Slipper Moon Studio

Stars on my tree

2011-12-11T18:53:00.028-06:00

I've been a jolly old elf today -- I've spent this crisp and cool Sunday decorating for Christmas -- Finally! These past few years, I haven't felt much like going all out and decorating every square inch of my home, but I can't resist a Christmas tree. And although I admire the glitzy, glamorous trees I see in magazines and other people's homes, I'm just not a glitzy, glamorous gal.

So every year, my tree tends to be woodsy, natural and -- okay -- somewhat plain. No doubt I'm influenced by nature right outside my door and the woodland I'm blessed with. This year, I used plenty of new fairy lights on a real tree, rested berry floral accents on its branches, and nestled many hand-cut paper stars into its needles.

Every year I make more and more paper stars, and I always seem to find places for them.

To me, these simple paper stars suggest so many ideas -- Jesus Christ, the light of the world; the increasing darkness leading to solstice, the longest night (December 21); the wheel of the year and celebration of the seasons. I seem more contemplative at this time of year, when diverse belief systems share so many symbols and rituals.

If you'd like to make your own paper stars, you can find instructions at this website: http://desktoppub.about.com/od/paper/ss/5pointstar_3.htm
Enjoy your winter rituals, my friends, whatever they may be.

Of Songbirds and Bluebonnets

2011-12-01T18:42:00.023-06:00

I've been in a quilting frenzy lately, having made a Halloween quilt

and a Grinch Christmas quilt (forgot to take a photo before it whisked off North!) for my little red-headed pixie of a granddaughter!

But when I saw these fabrics (Moda Wildflowers)

at Painted Pony and Quilts in LaPorte, TX www.ppnq.com, I knew exactly who would love the images. So this quilt

is going under her Christmas tree, because she so very much loves Texas wildflowers

and songbirds.

It's pieced, padded and backed. Now, Santa better get busy and start quilting!

A walk through rainy woods

2011-11-22T16:10:00.025-06:00

This morning, curled up in my chair with my second cup of coffee, I heard an almost-forgotten sound: the sweet patter of raindrops. Blessed rain -- a welcome visit from a long-lost friend after the horrendous drought that Texas has endured this summer. The Navajos would call this morning's rainfall a female rain: Silver beads fell straight down, softly nourishing our parched earth, without the bluster and boom of male rain.

I couldn't wait to get out and breathe the damp air, and walk through my beloved woods. So I pulled on my wellies,

whistled for my big boys to tromp through puddles with me,

and headed down a forest path.

This path leads in roundabout way to the site of my future studio. I love this wooded glade. Lately I've found myself wandering out here just to listen to the wind in the trees, and dream of a white-walled studio filled with colorful fabric and beads. (Soon, very soon, let it be!)

A few steps away is an ancient tree ladder which today looks softened by the rain.

All manner of fungi have popped through the damp earth where yesterday there were none at all,

and the rain knocked loose some Sasquatch-size acorns.

The birds' abodes are soggy but still seem water-tight,

and I can almost hear my flowers singing after their shower.

Just as I was returning home, the sun broke through clouds and gave me a peek of blue skies.

There's a nip in the air; I think the cold front heralded by this morning's rain is knocking on our door. Maybe this will be a hot chocolate evening. I hope your evening is peaceful, friends. Have a blessed Thanksgiving, however you may celebrate.

Penguins in sweaters? I'm in love!

2011-10-26T10:53:00.008-05:00

How cute is this??
(Photo credit: Toby Zerna/Newspix/Rex USA)

Skeinz knitting shop in New Zealand sent out an S.O.S. for "jumpers" (sweaters to Americans) for blue penguins that have been caught in the recent oil spill. Until the penguins are well enough to be cleaned,the jumpers keep them warm and prevent them from preening (and ingesting oil). I can't make the link work, but the Skeinz blog is found at http://theyarnkitchen.blogspot.com. The post which gives instructions for penguin jumpers is dated October 11, 2011.

Now, the folks at Skeinz say that the donated penguin jumpers have reached critical mass, but at last post they will continue to stockpile jumpers for future use. (I think toy penguins dressed in donated sweaters would be a great fund-raiser to benefit all wildlife impacted by oil spills. I'd buy one in a heartbeat!)

Bead-embroidered Fairy Cuff

2011-06-28T18:43:00.035-05:00

(Click on the link for fairy music; then scroll down for my post!)

I can't believe it's been so long since I last posted! I've been so busy. We are traveling to visit family quite a bit this summer, and between trips I'm fighting the horrible drought that is threatening to kill our yard. Seems I'm constantly dragging a water hose around, trying to rehydrate plants. Please please please let it rain soon!

During the hottest hours of the day, I've been staying indoors learning a new beading technique -- bead embroidery -- and I'm addicted! A new book by Sherry Serafina started me down this beading path. This book is gorgeous and worth checking out, even if you don't bead. Sherry Serafina's work is incredible eye candy! I love the freedom of bead embroidery. You can plan your project in advance or just go with the flow and see where your design takes you. Basically, you stitch individual beads onto a foundation (very heavy Pellon interfacing for this project). My first project was a bit too free-wheeling and I wasn't crazy about the end result. I'm vain and so won't post photos of that "less-than-success". But I learned a lot which I applied to this second project, a cuff bracelet for my daughter:
My daughter loves fairy images and all things Celtic. The focal piece is a fairy art print under a glass cabochon that I bought from an artist on etsy.com -- Glass Art Cabochons.
The band is a Celtic knot pattern, found free online, which I worked in glass Japanese seed beads.
The closure is a brass button that I bought at my daughter's favorite knitting shop -- Knitche in Downer's Grove, Illinois. I think the brass color is just right with the colors in this bracelet: After completing the beading, following instructions in Sherry Serafina's book, I trimmed the foundation, leaving a narrow border, and then stitched it onto a backing. The backing I chose here is brown ultrasuede, so the bracelet feels really good on the wrist.

If you click to enlarge the pictures, you will see my biggest mistake -- I failed to color the Pellon foundation before stitching on the beads. Enlarged as these photos are, you can see the white foundation, but it's really not noticeable on the bracelet itself. Still, next time I'll remember that additional step.

I hope my lovely daughter likes her bracelet. But if it's just not her style, she knows she can give it back to me without offense -- Anything beaded is definitely my style!

Fabric De-Stashing

2011-05-13T18:08:00.020-05:00

My husband's away on business, so I'm sewing into the wee hours every night -- something I don't do when he's home. After going through my fabric stash, I have to wonder what I was thinking when I bought this:The blue fabric is a lovely sheer, with distressed coppery foil dots which look a bit like random thumbprints:

And I suppose that explains why, on the same day, I bought the copper-colored silky fabric:But whatever should I make with this? Possibly a loose tunic-length, caftan-like top with the blue sheer, to be worm with a spaghetti-strap chemise made from the copper silky? Let me know what you think -- Honestly, these aren't even my colors. I was seduced by the copper foil dots, I think.

While sifting through my stash, I came upon a remnant of ivory silk which I bought at High Fashion Fabric in Houston. If you are a fabric-loving Texan, you must visit this store -- stores, actually: One building houses a mind-boggling array of fashion fabric, and the building across the street holds four floors of home decorating fabric! (Sorry, I digress; just thinking of High Fashion Fabrics makes me want to head for Houston.) Anyway, I had just enough for a floaty tank top:It's cool and light as angel wings. But the sheerness of the fabric allows the facings to show, so I'm going to stitch this trim around the neckline:
I think it will look lovely when finished, and may even go with this great Carole Little linen jacket which I bought at a vintage clothing store:This jacket is in pristine condition, and I absolutely love the details:When I bought the jacket, I didn't know that the original Carole Little designs are getting increasingly harder to find. That makes the $14 price tag even better! I'm thinking the tank and jacket might look good with a pair of slightly distressed jeans, and some strappy sandals.

Here's hoping you have a wonderful weekend, friends! My sewing machine will be whirring!

Truly Present

2011-05-06T16:00:00.004-05:00

"[T]o be truly present. . . . involves letting go of our constant preoccupations, immersing ourselves in the here and now, and giving ourselves wholeheartedly to whatever is at hand. . . . It’s about becoming more aware, alert, awake to the fullness of the immediate moment. If we are with another person, it means engaging with him or her with all of our heart, our mind, our soul, and our strength. . . . [I]t is one of the greatest gifts that we can give to those around us." -- Trevor Hudson, A Mile in My Shoes

My daughter's hands wrapped her baby girl and buckled her into a stroller last Christmas Eve for our walk in the park. Then, her gloved hands tied her baby's hat securely under her chubby chin, to protect tiny ears from the chill. Look -- really look -- at my granddaughter's eyes. Her focus is so intent on her mother. Her face is relaxed, content, peaceful. Even at this young age, she knows her mother loves her and will care for her . . . and encourage her to stretch her wings . . . and embrace this beautiful world with wide-eyed wonder.
Being truly present in my daughter's life is the greatest gift God gave to me. And now I see the gift given to my child, with her child, and my heart soars. Happy Mother's Day, my own precious girl. Be truly present in all those moments to come.

Deconstructing a Blouse -- A Sewing Experiment

2011-03-27T00:32:00.075-05:00

Yep, that's me -- Nothing to Wear, that looks good anyway. In this terrific book, Jesse Garza and Joe Lupo advise you to throw out everything in your closet that no longer fits, and I thought, "Well, why not? I've waved bye-bye to menopause and the need for a working wardrobe." (not that those two conditions are inclusive -- but come to think of it, they're both pains!) So, to my closet I trudged, and believe me when I say I donated BAGS of stuff to charity. But midway through all the tossing and cursing, I started looking at those clothes in a different light. Why not use some of them for sewing patterns? I mean, it's the devil you know -- right? I can't tell you how much money I've wasted on commercial sewing patterns that were never meant for short, plump people like me.

So I collected some likely pattern experiments: pants that fit just right but for an extra inch or two in the waist and high hip; jackets that need just a dab more fabric in center front and back; and blouses that fit my shoulders and arms perfectly but strain across ye olde bustline.

Making a pattern from a fitted blouse was first on my list. Here's a "before" shot of a blouse identical to the white one I ripped apart for a pattern: Gapping, pulling, stretching -- I feel like a sausage stuffed into a casing.

