The Sisters' Studio

Mid January, good grief

2012-01-11T17:07:00.000-08:00

Last time I posted was October, okay I came down with pneumonia, then the doctor said I had lung damage, which might have been technically correct but all she meant was I could get bronchitis or pneumonia again, and I thought she meant lung cancer et al. But as I usually do went off the deep end, I did stop smoking that some applaud. But then I got even more ill and achy, seems that my smoking might have helped with other stuff. "THEY" think now Fibromyalgia. I'm thinking up is down, and down is up. Presently I'm muddling through with the help of the YaYas, just trying to get at least 6 hours sleep at night, with a goal of 8 which would be a miracle, but much better than 3 hours nights at a time. Last night, BeBe surprised me at 3:00 AM, and tossed and turned against me for the rest of the night. Tonight I shall close the bedroom door, I really care for her, but I need sleep more than I need her company.

The evening sky tonight is a deep mauve, and feels like a blanket overhead. Spent a lovely afternoon redoing pathways with my husband, I think it will look splendid when completed and in fact something I've wanted to do for about three years. The pathway used to be the driveway from the front of the house out to the side street on Kibler. It's looking more like a wandering path that I have always wanted it to be.

Yesterday morning around 6 AM or so we went out on our front stairs and gazed at the sunrise together. It was so beautiful and most of all special that I had someone to share the beauty with. We also managed to hang the garden swing in the new arbour.

I did have an epiphany of sorts while working in the garden and it was quite splendid, I realised for the first time my enjoyment was for me actually us. The work in the garden, the house and other alterations were for us. I felt a bit overwhelmed, but it was an awakening to realise that what we were doing was not for family. Real slap up the side of the head. I actually don't care who buys this place anymore (well we have been programed to buy in order to invest or make more money), it's a rambling acre, half orchard, half veggie patch, with a home that has been added to since 1950's, though I suspect earlier since I found a car license plate buried in the dirt from 1923 .... could have been a date night :) So it's a place with some history and where Gary and I have changed the volcanic dirt into good healthy stuff to grow veggies and fruit trees. I do hope they survive for a very long time in the future.

Been looking to buy some real estate in SLC, surprised at the lack of response from the agents in that area. Though the RE is being snapped up at the low prices.

Finished burnt orange beanies for Franny and Greg, working on a little number for Ava, her 2 birthday is coming up soon, and my sister and I did some shopping over the Christmas Holiday, another fun day with Agnes.

And this morning when Gary went out with BeBe for her morning walk, our neighbour Roni was in the driveway, she had seen a boxer and thought we were looking after Badu and didn't realise she had done an escape, sadly Gary let Roni know that Badu was no longer with us. But seriously, what a great neighbour and neighbourhood that is so aware and keeps their eyes open and hearts too. Still miss Badu.

Dear Badu, I shall miss you

2011-10-22T15:38:00.000-07:00

We've spent so many wonderful years together. You were my first grand-daughter and very special. You brought comfort to my Dad, and to so many of our relatives you meant so much, Jean and John will be so sad when they hear how ill you got. Gary says he knows we shall meet you again, it needs to be soon.

In the meantime, enjoy chasing the waves, and racing in the sun and shadows. I shall think of you often and miss your woof, we shall be looking for you. I hope it's soon. Luv, e

Well big day for my husband

2011-10-04T10:09:00.000-07:00

His birthday is today, and he is now officially 65, doesn't look 65, doesn't act 65, in fact I don't know how a 65 year old should act. He now qualifies for airline ticket discounts, medicare, Amtrak discounts and probably a whole slew of other things that I'm sure we will receive in the mail via AARP et al.

I can't beleive I haven't posted since August, but it certainly has been busy around the homestead compound. Last week was spent digging out the raised beds and lining them so that water and my worm casting dirt no longer escapes through the wood joints, next year water will trickle down to the bottom of the double high raised beds instead of just half way down and running out. That was frustrating to watch this year. Gary made four more raised beds, and nearly all of them are now planted with winter and autumn crops that I am looking forward to harvesting and sharing.

Today is raining, so the seedlings and seeds are getting a good soaking. I have four tomato, several pepper and eggplants remaining, though they are on their last legs. I spent the last couple of days canning, and now have 20 small jars of Fig Jam destined for little Christmas gifts, all the brown kraft labels and just have to be popped on the lids. The jam tastes yummy even although I do say so myself.

Fighting off tomato worms and eating figs

2011-08-12T12:14:00.000-07:00

What can I say, every day I wander rather aimlessly in the afternoon when it's too hot to rake up all the oak leaves that are raining down like they think this is October or weeding. (Now that was a runalong sentance. A bit like my wandering).

I do munch my way through the garden, but have also been much better this year at picking crops right before ripening, therefore, haven't shared too much with the birds. The late rain and unusual snow seriously made the garden bounty much less this year. But perhaps the fruit trees need a good rest from producing, in fact I notice that they are much taller and have loads of new growth. I will practice better thinning next year to help them get even stronger.

About those huge tomato worms, well they don't stay on the tomatoes, they also like peppers and eggplant, I've been picking them off and offering them to the birds but they are so well camouflaged they are difficult to spot, and my glasses are constantly slipping down my nose because I am peering so hard though leaves and stalks.

Never mind, several baskets of garden goodies have been shared and loads of stuff has been quick blanched and frozen for later in the year when I am without the benefit of immediate fresh things in the garden. I am in process of persuading Mr. G to build about 4 more raised beds, I do want more, but will ease him into the project. The shade clothe I bought, well I probably didn't need this year (it just doesn't pay to outfox Mother Nature), we haven't been blazing hot in fact only turned the AC on twice so far this year. Quite unusual.

Almost all the major work has been done, now we are waiting for the gutters and downspouts to be installed next week, then we can refurbish the decks install railings and DONE!!

Will get some big tubs to catch rain during the coming rainy season. And then there is the chickens I want, shhhh it's a secret at the moment from Mr. G. But I have picked out the perfect spot for them, huge smile on my face and I found a chicken site that I can purchase the fluffy little things.

Soon it will be mid July 2011

2011-07-07T16:22:00.000-07:00

Weather burst into a heatwave, one moment it was in the 60's and now for the last few weeks mid 90's. Good for the heirloom tomatoes, not as comfortable for the folk working on our upgrades to the compound.

The studio inside is almost completed and the painter has been toiling away to make the building match the main house and garage. The breezeway is done, and it's painted, one week we got rain the next 100 degrees, it works we don't get wet nor sunburnt from whatever Mother Nature throws at us. I do have to replant/transplant some things, but I've got until October to figure that all out.

The new Gazebo is going up in the spot that used to have an ancient carport, that was seriously on it's last legs I don't know how it stayed standing. Painter will be here tomorrow to prime the wood, but the start of the roof line is on as of today, soon more shade to putter near the raised beds, now that will be even more of a pleasure.

Ughhhhhhhh.

2011-06-03T12:42:00.000-07:00

The knowledge that Scotland, Wales, England and the whole of Ireland are considerably warmer than California and have been for weeks is not comforting. The only bright thing is that Northern California is no longer suffering from years of drought and now that the drought is over and no one, I mean no one has used their irrigation systems in their gardens since last October is a small miracle. Amazing that the water companies have now raised their rates because we are not using water, how nonsensical is that?

But back to the weather, yet again we are looking forward to another three days of chilly, cloudy dreary weather. I'm surprised my tomatoes have survived with all the hail, snow (yes snow) and stuff. Our temperatures are 30 degrees lower than normal. On the bright side the weather folk are promising the middle of next week that we should see something in the 70's. I have hope. I can dream!

The other part of the ughhhhhh, is that I sold a few paintings, that's good. However, I asked my husband to help with mailing on one of those awful tornado days, and he did, he went to the Post Office and mailed the painting in a bubble wrap envelope. I know I should have done it myself. Needless to say, the envelope which was not one of those packages with the cardboard etc. to prevent bending, was shoved in through the letterbox, causing major creases in the painting. Ruined. The customer has requested I create another painting the same as she purchased. How does one recreate a watercolour painting? I offered to refund but no. I'm not sure I can. The paper is masked off and I am procrastinating by blogging. Tick tock, tick tock .....

The breezeway is going up finally from the garage to the house so we don't get wet, I bet when we finish so will the rain. The screen clothe I bought for the vegetables is working, the hail is prevented from damaging the crops. Which leads me now my theory if I hadn't bought the shade clothe and hadn't built the breezeway our weather would be normal, and I'd have tan lines on my toes from flip flops.

One upside to being confined indoors is that I get to read and research some things. For example an interesting article about using human urine on vegetables, not sure about this one but like I said an interesting concept. I am also wading (no pun intended seriously) through Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, I have time on my hands as I mentioned.

E.coli and the completely new strain of bacteria

2011-06-02T06:57:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was mulling and wondering about the E.coli outbreak in Germany, and it crossed my mind that I had read that Monsanto and other large agri-companies insert bacteria into seeds to prevent this that and the other thing, as well as promote growth, kill insects and weeds. I wondered if they used this particular bacteria. Well they do.

The reason I was wondering about this was that they were apparently stymied as to what the source is. This morning I went to read BBC news like I normally do, and now they are saying it is a new strain of E.coli they haven't seen before (article link), more toxic and deadlier. So I decided to take a look to see if there was anything that I could find about GMO and bacteria.

I found a site Wikihow and it was about how to find out about what you are eating and purchasing and how it has been modified, even gives the bar codes to show that it's GMO.

E.coli is used, I can't believe that something so deadly is inserted into our food source:

Aspartame/AminoSweet - Addictive and dangerous artificial sweetener commonly found in chewing gum and "diet" beverages. A building block of aspartame, the amino acid phenylalanine, is usually manufactured with the aid of genetically modified E. coli bacteria.

So what if at one of these manufacturing plants where the modification takes place, a person was infected with one of these viruses handled the GMO seeds and caused two bacteria to mutate into a new one? It appears that two from the early evidence suggests the bacteria has genes from two distinct groups of E. coli: enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) and enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC). One nasty bacteria seems to have acquired a toxin from another nasty bacteria which has resulted in an even nastier bug.

I should mention that this bacteria, the harmless strains are part of the normal flora of the gut, and can benefit their hosts by producing vitamin K2, and by preventing the establishment of pathogenic bacteria within the human intestine.

While certainly at this time the outbreak is in Germany, I wonder where the next one would be, you'd think this couldn't be an isolated incident, or is it?

Refurbished Sisters Studio

2011-05-16T08:59:00.000-07:00

Last year we built a new 3 car garage, which left the dilapidated old house and 3 car garage just sitting. Winter this year was more harsh than normal, we lost some shrubs and damaged quite a few of the fruit trees. But the tin roof on the old garage took some serious beating, it was sagging in the middle and the garage doors wouldn't close properly. My husband was of the mind to demolish all the structures but I held fast. Lets see what it would take to repair.

And so began the project. After about 5 weeks we are well on the way to a vast improvement. The old carport is almost completely gone, the siding and trim, along with the french doors and window are installed, and the trusses will last another 30 years. Of course the whole building needs to be painted to match the main house and garage, same colours dark brown, with gray accents and white trim, and of course the purple paint here and there. Can't be too ordinary right?

I am so looking forward to working in my new art studio my head is buzzing with creativity.

Lentil Stew

2011-04-19T16:20:00.000-07:00

So on facebook I said I would post the stew recipe, it was good and the neighbours really liked it. In fact one called this morning to say they had it for lunch in lettuce cups which sounds rather awesome and nourishing. So the flowers were from the garden, and it was raining (still!) the greens are the carrot tops that were left from the carrots I picked, waste not, want not. They look pretty I think.

Here goes:

1 tbsp olive oil
1.5 cups chopped onion
3 cloves garlic, chopped
6 stubby carrots, chopped
3 large turkey sausages, remove skin
1 package lentils (16 0z)
4 cups chicken broth, low salt etc.
3 stalks of Thyme
1 head of Sage
1/2 tsp of ground pepper
1 tbsp of sea salt
4 cups of shredded chard (or kale/spinach)
1/4 tsp of cumin

In large pot, heat oil , saute onions, garlic and carrots until slightly soft (10 minutes should do it). Add meat saute a little and then add, lentils, broth, sage thyme, pepper, salt. Bring to a full boil. Turn heat down and simmer, covered, until lentils are almost soft. (about 20 minutes). Stir in chard and add cumin, bring to a boil again and simmer for 20 minutes on low.

Serve over rice or pasta in a soup dish, and of course you could add either yoghurt or a little sour cream on top for a creamier taste. Bon Appetite!

Seconds tonight, manga

A World in Confusion Cultivating Inner Clarity

2011-04-07T07:18:00.000-07:00

If we can locate the stillness at the center of our hearts, we can find composure in almost any situation.

People who maintain their sense of calm when things around them are in a state of flux and confusion are always wonderful to be around. We feel calmer just being near them, as if they have activated our own sense of inner peace. From them we learn that we can be calm, even when everything around us is in turmoil, because we know that no matter what happens, this inner sense of calm will help us to function well. Often, times of confusion are the times that enable us to find that part of ourselves that knows how to cope, and how to be a light to others in the storm.

If we allow ourselves to be thrown off balance by every piece of disturbing news that comes our way, we may be relying too much on our emotions. On the other hand, our thoughts may also be unreliable at times like these, as they chatter on endlessly about what might happen next. If our feelings and thoughts activate one another in a hectic way, then we become caught up in the confusion that surrounds us. However, if we can locate the stillness at the center of our hearts, we can find composure in almost any situation. In addition, we provide a safe place for our friends and family, who are also prone to taking on the confusion of a world in flux.

It helps to remember that we don't need to completely understand what's happening right now, nor do we need to be able to predict the future. Most of us just want to find our way to being at peace with whatever happens, and we can find this peace inside. Cultivating our inner clarity with meditation, journaling, and reading words that inspire us, will lead us to that place inside us that's already there, just waiting.

The Daily OM Today's message, a wonderful free website that helps each day and I highly recommend.

I am, I am honestly trying. Everything is going to be sunny one day

2011-03-21T15:12:00.000-07:00

But I think all this rain is getting to me, I'm over the moon that we have loads of water and Oroville and Shasta have to after 6 years of drought let water out so the reservoirs don't overflow. But Mother Nature (MN) in January you brought two weeks of glorious sunshine, and I was bustling here there and everywhere with ideas and sinking my hands into the warm earth. It's the end of March and I have been staring out at what my dreams were. I could use a brolly but probably would have got struck with lightening or flatten with those huge hail pellets, which again happened today, I just thought I'd let you know MN. Tornado warnings today after 65 mph winds the other night are not appreciated just thought I'd share that with you MN.

Local Weather We are watching you!!

So my highlight for this week is heading to SF and visit with my daughter and son in law, oh and Zadie + Badu. The family is in the throes of moving yet again. The price for living in the city is out of this world. Just hope that the Sacramento doesn't overflow too much so I can make it to the city and back. If I can't make it back I'm planning on hitting as many wonderful eateries in SF that I can.

I did finish up an architectural drawing of brownstones ALA NYC, but initially inspired by the house I was born at in Glasgow, Scotland.

Studio is warm and dry

2011-02-28T16:08:00.000-08:00

Outside, well the snow is still melting, hard to believe that we had three weeks of glorious weather with the temperatures in the high 60's into mid 70's. Mother Nature was fooling with us. I don't think I shall have plums this year, all the blossoms are froze on the branches.

