Hope your Holidays are going well

Tea Stands for Tuesday 12/18/18

Hope this Tuesday morning finds you well.  Are you covered in tinsel or wrapping paper?  We will be celebrating Christmas with the family at the river house so no decorating done here.  It all happens there.

I sorted out some pens and pencils while I drank my tea.  I'm sure there is another container of pens somewhere.  

mixed media on 8x10 canvas board

All shall be well

and all shall be well

and all manner of things shall be well.

Julian of Norwich

This is my wish for all of you this holiday season.

Please join me in visiting Elizabeth's tea party this morning.

Neighborhood Walk - 12/17/18

I haven't posted a neighborhood walk for a long time.  Partly because my walking route has been the scene of ugly construction.  Partly because I've been lazy.  Not lazy about walking - I've been out there.  Lazy about posting.  So lets go.....

Part of the demolition of old/construction of new included this store.  An Amazon 4-star store.  I haven't been inside because I walk early before shops open.  I had to google it because I had no idea what it was.  Basically things that on Amazon rate 4 stars or higher.  I think Amazon is taking over the world.

This part of my usual walk is unchanged.  They have put up nice minimal Christmas decorations.  The streets are damp from last nights rain but it is supposed to clear up today.

The landscapers keep the area very nice.  I notice they have planted cyclamen in lots of nooks and crannies.  Cyclamen happen to be one of my favorite flowers.

That pretty much brings you up to date on my walks.  Have you taken a walk in your neighborhood lately?

Tea Stands for Tuesday - 12/11/18

Happy Tuesday to my friends at the Altered Book Lover blog. We're into winter here - although out winters are mild compared to many. Winter for me is basically an excuse to stay inside, drink tea and read as many books as I can.  I'm drinking some Irish Breakfast Tea this morning.

This novel is a dose of "feel good"  There are interesting characters. There is a bit of enchantment, some might call it a modern day fairy tale but don't be put off by that.  The story contains tragic loss, the necessary bad guy and the unique loving relationships that prevail.

Perfect winter read.  

Now if you have a book recommendation please let me know.

Second on the Second - 12/2/18

On the second of every month my blogging friend Elizabeth invites us to bring an old post back for a second look.  I have made a few of these snowflakes every year since I discovered them.  They look complicated but are easy if you just follow the directions.  They are a nice big size, something you might hang in a window instead of on the tree.  Be sure to check Elizabeth's blog to see what others consider worth a second look.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2012

Making Snowflakes

I know I said I wasn't going to get into Christmas stuff until after Thanksgiving.  I did go through some project ideas thinking about what I might like to make this year though.  These snowflakes are on the top of my list.

copy paper snowflake

I made quite a few of these last year. They are made out of regular copy paper, are fairly large and since they are so easy to make I just recycled last years supply instead of trying to figure out how to store them. These are easy. They are cheap. They are fun. Want to make some?

 For written directions click here.

To watch a video click here.  You might want to turn your volume down.

Have fun!

Happy Thanksgiving

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Harper’s Weekley’s “Uncle Sam’s Thanksgiving Dinner,” from November 1869, by Thomas Nast. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA.

Tea Stands for Tuesday - 11/20/18

It is beginning to feel like winter here.  I've been drinking tea and thumbing through my knitting books for inspiration.

Here is a hat I recently finished.  I am trying to use up some yarn I have left from other projects.  Hats seem the easiest way to use bits and pieces.

There are so many books full of inspiration.  Surely I'll find a suitable project.  If you knit, tell me what you have on the needles.

While I ponder patterns, lets hop on over to Altered Book Lover and see what is happening at the tea party.

Art Journal Journey - Vintage or Modern

It isn't often that I am able to participate in challenges.  I hope I'm doing this one right.  My choice for entry at Art Journal Journey is "Vintage".

"Vintage Fashion"

Mixed Media on 8x10 canvas board

For the background I used newspaper, old sewing pattern paper and some vintage fashion images I had from who knows where.  I used acrylic paints.

