today's tea is a Stash Christmas Morning black tea- really quite yummy with some French honey( gracias, Teresa )!

Instead of a teacup, I am using the photo mug my son sent me for Christmas.

Also thanking Teresa, a little Xmas goodie - a mate cup and bombilla from Chile! She searched high and low for a gourd, but could only find what she called a muy feo one of the Chilean colors. My daughter thought it was Christmas hued!

Please drop by and visit Patty and Kim for a list of other tea fanciers!!!

The Christmas Spirit

2011-12-26T10:19:00.000-08:00

From the gift of the Magi, presented to a small child, under a bright star and clear sky- Christmas has morphed over the centuries into crass, commercialized, frenzied buying in large box stores aglow with florescent lighting..

Quite a difference, eh?

I have to admit, in years past, I was a prisoner of these frenzied times!!

Way too many presents under the tree for my kids, making sure there was an equal number, so no jealousy erupted.

Had I a chance to do it again, I would have approached the holiday differently.

Someone who has the season in the right perspective is blogger/quilter/artist Gene Black.

Not too long ago, he sent out a request for some "angels". He needed a certain number of quilts to bring to a shelter in Alabama. He knew it was kind of short notice, but he was hoping "his" quilters could come thru' for him!!

I told Gene I would try to be an angel, but was not sure I could commit on such short notice. Plus, not being the best quilter in the world, I wasn't sure my quilt would be up to snuff!

So, without really committing, I started a quilt, with leftover fabric from my limited stash.

As it got closer to the due date, I panicked! I had intended to do some spiral machine quilting, but the quilt was about 64" square, and there was NO WAY I was going to be able to fit that in my Pfaff!! I have sent a few quilts out to Joanne for machine quilting for just this reason!!!

I shot Gene an email, apologizing for being a failed angel, but I just did not think I would be able to make the deadline.

With my own self imposed pressure now gone, I sat down, rethought it, and just quilted it on the diagonal, just to get the thing out of my kitchen!!! (The basement studio was too cold, so everything was up on my kitchen counter and d/r table!!LOL)

Lo and behold, my simple diagonal stitching worked, the binding was folded over, I rounded the corners of the quilt, and machine stitched in place. This quilt would certainly NEVER win a prize anywhere, but it wasn't totally bad.

I mailed it on the 19th- and it FINALLY arrived, in the nick of time, on the morning of the 24th!!! (I mailed a similar sized package from VA to California on the 22nd- and that arrived on the morning of the 24th- mail going to CA arrives quicker than mail going to Alabama- go figure!!!)

Gene sent me a lovely email. Of the several girls who were still at the shelter for the holidays(they got first pick!), one chose my quilt out of the whole pile!!

Here is part of what Gene wrote me:

"......One of the girls picked your quilt......the look on her face when she read the label was priceless. She was amazed that the quilt came "all the way from Virginia" and she loved what you wrote on it. You made her a very happy girl for Christmas...and for that- I thank you again. I managed to hold it in while I was there and smile alot....... I realize just how blessed I truly am."

Well, Gene, the girls there are truly blessed to have an angel like you in their corner!!

If you want to see the stack of gorgeous donated quilts, go to Gene's blog and see his post and short video about the Angel Quilt Delivery.

I don't see mine in the pic, I guess it was already claimed by its new owner!!!

And, Gene, I feel blessed to have been able to be one of your "angels"- even tho' my quilting is not of great quality, it was not the quality that counted in this case.

And I hope the thought that others can care about these girls, without even knowing them, will stick with them for the rest of their lives.

(Sorry, blogger won't rotate the pic!)

The Sketchbook - A Confession

2011-12-13T09:13:00.000-08:00

I have been working on and off, on my sketchbook for the 2nd year of participating in the Art House Co-op Sketchbook Project Tour 2012.

It's not due til the end of January. 2012.

                                 My sketchbook was not going as well as I would have liked.


                                        Then it took a different turn - it became Yoshi's story.

                                        Now, I've decided, I do not want to part with it!

I think the sketchbook project is a great thing - and I was proud to participate in it last year.
And, it's certainly not that I think my original art is too good to be included - quite the opposite!!LOL There are some extremely talented illustrators and artists participating this time around!! I don't know how they can part with their works of art!!!

Overall, on the tour, my first sketchbook was only seen by people who actually knew it was there. It kind of got lost in the thousands (literally) of books in the tour. I am proud to have it there - that was the first time I had ever attempted anything like that.

And, since, I am not the most prolific artist out there - I decided I really like these original preliminary "yoshis" too much to let them go!!!

Having procrastinated on what the book should have in it, until the last month or so, helped me in that decision - but mostly, it was, I like my sketches too much!!! I hope that doesn't sound vain- I am just attached!!!LOL

So, I guess Art House can consider my entry fee a donation- 'cause I am keeping the "yoshis", to work on at my leisure!!

Here are a few of them - just beginning - done with pencil and watercolor pencils, some will be finished in Pigma pens.

Baby Yoshi, mini donkey - born Feb 2010

Yoshi with his mom, Ocean

Now, this little Yoshi below, was taken at the proper angle- blogger refuses to acknowledge that - tried to crop, then rotate, save as, etc - blogger will not show this upright!! Frustrating!!!!! It was taken exactly as the others were, and they are loading properly.

Almost 2 year old Yoshi - he eats well!!!!

Naughty Yoshi - I discovered he likes to nibble on tails - two GORGEOUS flowing tails are now "trimmed" on the outer edges!!!!!!

There were a couple more, but they are not loading properly, so I will save them until another time.

Tea on Tuesday

2011-12-13T01:40:00.000-08:00

                    'Tis the season to be jolly..............

                                                                      or

                                                          stressed

                      by all the last minute things you feel you must do for the holiday!!!!!

So, it is always a good time to have a nice cup of tea, sit back, take a deep breath, and think about the real reason for the season..............

This morning's tea is a mug of chamomile- because I am hoping to go back to bed after writing this post - it is wa-a-a-ay too early!!!!!! Words were struggling to get out of my head, so.......

My favorite tea of late has been loose leaf Provence Rooisbos- I just love the scent and the flavor- and it is caffeine free! From South Africa, it contains rooisbos, rosehip, lavender, raisins, black currants, blueberries, and rose petals.

Yesterday, a friend gave me some Twinings Winter Spice to taste test. It passed the test!! It is a "camomile tea flavoured with cinnamon, cardomom and cloves".

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This past Friday was Julieanna's 2nd Annual Holiday Dessert Tea and Teacup Exchange.

I designed and made the 43 ornaments, with some additional embellishment by Julie.

One of the teacup exchange attendees made a gorgeous pineapple centerpiece

The dessert included chai mousse, a peppermint scone, and another tasty treat with pecans-pecan puff, maybe?