I painted several little items, and I actually finished two that took several weeks to complete. So happy I am easily amused.

Lemons into Lemonade in the kitchen of this sister

2011-02-15T15:05:00.000-08:00

So I bought, yes bought a bunch of lemons, way too many for me to use quickly although if I had a Spa the lemon juice would have been used up within hours I suspect. I got through about half the bag that I had purchased from a big shop, they were California Meyer Lemons that I really like, sweeter than most lemons.

My good friend Anneli returned from Finland and brought me a new supply of a little item that I think is wonderful must have in the kitchen for any cook. It's a bag divided into sections and you pour squeezed juice, then seal (I use a rubber band) then freeze. When I want to add fresh/frozen lemon juice all I have to do is squeeze out a pod of the frozen juice from the bag, I keep the whole bag inside a freezer zip lock bag after I initially open.

I did the same thing with my harvested pomegrantes last fall. Worked out great. The juice tastes absolutely fresh like you just got from the tree.

Love using the lemon juice on Avocados and especially when I am making either a roasted chicken or fish meal.

The Europeans are so smart and innovative, I wish I could buy these little inventions in this country.

Before I put the lemon rinds into the compost, I popped them into a pot and simmered for an hour with some sprigs of thyme and agave sirope, that I plan on drinking to ward off any potential sniffles that might think want to come my way. Should be a different drink to sip on a winter evening. Slainte

Feeling a little off kilter

2011-01-31T13:33:00.000-08:00

Really thinking that one of the things I'd love to have is a show at a gallery before you know ..... So worked in the studio this morning on a study for a series of paintings. I think after I stopped (read you're too old, make too much money and are therefore laid off) working in the corporate world I used to use really loud colours, and for the past few years have got mellow, and it has reflected in my paintings they are more subdued.

I did a study this morning, and showed to my husband. The comment was wow that's bright. I think I am on the right track, back to what made me feel good. I have also been working on my own website to attempt to sell some artwork. Goodness it's a lot of work, just when I think I have the concept I get a brain storm and have to redo. But it's getting there. I already have a plan that I thought of last November to implement and generate interest, so fingers crossed that I was on the right track.

In the meantime coming up with some concept studies and then have to transfer on to the larger canvas. Going to be a good year I think getting back into balance and feeling content. No more going off kilter for a while I think and hope.

The Living Years

2011-01-26T16:33:00.000-08:00

Every generation
Blames the one before
And all of their frustrations
Come beating on your door

I know that I'm a prisoner
To all my Father held so dear
I know that I'm a hostage
To all his hopes and fears
I just wish I could have told him in the living years

Crumpled bits of paper
Filled with imperfect thought
Stilted conversations
I'm afraid that's all we've got

You say you just don't see it
He says it's perfect sense
You just can't get agreement
In this present tense
We all talk a different language
Talking in defence

Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye

So we open up a quarrel
Between the present and the past
We only sacrifice the future
It's the bitterness that lasts

So Don't yield to the fortunes
You sometimes see as fate
It may have a new perspective
On a different day
And if you don't give up, and don't give in
You may just be O.K.

Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye

I wasn't there that morning
When my Father passed away
I didn't get to tell him
All the things I had to say

I think I caught his spirit
Later that same year
I'm sure I heard his echo
In my baby's new born tears
I just wish I could have told him in the living years

Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye

Mike + The Mechanics

I wish I had taken time to have done better with my Mum, I did have time with my Dad, but still regret that I left it too late with my Mum. I love you Mum.

A quiet moment in the Sisters' Studio

2011-01-18T16:24:00.000-08:00

There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative. - W. Clement Stone

At the end of 2010 I made a little box and everything I thought was negative, past and present was written out and popped into the box, and I got rid of it. Now of course the question is what is positive or negative, because we are all so very different in our views and opinions, which is a good thing most of the time. We all perceive and have views that can be polar opposites.

However, for me if something makes me feel sad, makes me doubt who I am, then that would be negative. I think for the most part I relish the good in life and look for the positive in everything around me.

My mother in law is a valuable source of grounding for me. She just turned 89 yesterday, bowls and does all positive living activities. Had seven children, and fostered three other children, truly an example how to live and nurture family traditions and ideals. I am very fortunate to know her and listen to her wisdom. She was diagnosed with breast cancer after her first child (now in his 70's), it wasn't cancer but somehow she managed to go on and live. Now that is one positive attitude.

The little box is working out well, I don't own the contents, they are all external and not internal and doesn't have anything to do with me, I don't own it, I don't have to nurture negativity, and most of all when it goes in the box I no longer think about it. I wonder if my mother in law had a little box, I doubt it but I would love to know how she did it.

Still doddling and doodling in the studio

2011-01-16T11:11:00.000-08:00

Spent most the day yesterday trimming fruit trees and roses, but especially mulling where I need to plant the new fruit trees. Still haven't worked that out. Next week predictions for the weather to continue warm in the 60's so perfect for gardening. In the meantime this coming week will entail transplanting raspberry, rhubard and artichoke plants into the old raised beds, already an irrigation system in place with a little more shade than where they are now which is direct sun and in the summer time they burn up from the heat.

The studio is foggy and chilly today

2011-01-08T15:42:00.000-08:00

So have making good use of the studio, and thinking about Spring to be honest. I still have to tidy up the garden from last year's growth, and soon before I know it all the fruit trees I ordered last summer will be here and need deep holes dug to to hold the new arrivals. I'm very excited to be the owner of some organic trees from "Trees of Antiquity" some of these are grafts from trees of the 1300's. Just thinking very special.

So I've sold a few ACEO's over the last couple of weeks, and yesterday loaded some more of my doodles to Etsy, money is tight so offering little works of art that in some cases might take as long as a larger piece is gratifying for me. Everyone deserves a little art, and yes even when times are tough.

The ones that have sold are mostly from imagination, as is most of my art.

What a beautiful New Year Day Morning

2011-01-01T07:36:00.000-08:00

Absolutely splendid, and looks like what I envision my year ahead to be. Peaceful, quiet and filled with wonder. I'm looking forward to experiencing new things and learning more. Looking within, not just me but everything around. With new eyes and thought.

So blessed to have such lovely supportive friends, neighbours and family members. I especially appreciate those who encourage and share their lives with me, I learn so much from them.

I wish you all could see me smile and feel how warm I am just thinking and picturing your faces.

Universal love and goodwill to you all. Esther

Almost at the beginning of another year

2010-12-30T14:40:00.000-08:00

Now how special is that, so much has happened this year. I have two new grand daughters, Mara and Zadie, Mara's Mum RayAna was born on May 21st, and so was Zadie. Life to me is so amazing in little ways but it seems those little things are not so little in the grand scheme of life as a whole. Everything is connected, all matter is connected, we are part of the Universe, it just takes folk like me some time to realise the interconnections. Thank goodness I still have the capability of learning and accepting what I find.

Next year, well I suspect I will find new connections and wonders to add to my life, now that is a gift from of course the Universe.

It used to be that May was a terrible month for me, but then Natalie and Dan married in May, Dan's birthday is in May and a whole new door has opened so that May is no longer where I dwell in sadness, remembering the passing of my Grandmother, Father and my Daughter Kimberlie. I look forward to new openings and doorways in the future. Yes 2011 will be wonderful. Hello and wishes to you all for the coming year.

Christmas Eve at the home of Sisters' Studio

2010-12-24T13:58:00.000-08:00

All is wrapped, all is delivered and Gary is making the last rounds of the neighbourhood with small tokens of appreciation of the 'hood.

Tonight off to Annelie's home to celebrate the arrival of Santa Claus for Bianca, we shall have to take some special photos of the event. This is the third year of a special Christmas Eve, so special sharing the excitement of little ones, squeals of delight and appreciation. Bianca certainly does that and we are looking forward to sharing a lovely meal then Santa arriving to deliver special goodies.

Our tree finally has some goodies underneath, some going elsewhere tonight. I can hardly wait to use my antique writing box, so fortunate to have found it and now under the tree.

Best wishes and Happy Christmas to all, from this pagan Scottish child

Life is perfect

2010-12-18T16:01:00.000-08:00

I am really in a good place right now, peace and calm, amazing and I'm going to hold on to this. Life is flowing, I feel free and nothing can diminish the golden place I am in.

Off this evening to hear a truly wonderful band, it's bucketing down with rain but that should just add to the beat of the drums. Besides California really needs the raindrops.

Working, and almost finished on another painting, a memory from where I grew up in Ayrshire, Scotland.

Just uploaded the finished painting today, December 30th, I'm really very pleased with the finished work. Haven't listed anywhere and may not, perhaps enjoy for a while and post off to some unsuspecting relative who remembers the old days like I do.

One day I will return and stay forever!!!

Spoke with all my relatives today in Scotland all are well, despite the cold and snow lovely to hear their voices and catch up with news. A wedding is coming up, joy for my nephew and his fiancee.

And some of my favourite things

Probably will not be with immediate family this year, but the two of us are planning a special time together. We may have to take Annelie to SFO on Christmas Day to catch a plane to Finland, her mother is doing rather badly. But if we don't then I think a wonderful dinner together the two of us, in peace, quiet and love is good. We might even do a card game of hearts in front of the fire. Life is good.

Using art as therapy

2010-11-30T13:20:00.000-08:00

Without really realising it, working through some issues, and I buried myself over the last few days, just doing what I thought was mindless. In a way it's rather like weeding, I dig and pull up this and that, sometimes even talk aloud to myself. With painting, I don't talk aloud, I just dabble, but the last five paintings that I whipped out without regard to form and tedious detail are a surprise. Especially when I lay them down together in sequence.

Friday | Saturday | Sunday | Monday | Tuesday

I really like the place I am in, I am thankful for all my dear YaYa's for their insight, and also for a newer friend (5 years now) for the book she gave me a year ago. What an insight, it's all universal and karma. I am very grateful for the arms around me, and I hope in my small way my arms are the same for them. I think so. Good life and wonderful, smiles to all. Peace

This last painting was inspired by innuendo, lies and rumours. A simple whisper can destroy. Take care.

Yesterday, all hands on deck!

2010-11-21T15:03:00.000-08:00

Now the day before Thanksgiving, and the kitchen is filled with rainbows, and happy colour, and so is my martini. A rainbow martini. Life is good.

So I picked all my lovely peppers and some dear friends came over and picked them up, but not before they had martinis. Too funny!

4 parts vodka
1 part vermouth (martini & rossi)
dash of caperberry juice
dash of blended scotch

All into the martini shaker with ice, shake, and pour! Add 2 large caperberries (World Market) on skewer good to go.

Voila friends for life!

Snow, sleet and drizzly wet stuff today, but the home is warm and cozy inside. Need to get cracking on getting ready for T.day, I think I know what I am doing, but then those are famous last words. It will be good no matter what.

Two the most important

2010-10-15T16:57:00.000-07:00

So my Bebe loves to snuggle, I couldn't resist grabbing the camera and taking a few quick shots of her and Mr. G. Every night she heads to the guest bedroom around seven o'clock after she sees that she will not receive anything from our dinner. Mr. G settles down for the night of watching whatever ..... baseball, football, reruns and Jeopardy of course.

Around 8:30 in the evening Bebe comes back out from her wee nap and plocks herself down below the tube, and stares, it's time for my last walk before I retire for the night is the scenario. At nine o'clock she comes back out and looks at me as if to say don't you think it's time to go to the bedroom and read, so that I can relax and take my dog collar off while you are at it. No she is not allowed to sleep with us, she kicks me out of the bed and she's too hot!! In the winter that's okay she a cheap hot water bottle but any other time no way.

Regular as clockwork!! I love our little dog and the every day rituals.

Twig Letter custom order ETHAN

2010-10-11T16:50:00.000-07:00

Because you gave me a deadline I have taken the liberty I hope you don't mind of doing the bones, and going ahead and wrapping the vines and twigs. Please take a look and let me know what your thoughts are. Additionally, on the photo with the vines are some flowers that I thought may look appropriate, also there is an old vine showing that the vines do turn to brown and not the green shown, however, the leaves when indoors turn a dark olive green. One other thing because you mentioned woods and birds prompted me or rather reminded me that I had purchased some of the feathered creatures many months ago. I thought might work in the design, I won't charge any more than we talked about but was wondering if this might be something you'd like to consider. Let me know what you think so far. Thanks, e

PS I haven't attached the hangers yet will wait until I hear back from you.

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Made the hangers and attached the bits and bobs, still not sure where you want the bird so I placed a couple in different places, please let me know I picked the brown/maroon coloured one. Once you have approved I will list and ship as soon as I receive payment to try and meet your deadline. thanks, e

Twig Letter Custom Order PRAHIL

2010-09-25T15:54:00.000-07:00

I've started to put the bones together, please take a look and let me know if the structure is close to what you want. Most of the twigs at this point are only laying on top of each other, nothing is firmly in place. Is the structure okay, and if it's okay do you want more little twigs, less twigs. Double click on the photo to get a real close up of the image. Please let me know. Thanks Esther

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Got your message, and added quite a few more twigs. Please take a look and send my your thoughts on what you think. All the twigs are in place, and the copper hangers attached.

Thanks Esther

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Glad you like them, I have added two twigs to the P I like it better this way, is that okay with you?

Custom Order SEQUOIA

2010-09-09T14:46:00.000-07:00

Started to work on the bones, and have laid a few of the sequoia branches in place on top of the twig bones, please take a close look at the initial S, I have added some moss, it's only placed not attached (as are all the other little sequoia branches, nothing is permanently affixed yet) to me moss and sequoia all go together in the coastal environment.

Please do let me know what your thoughts are, I do have a lighter, rather the light green grey coloured moss that I got when we were in Mendo at Little River about a month ago. Hope the bones and concept meet with your ideas on how you want the letters to appear. To view closer you can double click and zoom in to view. Thanks, Esther

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Just to let you know have removed all the greenery as we discussed and have them drying, will check late Monday to see how they are responding, if they still have moisture will reseal for a couple of more days. e

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All the sequoia twigs are fixed and in place, as are some of the nuts. The mosses are laying in place pending your input. If you want more I will add, and if you want more nuts too please let me know. I don't want to fix into place until you say go ahead. Thanks, e

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I readjusted the 'U', and now all the moss and sequoia nuts are in place. Is this okay or is there perhaps something else you'd like changed. If not after I hear back from you I will list. Because it's the weekend hold off on payment until Monday and that's when I will mail to you, along with tracking and insurance info. PO is closed here in town over the weekend. Thanks, e

Today was pretty much a bust

2010-09-01T16:13:00.000-07:00

I think sometimes I over think, and somehow Mother Nature always seems to outfox me. For example last week the temperatures fell into the 50's after being 110 degrees just a few days previous. We even resorted on Sunday night to turning on the heat because it was downright chilly.

My smart little mind went into high gear and I decided yes an early autumn is just around the corner and I am going to be ready, so I moved most of my creative bits and bobs on to the back patio. This of course was due to three new orders and 2 inquiries that may or may not happen.

Great I get to work, and so did Mother Nature, blistering heat today it's still in the mid 90's in the shade at 4:00 PM, so I am hoping for a fast evening cool down, and will head out first thing in the AM to work some magic. Tomorrow's weather forecast is supposed to be hotter.

Then on top of that I forgot that I had committed to look after little Bianca in the morning. I also forgot how much a 4-year old chatters, and does all manner of things like going to the bathroom four times in an hour (I suspect there was something in there she wanted to look at). Needing someone to jump-jacks with her because it's cool and that's what they were doing on Sprout, a new TV channel I had never heard about, I love learning something new every day.

