turkey feathers

Just Bobbing Along

A night out, time shared with friends, thoughtful trinkets, and a little chocolate made our Valentine's Day especially sweet.  This was dessert at one of our favorite restaurants.  The Mister and I always order just one and share it.  The straws are rolled edible white and dark chocolate-- I can't tell you how amazing this mousse is.   Besides all that goodness, we did manage to get some work done and successfully swapped out computers over the weekend.  Mine desperately needed a make-over and was complaining loudly.  (Think it had totally assumed my personality!) I'm still getting used to the new keyboard along with my new glasses; hitting the backspace button more than usual and feeling tipsy, like being on a small boat that's about to heave you overboard.  But, please, pay no attention.  It's a work in progress.  Oh, and do you like my new blog banner?  I'm finding that, like shoes, I want new ones for every occasion. 

Currently. . .

 

Organizing my sewing room with a little help from the embellishment center from Michael's.  I didn't actually know I needed one, until it went on sale for half-price.  Still trying to find empty 3" diameter ribbon spools to finish the job.  It seems they're everywhere until you actually need one.  (Piglet pincushion from Jennifer Murphey:: perhaps a visual comment on how I'm feeling at the moment--doing balancing act!) 

500 Posts

Well, 500 posts is an accomplishment!  (You have no idea.) To celebrate, Grace made me this giant "commemorative peanut butter cup"!  She's totally got my number.  It's the size of a cupcake.  And not a miniature doll house sized one either.  I nearly died laughing when I saw it.  I haven't eaten it yet, I don't think I can !  Not alone anyway.  That could be tragic.

Circular Motion

A lovely box of apples appeared on my back porch from friends yesterday!  There are so many things that are good and decent about the world, and apples (and friends) are two of them.  Sublime happiness is in the little things after all.  Here in Oregon, we are having a spell of gorgeous fall weather that is more than mildly distracting; just stopping me in my tracks as I take it all in.  I love the rich colors of autumn, they inspire me.

I’m inspired by so many things I see around me right now, including the outfit Grace waltzed into the room wearing this morning.  So pretty!  Do we love brown cotton knit tights?  Yes we do!  And I must say, that having just finished reading Winter Solstice (again) by one of my fave Scottish authors, Rosamund Pilcher, my heart is embracing old world comforts and cozy earthy colors all over again.  Right now, this is all just a vision inside my head, but I’m working toward that end. I’ve actually been pretty busy working on some new projects for you, my dear stitchy friends, and not only that but more exciting news:  I just received my proof copy of Blanket Statement, which I see needs a few more tweeks before I can send it out into the world.  Actually holding it in my hands and seeing all the years of work in book form is so thrilling.  I didn’t think it would be, but it really is.  So tying up those loose ends is going to be my first priority.  Second, would be that afore mentioned apple pie that I still need to bake.  The pastry has been chilling since yesterday.  I got that far at least. 

 

Catching My Breath

So Long September, until we meet again.  We’ll miss your golden morning wake-up calls, your warm burnished afternoons, your peaceful quiet under a shallow lingering sun at the end of the day.  I wish you could’ve stayed a little longer; your visit went by too fast.  It does seem the days here are flying by much too quickly and October has arrived with a storm at its heels.  Time to batten down the hatches and hang on, it’s likely to be a bumpy ride.

Transitions & Practicalities

My birthday bouquet greeted me with an explosion of blooms this morning. Just like here! You’re all so sweet. Thank You for the good wishes, links, and slippers! My fortune cookie read, “Friends are like chocolate chips, you can never have too many."  How true!

 

September is a transitional month, and as the seasons begin to shift it calls into action my primitive side to hunt and gather. Like a squirrel with a good nut, and seized with a sudden desire to re-feather my nest and settle in before the leaves begin to fall, I listed a room full of furniture on craigslist and sold it all in two days! We’ve been busy as bees carrying things in and out of the hive with happy smiles and friendly handshakes on both sides. There’s still so much to do. The plumber is coming today, to fix a leaky pipe in the girl’s bathroom, and will also have to replace the fixtures and faucets which have corroded beyond belief from our mineral rich well-water. And this little improvement has just started another chain of redecorating reactions of its own. Naturally!

