Connection . . .

. . . to you, to imagination, to nature, to thoughtfulness, to now. find it in: imagery, poetry, color, textures. let the symbolic imagery and visual poetry into your life and home as reminders and vehicles to Connection. --Asia Mathis

(This little poem was tucked inside the bag with my purchased item from Asia. A very sweet touch.)

Beautiful. Just beautiful. I finally found the name of the artist who makes my houses. I've been attracted to her work since the first moment I saw it--not only the sculpture itself, but her poetry as well. I was so delighted to find her yesterday. I told her that it was my main mission to find her at the show. The best news though is that she has a site: www.asiamathis.com. Yea! You really have to take a look. I adore these large pieces but I would be afraid they would not last in my home. We are not careful enough to warrant bringing one of these babies home!

Of course, I added another little house to my list of favorite things by bringing it home! Pretty, no? I love the little red doors--she put one on three sides. It reads "rain dusted on this clay face mine already blurred by some other elements of life and talk all dripping into now and love" I don't know why, but you can't see the little metal rings on each corner of the roof--another nice element that adds to the piece.

As I mentioned yesterday, it was a sculpture kind of day. This exhibitor was new (I think) and I loved the brilliant colors and the detail to each particular flower. I bought three to add to my garden. You can see more of their work at www.winfreyworks.com.

This area is right off our front porch. The kid calls the general area "Bud County" and more specifically the bird bath is known as "Bud's Pond." We had a favorite cat named Bud. This was Bud's favorite spot. If there was water in the birdbath, he would drink from it. If it was dry, he would lie on it. You could always find Bud here if he was outside. He was the sweetest thing. Bud moved with us from Virginia where we had adopted him from the school where I worked. He was born under the old school house and I just had to have him. Unfortunately, he disappeared two Christmases ago. We miss him. But there will always be his garden that we all enjoy so much. Sniffle, sniffle.

With spring still heavy in the air, I finally broke down and bought a fountain for my porch. I thought Fred and Frieda might enjoy a little water close by the brood. It was fascinating how these were made using real leaves.
I took these pictures of the process from a book that they had out on the table. Fun stuff. You can read more about it here at www.gardenartimpressions.com.

Well friends, that's all. The kid is calling me to come and sit on the porch and listen to the fountain with Fred and Frieda. And, speaking of F&F, take a look at how big the babies are getting! (Yes indeed, there are five!!) Have a wonderful Sunday.

Centennial Park TACA Show--Nashville

Spring--2006

It was the perfect day for a crafts show--not too hot, not too cold and NOT raining! I think it's supposed to rain tomorrow, just like last weekend. Last Saturday was a beautiful day to hit the Franklin Fair but Sunday was a wash. I'm glad we got TACA in today. It was a lot of fun and very inspiring, to say the least.

Centennial Park's backdrop is an exact replica of the Parthenon. It was built in 1897 as part of Nashville's centennial exposition. By then, Nashville had already been pegged as being the Athens of the South. It is fascinating to read about it. I would never think of Nashville as an Athens, but I do see their point way back then.

Anyhoo, there was a lot to see. I always have my "ritual" of going around all the booths once and soaking them all in before making my second round. The hub and I did this first round and then sat down for a fair-type lunch (polish sausage with onions and peppers and a lemonade) under the beautiful old trees.

Take a look at this. (No, I mean, click on the pic and really take a look at this!) It is stunning! This was the first booth we came to. I can't tell you how many people were commenting on this "Tortoise & the Hare" rocking horse. Isn't it to die-for, drop-dead beautiful? Oh, if I were rich and had a baby and a nursery.....well, you know. I just had to go up to it and run my fingers across the different textures. It is scrumptious. Sorry, I didn't get the artist's name. Bad, bad me.

This was my favorite booth of the day. R. Michael Wimmer definitely didn't exhibit last year--I would have remembered his things. What a thrill to look at his remarkable work. These reminded me of Ulla's beautiful spring window display at Castle in the Air which included several of her "clocks." I would love to have one of these sitting on a shelf all by itself or even in a corner somewhere. (One of these could stand on its own as a "Friday's Favorite Corner!") What a conversation piece. He had other types of work including this piece which was intriguing. What a wonderful idea to use a broken china doll's head as a focal point! (Sorry about the glare--grrrr!)