The down side to all this was I didn't get to work on my projects, and only managed to accomplish picking some white figs before the birds decided on dessert, and I made stuffed Zucchini from one that was way too big to do anything else with. I will dry the seeds for growing next year though and the neighbours will get a meal this evening, because my husband won't eat that type of food.

Stuffed Zucchini Recipe (I only did one, and froze the rest of the mixture for later date, I also used meatballs and ground them up in the cuinsart), also added two large heirloom tomatoes, thank you Ted and a handful of cherry tomatoes.

* 4 medium or 2 very large zucchini
* 1 medium onion, minced
* 1 small jar or can roasted red peppers, chopped (omitted this)
* 1/2 green pepper, chopped (used 1 green pepper and 2 cubano peppers)
* 2 garlic cloves
* 1 egg, beaten (omitted this)
* 1/4 tsp thyme (I added 1 cup fresh parsley instead)
* 1/4-1/2 teaspoon oregano
* salt and pepper
* 3/4 lb ground beef or turkey (used 30 meatballs instead, chopped up)
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 1 to 2 cups shredded cheese

Wash the zucchini, but do not cut it. Get out a large stockpot, fill it with water and add the whole zucchini. Bring the water to a boil and cook the vegetables for 15 to 20 minutes, until they start to get a bit tender. The larger your zucchini are, the longer you want to cook them. Carefully remove them from the water and let them cool for a bit. (I didn't do this because I wanted to save the seeds, so I just cut in half, scooped out the seeds, then the pulp and saved it for cooking)

Get out a large pan and add the olive oil. Saute the garlic and onions. Add the green onion after a few minutes, then the spices. Next, add the ground beef. Season with salt and pepper and cook until the meat is no longer pink. Drain off the grease and set the pan aside.

Cut the slightly cooled zucchini in half lengthwise. Scoop out some of the soft vegetable “flesh” in the center. Chop it and add it to the ground beef mixture in the pan. Add the chopped roasted peppers and the egg as well and mix everything until it is well combined.

Once all your zucchini halves have been scooped out, put them on a foil lined cookie sheet or even better a large casserole dish. Scoop the meat filling into each prepared zucchini half and top with a little shredded cheese.

Bake the zucchini in a preheated 375 F. oven for 20 to 30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and starts to brown a bit.

If you are using a casserole dish, pour a little water or broth in the bottom to keep the zucchini moist and tender.

You can also make this with canned tuna instead of meat. For some different flavor, substitute the red peppers for a little tomato sauce and add a bit of Parmesan cheese to the mixture before filling.

Happy Birthday Mum, I love you and miss you and think of you every day, I am especially grateful for all the things you taught me, especially the appreciation of gardening, poetry and art.

hanging out hopefully soon with laundry

2010-08-26T14:36:00.000-07:00

Are you a certain age to remember what a clothesline is, or not if you are a true advocate of going green. This sister does both.

So many memories of making tents out of the sheets hung on the clothesline in Scotland and England. Of course the sheets would be damp with dew in the early morning mists that always seemed to happen in summer. The clothesline hung from the wall of our house out towards the vegetable patch in back and along the hedge of tall roses that separated the formal part of the garden that ended with trellis work that my Mum and Dad built from found branches in Tilgate forest nearby. Hanging clothes was a ritual and had to be done correctly, even the socks hung by their toes. Special shirts and blouses had a bamboo cane threaded through the arms to prevent awkward bumps on the shoulders. The Basic Rules of The Clothesline and a cute poem that I acquired from another blog. Should you attempt to stroll down memory lane and actually hang some laundry outside....you're might want to sit down to a breakfast and indulge with a recipe of muffins/scones

THE BASIC RULES FOR CLOTHESLINES OF THE PAST:

1. You had to wash the clothes line before hanging any clothes – walk the entire lengths of each line with a damp cloth around the lines.
2. You had to hang the clothes in a certain order, and always hang “whites” with “whites,” and hang them first.
3. You never hung a shirt by the shoulders – always by the tail!. What would the neighbors think?
4. Wash day on a Monday! . .. . Never hang clothes on the weekend, for heaven’s sake!
5. Hang the sheets and towels on the outside lines so you could hide your “unmentionables” in the middle
6. It didn’t matter if it was sub zero weather … clothes would “freeze-dry.”
7. Always gather the clothes pins when taking down dry clothes! Pins left on the lines were “tacky!”
8. If you were efficient, you would line the clothes up so that each item did not need two clothes pins, but shared one of the clothes pins with the next washed item.
9. Clothes off of the line before dinner time, neatly folded in the clothes basket, and ready to be ironed.
10. Fresh sheets on the bed guarantee a good nights rest!

A POEM

A clothesline was a news forecast
To neighbors passing by,
There were no secrets you could keep
When clothes were hung to dry.

It also was a friendly link
For neighbors always knew
If company had stopped on by
To spend a night or two.

For then you’d see the “fancy sheets
And towels upon the line;
You’d see the “company table cloths”
With intricate designs.

The line announced a baby’s birth
From folks who lived inside -
As brand new infant clothes were hung,
So carefully with pride!

The ages of the children could
So readily be known
By watching how the sizes changed,
You’d know how much they’d grown!

It also told when illness struck,
As extra sheets were hung;
Then nightclothes, and a bathrobe, too,
Haphazardly were strung.

It also said, “Gone on vacation now”
When lines hung limp and bare.
It told, “We’re back!” when full lines sagged
With not an inch to spare!

New folks in town were scorned upon
If wash was dingy and gray,
As neighbors carefully raised their brows,
And looked the other way .. . .

But clotheslines now are of the past,
For dryers make work much less.
Now what goes on inside a home
Is anybody’s guess!

I really miss that way of life.
It was a friendly sign
When neighbors knew each other best
By what hung out on the line.

The Clothesline Said So Much, by Marilyn K. Walker

So, if you actually venture out to hang some clothes, you may want a nice cup of coffee and a Morning Muffin afterward....... I will post a gluten free recipe soon, made from a box mix and my additions, seriously you will not believe it is a gluten free recipe.

Hello Mum and Elyse

2010-08-14T20:45:00.000-07:00

Thank you for visiting, I decided to add what I was doing over the last couple of days. Silly really but everyday is special isn't it?

I picked all the lemon verbena blossoms I could find and am now in the process of drying them I am sure I can find a use for the since they especially smell so wonderful. My pomegranates are growing very fat and should be good to pick in a month or so. Peaches and plums are ripe and are being shared with the neighbours. I've never grown corn before and we had our first ear last night, although I think I picked too soon, so will be patient for the rest to yellow and mature.

Special bonus was the compost I planted and sprouted Cantelope, I think next week I will pick the first one lovely surprise and lesson, do not put seeds into the kitchen compost pot and plant in the garden unless you want something to sprout.

Purchase of the day was free, an old ice tray, I think I shall use and pop lemon slices into the blocks so that when I made sun tea each glass will have a touch of iced lemon. Old is good.

The midnight marauders were back, the bandits ate my water hyacinths, tipped over the fountain and did other things they shouldn't. Those raccoons are going to meet a sticky end. Today I put a flimsy fence around the pond and took hair from my hair brush and scattered around we'll see how they manage to deal with that, those critters!!

An eyeopener for this Sister

2010-08-03T09:40:00.000-07:00

So this morning this sister got an email, about something but got sidetracked by something else of course to do with gardening.

Sadly this year despite purchasing what I thought was 10 yards of premium soil the vegetables are doing quite miserably and it wasn't until my neighbour Ted came and looked at them did I then realise what was wrong. "Nitrogen" he said. I bought some a couple of days ago and applied to the soil, voila green leaves are now replacing the sickly yellow ones. Funnily enough the veggie beds that I ignored a bit this year and are sprouting volunteer plants (tomatoes) are doing great.

But now I am diverging from the original thought and investigation I was doing, so this site (which is a be prepared one) has a link for gardening on the left hand column. I found several links that were so informative, however, the one written in the 1800's was key ..... minerals in the soil. Under the garden section, soil remineralisation there is a free book (PDF format) translated from German called "Bread from Stones" one of the best make sense gardening information I have read. I am now on a quest for stone meal fertilizer, except I know I already can find granite dust up the canyon and might do a DIY formula. The other free book link was a report written in 1970 by John Hamaker for Congress and President Carter, not surprising he also wrote about remineralisation of our soil.

Of course I also read the copy of Seed Keeping, and some of you might also find the information very helpful.

Random thought by this sister

2010-07-22T11:33:00.000-07:00

Time for the evening walk with the doggie. Sad I looked at his baseball hat it says 2002 - and I wonder where did the years go. I love him and miss the lost and thrown away minutes. Precious moments that slip though our lives.

I also think it's time for my daughter (Natalie Hansen Kowta) to pick up her brushes, just a moment in time that brings a smile into my centre. And I must admit envy of her freedom of movement and creativity in her work. Several of her works hang in our home, two are quite large as in 8' wide or tall, 'Delight' hangs in the guest bedroom, and 'Remember' (Kimberlie, her sister and my daughter) hangs in the hall above the stairs from our bedroom, a daily reminder of the past and memories. The home painting was a gift many years ago when I commissioned 10 paintings for family and friends as christmas gifts for them. The red, white and black was a house warming gift to us when we moved to Paradise, and the little painting inside the empty frame was one that Natalie created for my Dad before his passing, that I brought back from the UK as a special memory of the relationship Natalie had with her Grandpa. Again memories from the sisters studio.

Something Wanted Still - Esther McIntyre McIsaac Lawther 1945

2010-06-30T15:49:00.000-07:00

I ask of earth no more than this
A little of her wealth
Some place of of blessed peacefulness
A plenitude of health
And then (but this is more of heaven)
that someone's love to me be given.

Some other things I'd wish but these
Are quite a common need
A quiet retreat wherein, at ease,
To site + muse + read.
And then, ah, yes I'd wish to share
My joy with someone sitting there

A few good friends to meet at times
And talk of olden days
With joke + jingling of rhymes
And such like pleasantries
And then, ah, yes I'd like to see.
The smile of someone close to me.

To music still I would aspire
And give allegiance strong
And pledge unquenchable desire
In memorable song.
If in my praise I might combine
Some voice in harmony, with mine.

I know that, in my humble way.
The things the world holds good.
The garish lust of luxury.
Were foreign to my mood.
Sufficient if I'd but possess
The luxury of one caress

And should.

Written by my mother in the mid 1940's shared by the sisters' studio.

I can see the end in sight

2010-06-26T09:49:00.000-07:00

In a couple of weeks the house painting should be done, and then all that will be left is the staining of the porches. The new garage should finally get it's last coat that includes the same colour we have on the house. Painter just knocked on the door, he is experimenting with the aubergine colour, I think it looks great, a touch of whimsy in the forest.

Then of course we can finish the fences and side driveway gate. Flowers and trees all look great although there was some major overgrowth, and I have been hacking my way through some jungles in the flower beds. This weekend supposed to be in the 100's so we managed some quick gardening very early this morning before the sun became a scorcher. Gary has reseeded the lawn in the front of the eastside garden, and I can see new little shoots, it's some kind of special seed that can withstand hot dry summer and doesn't require huge amounts of water thank goodness.

The loquats are almost ready to eat, I love these trees, huge leaves and they are evergreen, the blossoms start in February and I am always amazed that they survive the cold because they look so tropical. I noticed for the first time I have some volunteers, so I am going to pot them, they are slow growers but I think I will try it anyway. Umbrellas are all up and summer furniture out so that I can stop and smell the roses. Sun tea every day, what a lovely life!

Happy Summer Solstice

2010-06-21T17:45:00.000-07:00

I can hardly believe it's the longest day of the year. Time has speed by so fast, I wish it could be slow motion so that I could capture all the lovely events that have happened over the last month.

I've spent the last couple of weeks, days here and there down in San Francisco helping out my daughter and son in law, with a little of this and a little of that while they adjust their lives to include the new arrival. If I gush about Zadie, well all I can say is she is a perfect combination of Natalie and Dan. A wonderful little individual whose personality is distinct. Already at one month she moves from her back to her tummy, which startled the Dr. Little Zadie is a mover and shoulder climber, and has very strong legs and arms, who moves very quickly for all of 7lbs. 7ozs. Her eyes are wide open, she smiles, and has started to make sounds. Although some of the sounds I refer to remind me of what a baby Teradactyl might sound like. I thought it was lovely sound. But then I'm the Grandma. Gary kept Badu company on the couch, poor Badu is still trying to figure out who this new arrival is, and seems discombobulated for the time being, we love Badu too.

I loved holding her and smelling her sweet breath on my neck, touching her soft skin and downy hair. I think she might have curls (I always wanted curls but my hair is dead straight, we always want what we can't have) her hair is definitely not straight! Cupid lips (Dan) and a lovely little nose (Natalie), and long fingers. A perfect child in my mind. I hope she thinks I'm a perfect Granny.

So yesterday and today I've been hacking the garden, it again turned into a wild wilderness in my absence. This evening though I finally picked cherries, I did leave some for the birds, not alot but enough for dessert.

It's June and it's still raining in California

2010-06-03T14:44:00.000-07:00

Everyone is moaning about how their tomatoes, squash, cucumbers have died. I was fortunate only for the fact that I didn't have the raised beds built but a couple of weeks ago Jesus (me and Jesus in Paradise) and I finished them up. I still have to either put sealer in the cracks where the wood joins or nail on some stripping to keep the dirt inside the veggie beds. I want to stain the outside of the beds too, but not sure what colour, I'm thinking red, like bright red on the boards.

Still waiting for the tractor man to show up to move gravel in front of the new garage and he happens to be the concrete person too for the garage pad. But again the rain has messed up everyone's plans. So we wait. When the tractor shows, I'm having him move tons of mulch, bark and yes pea gravel where I want into my planting area, that is presently stashed in the far back area of the garden.

In the meantime, beets, chard, spinach, turnips, corn, cucumbers and tomatoes are sprouting because I only planted a week ago. I also bought new herbs and will replant some roses near the trellises to entice the bees and humming birds. The new fruit trees are holding their own, despite the frost and hail, they got damaged and I lost two of them, but fingers crossed. I also bought two kiwi, male and female those sexy plants need each other apparently, so they better produce or else. Gary is merrily building the back fence we call it the 'deerterante' and I will soon be able to move the temporary awful fence away completely, but it works and they don't jump over it, otherwise I'd have nothing in the garden except cute deer poop.

I have an order in from Trees of Antiquity. Danielle (owner) ordered custom twig letters from me for her daughter last year and was so pleased she said have a free tree, well when I looked at their site I almost died and went to heaven, however, I was too late for this year and my order is in for late this year for planting. Amazing farm in south central California.

I so want to grow fruit I grew up with, especially the mulberries that my Grandma used to gather for Sunday Dinner, topped off with cream from the top of the milk delivered during the week. Special memories of my Grandparents when they lived in Pulborough, Sussex in the "Olde Place" next to the church and built in the 1400's. I took Natalie, my daughter there when she was about eight years old, I don't suppose she remembers but it truly was a wonderful old home, with plank floor boards about 14 inches wide, and the front door was like opening the door to a castle it was so thick. Hope you all check it out Trees of Antiquity for great heirloom, organic fruit trees.

My list so far includes all of the following and I am sure I will be adding a few more, because I am greedy for the old fruit.

BRAMLEY'S SEEDLING England 1813

CORNISH GILLIFLOWER England 1700's

WHITE PEARMAIN England 1200 A.D.