So to begin: On the white blouse, I marked my actual bust point on the blouse front. (That's the black dot in the picture below, way below the blouse's bust point -- Who do these companies use for fit models? Teenagers??) Then I took the garment apart completely -- removed the sleeves and collar, ripped the seams, and opened up the darts. I ironed each piece to fusible webbing (Wonder Under) because I'm going to have to add fabric here and there:
Then I trimmed away all the excess fusible webbing from the edges.
Now to alter the front so that this "pattern" will fit my peculiar figure. Because I have more junk in the front than in the trunk -- and because all that junk has headed south with age -- I had to change the blouse's front. I used the excellent instructions in "Easy Guide to Sewing Blouses" by Connie Long: and drew boxes around both front darts, which are supposed to end about 2" from my bustline and actually point to it. I also reshaped and shortened the vertical front dart:
I removed the paper backing from the Wonder Under, cut out the dart boxes and repositioned them. I also enlarged the front by cutting along the side seamline and moving it over about a half-inch at the bottom. The sleeve and arm opening fit fine, so I didn't want to change the upper side seam. Next I had to extend the horizontal dart into the new side seam allowance. Then I ironed the front with repositioned bust darts and side seam to a piece of muslin:
With that done, I trimmed the excess muslin, leaving 1/2" seam allowances all around. This gave me a stable pattern piece, with all alterations glued in place by fusible webbing:

I didn't have to alter anything else, so I just added 1/2" seam allowances to the back, sleeves & cuffs, collar and collar stand. Then I was ready to cut out my new blouse. I bought this fabric at JoAnn's -- It's a pretty cotton lawn from Lisette Co.:
And I stitched, using Connie Long's excellent instructions. Here's the result:
I've been sewing since I was a very young teenager, and this is the first time in MANY years that I've been so pleased with the fit of a garment I've sewn. This blouse is very comfortable with just the right amount of ease. I have three more pieces of Lisette fabric, and some gorgeous turquoise silk that I've been saving -- I can't wait to get started on my new blouse wardrobe! If you sew also, I hope my experiment helps you!

Do You Recall by Royal Wood

2011-02-24T23:24:00.004-06:00

I'm pathetically unaware of new music, but a young friend on Facebook posted this song. Wow. I love it. Hope you do, too.

Always Never the Same

2011-02-18T10:45:00.034-06:00

We spent Valentine's Day, re-stomping old grounds at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. My husband attended school there, many moons ago, and my daughter and son-in-law are class of '02 -- Aggies forever.

A&M is rich in tradition, and the guardian of that tradition is the Corps of Cadets. Upon attaining Senior status, the Corps members can finally wear the famous "Senior boots" which traditionally have been hand-crafted by Holick's.

But the Holick's store is now --

Quite a change indeed! I hope the Holick's store has simply relocated, and has not disappeared entirely.

My son-in-law's apartment is now a law office,

conveniently located in North Gate, home of all the social venues which might result in a student's needing specialized legal advice:

But so much of A&M is still the same. The Century Oak still stands

and no visit to campus is complete without sitting under the Oak, watching a new generation of Aggies rushing to classes.

(Here's my Valentine, and favorite Aggie.)

Kyle Field keeps getting bigger to accommodate the ever-increasing number of Aggie football fans

and Miss Reveille, the University's mascot, still attends every game.

Members of the Corps of Cadets adopted the original Miss Reveille. Unwilling to break tradition even upon Miss Reveille's death, the Corps adopted another dog, named her Miss Reveille, and the spirit continues. In fact, the entrance to the statium is still guarded by long-gone Misses Reveille,

strategically laid to rest so that they can see the scoreboard!

We always enjoy visiting the campus, where so many of the students recognize our "Senior (citizen)/Visitor" status and say "Howdy!" Texas A&M University is a very special place. Surface changes will always occur, because the world hates stasis. But the Aggies' traditions, and the spirit of the school, will always be in place.

Paper Roses

2011-02-08T22:00:00.041-06:00

(psst! -- There is a real blog post down there somewhere, so click on the music if you're so inclined and scroll down.)

The end of January means that Valentine's Day is just around the corner. And Valentine's Day always means roses to me. I've been wanting to craft some paper roses for my home, "shabby chic" style, and found my inspiration from Cassie Chappell's roses in a Martha Stewart episode -- http://www.marthastewart.com/article/paper-roses -- and this fabulous blog post --http://frenchcupboard.blogspot.com/2010/07/parisian-inspired-rosette-tutorial.html. I combined their ideas to craft my own quirky style of paper rose.

Believe it or not, these start with plain ol' cone-shaped paper coffee filters. Using the templates provided on marthastewart.com, I traced and cut petals and leaves from the coffee filters.

Then I took inspiration from The French Cupboard blog mentioned above, and stamped images on the petals.

I added color with very thin watercolor paints:

and immediately realized that some of my stamp ink was not waterproof!

Well, let's see what happens anyway. I'm painting on the smooth side of a glass cutting board, so the paint will pool

and I really saturated the petals with color:

Then I set the petals on absorbent paper to dry:

and found that I really like that some of the inks ran!

These look a bit like petals cut from an old, water-damaged love letter.

When the petals were mostly dry, I spattered them with more paint.

After all of the petals were dry, I assembled the rose, shown here in lop-sided, imperfect glory. (Be kind -- this was my first attempt!)

I like the way some of the stamped details peek out on the petals -- a face; a hotel stamp; indecipherable words:

I won't belabor the details, but you can get the instructions and see a video on the Martha Stewart website. I did learn a few tricks, though: Double-stick tape is my friend, and floral tape is not! Wrap 26 gauge florist's wire around the rose while assembling, and it will stay together while fluffing the petals.

I think I need to make about 5 more to fill this cute container which started the whole business. First, though, I'd better make a pot of chili -- Mr. Slipper Moon Studio's appetite is getting the better of his patience! Maybe he will even bring me real roses for Valentine's Day.

Oh My Country (Scotland)

2011-02-05T16:55:00.002-06:00

This is a beautiful video -- the music, the images -- just lovely. Hope you enjoy.

Just reminding myself . . .

2011-01-14T17:19:00.039-06:00

to hold good thoughts on this gray winter day, and to remember what beautiful experiences the world offers if we slow down:

to wander down unknown paths

and find places where fairies might live

or fairy tale castles

or wander familiar trails near home

and discover the creatures that live in the woods there

to collect beach glass on the shore

and watch shore birds while hearing the ocean sing

to see earth's beauty from far above

and close enough to touch

to stand on top of the world

and watch the sun's rays dance across the mountains

and enjoy every season on this earth --
springtime with its wind and promise of warmth

and summer when flowers grace the earth

autumn with its riot of colors

and winter's serenity

I hope blessings abound for you this weekend. Have a peaceful one, my friends.

The Boss

2011-01-10T12:50:00.001-06:00

No particular post today -- I love Bruce Springsteen and this song.

New Year - New Hope - New Joy

2011-01-04T16:28:00.028-06:00

New snow is so beautiful. It frosts the air and softens the sharp edges, of things and people and places. The world hushes, watches, waits, and hears only the quietness of snowfall.

Christmas 2010 brought "firsts" for me -- my first Christmas with my precious granddaughter, who looks like a little snowbaby here and my first ever White Christmas.
The snow was gone before New Year's Day. But I felt blessed to have experienced it. I don't make New Year's Resolutions, but I hope the peace and happiness I felt this holiday season abides with me throughout the year to come. I wish the same for you. From everyone at Slipper Moon, peace to you, my friends, in 2011 and always.

Kid 'n' Ewe Fiber Festival in Boerne, Texas

2010-11-14T21:02:00.066-06:00

I'm a native Texan, so I'm biased -- but I LOVE the Hill Country. These hills make my heart sing and my cowboy boots scoot! Boerne, deep in the heart of Texas, hosted the Kid 'n' Ewe Fiber Festival this weekend. I dragged my husband Neely along, with the promise that we wouldn't spend ALL our time looking at fleeces and yarns. But oh, it was a fiber lover's paradise. (And here's a disclaimer -- The following pictures are just a small sample of the wonderful stuff available from the vendors, simply what caught my eye. I'm not affiliated with the Festival at all. So to all vendors not shown here, I apologize, but I loved your wares too!)

There were yarns aplenty -- a rainbow wall of rug yarns from Vanessa Emmons -- She's BritKnits at www.TheFiberCo-op.com;

scrumptious hand-dyed lovelies from Brooks Farm -- www.brooksfarmyarn.com

and heavenly soft mohair hanks from South Texas Angora Goats --www.angoragoat.us

The Festival emphasized the wonderful animals which give us their fiber, and the ranchers who make their living caring for them. Cindy Telisak at Jacob's Reward Farm --
-- offers non-ranchers an opportunity to purchase "shares" of a working farm/ranch, and in return receive a proportional share of the farm's products (including fleece!) Details here: www.jacobsreward.com.

Wellspring Suri Alpacas (www.WellspringSuriAlpacas.com) showed two of their herd for us to pet and enjoy --

Who wouldn't love this face!

And of course, fleece was for sale: raw fleece, to be washed and carded before spinning, like this from South Texas Angora Goats --

and this from Trinity Ridge Alpacas -- Steve and Janet Hancock from Trinity Ridge were so friendly and generous with information about their ranch, which hosts "open farm" on the 4th Saturday of every month, when anyone can visit and learn about alpacas. Go to www.trinityridgealpacas.com for more information.

Before you can spin the raw fleece into yarn, you must wash and card it into roving like these hand-dyed examples from Lynn's Texas Fibers (www.texasfiber.com) --
or send it to a mill like Ozark Carding Mill (www.ozarkcarding.com) for processing.

Myles Jakubowski of www.wyattspinwheels.com --
makes exquisite hand-crafted spinning wheels, and he generously brought some beauties for spinners to try.

A little less intimidating, at least for me, are drop spindles such as the beautiful shell and glass ones offered by Butterfly Girl Designs (www.butterflygirldesigns.etsy.com)--

and the lovely handpainted wooden ones made by Sally Ball (www.yorkieslave.etsy.com). I bought these two -- the Celtic Knot design for my daughter and the moon design for me:

Sally makes spinning look so easy! The spindle she's using here is painted with her original dragon design (which I covet unashamedly! I'm waiting for you to post one on your Etsy page, Sally!)

So what did I bring away from our weekend in Boerne, other than happy memories? Fleece from Trinity Ridge's alpaca named Pharoah, yarn from Brooks Farm, spindles and batts from Sally Ball --

a tiny, 3-inch-tall alpaca herd because Neely refused to let me bring home the real thing (aren't they cute!) --

and, most important to Neely, a stash of wine from Sister Creek Vineyard, located just a few miles away from Boerne in Sisterdale. The Muscat Canelli is most delicious! --

The next fiber festival in Texas is the Yellow Rose Fiber Producers show in Seguin, April 15-16, 2011. Check out www.yellowrosefiberproducers.com for more details. See you there!

edit: Check the 3rd comment below for a fiber farm that I missed at the festival: Fancy Fibers Farm offers a "diverse selection of fiber, including Suri, Mohair, Cashgora, Angora (rabbit), and both Shetland and Border Leicester wool." Find them at www.fancyfibers.com

I Hope You Dance

2010-11-03T11:53:00.004-05:00

I'm feeling a little weepy today, missing my Chicago loved ones. Hence this video. Hope you enjoy it. It's one of my favorites.