My intent when doing this work was to try a new to me resist.  You see those 4 smaller images?  I covered them with Vaseline.  Yep!  Then I covered them with the green acrylic - painting right over the Vaseline.  When the paint was tacky but not dry I wiped over the sections I had covered and the paint came right off.  I then carefully removed any remaining Vaseline with a soft cloth.  I read about this method ages ago - sorry don't recall where.  It was fun and I think rather successful.

So... that's my long Vintage entry.

Tea Stands for Tuesday - 11/13/19

It is Tuesday.  Is everyone ready for a tea party?  Elizabeth is hosting the party as she does faithfully every week.  Join us, you will find a great group of people who post nearly every Tuesday
.

I pulled out a vintage tea cup for my tea this morning.  It seemed to fit the book I'm going to tell you about.  Doesn't everyone match their cup to their reading material?

My friend Laurie (blog here) writes book reviews.  Sometimes she generously passes books on to me.  This came in the mail recently.  Her review made me want to sit right down and read it.

"Harry's Trees"

Jon Cohen.

This is a magical book, a perfect break from out troubled times. Below is a bit from Laurie's review.  She says it much better than I can.

"It’s a brilliant story, a fairy tale on a modern scale, where the trees are as important as the people, where a little girl with a red coat is the bravest, and where the Wolf talks to the dog. The writing made me feel like the world was illuminated with golden light despite the people who were greedy. I was so sad when the book ended; not because it ends sadly but because I had to walk away from that world. Five stars." 

What book would you recommend?

Veterans Day 2018

Thinking of our Veterans today 

Second on the Second 11/2/18

The Second on the Second is celebrated at Elizabeth's blog on the second day of every month   You are invited to bring an old post to the top for a second look.  This is one I posted in 2011 and I thought it would be fun to look at it again.  Be sure to visit Elizabeth to see what others consider worth a second look

Día de los Muertos

Día de los Muertos is widely celebrated in the latin community here.  I decided to make a talisman to recognize the day in my own way.

I think if you click on the picture you can enlarge it.

I really enjoy making what I call Rubble Art. Just the usual tin can lid, pull tabs, scrap paper and some beads. I actually found this string of beads in the gutter - maybe it was originally a bracelet. Anyhow, I knew I wanted to use them in some way.

Have you found anything interesting laying in the street lately?

Happy Halloween 2018

Happy Halloween to those who celebrate.

knitted dishcloths - vintage Halloween postcard

Catechism for a Witch’s Child

When they ask to see your gods

your book of prayers

show them lines

drawn delicately with veins

on the underside of a bird’s wing

tell them you believe

in giant sycamores mottled

and stark against a winter sky

and in nights so frozen

stars crack open spilling

streams of molten ice to earth

and tell them how you drink

a holy wine of honeysuckle

on a warm spring day

and of the softness

of your mother who never taught you

death was life’s reward

but who believed in the earth

and the sun

and a million, million light years

of being


- J.L.Stanley

Tea Stands for Tuesday 10/30/18

Good morning.  As we gather for tea at Elizabeth's this morning, I so wish it could be in person.  Do you ever feel that way?  

Mighty Leaf Tea

Chamomile Citrus

Sorry for the rather blurry picture.  Most of you know I get my coffee at Peets but did you know I also like their tea selection?  On my last visit I brought home their Chamomile Citrus tea in the loose leaf version.  That's what I'm having this morning.  You can also get their tea in teabags of course.  

Butternut Squash and Kale

This was dinner last night.  I don't watch much television but I do like a few of the cooking shows.  The recipe for this comes from The Pioneer Woman Cooks show.  Easy and tastes like Autumn. Are there any other fans of her show out there?  It probably isn't available outside the U.S. but I'm not sure.

Hope everyone who celebrates is ready for a Happy and Safe Halloween tomorrow.

