This and That

It's another This and That Friday!

*

First, another reproduction of a vintage postcard.
The illustrator was A. L. Bowley.
Adorable children and I'd love to have the elephant!

Loving Christmas Greetings to you!

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

**

I'm sharing a post with you today from Tiny Buddha.

Paula Grieco  is the author.

It got my attention and perhaps it will get yours!

“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” ~E.E Cummings

So, in this present moment, how about you? Are you growing up to be who you truly are?

Here are easy suggestions for building the being you habit. Pick one or more if you like.

1. Express your uniqueness daily.

Create a daily practice of doing or saying something that expresses you without regard to its popularity or commonality. It can be as simple as a wardrobe choice or saying no to a social engagement that will leave you feeling drained.

2. Make time for brief moments of solitude.  

Even just a few minutes during the day can help you connect to yourself rather than being caught up in outside forces.

3. Re-connect to a childhood passion. 

Think about what you loved to do as a kid as it can be a clue to your truest expressions. Anything you want to try today?

4. Write down three things that you truly value.

Take one small action every day to express your values.

5. Go easy on the pressure.  

There’s a difference between compromising your true self and having multiple passions. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to make the right choice when it comes to your calling. Sometimes you just have to pick something and take action.

6. Create relationships based on being you. 

Some people are more naturally inclined to care what others think. If you are one of those people, you also likely have a great propensity to be empathetic. Build upon that strength and reach out to others to get the support you need.

7. Find your mantra. 

Sometimes we end up compromising who we are because it is hard to say no. Write down on a small card your response to requests for your time or an opinion you are not prepared to give. Doesn’t have to be eloquent—“Huh, I’ll have to think about that” works.

8. Support someone else in self-expression. 

When you see someone standing out rather than fitting in, be a voice of encouragement and support.

9. Create art.  

Buy a small journal or notebook just for self-expression. It will be one of the best purchases you will ever make. Spend even one minute a day writing or drawing a picture. No directions required.

10. Remind yourself how important this is.  

Hang up a sign with the quote at the beginning of this post or another that reminds you the importance of being you.

I do enjoy being ME! 

***

A few fun links for you.

The first is from Poppytalk (one of my favorite blogs from Canada). 

Find free chalkboard style printable gift tags here.

We all know Mennonite Girls Can Cook. Apparently their Guys can, too.

Take a look at this breakfast bake for two here.

It is no secret that I love cats.

Lines and Colors is a blog about art -- all forms of art.

In Women and Cats, Charley Parker shares a Flickr site full of art featuring women and cats.

Over at Sidewalk Shoes, Pamela Geer shares a knit-a-long--

a Christmas stocking.

I won't get a chance to knit-a-long this year, but maybe in January (!!!) I can start! 

Have fun!

****

The temperatures have been in the 80s this week.

The air conditioner decides to run every now and then.

The weather folks say it is going to get cold next week.

I'll believe it when I feel it!

With a little help, I got a lot done in Musashi's Garden.
As much as I love my purple trumpet vines, they get carried away
and I'm getting too old to keep them under control.
So, "we" took them off the fence leaving them on the trellis.
They look pretty bare and sort of sad,
but I'll water and they'll come back.

Speaking of water,
we have moved into moderate drought again.
So sad.

What a surprise!
The first of the seed catalogs arrived today!
Let the garden planning begin.


*****

Wishing YOU well and much joy this holiday season. 

Victorian Christmas

Last year on Friday I shared Snowmen postcards.

This year I thought I'd share some Christmas postcards with Victorian designs.

These are from the Darling and Company, Seattle Postcard Book.

"A variety of British postal changes in the 1890s changed the demand for picture postcards from a trickle to a deluge. In the next 30 years countless images were printed on billions of postcards. Photography and art were both utilized and every occasion, historical incident, fad, eccentricity, aspect of knowledge, or enthusiasm was pictured on a postcard. Millions of people collected postcards, which led to an even greater demand. Holidays were also popular subjects for postcards, Christmas chief among them.