The mystery teacups lined up for the exchange

Tea mistress Susan getting ready to read her traditional tea story

Some of the lovely tea cups that were exchanged

I LOVE this blue one, received by my friend, Judy. It is a pottery mug/teacup, created by one of the guest's mom. The potter goes by the name Hot Flash Pottery!!!! Gotta love it!!!

I received a lovely, delicate, vintage Noritake demitasse set- coincidentally, from the same lady who gave me a wonderful Shelley set last year!

The rest......

A lovely time was had by all - Susan and Julie outdid themselves, as usual!!

Today, after I get more sleep - I will be off to a cookie exchange. D/H and I spent several hours night before last, making 9 dozen pizzelles. Next week, we should be making another 9 or 10 dozen. The holiday is not complete without pizzelles- we have been making them together, for over 20 years....

One of my daughter's fondest memories, is pulling a chair up to get at the container of pizzelle "trimmings", that I would "hide" on top of the refrigerator.

Trimmings are just as delicious as the cookie, by the handful or, as she would do - in a bowl of milk!!

Please be sure to drop by Kim and Patty, for links to other tea fanciers.

Tea on a Rainy Tuesday

2011-11-29T06:01:00.000-08:00

Torrential downpours from down south have made their way here. We have had unseasonably nice weather, and it is still in the 60's, but POURING!!!!!

So, that will keep me inside today, scrambling to finish the ornaments for the upcoming Julieanna Holiday Teacup Exchange and Dessert Tea.

Am starting the morning with some loose leaf mint tea from Frontier, mixed with assorted dried mint from my gardens.

I chose a vintage mismatched teacup and saucer, that rarely leave the cabinet. I don't remember if they are thrift store finds, but this marriage seems to work- since they are both of vintage blue design.

I love the scalloped rim of the cup. The maker's mark on the underside is barely distinguishable -from Japan, most likely.

Here are the stacked pieces of the Julieanna ornaments that I am working on:

They WILL be done and delivered on Thursday!!!!

While waiting for paint to dry on the ornaments, I threw together these two little Christmas goodies:

Above is a canning jar "snow globe"

Two tiny trees, some batting, and a tiny Red Rose Tea English Wade snowman, with silver glitter for snow.

Below is a tiny Xmas mouse peeking out from under a tree- set in a vintage zinc canning jar lid.

She is really cute- and needed a new home...

.

Please drop by every Tuesday, rainy or not, for tea. Visit Patty and Kim for a list of other tea fanciers..

Food For Thought

2011-11-24T08:34:00.000-08:00

There are so many things to be thankful for this holiday season.

Despite all the bad news every time you turn on the television, or open a newspaper, I'm sure, if we thought hard, we could all come up with at least ONE thing that we are so thankful for...................

The other day, my daughter and I were leaving a parking lot in Harrisonburg, after a once in a very great while food shopping trip to Kroger. We spent an unusually obscene amount of money (in my mind), as is the case, whenever I go to that upscale supermarket- despite the coupons and buying generic items. We can always find things there, that the lower end or local supermarkets don't carry.

As we approached the traffic light, car full, - and a glaringly new car at that (only the 2nd new car in my whole life- and in 12 years), there on the center divider, a few cars ahead of us, sat a disheveled man. He had a section of cardboard box, with a hastily written message- something to the effect of - "...former Master Sgt, served in Viet Nam, out of work, ill...etc"

I looked at my daughter, and she at me- we should really give him something, when the light changes. All I had was a ten- which I had to put in the gas tank, in order to get home! She had $3- so quickly pulled it out of her wallet.

As the light changed, I rolled down the window and offered the 3 dollar bills. He seemed surprised, and literally struggled to his feet - a man probably not much older than I, but looking like life had been rough. There was a long line of impatient drivers behind me, hoping to make it thru' the light, so I didn't really stop to chat.

His thanks and the flicker of light in his eyes was enough. I found myself apologizing (!), saying I wish it could have been more. In a way, I did wish it could have been more, but despite that new car, the groceries, and an almost empty tank of gas, my funds were almost depleted, being near the end of the month. It was my daughter's last $3 before payday.

I am not writing this to give my daughter and I a pat on the back for giving someone three lousy dollars- but just to say that we all can find something in our lives to be thankful for, and we should help whenever we can, no matter how little we feel it is....

There but for the Grace of God, could be any one of us, sitting by the side of the road, depending on the kindness of strangers.. And you never know, the next person you help(and this should NOT be the reason for you to help!), might really be an angel, checking on the state of kindness and goodwill within the human race!

This short video is a tear jerker - Change For A Dollar- my brother posted it on FB a few days after Katie and I saw that man sitting on the center divider. It is something to watch and share - you never know how many people one small kindness will help.

To everyone in the bloggy community - have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Tea on Tuesday.......

2011-11-22T04:40:00.000-08:00

......will be short today!
Only 33 more days 'til Christmas, and only 16 days 'til Julieanna's 2nd Annual Holiday Teacup Exchange. I am making the little commemorative ornaments for the exchange- and am in a hurry to finish!! Will post a pic when they are complete!

I had my roobois tea for the morning, and now am enjoying a glass of homemade grape juice - from the end of summer harvest of our one huge vine of vintage Concord grapes.

I keeping with the tea theme - here's a quick peek at Julieanna's tea tasting this past Saturday.
The construction of the tea room is coming long - the walls are painted, the window frames are a work in progress. The room is useable, and hopefully, come spring, the tea room will be ready, and the customers will be a steady flow.

Julie and her granddaughter at the gift wrapping station

I met 2 friends, Judy and Bobbie, at the tea tasting. The pic I took of them caught them mid bite into a delicious cookie - so, I better not show that!!!

We had a lovely time, and did a little brainstorming about my upcoming quilt retreat.

(where- BTW- Pat Sloan will be teaching a workshop, and local rug hooker Donna Bleam will be doing a show and tell)

Well, back to the ornaments!!!!!!

Be sure to stop by and visit Kim and Patty for a list of other tea lovers

Saying Goodbye........

2011-11-16T07:56:00.000-08:00

Parting is such sweet sorrow.

This post could be entitled "Ode to a Toyota Sienna",or "Homage to My Van" because today is the end of an era, the day we part ways, my van and I.

I have driven this "sand" colored van for almost 12 years, and 277,657 miles.

Altho' I knew (and hoped) this relationship would not last forever- the fact that today is the day, came as a big surprise.

My husband called me from work yesterday and asked me to drive in the rain to Elkton- he wanted to show me something. At first, I asked him if what he wanted to show me was alive (!), then he finally spilled the beans.

He was at a car dealer, not unusual, since he works for DMV, but he had been chatting with a salesman, and decided NOW was the time to get me that new car.

WOOHOO!

He had picked out a nice little 2012 Ford Escape- not what I would have chosen, but nice. I really wanted a pickup, but we have 2 already(one classic, one farm use), so............

