Going "Green"

It is taking years, but even I am taking notice that mainstream America is gradually resorting to more eco-friendly habits. My son intrigued me with a conversation the other day regarding the future of grocery store bags with the possibility of a tax levied for their use. I found this pattern here and decided why not sew a bag I would enjoying stuffing with celery, yogurt and other sundry items.

I deviated from the pattern somewhat by adding a lining, liking the contrast of the two fabrics and the extra sturdiness it provided to the bag.

When I told Rose I was making a grocery store bag she replied,"Mama, are you going green?" Suddenly I felt so with it.

Little Pressings

I am not a list maker per se. Little scraps of paper are not usually safe laying around my house due to my tendency to clear away, to pick up, for visual neatness in my home. The fact that I so readily dispose of paper drives my husband crazy. Yet I remind him we would live in a home with 98% scrap paper and 2% people if I wasn't so ruthless with the vast array of paper accumulating daily.

But I have been known to throw away important things too, but we will not go into that this very moment. I truly believes it all equals out in the long run and it keeps my home more orderly.

However, I do write down things in my journal that I believe are" pressing". By this I mean things that I would like to get done sometime in the near future. They are pressing on my mind as things that would be nice to be accomplished if possible. I rather think of them as wildflowers gathered on a late summer afternoon and pressed between the pages of a huge dictionary for later use. You know "pressings."

This weeks pressings:

• cut more lavender stems
• bake a loaf of whole wheat bread using new Pampered Chef loaf pan
• cut out one of Charlotte's summer dresses
• make a trip to the local yarn shop and buy yarn for the sweater I am itching to knit
• organize the stack of books laying around my bedroom, from here to there ( apparently I do not have the same problem with books as I do with scraps of paper)
• make a fresh batch of hummingbird feed

Now that it is Friday I reviewed my list and I can say all were accomplished except the making of the loaf of bread, probably due to my husband bringing home some delicious bread from Whole Foods this week, and the cutting out a dress for Charlotte.





And knitting this sweater is proving to be as fulfilling as expected. Lovely yarn, Debbie Bliss Prima in rich hydrangea blue.

Thirty-one years ago today....

As I look through the wedding albums of brides today, I can only manage to sigh. The photographs I flip through are amazingly creative and outstandingly beautiful.

The year was 1978 and this photo from my wedding album was taken by the best photographer my town had to offer. It was considered to have special effects.Love that endures over a lifetime is not a result of a decision made once; but one that is made over and over again, the same choice..... the same person. I would make the same choice I made thirty-one years ago as I stood at the church's altar in the presence of God and many witnesses and said," I Do".

Happy Anniversary, Love!

Letters to a friend

The art of penning letters: sounds divinely grand; on pretty, fancy stationary: an item to be desired; but honestly speaking, writing a letter on plain white notebook paper works beautifully and as an added bonus penciled drawings throughout the letter, if time affords, give charm that can not be purchased with any amount of money.

There's a shoebox in my closet filled with handwritten letters from a dear friend.We have enjoyed years of writing letters to one another, so much sharing back and forth. I remind her that when she becomes "famous", her family must be informed to contact me because I have bits of her life in print that would help write her biography. Bits of life..... rather like some blogs I imagine. Family, husband and children(her six, my four), recipes, gardening, knitting, sewing, moving to different locations, animals and pets, vacations, books read, almost any subject is open to be expressed at any given time.

When I receive a letter from her I find a comfortable spot, sit myself down and immediately indulge myself with every single word written on those pages. I have smiled, laughed, sighed and cried upon reading her letters. She speaks to me through these words and unlike computers, it is in her own handwriting and that is what makes it have a poignancy of delight upon which there is no substitute.

There is a favorite biography of mine entitled, More Love To Thee, The Life and Letters of Elizabeth Prentiss by George Lewis Prentiss. A large part of this book includes letters written by her and to her from family members, friends and acquaintances. These letters make her real and you are able to relate to the diurnality of her life as you read. You see her strengths and weakness, her struggles and her victories.