Some of these practicalities might explain why the blog goes quiet for days at a time. It might also explain why we are eating cosmic espresso éclairs (from the bakery) for breakfast . . . and pancakes for dinner!

Take Tea & Blackberry Tarts

“I don’t take art too seriously.  The nice thing about drawing is if you get tired, you can always bake a pie, or finish the dishes.  I don’t have a studio, I work on the kitchen table.  When you get tired of housework, you can stop and draw.  Anything I enjoy, I don’t consider work. They say art is the reflection of an age and I think it certainly is true, but I’m behind the times.  Time was invented by man, so it doesn’t really matter.  I’ve done just as I pleased all my life and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all of it.” ~Tasha Tudor

We’re in celebration mode here with several family birthdays falling within days of each other, and adding to our festivities we’re taking part in Tasha Tudor Day!  (August 28th was her birthday.)  If you want to tag along, start here and weave your way through blogville to find more birthday tributes, recipes, and plain old-fashioned sweetness.   I’ll be sharing my recipe for blackberry filling today. So grap a cuppa and join us!

 I must say, summer seems to be coming to an early end here.  Most of our garden tomatoes are still green on the vines, and what little else we managed to salvage from the voles and varmints has suddenly gone to seed.  Oh well.  It was, however, a grand year for blackberries.  There are still so many.  We've picked bucketfuls almost daily and had to figure out what to do with them.  Once we had our fill of cobbler, I made freezer pies and jam for the winter stores.   This week, I made a big pot of blackberry fruit filling for tarts and turn-overs.  If you have a lot of fruit from your backyard trees or berry bushes, this filling is the answer.  It can be adapted for most fruit and berries quite easily by adjusting the amount of cornstarch used, this depending on how much water is in the fruit you’re using.  Blackberries, in particular, have a lot of water and tend to get runny when you cook them, where as apples do not, so my recipe is heavy on the thickening and this works especially well for blackberries. 

 First, let me assure you that none of this is hard.  A little time management is a good idea though.  In other words, this isn't something that can be whipped up at the very last moment or even in the same day if you’re like me and don’t like to stand in the kitchen for more than an hour at a time.  I manage this best in small steps, while carrying on with other things to keep it all from feeling like a huge production.  The filling can be made the day before, which is all for the best, because it allows the fruit mixture to cool and gel up completely before you work with it.  Ditto with any pastry you make since it needs to be chilled as well.  Both can stay in the fridge for a couple of days until you’re ready to assemble and bake (or freeze), as you prefer.  I like to do both at the same time.  Here's my recipe . . .

Heat everything gradually to a gentle boil, stirring frequently and adjusting heat to avoid scorching.  Mixture will thicken up between 10-20 minutes.  Remove from heat; let cool for half an hour.  Cover pot with the lid and refrigerate overnight. 

 

 

OK, so now that you have all that yummy filling, you can make all kinds of things with it, like jam tarts, turn-overs, and scrumptious cookies for tea parties.  You can use a basic cookie crust for the heart tarts (shown), or this one for instance.  I buy pre-made frozen puff-pastry sheets for the turn-overs.   Cut the sheets in thirds along the fold lines, then into thirds again to make a total of nine squares per sheet.  Brush the edges with cold water, put about a teaspoon of filling in the middle and pinch them closed forming triangles; use a fork to seal the edges and to poke "blow holes" in the center of each.  Bake them on parchment paper for 10-12 minutes until golden brown, OR freeze them (unbaked) on cookie sheets and pack them in storage containors with wax paper between the layers.  Some empty ice cream boxes work well if you want to avoid using plasic, and it's a nice way to re-use them.  These will keep up to six months in the freezer.  I love having things like this on hand and ready to bake when guests drop by unexpectedly and for special occasions, when there's no time to fuss in the kitchen. The heart tarts can be made the same way and kept frozen too. Please help yourself to one. 

 

 

Or perhaps you'd care to try a blackberry turn-over.

I made plenty for our little 'remembering tasha' tea party here today.  I'm so happy you stopped by.  Cheers!