Because of the enormous demand for art, and the low cost of printing a postcard, publishers were not very discriminating. They frequently allowed poor work to be printed, and seemingly were indifferent to the relevance of the illustrations to the theme at hand. Inapropos subjects for Christmas such as horses, sailboats, or farm animals were common. Fortunately, excellence was also common, and artist's flights of fancy were given free rein."

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

Wishing YOU well, much joy and a fun filled weekend.

This And That

We are half way through Autumn.

Hard to believe when I live with temps in the high 80s!

I looked for a postcard that celebrates Autumn and this is what I found.

Gorgeous!

Postcard of Beaulieu Vineyard, 

Entrance to Historic Vineyards "BV1" and BV2", Napa County. 

From WINE COUNTRY:30 Postcards published by Chronicle Books

***

Let me ask you a question.

Do you soak your lentils?

Last weekend the first true cool down arrived and I made lentil soup.

I wanted to make something a little different and pulled out 

VEGETABLE SOUPS: From Deborah Madison's Kitchen.

Deborah soaks her lentils.

She says "they cook better, more quickly, and seem to have more flavor when soaked".

So, I soaked my lentils for 2 hours (Deborah's suggested time).

Here's the recipe I used - a good one for Meatless Monday!

A RUSTIC LENTIL SOUP WITH SPINACH

All greens are good with lentils, and I (Deborah Madison) especially like to add them to a soup that's going to be a meal. That way you get all your good foods together in one bowl. 

1 1/2 cups brown or mixed lentils, soaked if possible

2 to 4 tablespoons olive oil 

1 large onion, finely diced (I used a red onion)

1 carrot, grated or finely diced (I like my soups chunky and I love carrots. I put in two carrots chopped.)

1 red bell pepper, roasted, peeled, and chopped or 1 bottled roasted pepper, chopped 

2 tablespoons chopped parsley

2 garlic cloves, chopped

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 tablespoon prepared mustard

1/2 cup dry red wine

1 bay leaf

6 to 8 cups water, vegetable stock, or chicken stock.

Sea salt and freshly ground pepper

Hefty bunch of spinach, stems removed, leaves washed and chopped

Chopped mint or parsley for garnish

Red wine vinegar to taste

1. If you haven't soaked then, cover the lentils with hot water and set them aside while you start the rest of the soup.

2. Warm the oil in a wide soup pot. Add the onion, carrot, red pepper, and parsley. Cook over medium heat, stirring now and then, until the onion is softened and starting to color, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic, then stir in the tomato paste and mustard, working both into the vegetables and cooking until there is a film on the bottom of the pot. Pour in the wine, scrape up the pan juices, then simmer until partially reduced after a few minutes. Drain the lentils and add them to the pot with the bay leaf and water, using the larger amount if the lentils were soaked only briefly, Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer, cover the pan, and cook for 30 minutes. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and continue cooking until the lentils are soft, another 10 to 20 minutes. Taste for salt and season with pepper.

3. Add the spinach to the soup and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. Taste the soup and add the mint and a little vinegar to sharpen the flavors.

This makes a LOT!

***

It's supposed to rain this weekend.
That is good.
Musashi's Garden needs the rain.

I'm planning on reading.
I've been saving THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel
by Louise Penny for several months now -- just waiting for the right moment to visit
with Inspector Gamache.
This is the weekend!
A cup of tea, a kitty (or three) curled up next to me and a good book.

And when I'm not reading I'm going to do this:

Many thanks to the lovely Beth for hosting Postcard Friendship Friday each week.

Light and love to her and to her family.

I'm also joining On The Menu Monday.

Remember to pray for the victims of Hurricane Sandy.

Wishing you well, much joy and a fun filled weekend!

This and That

I have rediscovered root beer -- A&W diet root beer.

No caffeine.
Maybe it's a return to my youth!

Yum!

***

Did I tell you that I have a pen pal?

We met each other through Susan Branch. 

What fun it is getting to know someone the old-fashioned way -- through snail mail!

I really look forward to her letters.

