Still here

The Mayans were either wrong or their math was flawed or who knows what all the calendar hooey was about or the world will end tomorrow morning.
   In any event, the solstice has arrived and, to honor that moment in time, I was outside at 5:12am Central time, watching flames on a tiki torch. Later today, I will have a proper fire with all the ceremonial accoutrement--holly branches, acorns, and notes to burn, to welcome the lengthening days and chase away the bad juju accumulated over the last 6 months. I upgraded to a better fire pit last week, so Vincent and I did a test run on it the other day. It was a raging success. The new pit is round and has an open top, which can be covered with a screen to prevent sparks from escaping. The chimnea I was using did a fine job for the last few years but I felt limited in flame viewing. You had to look at the fire through those holes. Now, it's kind of like surround sound for fire. Plus it holds way more sticks that the chimnea. All the wind we had yesterday knocked plenty out of the trees, so I can replenish my stick pile with a fresh batch of fuel for upcoming fires this winter. New Year's Eve would be an excellent occasion.

The holidaze continue

As the year hurtles to it's inevitable end, the parties and get togethers with my friends and acquaintances are about over too. Tuesday was the quilt guild holiday bash and today I attended the brunch for the sewing guild. I'm sure no one I know wants to ever see me show up with a dish of pigs in a blanket at any function.
   Besides the food and fun company, we exchanged gifts at quilt guild and postcards at sewing guild. I got a lovely coaster made with a rug hooking technique. It is beautiful and I forgot to photograph it for this post, so that will have to be for another day.

the extent of holiday decorating

postcards from sewing guild

  I did take pictures of the postcards. They are fun and represent the personalities of the creative people who made them.
  As you can see I have thrown in pictures of the outdoor decorations in the yard. The lights don't work so I put bows on those sad deer in an attempt to give them some holiday spirit. And I still haven't learned how to arrange photos with proper text on this thing....someday soon.....

Recent acquisition

I figured I'd better post while I can and blogger is letting me use photos.
Yesterday, I went to a couple of estate sales with my friend. One was at Cybil Sheperd's family home. It had been advertised in the local paper as having some of the actress's memorabilia as well as family heirlooms. There was a LOT of stuff, mostly nice, some not so nice. In the downstairs bedroom where two pink chairs.

bathroom wallpaper at another house

all the doors were like this

My perfect chair

 I have thinking lately about getting a chair for my bedroom, but it would have to be small and in my mind, have the ability to swivel and roll. That chair was perfect. I couldn't believe my good luck in finding it, as I figured it would take a massive hunt to thrift stores and consignment shops to find such a creature.  Yes, it is pink and I am NOT a pink kinda girl, but that chair has everything else going for it. And the Liberty print quilt tones it down a bit.
  The two top photos are from another house we went to. All the doors in that house were pointy even the closet doors. The wallpaper throughout was original from the late 50's or early 60's. It was a strange house.
   Someday I will learn how to arrange the text with the proper pictures.

Photos

paperwhites rescued from the big freeze

Tiny Dancer by Elton John

Miraculously, Blogger is allowing me to post photos. What is going on?? Anyway, the lower photo is of one of my journal pages. It's my favorite so far.

WAAAAHHHHHH

I will not be able to post photos anymore boohooo...google says my storage is full and that I MUST upgrade. Oh well, I guess this blog had a pretty good run and I will certainly miss it.

Holidaze musings

The weather has been less than wintery, but the prognosticators on the local news outlets have forecasted a drastic change in the direction of more normal temps. So I am more than happy that I have rescued the paperwhites to adorn my hovel before the frost got to them. They look lovely and their scent is sweet without being overwhelming.
  I signed up for an online journaling exercise in November that used classic rock songs as themes. The intent was to make a journal page (or at least start on one) everyday. November is National Journaling Month, according to the blog by Dawn Devries Sokol. Although I didn't get to work everyday, I did make a list of all the song titles and started on some of the pages and actually finished a few. It was great excuse to buy a fresh new sketchbook with nice paper fit for mixed media. And now I will have something different to work on for the upcoming cold and miserable winter days--like I really need another project......
   I had planned on adding photos but got the news that my storage is full???? wtf????

Holidaze are upon us

This weekend there will be a street party of sorts on Broad Avenue, the hip, up and coming spot in midtown Memphis these days. Metal Works Gallery will be one of the spaces open for fun and commerce (some of my art works will be available) on December 7,8 & 9. Hours will be 7-9 pm on Friday, 10 am-4 pm on Saturday, 12-4 pm on Sunday. If you are in the vicinity, come join the fun!!!