Tasting Summer

Summer's back after a brief cool down.  I actually prefer the cloudy weather over the blazing sun, but then, we wouldn't have these wild blackberries now would we?

Or apples for this...

...or lovely tender little raspberry morsels.

Picked here, on the honor system.  (click on the pix to read the signs.)

To be put into pies. 

Sarah was helping, hence the hearts. 

And they tasted as good as they looked!  Summer never tasted so sweet.

Farewell, Dear Tasha

 

When I heard the news that Tasha Tudor, the beloved children’s author and illustrator, had passed away peacefully last week, surrounded by family and friends, it was a bittersweet moment.  I felt as though I’d lost a dear friend even though I’d never met her.  Certainly, to me, she was a kindred spirit if ever there was one.  A touch stone; with a long career of artistic and creative accomplishments I still find astonishing. It’s been hard getting used to the idea that someone is gone, when it seems like they’ve been around forever.  At 92, I guess she had been, really. 

 

Over the years, I’ve managed to collect only a few T.T. books from the estimated one hundred titles that she either wrote or illustrated (or both), an accomplishment in itself, as many were small runs, are now long out of print, and it seems, still very much in demand.   I love them all, but I think my favorite is the one written by her daughter, Bethany Tudor, entitled, 'Drawn From New England' (1979).  It’s a sweet and sincere biography, sprinkled with family photos, sketches, and stories of her mother; a free-spirited artist whose life and work combined to create a magical world for her children and a highly individual lifestyle for herself. I picked it up and read it again over the weekend, smiling at pictures taken so long ago and remembering little details I’d forgotten.  Like how she often used her own children as models for the illustrations in her books.  How she struggled in the early days, raising her family of four children, while pursuing an art career ("to keep the wolf from the door"), while living in a century-old farmhouse without running water or central heating, and not because she had no choice, but because it was her choice. 

The life she created and shared through her own creativity influenced me so much.  I’m quite sure it led me to explore the road less traveled, to remain true to myself, and to take joy and peace in everything around me.  Her message was a gentle one, and I’ll always be grateful for her influence. Here she is with her beloved Corgi pups that never left her side.  They were often the subject of stories and a popular recurring theme in her illustrations for children. 

For example this one, and the sketch she added to the print when she signed it in 1996.  I'll cherish this forever.  And a few others.

 

I was thrilled to find this book: 'All For Love' (1984).  It's a collection of poems, songs, letters and stories "enchantingly illustrated" in classic Tasha style with old-fashioned portraits of couples, children, pets, and adorable animals wrapped in flowery frames and be-ribboned borders, with bouquets & tussie-mussies scattered about the pages.  There's a section describing the family Tudor Valentine celebrations with recipes for cake and cookies, and some craft activities to beat the band. In case you don't know, I'm talking about those famous cupcake fairs!  The directions for making the little "shops" are also included in the book. 

I'm behind on so many things and never expressed my pleasure (here) about the revival of Victoria magazine, but am finally mentioning it now, to note the beautiful feature article in the premiere issue (Nov/Dec 2007), showcasing a few of the amazing antique party dresses and ball gowns from Tasha's exquisite collection.  (These were later exhibited and sold at public auction.  I guess it was time to let them go.)   Tasha was quoted as saying, “My antique clothing is a great folly of mine…I myself feel much more at home in an old frock.  There’s no feeling of dressing up; they just feel right.”  Still, she is a vision of loveliness (above), posing in costume, about 30 years ago.  Blueberry Cottage and all sorts mentioned T.T. and shared links and a little more background.  Maybe others have done so as well.  Please leave a comment and link back to your page if you found or have something to add or share.  If you're a fan, I say we declare this Tasha Tudor week...to honor this great lady; her life, her art, her craft and of course, corgi cottage! 

Weekend Notes

The Mister walked in the door last week with this pretty armload of flowers to start our collective celebrations (anniversaries and birthdays!)  These lovelies are still working their charm on me this morning as I sit here gazing at them on my desk.

The weekend celebrations also included cake!  Chocolate of course, from our favorite local bakery.

And . . there was a BIG BOX and BIG excitement!