One of my requirements was a new vehicle had to be able to get out of its own way, and those big semis on the highway. Another was there had to be alot of headroom - I hate that claustrophobic feeling I get when my hair touches the ceiling, or if I bump my head getting in a car!!LOL Plus, the Toyota had a radio control and volume button on the steering wheel - that, to me, was heaven!!! The new Escape has that AND Sirius radio!!! Boy, I'm livin' now!!!

D/H and I did a test "race" from a traffic light, and I hate to admit it, my van met its match- the Escape left it behind! The Toyota is fast, but the Escape was faster.

I felt a bit guilty, almost anthropomorphically thinking the van was sighing in sadness at the reality to come.

Ridiculous, I know.........

While cleaning out the van last night, I reminisced, with each piece of long forgotten junk, er, uh, memorabilia, uncovered!

I think back to when I first drove "the van" off the lot, drove it home down Rte 7, only to have a large truck christen it, by showering rocks at my windshield and pitting the hood of my brand new van!!!!On the first DAY!!!! GEEZ!!!

As with all things new, there was no eating or drinking in the new vehicle! Yeah, right......Having two kids, that did not last long!

Next "accident" involved my daughter checking out the cigarette lighter, and burning 2 holes in the front seat! I was reminded of that incident, while removing the front seat cover ( a towel for the dog to sit on!) and cleaning out the glove compartment last night, to discover the cigarette lighter, hidden there by me, years ago!! Also found a pair of severely outdated, huge, rose colored sunglasses!!! eBay, anyone???

This van morphed thru' different stages of life- from a carpool van, to soccer mom van. Carrying kids, snacks, equipment, to travel soccer games in all kinds of weather.Hmm, flashback memory-we'd be driving to a travel soccer Turkey Bowl next week!!!!

We can't forget moving band equipment from gig to gig!!! See aging band stickers below - "I'd Rather Die" and "Orna Annon"

A long ago school field trip to Monticello came to mind- with 5 or 6 Catholic school kids, who chose my van as the "cool" van to travel in! I recall that long drive home, with my daughter and her "crush" in the far back seat, writing of their undying (yet very short lived), "love" in the steam of the rear window.......

My kids learned to drive in this van - if they could drive this, they could drive anything!!

Soon, this van was transformed into a rolling tack box- going to the barn, hunts, and horse shows all over the state, in all kinds of weather. Being stuck in wet, soggy fields,sunk up to the muffler, while waiting for the hunt to return; sitting with the heater on for hours, in the snow, at an NCEL tournament; having specially made( by D/H) PVC pipe saddle racks in the back of the van (seats removed), muddy boots, smelly sweat soaked horse blankets- eating in the van was no longer an issue!! The bumpers (and sometimes the hood) made perfect mounting blocks. The van made a perfect hangout for the kids, between classes or post hunt, to eat, chat, change clothes, radio blaring.

If this wasn't racking up enough mileage, there was my petsitting business. The van carried me faithfully to every stop, in all kinds of weather, also transporting animals to the vet, the groomer, the airport. Sometimes up to twenty stops a day, we traveled everywhere within a 30 mile (sometimes more) radius.The van was involved in mostly happy stories, but there were a few sad. One little Corgi happily survived bloat as my van rushed him to the vet. Another elderly golden died in my van ( from complications of a recent surgery)as did an extremely elderly cat, years later, while we sped to the vet. Another dog was transported to the airport, many animals found new homes with us, traveling in that van.

When we moved to the country, the van was stuffed to the gills with plants, bird cages, ferrets, rabbits, and dogs, and whatever else could not or should not go in the U-Haul..

This sturdy and now aging vehicle became an avid yard saler and hauler of antiques. It learned how to go to the co-op, with back seats now permanently removed, to be filled with 50 lb sacks of feed, grain, and pine shavings. How many square bales of hay can be crammed into a seatless Toyota Sienna?- 12!- if you leave the rear hatch open!!

Two snow storms ago, an ice bump, apparently "stole" 2 hub caps on the right side of the van. I guess they are called wheel covers nowadays!!! Call me shallow, but that right side of the van was a source of embarrassment to me. I was always careful how I parked, when meeting new people- always careful to park the trashy, wheel cover-less side of the van AWAY from view!!! First impressions, and all that!!!

The car or the van- it went by either name, could fly across a sodden hay field to catch up to a runaway dog (Sunny), and even "learned" how to successfully herd a neighbor's wayward cattle who had escaped into that same field.

Our suburban/ urban vehicle metapmorphised right along with us, to a total country machine, tackling backwoods rutted roads and crossing creeks!

The only complaint I had, in all those 12 years, was that no matter how many times we replaced the brakes, with expensive ones or not, they always squealed. There was no sneaking up on anyone, with that ear splitting squeal happening, no matter how gently you tried to step on the brakes!

And now, I feel somewhat guilty, knowing that after years of tender loving care, "the van" is about to be turned over, traded in, and will end up at a car auction - to go who knows where.

I hope whoever gets it, will take enough care of it, to keep it running for a few more years. It is a testament to Toyota and my husband's TLC that it has lasted this long. Maybe it will even experience the laughter of children again, ensconced within its walls, and hugged safely with its seatbelts.They won't have to worry about spilling drinks or dropping french fries- this van is already broken in!

I would like to think that is the case. In a way, I hope I never see "the van" again, because it would make me sad to know its new life was any less........

Thanks for the memories, old Toyota!!!!!

Sunny, sitting in "his" seat one last time!!

Tea on Tuesday

2011-11-15T07:36:00.000-08:00

A drizzly day, a cup of Elephant fruits rouges tea from France, and a cup with a message to cheer me out of the dreary day doldrums....!

For lack of a theme, or subject to write about, enjoy selected scenes from the previous week.........................

Santa's reindeer being delivered....

Chimney Rock

Yesterday, the moon was still awake at 9am...

Please join us for tea every Tuesday - drop by Kim and Patty for a list of other tea lovers!!

****And, don't forget to read all about next year's Quilters Retreat- also on FB***

Hindsight is, well, YOU know - 20/20!!!!

2011-11-11T04:08:00.000-08:00

I find counsel and wisdom given to me eons ago (and largely unheeded) now coming out of my mouth to my daughter (probably also going unheeded! LOL) And, so it goes, she will speak the same wise words, with a few of her own, down the road, to another pair of closed ears......

Why is it, that the wisdom of our elders is like the whispering wind - blowing by, swirling around us, but never caught?

Maybe, because in our youth, we must make our own mistakes?

Did the wisdom of the elders become wisdom thru' their own errors, wrong paths taken, and wrong doors opened?

Probably.....

The people we become is a result of those choices we make, right or wrong.What door we open, what room we enter.......

We make our decisions based on what we think is right for us at the time, take the path we want, not necessarily the one suggested by those who have been there before. We may stumble in the woods, get a few skinned knees or hearts, but hopefully, find our way out onto the right path.

Life is a hard lesson to be learned. We may have the manual in front of us- but, tell the truth, how many of us have attempted to assemble that bicycle, without reading the instructions first??? Aaaah, don't need instructions, I can figure this out on my own!!!!