Dangerous Pockets Project

I plan to join this art collaboration. I'll be muddling up some ideas. Information is on Facebook and I know some folks don't use Facebook but if you do, check it out.

In any case, be sure to read the poem at the bottom of this page.

click for Facebook page.

Dangerous Coats

Someone clever once said

Women were not allowed pockets

In case they carried leaflets

To spread sedition

Which means unrest

To you and me

A grandiose word

For commonsense

Fairness

Kindness

Equality

So ladies, start sewing

Dangerous coats

Made of pockets & sedition

by Sharon Owens

Tea Stands for Tuesday - 10/23/18

October is such a beautiful month in Northern California.  We continue to spend quite a bit of our time at the river.

This fine hen appeared in our yard over a week ago.  Our yard is fenced and we have no idea where she came from.  She's laid four eggs during her visit though.  She likes to come right up on the front porch and chat with us.

I've been trying different teas.  Mostly using what I have on hand.

Have you tried any of these teas for the condition described?  

Thing morning I added peppermint leaves to some standard black tea.  Guess I must have been feeling "sluggish", LOL!

I'm off to join the group for tea at Altered Book Lover this morning. Won't you join me?

Knitted scarf

I'm attempting to finish some knitting projects and get pictures posted.  This is a scarf I knitted for DH.  It is wonderfully soft and squishy.  Perfect for fall weather.

Tea Stands for Tuesday 10/9/18

I am late to the tea party at Elizabeth's this morning.  Still, I want to drop in and say hello to all my friends there and see what they are doing these days.

Meal Ticket

One of our favorite places for breakfast is closing.  We had to have one more meal there before they shut the doors.  The space will reopen as a bar-b-que place.  I doubt we will be customers.  

\

Since I missed taking a drink picture with my meal, I'll give you a look at my desk this morning,

Along with Tea on Tuesday, it is the morning my informal knitting group meets.  I am ready to tackle a new project.  I have something in mind but I'll see where the patterns and yarn take me when I get to my yarn store.

Hope everyone is having a happy and productive Tuesday.

September knitting

Earlier in the year I set myself a challenge.  I wanted to learn to knit Fair Isle mittens.  

They took me quite a long time to finish.  I had to be in a place of peace and quiet so I could concentrate.  I did do some less complex knitting in between times working on these.

This is said to be a traditional "selbu" pattern.  I think the points on the mitten top and on the thumbs relate to that.

Even though I struggled at times, overall I enjoyed the process.  I may even knit another pair at some point.

Tea Stands for Tuesday - 9/18/18

Once again I'm in an area where I have internet and I'm very happy to be able to join the Tea Tuesday group at Elizabeth's blog.  I've missed you!

This is my routine set up for tea at the River House.  I am pretty sure you've seen the teapot, cup and tea canister before.  But you haven't seen the cute green " T " holder for loose tea leaves.  My friend Ardi (who sometimes comments here) sent it to me awhile ago.  She said it reminded her of me and Tea Stands for Tuesday. I smile every time I use it.

While I don't like being without internet at the river,  I do like having my own studio space.  I'll be posting a few things I created this summer.

River View

Acrylic on wrapped canvas  

This is much larger than I usually work.  I don't remember the dimensions but here it is on a chair just to give you an idea.

Books: Day 5

"The Enigma of Arrival: A Novel in Five Sections"

by 

V.S. Naipaul

Books: Day 4

Book number 4

"Orchestrated Death"

Cynthia Harrod-Eagles






***  This is the first in a series with the Bill Slider character. I believe there are 19 books out now.  I recommend them all.

Books - Day 3

"Being Mortal:  Medicine and What Matters in the End"
by Atul Gawande

Books: Day 2

"Pilgrim at Tinker Creek"  by Annie Dillard

7 Days of Books - Book 1

I was tagged ( in another forum) by my friend Ardi to post a favorite book a day for seven days.  No comments, just the name of the book and the author.  I'm not tagging anyone but I'd be curious if anyone has read and liked the books I do.

