Lazy Day

It's a lazy day here at Twisty Lane. Mr. Dragon is off to fight with the taxing authority about our house taxes (not so lazy for him). I'm going through a stack of magazines and catalogs that seem to be cloning themselves. I can't just throw them out. There might be something I can use in collage or, heaven help us, I might help the economy by ordering something! I thought I'd share with you what caught my eye before these head out to recycling.

From the L.L. Bean Home Casual Furnishings Catalog

I love these little songbird decoys.
We all know how much I love birds!

Classic Adirondack Chairs from L.L. Bean in great colors.

I loved the wool hooked throw pillows.
Remember, we lived on Galveston Island for 13 years.
Guess the water still calls to me.

The Williams-Sonoma summer catalog also arrived.
I always check out their catalog to look at the recipes.

They had a jalapeno pepper roaster.
That brings back memories of living in New Mexico
and roasting Hatch green chili.
Yummmmmmm

I love the Provence linens.

A recipe with some of my favorite things: asparagus and goat cheese!

I love the wreaths.
Each year I look and awwwwwww over them.

Color again!
Le Creuset Cookware
I think I like the Lemongrass the best.
But the Azure Blue isn't bad or ......

How about a square wreath or a market bag?

That's it!
A little eye candy for the day.

Remembering

(Thanks to my blogging friends for helping with this post.)

Camera Critters 59

We are off to see the orangutan family at the Houston Zoo.

Kids!
Always looking for something to do.

Look what I found!
My pretty blue towel!
Look, Mom, Look
See what I can do?!

My towel needs to be washed --
just like my hands and face!

Mom's never too far away.

Just look at that expression!

Love you, Mom!
Thanks for breakfast!

Dad looks tired!

Have a wonderful, critter filled weekend!

Potpourri

It's Friday, so it must be Potpourri Day!
I'll start off with the journal page -- visiting the sea
and using some of the techniques from Pam's class.

The fish stamp and the bubbles are my favorite things!

I just finished reading Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. I bet most of you have already read this fine novel. It was in our bookcase and just happened to jump into my hand when I went looking for a new read. See! I can read something other than a mystery! If you haven't read Snow Flower and the Secret Fan yet, you must. I give it my highest recommendation -- five dragons!

"In nineteenth-century China, in a remote Hunan county, a girl named Lily, at the tender age of seven, is paired with a laotong, or "old same", in an emotional match that will last a lifetime. The laotong, Snow Flower, introduces herself by sending Lily a silk fan on which she has written a poem in nu shu, a unique language that Chinese women created in order to communicate in secret, away from the influence of men. As the years pass, Lily and Snow Flower send messages on the fan and compose stories on handkerchiefs, reaching out of isolation to share their hopes, dreams, and accomplishments. They both endure the agony of footbinding and together reflect upon their arranged marriages, shared loneliness, and the joys and tragedies of motherhood. The two find solace, developing a bond that keeps their spirits alive. But when a misunderstanding arises, their deep friendship suddenly threatens to tear apart." (Taken directly from the back of the book ... I couldn't have said it any better!")

Look what Lori sent to me -- a beautiful skein of wool yarn with the instructions to make something wonderful for myself. I will, I promise! Lori was part of my Pay-It-Forward and the yarn was a thank you. No, thank you, Lori! Be sure you drop by and visit Lori at Pretty Things where you'll also find a link to her shop (beautiful jewelry).

Lastly, I would like to leave you with a Thought For The Day.

Award!

The lovely Sarah over at Cottage Garden Studio has given me the Noblesse Oblige Award. Here are the details:

The recipient of this award is recognized for the following:
- The Blogger manifests exemplary attitude, respecting the nuances that pervade amongst different cultures and beliefs.
- Their Blog contents inspire; strives to encourage, and offers solutions
- There is a clear purpose at the Blog; one that fosters a better understanding on Social, Political, Economic, the Arts, Cultures, Sciences and Beliefs
- The Blog is refreshing and creative
- The Blogger promotes friendship and positive thinking

The Blogger who receives this award will need to perform the following:
- Create a post with a mention and link to the person who presented the Noblesse Oblige Award
- The Award Conditions must be displayed at the Post
- Write a short article about what the Blog has thus far achieved – preferably citing one or more older posts as support
- The Blogger must present the Noblesse Oblige Award in concurrence with the Award conditions
- Blogger must display the Award at any location at their Blog

My goodness! Thank you, Sarah. I'm not sure I can live up to this award. I started Tales From Twisty Lane as a way for friends and family to keep up with what was happening in the lives of Mr. And Mrs. Dragon. It has certainly grown into other things: crafts, books, museums, a little Buddhism on occasion, and I hope, every now and then I find an article, or email or book quote that brings a little light into the readers life. I'm not a philosopher or psychiatrist or writer, but I've been around awhile ... been there and done that ... and hope I can offer a few inspiring words every now and then. Most of all, I've had a wonderful time meeting all of you -- women and men with stories to tell, words of wisdom and JOY!

I must pass this award on and would like to send it to:

Alicia - Antique and Vintage Jewelry
Kim - The Bodhi Chicklet
Kim - Queen of Arts

Joy To You!