Your Dreams, Your Dreams

1. It's that time again at the Farmers Market.
Fresh Peaches
YUM

I've also been getting fresh picked strawberries.
Amazing how different they taste from the store bought berries.

I'm on the look out for tomatoes, blueberries and blackberries, too.

I also came home with Blue Heron Farms new flavored chèvre
cinnamon roll.
Just the thought makes my mouth water!

2. It's also the time for an iced chai from Starbucks. 

3. I love my morning walks.
I love listening to the birds.
The doves are always in the background cooing to each other.
This morning, I heard a something I hadn't noticed before.
It was as if the bird was saying "Your Dreams, Your Dreams".
Imagination is a great thing.

4. This weekend is the last home stand for the Rice U. Baseball team .. the Owls.
And, summer temps will be here ... hot and humid to end the regular season.

5. Empty Bowls Houston is this weekend.
A great way to support the local food bank.
The bowls make great gifts, too.

Empty Bowls is a grassroots effort by artists and craftspeople in cities and towns across the country to feed the hungry in their communities. Empty Bowls Houston is presented by Whole Food Market and implemented locally by Houston-area ceramists and artists working in various media, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft and Houston Food Bank.

For a minimum $25 donation, attendees have the pleasure of selecting a bowl from hundreds of one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted bowls donated by Houston area ceramists and craft artists, then receive a simple lunch of soup donated by Whole Foods Market and freshly prepared by Houston Food Bank Community Kitchen. Pottery and woodturning demonstrations and live music will be featured.

The empty bowls serve as a reminder of all the empty bowls in our community and around the world.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Willy Nilly Friday

Five on Friday

Random Five Friday with Nancy

Rainy Days and Sunshine

Zinnia in Musashi's Garden

1. Finally, the rains have come to an end for a few days. No more flooding. We can dry out a bit before the chances of rain go up again. Figures. Just as the rains stop, Daily OM sends out an email about rainy day ideas! So, to be prepared for the next time, here is that email.

May 2, 2016
Rainy-Day Ideas
Uplifting Showers

by Madisyn Taylor


The arrival of one or more rainy days can also be interpreted as a signal to slow down and contemplate life.

The simple miracle of water falling from the sky has been interpreted in many ways by many cultures. In various areas of the world, rain was viewed as a nourishing gift, given by well-pleased deities. Rain also served as a symbol of emotional cleansing and represented the unending union between earth and sky. Today, rain is often seen as an annoyance—something to be borne doggedly while attending to one’s usual duties. But the arrival of one or more rainy days can also be interpreted as a signal to slow down and contemplate life. When Mother Nature darkens the sky and causes drizzle to fall, freshly opened buds close and many animals settle into their nests for a period of repose. We can honor rainy days by following the example put forth by the flora and fauna around us. Even if we must venture out into a shower, we can still slow down and appreciate our connection to nature. 

A rainy day spent indoors can be wonderfully uplifting. As the rain pours down, fill your home with light, sound, and comfort so that you can fully appreciate the loveliness of being snug and dry during a downpour. Storms literally change the energy in the air, and you may feel driven to follow suit by burning incense or sage, ringing bells or chimes, lighting candles, or singing. You may even feel compelled to talk to each room in your home in order to express your gratitude for the protection they give you. If, however, you feel claustrophobic rather than calm because you cannot venture outdoors, you can clear away negative energy by getting rid of clutter, sweeping away dust, and freshening your up spaces. The happier you are in your home, the more beautiful and wondrous a simple rain shower will seem. 

A sheltered spot like a covered porch, sunroom, or bay window can provide you with a wonderful vantage point from which to meditatively observe raindrops as they make their descent to earth. And the pitter-patter of rain on a rooftop or car window can even be a therapeutic and soothing sound—one that reminds us that while the unforeseen will always be a part of our lives, we should never forget that nearly every cloud that comes into our lives will have a silver lining.

From an email from Daily Om.

At least, with all this rain (the wettest April in recorded weather history here), it will keep the temperatures down a little. We will still hit the 90s but maybe the 100s will be few and far between! 

2. We are enjoying the last of the cool mornings until next October.  It's been a perfect time to plant. For me, my garden is not complete without zinnias. Zinnias remind me of my Granny and that makes me smile. I picked up a flat of yellow zinnias and some dusty miller. Can't forget the herbs. I added some dill and chives to my already full herb pots by the back door.