BLACK MULBERRY BUSH (Morus nigra sp.)

FUJI Japan 1962 (Ralls Janet x Delicious)

BARTLETT (Williams Bon Cretien) England 1700

HARDY (Beurre Hardy or French Butter Pear) France 1820

GOOSEBERRY, INVICTA, England

I now have a second batch of tadpoles, and hopefully they will become little frogs soon, I need to drain the pond and get all the leaves and twigs out of it. The midnight marauders (raccoons) have been absent for a month I suspect because of all the rain they have another pond to plunder and that's good, I hate the motion detector lights coming on at all hours of the night when they are lurking and diving for what? One inch frogs?

Before and After May 21st 2010

2010-05-28T07:16:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful week, we are now Grandparents of the lovely Zadie, we met with her for an hour last weekend. It will be amazing to watch and hear how quickly she grows.

Latest painting

2010-05-15T09:03:00.000-07:00

Worked on this for the last two weeks, I have a home for it already. Still a bit tired from the nagging pain. On a good note my new garden beds are finally taking shape and I have been lugging new fruit trees into place, this time next year it will look like it's been there for a while.

Nervous Ninny

2010-05-04T10:55:00.000-07:00

Another week has passed, and it wasn't all that great. I got a huge pain just to left of my breastbone, and it got worse and worse. Of course I was all over the internet suspecting that my time was up. Self-diagnosing, not a too smart thing to do. Of course not saying anything to anyone. I rarely get ill and when I do usually head for the walk in clinic down the street, so I finally went on the the Blue Shield website to find a 'real' doctor. We're sorry Mrs. Hansen but because you are a new patient the soonest we can get you in is six weeks from now from one doctor's office, or this one sorry we only take poor folk and you have medical insurance.

Anyway, was sitting at the computer yesterday and it occurred to me that I had felt the creeping sensation at the top of my head along with the bumpy things on the roof of my mouth which usually happens when I have a cold sore about to inflict pain. Then there was the creeping sensation underneath my eye, it's a bit like a spider walking across the top of your head or over your face (Bells Syndrome). Ding, ding I realise not cold sore but Shingles, so I call the pharmacy to ask for a refill on my Acyclovir, nope no can do. The walk in clinic wants to see you. So I toddle down the road, yup Shingles, and of course my sister fills me in on how bad both my parents were with this and how she has had it twice. Thank you chickenpox!! The pain is not quite as bad today, and I get to live for another day. I swear I will not internet search again and read all the dreadful things I imagined I had (though I did learn alot).

So while I was imagining the end of the world I quietly painted again, still on the linear kick, and although the painting looks simple, it wasn't. Copper paint on black Arches paper, bad eyes requiring the magnifying glass. No spills allowed so very slow going with the pen and ink. Painting turned out rather well. I really like how it reflects light, and at night it seems to glow.

Tractor Rental 200. Damage Repair 700. + 800. pea gravel

2010-04-27T13:46:00.000-07:00

There are certain things I am still learning about my husband. The latest lesson was the tractor on Sunday that he rented for the day to remove all the pea gravel he ordered and spread on the area that was supposed to be my new orchard and vegetable area. The pea gravel was the first mis-step, but he wanted to rectify the 800. mistake.

Well when the tractor showed up it was huge, I was expecting one just like our neighbour has a compact easy to handle and manage. But no he got a beast! Every contraption you could think of was on the beast.

He started out at 9:15 AM and things didn't seem too bad although the beast seemed too large for the area. He started moving the offending pea gravel to the back side of the property, and I wandered off blissfully to weed the flower beds, about an hour later I heard CRASH, and a certain word wafting over the old garage roof top, I ran to the back expecting to see a prone body, nope just the side of a metal shed completely dented and missing it's corner (1). I shook my head and walked away. It's now 83 degrees, the sun is blazing down and it's hot in more ways than one.

I lost count of the times I said you are getting too close to the water line, finally a geyser ensued (2). Water line needs to be repaired later. "Damn I forgot the bucket was up" the new garage gutter now has a gouge reminder to lower front bucket whilst moving forward (3). Do not drive tractor too wipe when making a pass by the new garage while swinging back wildly to smooth out back drive, you may take out the north corner (4).

At 7:30 PM, please remember the roll bar on top of the tractor so that it won't take out the old carport when parking the beast for the night (5). All in all it was a day of learning new things, and I did remember the next day when the beast was returned to the rental facility, and my dear husband stated "That was fun, I need to rent a tractor again to finish up". NO HE WON'T unless he rents a tractor person that comes with the tractor!. I learnt my lesson and he is still alive and I still love him, although he needs a St. Christopher medal. I'm off to find a cool drink.

Voila, Golden State, Golden City, Golden Gate

2010-04-23T14:36:00.000-07:00

Who knew back in the 60's how much I would be influenced by some films and music. But I was first there was "The Nun's Story" and I immediately thought wonderful that's the life for me, of course I didn't look remotely like Audrey Hepburn but that didn't seem to matter to me at the time, only my Mother went a little nuts at the thought. Of course my personality was never cut out to be a nun, but I think I would look good in the part.

Then of course there was "Flower Drum Song" and "The World of Suzie Wong", I think it was the first time I'd heard of San Francisco, and of course I didn't have a clue where it was, but the film was one of those moments in time that stays with you, no explanation just there lurking in the memory bank.

In my late teens I moved to Madrid and became an English teacher at a language institute in the city for private students. Classes varied in ages from 10 years old to 50, the younger classes usually had several students, the adult was usually one on one. After a few months I was fired for speaking too much Spanish. Quaint, but true but Golden Instituto paid my bills, my back up was typing (which I loathed to do) for American companies like COL GAT E, yes Colgate, but in spanish pronounced quite differently hence the initial spelling. So where am I going with all this? If you are bored just look at the painting.

Now I lived on Onesimo Redondo, right off Plaza Major, round the corner from Gran Via. But the best thing was I lived directly across from the "Royal Palace" (can I just say gardens), of course when I was there the Royals had been ousted, and Spain was under the rule of General Franco, trust me the streets at night were extremely safe under the Franco rule. I shared a 1800 year old apartment on the 4th Floor with Vilma (an Australian), but our neighbours were American, two gay blades who had just finished filming "The Battle of the Bulge", I didn't care what they have filmed, they cooked!! Over dinner which happened at least once a week, they regaled us with stories, they were happy and talked about America, and they played "I Left My Heart in San Francisco", over and over.

So I ended up in the USA in 1967, in Pennsylvania from Spain. The sky always appeared milky coloured, and when the winter came the snow came down sooty. It was the 60's and the Steel Mills were alive and well. I just wanted to return to Spain to clear blue skies, flamencos and tanned people from the sun, but we ended up heading to Lafayette CA instead. Where a couple of friends from Madrid had moved to, lucky for me. Okay now I get a job in San Francisco from a family friend at an Art Gallery called "Gallery on Geary", then after cataloging all the paintings found another job at Bechtel on Beale St.

This is where it gets interesting, I meet Mai Le, she wears the traditional Chinese clothing, with the slits up the sides, she is the most beautiful young woman I have ever seen. Flower Drum Song!! Clear blue skies and everyone is happy (hippies) almost (Vietnam) and I left my heart in San Francisco (also Scotland it's a hard choice).

So after painting the last canvas I enjoyed doing the geometrics so much I wanted to do a more linear painting, and this is the result. No swirls, no petals, just lines and it's San Francisco. (I will have to write more about when I first arrived in this country).

What does a water trough and a custom order have to do with each

2010-04-22T14:31:00.000-07:00

Well absolutely nothing, really. But I did a search online regarding twig letters, and just happened to see this photo, which has nothing to do with twigs, except it's in a meadow, overgrown lawn perhaps under a tree. Thanks to Apartment Therapy for the distraction. I so went on a mission to find a metal tub, haven't come up with one yet, but it's on my list to find. I want to put one in my garden, close to where my veggie patches will be, I know after weeding and tending I shall need an outdoor dip. Perfect.

Now to the custom order for Melissa, the bones are in place for your little one's name. No flowers or embellishments yet, but how do the bones look to you? Twigs are oak, rosemary, lily stems, statice and winter jasmine vine, if you click on the photo you can zoom in to see what they look like close up.

Yesterday and today spent doing the flowers and embellishments, hope you like them please let me know if these letters are what you imagined. I have old world roses, petite yellow roses, bluebells and some greenery. All letters will have a label with the plants used in the letter.

Blown Away

2010-04-11T17:13:00.000-07:00

Finished up the painting today, while it bucketed down ducks. Three more inches of rain, I suppose the frogs will enjoy the damp and cold, they are probably making more tadpoles in my pond. I closed the Etsy shops, I feel free, I do still lurk a little in the forums, but it's just so awful inside Etsy at the moment, the back end of Etsy technology is in the bucket. I'm so tired of reading about sellers writing about not being found on Google search since the beginning of March, I feel sorry for those who do depend on sales to make ends meet.

On a good note though I've started painting again, and that's what feels good. I listened to Chris Rea, Bruce Cockburn and several of my other favourite singers and writers. Even with the rain, it was a good day, still have loads to do on the painting but I think this is a keeper.

Brilliant day, and Spring is showing off!

2010-04-07T13:02:00.000-07:00

The sun has returned, and the garden is blooming. I found a random tulip in the Rosemary, I have no idea how it got there, never have seen it before so it's my velvet red surprise, and it's gorgeous.

I picked some flowers over the weekend and shared with family, and saved two pink and green tulips for myself. I need to remember to buy more of them this Autumn I love the shade and colours of this one especially. My Look At Me tulip are unreal, and the Plain Jane yellows are beautifully ordinary. I have no idea what any of the real names are for the tulips all I know is they are beautiful. Hello Spring!

Bone chillin' Easter Weekend

2010-04-06T11:17:00.001-07:00

Got lashings of sleet, hail and snow. Thankfully on Sunday it let up just enough for the Easter Bunny visit for the children.

Saturday was fun we were invited over to Sharon and Jerry's home. Good old friends of theirs were in for a weekend visit from Shasta, Joan and Pete. Food of course is always unusual and fantastic. We were introduced to the game of Wii, hysterics ensued, especially after shots of Tequila. The P's beat the W's and the Alpha P has endowed me with honorary membership of the Travelling Sisterhood. I found out I am not a flying Chicken, and that bowling can be played backwards, Joan is the champion of that little trick. Additionally we practiced being 90 years old and bowling, more difficult than it sounds, requires sitting in a chair and not moving at all.

Sunday the bunny arrived, Mikko made the suit he's a very talented chap!! Children were running hither and thither loads of giggles lovely to watch them. Annelie's good friend Sharon handpainted eggs and included crystals in the design.

After that we headed down to Mary and Mark in Chico. Dan and Nat were up from SF, and later Matt and the his children showed up for dinner. Mary out did herself with a Ham and all the trimmings.

Need to pick up my dishes at Sharon's, Annelie and Mary (reminder of where dishes are in Butte County).

Why coloured Easter Eggs

2010-03-31T06:27:00.000-07:00

Excerpt taken from the Farmer's Almanac.

Originally, the Persians and then the ancient Egyptians, exchanged colored eggs to celebrate the return of spring. They also used those decorated eggs as tokens of goodwill. The eggs were often colored a bright red to signify blood and the life force.

Later, the Greeks adopted the custom and used colored eggs during their spring festivals as a sign of fertility and of the regenerative power of nature. During Cleopatra’s rein, around 50 B.C., Egyptians and Romans colored eggs as part of their spring festivals.

The custom started disappearing in Europe when the Pennsylvania Dutch brought it to the New World in the 1700s. But the tradition didn’t catch on right away. By 1880, the Pennsylvania Dutch and the Ukranians were the only ethnic groups in this country who, in any real number, still observed this quaint festivity.

Because egg dying was a time-consuming practice back then, many people didn’t have the time or resources to participate in the tradition. Unlike today, most Easter eggs were colored by boiling them with onions skins for a yellow color, hickory bark for shades of brown, madder root for red and other materials such as coffee, walnut hulls, green wheat and beets for varying colors. Dyes such as indigo, logwood, and gamboges were also used, but you had to go out and buy these dyes.

William M. Townley, a druggist at a New Jersey store, sold the dyes. One year, Townley came up with the idea of packaging his dyes, after he spilled some powdered indigo on a suit and ruined it. After that incident, he had his shop boy take the dyes to the backyard of the shop and measure and prepackage the various dyes used for Easter eggs.

This made coloring eggs easier and more convenient, and also helped renew this custom which is still observed today.

Wonderful weekend visit in SF

2010-03-15T12:05:00.000-07:00

My goodness my little one is expanding, only three months to go. I honestly don't think Natalie can expand anymore, I didn't get to feel the little one move, but I certainly felt either her head or bottom. Dan, Natalie and of course Badu are all happy and ferociously reading parenting books, and a massive baby name book. Maybe names are being posted on the blackboard, it is difficult to choose a name but I am sure they will pick the perfect one that will suit the 'sprout'.

We had a living room picnic, after they took me to their favourite neighbourhood grocery shop, called Canyon Market in the Glen Park area of San Francisco. A mini version of Whole Foods, I drooled my way through this lovely little family owned shop. In the evening they treated me to a wonderful meal at The Blue Plate, hard to get reservations at this little city gem, and I can see why the meal was off the charts. I had a wonderful Arugula, Beet and Orange segment salad followed by coriander encrusted lamb on a bed of watercress. Dan who is not keen on Lamb tasted it and I think next time he might order it. Natalie devoured her Pork Tenderlion Chop, even after having a bowl of Cauliflower soup. In olden days I'd say she would have left 60% of the meal and taken it home, not any more. Eating for two will do it every time.

We managed to get one cover done for the baby changing table, a little tricky because the shape was like a skateboard ramp on either side, stops the baby rolling around like on the normal flat changing pads. Natalie also mended Badu's sock monkey, so it will live intact for another week until it misses an arm, tail or leg. Wonderful time and wonderful family company, topped off by perfect San Francisco weather.

The peach, nectarine and plum blossoms are full down in the valley and underneath swaths of yellow mustard seed. I was tempted to put the top down on the car, but just was content with the sun glasses.

The week so far, well all over the map I think including the weather

2010-03-11T06:46:00.000-08:00

I think we have too many irons in the fire. The back of the property has been bulldozed, yesterday tons of gravel, sand and river rock were delivered, today who knows what will be delivered. Mikko, is building our new garage he also building his niece Bianca a tree house, quite splendid, I may have to hang out in it myself. Much more fun than a garage I think.

It also snowed yesterday well overnight, which put a crimp in a custom order I am pulling together, have to wait till today or tomorrow to make sure the plants are sufficiently dry. The flowers are popping up all over the place and blossoms were glowing in the sun. The landscaper has improved the front garden beds and I know can see progress. Looking forward to everything filling in. I think I will get thyme to put between some of the plants, the bees will love it.

I burnt part of the dinner the other night, and my sister never believes I mess up cooking so here's the proof. Or I could blame it on our Dad who always burnt bread. Maybe a stealth visit from him. Little reminders just like my kitchen window sill of who is important. And we got Gary a new bike, well when we go to Utah we need to keep up with my sister, who is now quite the avid biker. I think this weekend will be a bike day for her. I actually made it to the hair dresser yesterday and now have something reminicent of the 70's I believe it's called an afro, though I have been assured it will calm down, I'm just wondering when that might happen. I didn't need a pillow last night with the poof do.