Too hot to eat anything but salads

2010-08-20T17:32:00.012-05:00

Today in a fit of weather-denial (my mental state addled by the heat) I made a dish called "Skillet Chicken Ole" for lunch. The combination of Rotel tomatoes and cayenne pepper, in a hot dish served on a bed of steaming rice, had DH and I sweating from just looking at it -- waaay too much heat for lunch in Texas, in August, when the heat index is above 100 degrees. It was a good dish that I won't prepare again until we get some cool Autumn nights.

A more sensible lunch was one I made a few days ago:
Sliced Bartlett pears grilled and drizzled with honey, on a bed of romaine lettuce and glazed pecans, dressed with raspberry vinaigrette -- A very satisfying lunch on a very hot day! Next time I think I'll add crumbled goat cheese. Yum.

I watched an Ina Garten rerun yesterday. She tossed diced watermelon, diced feta cheese, arugula and mint leaves, with a citrus vinaigrette. Yum again. You can get a citrus vinaigrette recipe (like Ina's) here:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/cooking-live/spring-salad-of-watermelon-watercress-and-scallions-with-a-shallot-citrus-vinaigrette-recipe/index.html
I'm a confirmed salad eater until this heat wave breaks. Anyone have a good recipe or salad idea?

Knitting Softly

2010-08-17T13:31:00.013-05:00

"May every stitch you knit bring you a little closer to that calm, clear space in the center of your soul." -- Earth Heart Designs

I love to knit for my daughter. I'm knitting a sweater for her birthday -- or Christmas, depending on how quickly I proceed. She chose the yarn and the pattern, so I'm not giving away any surprise. My gift to her is my time.

But it's a gift to myself as well, because she is in my mind with every stitch that slips from left needle to right. Pure, uninterrupted time to think of her and, yes, miss her because she lives so far away.

But I have only to pick up my needles and yarn (silk and mohair, soft as Autumn mist) and my thoughts are with her across the miles. The pattern is "Aislin" by Kim Hargreaves, whose unique designs we both love. This one is almost tunic length, with an elongated soft ruffle around the bottom. This is the back. Though it's still on the needles here, it's finished now.
It will look glorious on my beautiful daughter.

Fiesta Colors

2010-08-11T00:24:00.037-05:00

Wow! Quite a thunderstorm blew over Slipper Moon this evening. Just at sunset, too.

Gorgeous fiesta colors in the sky -- lots of thunder and lightning, but not a drop of rain so far. A perfect evening to be upstairs in my studio/hideout!I'm reworking a bracelet that just doesn't make me happy. I made this bracelet some time ago from shards of broken Fiestaware because I just love the bright colors, and it reminds me of Galveston (wherein is a great Fiestaware shop) and my husband (who shares my love of Fiestaware). The African trade bead dangles are fun and accent the bracelet's Caribbean colors. But I don't love the twisted chain. The bracelet will look fuller and hang better on a chain with bigger links, I think. So, I'll tear it apart.Next step is to polish the charms' solder. I use only lead-free solder, and I polish it with a simple manicure block.On the right is an unpolished charm, with a polished one on the left. Soldered charms always look better when polished. I attach the charms to the chain with sterling split rings, a task made easier by toothed pliers.With all Fiestaware charms attached, I accent the bracelet with African trade beads. Many of these trade beads are antique, purchased from various dealers over the years.The toggle clasp is attached, but I need a few more African bead accents to complete the bracelet . . .a job for another day, I think. It's after midnight, our thunderstorm has passed, and I think I can sleep now. Have a lovely evening, everyone.

Blogging about nothing special

2010-08-06T22:11:00.012-05:00

Finally, I'm feeling like myself again. I had surgery for a ruptured disc in my lower spine earlier this summer and, believe me, I felt that my life had changed. For weeks I could only sit on the sofa and contemplate pain. But all's well, and at last I can again do things which make me happy, such as making jewelry, visiting my new granddaughter, and sharing my blog with you!We just returned from Chicago earlier this week, where I spent lots of quality (spoiling) time with my granddaughter Bella. Life doesn't get any better!
We stopped by Efurd's Orchard in Pittsburg, Texas, on our way home. The fragrance of tree-ripened peaches sweetened the air and I couldn't resist! I now have lots of peaches in my freezer, and those in the photo made the most delicious peach turnovers. I'm lazy, though, and used puff pastry instead of making dough from scratch. I'll leave you with our gorgeous sunset this evening. A storm threatened late this afternoon but failed to deliver much-needed rain. But the deepening sky and clouds illuminated by the setting sun were lovely through the pine trees. Have a restful or exciting weekend, as the spirit moves you, and go with care, my friends!

A funny thing happened to me on my way home from Chicago . . .

2010-08-03T22:38:00.002-05:00

Sooooo . . . Today, Neely and I were on the last leg of our drive home from Chicago. We stopped for gas and I visited the ladies' room. A young lady in a McDonald's uniform exited the ladies' as I was entering, and she hesitated and looked as though she wanted to say something to me, but then just went on. I stepped in and closed the door, and a young man was hiding behind the door! I gave him my best teacher voice: "EXCUSE ME!!??" and he mumbled, "sorry, Ma'am, I was just going to change the trash bag" and he quickly left. When I left the ladies' room, those two were walking out arm in arm. The young man walked the young lady back to work at the McDonald's next door, where she gave him a passionate kiss before going back inside. Young love, huh?? :D (You know you're getting old when you cannot imagine having a romantic encounter in the restroom of a gas station!)

Welcome Summer -- Happy Memorial Day!

2010-05-30T20:02:00.015-05:00

I hope everyone has a safe and celebratory Memorial Day. Even with all this country's problems and challenges, take a moment to thank those who have given their lives for our country, those who returned from service with life-altering mental and physical health problems, and say a prayer for their families, too. Without their sacrifices, we would not have a country where we are free to complain about its problems and challenges. I've lived in the Middle East, and I'm grateful every single day to be home. "God Bless the USA."

We spent yesterday with Neely's parents at their lake house on Toledo Bend Reservoir. This is the view from their dock:

and this is a view from the dam:

Such a lovely place to be on a fine summer's day. My Dad loved this lake when he was alive, though he fished like he worked: full steam ahead and don't take time to enjoy the ride! He did take plenty of bass and perch from this lake over the years, though.

Now we're home for the holiday, and I think I'll spend this afternoon in my garden. I need to weed, but I think I'll take my own advice and just enjoy the ride -- and smell the flowers. Have a great day, friends.

a late Mother's Day greeting

2010-05-15T11:35:00.012-05:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day. Sorry to be late with my greetings, but I was a bit busy that week, doing this:

and this:

Life doesn't get any better. Now that I'm home, I'll post again soon. I've got some baby hats for our local hospital on my knitting needles, and a new bracelet partially assembled. And I really need to get my Etsy shop going, if I can collect my scattered thoughts. I have some new knitting bags to offer. Till then, have a beautiful day, and right now this very minute, kiss someone you love!

No Blues in St. Louis

2010-04-30T14:00:00.001-05:00

Last November found us in St. Louis, directly underneath the Gateway Arch . . .

and then, of course, inside the Arch where, at the very top, we were . . .

yes, 630 feet above ground. I was happier with that fact than I was with the tram ride up, which rises and then moves sideways with a great clang and clatter to catch the next ratchet for another vertical rise. No, I was not a happy camper until I got off the tram and my valor was rewarded with these views:

After a harrowing tram ride down, a visit to the Budweiser brewery was a necessity. They've kept much of the old architecture, and the grounds are just beautiful . . .

as are the Clydesdales. Such gorgeous animals!

After lingering long to sample Budweiser products (they pour generously there!), we made our way to the St. Louis Botanical Gardens. I love this garden gate, topped with blown glass which looks like the rays of the sun.

The garden was breath-taking, in its Autumn colors:

This is a woven willow window (say that 3 times fast!) in the Japanese garden.

In Southeast Texas, we've lost so many of our trees to hurricanes. This tree was massive.
The garden's architecture is beautiful, especially accented with Autumn foliage.

And I love the kinetic sculptures, too.

So much to see! A rest on a bench, bedecked with golden gingko leaves, was welcome.

If I lived in St. Louis, I would have a difficult time staying out of the garden. I hope to return there this summer -- I'm sure it's a treat then,too! Thanks for traveling with me!

Springtime in my Texas neighborhood

2010-04-14T21:00:00.003-05:00

Down the road a bit,

our neighbor's horse has a new little filly . . .

. . . all legs and cow-licked coat . . .

. . . and hungry! So cute!

This past autumn, Neely and I scattered bags of seeds, hoping for carpets of Texas wildflowers across our property this Spring. Well, not so much:

My sweet neighbor Diane drove by while I was taking these photos and asked what I was photographing. When I said "Wildflowers!", she looked quite puzzled and asked, "Umm -- where??" Well, never mind -- The ones that did germinate are beautiful:

Maybe they will reseed, and some day I will have carpets of wildflowers like this:
(*sigh* bluebonnet envy!)
And Spring always brings back the neighorhood Mexican freetail bats who live in our woods every summer. Time to break out the lawn chairs and margaritas and indulge in our favorite twilight activity -- watching the bats swoop for mosquitoes and then skim the pool for a drink. Our urbanite Chicago kids think it's hilarious that we spend our evenings watching bats, but that's just about as exciting as life gets here at sleepy Slipper Moon!
I love this time of year.

Isn't she lovely?

2010-04-10T18:07:00.023-05:00

Forgive a doting grandmother, but this little redhead is so very beautiful to me!

She can't be anything but beautiful with a Mom this gorgeous . . .

. . . and a good-looking Dad! (She has his hair!)

You are much, much loved, pretty Arabella . . .

. . . right down to your sweet little toes!

my beautiful girls

2010-03-16T15:16:00.001-05:00

Thank you, God.

Welcome to the World, Baby Girl!

