Jammin'

Apricots, Plums and Figs, oh my.  This year's crop of apricots was lovely. I've never had such large, juicy fruit from these two trees, and it's been made into jam.  The crop luckily wasn't in the  overload numbers, so we are able to handle it, and almost as suddenly as it started, the crop is finished. Now we will handle the plums, and there are a LOT more plums on the trees, although they are smaller.  I think I have a couple of days rest before they come in.  The neighbors donated a flat of figs, so that is yummy as well.  

Standing over the sink, biting into ripe fruit is one of the blessings of summer. Some of the fruit didn't even make it into the kitchen, eaten while standing on the ladder and reaching high into the branches. Sun warmed apricots, tasting faintly of vanilla and magic, juice dripping. Oh yes, heaven.  

I have given up on apricots from the store. I pick one up, and sniff. It doesn't smell like fruit. I put it back, disappointed.  
I now have jars of apricot, apricot plum and apricot strawberry jam.  Tried the apricot plum on banana pancakes yesterday, even though the jam  hasn't set. (It takes a while for the jam to "jell").  I may have to open up another  jar soon.   Hmmmmmm.  

Mea Culpa

I confess, this blog has been low on my priority list lately. Since the last post, our grandson Mathew has moved in with us to escape his rather abusive mother, we've gone on a vacation to the coast (Pt. Arena) and the garden is bearing fruit and vegetables. We've harvested apricots and corn, and eaten many salads. Tiny cherry tomatoes are tasting like candy. I'll find some photos to post soon, probably this afternoon. 

I'm trying to organize another get-together with my basket ladies, and want to see if I can get a bowling ball project to happen. Summer is upon us, and the time is evaporating like water on a hot sidewalk. 

April is Speeding Past

We have just finished putting together a planter box and have retreated inside out of the heat. April has turned into a hot mudder, and if this is a harbinger of the summer, we are in for a bit of trouble. The spring garden is started, and we are adding our 1-box-a-year to the collection. Our neighbors inspired and assisted us (by cutting the dado grooves in the corner pieces) so we assembled it today.  What you see is upside down, and it's only 3'x3' or so.  There is room to add another row of panels if I want it higher.  Otherwise, the legs go into the ground. Not sure why it's recommended to do that, unless it's to prevent the squirrels from carrying it away. 

Have also been working diligently in class, working on glass pretties. Ordered findings online  so I could finish some of the pieces.  
No time to be bored, no time to waste. If I can manage to register for the metals class next Fall, 
I'll continue learning about metal working for jewelry making.

This is fascinating, and I enjoy it, although it's taking away from painting time. What a dilemma.  So much to do, and time just slides past.  


The garden needs attention, although it's already giving back. Last night we ate a large salad that had fresh arugula, baby lettuces, tiny snow peas, scallion blossoms and basil from the garden.  Happy dinner! Perhaps later, when there is more shade. Right now, it's hot hot HOT out there!

Kitchen Faucet Cha-Cha

That pesky faucet needed repairing urgently. Been dripping (running) every time it was used, and we'd been looking at new faucets (Home Depot, Costco).  One evening a week or so ago, it finally quit, and my fairy godmother was looking after me, since it just stopped, instead of sending a geyser of water at the ceiling.  (Yes, I am thankful for small favors.) Since Jim didn't want to just buy the one we originally spied at Costco, there was no replacement ready to go. That one was VERY reasonably priced... of course.  
Back to Costco. No "last of the bunch" pricing. Too cranky to start the search over, so just looked at the two or three on hand, and picked the one that had a $50 rebate.  Handsgrohe... or some fancy German name. 

At home, I removed all of the cleaning supplies out from under the sink, and contorted my body to fit under to take a look at what needed to be done. Twenty years ago, I'd have just grabbed the wrenches and done it. Not so now. The attachments were in places I couldn't reach without breaking an arm and there were so many lines snaking around that it would have been a cluster. 


I got smart. Called a plumber, and had him do it. Of course it was a great amount of money, but we changed out the shutoff valves, removed the water filtration system (been meaning to replace it for two years), and it's done. 

Plumber did his share of grunting and mumbling, (much nicer than I would have been), checked all the faucets in the house, tightened up the one in the shower that was dripping, and voila' it's done.  Jim mentioned yesterday that he liked the new one, which is unusual, because he doesn't usually say anything, and I love it. 


So, yes, I suppose I could have done it, or WE could have done the work, but the cost of the chiropractor's visits over several weeks to repair the tweeked backs would have run through the checkbook just as fast. 

A bump in the road.. or a major pothole?

Not a great deal to say, have been dealing with medical issues, health, hospitals, fitness, therapy and such things. We started the year with great intentions: signed up with a gym and began going 3x a week. My regular docs decided to have me go to therapy, OT for my hands and PT for back and knees.  Thus, I have been very busy with appointments, and sessions at the gym.  My dear husband was going to work out as well.  

