Polaroid Summer

These are part of a small group of Polaroids that were taken one summer when I was about six. I don't know who owned the camera or who took the pictures. Was it my Dad? Or Uncle Patrick? Either way I like how close up he got for these portraits. Who cares about the background? It's so nice to see the faces! You can tell that in my family we weren't big on *smile and say cheese,* it was more come as you are. I like that. I wonder about this shot of me. Was I upset or just uneasy with the camera? Hmmmm.

This is a fabulous picture of LaLa Pat. Stunning, huh? I think it just hints at the style and grace that is Patrice the First.

And the above photo is of my mother GeorgeAnne, or later in her life, she was known simply as Annie. She's there with my great grandmother Katherine who I remember as being very proper and a bit cool, so this photo with her head tilted towards my mother shows a tenderness, maybe speaking to the joy of that warm season.

I like this photo of my mother for a number of reasons. One is that I think this angle of my mother shows some of the resemblances we share. Eyes? Nose? Face shape?

This final photo is one I haven't really looked at in a long time and I have to say it very stirring for me. It's my mother and father. Look how beautiful they are! So beautiful and so united. I'm trying to just let that in and not feel the sorrow and grief of missing both of them. I'm not wanting to feel the pain of their separation and divorce. I want to remember this summer. I hear it was a summer of laughter and joy and togetherness.

Plant Thief

I've been pinching starts of all the different Geraniums that I find thriving in my neighborhood and starting them in small pots in my yard. Luck for me La La Pat has been giving me decorative little planters each visit I make, and I've placed my new collection in the shade of my back steps. I love the way it looks, and better yet, the project has just cost me a large bag of potting soil so far. Beauty, economy and growth. Ahhhhh. What a lovely combination.

(And no, I didn't steal the Tree Fern. We bought it a while back.)

Very Fussy

I've been up since about 5:30 A.M. Up with the roosters you might say. Our dear hen Fussy is getting in touch with her (or his?) gender identity, and presenting more like a rooster than a hen. The behaviors are manifesting as early morning crowing which sounds exactly like the "cock-a..." without the "doodle-do." Have any of you heard of this?

I haven't.

I want to be supportive, and sensitive to him, and yet it is so loud and early, approximatly 5:30 A.M., that I feel terrible for our neighbors! I expect a knock on my door any minute, or even shouts of outrage any moment now.

I've tried shusshing him, feeding him and giving him nasty looks during his early morning salutations, but so far he won't stop until he "crows" for between five and ten minutes.

Ak! What am I gunna do?

(Since I was up so early I played around on the computer and put together a new banner. Tomorrow, maybe I'll make chicken stock?)

The Fox and the Owl

All of the fabrics that I used for these pillows are from FIDM and from scraps I've saved over the years. And yes, I"ll shut up about FIDM soon, I promise. It's just that I'm in a sewing phase right now and I am so grateful and amazed I can find quality material that is sooooo unique and affordable. Did I mention it's all $1.00 a yard? Now, back to the pillows. They each measure 14" X 26". The orange base is an Italian woven fabric, the imagery is made of wool felt, upolstry fabric and embroidery floss. They were made as gifts for someone who loves strawberries and peaches, and they were lovingly recieved.

My Little Runaway

Ever since he got his hair cut, Jasper has gotten out of our yard/house at least four times! It's been nerve wracking, embarrassing and expensive. The first time he was picked up by the Humane Society of Alameda and it cost close to $100 to spring him from his overnight lockup. Since then it's been repeated calls from a neighbor, and unknown citizens walking him home. What is up? A once balanced guy, he now seems anxious and eager to roam. An identity crisis? Loss-of-coat sense of self?

In an attempt to balance him out again, we've taken to excersizing him in his favorite wooded area, made him a new, cozy green dog bed with a bone on it (we found the foam for free in Berkeley and the green fabric was from LaLa), and Annie has made numerous play dough desserts which are inedible, but the pictures she shot are sure cute!

This is before the traumatic cut.

Now I just hope we can make it through the 4th of July holiday without him galloping away from us due to fireworks. Wish us luck.

Stylish and Practical

These grocery tote bags were made by LaLa and we love them. They have contrasting fabrics on the inside, they are lightweight, attractive, and just the right size. You can see my little model stuffed them with pillows so you can get the full effect. We've had them for over a month now, and we've used them with each shopping trip we've made since. If you want a pair, just ask Pat by leaving a comment on her blog. I think she makes two for twenty.

LOVE IT

I copied an old nighty that I've enjoyed for a few years, and it came out fantastic. The original gown was from April Cornell. Remember that place? I really like how the colors, pleats, and piping worked out. Again, the fabric is from FIDM. So the whole thing cost under $5, that's including the piping. I wish I had bought enough fabric to make Annie one. As you can see, she likes it too.