2010-03-16T14:32:00.007-05:00

Well, I'm sitting in front of my computer with a lump in my throat and tears streaming down my face. My granddaughter Arabella Grace was born less than an hour ago, at 1:47 p.m. She weighs 5 lbs. 10 oz., is 19" long, and (to quote my dear son-in-law Pat) she has "fire engine red hair." I am over the moon in love with her, and I haven't even seen her yet.

Just last night, I finished sewing all of her nursery accessories (diaper stacker, crib bumper pads, etc.). With that happy task complete, I finally had time to make this tiny sterling and pearl bracelet to grace her tiny wrist (because if you know me, you know that my granddaughter must have beaded jewelry!)

It's all wrapped in a bit of organza ribbon, ready for the most special little girl in the world.

Stay tuned -- You know I will post photos just as soon as possible!

Anticipating Alice (in Wonderland)

2010-03-08T21:39:00.006-06:00

I can't wait to see the movie (I'm a big Johnny Depp fan). This video (which I found at Firefly Cottage) suggests the fantasy of Alice's world, and the music is great, too. Enjoy!

in just Spring

2010-03-05T11:29:00.014-06:00

when the world is mud-luscious

when the world is puddle-wonderful

Thanks to e.e. cummings for lines from his poem --
and pardon my enthusiasm. Winter has been so difficult for all of us. But today -- just a few moments ago -- the sun was shining and my daffodils were dancing in a soft, warm breeze.

Winter dulls the senses. Gray days and bleak landscapes trigger some atavistic urge to stay inside closed doors, cocooned in pursuit of indoor activities. But Spring! Take a deep breath of life returning to the earth.

That's what this tiny bee is doing, back to the camera and wallowing inside the sunny yellow of daffodil.

Spring has started its sashay across our land, south to north. Open its gifts when it arrives at your door.

Just a little note . . .

2010-03-05T09:37:00.003-06:00

to share this blog with you. I love these "altered" Easter eggs:

http://thepottingshed-anythinggoeshere.blogspot.com/

(Well, hockeysticks! I can't make the link work. Just highlight the web address and paste into your browser.)

Knitting Olympics: Crossing the Finish Line!

2010-02-28T18:43:00.016-06:00

Friday night: Counting down -- Just a few more rows. (BTW, I love this music from the Liberty Mutual commercials that they have been playing during the Olympics. Hope you do, too!)

Ready to cast off and block the piece overnight. Fanny's in the background, wishing I would shut up already so she can get some sleep!

Saturday night: Make a poncho shape by turning the short edge to meet the bottom of the long edge . . .

Ribbons hold the pieces together while I sew the seam. . .

Sewing the seam (Do ya like my red Rocket Dogs?) . . .

Crocheted a border all around and . . . Finished! -- in time to watch America win the gold in the four-man bobsled race!

Snuggly warm -- This will be a great garment to wear in Chicago. The yarn is Berocco "Cuzco" -- a 50/50 blend of alpaca and Peruvian wool.

And here's my gold medal, from www.yarnharlot.com:

What fun! Next Knitting Olympics, I'm going to try something more difficult. But right now, I'm going to cast on a little dress for Arabella . . . and maybe some little red booties to match Nana's red Rocket Dog tennis shoes!

(Knitting) Olympics Fever!

2010-02-23T18:58:00.014-06:00

I'm addicted -- I LOVE the winter Olympics! And yes, there really is a Knitting Olympics, and I chucked in my name this year. Blogger/Author/Knitter Stephanie Pearl-McPhee hosts the Knitting Olympics on her blog: http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/(gotta love that name!). Here's her logo for the event:

The rules are pretty lax. You have to begin a project during the opening ceremony, and finish it before the Olympic Torch is extinguished. Any project will do, but it's supposed to be a challenge for you. Actually FINISHING a project is a challenge for me these days, so I chose to knit a pretty simple poncho. . . .

Like so -- Looks like a gigantic potholder at this point!

It will be a very long piece of knitting, sewn together to form a cozy poncho. Here are the instructions, a free pattern from Yarnzilla.com (gotta love that name, too!): http://www.yarnzilla.com/2009/02/free-pattern-mariannas-poncho.html

So what may One win, you ask? Well, a gold medal stamp on One's blog. Self-respect for actually finishing a project (a real prize for this One!). A diminishing yarn stash to make room for new yarn (of course). A nice warm garment to wear in Chicago when One travels there in a few weeks for the birth of One's granddaughter.

And most of all, many hours of pleasant knitting while watching the Best of the best of the world's athletes. They amaze me, and I can't tear myself away from the TV every evening. The next morning, bleary of eye and weary from too little sleep, I'm off to work looking forward to that evening's competition.

Go USA! But I really do cheer for them all. What a wonderful world this is.

New Year's Promises

2009-12-31T21:02:00.008-06:00

Happy New Year, everyone! We've spent a happy afternoon with friends and fellow-grandparents-of-Arabella-to-be Mary Ann and Greg. Good food and a great visit.

I don't make New Year's resolutions. I can never keep them, and I can better cope with making mini-resolutions throughout the year. You know, "I'll try to be more patient today." "I vow not to eat four Reese's Peanut Butter Cups without taking a breath." "I will exercise today." (yeah, right.)

But I'll leave you with the thought above. I snapped this photo in the St. Louis Botanical Garden, in the section dedicated to George Washington Carver. That sentiment, and the one below, pretty much express my aspirations for my life.

Peace to you, my friends. Welcome, 2010, and all of your promises. Welcome baby Arabella, early in 2010 -- Journey safely to us. I can't wait to see your sweet face.

Arabella's Bell

2009-12-26T13:55:00.023-06:00

I have received the most special, meaningful Christmas gift from my dear friend Mary Ann -- who happens to be my daughter's mother-in-law. It's even more special because she bought it during our recent shopping trip in Galveston, and I was completely unaware!

It's a silver Grandchildren bell. Inscribed all around are drawings of children at play. The word "GRANDCHILDREN" dances around the bottom of the bell, and the blocks on top spell "JOY" -- which is exactly what Mary Ann and I feel right now anticipating the birth of my first grandchild and Mary Ann's first granddaughter. Arabella Grace is due at the end of March or first of April, and we are so JOYFUL!

I didn't want to put this special gift on a simple chain, so I made a beaded necklace to show it off. Here's the work in progress:

Here, I've made a silver hook from which to hang the bell, and I've attached two bead links on each side. I've been saving these button pearls for just the right piece.

I like Swarovski crystals, and this black diamond color shows well with the bell's silver gleam. The wire links are unfinished here, because all the bead links are attached and finished as I go.

I love these robin's egg blue freshwater pearls. I'm usually in denim or some shade of blue, so I will wear this necklace often!

Here is the finished piece. I hand-dyed some silk velvet ribbon and wrapped the ribbon connections with sterling wire. I added a silver hook clasp and a bit of silver chain at one end, so I can adjust the length of the necklace.

Thank you, MaryAnn! This gift means so much to me. I'm wearing it now. Every time the bell tinkles, I think of our little angel Arabella Grace, on her way to us.

(p.s. www.jewelryjohn.com has more silver bells, if you want one of your own!)

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-24T19:49:00.016-06:00

It's a cold, wet, and wildly windy Christmas Eve

but Slipper Moon is warm and glowing with Christmas cheer.

May everyone have happiness

and good health

and most of all, peace,

for the Light of the world is born.

Merry Christmas, my friends. May your life be blessed with this season's serenity.

Snowguys (Don't Peek, Girlfriends!)

2009-12-11T22:00:00.025-06:00

Here's how I've been chillin' after long days at work --

-- Making these little snowguys for girlfriends who are coming over this Sunday for our annual Christmas party.

Their heads are made of paper clay, and their bodies are square glass ornaments I bought at Hobby Lobby. I glued a tiny tree inside and then filled them with glitter & snow & all manner of Christmas goodies.

Their hats are wooden shapes, glued together and glittered; and their scarves are tinsel and bead-embellished wire. This shot shows details (but I really hate flash photos!):

These little snowguys were inspired by Sue Pelletier's vintage bottle snowmen, featured on the cover of the Nov./Dec. 2008 issue of "Cloth Paper Scissors" magazine -- here's the website:
http://www.interweavestore.com/Mixed-Media/Magazines/Cloth-Paper-Scissors-November-December-2008.html
and by the work of jewelry-artist-extraordinaire Deryn Mentock. Check out the great snowmen necklaces Deryn featured last year on her blog:
http://somethingsublime.typepad.com/photos/jewelry_archives/onechristmassnowman2.html
Hope my gal pals like them!

Autumn in Arkansas

2009-11-24T18:03:00.001-06:00

When you live near the Texas coast as I do, you miss the glorious colors of Autumn. Usually, our seasons go from scorching hot summer to somewhat chilly winter. In the days between, the trees lose their leaves in a "green-one-minute, brown-the-next, whump-they're-gone" defoliation.

Imagine, then, how beautiful Arkansas looked to me a few weeks ago.

We drove to Eureka Springs in one day, about a 12-hour journey. but we took our time and enjoyed all the Ozarks have to offer in the Fall. These are shots from our drive up the (I kid you not!) Pig Trail Scenic Byway, a section of Arkansas Highway 23 from the south boundary of the Ozark National Forest to the intersection with Arkansas 16.

This road meanders around, up and down, just as a pig might wander. But the scenery is beautiful, especially this time of year.

I especially love this waterfall. Somehow it reminds me of Frank Lloyd Wright's designs, or maybe it simply suggests his house, "Falling Water," in Pennsylvania.

The scenery after we turned off the "Pig Trail" was just as spectacular. I'm glad I wasn't driving. I couldn't take my eyes off of Mother Nature's glory, but Neely gladly pulled over at each new vista, so I could take photos.

Eureka Springs was also dressed in Autumn's finery. Look for an opportunity to visit, if you haven't been there. The town still has its old-fashioned character, and the shops are housed in quaint buildings. Just outside of town is the Razorback Gift Shop -- Yep, these folks love their college football team! Several years ago I bought slag glass there to decorate my garden. This time, I "needed" just a bit more, and Neely and I spent happy minutes selecting just the right pieces.

Then I just had to climb the old fire tower -- Yikes, all the way to the top! That speck in the tree's shade is Neely, taking a photo of me as I scale the heights!

But the effort was worth the sore muscles afterward. Just look at this view:

We also visited Thorncrown Chapel, a few more miles down the road from Eureka Springs. I love this sacred place.

The Chapel's glass walls make me feel that there's nothing between me and God's majesty.

The trees were raining brilliant leaves onto the glass roof. Such peace and serenity.