This artist has been at the shows since I've been going. Every year, I say I'm going to break down and get one of her sculptures, but I have yet to do so. Her little people are so whimsical and gay, I'm dying to put one in my garden. The little girl flying on the dragonfly is a little different from her traditional frolicking souls. Of course, it was my favorite piece by her this year. (Again, no name.)


I believe this was a newby because I had never seen anything quite like this before. For some reason, I was more drawn to the ceramics and concrete sculptures this year. Funny how our tastes change from year to year. Aren't these fun, though? I adore the horseshoe nails in the baby shoes! This booth was busy so I didn't have a chance to step in and talk to the artist. But, wow. What a great idea. Now you see, this woman is smart. She put her card under each piece. No way I can miss her name and info! Good woman, Kem!!

Ludie Amos of Clarksville was sculpting her dolls in the demonstration tent. I would love to go back tomorrow and see the finished product. Just look at the expressions on these amazing faces. What detail and handiwork. Love them.

I'm going to stop here for the night. Tomorrow, I'll share with you the things I brought home with me. What a tease I am, I know.

Teaser

We're off to see the TACA (Tennessee Arts & Crafts Association) Spring Fair at Centennial Park in the city! Ooooh! I bought some wonderful pieces last year (remember this?) and I can't wait to see what's in store today! Most of the things are too expensive for my blood, but I always seem to find a little something to bring home. I'll keep you posted!!

Friday's Favorite Corner

Today's fav corner is the hub's side of the bedroom. Pretty barren--now that I look at it in print form. Now, if I had left all the books and little pieces of paper that he always has stacked up on his chair there, maybe it would have looked less bare! haha. If I moved the camera back one inch, you would have seen books stacked 10 high on both sides of his chair. And not just one stack, I'd say at least five or six piles. He is an avid reader, to say the least. He's recently been on a history kick, reading everything he can get his hands on. We have books everywhere! Who ever said I didn't "stage" my photo shoots! hehe.

On the chair is an old quilt my grandma Rosie (Rosa) made. I remember as a child using it at the beach! At the beach!! I finally confiscated it from the old linen closet at my mom's house many years ago and have not treated it much better myself, obviously. I used to throw it in the washing machine! How naive! Bad, bad girl! So, it has definitely seen its years of abuse. But it is soooo soft and comfy for being used so much. I can't tell you how many times I have snuggled with it.

My grandma used so many different fabrics on this one. Most are in the art deco period and look to be upholstery or drapery fabrics. Mostly cottons and barkcloth were used. The barkcloth has worn to a beautifully supple hand. Mmmmm. She even used heavy fabrics for the batting! The inside fabrics are as pretty as the out. Oh what I would do to have something done in this soft blue fabric (which is the actual batting for this section!). Gorgeous!



Now to the thing on my wall. Several years ago, I was at a craft show and saw these wonderful old windows that had quilts tacked to the back. They were so different. What a marvelous idea. (I bought two which are downstairs in the back hall.) So now, if I ever see any old windows at a yard sale or elsewhere and they're cheap, I buy them for later use. Also, if I ever run up against an old piece of a quilting top, I get that too. I've only found this one that I actually used for this kind of project. I fell in love with the crazy quilt style. The hand stitching is so quaint. Even the initials, FAR (actually it's RAF, but who's looking) was my first boss' initials. He was a dear, dear friend. One of my favorite stitches though, of course, is the little lamb. Isn't that sweet? This window doesn't look as neat as the ones I purchased; but the crazy quilt pattern made it a little bit of a challenge. Since it went every-which-way, I just framed the lamb and let nature take its course. I still love it though. The primitive hand work is so lovely.

And this little cherub piece, I've had since I was pregnant with my second. I knew it was going to be a boy, so when I cast my eyes on this, it had to be mine. Poor little bottom boy has lost his hand in one of our moves, but he still looks quite content! I think it was made in Italy.