Well, we all create our own path, guidelines are certainly warranted - but sometimes, if you blunder along, it all works out in the end. Might have saved a few years of stumbling, by listening to wisdom, but, then, you would not have learned yourself.

Those who strike out on their own, and have the strength to follow their own path, will come out of the woods, with their own words of wisdom for the next generation of closed ears.

This deep(?!) and hopefully sensible rambling came about from being up WAY too early, and also from a post on Judy's blog about gratitude.

Vintage Finds!!

2011-11-08T16:53:00.000-08:00

As I sit here nursing a sore back and a stiff neck- I am admiring the causes for my aches and pains!!

Three "new" pieces of furniture were scored over the weekend from a favorite local source .

The first one was the killer, so to speak!!

Altho' I can haul a bale of hay, and push around an obstinate horse, or rein in an 80 lb dog, loading a solid wood court bench into my van almost did me in!! Guess I need to start exercising!!! Sigh........

This beauty was salvaged from the local courthouse during renovation. The folks I bought it from took very good care of it, and kept it nicely polished. I thought there would be no problem going to pick this and another piece up by myself in my van. Well, only this one piece would fit, and it was a tad bit unwieldy squeezing it in!! The owner helped, a woman about my size - she must be in better shape than I am - I can't believe she is not hurting!!!

*Note to self - let the husband do all the heavy lifting from now on...............

Right now, the bench is sitting next to the wood stove, and I'm going to make a cushion for it. I love it!!!

And, since my husband spends quite a bit of time in the courthouse (on the right side of the law!!LOL), I thought this would be perfect addition!

The second piece is a great old hand made table, complete with square nails. The owners rescued it from an old building on their property, and did little more than tighten it up and rub it with linseed oil- and it is beautiful!!!!

The third treasure is the piece de resistance!

Not old, but hand crafted by a local furniture maker named Seeley(?)- kind of an equestrian sideboard- too good a deal to pass up - I LOVE IT!!!

Now, if I can just get D/H to finally paint the walls before Xmas, I'll be all set!!!

If you will excuse me, Advil, hot tea, and soft pillows are calling my name.............

Tea on Tuesday

2011-11-08T04:20:00.000-08:00

I am enjoying a mug (locally made Bay Pottery-sorry, not a teacup) of my Finnish Inkivaari tee- ginger . I even figured out how to keep the T-Sac from slipping into the tall mug - a good ol' clothespin!!!!! Very classy!!!

***Before I forget, let me remind you, if you haven't already been there- to go to my blog post about the upcoming quilt retreat! Still a work in progress, but we'd love to have you in 2012!!!****

I missed Julieanna's last tea class, but here is a quick lesson in photos.

It was about shapes and types of cups and handles.

Here are 2 of the hand outs- maybe you will recognize some of your own teacup styles!

Handle shapes:

Cup shapes

How many of the above do you have in your collection??????

Please drop by for tea every Tuesday - visit Patty and Kim for a list of other tea lovers!!

Build It and They Will Come...................

2011-11-06T04:10:00.000-08:00

( 12-1-11 ~ Please go to this link for the FB Event Page, to keep abreast of updates.)

Going with the premise of Kevin Costner's movie, Field of Dreams, if I build it- will you come???

Not too long ago, I posted about my son's annual campout here on our 45+ acres. A bloggy friend, Barb, threw out the idea of my having a quilt retreat here. I'm sure she was only kidding, but the idea got stuck in my head, and, as she said, I ran with it!!! Or, at least, I am TRYING to run with it!!

Strolling along, and mulling it over.............

My first reaction was, people would have to sleep in tents, because I don't have the space or guest rooms in the house to accommodate alot of people. Barb, like me, is beyond the age of sleeping in a tent- so she suggested RV's would be the way to go!! Never would have thought of that - thanks, Barb!!!

That works for me - RV's, campers, tents, whatever.

   Anyway, here is a rough (very rough) draft of activities -still to be confirmed:

                                       Mountain Meadows

   Quilters Retreat

*Arrive late on a Thursday to park and set up. Quilters will BYO sewing machine and food.

                                              Friday and Saturday activities:

*Quilting (of course) - in a large heated /with electricity party tent or in the hall of the church at the head of my driveway (both options to be further investigated) The tent would allow unlimited all hours sewing for insomniacs!

*Quilt block exchange for the retreat-that could be the sewing project, or anything else you want to sew.

*Trunk show /speaker- I have a local (and wonderful) someone in mind ( am checking on her availability and fees)

*Demo ?- maybe the GO, if we have a camper with one- Hint, hint!.Fees waived, if you do a demo!! Only one demo!

*Gift Basket Drawing - filled with local merchants' goodies

*Trip to downtown Harrisonburg (optional) to tour the Va Quilt Museum, maybe a stop at a fabric store or two

*After the Museum, Quilters Mystery tea at Julieanna's in Broadway, and a must stop in the famous Fulks Run Grocery/Turner Ham

*Campers Show and Tell and Show and Sell (for those who might have Etsy or brick and mortar shops)

*Local bluegrass band-depending on availability- evening entertainment around the campfire(maybe?)

*Sunday - wrap it up and pack it up for the return trip home.

Depending on the amount of participants, I may be able to convince my daughter to make one of her country breakfasts on Sunday!

For those who don't have RV's or campers- local accommodations include: a lovely 100 year old refurbished cabin, at the base of the forest, by a river- totally zen - sleeps 2 couples (or 4 very good friends!) $100 night(no smoking,children, or pets). It's only 5 miles from my house.I love my property and "my" river, but this land makes me green with envy!!!LOL See below:

You can sit on a bench by the waterfall and daydream..........

The next closest would be the Quality Inn in New Market - attached is the Johnny Appleseed restaurant. There are also 2 B &B's in New Market. New Market is historic, right off the highway I-81 and 20 miles from my house.

Below is one of the B&B's, right next to the historic Meem's Bottom Covered Bridge

****Quilters' Retreat fees would be only enough to cover the church and /or tent rental, tea at Julieanna's, music, and the speaker. Fees will be paid ahead of time thru Paypal, to reserve your spot.( Partially refundable if you are unable to make the trip, giving reasonable notice TBD. I originally thought fully refundable - but then that could leave me stuck with paying for the rentals and speaker!!)

If you are RV'less - and should decide to stay elsewhere, you are responsible for making your own reservations. Those costs are separate from the Retreat fee.

Date to be decided- either late spring, or September/early October- I'm leaning toward October. I have several local people who are already planning to come!!!!!

So, feedback, feedback, feedback!!!!

What do you think???? Suggestions welcomed!!!

If I "build" it, will you come????

HAM ON THE LAM !!!

2011-11-03T07:21:00.000-07:00

Yesterday started off as a peaceful and sunny day.

I checked on the horses a few times during the day, which is the usual routine.

At 2 pm, I went out to let John out back. He is so trustworthy, I just let him loose behind the house to graze. He just hangs out.