So BIG, that it made a scaredy-cat out of Lily when she heard that big box coming, scuffling slowly down the hallway like some great lumbering beast.   Her tail puffed up like a pampas plume and she tried to hide.  Poor thing. 

But when it finally "spoke", it was music to her ears.   

Coffee Break

This was yesterday, but mentally, I'm still lingering over here in happy land.  That cupcake was especially good, compliments of Grace who's real-life baking is just as sweet as her dollhouse goodies.  If this keeps up though I'm gonna have to let out my pants! 

I've been particularly charmed with the May 2008 issue of Romantic Homes, (shown above) starting with the letter from Editor, Jacqueline deMontravel, about the changing art of communication between women.  About blogging in particular she says, "Step inside these cozy places trimmed with crafty borders.  You can visit any time of day, dress as you please and type a few nice words to your host that will be as appreciated as a bundle of flowers."  She really captured the essence of it all so nicely in just two simple sentences I think. 

I keep going back to this issue for all the amazing articles, like the one pictured here about retro baking, Betty Crocker style, so fun, and the cute aprons it inspires like these darling ones from Heavenly Hostess. 

I feel lucky to have some of those old cookbooks from Mom's day and cherish them.  Most are dog-eared and spattered, a sign that it was a favorite and used often.  I don't really cook the same way today, but they're a lovely connection to the past. 

And, of course, lovely to linger over.

More lingering out here too. 

The garden is at its Spring peak right now and I've been spending more time outside admiring the flowers, trying to keep on top of the weeds, and planting a few things.  Field daisies are always a welcome sight.  They've propagated themselves throughout the yard dotting the landscape with bright spots of light.   Each year they fill in a little more.  Some may consider them weeds, but give me a choice between weeds with thorns and weeds with flowers and I'll choose the flowers.   

See them over there in the background?  They've wrapped themselves around the lawn in this way purely by nature's design.  The effect is charming!  I'm still gushing over that blue Iris too.  It's the perfect accent with all the pink and white. 

Well, my lingering time is just about up.  I have lots to do and I know you do too, so I won't keep ya, but I just want to again say, thank you for stepping inside to visit with me here today. You're most welcome anytime!      

Little Things

Something to make you drool.  Grace made these chocolate fudge fairy cakes for Mother's Day. 

Boy does she have my number. 

They're all gone now, but I'm still dreaming about them.   They looked so pretty with the borage flowers. 

I spent most of the afternoon yesterday playing "animal rescue" with my darling granddaughter, Bitty the Vet. 

She examined, diagnosed, and treated each and every stuffed animal in the house, using a flashlight, a magnifying glass, and a tinker toy for medical tools.  Yes, we are resourceful.  And thorough. 

The game could not stop until every single solitary animal had been seen.  Most of them just had thorns in their paws from "climbing the blueberry trees". 

(Big excitement when a live doe and her fawns wandered by later in the day). 

Before that, I was up early this morning getting the new free-with-purchase designs finished and up on the website before the house got busy again with little people and animal friends.  I guess there's a bit of a baby theme going on here.  Stork and all.  

Birth of a Flower

I was meandering around my yard yesterday and stopped dead in my tracks when I saw this Rhodie; a perfect puff-ball of pink petals. 

Planted a couple of seasons ago, it has finally come into its own.  Worth waiting for don't ya think?   Sorry, the official name escapes my muddled mind at the moment.  I try and keep a small garden journal for such things, because I'm good at forgetting details like this, however, no time to dig it out this morning.  We've got "Bitty", our 3 1/2-year-old grand-daughter staying with us during the day, so mama can get the rest she needs. 

Baby Olivia is doing fine, no jaundice at all and already gaining weight.   We were in sync with matching pink outfits this morning. 

Sigh.  I could stare at this face forever.

Short & Sweet

A perfect 20" and 6 lbs. 9 oz. to be exact. 

And extremely sweet!  Just as sweet as this cake Grace made to celebrate the occasion.  I meant to update a bit sooner but these past few days have been a blur of activity.  Baby granddaughter #2 was born literally moments after that last post, and since then we've all been kept quite busy.   Thanks so much for the *baby love*.  I'll be sure and pass it on to the proud parents.