Things to do, people to see. Have to run to the post office and get a box off to my niece that I have been sitting on for a month! Does anyone else procrastinate like me? I don't know why I do that. I bought my grand nephew the cutest little outfit and then made my niece a box (you know the kind) and it's just been sitting there, collecting dust. I hope Harry can still fit into it--the outfit, not the box. Geesh!

What a Difference

My magnolia is finally blooming. This is a new tree planted two springs ago. It hasn't grown much since then; but this year, it has finally bloomed. Oh, and the smell. It is absolutely intoxicating. Squeal!

The trimming and mulching finally got done and boy what a difference. I can't even believe how nice it looks. It's been raining off and on for several days and everything is so happy and green. You can finally see the window boxes now. I need to add some more ivy to the box on the left. I have some rooting in my kitchen window that I saved from the winter (from my dad's pot). Probably ok to go ahead and put it out there.


These are the pieces I did break down and buy on my second trip to the Fair last weekend. The first was this adorable Canadian goose on some type of board. It looks old; but you know these days, who knows. But I couldn't resist it, regardless. I lodged it in one of mom's little gardens in the back and she loves it.

The gent who did the bird houses also had some odds and ends. I fell in love with this piece of old fencing. I was positive I could find the right place for it! This may keep Frankie (my mom's dog) out from behind the butterfly bushes--but I doubt it. Always worth a try. This is where I planted all my iris last fall. None came up. Not one! I don't know if Frankie dug all the bulbs up or what. We'll see about next year.

Of course, I did go back to get a birdhouse (as if), actually two. This one was my third runner up (on the left) from the first day. The large beautiful one sold before I got back, which is probably a good thing (ka-ching!). I am perfectly content with this one though. It looks very pretty up against the greens of the foliage and the white of the house. I've even seen birds already checking it out. They don't miss a beat, I tell ya! After speaking with the gent who made it, I told him to come back in the fall (we have two fairs a year). Hopefully, he will. I just love his stuff. He comes up from Texas; and of course, all things from Texas are good, right? (My dad was from Texas.)

This is Nina and Norm's place. When I went out on my side porch to capture the magnolia shot, I heard the little "cheep, cheeep cheeep" of my nuthatches that have taken up residence in this little birdhouse there. As soon as I stopped to listen, it all went silent. I had to giggle because I bet momma (Nina) was in there going "shhhhh little ones -- A HUMAN!" Sounds like a whole bunch are crammed in that little house! I have tried and tried to capture Nina and/or Norm (in a picture); but you know those little nuthatches, they're quick! I just adore their little black caps on their noggins. Too cute! Maybe one day, I'll capture a shot. (I also peeked in on Fred and Frieda's brood today. Let me tell you, that tiny nest is getting kinda tight too! They were all asleep. One opened an eye when I stood on the footstool looking in. I couldn't help but whisper to him that everything was okay. I wonder if he understood I meant no harm. What will he tell Frieda when she comes home? Oh, and by the way, this one knew I wasn't his mother!)

Look at this little adorable book I also found this past weekend. It came with 45 records, I'm sure; but they have been long gone by the looks of it. But how sweet is this? Don't have a clue what I'm going to do with it; but it called to me, and so I answered with a 5 dollar bill.

Oh, P.S. Hotdogs and beans for dinner tonight. I am just totally unmotivated this week in the kitchen department. Uggggg.

Dinner Time

Grrrrr. What to make for dinner. Sometimes I am just at a loss. Today, I am at a total loss. Don't you wish sometimes you had a magic wand!

Ahchew!

I had terrible allergies last night. I worked out in the yard and paid dearly for it. I've had mild allergies since in my 30s, but after moving to Tennessee, they have run amuck.