Finally we left Arkansas behind, on our way to visit our daughter and son-in-law in Chicago. Just one last look at the beautiful Ozarks:

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. God's Bountiful Blessings to you. While you're giving thanks, please remember all those who have served and are now serving to protect our beautiful country. Their sacrifices have given us our freedom. Remember their families for they sacrifice much, too.

Back to Work -- And Missing Slipper Moon!

2009-11-19T20:25:00.001-06:00

I'm filling in temporarily for a former co-worker who's on maternity leave. So just for a little while, it's out of retirement and back to work for me.

I almost said, "It's back to real life for me," but that's not true.

Retirement is such a gift. Real life for me now is made of gentle moments:

having lunch with Neely on our front porch, listening to the garden fountain gurgle and the wind whisper through the pine trees. If we're lucky, the local deer join us, browsing on grass in my neighbor's field across the road.

creating jewelry, or quilts, or knitted things, or just day-dreaming in my quiet little second-floor studio, where I can watch my dogs playing in the yard below.

cooking and trying new recipes, planning our meals and shunning take-out. I'm no Paula Deen, but I love putting good, nourishing food on our table instead of packaged convenience stuff containing who-knows-what!

caring for our home, seeing the gleam of freshly waxed furniture and smelling the scents of a well-loved house. I don't even mind polishing pine floors (well, not much, anyway). Clean corners and tucked-in edges are enormously gratifying to me now.

photographing my tiny miracles to share -- like this wren's nest in one of my hanging plants. Is that egotistical? Probably. Why would anyone else care about my day? But I so love life and the world's beauty that I want to share it with anyone who happens on my blog.

Ah well -- back to that alternate universe for a few months. After all, it's a blessing in its own right, to be given an opportunity to earn money, especially in our shaky economy. God has smiled on me (may I remember that when deadlines start to loom!). And at the end of my temporary employment, I'll return to REAL life with renewed appreciation for its daily blessings. Slipper Moon will be here waiting for me, peaceful as ever.

Ghoul Eeevening!

2009-10-30T21:45:00.013-05:00

And HAPPY HALLOWEEN from Andrea

and all the gang at Slipper Moon.

Have a spooky time and keep those jack-o's burning!

Bird of Paradise

2009-10-24T17:41:00.015-05:00

We're a week away from Halloween. Should my Bird of Paradise be blooming this time of year, when I'm thinking of chrysanthemums, football homecoming games, and jack-o-lanterns?

I raised these plants from seeds many years ago, and brought them with me when we moved twice. After each move, the plants took four to five years to acclimate to their new surroundings. Unfailingly, they bloomed the fifth year.

This fresh bloom really suggests its namesake

and this one looks like a phoenix with blazing wings.

This bloom is ready to burst.

My garden keeps its own rhythm, which usually has nothing to do with the calendar. No matter -- I'll just be quiet and enjoy!

Have a splendid day, all!

Anniversary

2009-10-19T12:33:00.018-05:00

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

to two people

who mean the world to me,

my beautiful daughter Andrea and my wonderful son (in law) Pat.

I so admire your love for each other. For you on your special day, a poem by Sara Teasdale:

I would live in your love as the
sea-grasses live in the sea,
Borne up by each wave as it passes,
drawn down by each wave that recedes;
I would empty my soul of the dreams
that have gathered in me,
I would beat with your heart as it beats,
I would follow your soul as it leads.

I wish you happiness on your special day and always

with love in your hearts forever.

(*Thanks, Kristin, for some of these photos!)

The Witch Trees

2009-10-13T15:00:00.038-05:00

On a scenic Louisiana road, if you're lulled by the rolling hills and verdant woods, you might pass by this tidy little house and never notice. But if your gaze happens to fall at the right place, at the right time, you will see not one but two . . .

witch trees, better known as southern bottle trees.

Maybe these folks just enjoy the sun shining through cobalt glass. But the southern witch tree tradition has roots in Africa, brought to this country by slaves. According to legend, witches and other evil spirits cannot resist the sunlight glinting through beautiful colored bottles upended on tree branches. They go inside the bottles to investigate and are trapped for all time. Another version of the story is that the witches/evil spirits become trapped in the bottles at night -- wind moaning through the bottles carrying their desperate cries -- and the morning sunlight shining on the bottles destroys the witches/evil spirits. Cobalt blue is the favored color, but you will see multi-colored bottle trees throughout the South.

These folks also trimmed all their doors and windows in bright blue paint.

Maybe they simply liked the blue paint as a complement to the bottle trees. But in many areas of the South, you will see blue doors and windows, as well as blue porch ceilings. This tradition also has roots in slave culture. In the Carolina Low Country, Gullah tradition teaches that evil spirits cannot cross water. So painting all portals into your home -- windows, doors, even porch ceilings -- the color blue will repel evil, because the spirits think the surface is water. On a less paranormal plane, common-sense Southern wisdom teaches that dirt daubers and wasps won't build nests on a blue-painted surface. I know from personal experience this is true, and banishing those evil insects from my home is good enough for me!

This home, tucked away on a winding Louisiana road and adorned with cobalt blue bottles and paint, must be completely safe from evil spirits. On the beautiful sunlit day when I took these photos, nary a haint was in sight!

Grandma's House

2009-10-10T19:28:00.015-05:00

She lived in a little house, surrounded by many Louisiana acres -- surrounded by quilts which she and her friends had sewn by hand and quilted together around the frame suspended from the ceiling -- surrounded by friends though she lived alone, for the postman would always take a note just down the road to Pinky -- surrounded by the roses and camellias she loved so well -- sheltered always by the huge live oak tree which she had planted as a sapling, its branches a retreat for children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

This old house sheltered us during Hurricane Rita, when we were forced to flee our home too near the coast. This massive oak tree rode the storm as it has so many others, with its branches spread over the house, creaking and groaning in the gale but never breaking or falling. We opened all the windows and doors to let the storm winds pass through, and the old house moaned, but resolutely protected all within its walls. Strength of tree -- strength of house -- we felt her presence during that long night. Her spirit is always there, in the home she loved. The resurrection fern on the mighty oak tree reminds me of a life well lived, and which lives on.

She died many years ago, while her grandson and I were in Saudi Arabia. Government wheels could not spin fast enough to get us home for her funeral. But he has her Bible, and it is precious to him.

And in many ways, we still have Grandma. We have her quilts, the donkey quilt which warmed Neely's childhood, and the wedding quilt with its reels of red and cream calico. Our daughter Andrea has her two childhood quilts -- gifts of Grand's hands -- which comfort her and her husband during cold Chicago winters. We have her old rose bush, transplanted now in our courtyard, and its riot of pink blooms every summer. And every time we visit the old home place, we have her lilies which continue to bloom as though she still tended them.

And perhaps she does.

Happy Birthday, Buddy!

2009-10-02T09:39:00.006-05:00

Today is my man's day. He is the best part of my life, and I love him so.

Happy Autumn!

2009-09-22T10:44:00.017-05:00

I'm ready for cooler weather, apple cider, Halloween, and pumpkin-spice candles burning in my house!

It's a rainy day here at Slipper Moon,

and the little ground spider probably won't have much luck snaring a meal in this web of diamonds! You can see its little funnel in the upper right corner of the photo, but the spider was deep beneath the grass and leaves -- out of the wet!

My garden spiders are busy spinning webs despite the rain. They're especially fond of the space between my hummingbird feeders and a nearby shrub.

I think it's beautiful, don't you?

But I'm not as intrepid as the spiders, and I think Buster and I will remain indoors the rest of this wet day.

Have a blessed day, everyone.

Rambling Around Northeast Texas

2009-09-21T16:50:00.018-05:00

I just returned from a long weekend in Northeast Texas, where my husband Neely is working for a few weeks. We visited the small town of Gladewater, which abounds in antique shops and some beautiful old houses.

The centerpiece of the town square is this pumping unit from an oil well. In April, 1931, an oil strike in Gladewater came in at 1000 barrels an hour. That's a lotta Texas black gold, y'all! Texaco Inc. operated the well until 1957. When Texaco closed its office in Gladewater, the company donated this pumping unit from the lease. The original oil derrick was wooden.

We also wandered around Lake O' The Pines, a beautiful lake maintained by the U.S. Corps of Engineers, with federally controlled campgrounds. We found several places that we'd like to camp.

People were boating and just enjoying the beautiful weather.

Neely and I love weekends like this: No agenda -- Just hop in the car and go where the wind takes you. I hope your weekend was fun, too! Till next time . . .

Of Muggles and Magic and Visits to Chi-town

2009-09-15T21:35:00.001-05:00

Okay, maybe I'm a "senior" fan, but I love Harry Potter, his world and his friends. Author Jo Rowling has a fantastic imagination, and the movies give life and breath to her creation. Recently, while visiting my "transplanted Texan" daughter at her home near Chicago, we took the train downtown to tour the Harry Potter exhibit at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry.

This is Andrea on the train (regrettably, not the Hogwarts Special)

and this is Chicago's Union Station.

When we arrived at the Museum of Science and Industry, a huge poster announced this summer's major attraction. The tents at the photo's bottom left housed the exhibit.

When we entered the museum, the Weasleys' flying car provided an irresistable photo op:

I regret that I can't share photos of the exhibits because none were allowed. But believe me, the movies' props and costumes were impressive. The artistry and creative genius!

We felt as though we were walking through Hogwarts. The tour began with a sorting hat ceremony, followed by a walk past the famous animated paintings and through the passageway to Griffindor. We loved seeing the costumes of Harry, Ron, and Hermione, from the very small ones in Sorcerer's Stone through the near-adult sizes in the more recent movies. Dumbledore's costumes were wonderful, replete with detail. I noticed that Dumbledore's hat was embellished by small metal bees, and Andrea told me that the word "dumbledore" means "bumblebee"! (An interesting discussion is here: http://www.wordsources.info/words-mod-portmanteau.html.) A guide told us that Lucius Malfoy's costume is made of "snakeskin silk" -- quite appropriate for that character. (That guide was a young man who seemed quite taken with my Andrea -- I think that's why we received special attention throughout the entire exhibit!) My favorite display was Hagrid's hut, complete with his enormous chair (I sat in it!), and his pumpkin patch featuring Buckbeak. That creature was quite a work of art in itself! And of course, there were dementors (shiver!) and You-Know-Who's costume from Goblet of Fire. Even the Great Hall was there, complete with food props.

The Museum's OmniMax Theater was also showing Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

Of course we had to see it, and son-in-law Pat joined us to view the movie. I have to say, though, that the movie in OmniMax was just too BIG to really enjoy. I love IMax theaters with their amazingly tall screens, and I saw Order of the Phoenix in 3-D on an IMax screen. But OmniMax is a huge curved screen above the audience -- the ceiling of the theater -- and it's impossible to see the entire screen at any one moment. I felt that I missed much of the movie. No worries, though -- Hubby and I saw it again in an ordinary movie theater.