When I got to the barn, I noticed Mycon, the old man, was gazing, rigid and intent, toward the tree line outside the paddock fence.

I thought maybe the farmer was wandering around out there, so I walked the length of the fence line looking something.

There was nothing there.

A I walked back toward the house, before letting John out, I heard a crashing in the underbrush, and turned around to see something big moving about.

A deer maybe?

I saw it at the same time Mycon did- and he FREAKED!!! I had to run back to the barn, to open the gate and put him back in with his buddies, Mud was flying -he could not get thru' the gate fast enough!!!

Let the snorting begin - John, the leader of the herd, was snorting and stomping and rounding up his little band to keep them away from this dangerous PIG !!!!

I know from past experience, that John is not too fond of hogs. We tried riding past a hog farm several years ago - and when he got a whiff of them, he did an abrupt about face and zoomed all the way home!!!

Now, to have not one, but 3 huge porkers breaking thru' the trees and rooting around outside HIS paddock, well, this was more than he could stand!!!

Danger, danger, Will Robinson!!!!

I ran back in the house, to call around and find out who belonged to these pigs. Then I drove around to knock on doors. The folks who owned them were not home- of course...........!

The pigs eventually high tailed it back thru' the woods into the field from whence they came.

A bit camera shy - all I could capture was the retreat!!!

But, later that night, when darkness fell, the horses were still absolutely sure that porcine danger still lurked in them thar' woods!!!!!!!!!

My daughter tried to get the horses in for dinner, and John would have nothing to do with going in the barn! He was on high alert, meaning no one else was allowed to go in and eat. I went out to see if I could calm them, but to no avail. The usually placid John kept spinning around in his stall, charging the stall guard, in his attempts to get back outside.

So, the only one who eventually got dinner, was the old guy, Mycon. Katie managed to get him inside, keeping him calm enough to eat.

I walked the perimeter in the dark, to see if I could spot or hear any wayward hogs in the woods, but didn't see any. I am sure the horses still smelled them, and after seeing them earlier, just didn't believe they were gone. Now, they can connect the smell to those big pink "monsters"!! Scary things become much scarier in the black of night.

We left the outside lights on at the barn, for whatever good that did!

At 6am this morning, I peered out into the darkness, to see if I could see or hear anything. All was quiet down by the barn. No Yoshi alarms going off!!!

This morning there was pea soup thick fog but no hams in sight!!!!

This is looking out toward the barn at 6am- the lights barely visible.

Daylight is finally here, and all appears calm at the barn. I will go out and scope the area, before I bring the dogs out, and before I feed the horses.

Hopefully, the pigs' adventures are over, and they are securely back where they belong!!

Never a dull moment.........................

Tea on Tuesday

2011-11-01T13:52:00.000-07:00

Sorry to be late to tea!!!

The farrier came today, and today was the day little Yoshi had his first real shoe trimming.

Now, donkeys can be stubborn, and surprisingly, it went far better than I would have expected!

There were a few episodes of nervous diarrhea (the donkey, not me!!), but with a box of mini nilla wafers being fed to him constantly - we got thru' it rather smoothly!!

Donkeys are smarter than we give them credit for - and I swear Yoshi does comprehend English- he knew exactly when it was his turn!!!

Anyway, we are done, tea is on- see my Finnish tea bag - delicious- but I have no idea what it is!

Can anyone translate?

I am using my lidded St. George English bone china mug, on top of my little stack of quilted mug rugs .

Since Halloween was last night, I thought I would share one of the photos my daughter took during "dead time" at a friend's spirit filled house.

The stories from this house are too numerous to tell here - but look at the orb by the door - they were out in force last night. These were not spots on the camera lens- Katie saw them with her own eyes.This one photo had the clearest shot.The photo is a bit blurry because I enlarged it.

Katie used my camera last night, and this morning, the battery was dead, and the lens cover is not working right - coincidence?

I think not!!!!!!!!!!

Have a cup of tea with our other tea lovers - visit Kim for a list of other participating blogs - feel free to drop by every Tuesday!

Words in Print!!!

2011-10-26T16:53:00.000-07:00

My article was published - woohoo!!!! A heavily edited version of my earlier post- The 2nd Annual Descent of the Urbanites, was just published in a local weekly paper, The North Fork Journal.

There was even a little link to the article on the front page!!!!

I was excited and honored. As I may have mentioned previously, I had to pare the original piece down from 1380 words to 634 !

The editor of the paper shaved it down even further - taking out about 62 more words and re-wording the opening paragraph. It had to be between 500-600 words to fit.

I have to say, she did a great job.

It is obviously much easier to to edit, when you are not personally attached to each and every word that falls out of your head and onto the paper!! How egocentric is that!! LOL

Florence mentioned having lunch with a writer friend, discussing this very issue of editing. The friend quoted Hemingway, who called editing "murdering your little darlings"! How cool to think I have something in common with Hemingway!!!

While researching this quote, I discovered a similar phrase has been paraphrased multiple times thru' the ages, and has passed thru' the lips, pens, and typewriters of many different writers.

. It was first attributed to William Faulkner, but then thought to have originated in 1916, from Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch- "murder your darlings"

Apparently, writers all feel the same about their words. Or, I guess, anyone like me, who puts pen to paper (or fingers to computer keyboards!)

Stephen King wrote in his 2000 book On Writing (which I have somewhere around here!)

"....kill your darlings, kill your darlings, even when it breaks your egocentric little scribbler’s heart, kill your darlings.."

and

" It’s always easier to kill someone else’s darlings than it is to kill your own.“ I guess that was why it was easier for the newspaper editor to cut down my words to fit!!!

Some other truisms I discovered that I can totally relate to:

I always try to write on the principle of the iceberg. There is seven-eighths of it underwater for every part that shows. — Ernest Hemingway

When rewriting, move quickly. It's a little like cutting your own hair. — Robert Stone

I don't know where this is heading, but it all came out of the excitement of having my words published.Woohoo!!!

Tea on Tuesday

2011-10-25T03:03:00.000-07:00

As I sit here drinking a Twinings Pure Rooisbos from Finland (!), I am sorting thru' some photos taken at a tea class at Julianna's the beginning of October.

The class was about the different material types used in creating teacups - porcelain, redware, ironstone, etc.

There is another class on Thursday evening- What's in Your China Hutch - Part 2. Can't wait!!!

I figured it was about time I post the pics from Part 1 !

My friend Judy, waiting for class to start

We all brought our own teacups - Judy brought a lovely one from her friend, Lennie. This was Lennie's mother's teacup- unusual "flocking" on the pedestal teacup and saucer.

A crazed ironstone pitcher below

Some beautiful cream Wedgwood Queens Ware

Vintage traditional blue Wedgwood

My beautiful teacup above - looks like Shelley - but it's English Staffordshire-thrift store treasure!

Please visit Kim and Patty for a list of other tea lovers- drop by any Tuesday for a visit, to comment, or to share your tea on Tuesday!!