Friday is here and a great weekend in store

2010-03-05T16:16:00.001-08:00

So I'm cleaning and sorting things kind of, and getting ready for Judi to visit. Bed is stripped and waiting to be remade blankets folded ready to put back on the bed. Bebe thinks this room belongs to her, it doesn't, however that didn't stop her from popping up to the folded blankets and taking a nap! Finally the room is done, why she couldn't have gone into the bay window where her little rug and sheepskin is I have no idea. I am coming back in the next life as a Bebe doggie. And the door to the room is closed so that the pillows stay intact because Bebe has had a pillow fight.

Our Anniversary shout out!!

2010-03-03T06:46:00.000-08:00

Another special day in March, 32 years and we are still rubbing shoulders and toddling along together. Despite the long time there is usually something new every day, a little bit of excitement here and there and laughter, mostly we laugh at ourselves together. Insane. Today we shall make Etouffee together stay indoors because it is bucketing down with rain again, lots of thunder predicted, so we will stay cozy by the fire.

The Farmers' Almanac came out with their latest update on planting for the next two months. I am going to try and keep referring to it, to see if it works I need all the help I can get.

March 2010
1st-2nd. A Most Barren Period, Best For Killing Plant Pests Or Doing Chores Around The Farm. 3rd-4th. Favorable Days For Planting Root Crops. Fine For Sowing Hay, Fodder Crops, And Grains. Plant Flowers. 5th-6th. Excellent Time For Planting Root Crops That Can Be Planted Now, And For Starting Seedbeds. 7th-9th. Poor Planting Days. 10th-12th. Any Root Crops That Can Be Planted Now Will Do Well. 13th-14th. A Barren Period, Best Suited For Killing Pests. Do Plowing And Cultivating 15th-16th. Good Days For Planting Above Ground Crops. Fine For Vine Crops. Set Strawberry Plants. 17th-18th. Cultivate And Spray, Do General Farm Work, But No Planting. 19th-20th. Favorable For Planting Crops Bearing Yield Above The Ground. 21st-23rd. Seeds Planted Now Tend To Rot In Ground. 24th-25th. Best Planting Days For Above Ground Crops, Especially Peas, Beans, Cucumbers, And Squash Where Climate Permits. Plant Seedbeds And Flower Gardens. 26th-29th. A Most Barren Period, Best For Killing Plant Pests Or Doing Chores Around The Farm. 30th-31st. Favorable Days For Planting Root, Fine For Sowing Hay, Fodder Crops, And Grains. Plant Flowers.

April 2010
1st-3rd. Good Days For Planting Beets, Carrots, Radishes, Turnips, Peanuts, And Other Root Crops. Also Good For Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce, Kale, Celery, And Other Leafy Vegetables. Start Seedbeds. 4th-5th. Barren Days. Do No Planting. 6th-8th. Favorable Days For Planting Beets, Carrots, Turnips, Radishes, Onions, And Other Root Crops. 9th-10th. Excellent Time To Kill Weeds, Briars, Poison Ivy, And Other Plant Pests. 11th-13th. Favorable Days For Planting Root Crops, Extra Good For Vine Crops. Set Strawberry Plants. 14th-15th. Poor Planting Days. Break Ground Or Cultivate. 16th-17th. Favorable For Planting Beans, Corn, Cotton, Tomatoes, Peppers, And Other Above Ground Crops. 18th-19th. Poor Days For Planting, Seeds Tend To Rot In Ground. 20th-21st. Plant Tomatoes, Beans, Peppers, Corn, Cotton, And Other Above Ground Crops On These Most Fruitful Days. Plant Seedbeds. Start Flower Gardens. 22nd-25th. Grub Out Weeds, Briars, And Other Plant Pests. 26th-28th. First Two Days Good For Planting Corn, Melons, Squash, Tomatoes, And Other Above Ground Crops. Last Day Favorable For Planting Root Crops. All Days Favorable For Sowing Grains, Hay And Fodder Crops, And For Planting Flowers 29th-30th. Good Days For Planting Beets, Carrots, Radishes, Turnips, Peanuts, And Other Root Crops. Also Good For Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce, Kale, Celery, And Other Leafy Vegetables. Start Seedbeds.

Quite a day

2010-03-01T19:45:00.000-08:00

First of all and most important it is my sister's birthday. I am so far away but some of her dear friends treated her after school today, that makes me happy. So HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Agnes my dear little sister, and many more!!

The other event that happened today was that I was highlighted in a local eco-magazine called Community Seeds as their featured artist for their Spring issue. For me it is pretty awesome. Especially since my goal for this year was to get into a local gallery, but this seems to me so much better a real part of the local online community. Seriously you really all have to read their articles regarding our eco world. The following text is their goal and gift to us. I hope you all take time to read and subscribe to this great concept that benefits us all and future generations.

================================

Welcome to the home of Community Seeds, a quarterly Eco magazine. We are proud to publish this virtual magazine, using no paper, ink or fossil fuels. In turn, we are helping to offset our carbon footprints!

Community Seeds Eco Magazine encourages people to make small changes that they are able to make; changes that would not have been made without a little information and encouragement. We want people to become more socially, environmentally and community conscious. We also want to provide people a way to collaborate with others for a common cause.

Being green has a broad range of definitions, as does sustainable living. To Community Seeds, sustainable living not only means taking care to preserve the earth’s resources and care for the environment, but also taking care of ones health, caring for the local community, and caring for communities around the world.

Most people agree that we should not use all of our resources faster than they can be replenished. Any small change made will contribute to this lifestyle goal. Community Seeds offers direction and tips on small changes that can be made. After all, small changes can make a world of difference.

My roots

2010-02-23T14:14:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I get quite homesick, so this little painting is a reminder to me of my roots in Scotland, Tulliallan is a very small village next to Culross on the north coast side of the Firth of Forth, and few miles east of Stirling. Tulliallan, from the Gaelic Tulach-Aluin ('beautiful knoll') the castle was built circa 1304.

Many of the family are buried here at the old Tulliallan Kirk back in the 1600 to 1800's. Since I visited there restoration has been going on, and now I can even look at the family gravestones online, and match them to the names in our family, on an interactive map of the kirk and the surrounding stones.

If it hadn't been for my parents diligent work on our family history all our information would have been lost. Instead every month I get a new contact via Genes Reunited in the UK, this is the site that I have uploaded almost all the information that my parents William Blackwood Lawther and Esther McIntyre McIsaac collected with so many details and of course shared with other family members and strangers seeking their roots.

At the bottom of Kirk Street, the old house that belonged to the McIsaac Family still stands and is now a little cafe. My Great Aunt Isabella sold the house in the 1930's and moved to Prestwick. The bedrooms were upstairs, but as can be seen from the photo you had to go outside and run upstairs rather fast if it was raining or snowing. The old stove is still inside and still being used. The last photo is looking down from Tulliallan to Culross

Kaboom trees down, rain has ended

2010-02-17T07:27:00.000-08:00

We so need the rain, but this last week has been gorgeous. In fact the moss on our Mountain Maple is so lush and green, it feels like velvet.

I managed to snag a gardener, a real one who knows all his flowers, trees and bushes. I had one particular area at the front of the house, that while my garden has unruly look this area had become something out of a horror movie. Now it's all cleared out ready for new dirt and thoughtful placement of plants. I need to learn that it's okay to thin and discard, my husband also bought me a new rake that is just the bee's knees.

The old vegetable beds have had all their soil turned and later this week, in with the seeds. I called the Sawmill Creek Farm and they don't have anything ready yet. BUT last year I bought some special antique seeds and the farm is going to sow them for me in their greenhouse from which I get to have one plant from each of my packages. Victory Seed Company is one of the most respected organic seed companies to be found in the US and is where I bought the seeds last year. Just finished ordering squash, carrots and a couple of other goodies for this year, hope you check them out.

I finished making a baby blanket, though I don't think it will fit in the colour or design scheme for the new arrival, but I'm sure good use can be made of it. I've decided to write a little book which will be a challenge, it's just a one off book and will include some artwork, I've been experimenting and am rather pleased with some of the new ideas I have been generating.

I got the best valentine's day card ever. My husband drew it and then wrote his own words inside. So much better than a mass produced 'hallmark' thingy. Absolutely made with love, silly smile plastered across my face and heart. Speaking of valentines' we went down to Chico Sunday evening to Cafe Flo, lovely little art place on 6th and Flume. The Amy Celeste Band were playing, if you haven't heard them they are a must hear, some of their songs are on the link. Amy has a voice that is clear and strong, of course Mr. Garcia's guitar playing is awesome, I think he is a close runner up to Jeff Beck. The AC Band will be coming out with a CD pretty soon, and I know that is something I need to get for my husband.

Trees are all down now, and the garage is raring to go, city and utilities have all signed off, I can hardly wait to get started and finished. Especially since I have loads of fruit trees to plant into the new space. We still have loads and loads of trees on the property and they will all stay, providing winds are kind to them. We kept all the wood chips and they will turn into lovely mulch that will keep down the weeds and moisture in the soil during our long hot summers. Logs were donated to the local mills so that someone who will be building something gets to have some lovely pine to begin their construction. Revolving ecology.

As my sister said a bumpy week

2010-02-08T14:17:00.000-08:00

Ava was born to my niece Franny and her husband Greg. There were a few hiccups to say the least after getting home, but I am hoping that everything will sort itself out within the next few days, and a routine will evolve. I can't believe I am a Great Aunt now. My daughter is doing well and is now thoroughly looking like a bump is happening. Six months and only a few more to do. I keep pinching myself that I will be a Grandma, or YaYa.

My Great Aunt Bella, was a pistol. She was a fashion buyer for the House of Fraser in Glasgow, Scotland in the early 1900's, and a very firm believer of children should be seen and not heard. I've always been a bit loud, and no swinging legs. Sit still. I can sincerely say I will never be that type of Great Aunt.

So while I was being anxious I ironed, reminds me of home and my parents, both firm proponents of ironing. I simply love the aroma of steam and I use my own lavender water so I have a double bonus. All the sheets, pillowcases, napkins and table cloths are ready for the linen closet, and the ironing hamper is empty .... for at least a week. When we were tidying up my Mother in law's house, I came across an old ironing board and asked my husband if he minded if I used it. It creaks and sways, best of all it is wooden. Special and I enjoy making use of it. Of course Bebe always joins me in the back guest room, and squishes all the pillows, no wonder I have to iron all the time. When we have visitors I have to close the door to the room otherwise it is pillow attack time.

Made some valentine cards, they are a little different. Floating hearts cut out of vellum, I attached a small glass leaf, then threaded through some antique bronze thread that belonged to my Mum. I think they look rather lovely. Now do I keep or send is the question. I think in the autumn I will get one of my large Mountain Maple leaves and do a pattern from it. Might look nice around Thanksgiving, of course I'll have to remember which seems to be more of a problem these days since I have too many ideas. UPDATE forget the leaf way too hard, I did one and that's it.

Isla

2010-01-30T18:20:00.000-08:00

Okay, put everything in place and they are all stable now, just took the photo outside in natural light, what a difference. Click on photo for close up, and let me know what you think now. I think you will see that there is quite a bit of colour and flowers, all types. Talk with you soon

LaTisha, please let me know if something doesn't connect with your order. Sorry it took a little longer creating, I had a couple of things pop up due to family concerns, and sadly couldn't concentrate properly.

So after several tries I managed to make a bird, that didn't look like a dying duck, or chicken that had severe malformations. A simple bird for you that I don't think I shall attempt again.

What's with the weather

2010-01-19T09:42:00.000-08:00

Or as one friend said "Grid your loins" guess we all are in for a wild few weeks. Anneli's home got clobbered yesterday when her beautiful 250 year old Mountain Maple give up against the raging southern winds. Joel our tree guy came over first thing this morning and has already started the clean up. Surprisingly the roof seems to be intact. It's the wrap around porch that took the brunt of the fall. It was such a beautiful tree and one of the reasons she bought the property.

Another neighbour wasn't as lucky and their huge tree ended up in their bedroom. Today the wind and rain are every bit as bad as yesterday and I am hoping the weatherperson predictions are not going to be as bad as they think.

The rain totals are in for the last couple of days, 6.75 inches for Paradise, and 8.50 inches for Magalia, winds were 60 mph, I knew they were scary. But at least this time Gary and I were not on the roof doing repairs to the chimney as we did back three years ago.

The tree is now all chopped up, and firewood is available to anyone that wants it. Sawdust great mulch for the plants. Anneli doesn't look too happy, but she is because the roof was not damaged, and Joel did a great clean up job. Tomorrow he will be back to stack and clear more so that the land doesn't look so awful.

Rowardennan: Rubha Aird Eònain (Gaelic)

2010-01-12T15:53:00.000-08:00

Just finished up my latest painting, I almost stopped half way through because my husband looking over my shoulder uttered the word Stargate. What the heck? Well maybe it is a gateway, but this one is in Scotland at the side of Loch Lomond, a very special place in my heart and for parents who are no longer here on earth keeping me company.

I was originally inspired by a photo that I saw of the shape, then I found another photo during daylight that helped me picture it a little better in my mind. I have of course taken artistic license to embellish with my imagination because that's what artists do, and as my sister Agnes says move over Dali. Yeah I should be as creative as Dali but for the present I am just happy to create and imagine.

Cuban Coffee Chili

2010-01-12T15:33:00.000-08:00

Cuban-Coffee Chili (my version)

From Country Living
The flavours in this chili are drawn from ingredients used by the Spaniards who settled in the West Indies on the islands now called Cuba and Hispaniola.

Serves: 5 Yields: makes 5 two-cup servings

Ingredients
* 1 1/2 pound(s) lean ground beef
* 2 medium (about 1 1/2 cups) onions, chopped
* 2 clove(s) garlic, minced
* 2 bay leaves
* 2 teaspoon(s) chili powder
* 1 teaspoon(s) ground cumin
* 1/2 teaspoon(s) ground nutmeg
* 1/4 teaspoon(s) fresh ground black pepper
* 1 teaspoon(s) ground sea salt
* 1/4 teaspoon(s) chopped fresh thyme leaves
* 1 teaspoon(s) capers
* 2 tablespoon(s) chopped pimiento-stuffed green olives
* 2 can(s) (4 1/2- ounce) diced green chiles
* 2 cup(s) strong coffee
* 1 tablespoon(s) dark molasses
* 1 can(s) 14 1/2- ounce, diced tomatoes
* 1/3 cup(s) black currants
* 5 cup(s) hot cooked rice plus sour creme to top when served

Directions

1. Brown the meat and vegetables: In a large Dutch oven, brown the beef over medium-high heat -- about 3 minutes. Remove contents from the Dutch oven and set aside. Reduce heat to medium low. Add onions and saute until translucent -- about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
2. Make the chili: Replace meat in the dutch oven and add bay leaves, chili powder, cumin, nutmeg, fresh ground pepper, ground sea salt, thyme, capers, olives, chiles, coffee, molasses, and tomatoes. Simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.
3. Serve hot over cooked rice top with sour creme.

My darling husband went to the shop and I did not notice that he bought Jalapeno instead of green chillies the result was the recipe was very spicy. Additionally I think a can of black beans could be added 10 minutes prior to the end of cooking. I also included a glob of sour creme on top when I served up the dinner. This is a really good recipe. The original recipe can be found under Country Living link is at the beginning. The other thing I did was substitute black currants for raisins, my husband is a firm believer that grapes should be eaten fresh or as wine. The currants tasted great, and I left out the almonds, that just didn't seem right, and I omitted the Allspice too.

