Tea Stands for Tuesday - 11/28/17

When Peets comes out with their yearly Holiday Blend of coffee beans I know it is time to kick off the season.   That beautiful red bag may be all the decoration I need.

We are busy making plans to host Christmas Dinner for the family at the River House.  There will be at least 13 of us, maybe a couple more.  What are your plans for the holidays?

The house is well designed for a large group, there is easy flow from room to room.  The front porch is generous in size as well.  We have pretty mild weather compared to a lot of the country so it us usable year round.  It is protected should it rain but if it is windy it will chase everyone in.  

This is what the river looks like right now.  That is a draw bridge that I'm looking under to take the photo.  The bridge marks the south end of our property.The local rice harvest finished last month and there are lots of birds in the vicinity.  I think they nest under the bridge.

Bring your drink and go with me to Elizabeth's blog to check on others who show up on Tuesday's for Tea.

Neighborhood Walk - 11/27/17

When I go for my morning walk I see quite a few plants still in blossom.  I don't know the names of the plants so if you do please tell me.

This plant seems to flower year round.  It makes a long hedge next to one side of a home.  Very cheerful.

Another plant that blossoms most of the year.  Thick stems and leaves, very sturdy looking.

This on I know.  Figs!  It is a beautiful big old tree.  Branches such as this one hang over the fence and above the sidewalk.  Tempting!

This beautiful lily is new to me.  There were about half a dozen planted along a fence line.  It grows similar to a "Naked Lady" lily but I've never seen this lovely color combo before.

These photo's were taken yesterday.  There will be no walking for me this morning as it is pouring rain.  What is the weather like in your neighborhood this morning?

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving

I made this little fellow years ago.  He comes out to celebrate with us every year at this time.  I'm thankful for the friends I've made here on the internet over the years.  I hope you have a wonderful day whether you celebrate this U.S. holiday or not.

Leonora Carrington - female artist

Leonora Carrington  (6 April 1917 – 25 May 2011) was an English-born Mexican artist, surrealist painter, and novelist. She lived most of her adult life in Mexico City, and was one of the last surviving participants in the Surrealist movement of the 1930s. Leonora Carrington was also a founding member of the Women’s Liberation Movement in Mexico during the 1970s.  (source:  Wikipedia)

Carrington left home at an early age and became the muse/mistress of Max Earnst.

I only recently discovered she was a writer as well as painter.  I'm interested in reading her book.  Unfortunately my library doesn't list it so it might be hard to find.

“Her stories are vivid, funny and surprisingly fresh . . . [combining] satire with surrealist situations to deftly mock the pomposity of organized religion, sexual repression or the endless forms of bureaucratic hypocrisy and ineptitude.” the new york times

Tea Stands for Tuesday - 11/14/17

Tuesday morning and if you are familiar with my blog you know what that means.  It is time to get together with friends over at the Altered Book Lover blog.

Coffee is ready and you can see someone has been drinking it.

Saw this on my morning walk.   I think I need this sign outside my door. 

napkins marked Hallmark - 69 cents for the package

I recently stopped at a thrift store on a whim.  Not looking for (or needing) anything in particular.  I found this package of napkins.  I thought they were unusual and so they are going in my stash of mixed media art supplies.

metal lunch pail - $1.19

I also found this small colorful lunch pail.

One of the little people in my life is sure to like it.  

Spent very little but amused myself.   

November knitting

I had a lot of fun knitting this top for the 4 yo GGDaughter.  The minute I saw the pattern I knew it was something I wanted to make.  I could hardly wait to get my yarn and get going.

The pattern is called Azel Pullover, it is available on Ravelry.  There is also a cute picture of it being worn there.  

I used Malabrego yarn, the colorway is closest to the second picture.  The pattern calls for a Bernat acrylic which is pretty widely available.  

This was a fast knit - as far as knitting goes - and made me smile every day that I worked on it.

Tea Stands for Tuesday - 11/7/17

 This Tuesday finds us at the river house.  We had a bit of rain, just enough to knock the dust off things and the leaves off the trees.

Since the time change on the past Sunday my sleep pattern has been a little confused.  However, I am once again able to drink my coffee on the porch while I watch the sunrise.   

Here's a view of the river from our bank taken a few days ago.  The blue sky is temporarily grey at the moment.

I hope you are enjoying your Tuesday.  I will be checking in with Elizabeth and the folks who get together for tea (or drink of choice) every Tuesday.  You are always welcome.

first day of November - poem

Good Morning.  I know it isn't the first day of November but it is the first Monday of the month.  This is the season to settle in at home.  Knit a bit, read a little poetry, make some soup.

 "Monday"
by Cindy Gregg

On this first day of November

it is cold as a cave,
the sky the color
of neutral third parties.
I am cutting carrots
for the chicken soup.

Knife against carrot
again and again
sends a plop of pennies
into the pan.
These cents,
when held to the gray light,
hold no noble president,
only stills
of some kaleidoscope
caught being pensive
and beautiful,
in the eye of this beholder,
who did not expect
this moment of marvel
while making an early supper
for the hungry children. 

Second on the Second - 11/2/17

I'm a little late to the party this morning.  You know how some days are slow like that don't you?  It isn't too late though to join me at Altered Book Lover to see who else posted today.

I chose this post to bring back while I was looking through some of my old card making ideas.  Do you have any card inspiration for me?

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2010

Three Muses Challenge - Odd Couple

This weeks 3 Muses challenge theme is "Odd Couple"

In keeping with the season I made this card.



Copy of an old photo from my box of Mystery People, a few paper scraps from some advertising. You might have to enlarge the photo to notice the cigar in his hand. I love some of the details in these old pictures.

Friends are coming for a pre-holiday dinner on Tuesday. I'm going to attach the card to a box of truffles for a small holiday gift.

Día de los Muertos

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

Over the years I've made a number of these talismans.  In this case I used a 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.  

Do you ever find interesting things while out walking?