Giveaway!!!!!!!!!!

2011-10-24T12:32:00.000-07:00

Short and sweet- giving away an extra copy of Somerset Studio - the art of paper and mixed media- Sept/Oct 2010.

I had ordered the Oct 2011 issue from them, and was sent this one in error.

Somerset made good, by sending me the one I asked for, free of charge!!:>)

Doesn't matter that is from last year - the designs are timeless.

FIRST PERSON TO COMMENT AND ASK FOR IT GETS IT!!!

Thank you!!!

2011-10-24T12:13:00.000-07:00

Just had to share the cool thank you card I received from Lauren, after the Descent of the Urbanites Campout!!
A kind of pyrographic image of Yoshi and an AK on wood!!!!

The reverse was a thank you note on aged paper- I'll just show you a corner-

How inventive- will have to ask her how she did that!!!

One of the best thank you notes ever!!

Found Objects Insect House

2011-10-24T11:26:00.000-07:00

As we all know, bugs will live just about anywhere!!

They are not choosy....any rotting stump will do!!!

Places you do NOT want them to live, work well for insects also!!!

Recently, I came discover, there are people out there, who like to create homes for insects.

Well, now, I am one of them..........................................!

After writing about Michelle's wonder-full bug houses, in a previous post, I decided to try one myself.

Mine is no where near as artsy, or symmetrical as Michelle's. I did not cut anything to fit exactly in the box. Her advice was to just tightly pack (jam it in there) all the items, so that when you turn the box over, nothing falls out.

I did that - altho, I only very gingerly tipped the box over, to test it. It's tight, but, a few bugs will most likely be able to dislodge the objects after a time!!!

Sunday was a nice day, and I wanted to keep John company, while he was grazing out back. So, I gathered my pile of found objects and sat out back with him.

My bug house filler consisted of twigs, book pages, a piece of wool, rusty nails, bullet casings, old wood, bones and teeth found in the field, some bamboo, and a few other pieces of woodland detritus I have gathered.

This is the first box below, dug out of the old shed (seen behind John). After looking at it, I decided it was a bit too big, too heavy, and too ambitious for my first insect home!!! So, I will save this one- to be cleaned up and rubbed with linseed oil for a future use.

The box below is a freebie - a Korbel Brandy box from the trash- I took the lid off - perfect size for a starter bug hotel!!!

This is one of the many bones and animal parts discovered in the garden and woods.

The workbench, with a found jar and some of the gazillion English Walnuts on our property

Finished- with some lichen covered bark and weathered raffia as roofing

material

Closeup of the upper "levels"!

Final location - my old American Beauty red wagon, with another bug house (never made it to a tree to house a bird!)

**You can click on the photos for a closer look - I notice blogger has a new way of showing them when you click on one.

The Pulse

2011-10-22T18:32:00.000-07:00

Woohoo- I am included in Seth Apter's Sunday Pulse .
Please drop by and check it out!!
He's got a GREAT and inspiring art blog!!!!

Is It a Wood Sculpture or an Bug Dwelling?

2011-10-21T06:19:00.000-07:00

My blogger friend Michelle, who is from Poland, creates some wonder-full art, journals, and jewelry.

I just checked her blog this morning, and fell in love with this great box she created!!!!

It is a garden bug house - but I would love it just as a piece of art!!!

Since I am so easily distracted- I think I will head out to the woods today, and the wood pile, to gather pieces for my own little wood shrine. Even tho' it is a bit chilly, I know there will be starter bugs already residing within the pieces of wood!!!

There is a stray piece of firewood, just outside my basement door, with an artsy grouping of fungus attached, that would be just PERFECT for this!!!And I already have a small cache of lichen covered bark I salvaged from the wood pile!

It will be a cool wall hanging for the barn!!!!

I tried to show one of her photos, but could not - so visit her blog (link above), tell her I sent you, and check it out!!!

A Mini for a Mini !

2011-10-20T15:50:00.000-07:00

Last week, when the hay rack got dragged out for the winter, the question came up - what about Yoshi???

I thought I would probably just pull a board out of the hay rack, so little Yoshi could get at the hay. Right now, he can reach the full round bale, if he stretches his neck, but when it gets eaten below the top rail, he'll have a problem.

Not to mention, when the big guys eat, he comes away covered with what falls out of their mouths!!!

So, Mr. Green Jeans made a Yoshi sized square bale hay stand to match the large round bale one he made for the big guys!

A surprise to me - and Yoshi !!!

Mr. Green Jeans making last minute adjustments to his creation!

Yoshi..................wake up............we have something for you!!!!

Ears forward- all cautiously checking this thing out!!!

Hmmm- just my size!!!

Cisco, the buckskin, is checking it out also. If it has food in it, he's right there!

A few seconds after the above photo, Yoshi got a bit closer, Cisco ate some hay from the big rack, and dragged it across the little tin roof. The nails on a chalkboard sound sent Yoshi flying (below)!

But, he was soon right back, checking out the hay in HIS little rack!

Spoiled? Yup!!!!

Return of the Urbanites

2011-10-20T05:18:00.000-07:00

For me, autumn really begins with the Annual Descent of the Urbanites Camp Out.

This is the 2^nd year in a row that we have hosted my 28 year old son and a crowd of his urban artist and musician friends in our back field.

Altho’ Michael (above) attended JMU and graduated from George Mason, until recently, he lived in DC. Now in San Francisco, he is working as an accountant for PricewaterhouseCoopers. Accountant by necessity, musician in life.

This camping extravaganza was organized last year, with an “Oh, by the way, mom, I’m going to have a camp out at your place in October with about 15 of my friends! You can read about it on Facebook. You don’t mind, do you?”

Well, we didn’t mind, and Mr. Green Jeans ,(aka Larry McNally), and I look forward to this now annual outing!!

The campers take care of everything, altho’, there is some set up involved prior to them showing up!

Last year, there were about 15 campers. This year, Michael was expecting up to 28, but I think there were about 20-25, from California, Philadelphia, DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

Here is Michael's FB page invite (I didn't see this one either, until after the event !! LOL) -you have to know him to fully appreciate the humour:

What the Spirit Tells Me (and how it carried me away)- a Camping Trip:

358 days following Trip I, we embark on Trip II. It will be the same, but different. The same in most aspects. Different in ways I'm not yet sure. Though, I am sure of one thing - I want to hug you all.

Many things will be replicated:
...
- Camo beer cans
- Music
- Cold weather
- Giant barrel fires
- Good people
- Horses, guns, and dogs
- Peeing outside
- More things

For those unaware, the trip takes place on my parents' land in Fulks Run, VA. They own 40+ acres.

We will depart at roughly 1pm Saturday afternoon and arrive between 3 and 4pm, in the style of a funeral caravan. We'll pick up and leave on Sunday whenever those with cars choose.

Things to bring: everything

I've invited more guests this time so we absolutely need people who have cars to volunteer their services. Especially since there are a handful of people who are coming from out of state (myself included).