I so enjoyed this exhibit, and can't wait for the final two movies!

(The more observant of you will notice that Andrea's clothing is different in the first photo than in the others. Yes, I confess, we saw the exhibit twice, and I combined both visits for this blog.)

Visiting My Daughter

2009-09-09T18:08:00.024-05:00

I love visiting my daughter Andrea and son-in-law Pat. The weather was perfect, mild and sunny (a nice break from Texas heat for me), and I spoiled their dogs -- Loki

and Sunny --

with many walks around their townhome neighborhood. A pretty pond is the neighborhood's central point

inhabited by this fellow,

who teased Loki and Sunny by splashing away before they could get close.

This year, neighbors are tending a vegetable garden in the common park.

Looks like the pumpkins will be ready for Halloween -- always a major event in this area.

And back home, in Andrea's little flower garden

the bees were really busy in this plant.

Anyone know what it is? If so, drop me a comment and let me know. I'd love to have some, but it probably wouldn't grow well in the weather furnace this Texan calls home!

Enjoy the rest of your summer, everyone!

No Place Like Austin!

2009-08-15T10:59:00.000-05:00

Austin, Texas has such a terrific vibe. Students at UT elevate the city's energy, and I love their style. One Austinite I know made a skirt out of vintage men's neckties -- very cute! Artists abound, and great music is everywhere. You don't have far to search for terrific restaurants -- Guero's Taco Bar on South Congress is my favorite. The bridge on South Congress is home to a Mexican freetail bat colony, and the nightly flight is a major attraction. South Congress Street is full of fun shops like Uncommon Objects (a treasure trove for a packrat like me) and Allen Boots. I'm still lusting for the black and turquoise Old Gringo cowboy boots (photo above) which fit me to a T -- Gotta have 'em. I love this city!

Earlier this summer, this was the view from our hotel room at Holiday Inn Town Lake. That's part of a sculling team practicing on the Colorado River, with Austin's beautiful hills in the background.

We enjoyed the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, though it was a bit too early for wildflowers to be at their peak. Still, the Center is worth the trip all year. Some wildflowers were in bloom:

The Center's prairie hike offers much to see -- prickly pear cactus:

a lone windmill reminding us how difficult it was for early settlers to obtain water:

and a path winding through Texas Hill Country scrub oaks. Hill Country oaks are not huge and majestic like the live oaks in Southeast Texas and Louisiana, but they are beautiful in their own gnarly, twisted selves, symbolic of tough Texas pioneer spirit. To my overactive imagination, these woods are enchanted:

The Center also has a sculpture garden -- I love this one. Give peace a chance, people!

And the entry loggia is gorgeous, embraced by mountain laurels and prickly pear:

Lady Bird Johnson loved wildflowers and was determined to restore the natural beauty of Texas.

Thanks for going along on my journey. Y'all come to Austin if you get a chance. It's worth the trip!

Slipping away from Slipper Moon

2009-08-09T21:13:00.015-05:00

My life has changed recently, and I regret that my blog has suffered from neglect. My brother Chris is now living with us, and it's taken some effort to find even keel. Each time a new ripple is added to my life, I have to absorb it into the here and now, into my being, and adjust my sails to accommodate the change. That's what life is -- a journey across seas calm or stormy, never dropping anchor for long.

But I can't stay away from Slipper Moon, and beads have been calling out to me. Here's my latest -- a bracelet I've been wanting for some time. The beads are faceted freshwater pearls in dark teal laddered between black Greek leather cord, and the clasp is one of my soldered glass charms -- a collage with the word "imagine." (Thanks, John Lennon.)

It wraps three times around my somewhat skinny wrist (would that the rest of me were so cursed!).
Guess I'm just an old hippie at heart.

I FINALLY finished the sea talisman necklace. I added more bead links so that it can be worn wrapped twice around, if the mood strikes me . . .

or as just a single, long loop of color to remind me of the seashore.
This necklace really is comfortable to wear, despite its heft. I wore it on a "date" with my hubby, to see the new Harry Potter movie (which was fabulous).

I've also been working on a series of necklace pendants made from ceramic rune stones that I bought about a thousand years ago at the Texas Renaissance Festival. The shapes and symbols are interesting, and remind me of Celtic lore.
The rune on the left symbolizes "Learning." The middle one with the tiny dragonfly bead, "Journey." And the rune on the right, with the leaf charm, "Natural Force." I have six more pendants to put together, and then I'll make necklaces for them. I'm using mixed metals -- silver solder, copper, some brass -- which I want to look aged, and beads of turquoise, coral, bone, and some African trade beads for an ancient look.

So that's where the winds have been blowing me recently. I've missed blogging, and vow to not stay away so long again. Let me hear from you, dear friends!

4th of July fireworks at Wildwood Lake, Texas

2009-07-05T09:57:00.026-05:00

The 4th of July fireworks celebration is always a big event at the small Texas community of Wildwood. For years, one family has orchestrated the event, and the entire community contributes money so that the show can be really BIG! My sister Judy and her husband Rusty live there, and for the past couple of years we have enjoyed the celebration together.

This is Rusty with my husband, Buddy,

and this is my sister Judy and me.

The fireworks are set off on a small island in Lake Wildwood. Everyone grabs kids and dogs, and jumps in a golf cart, pick-up truck, or boat. The main objective is to claim the best spot to see the fireworks, either on land or water.

This year, even the resident swans positioned themselves. Believe it or not, when the fireworks started, the swans and geese stood on the banks of the lake and watched, just like their human counterparts. Wish I could have gotten a photo -- It was so funny to see!

Before the fireworks begin, there's always a boat parade.

The show this year was spectacular. I'm afraid my photos don't do it justice, but here they are. I need to learn how to take night photos:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA!

O beautiful for patriot dream that sees beyond the years . . .

2009-07-03T22:34:00.003-05:00

When Freedom from her mountain-height
Unfurled her standard to the air,
She tore the azure robe of night,
And set the stars of glory there.
She mingled with its gorgeous dyes
The milky baldric of the skies,
And striped its pure, celestial white
With streakings of the morning light.
---Joseph Rodman Drake

The price of freedom is immeasurable. Those who serve our country today and the veterans who served in the past deserve our lifelong gratitude. So do the families of those who serve, for they sacrifice much, too. My thoughts and prayers today are with those whose loved ones have given their lives for our country.

Happy 4th of July, one and all, from sea . . .

to shining sea.

My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.

John F. Kennedy
Inaugural Address
1/20/1961

sweetbeadstudio.com

2009-06-28T22:37:00.001-05:00

Cindy Wimmer is celebrating the re-design of her web site by offering 3 prizes in a terrific give-away. Go to www.sweetbeadstudio.com to enter.

Very cute belt buckles at www.simplyhip.net!

2009-06-28T17:49:00.010-05:00

At a party last night, I met a vivacious young woman named Christy who creates the most wonderfully artistic belt buckles.

She has the buckle bezels made especially for her, and then she fills them with layered paper art which she covers with resin.

She has a web site. Take a look:
www.simplyhip.net.

Renewals: Days with my brother

2009-06-24T20:38:00.018-05:00

My brother Chris seems under two dark clouds these days, because he suffers from both Parkinson's disease and a failed marriage. He spent the last three days with me, and I hope, in his heart, they were days of lightened worries. I felt a true renewal of our relationship, and it was so good to be with him once again. We looked through old family photos, reminisced, and enjoyed a shared hobby -- photography. Chris snapped these two photos of hummingbirds visiting the feeder hanging outside my kitchen window:

We also went to the beach -- the Bolivar Peninsula where Hurricane Ike ravaged our beach community. This is an aerial view of my beloved beach after Ike. What remains of my beach cabin is in the middle of the image. Don't strain your eyes -- Only a concrete slab and a few pilings were left after the storm surge washed away my cabin and hundreds of others:

Here's a close-up of the pitiful remains of my cabin:

This was the marshland on the peninsula, immediately after Ike. Click on the photo -- vehicles were washed hundreds of yards into the marsh and half buried in the sand:

Chris, who no longer lives on the coast, wanted to see the results of Ike's fury for himself, so we drove down. What a surprise we found, though! The beach is in the midst of renewal. The marsh, which Ike buried in salt and sand, is greening. The mountains of debris have been cleared -- kudos to property owners and Galveston County. Some brave folk are rebuilding their cabins. And the Louisiana brown pelicans are back in even greater numbers. Chris and I snapped these pelicans -- squadron upon squadron of them -- as they soared along the beach on their way to Galveston Bay to roost for the evening:

To me, those pelicans -- strong survivors of a horrendous storm -- are a metaphor for my brother. He perseveres despite the ravages of Parkinson's disease, and he does so with strength and humor. And his heart is rebounding from the sorrow of his failed marriage. He will survive his storms, with renewed energy to live his life with dignity. We left Bolivar Peninsula just as the sun was setting on a green marshland:

Renewals -- Have faith that they will occur.

Dads

2009-06-21T22:34:00.003-05:00

Happy Father's Day, Dad. I miss you.

Happy Father's Day, Buddy. I love you.

Sea Talisman necklace

2009-06-18T21:11:00.029-05:00

A week or so ago, I created a cross in silver clay for a commissioned rosary. I had leftover clay that I didn't want to waste -- It's way too expensive. So I made these charms, it being summer and my mind inevitably being drawn to the sea.

I pressed a tiny starfish into the largest charm, and then cut a star from more clay and textured it to resemble a starfish. I stamped the word "sea" into the smallest round charm, to remind me of my inspiration -- the place that I always want to be.

Silver charms belong in a piece of jewelry, all the better to wear them and admire their sparkle. So on my very messy worktable, I piled beads in every color of the sea -- gemstones, pearls, and Swarovski crystals --

and began putting them together.

At first I thought a strand of labradorite, with its flashes of blue, would be perfect to offset a huge, gorgeous chunk of faceted moonstone that I bought in Austin where I was there last. I used copper wire (before committing to expensive silver wire) to work out my ideas for a charm holder to attach the charms to the necklace.

Fiddling with another tiny charm and some copper wire, I decided that crystals would add weight and sparkle to the charms, and that wire shaped like tendrils would add even more interest.

I shaped a charm holder from sterling silver wire, and attached the charms -- now accented with beads -- to it like so:

The labradorite beads that I first admired, now seemed too dark and too brown. I wanted more ocean colors, so I stranded together tiny Swarovski crystals -- opal ones and transparent ones. I like the effect. This faceted moonstone has such fire, and Bali silver beads set it off just right.

