Potpourri

It's been busy and noisy around here.
The kitties have been hiding on the bed under the covers or under my feet.

I have a new roof -- just in time for the winter storm warnings.

New covers for the outdoor faucets.

A new toilet (the old one was leaning).

Some other minor *stuff* that was bugging me. 

I thought as long as the guys were here -- I'd put them to work.

**

Talking about winter storms -- how about another snowman?!

Reproduction vintage postcard - no artist or date listed.

He seems so happy -- his feathered and furry friends too.

I love his sandals! 

(Sandals and gloves sounds like the Gulf Coast.)

Too bad all our winter storms aren't this happy.

Thanks to Beth for hosting Postcard Friendship Friday each week.

***

My Christmas decorations are finally put away.

Valentine's Day is just around the corner.

While it is cold and miserable outside, I think I'll hook some hearts!

One large hot pad heart and a smaller one in the works.

Cotton yarn, doubled...hard on the fingers, but a quick project.

I'm using stash yarn - Sugar 'N Cream - hot pink and white.

The pattern is from a Leisure Arts leaflet 2741.

Houston is all iced in.

There are still folks who are trying to drive on the icy freeways.

Not me! 

I'm happy to stay at home with the kitties, hot tea, a good book or two, with plenty of yarn.

Thank you to Nancy for hosting Random Five Friday.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Potpourri

It's Friday.

Another week has flown by.

My Christmas trees are still up, but the outdoor decorations are put away.

I spent a lot of time making sure outdoor pipes were ready for our hard freeze.

**

Now that the temps are on the rise, the rain is here and a drip has arrived, too.
This one is in the fireplace.
I have a call in to the roofer.

***
I LOVE mail-call.

Information for the Liberate Your Art Swap for 2014 is up.
I participated last year and I'm going to do so again this year.
Last year I handmade my postcards.
They were all different images.
In theory we should hear from those who receive our cards.
I only heard from two.
So, this year I made my postcards at Moo -- they did a wonderful job.
And, only one image.
I'm ready to go as soon as the postcard rates change and the stamps are available.

****

Another reproduction vintage postcard featuring a snowman.
I'm getting the idea that the postcard theme for the month is Snowmen! 

The artist is unknown as is the publishing date.

I really like this one.

You think the little girl and the birds are looking forward to spring?

Thanks to Beth for hosting Postcard Friendship Friday each week.

*****

For all you purple lovers.

Did you know the Pantone color of the year for 2014 is Radiant Orchid?

Thanks to Nancy for hosting.

Wishing you well and much joy!

Potpourri

Happy New Year!

I'm still trying to figure out where 2013 went.

Yes, my Christmas tree(s) is still up and will be until at least January 6.


It's so nice to have Nancy back with Random Five.

** 

One of the things I look forward to over the holidays is lunch.

Lunch, you ask?!!

Yep, I have lunch with my friends --
 folks that this year I will make an effort to see more often.

(Resolution Number One and maybe my only one.)

One never knows what will happen at lunch.

It can become an adventure.

Like firetrucks and ambulances and driving down and around streets

 I had never heard of to get out of the traffic jam.

Pulling into someone's driveway to call my pal
 and say "Guess what -- the restaurant is closed".

We did get our lunch.

***

This was the year that I rediscovered watercolor.
What fun!
Here are a couple of my favorites.

This is Hastings. I made him up. Perhaps I'm looking for him in the real world!

This doesn't have a title. I did frame it for myself.

****

Last year, after discovering a box of crafty goodies that were my Mother's,

I said I was going to "get these things made instead of buying new projects".

The box is still on my list of things to do and I bought new projects.

I'm not good at resolutions.

I read something in an AARP email that made a lot of sense to me.

Rather than resolving to change myself, 

why not embrace myself.

Embrace my age, love my shape, my looks, everything about the way I am now.

The essence of positive aging.

And yes, I'll try to live healthier.

Perhaps I now have a word for the year: Embrace! 

*****

To all my friends who are living with snow and ice (UGH),

here's a vintage reproduction postcard for you.

The original artist is unknown, 

but it is believed the card was published around 1912.

I'd like to believe these young fellows are wishing us a happy start to the young new year.

Thank you to Beth for hosting Postcard Friendship Friday.

Wishing you well and much joy!

Potpourri

It is warming up around here -- high 70's.