If you can drive, please make note in the comment box below.

TO SUMMARIZE:

What - A camping trip

Where - Fulks Run, VA

The day before they arrived, Mr. Green Jeans set up the camp area- mowed a section of the hay field, connected 8 heavy duty extension cords of interminable length, to reach from the house to the “band stand”!
The band stand consisted of 3 sections of plywood on the ground for the drums and amps. Next year, we hope to have a hay wagon for the band!

Larry set up a fire pit, with half a metal drum on a cement slab, dragged out picnic tables in the tractor bucket, and strung a strand of tiny white Christmas lights along the top of our partially completed grape arbor.

Since Michael couldn’t carry a tent on the plane, his dad set up his own huge 40+ year old tent (saved from the party days of his youth)!!

I did the food prep and baking. The campers were bringing their own food, but last year we made them breakfast, so it’s now kind of a tradition!

I baked 2 caramel coffee cakes, pre made 2 egg casseroles (local recipes provided from the ladies at Fulks Run Grocery), got 5 dozen locally grown eggs also from Fulks Run Grocery, and made sure we had enough paper plates, cups and plastic utensils- so there would be minimal dishwashing!!! I so did NOT want to clean up after all those people!!!

My daughter, Katie, volunteered be the Sunday morning chef, cooking for 25. Bless her!!!!

The first carload of campers arrived from DC, at about 5 pm Saturday. We had a total of about 8-9 cars, 10 tents, maybe 20-25 people. I never did get an exact count of attendees!

Last year, we had a little city dog camper – Pixel was a tiny white terrier with a brown dyed mohawk (very urban chic!), who had a blast, doing everything my big country dogs did, right down to swimming in the river! Pixel and his owner did not make it back this time, but this year’s token city dog was an adorable little shih tzu, Wicket, who followed his owner everywhere, and had the best time!

The local economy again had a boost, from the last minute food shopping, as all the city “kids” drove into town.

The tents were all set up before darkness fell, the fire was roaring, and the campers set to making their dinner.

All were told, if they needed the bathroom, just come into the house in thru the garage, and use the facilities!

One girl, Kate, from Philly, was so happy to just be out of the city for two days (as I think they all were!), and thanked us profusely for letting everyone come!

Everyone just thought the Gap area was so beautiful, the leaves were just starting to turn color here and there, and the weather couldn’t have been more perfect!

The neighbors had been forewarned about the campers and the music! The band started at about 9pm, and played on and off ‘til about 11:30.There was a few second break midway thru, to listen for the coyotes, who might have been singing along.....

(Mike McNally drums, Philadelphia Tom, back to camera, Kyle, DC)

The parents (that would be Mr. Green Jeans and I ) retreated early on – this was not OUR party, after all!!!The party probably went on until about 2 or 3am.

(Pat McNally, Lauren Malechek, Katie McNally)

Morning came, and thank goodness, the fog was minimal, unlike previous days, when it hung around ‘til almost 10am!

Lauren Malechek, my son’s girlfriend from Berkley, CA, was up at the crack of early, cleaning up the campsite. I found her later, sitting in a camp chair, with her watercolor journal in hand, gazing at the mountains, in the direction of Garnett Turner’s cabin situated above Chimney Rock. Lauren really wanted to do some plein air painting, but there is just so much you can do in a short 24 hours.

At about 10am, my daughter Katie made a “rockin’ “ breakfast, as one guy described it – delicious down home, artery clogging cooking – mounds of eggs, bacon, sausage gravy with biscuits, along with the coffee cakes, egg casseroles, coffee, tea, and Showalter’s apple cider. Everything was pretty much devoured! Every seat in the house was taken, standing room only!

No Sunday morning brunch is complete without political discussion – a lively round between liberal Philadelphia Tom, in his red, white and blue tie dyed t-shirt and ultra conservative Archie Bunker (aka Mr. Green Jeans). They parted friends (whew!), agreeing to disagree!

Later, the two got together outside, over guns no less!!

(Philadelphia Tom and Mr. Green Jeans)

Larry gave shooting lessons to all who wanted to “play”. Tom is an expert with a video game gun, but admitted that shooting the real thing is a whole other ball game! Even the girls got to try – with an AK-47, a 12 gauge single shot shotgun, and a target set up in the field. Last year, one of the campers was very proud of the bruise he received from the rifle recoil – something to talk about at the office on Monday!

The only things they did not get to do this year were crossbows and tractor driving!! Not enough time, and the tractor was hooked up to toss the hay for baling. We timed it WRONG again this year. Another day or two - and we would have had all this urban muscle to help load and stack the hay bales. We will have to set up a better plan next year!!!!

(Lauren Malechek)

Patrick (not pictured) from DC, is a self-proclaimed foodie. A fan of RoadFood .com, he was excited to discover that Fulks Run was the home of the famous Turner Ham he had heard about on NPR. He was extremely disappointed to find out they are closed on Sunday!!! Patrick will just have to show up earlier at next year’s camp out! I did run to Fulks Run Grocery on Monday and get a package of sliced ham with cooking directions and a Turner Ham brochure to mail out to him.

The other big highlight of the camp was my little Forest Creek’s Yoshi. Yoshi is my year old mini donkey, and he was the star, and loved every bit of attention showered on him!!! Ever the little watchdog, with a loud braying warning system, he quickly figured out, that if people came in with me, they were ok!

(Sofia and Yoshi, foreground/ Jimmy and Cisco, behind)

Everyone was so surprised to discover that donkeys come in miniature, and this was as big as he would get!!

Sofia from Maryland was entranced, and had several visits and photos with Yoshi. Jimmy, Michael’s former roommate from DC, just loved Yoshi and Cisco (the other star), our big “blonde” quarter horse- and Jimmy was tickled that Yoshi seemed so interested in Jimmy’s fashionable lime green high top sneakers! Everyone thought horses to be such “noble beasts”- with cell phones taking innumerable photos.

Before we knew it, it was time to go home, and the great tear down and pack up began.

Determined to get it all back IN the car- they did!!

All too soon, it was all over.

Most were packed and gone by 1pm Sunday for the long drive back to the big cities.

Michael and Lauren had a 7:30 pm flight from Dulles, back to SF. We left at 3:30 to drive them. It was a teary goodbye (at least on my part, altho’ I am sure Mr. Green Jeans got a little misty eyed), as we left the young couple at the entrance to Dulles International’s Virgin America Airlines, to head back to their life in California.

It seems so quiet around here…..I am already planning, counting down the 358 days, and so looking forward to next year’s

3^rd Annual Descent of the Urbanites!

(If you have not read about last year's campout - here's the link )

Tea on Tuesday

2011-10-18T03:04:00.000-07:00

Today's tea is a conundrum of sorts. The choice is so vast, the decision will come about thru' eeny, meeny, minie moe......
I have a pantry full of more tea than I really need. But, one can never have enough tea!!!!!
Now there is an additional selection of teas from England, France, and most recently, Finland (thanks, Teresa!)