I combined gemstones, pearls, crystals, and Bali silver beads to create more links for the necklace

and added a double strand of sea-blue freshwater pearls accented with round moonstones, aquamarine barrels, and a few labradorite spacers with the bluest fire.

Here's how it looks on my mannequin (the only model who doesn't complain about how long it takes me to snap a photo!):

I'm not quite satisfied, though. The necklace needs a few more bead links, so it can be worn long, as a talisman necklace, or wrapped twice around at collarbone length, like so:

I'll post a photo when it's finished!

Hammock Days

2009-06-12T18:45:00.011-05:00

Early June -- sun blazing down through the trees -- temperature above 90 degrees before mid-day -- must be Texas!

Stay out of the sun, or risk getting scorched.

Buster agrees -- He'll chase the squirrels, but only as far as the shade reaches.

It's too hot for chores, or even to go to Walmart. In a hammock is where I want to be. Grab a glass of lemonade and join me there. It's a good 20 degrees cooler under the trees. A fresh breeze is stirring the air, and the cicadas are singing us a lullaby.

Stay cool, my friends.

Girls' Weekend in Fredericksburg, Texas

2009-06-07T18:45:00.023-05:00

I just returned from a wonderful, refreshing trip to Fredericksburg with my sister Judy, and nieces Jessica, Jamie, and Julie:

(Jessica)

(Jamie and Jessica)

(Julie)

Fredericksburg is one of those terrific little Texas towns just full of great shops and restaurants, and beautiful little houses.

It's smack in the middle of Texas hill country, surrounded by rugged natural beauty.

In the springtime, wildflowers abound.

This beautiful area was the perfect place for us to reconnect, to just be girls together for a while, to have uninterrupted time to enjoy each other's company.

My favorite time was the end of the evening . . . sitting on the porch of our bed-&-breakfast ("Geovanna's Cottage") . . . sharing a glass of wine . . . listening to live music at Auslander's Restaurant across the street . . . enjoying the beautiful night sky over the heart of Texas.

Let's plan to do this again soon, girls!

Caribbean Cruise: Cozumel and Return to New Orleans

2009-06-03T09:52:00.035-05:00

First of all, and with gratitude to God, I'm healed! Surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome and De Quervain's tendonitis was successful, and I can finally get back to writing my blog, snapping photos, making jewelry, sewing (doing housework, weeding the garden -- yuck!). I had to wear a cast for 10 days after surgery, but now I'm cast-free and have only small scars on my wrist. Thank you, Dr. Todd Clarke of Beaumont, Texas!

ON TO COZUMEL!
Neely and I signed up for an X-rail car expedition to see the country behind this port city. Here's one of our guides in front of an X-rail car:

and here's Neely preparing to drive the X-rail (no way was I going to drive!), complete with helmet and bandanna -- These excursions are unbelievably dusty!

Our destination was the beautiful "Jade Caverns." We descended a stairway from the trail to find a jade green pool.

The pool is not totally enclosed, though -- The cavern's ceiling is partially open, and tropical vegetation grows on the rim:

I can't describe the peace and serenity of this place. Sunlight poured through holes in the cavern's ceiling, filtered through green ferns and palms, glimmered with the water's jade color.
Too soon, we left this oasis and forged our way back along a dusty trail. Our guides led us to another low cavern where they pointed out coral formations on the ceiling. This entire area was undersea in eons past. No photos here -- I'm a bit claustrophobic and the cavern's ceiling was a bit too low for my comfort!

After the X-rail adventure, a short bus ride took us back to the port. Cozumel is the stereotypical cruise port city, packed with tourists who have a few U.S. dollars to spend and vendors competing to collect same. We found Andrea and Patrick enjoying the main street. They had purchased a few loose diamonds in another port, and Andrea found the perfect setting for her new "rocks":

Perhaps because it was our last port of call and I was tired of haggling for "best price," but I didn't enjoy the street's energy. We made our way to Pancho's restaurant -- a shady, peaceful retreat from the noisy, sunwashed vibe of the street. Margaritas were plentiful and delicious, and we ordered a little bit of good food to wash them down!

Yikes! I look like I've spent a week in the Outback, but I couldn't miss a photo op with my favorite son-in-law Pat!

Cozumel bid us farewell with a glorious sunset at sea:

and New Orleans welcomed us home with an equally glorious sunrise:

Yep, we must be back in New Orleans!
I'm thankful in so many ways for this memorable trip: to God, who makes all things possible -- to my dear husband Neely, who gave us these memories -- and to my sweet daughter Andrea and my wonderful son-in-law Pat, who joined us and made the trip so special for us.
Kids, where shall we go on our next trip -- Alaska???

Caribbean Cruise: Belize City

2009-04-16T16:19:00.036-05:00

Apologia--
Unfortunately, our wonderful cruise flew by at light speed, whereas my blogging about it proceeds at a snail's pace. Would that the reverse were true! In self defense, I'll say that severe carpal tunnel syndrome and de Quervain's tendonitis have hampered just about everything I've done lately. Next Thursday, I'll undergo surgery to correct both problems. As for now, onward to Belize while the pain meds are working!

Belize City is beautiful, embraced by brilliant turquoise water that we've come to expect in the Caribbean (which may explain why the port of Santo Tomas was not so lovely, at least to my eyes).

A very short bus ride from the port city took us deep within Belize's tropical rain forests. Our destination was Altun Ha, the site of Mayan ruins. An easy walk to the ruins hinted at wonders to come:

Unlike those at Chachoban, near Costa Maya, Altun Ha's ruins have not been fully excavated. The result is awe-inspiring -- ruins covered by verdant green and hedged closely by untamed rain forest.

If not for all the other Indiana Jones wanna-be's climbing the ruins, I could easily imagine being the archeologist in charge of an exciting dig.

I really loved being in this sacred space. The photos can't convey its other-worldly beauty:

Can you see the face in the Mayan stone carving below?

Here it is:

After we left the ruins, we traveled by bus to a way-station on the Belize River

. . . where we enjoyed lunch while this fellow skillfully mowed the lawn with a machete:

After lunch, we boarded this boat for a trip down the river back to Belize City.

We marveled at the lush riverbank's mangrove trees and birds. . .

for only a few miles before we experienced a deluge of Biblical proportions! You must take my word that the rest of the river was equally beautiful. My camera made the rest of the trip encased in a plastic rain poncho! (My Nikon and Fuji digital cameras are both fine, despite being soaked in tropical downpours.)

Back at Belize City, we met Andrea and Patrick who were quite happy after imbibing a rum-filled coconut! They had the full Belize city experience, thanks to a friendly cab driver who showed them the sights all day for $20 U.S. and a beer ("I'll take you to a place where you can buy 3 beers for $5." Hmmm -- wonder who should drink the third beer?)

We all agreed -- We all want to see more of Belize. I think we will be back at some time in the future! Meanwhile, on to Cozumel and our last port of call!

Caribbean Cruise: Santo Tomas Des Castillos, Guatemala

2009-03-19T11:31:00.030-05:00

Santo Tomas rises abruptly from the sea, and the trek inland is immediately steep. No doubt about being in a rain forest! Rain was threatening as we left the ship, bound for a bus ride and uphill hike to Las Escobas waterfall.

My father worked in Guatemala for Texaco many years ago, so I was eager to share a small bit of the country he experienced. As the bus took us through the port city to the waterfall, I saw scenes of abject poverty which he described decades earlier. This country survived a brutal civil war, which was raging even as my father worked here. Now they are governed by election, but many of Guatemala's people remain poor. Our tour guide, Georges, explained that very few people attain professional status. Most are laborers. Hopefully, an influx of cruise ship visitors will bolster the economy at least in this port city.

Once at the waterfall, we donned rain gear for the hike.

Thankfully, the trails were groomed and not too steep, so we could enjoy the spectacular rain forest scenery:

Some brave souls opted to swim beneath the waterfalls, but I kept my rain gear on.

The falls were so beautiful, even when viewed from dry land. But the longer we hiked, the more raindrops accumulated on my camera. It was raining so hard that I had nothing dry to clean the lens, hence the spots which spoil the following photos:

We left Las Escobas, thoroughly drenched but refreshed and happy. Even in a tropical downpour, a hike through a rain forest is a treat for the senses and a gift for the soul.

Next stop -- Belize City, Belize! Maybe we will leave the rain behind??

Pepper

2009-03-07T00:32:00.006-06:00

Miss Pepper's life ended this week. She was the sweetest cat and most faithful companion, always at my side. I miss her.

Caribbean Cruise: Costa Maya, Mexico

2009-02-25T12:17:00.048-06:00

We were at sea the evening of day one and all of day two. Those who know me, know that I can't swim a lick! Imagine being a non-swimmer and surrounded on all sides by the Gulf of Mexico's inky blue fathoms:

Yikes! My primal fear of water was not allayed by the ship's safety drill requiring all passengers to muster in life vests. But soon enough, I became accustomed to the gentle rocking of the ship, and my comfort level was greatly increased when I discovered the first-rate pina coladas at the tiki bar on top deck!

Day three found us in Costa Maya, Mexico:

This port took a direct hit from a hurricane a few years ago and is still recovering. But the port facility has been repaired beautifully and provides plenty of places to dine and shop:

The HIGHLIGHT of Costa Maya was our excursion to the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins. We boarded a bus for the one-hour trip across coastal marshes to the ruins, tucked deep within a rain forest. The serenity of this ancient and sacred place is awe-inspiring:

Son-in-law Pat, daughter Andrea, and Hubby listened while our very knowledgable tour guide, Diana Garcia, discussed the Mayan temples:

Hubby and I felt a bit like Indiana Jones when we scaled this wall -- It's steeper than it looks:

-- But we made it! Here we are at the top:

Too soon, it was time to return to port and board our ship, the Norwegian Spirit:

Farewell to Costa Maya:

Next stop -- Santo Tomas de Castilla, Guatemala!

Belated Valentine's Day cookies for Logan

2009-02-18T13:53:00.007-06:00

I'm a few days late, but I'll bet my great-nephew won't mind munching on late Valentine's Day cookies. I'm mailing these today, Logan!

(kisses)

(and hugs)

Cruising from New Orleans

2009-02-14T10:25:00.053-06:00

The Big Easy -- My favorite Southern city and a great place to begin a Caribbean cruise. Daughter and Son(-in-law, but also -in-heart) vacationed with us this time and, because he's never been there, it was a true pleasure to introduce him to this grand city.