She lives in Wisconsin and sent me this lovely postcard.

She and her DH celebrated their 25th anniversary by visiting her favorite place,

the Village of Ephraim in Door County, Wisconsin.

"Splendid views, shopping"

Looks like a wonderful spot.

***

I do love mail call!

My buddy Janet at Random Acts of Art sent me a mail art mixed media postcard.

Isn't it great?!!!

Thanks, Janet!

***

I haven't had much time, but I did sit down 

and played with some iPhoto effects on a few of my photos.

I think this one is my favorite so far.

Black and white with some edge burr.

I think I like it because of the doily!

***

A cold front has arrived and I just finished MY Jack-O-Lantern lapghan.

The other lapghans have found happy homes for Halloween.

Don't worry.  

There's plenty of room for my toes underneath the lapghan.

I thought I could use this photo someday as a self-portrait of sorts! 

A cold front means soup time.

Split pea soup is calling to me, but since I have lentils I'll make lentil soup today.

I did look through the freezer and found a package of chopped turkey.

Turkey vegetable will be later in the week.

It also means good walking weather.

Walk to my village for breakfast or lunch.

A trip to the zoo and the Japanese Garden will definitely be in order.

I wonder if I can get the visits in before the temperature goes back up or

has FALL finally arrived?!!!!

I'll let you know.

***

Last, because Halloween is just around the corner,

here is another reproduction vintage postcard

from the Halloween Postcard Book by Darling and Company, Seattle.

Happy Halloween! 

Wishing you well and a joy filled weekend.

Sending lots of love and light to the lovely Beth 

who hosts Postcard Friendship Friday each week.

It's Postcard Day!

I wanted to share a couple of postcards with you before my day gets swamped!

I love this postcard from Shanghai of the old mailboxes on Yuyuan Lane.

My good friend is in China studying on a Fulbright and she sends me a postcard every now and then.

The photograph is by Yin Ying.

 

The stamps are lovely.

 

One more postcard to celebrate Halloween.

This is a reproduction of a vintage Halloween postcard

from the Halloween Postcard Book published by Darling & Company, Seattle.

There is no artist or publisher listed on the back of the postcard, 

but on the bottom of the card it reads

Painting Copyright by -- and then I can't make out the rest --

1908.

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

Wishing you well and a fun filled weekend!

This and That

I love this time of year.

There is a promise that the days will cool and wonderful walks are in the future.

Last year, because of the drought, the acorns were few and far between.

This year the squirrels can't collect them fast enough before the acorns cover the ground.

I love Halloween and love to share Halloween fun!

This is a reproduction of a vintage Halloween postcard.

Isn't he quite clever!

Yes, we *auto* have a Happy Halloween.

***

It's that time again.

Classes have started at Rice University.

The Boys are Back!

Time for Fall Ball.

I walked over to watch the action.

So many new freshmen.

There's just nothing like the sound of the bat hitting the ball!

**

Walking home from Rice I spotted some Halloween decorations.

This Halloween man made me smile.

His head turns from side to side.

I don't think this Ghost is going to scare anyone!

What a great welcome he'll be to Trick or Treaters.

***

Finally, I finished the last black cat square.

I went to Michaels and found a gray yarn that was very close to the original.

This is what the afghan would have looked like.

It is huge.

I'm glad I decided to make four lapghans instead.

I did do some tweaking of the pattern when I decided lapghans were the way to go.

I can't put anything on the floor without having a cat or two check things out.

Now I have the kitty seal of approval for the lapghans.

Thank you to Beth for hosting Postcard Friendship Friday each week.

Wishing YOU well and much joy! 

This And That

It's been a wonderful week.

Cool mornings -- finally!

Hot afternoons, but very little humidity -- Yay! 

Good walking weather.

***

My follow-up visit with the eye surgeon went well.

Getting used to the new lens.

My sight changes a little daily as the lens settles in.

Life is so much brighter -- literally!

***

Mail Call brought this lovely postcard from China.