Pictured are the newest arrivals from Finland- I'm having the ginger tea - it is delicious. The only reason I knew it was ginger, was from the picture on the package. Despite being of Finnish backround, on my mother's side - the language is a mystery to me.

Included are some licorice - Scandinavian and definitely an acquired taste. Cute little box of pastilles- licorice with salt.......

Generous T sent me a coffee table book of Finnish recipes, and a tiny pin made from the brick of a building of some significance in Finland. What that significance is - she forgot - will have to google it!!!

And, what does Teresa get in return, for remembering me while she travels? Why, sweet potatoes of course!!!

We planted sweet potatoes, thinking that the curing and storage of them would be similar to regular white and red potatoes. It is not. So, I have way too many - some huge - 3 1/2 lbs- which will feed 3 people with some left over!!

I will be freezing, french frying, baking, and giving away potatoes.

All the while, enjoying my teas from overseas...........................

Please join Patty and Kimmie for a list of more tea fanciers, and feel free to join us each Tuesday to chat or share what tea you are drinking today!!!

Fabulous Finds

2011-10-17T16:45:00.000-07:00

I got a call Sunday morning from a couple who have wonder-full yard sales!!! They decided, since it was a lovely day, to just have one spur of the moment this Sunday.

Took me a while to get there, but get there I did- and discovered some more great stuff!!!

I even went back today,(without the husband) to pick up a very cool old door, and have some other items being held!!!LOL SSSSHHH!!!!

Here's what I got on Sunday: It's just a plain old rusty gear from some old farm implement- I placed it on top of a burl scavenged from my woodpile- now I have a rustic centerpiece (!) for the picnic table!!! Love it!!!

Hard to see, but above is a handmade skep/ cloche/ topiary frame of chicken wire, temporarily covering the light! The little finial is a rock from near Lake Huron, Michigan. I got 2 of these.

This size 4 watering can was a must have- as you can see in the next photo, it is now leading the parade of watering cans along my front porch!!

2 dime sized flower frogs for my collection- too cute to resist!!!Yes, I know they are pictured with a nickel!

There was also a cool rusty chair, now on my porch- but still haven't come to terms with blogger on rotating photos.GGGRRR!!!

The scale is rusty, the numbers long gone, but it still kind of works! It was destined for the barn, but after I hung on the porch for its photo op- I think I will leave it there!!!The hummingbird feeder is down for the season - the hook needs something on it!!!!

More to come................................

Return of the Urbanites

2011-10-15T04:55:00.000-07:00

My son came back for his annual campout.

                                           YAY!!!!!!!!!


                                     I was asked to write about it for the wonderful, local, weekly paper.

                                         I did.

                                                                           YAY!!!!!!

                                                 VERY excited about that!!!!

It is so very different writing for something specific, than just putting to paper whatever
                  falls
                            out
                                        of
                                                      my
                                                                        head!!!

I would have written a blog post about the event anyway (coming soon), but somehow, this felt different.

After I finally got it all down, and sifted thru photos to put along with the words, and submitted it- come to find out- they forgot to tell me it only had to be between 500-600 words!!!

                           AAAAGGHHH!!!

Microsoft Word tells me my article is 1380 words.......................words just fly when you're having fun!!!LOL

                                                   So, now, the great edit begins.....................

             Two, or was it three (?), hours later...............the rewrite is complete!!!

It took another hour later that night, for D/H to re-size all the photos - again- because I did my rewrite on a draft, not the final I had submitted (oops), where all the photos were properly sized and placed.....sigh....(we are still learning the ins and outs of Photoshop!)

Trying very hard to cut my thoughts literally in HALF, and not lose the content of the story, I found it is easier said than done!!!!

I told Florence I much prefer proof reading over editing. She much prefers a glass of wine over either!!!!! Funny Florence - I now see your point!!!

I managed to winnow the words down from 1380 to 634.............whew!

Discarding words is like .......killing a thought, a valuable thought! Maybe valuable only to me, but valuable, nonetheless!!!

After this, I know I do need a more comfortable chair for sitting in front of the computer.

What I really need is a new computer, or a laptop, hmmmmmm.

But, I am thrilled to have been asked to tell the story of the urbanites, had great fun hosting another year of campers, and am looking forward to writing more!!!!

Wait..................how many words is this????????????????????????????

It's that time again..........!!!

2011-10-07T07:56:00.000-07:00

Here's what happened last year - they're baaaaaaaack.............and in greater numbers!

You know I'll be posting about it!!!

Thrifting

2011-09-29T05:29:00.000-07:00

Many of my friends and fellow bloggers know that I am a veteran and dedicated thrifter!! I also volunteer at the thrift store- fun to do, and you also get to see the items as they come in. Plus, it's all for a great cause, and volunteering is good for the soul ! The only negative is- I NEVER come home empty handed on a volunteer day...........LOL It's virtually impossible to work there and not buy!!!

The thrift store where I have volunteered for the past several years,( and hope to start putting in more hours soon), is Gift and Thrift, in Harrisonburg, Va.

Having volunteered at thrift stores in the past, what impressed me the most about G&T, is the size and scope of the operation, the dedicated volunteers, and the amount and quality of the donations that pour in weekly.

The majority of the volunteers are senior citizens, who come in on a regular schedule, put in their hours and do a great job in the different departments.

Aside from the paid supervisors (like Deb ) and the individual dept managers (like my friend, Linda), all the work is done by volunteers!

For the past 3 years, G&T has been voted by the community, as the best thrift store in the Valley- and for good reason!!

Mennonite run, proceeds from the store go to help support the works of MCC, here and overseas.

Recently, the local tv news channel came by for a visit.

Have a look!!

Giveaway!!!!!!!!!!

2011-09-28T07:01:00.000-07:00

I am in the midst of a purge of my studio and basement area. I feel like I am always in the midst of that purge!!!LOL
                                                       I am
                                            giving away
               boxes of mixed media goodies
from my personal stash of fabulous finds and thrift store treasures. No two boxes will be alike - I can guarantee that!!! I can try to tailor it to your interests.

I have a self imposed deadline of next week, when my son arrives with his g/f and 25 of his friends for the 2nd annual descent of the urbanites campout!

I have way too many thrift store treasure finds, rusty things, ephemera, vintage bits and pieces, quilting fabric old, vintage, and new, flotsam, jetsam, bottle caps, shards of vintage china and pottery, interesting goodies found and dug up around the farm. I will NEVER get around to doing anything with them.

My son's g/f is an art school grad mixed media artist, so she will undoubtedly end up with a box of goodies - if she wants one!!!

So, leave me a comment if interested- and send your mailing address to ooglebloops at yahoo dot com.

Unfortunately, if you live overseas- I will have to ask you to pay postage-but I will squeeze what I can into a flat rate box, or First Class Int'l, which ever is least expensive. Within the US - all free!