We strolled
the French
Quarter
and enjoyed street performers
(This fellow won my heart with Beatles tunes);

visited beautiful Jackson Square, heart of the French Quarter;

ate a
traditional
New Orleans breakfast -- Cafe du Monde cafe au lait and beignets with snow caps of powdered sugar

(Don't inhale and don't sneeze when you're about to take a bite! And don't wear black!);

and walked the riverside alleyway from Cafe du Monde to the French Market, complete with statuary and just the way I remember it despite Hurricane Katrina's attack. That wall to the left of the photo is the flood levee which secures the area from Mississippi River flood waters.

Mardi Gras beads and broken bottles embedded atop courtyard walls
suggest that life in the
French Quarter is an uneasy
mixture of partying and threat
of criminal activity.

Even the sidewalk water meter covers are decorative in the Crescent City! (This one's for you, Pat!).

In the French Market, vendors had jewelry pendants and earrings which replicate these famous meter covers.

And I couldn't resist photographing my favorite New Orleans ladies -- not "of the night" -- I mean the wonderful French Quarter architecture that is the soul of the Quarter. Most display Mardi Gras finery this time of year:

Time to leave the French Quarter, though, and board our ship -- Norwegian Cruise Line's "Spirit." Just one last reminder of our embarkation port, though -- the paddle-wheeler Natchez gliding along the Mississippi:

Next stop: the vast, blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico and our first port of call -- Costa Maya, Mexico!

Cake Wrecks

2009-01-28T19:50:00.007-06:00

I've been preparing for a Caribbean cruise (watch this space) and my blogging has suffered. So sorry! But I just had to take a minute to direct you to a blog that will have you laughing until you can't breathe. My daughter (a pastry chef) told me about it (Thanks, Andy!).

Here it is: http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com. Be sure to click on the "fan favorites" on the right side of the screen. Have fun!

The minute I return from my cruise, I'll blog with photos . . . (sounds of steel drum music and water softly lapping at the ship's hull . . . .)

Chocolate Chip Muffins

2009-01-12T18:39:00.003-06:00

Sometimes you need comfort food. That was true yesterday when my sister visited for a little "girl time," an occasion for chocolate chip muffins! This recipe is adapted from one in a very old cookbook which was my grandmother's. These are good, old-fashioned muffins, a little crunchy on top and moist inside with plenty of chocolate!

Here are the ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup soft shortening
1/2 cup chocolate chips, more or less to taste ("mini" chips if you can find them)
1 egg
1/2 cup milk (fat-free half-and-half is even better)

Here's my method:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease and flour a standard 12-cup muffin pan.

Into a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.

With a pastry blender, cut the shortening into the dry ingredients until the mixture looks like coarse corn meal.

Stir the chocolate chips into the dry ingredients. This keeps the chips from sinking to the bottom of the muffins as they bake.

Crack the egg into another bowl and whisk it. Add the milk and whisk again. Pour the egg & milk mixture all at once into the dry ingredients.

Now here's the key to light muffins: With a fork, stir the mixture from the bottom, lifting the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients just until everything is moistened. The batter will be lumpy -- Resist the urge to over-stir.

Portion the batter evenly into the muffin pan's cups. I use a cookie scoop to do this, but a spoon works just as well.

Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes, until just golden brown.

Enjoy with a dot of butter, if you really want to razz the diet-police!

Now go jog around the block to work off those muffins before they morph into a muffin-top!

Memories of Saudia Arabia

2009-01-08T20:19:00.008-06:00

During the 80's, my husband worked in Saudia Arabia for several years. Daughter and I lived there with him for three of those years. I have so many memories of our time there, mostly good ones.

We lived in Yanbu, a small but modern city built to house industrial workers, near an ancient fishing village (also named Yanbu) on the Red Sea. The highlight of our month was traveling some 200 miles to the big city of Jeddah, a drive which took us down the Red Sea coast and across desert landscapes marked by beautiful, ever-changing sand dunes. In Jeddah we could buy American food at a westernized grocery store (but at a price: CocoPuff cereal for about $8.00 U.S.) and even indulge in pizza and Baskin-Robbins ice cream (at $6.00 per scoop)!

My favorite activity in Jeddah was visiting the old souk -- wildly colorful, teeming with activity, fragrant with the spice vendors' wares. When we were in Saudi, the marketplace hadn't changed much through the decades. In fact, if you glanced above the rough tents which housed each small "shop," you would see that the ancient buildings were constructed of coral harvested from the Red Sea.

At the Jeddah souk, I bought Bedouin articles -- two incense burners, a bracelet, and a container for kohl, a type of eye cosmetic

silver jewelry

and a spice box

which, when opened, reveals a tray and smaller containers.

You could also buy carpets, textiles, baskets and other handcrafts, and of course gold jewelry.

You might see many Saudi women in the souk, but always clothed in the traditional black abaya which covers everything, neck to wrists to ankles, and the women were always -- always -- fully veiled, so that no facial feature or hair was on display.

Early one evening, as we were leaving the souk, I noticed a policeman hand-in-hand with a young boy, not much younger than my daughter. As I watched in surprise, a Saudi woman across the way removed her veils, and I could see tears streaming down her face. The policeman released the youngster's hand, and the little boy ran across the souk into his mother's waiting arms. As any mother would do, she covered the child's face with kisses, crying all the while. Instantly I understood -- This little one had become separated from his mother and, in her relief and happiness at finding her lost child, the requirement of the veil was forgotten.

Mothers are the same the world over, as are children, as are all humans in so many ways. I would have done the same had I lost my child -- whether in the Jeddah souk's warren of vendors or in a modern shopping mall. Ideology may mask the commonalities of us all, but it does not erase our humanity -- the common thread which links us all as fellow passengers on our separate journeys in this world.

Peace on earth, my friends. That is what I pray for at the beginning of this new year, and it is what I wish for you in your life.

Lazy Saturday

2009-01-03T17:32:00.030-06:00

What a gorgeous Spring-like afternoon this has been.

The mild weather was so welcome after weeks of cold, damp, rainy, foggy days.

Forget housework and other chores -- I stayed outside to enjoy the day.

The moon made an appearance in a brilliant blue sky --
though clouds are building in advance of a cold front.

The local wildlife was hanging out, waiting for fresh sunflower seeds and peanuts in the feeders.

Our neighbor's dog Webster visited, recovering from leg and knee surgery --

but he remembers how to beg for treats at the back door and fog up the glass. Time to break out the Windex!

The amaryllis my mother-in-law gave me is blooming, and I cut holly branches and nandina berries from our yard to bring inside. That's a Christmas ornament that our neighbor's granddaughter painted just for us!

I hope your Saturday was just as good as mine!

MOGGIT

2008-12-31T15:38:00.030-06:00

I broke a promise to myself. When the first wave of magazines hit the stands during the holidays, I swore that I would NOT buy any this year. For pete's sake, I still have last year's Christmas mags that I haven't read yet! I held strong until Dec. 30, when one that I've not seen before caught my eye -- Romantic Country ("Country Decorating Ideas #98," yet). They snagged me with the cover tag line "America's Prettiest Houseboat." Alllll righty then! I bought it.

The houseboat, like most of the rooms in the magazine, is beautiful but way too filled with fluff for my plebeian taste. But I hit pay-dirt on page 16 -- an article about a woman named Joy Zacsyk who sells altered vintage items online. I love that stuff, but I love blogs even more, and she has a good one -- www.thejoyof.blogspot.com -- which blog led me to moggit.

If, like me, you are decorating-challenged, you must check out Ms. Zacsyk's website: www.moggit.com. Be sure to click on "Oh No You Didn't" -- You will leave the site assured that your decorating taste is impeccable, I promise you. What fun!

As the new year approaches, wishes for safe passage and happy days come your way from everyone at Slipper Moon:

Himself, #1 main man, supporter-extraordinaire-of-craft-addicted-wife, my hubby (who would not be happy if I posted his photo);

and Buster, protector of his domain;

and Maggie, just happy to be alive;

and Fanny, she of the
mercurial temperament;

and Pepper, who really runs the show;

and me.

Happy 2009, everyone.

Reflections on a Cold Day

2008-12-23T19:35:00.031-06:00

This colder-than-average December finds me nesting, unwilling to face the chilly damp which awaits outside,
or the hordes of shoppers in the mall and grocery stores.

A warm fire and soft candlelight beckon me to stay home, and pot pie with turkey and veggies from the fridge sounds like a fine dinner. The gift of days like this -- gray, gloomy, and cold -- is leisure time to rediscover volumes of poetry, forgotten when brighter days tempt me outside.

Here's a perfect poem for cold weather, from an author I wouldn't have thought of as a poet:

LET IT SNOW

Snow in the sky,
Earth turning white --
A tree like a ghost
In the gathering night;
Low clouds above,
White world below --
Barn roofs and houses
Covered with snow.

Deep in his burrow
The 'possum is huddled,
Far in the bushes
Snowbirds are cuddled,
The creek in the morning
Coldly will gleam,

But I've got a fire,
A book and a dream.

Louis L'Amour, from "Smoke from This Altar" (Bantam Books, 1990)

Merry Christmas, all.
May your celebration be serene,
and sweetly filled with love.

Are those sleighbells I hear?

2008-12-11T09:08:00.014-06:00

Now, those of you north of the Mason-Dixon line will wonder what the fuss is about. But here in sunny and humid Southeast Texas, snowfall in any amount is a major event! I didn't really believe the local weather forecasters last night when they said we might have snow. Still, I peeked outside around midnight. In the deep quiet of night, snow was falling.

Early this morning, nature's gift waited to be appreciated.

Peace on earth, my friends. Have a blessed day.

2008-11-16T15:34:00.015-06:00

Yesterday, the first day of cool autumn weather here in southeast Texas, some life-long friends gathered at my house for an afternoon of "girl time." Scrapbooks were hauled out, walks were taken in the crisp autumn weather, news was shared, and far too much chocolate was eaten! We said goodbye much too soon. I'd post our group photograph, but they would kill me!

Today, the crisp weather holds -- sky so blue it hurts your eyes to behold, air with just enough nip to make you catch your breath. But the sun shines brightly, and the patio stones are just warm enough for a doggy snooze:

Slipper Moon Studio (hubby calls it my "happy room") currently houses completed projects ready for sale:

a rosary made of sterling silver and rose quartz:

and another sterling silver rosary featuring lampwork glass beads highlighted with glass pearls:

I hope to get my Etsy shop up and running soon. Till then, in days sunny or cloudy, under a full moon or just a little silver slipper -- enjoy life -- every single minute of it.