A couple of weeks ago, Jim had an event... horrible bleeding ulcer that put him into the hospital for 4 days.  ICU, blood transfusions (6 units) and it was scary as hell. We are getting back to our normal life, (slowly) and such, but it gives me much to think about, and some changes that have to be made.  I am thankful for much, and have "giving blood" on my list of things to do soon. Six other people gave theirs for my honey, so I need to give back.  If you think about it, give some too.  

Cats and Mushrooms, not necessarily related

This time of year I am thinking about the things I enjoy having in my life, and these little bits (well, the cats are no longer "little") are part of the mix.  The mushrooms are Maitaki and Truffles, and both are a rare treat at our house. I'm still enjoying the truffles, having made truffle salt, and then squirreled away two tiny little pieces for the future. The maitaki was sauteed in butter and olive oil and added to a risotto. 

These two are in their favorite place, smack in the middle of the feather comforter on our bed. Houdini (the ginger) has this "dead cat" pose that makes me laugh every time I see it. He also seems to want to drape himself over Marley, so those back paws are touching her. The smiles and grins are worth the price of catfood!
I will add more favorites as the days go by, but this was a short little entry before I dash off to the gym to work off the butter that was in the risotto!. 

Three Paintings in the VOX Exhibit

This is a small oil painting (9x12) "Point Arena Cliffs"

 I just put up this quick posting of some of the paintings that were shown at a local venue on Saturday.  There are two more landscapes that I will post after I photograph them. Somehow I managed to frame and wire them, totally forgetting to document the images.

"Magnolia Leaf  (8x10)"

"Plums" (8x10)

Merry, Happy & Joyful

Just bit of musing on the season. I'm enjoying this holiday more than usual. Maybe it's a result of my finally admitting that I am retired, instead of simply unemployed.  G'vment says my benefits are expired, so that means I'm off the statistical rolls. So... retired. Meanwhile, I have noticed that the usual Xmas music that saturates the airwaves hasn't set off my irritation meter. I'm humming along and making up the words as I go. This year I'm taking the time to notice things, to take pleasure in the efforts of stores and neighbors to make the season bright.  I like all the sparkle and glitter, the lights and ribbons. I even like the blow-up snow globes. They are so totally over the top, but they make me smile. It's like Las Vegas. Of course it's not natural, but that's the point. They are a talisman for happiness in this season. 
Thus, I hope to extend my happiness to all of my friends and family, with a wish that it spreads like ripples on a pond.  I wish you moments of sheer delight, of warmth in your hearts, of contentment at the end of the day.  May you have the gift of time to enjoy the world around you, and pleasure in little things, to make you smile.
Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, & Joy to the World. 
All my love, Elaine

The Ombre Basket

This is the first basket I've started after the lovely workshop with Carolyn Zeitler.  Her infinite patience and gracious teaching are inspirational and I look forward to a long and creative connection to her. 


This photo shows the top wrapping, and a little of the shaded coloring, from black to sable needles.  (Thus the name - "Ombre Basket")

I started with Canary Island Pine needles that are darker than the ones shown on the left (you can see the difference between dyed and undyed needles). This batch of needles is the transition or middle of the basket. The needles on the right are the ones used at the top of the basket. The tips of the needles absorbed the black dye more than the shaft, so the basket has a continuous spiral of the black on the outside.  A little aside: I look at the coloring of the dark sable needles, and wish just a little that my hair was that deep, rich, brown-to-black. It's yummy!
This is how the basket looks when you start. This is a full day's work. The beginning is the most difficult, and for the basket itself, the most important work, for as it begins, so it will follow.  (Yes grasshopper, keep stitching.) 


Now you can see the early stages of the basket, where I am changing from the pure black needles to the deepest sable. This is about day 3. 

I work on this a little here and a little there, as time permits.  The baskets may be the "final straw" in driving me to install better lighting over my favorite chair. I like working while the idiot box is on, but it's so dark... 


Here is the start of the finish, where I am wrapping the needles with raffia.  I'm not sure exactly how I will end it, but I'm up to three rows of wrapping so far. I may need to get a curved upholstery needle soon.

You can see a little of the inside of the basket, and the three rows of wrapping. The basket is not as large as I envisioned in the beginning, and I believe I understand why. (I started coming "up" too soon!)


Working on this basket is a joy. I feel centered and calm after stitching for a while, and watching the progress brings a smile to my face.  Carolyn Z. plans out her marvelous baskets, but I seem to have a more organic streak in me, as the baskets I work on all seem to have a mind of their own, and the outcome is frequently not what I had planned. 

Perhaps as I practice the new-found techniques I will become more disciplined, ... or not. 