3. Fresh Market is closing its stores in my city. I'm sad. Fresh Market was the closest grocery to my neighborhood. I'll miss a lot about this store ... the classical music playing. The welcome of the flower shop as you entered -- always beautiful orchids. The produce -- especially the already prepared "sides" of veggies .. especially the asparagus seasoned and ready to be roasted. The smell of the coffee as I made my way around the store. The great selection of cheese. Italian Roast Beef by the pound. The wonderful bakery -- breads and pies. The smiles on the employees faces. You get the idea. Too bad they never advertised! I knew the specials because I was on the email list. There was never an ad in the paper like the rest of the groceries in town. 

4. I am knitting another shawl -- different pattern. I'm calling it a scarf shawl. Also have a baby blanket in the works with the crochet hook. 

5. I am reading The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson. I should finish it in a couple of days. The English countryside before the war. The study of a town and it's inhabitants. Characters that will steal your heart. The end of innocence as the war starts. I loved Major Pettigrew's Last Stand and knew I'd have to read The Summer Before the War. Two different books. Each charming in their own way. 

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Willy Nilly Friday

Amy at Five On Friday

Random Five Friday with Nancy

This and That

1. Rain, Rain go away. We'd like to see the sun today! 

It got so dark in the middle of the day, the lights in the garden came on. 

2. No flooding on my block, but my favorite independent book store, Murder By The Book, had to remove their carpet. No books were damaged. Just enough water to ruin the carpet.

3. Speaking of books, I finished BLOOD ORANGE: A China Bayles mystery by Susan Wittig Albert. Believe it or not: number 24 in this series. I've read them all and enjoy visiting with the "friends" I've made over the years. Cozy reads (not too cozy), filled with information about herbs and gardens and a recipe or two. In BLOOD ORANGE, China finds that medicare and hospice fraud may have caused the murder of a nurse. 

4. Do you "recycle" books? My god-mother loves the China Bayles mysteries and would be disappointed if she didn't get the latest for Mother's Day. My copy is all wrapped and waiting for the trip to the postoffice. And, yes, she knows I "recycle" and approves. 

5. Today is Earth Day and I'm off with some electronics to recycle -- some very old phones and one of the very first iPads. 

The sun came out! 

Willy Nilly Friday

Amy at Five on Friday

Random Five Friday with Nancy.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

This and That

1. The new lily in the water garden is blooming. 

2. One rainy day and I was able to finish Dimestore, Lee Smith's memoir.  Smith has been telling the stories of the Appalachian south for 45 years. Dimestore is her own story. From helping in her father's dimestore, to her son's death, to teaching, to the importance of local cultures, this book was a winner. A  small delight for all Lee Smith lovers! 

3. On my morning walks, I've noticed that the blue jays and mockingbirds are having a grand time "out mocking" each other. What a noisy group!

4. The Rice University baseball team is home this weekend. Games Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I think I enjoy going to the games because watching these kids keeps me young! Ha!

5. I'm almost done with my KAL shawl. Hope to show it off next week. My hands have lived through the knitting, but are starting to complain a bit. I will take a break for awhile when this one is finished.

Joining Nancy's Random 5 Friday.

Five On Friday

Willy Nilly Friday

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

This and That

Mornings in the Atrium

1. Opening day(s) for Major League Baseball is this week. Game after game after game could be found on ESPN. It is a baseball lovers dream! 

2. We've had such lovely weather I had to take advantage of it to walk into my village for breakfast. On the way in, I let a young lady who was walking her dogs pass me. She was a cute young thing. (I'm of an age now that anyone I deem younger than me is a "young lady" or "young man".) Dressed in a T-shirt with blue jeans that were rolled up past her ankles and her hair was in a top knot with the ends sticking out in all directions. Her dogs were bulldogs (mixes I think) and she walked them in tandem. As she passed I heard her say, "let's go sausages". I giggled and I've been giggling every time I remember them. Too bad I did not have my camera with me. Sometimes I think a book could be written just about the moments in time that make one smile. On the way home, the jasmine in one of yards was blooming. Oh, that sweet, wonderful smell of spring! Another one of "those" moments.

3. The weather won't be perfect forever, so in preparation for high temperatures and high humidities, I now have a new, efficient, heat/AC system. I won't discuss my empty bank account, but I'm ready for summer. Bring it on! Ha!

4. Taxes are done. It's always a relief when they are done and with no major disasters. 

5. Look at this! I have amaryllis blooming in the garden. I caught the sun at just the right angle. 

Fun with Nancy at Random 5 Friday.

Five on Friday

Willy Nilly Friday


Wishing YOU well and much joy!

This and That

A memory from Paris.

1. I finished reading A Paris Apartment by Michelle Garle. I enjoyed it, but thought it could have been even better! Based on the true story of a treasure stocked Paris apartment that had been closed for seventy years. Amazing!

2. The Rice baseball team is away this weekend, which means I have the weekend to do whatever I want. The weather is supposed to be close to perfect, so sitting outside near the pond and reading sounds like a good idea.