Ding....there goes that kitchen timer again!

Frozen Food & Warm Fuzzies

 

OK, so what do you do when you get the call that your DIL has gone into labor?  You boil water, of course!  And . . . add noodles.  Roast a chicken.  Steam some vegetables to go with it.  Then bake a cake.  That's what! 

 

If you ever wonder what you can do to help a family that has a new baby (and a toddler) in the house, the answer: food.  Comfort food.  Mostly in the form of nourishing home-cooked freezer meals. 

 

 

So to this end, the girls and I spent most of the day mixing, cooking and boxing things up.  We still have a few presents to wrap, including these, a knitted baby blanket to finish (Grace’s project), a basket of books and puzzles to keep the new big sister occupied and some Mother’s Day goodies to gather together before heading up to the house to meet grand baby #2 who hasn't actually officially arrived yet.  But will.  Soon.

 

These few quiet days of contemplative needle-felting and tea sipping suddenly got very busy and oh, it feels good to be sitting down right now and resting my feet.  If only for a few minutes as I wait on the kitchen-timer to call me back. 

 

Ding.

 

Alas, my allotted fifteen minutes for blogging is up. I shall leave you with more needle felted fun.  I’m awfully proud of the bum on this one. ACK! Think I found a new hobby!

 

Take Your Time

We have been working on some needle felt projects inspired by this book. 

 

Played around for a few hours making critters.  I must’ve stabbed myself half-a-dozen times, and let me tell ya, those needles aren’t only sharp, they’re barbed, and rather rusty.  Caution and common sense is required.  It was the first time I’ve done this type of wool sculpting and I probably went about it all wrong.  One needle broke, so I’m sure I did.  

Not too bad for a first try. 

 

My friend Missy supplied some of the fibers for our projects.  She’s put some nice kits together with a variety of pretty wool roving and a few other essentials; now available in her Etsy shop.  I'm finding more inspiration here and here and here and may just take another stab at it. 

Bambi

We are planning a brunch tomorrow with our families and there's still a bit of baking to be done.  Before I slip on my apron and get back to the kitchen, check out this little guy. 

I was at the sink cleaning up after lunch, and looked up and there he was just standing there, still as a statue, just watching. 

I'm not sure who was more entertained, him watching me--or me watching him. Or if he was seeing his own reflection in the glass for the first time--maybe looking for a buddy. 

I was glad my camera was nearby and my window was clean.

After a little grazing on the hill, he nestled down for a nap.

 

No Snow, Just Suds

Aw shucks, and we were having so much fun too.  Well, it's all over for another year.  Time to tidy up.

And cozy up. 

Here's wishing you love, joy, and peace in 2008!

Old Paper & Tiny Bubbles

The other day, I turned my office upside down in an effort to find a note I'd misplaced, and in the process, I discovered this totally cool vintage wall-paper pack that I won from REDiNSTEAD's blog give-away back in, um, do I dare say, October!  I am so embarrassed.  It was so generous of Jen to send me a present all the way from Australia and I owe her a long over-due THANK YOU. . I LOVE it!

Speaking of vintage papers, I was happily surprised to find all this in the mailbox recently from blog pal Toni. She picked up this lot at a rummage sale, thinking of me and my growing "hobby" a.k.a. PatternBee. 

I was thrilled to get this fabulous bundle and found in here amongst the old treasures, what I believe to be an original Ingall's transfer.  It's the one on top with the blue smears.  These particular transfers were produced in England in the late 1800's, and were perforated with tiny holes along the lines.  A blue powder was purchased and pounced into the holes in a stencil-like fashion, as a means of transferring the pattern to cloth.  Since I've been attempting to reproduce some of these really old designs, it helps to know what the originals looked like, their size and details.  Thank goodness for modern methods! 

I've also been keeping in touch with my friend Missy and her family since their move back to northern Michigan, and she tells me they're all settled into their new home and enjoying some real snow.  She is busy stocking her shelves and just re-opened her shop, which is good news if you're in the market for some wonderful handmade soap. Her fiber-wrapped bars are wonderful---I posted all about them here.