Three Cups of Tea and Pennies for Peace

2010-01-04T09:54:00.000-08:00

So this christmas one of the gifts I received was a book Three Cups of Tea, from my sister. The author came to CSU last year and presented, an event I didn't go to but Mark and Mary Kowta did. Additionally besides getting another book (A New Earth) from my friend Sharon there was a note inside regarding 3 cups of tea and the project she and her teaching partner are doing at their school that I wanted to share part of the letter with you all and perhaps you can join in for a good cause, and perhaps even forward on to your other friends and relatives. Thanks, Esther

======================
Sharon wrote:

My teaching partner and I have read the book to our students and we are collecting pennies to help build schools and buy classroom supplies. Our students are very excited and although some of their lives are full of difficult struggles they have been able to realise that even our broken down public school system is far superior to having no educational opportunity at all. The Pennies for Peace Program educates children about the world beyond their experience and how they can make a positive impact on a global scale, one penny at a time. It teaches children the rewards of sharing and working together to bring hope and education opportunities to the children in Pakistan and Afghanistan. A penny is virtually worthless, but in impoverished countries a penny buys a pencil and opens the door to literacy.

So this year we are including this letter with our christmas greetings and hope that you will be moved to take up this important charity with us. We will be collecting pennies until May. We ask that you put a penny jar in your work place and home to collect whatever you can for our cause. Then, before the end of May, take your pennies to the bank and write a cheque to Pennies for Peace. You can then send the cheque to us and I will include it with our classroom donations.

I wish you much joy, Sharon

Three Cups of Tea

Send donations to:

Sharon Garcia
Oakdale Heights Elementary
2255 Las Plumas Avenue,
Oroville, California 95966

2010 is looming and is going to be exciting

2009-12-27T12:29:00.000-08:00

Snow, snow everywhere it seems although not here in northern California. We had a lovely holiday. Christmas Eve was spent with my lovely friend and neighbour Anneli, she made the most lovely Christmas Eve dinner, the house looked splendid and very homey. Santa Claus made a surprise visit for Bianca and she was over the moon.

Christmas Day started off quiet and ended up being filled with voices and laughter, and doggies running back and forth. Natalie is starting to glow, and Dan is just beaming and both looking forward to the future. I received some snaps from my brother William and goodness my lovely little nieces are growing up so fast, I haven't seen them in such a long time. I need to go home soon. Really.

The little gifts of canned items of summer bounty and bags went over well and I have tasted them and they are edible and taste good. So fortunate to have a garden and be able to grow fruit and veggies. Can hardly wait for the new growing season to come around.

It's so getting closer to Santa time

2009-12-21T14:03:00.000-08:00

We finally got the tree up, it took almost a week my poor wee hubbie kept asking well is tonight the night? For some reason I just couldn't do the get up and go thing. But finally did and now that it's done feels so much more like the holidays are here. Besides he now has some nice new Scotch under the tree, and that should keep him warm and toasty while he watches the 49er's or Raiders, okay whoever he is watching because it's football season.

Karma, because once it was done we got the best news was last night, a call and Natalie and Dan are coming home for the holiday, so now I get to scurry about and collect fixin's to eat.

I called Mary and Mark this morning .... Dan's parents and asked if they were doing something on Christmas Day, the stars were aligned, no they weren't so now instead of just the two of us there will be six munching away together and enjoying a mellow day together in front of the fire.

This time is a cause for special celebration though. Natalie is pregnant with their first child. It has been a stressful time for both Dan and Natalie during the last four and half months. But the final tests on the tadpole show all is well, and we should have another grand daughter mid May. Natalie and Dan are flying off after the holiday to Hawaii for a Babymoon then back a week later to the grind of work at CBS and Omnicon. I shouldn't say grind that's me 'cause I can't imagine working anymore. They both really enjoy their work, which is good because of the Bambina on the way. Marc and RayAna's little one arrives in January, and Marc is quite the proud Dad to be.

Saturday evening we enjoyed a lovely 'early' Solstice party at Jerry and Sharon's home. They live on the edge of the canyon overlooking the north fork of the Feather River. The party was wonderful, we met new and interesting folk, and were treated to Jerry's music. His guitar playing is quite something, and we really enjoy listening to his sound. Amy a singer has a voice that is true and clear, so the combination of listening to them both was a special treat and gift. I am hoping that they produce a CD of their music, which of course I will have to share with friends and family. They really are very, very good.

I wandered out on to the deck during the singing to the outdoor fire, and toasted the universe, I was caught by a lurker when I was talking to the sky and my parents, but it seemed to be alright with him (Todd) and I wasn't taken away to the funny farm, I think he might have been slightly amused.

I took a couple of snaps of Sharon and Jerry's celebration I love the tree lights with the little bubbles inside the tube, reminded me of lava lamps, but I especially love the glasses .... we all got to wear 3D thingy's that seriously should not be worn driving home, they make headlights look very strange, like Stars beebopping, Angels flapping wings madly, and Santa's jiggling must be a little like LSD tripping to light fantastic in the 70's.

This and that, and the 25th is gettin' closer

2009-12-18T17:21:00.000-08:00

Not making so many salads these days and I do miss picking tomatoes but they are really frozen on the vine right now. Mostly need things that semi stick your ribs so yesterday evening was Frittata good for my celiac insides, this recipe was supposed to be more herbal but I ended up adding 2 thinly sliced potatoes and some left over chicken from the meal earlier this week to the fresh herbs. Still have rocket (aarugula) spring onions and of course dandelions. It was yummy last night, and this morning for breakfast a very nice little treat.

Finished another bag that will need to be stuffed with summer canning items along with an embroidered tea towel. Also bought some local organic mandarins and satsumas, a bottle of homemade lavender linen water, and a bottle of Jamieson's should do the trick.

Still have to decide who in the family gets what as far as the tea towels .... a bad thing because after I have finished sewing I want to keep for myself, however, I have too many .... and I think I might have gifted too many to my daughter and son in law. They might even be using them as paper towels now they have so many. Embroidery is my therapy, especially when Gary is driving. If I stab myself with the needle something is up, like driving too close to the vehicle in front of us. All I have to say is "I'm bleeding." He knows he's in trouble.

Had to buy a new battery for the porsche today, sad in a way. If you don't use a car the battery dies and cannot be recharged, same with the tyres. I really should get rid of the beautiful beast but Mr. G is so not wanting me to do that .... he keeps reminding me that there were only 500 of this model made. Yeah and when I am dead is when the beast will be a collector's item. I wonder if I can sell on Etsy ... just jokin'

Still working on this new one

2009-12-16T15:57:00.000-08:00

And I am not sure where this painting is going, but it is slowly coming together. Location is actually in Scotland, Rowandennan is the spot on Loch Lommond. My husband looked at the painting and said it looked like stargate, I laughed and told him it really was a monument and not stargate. Though I think Scotland could be Stargate.

My great Uncle John Francey was instrumental in setting up youth hostel all over Scotland, and of course the first one was at Loch Lommond.

So many mystical, historical and myths surrounding the land where our family grew up. I am so fortunate to be a Scot.

So today in Sussex where I spent my teens, and in fact my brother and his family still live they received a good snow wallop (sottish style) last night and today. The BBC showed a photo and it is Tilgate Park (a childhood haunt) in Ashdown Forest. Picture perfect and all three of my nieces are enjoying a snow day off. They are hoping that the snow stays through christmas. Merry Christmas all.

Another week whirled by and left when I wasn't looking

2009-12-15T14:32:00.000-08:00

We had lashings of snow, wind, sleet and ice. The temperatures zoomed down to 14 degrees and my Kumquats are now the worse for wear. Very sad I had a lovely crop ripening, this was a tree given to me by my daughter when we first moved in many years ago now. This crop was huge and I was so looking forward to picking and using them. C'est la vie.

I had my husband pick up a fresh large roasting chicken almost 6 pounds, and wanted to try an experiment. It was all because of Mary, my daughter's mother in law. This year we spent Thanksgiving at Mary and Mark's home, all I have to say is the company was awesome, and the turkey was a close second. Mary cooked the turkey stuffed with vegetables, not tradional bread stuffing. This had to be one of the most delicious turkey's I've tasted, the meat was moist and flavourful. The veggies instead despite being in the oven so long were crisp and tasty. So I thought I would try to replicate, I stuffed the chicken with celery, carrots, turnips, onion and some fresh herbs. I put globs of butter on top and added some olive oil, and then after about 30 minutes took an apple, sliced not to thinly and placed on top of the bird so that it wouldn't brown too much. A bit like when I cook Salmon and slice lemons to protect it.

It worked you can taste the meat without a heavy bready flavour permeating through the meat. The vegetables were al dente, just like being fresh steamed veggies. Conclusion stuffing sucks the moisture out of the poultry. So from now on it will be stuffing cooked on the side my birds will be going au naturale. The apple gave some sweetness to the gravy, and of course I did add extra herbs along the way.

I used my old stand by cook book that my parents gave me in 1966, that is an antique I think now rather like me. I took a couple of snaps of the book and you can see the basic recipe I used with some tweaking, 20 minutes a pound at 380 degrees, add another 20 minutes for good measure and voila!! Leftover bones and veggies are now providing a delicious soup, I removed the grease. Click on the recipe and it will zoom in, I was too lazy to type out the how to's.

The same day I rescued a dog, it had been lost according to the owner for over 24 hours, I have no idea how this poor wee mite survived overnight in temperatures that were so low. Needless to say even although I popped him into Bebe's old container he was very happy and toasty in front of the fire in the back family room and really didn't act like he wanted to go home. We did eventually find Paco's owner, that's his name and so sweet. I also took a spill down wet, icy stairs, and I am still nursing a serious bang (read large lump) on the back of the head and a badly bruised bum, arms and stiff neck.

The other news is I am going to be a Grandma. Marc and Rayana's gift arrives in January.

Family

2009-12-12T14:06:00.000-08:00

The end of the year is almost upon us, and I keep remembering the last time we were all together, of course it happened prior to my brother William and his wife Nikki making the family larger by three lovely little girls. And then there were marriages so we inherited more wonderful additions to the family.

I wonder what my Mum would have thought, when she wrote this poem so very, very many years ago. Before my birth I should think. Families so wonderful and so complicated, but always with a thread between us all that somehow never breaks, even when it gets thin.

So Merry Christmas to the Family and the world.

Dog and God

2009-12-07T08:01:00.000-08:00

Lovely little youtube video and song, very simple and touching. And of course my wee Bebe sunbathing in the living room.

The weather outside is frightful

2009-12-07T07:16:00.000-08:00

Well not really, it was supposed to snow and it hasn't, but the temperatures dropped way down. The cold weather prompted me yesterday to make a very large pot of Thick Green Pea soup from scratch. I had bought some lovely Ham Hocks and a neighbour just dropped off some lovely big red onions that he got from the gleaners in town. I didn't have celery, but I did have a herb that I bought in the summer from Sawmill Creek organic farm. It's quite unusual it looks like Italian broadleaf parsley, but it tastes like celery, and is still flourishing in the garden, that and some bay leaves from my tree outside the kitchen window make the soup base. The secret ingredient is apple, a lovely soft tasting sweetener. So I sauteed up the onions first, then added chopped baby carrots, when they softened up tossed in the celery tasting herb that I can't remember the name of and then the bay leaves. Next a chopped apple, unpeeled want all the flavour I can get. Three quarts water and the Ham Hocks next then simmer for 3 hours with lid of pan slightly off the top. Removed the ham hocks and striped off the meat, threw out the fatty bits, then put the chopped ham and the three cleaned bones back into the broth. Added two packages of rinsed/cleaned split green peas. Simmer another hour and half with lid off.

End result a very yummy home made soup and the house smelt wonderful. Lots of leftovers that will be shared in the neighbourhood after I divide the soup up and put into containers for delivery.

Enough is enough

2009-11-29T14:36:00.000-08:00

There are several things that sometimes peeve me. One of my pet peeves is fingerless gloves ..... I look and look and find huge amounts of fingerless mittens, and variations of the design, all labelled fingerless gloves. When did the majority of the English speaking population not discern the difference between a glove (that has fingers) and a mitten that has none. It's not a difficult concept. But I think laziness has ensued using the English language in the quest for a sale. That peeves me.

Now I found fingerless gloves, and these are very special. They are fingerless, and the design turns them into a mitten. Donna Karan ...... great design and concept! She understood the concept and took it a step further. Problem now is this still a gift or do I keep for myself.

On an upside note, I made bread, gluten free, looks good, not quite the same as french bread because it's denser than the real thing, but I used olive oil and rosemary to enhance the flavour and texture, wasn't bad really I could compete with Whole Foods if I wanted to sell gluten free bread, still in love with the real thing though. You just don't understand how hard it is not to eat pasta, bread, pizza and beer, even KFC!! But this makes great toast for the morning. So all is not lost and I have a new thing to try and improve on, that might take a while.

Custom Order for Ann Barnard

2009-11-05T11:12:00.000-08:00

Ann I took photos of the finished letters please take a look and let me know if these meet your requirements. If they do please email me from here or from Etsy, and I will list the product as a custom order for you, I will let you know when I list so that you can purchase. Please click on the photos and they will zoom for a close up of the letters.

If you don't like something please let me know. Thanks

When all else fails

2009-11-03T13:44:00.000-08:00

Drink, 'nuf said thank goodness I don't have to drive anywhere, all stashed in the back of the house. Very cozy, please note there are also teapots, cups and saucers for the sobering up part.

Rosalee my sister in law

2009-10-31T10:30:00.000-07:00

Roey and Max (her husband) have two homes they face each other on the same street, well one is a home and the other is a house that they bought eons ago. Out of state family members sometimes park themselves there when there is a family get together. For the most part the house has been empty, Roey has had many ideas on what to do with the place, rent it out, B&B, Tea Room. Well it now hosts a monthly craft day. And by the sounds of it, was a gourmet craft day, who wouldn't want to join in and create? I was invited but my sister visit conflicted with her dates. I need to go and have fun in PA with Roey and the gang!!

Roey wrote:

Had a great time on Monday's Craft Day. We started out across the street with breakfast and a morning of crafting. Even Hailey did some painting of little pumpkins that her mommy got for her. We then left our crafts on the table and walked across the street to our house where the table was set for lunch. Cheese Broccoli soup, Vegetable soup, chicken salad, very thinly sliced roast beef, and a wonderful salad of spinach, mixed greens, feta cheese, pomegranate seeds and roasted almonds with balsamic dressing .... THEN, back over across the street to continue crafting/stitching and dessert with tea. Great day .... missed you being there. Plan to do it again the first part of Dec. So much fun and so much gossip and exchanging of ideas!!

Have to include a photo of her son in law with her grandson fishin'

Managed to wade through October

2009-10-31T09:43:00.000-07:00

Loads of ups and downs this month. One of the worst ones though was the fact that at the last minute my sister had to cancel her trip here to visit me. I think we both needed each others company. Thank goodness we have the phone, so lovely to hear her voice and also receive wise advice.

I completed three paintings one is for a very old friend that I need to pop off in the mail, now that I have the correct address. The other two I've put into the shop, but really what I am doing is creating a batch of paintings and next year I hope to persuade a gallery to do a show, or at least enter a group show. That's my goal for right now.