I did learn something during our last cold snap:

When your car tells you it is cold (low outside temperature),

it really is cold.

**

Speaking of frosty air, here is
another reproduction vintage postcard.
The artist was Margaret Evans Price and it was published around 1922.

"I part my casement curtains

And place my candle there

To flash a Christmas Message

Across the frosty air."

Thank you to the lovely Beth for hosting Postcard Friendship Friday.

***

One of my photos was featured at Focusing On Life.

I've been smiling all week.

How cool is that?!!!

****

On my last visit to the Farmer's Market I came home with

beets, turnips and strawberries.

I can't bring anything home without the kitties checking it out.

In addition, I brought home this lovely bowl.

(No, Mina -- it isn't your new food bowl.)

I got an early Christmas present for myself and made a donation to a good cause.

The bowl was created by a local artist and donated to Empty Bowls Houston,

benefitting the Houston Food Bank. They raised $2,365 at the Farmer's Market.

 This will provide 7,095 meals to the hungry!

*

I've watched White Christmas three times so far.
Scrooge was on last night as was The Christmas Carol.
Looking for The Bishops Wife and then my holiday movie watching will be complete.

*

Last, but not least -- Random Five Friday is back!
YeeHaw!
Thank you, Nancy!

Wishing all of YOU well and much joy!

Potpourri

It's Friday!

This week has really flown by.

Time for some this and that with a little randomness thrown in. 

*

Believe it or not, I never had a Barbie doll. 

**

Halloween is just around the corner.
I'm keeping my eye on some Halloween decorations at my favorite gift shop.
Hoping one or more of my favorites will be 50% off one day!

***

But, if I really told the truth -- the best reason to visit the gift shop is the *manager*, Lucy!

Isn't she cute!!!!!
Talk about a perpetual motion machine.

****


I'm going to join another challenge in November ...
Art Every Day Month.
I've been looking at some of my art and craft books.
I'd like to try some new techniques.
This should be a good way to use up some of the *stuff* I have.



*****

Here's another reproduction Halloween postcard.

The artist of the original postcard was Ellen Hattie Clapsaddle (January 8, 1865 - January 7, 1934) an American illustrator/commercial artist in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Not only is her style greatly admired and well recognized, today she is recognized as the most prolific souvenir/postcard and greeting card artist of her era. From the Halloween Postcard Book published by Darling & Co., Seattle.

Thank you to the lovely Beth for hosting Postcard Friendship Friday.

Thank you Nancy!

Wishing all of you well and much joy.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Potpourri

It's Friday.

A little this and that with a dash of randomness is called for.

*

I've been sort of blah this week.

Our wedding anniversary was Tuesday.

We would have been married 30 years.

I call it our legal anniversary as we lived together several years before we married.

Gosh, darn it all.

I seem to miss Mr. Dragon more each day.

Life has gotten easier -- more used to him not being here.

But my heart still cries out to him.

**
Now for some fun.
Halloween is just around the corner.
It's been awhile since I've shared a postcard.

This is a reproduction postcard from a book of Halloween postcards

published by Darling and Company, Seattle.

Thank you to the lovely Beth for hosting Postcard Friendship Friday.

***

Here's my version of a happy witch.

I really do enjoy playing with water color.

The witch and the cat both look like they've been hitting the hard cider a little too much.

Those eyes!!!

****

The weather has been lovely.

Teddy and I have been sitting on the balcony watching the world go by.

Cassie and Mina haven't been interested in sitting with us.

That's fine.

I'm afraid that Mina would see a squirrel and she'd be over the edge in a flash!

She's an action first and think about it after kind of girl. 

*****

Another lovely day today and I'm going to take advantage.

Off to the Japanese Garden and the Zoo!

YeeHaw!

Thank you Nancy!

Wishing all of YOU well and much joy.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Potpourri

It's Friday.

Time for some randomness with a little this and that.

*

What a beautiful week.

It started off with the first real cool front of the season.

Off I went to the Japanese Garden.

The azaleas are a bit confused -- they were blooming!

**

Then it was off to the zoo where they are busy decorating for Zoo Boo

and for Holiday Lights.

What do you do with a dead tree?

You carve it with a small chain saw into chimps climbing on a tree!

Located just in front of the entrance to the chimp habitat.

***

I have one more Christmas tree to crochet and my Christmas hot pads are all finished.

I started sending off the Halloween hot pads to their new homes.

I have yarn left over from the afghans I made several years ago.

