"A" for Effort

This hydrangea bush gets the "A" for effort award today. As Dave said, "it's more flower than bush!" The big bloom on the left is literally the size of a soccer ball. The plant itself is in its third season - the two prior had no blooms at all. That's the great thing about nature and gardening, it's always full of surprise and delight.

Also... it's full of compromise and blight, but that's another post. Today the sun is shining, the skies are clear, and I've got a Sunday ahead of me full of choices.

Anne Lamott, in Bird by Bird wrote: "A messy house is a sign of a life that's being lived." I like Anne Lamott a lot and for many reasons, but today I like her for saying that so that I could adopt it.

After reading my usual suspects of blogs this morning I have come to realize that EVERYONE wants to talk about food. It's the middle of summer and the harvest is coming in fast and furiously. We are all scrambling to figure out how to use the bounty that is filling up the kitchen, garage, basement.

Come back for my zucchini bread and butter pickle recipe and in the mean time, remember to keep your car locked lest someone put a bag of zucchini on the back seat!

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I'm Kira. I'm trouble. I love you, Daddy. Happy Birthday.

So I go to bed last night and because it was 11:30, the timer had shut off the livingroom lamp already and the place was pitch black dark. I get to the bedroom and I have my poodle, Rooty (waiting for me in bed) but no Kira. I figure she’s drinking water, or finding a bone to bring to bed, which she does almost every night.
I head into the bathroom to wash my face and take my eyes out. I come out and still no Kira. I call her. No response. I call her a few more times in several different voices, still no Kira.
I’m now thinking she’s been bad and wants to hide from me, so she probably peed or pooped downstairs and is hiding in her bed, so I turn the lights back on and head downstairs to get her so I can go to bed, and so can she.
I find her in between the coffee table and couch, on the floor, completing wrapped up in my knitting – fine, double-stranded blue lace weight yarn along with the three double pointed needles and the 4-inches of knitting I’d started earlier while watching The Devil Wears Prada. Evidently she got caught in the strands of yarn dangling from the coffee table when she jumped off the couch to follow me up to bed.
She just stood there, frozen, in the dark, looking at me with the most sad, pathetic look I’ve ever seen. Like a big, white fly in a spider’s web. It was the funniest thing I've ever seen, but I tried not to laugh because I absolutely think she was embarrassed - maybe humiliated.
So it, took a minute, but I managed to untangle her and carry her upstairs where she bounced like Tigger all over the bed. No knit stitches were lost, no knots were created. All is well.
I sent this as an email to Dave who has to be away today for his birthday. We'll celebrate on Saturday, but today is dedicated to him just the same. Hurry home. We miss you.

Back from Easter Weekend

No it's not apples, it's radishes.

Nothing says spring like radishes - among other things. I cut some really fresh crusty bread and spread it with really expensive, and delicious French, unsalted butter, and then topped it with thinly sliced radish moons. Then I sprinkled it lightly with one of those finishing salts we're all hearing about from the Foodies and voila. I can't believe how something so incredibly simple can be so unbelievably delicious. You really taste the butter - even though only a little was used, and I must give that radish its credit, because it has a distinct brilliance all its own. Generally a casual after thought, or a passed-over salad item, I think radishes can really hold thier own in a case like this. And in spring they are bright and crisp and peppery tasting. Give it try.

A Bubble Pouch

The bubble pouch was the object of my affection yesterday afternoon. I hadn't been sewing for awhile - still trying to get over the last bag I made, but it was time.

Of all the sewing tasks involved in making something I have to say that cutting is my least favorite. But this great pattern found from Keyka Lou Patterns here: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=2221&ga_search_query=keykalou&ga_search_type=seller_usernames had just two pieces and was easy peasy. She has several great patterns on Etsy and I am happy to report I own three now. I used Amy Butler fabric, because I had a scrap but I would have to say that a small print fabric would be better - like the lining here - because the purse is quite small. I think it measures 4" at its widest part. But it'll be perfect for a few little items to toss into my beach bag or to give as a gift.

Kicking March to the Curb

So this was in my driveway yesterday. Just when I thought spring would never come, the daffodils have long shrivelled, and I thought it would just stay gray and cold forEVA, Mother Nature spots me a little hope.

My man comes home tonight after a LOOONG two weeks on the road. He's the rock star of his company and flies in wearing his "Electrical Man" tights - okay no tights, maybe a cape in the shape of a tie - and fixes problems. This one's particularly challenging, but he's coming home and that's all I care about today.

Another Gray March Day

So how lucky am I! I am just not someone who wins anything - except a great man, but I put my name in on this fabric giveaway, and the universe rewarded me. Great pick-me-up after more gray and icky March weather. I did see a rainbow off to the east last night when I was taking the trash to the curb, but by the time I came back with a camera, it was gone. I should have just said a little thank you to the universe and enjoyed the moment instead of trying to chronicle every thing that ever happens! Oh well. So you can see what I won here:

http://vintagecate.typepad.com/a_charmed_life/2009/03/winners-and-givers.html

So the little felted spring bag is done. I lined it with a hip little cotton and added the vintage dragon fly brooch. I just look at it and look at it some more. I am smitten. Don't know if I can sell this one on Etsy, but I might when I get smitten with the next thing I make. I admit, I'm an accessory slut. What can I say. Especially for bags!