3. The Final Four is in town ... lots of traffic. No, I'm not going, but will watch on television.

4. I'm getting a hair cut today and then off to the grocery store.

5. I've put my crochet hook down and got out my knitting needles. I find that crochet is easier on my hands, but I found a knit shawl pattern that looked pretty quick and easy so I thought I'd give it a go.  

It's so nice to have Nancy back with Random 5 Friday.

Willy Nilly Friday

Five On Friday

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

This and That

The Good---
I don't think I'll ever tire of looking at my water garden.





The Random ---
Thanksgiving dessert?!!

The Fun ....
Zoo Lights! 


I'm joining The Good The Random and The Fun! 
and No Place Like Home.

On this Monday before Thanksgiving,
I'm wishing YOU well and much joy
during this holiday season.

Busy Around Here

It's been busy around here.

If you've followed Twisty Lane for any length of time,

you know I mention Musashi's Garden often.

It is my postage stamp backyard and the garden named after

one of our beloved kitties.

I've always wanted a water feature and this year I took the plunge.

Everything in Musashi's Garden was removed and we started from the beginning.





All new plants to learn about.


And 6 new friends to care for ... goldfish!
Meanwhile, the birds are unhappy.
With all the demolition and building going on,
they haven't had their regular handout.
Now that it's all done ... the rains have come.
Good timing!
One more thing ...
when the lights come on in the garden --
it is a place of pure magic.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

This and That

It is pumpkin time at Trader Joe's. 

You name it they have it.

Pumpkin Bread Mix

Pumpkin Tortilla Chips

Organic Pumpkin Toaster Pastries

Pumpkin Bagels

*Honey Roasted Pumpkin Ravioli

Pumpkin Cranberry Crisps

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Pumpkin Spice Granola

*Pumpkin Yogurt

Pecan Pumpkin Instant Oatmeal

Pumpkin Cranberry Scone Mix

Pumpkin Spice Rooibos Tea

Gluten Free Pumpkin Pancake Mix

*Pumpkin Bar Baking Mix 

*Pumpkin Butter

Pumpkin Waffles

Pumpkin Cheesecake

*Pumpkin Cream Cheese

Pumpkin Seed Brittle

Pumpkin Panettone

Iced Pumpkin Scone Cookies

and on and on.

* These are the "pumpkins" I've tried and I think are very good.

I went in to get the pumpkin yogurt and cream cheese.

I'll enjoy them while I can!

**

I have a new flag for the balcony.
I change them up with each holiday or when I get the urge!

He makes me smile.

***

This is latest look at the afghan.
I've added the tulip, waves and puff rows.




I am trying to follow their suggested colors by using my stash yarn.
I'm delighted to see my stash dwindling.
The more it dwindles ... the more yarn may be in my future!

Mina has to give her seal of approval.
I think each kitty would like an afghan of their own.

****

While I wait for the next section of the afghan to be posted,
I'm working on more cowls for gifts for the coming holidays.
There are a number of birthdays to think about, too.
This is the Papillon Cowl and it does resemble a butterfly.
Fun!





Wishing YOU well and much joy!

I'm joining Mosaic Monday 



and Hookin' On Hump Day.
 

This and That

It's October and another little front has blown through

leaving a few delightful days of nice temps and low humidity.

*

I got my flu shot .. the high dose for those of us of a certain age! 

**

I'm taking part in the Spice of Life Crochet A Long along with 4000+ others!

The crochet a long is being sponsored by Stylecraft and Black Sheep Yarns. 
I've been using yarn in my stash.
As much as I would like to, I just couldn't by more yarn! 
We get new instructions each week.
Here is my first week:

And this what the afghan looks like after the second week:
Love those stacking shells!

It's been fun, a great stash buster and I've learned a few new tricks 
from the ladies in the FaceBook Group. 

***

A night out at the zoo to meet the new CEO.
Good friends, good food, and a cute animal ambassador:
meet Winston -- the Juliana Pig.

His tail was in constant motion ... as was his head ... yummies on the floor! 

The Juliana Pig is a small colorful pig originating in Europe through selective
breeding of various kinds of pigs. The Juliana Pig, also known as the 
Miniature Painted Pig, is small and spotted without a pronounced
pot belly or sway back. They have a long snout and are slight in frame.
They have a great temperament as the Juliana pig has been bred specifically 
 to work with humans. 






****

Last, but not least, it's the perfect weather for
FOOTBALL!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

I'm joining:

and the lovely Judith at Mosaic Monday.

This and That

I've been home nursing my bad back

and trying not to sit for any length of time ...

that means no blog posts.