Addendum: I left the basket on the table overnight, and my furry little devils chewed most of the trailing pine needles off.  Not a tragedy, as I can add more needles back, but a reminder that nothing is sacred in ART.  Four-footed art critics.  Hummph. 

Pretty, Shiny, Sparkly... Stuff

I confess to that very popular affliction that seems to touch many creative people, although I am not sure if I am ADD or ADHD or dyslexic or whatever.  (At this stage of my life, it really doesn't matter, does it?)
Distracted by things that sparkle or are shiny or move, I can lose thoughts faster than the blink of an eye. With that said, I also claim that this "affliction" helped drive the creative force within me, so that I found alternate methods to achieve what I wanted to create. Seeing things slightly out of the usual, grasping for the chaotic, I find pleasure in the edges of beauty. Perhaps I will always be "three degrees off plumb", but it works for me.

                          
My earlier artwork has incorporated bits and pieces of shiny metals, sparkly papers and found objects. I now believe that I've stumbled upon something that can take what I've learned before and translate it into more "pretty, shiny, sparkly" things. 

Recently, I have become involved in a class that explores glass and metal design. I'm having a ball. Glass fusing, metal shaping, and soon, enameling are all part of it, and I look forward to each class with anticipation. I've made new friends, and look forward to the time when we continue the teaching of the class on our own time, perhaps collaborating with each other to create new things. I've already learned from them, and hope that I've given back some too. 

Indian Summer

 I am always surprised at how much I enjoy Autumn. It's early morning; I woke at 6:15 and tiptoed into the family room to have coffee and a quiet read with the cats while Jim slept. 
 The backyard is slowly revealed as the sky lightens, and I can see the leaves scattered over the grass and patio. It's time to start raking leaves to pile up for compost and mulch.

A week has gone by since the party, and I am still basking in the warmth of accomplishment. It's a small thing, but I take pleasure where I can, and laugh at myself for the omissions and errors that occur. I meant to take photographs of the event, and other than the shot of the first delightful little guest, nothing more was done. No one else did either, so it will only live in memory, which might not be too bad after all.


The other fun I'm having: a jewelry class and blues harmonica lessons. Four Sundays of listening to Mick Martin ramble on about blues harmonica, and some tips on playing for a couple of hours. He has a rich history stuffed into his brain, and knows the players, the events and so much more.  I can play part of "Low Rider" now. Just part. Won't disgrace myself by trying to play at parties yet...

Working On Art, Working On Life. Not There Yet...

Family, Friends and Welcome Readers:

A friend posted this on Facebook, and I read it with that incredible feeling of excitement I get when I come across something that resonates in my soul. Ira Glass has nailed it.

I'm still working on things, on art, on life.  

The Patio Project is Finished...

 The patio project is finished, or at least the cement part of the cobblestone pavers. We are now adding some fill dirt to the edges and starting to plant ground

cover to landscape. This has taken three of our summers to complete, and I will never watch the DIY channel again and think "Oh that looks easy, I can do that". 

However, it is soooo worth it. I love the look, and it has that air of very old cobblestone streets, a bit uneaven (no 4" spike heels please) and worn.  We acquired a table and chairs from some friends and have discovered that there is a lovely breeze that crosses the yard there.  It's nicer than the little patio off the family room.

Now we are starting to take care of the rest of the yard, which was sadly neglected this summer in favor of the cement work. Think we will have a party in October to celebrate.  Brats on the BBQ, beer in the cooler and Bocce Ball on the meadow/lawn. Wheeee.

Red Shoes

There is something about a pair of red shoes that uplifts my spirits and makes me smile. I am ready to invent an occasion to wear them, to prance around and grin until my dimples ache.  Is there love in red shoes, or just the illusion of romance?  Happy dance for feet!

The miracle of current internet shopping has made a chore (one that formerly brought me to tears) a pleasant prospect. With this delight, I currently have two new pairs of shoes that fit my odd-duck feet, one the pictured in red, and a lovely black suede in the same style.

Pavers, Cobblestones and Cement Mixers

The Great Patio Project is nearing the finish. It's taken three summers, instead of the foolishly estimated "couple of weekends" (Curse you, DIY channel)...  We have only a couple more rows of paving stones to cast and place, and individual cobbles (?) to cast along the edges.

Would we do the same if we only knew???  Accorting to my beloved husband, uh - NO!  Would we be able to find anything that would be similar commercially, probably not. The patio is unique, and I really like how it looks, although we will have to come up with a solution for the edge, as I am not completely happy with what I used to edge it (composition board, like "Trex".)  

We will be celebrating our project's completion sometime after Labor Day (appropriate, eh?)  BB-Q fired up, meat on the grill, Bocce Ball and Croquet in the backyard. Hammocks will be hung, and chairs scattered under the trees.  Last days of summer...