I had to try out the Bavarian crochet pattern -- also called Catherine's Wheel. 

It took some frogging before I was comfortable with the pattern.

It reminds me a little of the cathedral window quilting pattern.

****

I have a list of books to look for when I make my run to Barnes and Noble today.

Top of the list -- the new Bill Bryson -- One Summer in American: 1927.

*****

The cool front didn't last very long.

The heat and humidity are back.

Next cool front is due in late next week.

Another trip to the Japanese Garden and Zoo is planned.

Thanks, Nancy!

******

Wishing all of YOU well and much joy!

Potpourri

It's Friday and that means this and that with a little randomness!

*

Our first real cool front of the season arrives this weekend.

I am more than ready, although, to be honest --

this summer hasn't been near as hot as some.

I just like cooler weather.

It makes for good walking and picture taking.

And, a trip to the zoo!

**

It's been a fun week.

I have several events to share.

The kids who lived across the street were in town for a wedding.

We had brunch at Union Kitchen.

What fun we had catching up.

The time flew and soon we were hugging our goodbyes.

Until the next time.

***

The Women's Athletic Advisory Board held a fund raiser

for women's athletics at Rice.

Teams competed at trivia -- a pretty good mix of Rice trivia and regular.

Answers had to be written in a blue book (of course) ... remember those?!!!

And sections were divided into History 101,

English 202 -- you get the idea.

Money was raised.

The food and drink were good.

Lots of laughs.

Looking forward to next year already!

****

I'm getting a hair cut today.

Two weeks late (I cancelled because of my cold) and I'm looking pretty shaggy.

*****

I'm taking an online class with Juliette Crane -- Serendipity.

The class is a year long and started mid-September.

Here's one of my little girls.

She's a sea sprite.

She keeps her hair short so that she doesn't get tangled up in sea weed when

she plays with her friends, the sea horses and fish, or is out looking for treasure

(she really likes gold).

She is an sprite, so she is an imp, but she does have her serious side.

She listens carefully to the universe with her heart. 

It is a fun class.

I love painting with my fingers. 

Thank you, Nancy!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Have a great weekend.

Potpourri

It's Friday.

Time for a little this and that.

A little randomness.

*
A few coolish mornings here (high 60s) and that means I can get out and walk.
Yippee!
A few walks up to my village and some window shopping.

**

I noticed on my walks that the trees were talking/singing.
The breeze was wonderful and the sound in the leaves -- listen carefully.
Singing!

***

I've been working on Potholders for Christmas.
A Christmas Wreath

and Christmas Trees.
I have a few more to do.

****

Pumpkins are starting to show up at the grocery stores.
I'm starting to think about Pumpkin rolls, Pumpkin Bread, Pumpkin Soup.
Jack-O-Lanterns

*****
Plans for the weekend:
Football, decorating for Halloween/Autumn, more crochet, some reading
and, of course, playing with the kitties.


Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Potpourri

It's Friday and that means it's time for a little this and that

and some random thoughts with Nancy.

*

I'm sure you are getting tired of me saying it is hot.

I'm getting tired of saying it is hot.

I think that's why I went overboard this week buying magazines that had lots of pretty autumn pics. 

**

The first home football game for Rice U is this weekend.

It is an evening game -- thank goodness!

***

I feel sorry for myself because I have a cold. 

I've been curled up on the couch surrounded by kitties.

I got up to replenish my tea and there was Minnie Mina taking over Mummy's spot on the couch. 

****

I think I have successfully figured out Bavarian crochet.

I'm making a hot pad -- using Bavarian stitch and yarn leftovers from last Christmas.

When it's done, I'll share.

*****

I am reading HOW THE LIGHT GETS IN by Louise Penny.

It is wonderful. I'm half way through and made myself stop.

I could have read it in one day.

I slowed down to savor each word.

I love the world of Three Pines and Inspector Gamache.

If you haven't read this series, do it.

Start with the first one, STILL LIFE

Enjoy! 

******

Only 50 days until Halloween! 

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Potpourri

It's Friday!

Time for Five Random Things with Nancy.

*

My crochet for Halloween is almost finished.

I have one more ghost to make and I think I'm done.

I found the pattern for the ghost hot pads at Moms Love of Crochet.

Even if I do say so myself, they are cute!

**

Michael's had yarn on sale.

Perfect, I thought.