Birthday Bliss

Thank you all for the thoughtful birthday wishes and sweet notes.  I've taken them all into my heart where they will live on forever.  I am truly grateful for my family and friends, old and new, and those I've made through this blog.  I want to thank Diane at Persnickety Quilts for the darling Birthday Tribute too!   The fall quilt (she made in 1994) is a stunner, as all of her quilts are.   

She's also shared her method for organizing quilt information which I think is brilliant.  Check it out if you need a little more organization in your quilt life.  I'm always looking for some!

Well, I must say it's been a wonderful birthday week for me.  Downtime, fun quilt-sewing, a walk in the woods, dining out and dining in.  The girls baked me the best cake I've ever had, hands down.  They worked on it most of the day.  I was told to cover my eyes and stay out of the kitchen, so I didn't even try and peek.  I'm always so touched by how hard they try.  All the effort they put in.  

After all, it's the gifts of the heart that mean the most. 

 

Cold Turkey, Soup & Sorbet

What a great weekend.  I don't know when I've had more fun shoveling dirt and sticking things in the ground.  The garden fortress is shaping up beautifully.  The Mister is nearly finished hooking up the drip system that will keep everything watered without wasting a drop.  He is amazing that way. 

He makes great waffles too!

We gave the girls each a wooden whiskey barrel and let them have their pick of flowers to plant in them. 

The results reflected their personalities to a tee.  One chose soft pastels, wispy, ethereal, graceful. 

The other went for bright, colorful, spicy. 

Can you tell who belongs to who?

We'll also be planting things like squash and beans, but a little instant gratification is nice.

It wasn't all work though, we did manage to slip out for enchiladas one night and made strawberry sorbet.  Yum.  Goodbye crock pot.  HELLO ice cream maker!

It's hard to leave this groovy party, but I will be taking a little blog break for the rest of the month. 

I just have one more loose thread to tie up before I go. 

The summer book give-away!   

My goodness.  Never knew there were so many of you lurking out there.  Thank you all for stopping in and brightening my morning!

The comments are officially closed and all the names are being tossed into the super sonic spinning bonnet as we speak. 

A winner will be announced at any moment. 

Hang onto your hats. 

Drum roll please.... (nothing like keeping you all in suspense is there?)  OK.  The Super Shuffler has spoken. 

It appears that lucky number seven has been chosen!  Congratulations lucky number seven!  If you are lucky number seven please contact me promptly to claim your prize. 

Star appears to be waving.  That's my cue.

So long for now . . .

 

At Your Service

Head Cook, third in command: 

" Her first duty, in large establishments and where it is requisite, should be to set her dough for the breakfast rolls, provided this has not been done on the previous night, and then to engage herself with those numerous little preliminary occupations which may not inappropriately be termed laying out her duties for the day.  This will bring breakfast hour of eight, after which, directions must be given, and preparations made, for the different dinners of the household and family." 

~Mrs. Beeton (1861)

Speaking of Mrs. Beeton's handy book of household management, I'm glad some of you had a chance to watch the program about her life recently; thank you for pointing me to the biography that's out now too.  I have added it to my reading list.

On another note, I'm nearing the end of Astrid and Veronika. Another tragic tear-jerker. It's books and stories like these that can make us thankful for so many things. 

Fortunately, for balance sake, Ginger and I are reading Ida B: and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World.  This book is beautifully written and light-hearted, even though life deals Ida and her family a few blows.  But we are nearing the end now and things seem to be sorting themselves out.  Whew!  

One of the things I love about children's literature, is the inevitable conclusion and the happy ending.  Eventually, we learn that real life is not always so neat and tidy. But without a happy ending, where is the hope? 

Just knowing that certain things are possible is very encouraging somehow. 

Like chicken servants. 

Aren't these two cute?  I'd hire them to do my cooking in a heartbeat.  But for now I will just have to be content with them gracing my dishtowels. 

Janet (Primrose Design) shared the patterns with me a few months ago and I finally got them done.  You can find them here on her website. 