So, I decided it was time to do a This and That post
adding a little bit every few days.

*

(Karen from Houston Chronicle)

I think I've watched the Mike Friers No-No game three times.

Friday night when it happened, 
early Saturday morning rerun 
and the Saturday afternoon rerun.
Mike came from the Brewers to the Astros in a trade.
This was his first complete game and 
the first No Hitter in Minute Maid Park.

Exciting each time I watched.

**

I participated in the Index Card A Day challenge again this summer.
However, I didn't do 61 cards this year.
I simply ran out of steam and the back didn't help.

I thought I'd share a few of my favorites starting with cats.

Then collage....

I took my time.
Didn't rush and completed 34 cards.

***

So, if I wasn't being arty, and I wasn't reading..
what have I been doing???
Crocheting!
On these hot, miserable days I didn't want to go out.
So I decided if I was going make things for the holidays,
now was a good time to get busy!




I liked the pattern and the cowl looked quick and easy (it is).
I picked two color ways -- Ocean Waves and Desert Sands --
and will have enough yarn to make several cowls.
I always keep the first one for myself.
It has all the mistakes I make while I'm figuring out the pattern!
I really didn't like this yarn (Lion Brand Textures) when I started.
It was difficult to see the loops and where to put the next stitch.
But, by the time I was finished with the first one, I was moving right along
and liking the result.

This is the Ocean Waves color way and the first one I made (mine!). 

And this is the Desert Sands on the right.
It has a Southwest feel. 
 I have a new cowl and one made for a gift. 
Moving right along!

Wishing YOU well and much joy.

I'm joining the lovely Judith for Mosaic Monday.

Catching Up

I've been away for awhile.

I have lots of catching-up to do.

Be patient.

I'll be around to visit -- I promise!

First, here's what's happening around here:

I have some new neighbors.
When I went out to take a photo of them,
Mom wasn't too happy. 
She kept an eye on me the whole time .. along with the babe.


I have a crocosmia blooming in Musashi's Garden.
I planted them last year ... this one and a red one.
They are grown from corms and are a relative of the Iris.
Native to South Africa and the Sudan.
In the states they are known as copper tips or falling stars.
I'm sure I saw then on another blog.
Do I remember which one?
No! Sorry!


Index Card a Day is going strong.
This is Bingo Lady -- torn book pages, acrylic paint, collage.
Some wonderful little pieces of art are being shared on the ICAD FB group.
Why don't you join us?
No pressure .. work at your own speed.
This is my fourth year and I learn so much.


I've had a birthday.
One of my surprise gifts was this wonderful Grapefruit/Mandarin
candle from Goose Creek.
I won this candle in the give-a-way that BJ at Sweet Nothings had.
I love this candle.
The whole house smells like citrus -- summer time!
A big thank you to BJ and to Goose Creek.


**
I spent sometime in Raleigh, North Carolina.
It's not a good place to go if you are on a diet!
BGD (beautiful god-daughter) and her handsome fella
asked me to come for their confirmation.
Here they are on confirmation day.
Look at those smiles!

They have a beautiful home and BGD sets a gorgeous table filled with memories.
The china from her maternal grandmother,
the shell napkin rings and crystal from his maternal grandmother,
and the silver from me.

The other reason to visit was to meet my god-dog.
Oh, my, but he is a handsome guy ... and big!
He's a sweet boy, gentle (rolling on the floor with moi).

More photos to come.

Hope all is well with you and yours.
Wishing YOU well and much joy!

A big thank you to Judith for hosting Mosaic Monday.

Potpourri

- I love daffodils!

- I love iris.
My Granny and my Mother grew the most beautiful bearded iris.
All different colors. They were amazing.
I have not been able to grow bearded iris here, although I do know folks who do.
Perhaps I'll try again.
But, I did try growing Louisiana Iris and have my first blooms.

- The Louisiana Iris is a native American iris.
This is Black Gamecock.
I planted the rhizomes 2 years ago and this is the first year they have bloomed.
Dark and dramatic, it's really hard not to touch the velvety looking petals.

- I've been walking into the village early in the morning to have breakfast.
The earlier the better as the heat and humidity are arriving.

- Time to have the AC serviced.

- Do you like urban fantasy or magical realism?
If so, I've found a new author for you ... at least he was new for me.
Alex Bledsoe.
I started with The Hum and The Shiver and recently completed Wisp of a Thing.
The Hum and The Shiver was named one of the Best Fiction Books of 2011 by Kirkus Reviews.
Set in the mountains of Tennesse. Who are the Tufa? Lots of music and myth.
You'll ask yourself if you feel the hum or the shiver!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

A big THANK YOU to Nancy for hosting Random 5 Friday.