I could get all the yarn I needed for my Halloween projects.

Wrong.

They didn't have the colors I needed.

I ended up ordering Lily Sugar N Cream yarn from Dick Blick!

The cheapest online that I could find. 

***

The new cat toy of the week -- a small empty cat food box that I placed a few toys into.

Something a little different to keep them interested -- for 10 minutes! 

****

Are you ready for football?!!!!

It's that time.

*****

Yes, it is UGHust and the hot and humid is back.

Hope everyone has a fun filled Labor Day weekend.

Don't Labor too hard!

Wishing YOU well and much joy.

Potpourri

It's Friday.

Time to look back on the week and join Nancy with Five Random Things.

*

I have a new dentist.

I decided it was crazy to drive half way across town to have my teeth cleaned

when I live in an area (near the medical center) where there are dozens of dentists to pick from.

To make the story short ... I like her!

And I like the hygienist.

And, when the weather is nice, I can walk to my appointment and have lunch after.

Sounds like a good deal to me.

**

The kitty toy of choice right now is the common, ordinary drink straw.

YeeHaw!

***

August was the month for doctor appointments.

Cassie and Mina both had their annual exams and were very good girls at the vet office.

I had my eyes checked today.

I have a family history of glaucoma and have my pressure checked very six months.

I passed again.

****

I am crocheting some Halloween hot pads.

Here is the pumpkin.

Cute!

I'm working on some ghosts and will share them next week!

*****

I can't complain much about the weather ... except still no rain.

The heat this UGHust hasn't been as bad as past years, but UGHust isn't over yet!

Now, if it would rain ... lightly ... for several days ... that would be nice!

Thanks for dropping by.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Potpourri

It's Friday.

Time to look back on the week

and join Nancy for Random Five Friday.

*
I love mini-carnations.
They are cheap.
They are pretty.
They last a long time.
And, they smell good.

**
I really like Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream.
Yum Yum Yum!!!

***

I love books.

I love to read.

My current read is Breakfast with Buddha by Roland Merullo.

This novel has been in my TBR stack for years.

I have no idea why I kept putting it off.

Now that I've started it, I can't wait to sit down and read.

At the same time, I don't want it to end.

I've quite enjoyed my trip across country with Otto Ringling and Rinpoche

having good American fun!

Otto is tricked into taking his sister's guru on a trip to their childhood home.

Six days on the road with a holy man and a skeptic was definitely not in the plan.

Otto gets to see his world  through someone else's eyes --  Hersey Chocolate,

miniature golf, to a bowling alley, to a yoga lesson and more.

Wonderful.

A real delight.

A keeper!

****

I've been crocheting for Halloween.

Pictures next week!

*****

It's hot.

 We have had some rain this week although we are more than 10 inches below our normal.

Every little bit helps.

We will get a short break from the heat with morning lows in the lower 70s as a very

unusual cold front stalls and brings some north wind to the area.

Potpourri

Friday means a few Random Things ...

a little This and That.

Thank you Nancy for hosting.

*

I just finished reading BRING UP THE BODIES by Hilary Mantel.

BRING UP THE BODIES follows Mantel's Booker Prize winning novel, WOLF HALL and continues the story of Henry VIII seen through the eyes of Thomas Cromwell. Katherine, Henry's first wife has died and Anne becomes the center of attention. Henry wonders that he has spent the best part of his life with Anne and only has one child and that child, a daughter. No one likes Anne. She is the focus of gossip and malice. Henry wants her brought down and he has already chosen her successor.

Perhaps I am now used to Mantel's writing style as I found BRING UP THE BODIES much easier to read. Seeing the story unfold from Cromwell's side is very different from the usual novel of the period. Mantel suggests that several of the men executed as lovers of Anne may have been selected as victims because of their part in the downfall of Cardinal Wolsey. Who knows? Being an advisor to Henry definitely takes a man of great skill and courage.

I'm looking forward to part 3 of the tale of Thomas Cromwell.


**

This is Alice Owl.

Isn't she cute?!

Love her eyelashes.

Meme Rose is having a CAL (Crochet-A-Long)

I've gone through my stash and picked out my yarn.

I'll report next week on how my Alice is coming along.

***

The plumeria are starting to bloom in the garden.
When they were first planted I had three different colors.
Then came a couple of bad freezes and Hurricane Ike.
I've pampered and babied them and thankfully, they don't mind the drought.