Hobby Books

Oh, how I love craft books and get really excited when a new one comes out.  (I can totally relate to what Blair was saying about her craft book collection in the basement.)  I have a really hard time parting with any of mine too.  And that can be a problem when you've been hoarding uh, collecting, as long as I have now.  Japanese craft magazines, and books related to it, like these aranzi aronzo cute and bad books from Vertical, are another new passion.  I have to say, having a "library of inspiration" at my fingertips is so valuable when I'm reaching for ideas, even if I never use the patterns or make the projects I find inside.  Sometimes books serve as a catalyst for personal creativity and sometimes they just make me smile and appreciate all the wonderful, crafty things that are going on all over the planet. 

Weekend Wonders

Thank you dearies, for the *cake love*.  All that's left of that temptress is a few crumbs and the pictures I posted. And BTW, yes, that was (homemade) raspberry jam filling in the middle.  Talk about good.  Oh my.  I guard those last jars of jam in my pantry like they were gold.  Especially now, as they dwindle, after the long haul of winter.  But, we're almost there.  Only a few more days left of fickle feb and soon we'll be marching toward spring.  I'm already noticing little flower sprouts and bulbs poking their sleepy heads up in the garden, and while we wait patiently for the first bloom, this sweet pink kalanchoe is perking things up around here.  (Thank you again Grace!) I love how easy these succulents are to care for and it's the perfect addition to our indoor windowsill garden, which is, um, looking a wee bit weary about now.  Boy, do I know the feeling!  Think we could all use a little warm sunshine and a new wardrobe of pretty, light flowery things. 

Quiet Time

Ok, so it occurred to me, as I was sitting here yesterday afternoon, sipping cocoa and perusing a few books, that I haven’t shared any corners of my home for awhile. And since it IS Thursday, all the better.  When it’s time for a little R&R this is a great corner for that.  No, that is not a pile of laundry on the chair, it’s a “throw”.  And a rather pathetic looking one at that.  I keep thinking I will make myself a lovely lap quilt but never seem to get around to doing it.  (Sigh.)  Priorities and such.  I’m making a note of it now though.  Sometimes committing an idea to pen and paper can launch a project I’ve only been able to dream about doing, plus I’m not apt to forget about it as easily.  Which I am prone to do.  All too often.  Anyway, I especially like this room because it’s away from the hub of activity, a quiet retreat.  Windows face west and the afternoon light is pleasant, and on a cold day the golden walls envelope me in a warm radiance.  This chair, (TOP) and its twin companion, face a corner fireplace.  They are separated by a small round table set for tea.  There’s still much I wish to do with this room. Perhaps someday I’ll find the perfect little settee that I’ve pictured in my mind’s eye for so long, like the ones in this book and this one, complete with lots of pretty handmade pillows. One can never have too many pillows in one's life now can one?  I'm a sucker for tie-on aprons for chairs too.  I especially like the aesthetics of this style so perfectly wrought by Katrin Cargill.  I have several of her books which are excellent because they're not just full of pretty pictures but also give detailed directions for the sewing projects (such as this chair apron).  More corners here.

The sun is just peeking out and things are starting to thaw for the moment, although I just heard more snow is on the way.  How is that possible?  I'm loving it, but it's kept me from getting over to the post office so hopefully all embroidery  patterns & sweet treat orders will be dropped off today between storms.  Also, I want to tell you, that Grace has been so encouraged by all the "petite love" out there and says, thank you! thank you! thank you! ( Gee, you guys are swell! )  After she helped pack up the orders, she scurried off to her crafty corner with a brainstorm of ideas, and you won't believe your eyes when you see what's coming next.  My lips are sealed until then, though I'm warning you, it's going to be foot-stomping sweet!

Make a Wish

Someone was in the kitchen this week mixing up a cake.  Not just any cake.  A birthday cake.  I wasn't supposed to be in here, peeking. . . let alone snapping pictures, but I couldn't resist.  After all, the blog must be fed, and besides I could smell the chocolate all the way down the hall.  But then, I had to endure an entire day of waiting until it was finally time to taste it.  I'm telling you, Grace's real-life cakes are as amazing has her miniature ones.  She went through all of my recipes and settled on this Cocoa Cake.  It's a simple recipe that never fails.  But somehow it always taste better when she makes it. 

