Nesting

First I want to thank all of you kind souls who dropped by and sent prayers, birthday wishes, cards, and emails.  It's so great to know you're all out there and that you care.  It really helped me get through the last week AND that fifty-something birthday.  I have to admit that I was somewhat aghast when I realized there were now three boxes of candles for my cake.  How's that for a reality check?  Didn't know whether to laugh or cry.  So naturally I did both.  It was all good though and I got the neatest presents, like this sparkly egg-shaped rock from the Greg and the girls.  I'm not sure what this is, quartz maybe?  The light goes through it and it changes colors.  It's just the most amazing thing.  It looks opaque in the top picture, but turns aqua blue in shadow and amber gold when held up to the light. They presented it to me under glass in this beautiful metal urn.  I love the whimsy of it all, and am enjoying it on my bedroom dresser right now.  Which is just so perfect because I've been making some changes in there and it was just the inspiration I needed.   

We are getting totally spoiled by these sunny mornings.  It was so cold last week as I sat huddled on a picnic bench in the park with friends as rain and wind whipped at us.   But a new season has arrived and it's been really warm again, like in the 90's.  I'm hoping it stays dry long enough to enjoy the fall changes that are already starting to happen all around us.  We've been out of the house a lot, quite a lot actually, enjoying the nice weather while it lasts.

Our weekend was a blitz of activity.  We've been really busy trying to wrap up loose ends around the house while the weather holds.  But then there was the annual Fall Festival in town, plus a few other local adventures that distracted us from our chores.  Happily!  And in the best way of coarse.  One place we found was a bit off the beaten path and was absolutely delightful in every way.   I really love these private little shops set back in the woods or in someone's backyard.  This one was all dressed up for autumn and was full to the rafters with handmade treasures, vintage china, homemade pies and jams.  I came home with this old wooden birdcage and tiny cream pitcher.   The cloth doll is one I picked up in a California boutique twenty years ago.  She's entirely handmade, her face is hand-painted and she's wearing the most wonderful hard-soled, brown laced boots.  The artist signed her on the back, "La Paupee Paysanne by Charmaine c. 86".   I did an internet search but came up empty.  No clue about her other than that.  I just adore her though.  Especially her sweet hands, with all the digits. 

Comments

[Jenn]

love the doll! just amazing!
Happy birthday! mine is soon too... such a wonderful time of year for a birthday!

[Pam]

Glad you had a lovely birthday!

[Cathy Rodgers]

Hi! My comment doesn't really have anything to do with today's post, but I wanted you to know two things:
1. your daughter, Grace, makes THE most adorable clay goodies I have EVER seen. wow, wow, wow!!!!

2. your pattern for the cottage-shaped needle case is one of the cutest things I've seen in a long time!! Printed the pattern and plan to make several for friends.

Love your blog. Feel like I'm related to you somehow!!
xoxoxox
Cathy

[Cerri]

Oh, I have not been around as much lately, so I missed the post about your birthday, but I do hope you had the most wonderful day!
Lovely photos too!
Cerri xoxoxo

[Carolyn]

Thankyou for a beautiful post. Belated birthday wishes.

[weirdbunny]

Those glass domes are brilliant, I just love all things glass.

[victoria]

what wonderful finds! Happy Birthday! what a beautiful and thoughtful gift from your family....
kind of tired of these warm days though we have tons to do to put away the garden and the yard and should be making use of the sunshine!

[Michelle]

Here's wishing you a belated happy birthday! Glad it was a warm one!

[tinker]

The egg and the nest are so whimsically lovely!
The doll is charming, too. What craftsmanship!
Glad you had a wonderful birthday, Vicki.