I have a dear friend there on a Fulbright doing research to complete her

PhD in Art History.

This is Peking University where she is taking some classes.

It used to be part of the Emperor's Summer Palace.

Woot!

School in a palace!

***

How about a little needle and hook news?!!

This is a close-up of a shawl I completed for a friend.

 This is a free Red Heart Pattern called Romancing The Shawl. I did not use the yarn that was suggested. Instead, I used Red Heart Boutique Changes in the Granite color (6 yarns in one) and still achieved the wonderful texture. It was an easy pattern to follow and I may have to knit one for myself!

***

Finally finished two squares in the crochet Halloween afghan.

Except, I decided the afghan would be too large for me!

So, I decided to make four lapghans.

I've completed two Jack-O-Lantern squares and started another black cat.

I was happily putting rows together when I realized I had put them together 

basakwards (as my Granny would say).

Well.

What to do?

I have plenty of black yarn, but not a lot of the grey.

Taking it apart is next to impossible. I'm afraid I'm a really good put them togetherer (!!!),

but would really make a mess taking it apart!

I decided to put things away.

Let my new eye rest.

Start again another day!

The Halloween Afghan was designed by Martha Brooks Stein and the pattern has

a copyright date of 2008 by DRG.

Thank you to Beth for Postcard Friendship Friday and Liv Lane for the Little Bliss List.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Dear Old Golden Rule Days

 Playground gymnasts, Irwinville, Georgia, 1938. Photograph by John Vachon From the GAL PALS Postcard Collection

How about some fun before the classes start?

"School days, school days


Dear old golden rule days


Readin' and 'ritin' and 'rithmetic


Taught to the tune of the hickory stick"

(Music by Gus Edwards |  Lyrics by Will D. Cobb (1907)

It is tax free weekend here.

The stores will be filled with back to school shoppers.

I'm staying home!

Thank you to Beth for hosting Postcard Friendship Friday.

Wishing YOU well and much joy.

A World of Imagination

Postcard titled Shell. Photographed by Edward Weston, 1927.

"To find a seashell is to discover a world of imagination."

Michelle Held



Thank you to Beth for hosting Postcard Friendship Friday.

The White Iris

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

Postcard titled The White Iris. Photograhed by Edward Weston, 1921. In a book of 30 postcards by Taschen. Few photographers created a legacy as diverse as that of the American Edward Weston (1886-1958). At the outset of his career, Weston worked successfully with painterly soft-focus techniques, but a decade later became the pioneer of a precise, sharp style of presentation dubbed "Straight Photography". 

This and That

It's raining.

It's been raining all week.

After our horrible drought last summer, I'm not going to complain about rain.

I spent a lovely day with a good friend.

Part of the day we walked through the gem and mineral show. 

Lots of ooooouing and awwwwwwwing! 

Speaking of this friend - I've mentioned her before.

She is an art teacher.

I've spent some summer days with her helping her prepare for the coming school year.

She always has good ideas for me.

She has started a blog called Manifestations.
Some art education, art history, a trip to Tuscany -- I think you would enjoy it.
Please go by and visit and welcome her to the World of Blog!

I've really been enjoying my bushel delivery every two weeks from FarmHouse Delivery.

I'm in tomato heaven! Fresh, organic, sweet, delicious! 

The best summer has to offer.

And peaches -- Oh, my! 

I love when it's time for the Tour De France.

I admire the athletes taking part in the race, but admit I watch to see the beautiful scenery!!

I'm up early to get my mornings off to a good start with the Tour.

Speaking of France, MJ at WanderWonderDiscover 

started her summer off in France. Lucky girl!

She sent me this wonderful postcard and teased me with a short message about tea on the back! 

Thank you MJ! So wonderful to have thoughtful blogmates.

We've had an exciting week around here with introducing the lovely Princess Mina to the group.

But today it's all about Cassie.

She has been so good about the new kitty in the house.

She gets extra hugs and treats! 

I'd like to thank Liv Lane for the Little Bliss List

and the lovely Beth for Postcard Friendship Friday.