Magnolia Leaves & Dying Blossom
Arc a Dia
Glmanaich (gaelic) Gloamin' (lower scots)

I just started on a fourth painting, but need to wait for my Dick Blick order to arrive, which is supposed to be the middle of this coming week.

Storm in a Teacup

I did make my first market bag! Most of the fabric was purchased years ago while on one of those shopping sprees with my sister Agnes. All the fabric has been lurking in drawers which apparently must have been under lock and key, well what happened was we remodelled the back guest room and I refound the fabric, and thought, it's time to do something. I'm quite pleased with my loca'vore creation.

Abundance and rain comin'

2009-10-11T19:27:00.000-07:00

Picked veggies popped out by our mailbox for anyone who drove by to gather and take home. A good day to share. Heirloom tomatoes, peppers and eggplant. Throw in fresh Lemon Verbena and Rosemary. Glorious aroma. We are supposed to get rain by Tuesday, like 4 inches I can't remember what rain smells like. But I shall enjoy this, and maybe a naked dance in the rain will be in order .... just like my Daddy did, he said it didn't hurt and felt good .... who knows.

I bought some lovely lamb shanks and slow cooked them, the flavour is to die for. I did call Natalie and ask her about mashed potatoes though. I've been getting tummy aches for weeks and was beginning to think I had an ulcer or something worse. But I switched to Lactaid free milk. Natalie told me that the lactaid stuff tasted the same as regular. She was right, I did add a tiny bit of sea salt for flavour, but the surprise was that the potatoes were richer and thicker than when using regular milk. They turned out well. Thank you Nat.

Lamb Shanks with Black Olives
4 lamb shanks, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 onion, 3 cloves garlic, 2 tbsp sweet paprika, 1 large jar pre-made tomato sauce, 3 chopped carrots, 2 tsp sugar, 1 c red wine, 2 cinnamon sticks, 3 fresh rosemary sprigs, 1 c black olives pitted, 2 tbsp fresh mint, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, salt, pepper, and fresh mint to garnish.

Heat oil in large pan, brown all sides over medium heat about 10 mins. total. Transfer to plate and hold.

Add oinions and garlic, cook, stirring often for 5 minutes or so till soft. Stir in paprika and cook 1 min. Add tomato sauce, carrots, sugar, wine, cinnamon and rosemary bring to boil.

Transfer veggie mixture to slow cooker, add lamb. Cover, cook for 8 hours on low setting. Carefully remove oil/fat around 7 hours. I don't like alot of fat on food and lamb sometimes can be too much.

Add olives, lemon juice to cooker, recover and continue cooking for additional 30 mins. Remove rosemary sprigs and cinnamon. Serve with mashed tatters and sprinkle on the mint.

Well the rain isn't here yet, we spent the good part of the day getting all the bits and bobs around the garden into the building that used to be my studio. I don't know what the heck I have been doing but there seems to be a whole lot of stuff that wasn't there the beginning part of Spring. I planted peas and stuck up a trellis for them to climb now I call that positive thinking, the peas were from the pods that I grew this spring, and are now recycled back into the earth.

I also picked as many Dahlias as I could the rain will only batter them down, and the winds are picking up. So the kitchen is full of blooms. Gorgeous colours from the garden. Almost all the veggies out by the mail box have wandered away to other kitchens, although today when I walked BeBe for her business my neighbour Ted had a stand outside his home, and I now am the proud owner of the most wonderful looking peppers and japanese eggplants. I need to get a couple of those pepper plants next Spring from Sawmill Creek farm. They are delicious and the pale green is beautiful.

I also set up a website for a friend Joel Wilkinson, he's on the Butte County Art Walk for the month of October his work is truly awesome. I took some photos yesterday of the engraving wheels and dropped them into the tri-fold I designed for him as well as business cards. Still need to get titles for his glasswork and of course prices on the website but so far he and Cheryl are happy with my efforts to help.

What You Think Is What You Get

2009-10-08T08:41:00.000-07:00

I really enjoy the daily OM email every morning. Although according to Mr. Rooney an email has all the charm of a freight train, for the most part I agree. I need to write more just like my mother in law, I treasure her letters and they always bring a smile to my face.

The Law of Attraction

The law of attraction is surprisingly simple: Like attracts like. It becomes a bit more complicated when it comes to training our minds to think in ways that will bring what we desire into our lives. The term "self-fulfilling prophecy" describes the same law. This well-known term explains that we create the circumstances our mind dwells upon, whether positive or negative. So our goal is to practice consistent presence of mind to make sure our thoughts are always directed toward the positive and that which we want to create.

A key to the process is the word "frequency." This is true for two reasons: 1) The frequency you use when you passionately dwell upon or revisit a thought, dream, desire or goal provides the energy your musings need for creation; and 2) just like a radio station broadcasts on a certain frequency, like the radio you must be "tuned in" to receive it. This means preparing for the arrival of your dream on every possible level - material, physical, and spiritual. You don't have to know how it will come into your life, just trust that it will. Your job is to lay the groundwork, follow any leads you can find, and prepare for its arrival. This can mean cleaning out your garage to make space for a new car, taking a tour of a model home to get the feel of it in order to feed your fantasies, or thinking of what you want in a mate and then living up to that list yourself.

Just like with any skill, the law of attraction must be practiced. We must decide what makes us feel abundant, and use our imagination to create the feeling. It isn't enough to just want something; you must use the power of your thoughts to attract it. A series of choices is what brings us everything in our lives right now, every moment. When we know the direction we want our choices to take us, it is as if we've placed an order with the universe. Then we can await its arrival with joyful anticipation. If we find ways to experience our dreams right now, we make creating joy a treasure hunt in which the seeking is just as much fun as the finding.

12 Things I need to remember for the season

2009-09-30T07:32:00.000-07:00

Getting Back to Wellness
Seven Quick Fixes To Feel Better

The signals our bodies use to tell us we need to cleanse ourselves physically, mentally, and emotionally are multifaceted and often mirror symptoms we associate with illness. If we heed these signs, we not only feel better quickly but also stave off poor health before it can start. These quick fixes for common ailments can get you started.

1. Applying pressure to the acupressure point between the thumb and forefinger can release blockages causing pain, tension, and fatigue. You can relieve a headache naturally by squeezing for 20 seconds and releasing for 10 seconds, without letting go, four times.

2. To breathe freely, irrigate your nasal passages with a neti pot (looks like a small water can for the nose) and warm salt water. As you clear and soothe the sinuses, congestion associated with allergies or infection will gradually disappear.

3. Apple cider vinegar is a powerful purifying and detoxifying agent. Soaking for 20 minutes in a warm bath infused with two cups of apple cider vinegar pulls toxins from the body and can clear blocked energy.

4. The foods you eat can have a profound impact on your outlook and mood. Eating a small yet satisfying meal rich in complex carbohydrates can lift your spirit and help you let go of feelings of anger, irritability, and depression.

5. Anxiety and fear dissipate quickly when countered with conscious breathing because concentrating on the breath enables you to refocus your attention inward. You can ground yourself and regain your usual calm by taking a series of deep belly breaths as you visualize your feet growing roots that stretch miles down into the earth.

6. Though tuning out can seem counterproductive, a few minutes spent lost in daydreams or listening to soothing music can help you see your circumstances from a new angle when you feel frustrated.

7. If you feel ill health coming on, brew a wellness elixir. Simmer three sliced lemons, one teaspoon freshly grated ginger, one clove freshly minced garlic, and one quarter teaspoon cayenne pepper in five cups water until the lemons are soft and pale. Strain a portion into a mug and add honey by tablespoons until you can tolerate the taste. Drinking this potent mixture of antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal ingredients three times each day can ensure your symptoms never progress into a full-blown illness.

Fight Allergies Naturally

Do the signs of spring send you into seclusion? Do fresh flowers force you to flee? Does green grass make you grumble?

Depending on which data you choose to believe, seasonal allergies affect anywhere between 20 and 30 percent of the U.S. population. Those itchy, sneezy, wheezy feelings start in early spring, when the flowers start coming out. Just as the flowers start to fall, the grass begins to release pollen, and the misery continues through late July. Allergy-sufferers then enjoy a small respite until August, when ragweed rears its nasty head.

Here are a few home remedy to help you clear the air:

• Apple cider vinegar – Drinking about two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in an 8 oz. glass of water once every day, either all year, or just during allergy season, can help to slow the production of the histamines that create allergic reactions.

• Local honey – Eating honey made by local bees can help alleviates allergy symptoms
because it is made from the same plants causing the allergic reaction. Taking in a small amount of the allergen works just like a vaccine, helping your immune system build antibodies against it.

• Lime – Half a lime into a glass of lukewarm water and sweetened with a teaspoon of honey flushes the system of toxins from allergens. Drink this mixture once daily, first thing in the morning.

• Chamomile tea – Recognized throughout the world as a natural antihistamine, one or two daily cups of chamomile tea, sweetened with honey, can provide immunity toward many common allergens.

• Garlic – Another good natural antihistamine is garlic. Incorporating it into meals will not only help fight allergy symptoms, it also adds a flavor boost to many popular dishes.

Every day I try

2009-09-25T18:46:00.000-07:00

I try to make a small difference in life around me. Today was excellent. I took dinner to Lovetta my little old neighbour across the street. So sweet, she confided that this week she took a quarter mile off her daily walk with her doggies, and last week she resigned as a Sunday School teacher which she had been doing for the last 50 years. She said too much stress preparing for the lessons. She has a timing every morning just after 5:30 her front porch light flicks on (Gary put a motion detector by her front door a few years ago) and she comes out to get her newspaper. I know all is well her front porch light gently awakes me every day.

Custom Order for Dale

2009-09-16T09:21:00.000-07:00

Each letter will list what plant and tree twigs are incorporated into the design. Been waiting for the sun to come over our trees, please take a look at the letters, I tried to design the names so they matched. However, if you want to switch out the letters let me know. Also don't forget the verbiage you'd like in the card. Click on the digital and it will zoom in so that you can get a much closer look at the letters. Thanks

Okay gussied up the A, and remade the N, hope this is okay now, let me know ... thanks.

This past week

2009-09-12T12:52:00.000-07:00

Went to the San Francisco area, and finally made it to the Fish Market, we absolutely pigged out, no two ways about it. We started with a dozen oysters, and I had Oysters Rockafeller and New Zealand green lipped mussels. Mr. G finished off his plate of Blackened Cajun Catfish and loved and devoured each bite. The weather though was too hot, it was 96 in SF for heaven's sake that's just not right. No sea fog.

I had a lovely visit from my daughter Natalie not nearly long enough but better than nothing, sent her back to the 'City' loaded with goodies from the garden. She wasn't feel on top of the world, and for a while I thought I was going to catch the whatever bug, but I think what she had is a side affect from the awful celiac thing we all have. She's getting better, so am I, and my sister finally had a good nights' rest at last.

Canned some more items finally made the Rhubarb and Fig jam, and it looks very tasty indeed I hope it compares to my Mum's recipe (it was all in her head) so guessing and hoping that mine is close. Also made another huge batch of dilled green tomatoes, with a special one for Dan, extra hot and all very small whole heirloom tomatoes. I pricked the skins this time and that seemed to help in the shape of the end product, I shall have to remember to do that next year. I did make a small batch of Green Pepper Jelly, and need to do some more this coming week.

Today I spent the morning getting a few goodies together for Bianca's birthday. It's late but she doesn't realise it she's only 3. Anneli her grandmother just returned from Finland and so the celebration was delayed. She's making gazpacho and stuffed marrows (squash) for dinner tonight. I made cupcakes with dinosaur sprinkles requested by Bianca and butterfly cupcakes because my Mum made them that way. Made pinwheels (used Santa Rosa Plum twigs for the sticks, I needed to prune and seemed like a good use) that might encourage Bianca not to pick the flowers in her grandmother's garden. The little felted bag is for when she goes to the farmer's market and pays for the fruit, instead of eating or sampling and walking away. She has a good palate, snigger! Five dollars will be popped into the purse so she can actually purchase what she samples behind her mother's back. Poor Sanna just cannot keep up with her daughter sometimes and is mortified when she finds Bianca munching her way through the market, I think that gives new meaning to the word locavore.

Still have time this afternoon to make a batch of dilled carrots, these look amazing in the jars, and Natalie actually snagged a jar when she was here, I hope they taste good! No matter they look wonderful and I am sure they will be fine.

Got two custom orders for the twig letters, and am now doing a safari in the garden tried to yesterday but so hot, so did some expedition work early this morning, we are under a dry lightening watch until 11 this evening so don't want anything to get spoiled because of wind or on the off chance there is rain.

I should have known

2009-09-01T17:05:00.000-07:00

The upshot is that 3 posts in one day are more than enough especially since I have a hard time mostly with doing one a month, so this is just a flash in the pan soon to get back to normal.

The house or home is a tip at the moment. We are redoing the back guest bedroom, I am trying to figure out where to put all the things that were behind cupboard doors that will no longer be there, and then I started another little project, but still have done the rhubarb and fig jam, or the green pepper jelly. The now silver buffet is headed into a room I don't know which one. This was a 1930's buffet with it's legs cut off that was on the side of the street to be tossed. Not, it's mine and will work somewhere in this house. Mmmmm lookin' at that photo I need to bleach the mold off of that chaise lounge so it looks lovely ..... next week some time.

Please note ladies and whoever that is a 'Rusty Nail" to assist Mr. G with the rip out and build it back to what I want project. I'm taking care of him!

Now if I had read my horoscope today I would I realised what the heck was up .... I think I am nesting for the coming winter, well I can hope that we will have one with buckets of rain.

Leo (7/23-8/22)

Today, putting physical energy into changing your intimate surroundings will energize you and fill you with a sense of pride that you haven't felt in quite a while. So it's the perfect day for minor or major household renovations -- slapping a new coat of paint on the kitchen walls, buying a few new throw pillows for the couch, knocking down a wall, or even building a barbecue pit! You have a vision for how you want to change your home, and it's about time you realized it.

Jackie D'Arcy Denney & dear chums, and sister

2009-09-01T16:18:00.000-07:00

So it was my birthday, I got calls, cards and well wishes that were thoroughly appreciated, what would I do without dear friends and family. Jackie sent a book, now I want to know how did this person crawl into my mind and life and I didn't know it. Oh that's right I'm not that special loads of folk think along the same path as I do. Some are really smart and make money by writing a book!! That wasn't me or I would be rolling in the dough, and of course there is no point in writing one now it's been done.

So this is a series of snaps in and around our home that this author stole from my mind when I was sleeping no doubt, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Books are from my parents and grandparents, although the F&W dictionary I found for 15. at the antique mall here in town with my sister (she always makes me buy things I don't need). The tin holds old coins that my family collected, the crystal bowl is a sugar bowl that my grandma had and now hold aromatic amber crystals. Judi gave me the blue vase for my birthday several years ago now and sits high on the bookcases with all my other little whatnots. The bronze robins are a gift from my sister about memories and times spent together, the books behind them are awards to my parents and grandparents for doing well in school, apparently back then in Scotland a book was a reward for scholastics, not such a bad idea in my mind. In the bathroom, loads of glass and shells from the sea that somehow I always seem to collect. There is one huge vase holding loads that Noni gifted me, I love glass and having them hold treasures that can be seen. The kitchen has the butcher hooks, the jars that hold my every day needs. The set of utensils came from my parents home and I took after they had passed and I use daily, a quiet reminder to me of what I hold dear. Happy Birthday Mum today is and was your day. You are missed.