It is all worth writing, with a pen in hand on paper.

June Sweetness

Happy June! The month with the longest days and the kindest weather. A month of anniversaries (mine), fresh herbs in abundance, the reading of books aplenty, eating al fresco, and catching fireflies.

Lighter schedules are certainly needed, made and adjusted but summer sweetness rolls along merrily filling us with hours of extra goodness.


The lavender is heavenly and the harvesting has begun. The friendly bees buzz around me as I snip the stems, my mouth waters with the thoughts of lavender honey.

I love the month of June....forever and always.

A Kirsten Dream Birthday

You know there is a popular saying applied to several things in life, especially regarding children, simply stated, "May all your dreams come true".

This is something parents like to do for their children

as much as it is humanly possible.

Charlotte's birthday dreams were easily met this year....a Kirsten American Girl doll.

Did you notice the smile on her face that absolutely could not be erased? Now my dreams have come true too!

Happy sixth birthday sweet Charlotte.

Charlotte's Corgi Serenade

Who could sing it better this night than the corgis? Enjoy! I'll return with details tomorrow.

corgis singing happy birthday

At Camp

"Hello Mudda, hello Fadda,
Here I am at Camp Granada.
Camp is very entertaining,
And they say we'll have some fun if it stops raining."

A package of goodies: baked brownies, candy and a favorite stuffed horse, was sent off this afternoon, following the letter that was posted earlier this morning to our first-time camper, Rose. She was very hesitant about leaving us when the time came to head to the mountains to drop her off yesterday. But full assurance was given in regard to our camping days of how much fun was to be had at camp. Sometimes I find that my children need an extra dose of encouragement to try new things and then their confidence is boosted and they consequently experience a wonderful time.

But there are predictions of rain all week, so I "made" her pack a raincoat. I am thinking every time she pulls it around her shoulders she will possibly thank me in her heart. Mothers just know these things.

Wedding Bliss

Ordinary words do not suffice, visions to be pondered and memories of a thing of beauty, a joy forever will stretch over a lifetime.


Both of my beautiful daughters were a part of the wedding party of this precious bride who is greatly loved by us all. Charlotte, in her puffed sleeves, did an excellent job dropping rose petals down the aisle while Rose, nervous but composed, was a striking junior bridesmaid.

A popular gathering place was the candy table where candy abounded from glass jar to glass jar.There was candy to eat, lots and lots of candy. The bride had a tale to tell about all her pursuits of pink and green candy. A fanciful idea loved by young and old.

There was twirling of fancy dresses

and dancing of tired feet unshorn of shoes.


"Daddy, won't you please?" The most special dance of all belonged to Daddy with his tiniest Cinderella.


There was blowing of bubbles.......


and the capturing of bubbles.


The fragrance of this glorious day lingers stout.

Bridesmaids' Luncheon

Taking advantage of a few moments before we scoot off to the rehearsal...

So glad to be able to sit down and rest a spell.

The Bridesmaids' Luncheon was a joy to give for this bride, a 1:00 affair on the wedding eve. Traditional wedding-like colors of white and ivory happened to be my choice. The idea was planned from a fabric I wanted to use for the table covering.


Donning the chairs with ribbon bows and fresh ivy, simple elegance is best.

And since everyone loves presents and chocolate, in whatever order, I made chocolate truffles and tucked them inside these pyramid-shaped boxes tied up with satin ribbon and tipped with the most delicate white flower.

The menu is tried and true:
Chilled Zucchini Soup garnished with fresh chives
Proscuitto and Cheese Quiche, with chopped parsley
Fresh minted fruit
Yeast Rolls with herb butter
Iced Tea
And glorious cake...........decorated with gumdrop rose petals and mint leaves.

Can you tell my herb garden is flourishing?