Wishing YOU well, much joy and a fun filled weekend!

This and That

Things have been busy around Casa Dragon on Twisty Lane.

Some work has been done around the house -- inside and out.

Hanging some ceiling fans, painting a bathroom, paving the side yard.

The kitties were busy supervising until they got tired of the noise and they decided to 

huddle under a quilt in the back bedroom and sleep. 

I'm happy with the work that was done and smiling because it is all finished and quiet again!

Some other things that made me smile:

- I made my favorite soup - split pea.  I love how it tastes and smells!

(Soup photo from Google photos)

- On the way to the gym one morning I saw a opossum with her baby on her back crossing the street.

Right here in the middle of town. I know some people don't like the opossum, but I'm not one of them. 

(Opossum photo from Google photos)

- My photo of teacups was selected as one of the winners for My Favorite Things at 

Focusing On Life. I was like Sally Field -- they like me, they like me! 

Many of the ladies there are pros when it comes to photography.

Big smile!

- Musashi's Garden always brings smiles to my face every day. I never know what is going to be

blooming -- in this case the last of the gardenias. Or what bird will be entertaining me in the bird bath.

Thank you to Liv Lane for The Little Bliss List.

***

Friday means it's Postcard Friendship Friday and here are two more Galveston postcards.

As always, thank you to the lovely Beth for hosting.

The first postcard is a modern reproduction of a vintage card featuring the seawall 

and the Hotel Galvez.

I love the fashions and the cars!

The second card is a vintage linen look card of the Galveston Causeway.

It is blank on the back side except for the description:
"Galveston's great causeway, Galveston, Texas.
Galveston's Causeway is one of the world's greatest engineering feats. This causeway is a three mile structure accomodating two railroad tracks, and electric car line, a driveway and a footway, it's proportion and designs are scientifically accurate, making it a thing of classic beauty as well as"
and that's where the description ends!

The old causeway is still there and it is still used by trains.

Wishing all of YOU well, much joy and a fun filled holiday weekend!

Don't forget my Summer Curiosities Give-a-way.

This and That

It's Friday and It's Becoming a Habit: This and That Day!

Today it is hot and humid and cloudy.

Amazing how much cooler I feel when I look into the garden and see and hear the fountain.

I cut the white roses this morning.

 They are the very first blooms from one of the new roses that I planted this year.

This rose is called Chardonnay and is a hybrid tea.

The scent of this rose is a real delight. 

The hand full of green beans came from my balcony garden and I'll put them into my salad.

Delish!

The strange looking hook/needle looking thing is a Tunisian Crochet Hook.

I'm taking a class on-line at Craftsy to learn more. 

Now that my special tours are over at the MFAH, I have time to go to  class! 

The Rice Owl baseball team has three games at home against our cross town rival the Cougars of the University of Houston. In between baseball games I plan on reading the next book in the Haunted Bookshop Mystery Series: The Ghost and the Femme Fatale.

Are you old enough to remember the wonderful black and white film The Ghost and Mrs Muir?

You might enjoy this cozy mystery series if you do!

***

It is Friday and that means Postcard Day.

The first card is a vintage linen look card of the Buccaneer Hotel on the Seawall on Galveston Island.

When I lived on the Island, the hotel was still there, but was retirement facility.

Alas, the Buccaneer is no more. It was demolished to build a better facility.

The back of the card does have a message, but it is written in pencil and badly smeared.

There is a 1937 postmark and the stamp has been removed.

The second card also from Galveston Island is a modern one.

From the back of the card:

"On September 13, 2008, Hurricane Ike roared ashore on Galveston Island bringing a massive saltwater storm surge that killed thousands of trees, including many of Galveston's stately 100 year-old oaks that had been planted after the Great Hurricane of 1900. Many of the trees have been carved into whimsical sculptures." My favorite is the dog and the water hydrant!

A big thank you to the lovely Beth for hosting Postcard Friendship Friday.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

My Smile List

Do you make lists?

I have the ever ready to-do list.