Day 1:  "Anthony Adverse" by Hervey Allen.

Tea Stands for Tuesday - 9/4/18

It seems hard to believe it is September already.  September and October are usually beautiful months in our area.  

Hot weather found me drinking juice while I tried to create something.  I'll be posting some of summer projects.  Lets start with these two.

mixed media

8 x 12 canvas board

There were lots of hummingbirds around to model for me.

 mixed media

8 x 12 canvas board

Some fantasy flowers, just because I like the colors.

Now it is time to visit Elizabeth's blog and find out what my Tea friends have been up to.  Why don't you join me there?

Happy Labor Day

Happy Labor Day

Today is Labor Day here in the U.S.  The last day of a three day weekend and for most folks it marks the unofficial end of summer. 

This is according to the Dept. of Labor. "Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

*Heilig Theater*

I thought it would be interesting to talk about our first job.  My first real job was as an usherette at the *Heilig Theater*  I worked part time there during high school.  My Father didn't really want me to work but I wanted to so he made a deal with me, I could work if I put half my pay check in saving.  Something I did religiously.  Since I was paid 35 cents an hour I can't say my savings account was ever huge but I added to it with every paycheck.

I have fond memories of that time.  Being an usherette at one of the two major movie theaters in town was considered rather glamorous and a plum job for a teenager. It was back in the day when movie theaters had a door man and usherettes wore a uniform and carried a flashlight.  When a major new film was being shown there was often a waiting line behind a big red satin rope in the lobby.  

Our uniforms were quite attractive if a bit military looking.  Usherettes had a dressing room to use to change from our street clothes.  It was located behind the stage and complete with fancy mirrors. lights and all. I think it was left over from the days when the theater actually held live productions.

Do you remember your first job?  Like it or hate it?

*** this was previously posted on my old (archived) blog.

August flowers

Have you noticed the days getting shorter?  I notice it in the morning since I'm an early riser.  Well, it is the middle of August after all.

I have a bouquet of "Naked Lady" lilies on the dining table.  They grow pretty much everywhere in our neighborhood.  Sometimes I think they grow best where neglected.  We have a patch of them along the back fence.  A nice bit of color.

How is your garden this August?

Tea Stands for Tuesday 8/14/18

Good Morning Tea Friends.  It has been quite some time since I joined you.  I hope you saved me a place at the table.

Crepe Myrtle in bloom

I spent most of the summer sipping my tea or other drink right here on the porch of the River House.

DH and I both celebrated birthdays this summer.  Lots of family joined us.  These chairs were gifts.  It took the Grandsons quite awhile to assemble them (smile).

This is the other end of the porch.  We made good use of all of it this summer.

I'm looking forward to checking Elizabeth's blog and catching up with all my tea party friends.

Hello? Hello?

Yes, it has been almost two months since I posted here.  I knew it was awhile but didn't know it was that long until I checked.

I'm sure some of you will recognize this diagram

That, and the fact that we've spent much of the summer at the river without internet, pretty much explains it.

Thanks to those of my online friends who checked on me.  I'll be around more now that the end of summer is coming up.

Tea Stands for Tuesday - 6/19/18

The last day at the river for a bit.  I was determined to get a photo for today's "tea".  Actually I'm ready to make coffee.  See the Melitta pot there on the left?  I like the kitchen at the house but I really don't like the electric stove.  I'm a cookin' with gas sorta gal.

Meanwhile outside.....

It was a great day to be outdoors yesterday.  Not too hot.  I spotted several Monarch butterflies while sitting on the porch.

Aren't they spectacular with their polka dot edges?

As we started down one of the back roads that leads to the highway we were confronted with this huge oak tree across the road.  Photo taken from car.  It must have just happened as there were no warning signs out.  We had to turn around and take an alternate route.  I was surprised.  A tree down is something I might expect in the winter but not the summer.

Not lets go over to Elizabeth's blog and see what adventures everyone else has been having.