Especially iced with Espresso Frosting:   

1/3 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder

3 cups confectioner's sugar

1/3 cup softened butter

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3-4 Tablespoons heavy cream; heated

1 Tablespoon instant espresso coffee crystals

Dissolve coffee crystals in warmed cream and set aside.  In mixing bowl combine; powdered sugar, cocoa powder and salt.  Stir in the coffee-cream mixture and vanilla; beat until smooth.  At this point, adjust consistency if necessary (add more powdered sugar if too thin or cream if too thick), then add the butter and whip until it reaches a fluffy spreading consistency.  Makes about 2 cups frosting.  Try not to eat it all before you get the cake iced.  It's REALLY good on brownies too I found out. 

I must be getting old.  Birthdays make me so nostalgic lately.  If you grew up in the Los Angeles area you may remember Sheriff John's Lunch Brigade and the Cartoon Time show that debuted in 1952.  This was one of the TV highlights of my youth.  My favorite part of the program was when he did the birthday announcements and dedicated birthday wishes to kids born on that day. To celebrate he sang the Birthday Cake Polka:

"Put another candle on my birthday cake, were gonna bake a birthday cake. Put another candle on my birthday cake. I'm another year old today."

There was this huge birthday cake on a carousel, decorated with thick frosting, candy, and lollipops with "Happy Birthday Brigadiers" on the side, and it rotated while he sang.  But the craziest thing of all was,  he'd mention the location of where the birthday girl or boy should go look to find their presents.  Like he'd say, "Happy Birthday to you Suzy, I think you'll find a nice surprise waiting for you under your bed."  Wow, did that impress me.  I actually thought (being a gullible kid) that he was looking right through the TV screen at us.  Unbeknowns to me, this information had been provided by parents weeks beforehand and was written on cue cards.  But still it was that personal touch that made a deep and obviously lasting impression on me.  If you too just happen to be feeling nostalgic for old-timey shows, check out these on TV PARTY and TV ACRES for some great campy ones. 

Domestic Indecision

Making curtains for the playhouse turned out to be harder than I thought.  Not the sewing, but making the choices.  It should've been easy, but the problem was, that I just couldn't make up my mind.  It's hard when you LOVE everything you see.   The funny thing was though, that when all was said and done we decided plain white was best with windows that face the sun all day.  Boring yes, but no fading.  So, I stitched them up and we hung them.  I'll have to wait to get a picture though, because The Mister is busy painting the floor at this exact moment. 

Love Letters

Another Monday morning. 

I'm on my second cup of tea and flipping through my idea scrapbooks.  Valentine's Day is tomorrow.  That sure snuck up fast didn't it? Some things to share for inspiration . . .

Click on images to enlarge.

How I love this wire tabletop tree. It's from Country Home magazine 2004 (Jan-Feb issue).   

Next picture.  Love this: Toile glued to the top of a heart-shaped candy box.  Takes it to another level.  I wish someone would come out with a plain heart-shaped box we could decorate or decoupage and fill with cookies or candy.  You know, like the brown craft hat-boxes and other things you can buy now.  I can think of quite a few things I could do with them. 

Lavender filled heart sachets are always fun to make and give. And the cake decorations! Just paper hearts on beaded wire. You must have to bend the ends up to hold the beads on, no directions but easy to figure out.

Wish I could find a vintage ruby-red cake stand like this one though.

And speaking of cake stands...I'm still pining away for this one. 

All from Martha By Mail.  Yes, I do confess to saving just a "few" of those amazing catalogs.

This one, from 2000; is STILL a source of inspiration and painful longing.  

 

Enjoy the eye candy.

November Notes

There's been minimal crafting and sewing this past week as I get back on top of laundry, housework, and cooking again.  A cold snap has us pulling on our sweaters and jeans and warm socks.  I've been busy, but really don't have a lot to show for it, creatively speaking anyway.  Except for this sweet-smelling bowl of autumn potpourri in the hall.  A blend of cinnamon and citrus--quite lovely!