The list that reminds me to make the dentist appointment, order new glasses, buy sunscreen.

The sunscreen I had was expired -- note to self -- check those dates.

Then there is the grocery list.

This last week I decided to make a new list -- a list of things that make me smile.

Why not?!!

- I made lemon poppy seed scones. I use a mix I purchase at World Market.

Add water, mix, bake, easy.

 These are good, but not my favorite -- pumpkin spice takes that honor. 

But I still smile when I sit down with my tea and have a lemon poppy seed scone.

- I've been drinking Honey Lemon Ginseng Green Tea by Celestial Seasonings.

Yummy!

I love the Celestial Seasonings box.

Lovely decoration and some wonderful quotes on their tea boxes.

Like this one:

"Just as our eyes need light in order to see, our minds need ideas in order to create"

~Nicholas Malebranche

- I had breakfast tacos at the ballpark on Sunday because the game started so early.

- I bought the Summer 2012 issue of Romantic Country because of the beautiful aqua color on the front cover. 

There is something about aqua and turquoise that makes me smile. 

Perhaps these colors make me feel cool.

 It is getting hot and humid here!

- There was also an article about vintage postcards and I do like postcards!

- Fresh roses from the garden really make me smile

Such a joy!

- I must not forget the kitties ... Cassie and Teddy ... little furry smile machines.

-I got a note today in the mail from my bank. They hoped I be back soon and bring my smile with me! 

So, did I learn anything by making a smile list?

 Yes.

 I learned that one smile leads to another and another.

A smile is contagious!

I suddenly noticed there are a lot of smiling people out there. 

You just have to smile and look! 

Thank you to Liv Lane for the Little Bliss List. 

***

It is Friday and that means it is postcard day.

Here are two from my own collection.

I purchased them when I was in Galveston for BGD's (Beautiful God Daughter) wedding.

From the back of the postcard:

Galveston Island's famous seawall originally built as protection against storms is now home to fun and recreation for thousands of visitors annually. The statue, a monument to the indomitable spirit of the people of Galveston Island, was erected in the year 2000, the 100th anniversary of the infamous "Great Galveston Hurricane of 1900"

One of things Islanders learned during Hurricane Ike -- even with a seawall, a 20 foot storm surge wins.

This vintage linen look card also takes a look along the Seawall on Galveston Island.

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

Wishing you WELL and much JOY!

April is Poetry Month

April is Poetry Month.

I thought I'd dip my toe in the poetry waters and try to share a poem or two this month.

First, another reproduction vintage postcard from 

The Easter Rabbit Postcard Book published by Darling and Company, Seattle.

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

***

THE RABBIT

Brown bunny sits inside his burrow

'Till everything is still,

Then out he slips along the furrow

Or up the grassy hill.

He nibbles all about the bushes

Or sits to wash his face,

But at a sound he stamps, and rushes

At a surprising pace.

You see some little streaks and flashes,

A last sharp twink of white,

As down his hidy-hole he dashes

And disappears from sight.

~Edith King

From Fifty New Poems for Children

Hippity Hoppity!

Easter is on the way!

Reproduction vintage postcards from
the Easter Rabbit Postcard book published by Darling and Company, Seattle.

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

***

I have a cold.

I haven't had a cold in years and

I DON'T like it.

What's good about a cold?

 I don't feel like doing anything but I have really enjoyed the garden.

I go out with my camera a few times each day and take a few shots. 

I watch the birds at the bird bath .. two blue jays right now. 

I'm forced to slow down.

I tried to knit on another scarf. It's off and on, but I may get another done.

I'm losing weight --- canned soup is about all that interests me.

Spending more time with the furbabies is always good.

I picked up my color pencils and played with a mandala.

I DON'T like having a cold, but it's not all bad!

Wishing you WELL and much JOY!

P.S. My friend the Birdwoman at Gardening With Nature gave me the Liebster Blog Award.

Twisty Lane may be a tag/award free blog, but it's always nice to know I inspire

someone! Thank you! Please drop by and visit my pal.