Two years ago, I finally broke down and got tested because they had become so bad. Yep, I was allergic to just about everything; but most of all, my dear babies--cats and dogs--were at the top of my list. Well Zyrtec took care of that just fine. It was the dust and the outdoor stuff that came in a very close second. The winter time is bad for dust, but that's manageable. But come springtime, . . . achewy! And itchy. And watery. Just bad. I started having allergy shots along with every other antihistamine that was on the market that the doc prescribed for me. I was a walking zombie. I did it all until one day I had a really bad reaction from one of the shots and became violently ill. I was afraid to go back after that. I then became tired (literally) of being tired all the time and weaned myself off all those pills too. I still have to take Zyrtec, Lord forbid I don't; but the others were just too much. I try to do what I can with herbs and essential oils.

Yesterday, after scratching and rubbing all the makeup off my eyes (lovely), I went to Wild Oats (our Whole Foods, Bread & Circus, Fresh Fields, etc.). and bought all my essential oils to make my own concoction for allergies. Who knows how many drops I added of each, but this is the jest by most amount on top:

• Roman Chamomile (there is a difference in chamomiles, so smell before you buy)
• Lavender
• Lemon
• Eucalyptus (only a couple of drops will do of this!)
• Peppermint
  

I mixed it all in a little bottle. It is then ready to use on my small quilted flannel square (that I had purchased from a vendor at last year's Franklin street fair) and I carry it around with me. Whenever I feel a little clogged or runny or itchy, I sniff it. Oh, and if you leave it in the car in the summer months, the heat activates the oils and it makes the car smell sooooo good!

You've Got the Cutest Little Baby Face(s)

The latest additions to our motley crew have arrived! I count four, how many do you see? (Click on the photo to enlarge.) There were five eggs, remember? The hub came home early today and so I had him reach up and get a pic for me--remember me = short. I thought I had seen a little fuzzy head up there! Look at the one waiting for the hub to drop in some food! "Are you my mother??" (When the teenager was a toddler, this was his favorite book. Such a sweet story. I remember we also had it in Spanish, ¿Es Tu Mi Madre? We had a babysitter from Guatemala, Dora, and those two just adored each other. She would read this over and over to him and he would just sit and smile contently listening to the words and looking at the pictures with her. He was always into books. Even today, he loves to read. The other night we went to the bookstore to get some on his list. His cell phone rang on the way home. "Hello? . . . Uh, I'm just coming back from the bookstore. . . Uh yea, . . . like I read books man." I had to smile. Now, the other one, the now pre-teen, hates to read! Isn't it amazing how different they all are even though the come from the same two people? Funny. Anyway, way off subject there; but the little baby with his mouth open made me think back to that stage in our lives. Sigh.)

Of course, I really need to have the house power washed. The negative aspect of having a white house in Tennessee--lots of spider webs and a little mold in the shady spots. Not bad mold, mind you, just gets a little green on one of the dormers come August. We have never had the house washed since we've lived here, and it is high time that we do before there's some damage done. But, with all the new babies, I can't just move their duplex. I had to phone the guy back today and tell him we'll have to wait a couple of weeks to have it washed. He probably thinks I'm totally nuts. But, who could look at those little faces and tell them they have to move? Not me! Anyone know how long before they fly the coop? No idea here.

Oh yes, and speaking of babies; guess who came to visit us today? Take a close look and see.

Can you tell he's on the inside of the window looking OUT?! Yep, we had another robin fly in (or brought in??.) Poor little guy, he must be thinking "What in the world have I done....I really don't understand what I just did." This male cardinal looked to be a young one by his size. I'm going to have to start keeping my doors shut or get screens on all of them! (Ha, as if that would help. Miss Bev brought the last one in through the one screen door we have! Yep, they have pulled the binding out that holds the screen in and they sneak out a little corner. Little buggers.) The little guy was too afraid to fly, thank goodness, and he stayed right by the window long enough to let me open it and let him fly away. Amazing I haven't put my screens back in for the summer. It would have been a little more difficult getting him out if I had. It was miraculous that the kitties were all asleep too. They would have had this little guy in a snap. He wasn't panicking and just fluttered a little bit trying to get out the window. I'm thankful it all ended well, again. Phew! What a wonderful feeling it is when something like this happens. Maybe they go back and tell their family that not all humans are bad. smile. Let's hope.

Happy May Day

A happy May Day to all.

Sending each and every one a beautiful flower-filled basket for your doorknob!