These are the first hints of what is to come.

YeeHaw!

****

I've been going to the gym with a good friend at 5 in the morning for our morning stroll

on the treadmill.

It is just too blooming hot to walk outside. 

UGH

But it is good for me/us. 

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

This and That

It is a day full of sunshine after several days of light rain.

We are still in drought conditions.

I'll take the rain.

Time for a little This and That.

A big thank you to Nancy for hosting. 

*

I cleaned out bird baths and fountains this morning.

After several days of light rain they really needed it. 

Fed the birds and noted that I need more bird food.

Have to keep the morning buffet going!

**

I spent some time with my BGD (beautiful god-daughter)

and her Knight in Shining Armor at my sista's new home.

It was lovely.

Precious time with people I love.

Sitting by the pool and watching the golfers go by.

***

The big neighborhood news this last week was the Grand Opening of

The Fresh Market.

They bill themselves as a selection of European type markets under one roof.

The atmosphere was lovely, classical music in the background, soft lighting.

The first thing that struck me was the amazing produce.

(I came home with heirloom tomatoes and Texas peaches.)

There is an Old World Butcher Shop, European Deli, Fresh Seafood, Imported Cheeses,

Gourmet Coffee (also a nice selection of Tea).

The Bakery -- Oh My! I came home with pineapple-coconut bread -- YUM.

Beer and Wine. 

If you need kitty litter or cleaning supplies this is not the place for you. 

You can order online and pick-up at the store or have your items delivered. 

My treat (besides the pineapple-coconut bread) was

tuna seaweed salad!

I love seaweed and only eat it when I go for dim sum every 4 or 5 years!

I bought the smallest amount I could just to see if I liked it 

and I thought it was delicious.

The next time I see it available, I'll get more. 

****

I'm still busy with the Index Card A Day challenge.

*****

The kitties continue to enjoy their nap on the new kitchen chairs.

Here's Cassie.

She is sitting on a receiving blanket.

When she was a kitten, I bought a set of receiving blankets and would wrap her up,

 sit her on my shoulder, and carry her around as she napped!

Little wonder that she's a Mummy's girl. 

She still finds comfort with her blankets and many days I'll find her

carrying one around the house with her.

I'm off to watch the Tour de France.

Wishing YOU well and much joy.

It's Friday!

It's Friday and that means it's time for some

Random Things.

Thank you Nancy!

*

My kitchen chairs are back.

You may remember I sent them out to be reupholstered.

They look great and the kitties are so happy to have them back home.

We can now all sit at the kitchen table in the morning.

They nap while I have my tea and toast and check email. 

**

When July rolls around that means it time for the

Tour De France.

I love watching these amazing bicyclists and really enjoy

seeing the beautiful countryside.

Arm chair traveling at its best!

***

I saw this on Face Book and it made me think of my Granny.

She always made a macaroni and pea salad for the 4th of July.

She added a little onion and some sweet pickle relish, I think.

The recipe for this one, Macaroni and pea salad with chives,

can be found at Smart Balance.

****

I recently finished reading A Cup of Light  by Nicole Mones.

I really enjoyed it.

Lia Frank is a specialist in Chinese porcelains and is sent to China by her auction house to evaluate a privately owned collection that is for sale. Lia is amazed by the quality and quantity of the porcelains she must evaluate ... are they real or fake. There is great beauty in imperfection -- something Lia knows all about. Lia is extraordinary and she is flawed. She is a mnemonist -- she can remember every porcelain, every catalog, all the history of each piece she has ever seen ... and she must call upon that ability to fill in the missing information on the pieces she sees. She is also deaf without her hearing aids ... something she turns into an ability rather than a liability. This was my kind of book. I have enjoyed everything I've read authored by Nicole Mones. She knows China. Wonderful history on Chinese porcelains and the emperors kilns in Jingdezhen -- something I really enjoyed that others may find a little boring -- too much information, but with my interest in Asian ceramics -- I was in heaven! Fascinating look at the ah chans and the illegal sale and distribution of art works. Lastly, a very quick and sad look at lead poisoning in young Chinese children -- something that may be fairly common because of all the pollution in China. Throw in a little unexpected romance and Mones has another winner.

But this is not my favorite Mones book.

That honor belongs to The Last Chinese Chef!

*****

It is peach season and I'm enjoying peach smoothies.

The best of summer time!

I hope you are enjoying the holiday weekend.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!