And to Jackie thank you for the book, it's wonderful to know that others feel what I feel and I love sharing my little life with all. I got up at 1:00 AM the other night not because of the bandits, because I wanted to read and look at the pictures in the quiet of the night and enjoy it while sipping a glass of milk in complete silence.

Midnight Mauraders

2009-09-01T15:56:00.000-07:00

They come in the middle of the night, then again around 4:00 AM, they have bandit faces. They frolic, leap and throw themselves around in my pond. We installed a motion detector light thinking it would a deterrent, no such luck. I heavily sprinkled cayenne pepper all over the rocks, that hasn't worked.

We returned from a visit to the Bay Area about a month ago, and when I went around the garden, lo and behold the pond only had about 6 inches of water in it. The fountain was askew and pointing outwards so the water was no longer recirculating in the pond. My first thought was I have a neighbour playing a joke, you'd have to live here to understand. They do some odd things, like unplug generators when there is a snow storm, or steal letterhead from the City of Paradise, and send a letter saying your gazebo doesn't meet city standards or wind gusts.

So rethought the 'hood' thing and decided there must be a leak, removed all the rocks, lifted the liner, no all was high and dry underneath. What the heck? Filled the pond up slightly just to make sure there was no leak. Nope it's fine. Put all the rocks back in the pond, neatly!!! Next morning the rocks are all moved this way and that, something strange is going big bump in the night.

So last week the motion light went on and disturbed my sleep, I got up and peered towards the pond area, three bandits skinny dipping, their mother was encouraging the mayhem!! I told my sister the next day and she had the nerve to ask if I could see that far!!!

Next day I redid all the rocks, brought more in and secured rocks around the fountain, hosed off all the cayenne into the pond!!

Been quiet for two days now, fountain is holding it's own and I am no longer working on the chain gang moving rocks!!

Locavore

2009-08-29T15:44:00.000-07:00

August has been splendid. I have been harvesting everything in sight, I still have one more thing to do and that's the Rhubarb and Fig Jam that our Mother made so well, and was a very special treat during the long, dark Scottish winter months. There could be a problem though I have been eating the figs right off the tree, it's a race between me and the bluejays.

I used all heirloom vegetables either grown from seed or plants bought from Sawmill Creek Farm or the Chico Farmer's market. All my apple trees are from the Paradise Garden Centre, and are grafted with 4 types of apples, so each tree (3) bear a variety of apples with different times for ripening. The peach trees are varied, a couple of small trees and three new trees. I found that I now am in love with the white peach, it's absolutely wonderful called Alberta I think, I'll have to double check that name.

So far I've cooked chunky applesauce, regular applesauce, peach jam, bramble jam, heirloom tomato sauce, chutney, plum jam, dilled carrots, dilled green tomatoes, spicy hot dilled tomatoes, herbed wine jelly and balsamic red pepper jelly. Still have to make green pepper jelly for Mr. G and I grew parsnips that I think I could shred and make into some kind of pickle.

I share my bounty with the neighbourhood, friends and unsuspecting contractors. I think each one has received at least 10 pounds of the wonderful tomatoes. Still loads here!!! Our neighbour Ted (Birds of Paradise fame) who I introduced to Sawmill Creek Farm, bought too many plants, and now has a table outside his property with a sign "Free please take", everyday he replenishes and there are many takers, which is surprising since we live on a dead end street, I suppose word gets around!!

Everyday I am so grateful that we were able to leave the hustle and bustle and find a quiet spot that suits us both for the time being, the best is wandering in and out of the jungle that some might call a garden.

I came across this article and thought it was interesting and shall experiment with it. Please note the date of it. Sometimes I think the old ways are the best ways.

Tomato Leaves a Remedy for the Curculio (a type of beetle)

I planted a peach orchard," writes M. Story, of the Society of Horticulture of France, "and the trees grew well and strongly. They just commenced to bud when they were invaded by the curculio (pulyon), which insects were followed, as frequently happens, by ants. Having cut some tomatoes, the idea occurred to me that, by placing some of the leaves around the trunk and branches of the peach trees, I might preserve them from the rays of the sun, which are very powerful. My surprise was great, upon the following day, to find the trees entirely free from their enemies, not one remaining, except here and there where a curled leaf prevented the tomato from exercising its influence. These leaves I carefully unrolled, placing upon them fresh ones from the tomato vine, with the result of banishing the last insect and enabling the trees to grown with luxuriance. Wishing to carry still further my experiment, I steeped in water some leaves of the tomato, and sprinkled with this infusion other plants, roses, and oranges. In two days these were also free from the innumerable insects which covered them, and I felt sure that, had I used the same means with my melon patch, I should have met with the same result. I therefore deem it a duty I owe to the Society of Horticulture to make known this singular and useful property of the tomato leaves, which I discovered by the merest accident."
The Farm and Household Cyclopædia - circa 1888

Potato Juice as an Insect Destroyer
As an insect destroyer the juice of the potato plant is said to be of great value; the leaves and stems are well boiled in water, and when the liquid is cold it is sprinkled over plants attacked with insects, when it at once destroys caterpillars, black and green flies, gnats, and other enemies to vegetables, and in no way impairs the growth of the plants. A peculiar odor remains, and prevents insects from coming again for a long time.

The Farm and Household Cyclopedia - circa 1888

A fascination with wood

2009-07-20T14:50:00.000-07:00

I am so drawn to trees, and am very fortunate to have so many on our neck of the woods. They do take a huge amount of management and money. Sometimes it is so sad to have to remove because it's the right thing to do to keep others in the nearby vicinity. And so it was with this tree, so fragile and dangerous. But the special thing is when my husband showed me a branch he was going to cut for kindling I noticed something special. A wood spirit inside. I know I have a strange imagination, but there they are. I had him cut into small section, took a few and sanded them to make sure the spirit or wood angel was still there. They are now are little special reminders of the Tulip Tree. I think this is a little gift that some special people might receive .... the photos were taken before I sanded. Did I mention I almost sanded the tops of my fingers right off.

2009-07-17T16:35:00.000-07:00

Of course the conversation is hilarious, a good thing 'cause sometimes it can be deep and uncomfortable, which for me these days happens all too often, but as in the past I shall survive one way or another.

So scenario is, I am not sure, I can't decide what title to use for the painting, but mostly is it something that could be sold, just because I enjoyed the painting process the theme could be all killywonker (is that a word, it is now!) I remember years ago my best friends and I went to a Christmas Party I thought for some reason they were going to be wearing festive colours ..... no they were all in sleek black .... me frekking emerald green, talk about standing out .... not at all pretty. They on the other hand looked gorgeous!! Such lovely friends, going on over 20 years now so they are real YaYas

"Thank goodness we are not wearing the same dress!"

"She said that dress was tacky, now she's wearing it."

"Thank goodness the painter didn't include her legs."

Girls Night Out, Divas

Friends Forever, Despite the ups and downs

The Prom

Someone is always a standout without trying

Plugging along on Etsy

2009-06-11T09:11:00.000-07:00

This garden hut reminds me of back home in british gardens, used for all manner of things, especially smoking out in the shed with my brother.

I love it when I sell something, and for the past couple of months items while not flying out the doors have been rather steady from both of my little shops. Sold a few paintings, and several of the Seed Saving Kits. Being featured on the front page of the Etsy Garden Guide sure was a huge help in promoting this item. However, when someone bought two the other day, I lost my place there. Not to worry though they are now featured on a Etsy Storque feature, so my fingers are crossed Yesterday I finally sold the Heart Strings that had been in the shop for ages. One painting has gone off to Bermuda, a set of the dwellings is off to Durseldorf Germany so my sales are now finally making it out of the US. I've sold 13 sets of the seed keeper and some of the comments after they receive them are lovely, so nice to make something that someone else appreciates!! Yeah!

I also received a custom order for a wedding to make twig initials, however, instead of the 6 inch size I had been doing they wanted 18 inches, well managed to do so, and I added the plus twig as a little bonus. I've heard back and the bride is over the moon, I was worried about shipping and if they would get damaged, but no all is well and are treasured.

I have also managed to figure out how to make an Etsy treasury I hope it doesn't become an obsession, but I do like selecting different artisans from all over the globe to feature, it has also made me purchase some items after discovering them, right now I am waiting for a wooden paper potter and dribblet, of course from England.

Life is good

2009-04-15T17:08:00.000-07:00

Sold another painting today, a surprise since I have not been self promoting and rather given up on that .... but there you have it, someone, somewhere remembered something and came back to buy, or perhaps they had hadn't seen before and bought on a whim ... nah they came back after thinking about it, just like I would do and most others.

Been piddling with clay and going to load some stuff to the other site to keep the postcards sets company.

This touch my soul and made me cry with happiness, and a bit of sadness that her talent was undiscovered for so long.

Hope for inconvenient and extraordinary people that don't appear to be what we think they should.

Opened a new blog

2009-04-03T18:00:00.000-07:00

Haven't let anyone know the name yet ..... I have been going through some things lately, and this time I am going to use the other blog as a healing tool separate from my art and Etsy shops.

Been gathering ideas for the illustrations I need to do for the children's book, I am very excited about this project, especially working with an author.

The show in September was going to be a series of trees, very safe subject but I have rethought this concept and have been scribbling and jotting down thoughts and ideas for a series, and it will be about my emotions and perceptions. I remember my Mother sent me to a shrink when I was quite young, and I had to draw and I did. I also remember the doctor telling my Mother I was okay, but she would like to talk to her. I never returned to the office, I think I'm okay .... I liked drawing. Guess I must have done good.

Today was great, I talked myself into encouragement and kudos

2009-02-18T15:11:00.000-08:00

I chit chatted on several different sites, offered some suggestions to other artists and they were so receptive, all in all a good virtual day.

I sold three of the perpetual calendar books and got them all wrapped up for delivery. Some more money in the holiday jar (my darling husband is going to be surprised). I see so many things though that I want to buy I need to tie my fingers together, maybe crazy gluing them will do the trick, I might have to glue the eyelids shut then if I don't see I wont' want.

I have another creative surge going on, with all the rain I have huge amounts of moss growing on the trees and on the ground I know exactly what to do!!! This morning when I was out talking to the local lumberjack I notice one type of moss that was actually 2 inches growing off the tree. I love gathering stones and bits and bobs lurking all around my feet.

I did two little paintings yesterday and loaded them on to my other Etsy shop that is not as I would refer to my serious paintings.

I had an epithany this morning, I just realised that all my paintings have been bought by mostly by east coast customers, and by close dear friends who encourage my bad habits. I need to paint and sell more to justify buying these last week, okay the eyes were not glued shut neither the fingers ... now they will be.

Rain finally came

2009-02-05T17:09:00.000-08:00

We are hoping that it will continue overnight and several more days. I did go down the road and take photos of Lake Oroville one of the biggest reservoirs in California, it's only at 28 percent of capacity. The farmers down in the valley are going to suffer this summer if something like really good rainfalls don't happen soon. It's not looking promising but I am going to stay positive and think good vibes. The rice paddies down in the valley are full right now but I am wondering when the heat cranks up if they will stay full of water or be left to evaporate because there will be no water to keep the seed growing. Today we took advantage of the rain and planted roses against the fence and the rain will help establish the roots. I looked like a real drip!

2008-11-02T15:25:00.000-08:00

I started this new painting on Thursday last week, and it's coming together very quickly, oh dear I think I am on a creative roll, and this is the well almost second phase, first was the drawing and making sure I had in my what I was aiming for. This one will be called Looking for the Rainbow, I've got another one that is bursting to get out, umbrella, puddles and rain. Ahh it's raining finally here in California that must be why I'm all wet, or drippy!

Now it's Sunday evening and moving along rather well I think because it's been raining so hard and steady. Got a huge pot of vegetable soup simmering on the cooker, lots of root vegetables, parsnip, turnip, carrots, leeks, onions some herbs and made from the base of a roasted chicken that we had a couple of days ago .. smelling very cosy right now in the house. Later will add a little rice as a thickener. You are welcome to come over and sup with us, there's loads to eat!!

Featured on Custom Creations blog

2008-10-31T13:14:00.001-07:00

A couple of months ago I was contacted about being featured on a blog, and of course I said yes, how exciting is that. Then I forgot until yesterday when I was reminded that I needed to provide the info. So I spent some time this morning doing just that.

Sydnei of Simply Sentimental is the prolific blogger of Custom Creations. She has a shop of course on Etsy, she specializes in custom designed greeting cards and paper piecings. For over 4 years she has been making cards and her passion is paper. She has the same sickness as my sister has with paper, and their husbands' don't know how large the inventories are!

I will be doing a giveaway on Sydnei's blog site, so you will have to register with her site to participate, and I will delist when the winner has been chosen by Sydnei, there will be no cost to the winner.

The prize is this print

Today was an up and down day on Etsy

2008-10-30T17:12:00.000-07:00

I created two paintings .... yes two, but it took over 6 months to get off my duff and complete them, so it wasn't a moment of fast creativity. BUT they are now completed and in my Etsy shop. I am so greatful for all the friendships I have made with women through the years ... Jackie (Liverpool/CA), Judi (in the sky with diamonds), Noni (Jackie O has nothin' on her), Hilary (always there), Mersina (a lifesaver in the Midwest and beyond), my sisters in law Roey and Elyse, so solid and dependable. AND my daughter Natalie, and of course my little sister Agnes what would I do without her ... oh and some new virtual friends like Kelly in Nebraska.

Then I was on one of the forum threads, and said something ... which wasn't a good thing, but turned out to be a good thing in the end, because the artist Teri wrote to me ... a good thing because I was feeling rather down. Her artwork is very creative and you should take a look, she told me breathe through the nose, and out the mouth ... very soothing and zen. I finally got the hang of it. Cause if you knew me ... I'm a puffer!!

So as she says "See...we have had a lovely exchange of ideas here today".

2008-08-07T08:49:00.000-07:00

My sales of paintings on Etsy have almost slowed down to nil, well I should say nil because that's what sold over the last month. I had fun while stuck indoors for the last couple of months doing watercolours. I did those because they dry fast and I kept hoping that the next day would bring clear skies to no avail. The paintings are 9 x 12 on 140lbs achival watercolour paper, and prices range from 18. to 40. quite reasonable for original artwork I think. I have been mulling having them framed and matted, but then that ups the cost. Another decision for later I think.

Maybe folk will be more inclined to buy with the holiday season coming up ... did I just say holiday and it is still only August. Not to worry though I buy all year round then I don't feel the pressure of coming up with something special at year's end.

I've been doing a little canning the last experiment was plum chutney, not sure how it will turn out, looks a little runny and could be thicker, oh well I'm sure it will taste good after all it's homemade!

Well here goes

2008-08-03T16:02:00.000-07:00

Started the second oil painting, had to discard the first one after realising I had made a major blunder. This is going to take a significant amount of time, it takes a minimum of 24 hours to dry enough before applying a second coat of paint. Not quite like working with watercolour or acrylics. I think I might get into this. Last time I tried oils was almost 6 years ago. I will be posting the progress as I go along, I hope I don't blow it again.

In the works

2008-05-30T12:27:00.000-07:00

Two different works lurking patiently to be finished .... soon, soon I keep promising myself. Salad Dayz is the last one for the Werkin' Wimmen series, it is a museum canvas wrapped 12 x 12 x 1.50 inches. The larger one is doomed for my dining room ... soon, soon.

Archival Prints of my originals sold on Etsy

2008-05-29T11:28:00.000-07:00

These are available on my Etsy for purchase, quite reasonable at 15. each