Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Day 1770: Each is an original.






collage card on Fabriano paper













Want music?

 




Click here for Judith Hill, Always on my mind.
then click back on this blog tab or here to listen as you browse, or not?









One of my favorite things, that I rarely take time for ...
is making these specialty collage cards.
They are on exquisite Italian Fabriano paper.
Each is handmade with my own special papers.






They cost more than my printed cards, but each is an original.
Sometimes I get selfish & don't want to give or sell one.
I am after all, an aging only child.
However, it is dawning on me that I won't live long enough  ...
to use up all my goodies.
So I sell or share.









A smile for Wednesday ...








Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Day 1769: A story I never knew.






reiko, collages, photo & digital














Want music?

 





Click here for YoYo Ma, Bach Cello Suites # 1, 5 & 6
then click back on this blog tab or here to listen as you browse, or not?









Recently, cousin Katha's oldest daughter & Super Mom, Alana ...
posted these pics for "fried green tomatoes".












Indiana tomatoes are special in my mind. 
When there, a plate of sliced tomatoes on the table at a meal ...
is a real treat and I drool a bit just thinking of it.
I looked up a recipe here.




I saw the 1991 movie years ago, here.


 
























But what really surprised me was my cousin Katha's reply 
to my simple Facebook comment, "Yummy!"


She said: 
"My girls were about 2 and 4. I was working at the Extension 
office (at Courthouse) to get ready for 4-H Fair. 
Carmen & Alana
 Your Mother lived in Lebanon in an apartment. 
She came out to watch the girls while I worked. 
Chuck worked at Lebanon A & P, took me to work & picked me up for lunch at home & took me to work for the afternoon. 
He also picked up your Mother before we went to work 
and she spent the day with the girls. 
      I usually suggested what was available for lunch for all of us and she would fix it so we could eat quickly 
and go back to work. Had an hour to travel and eat.
      It was hot July and we had a big garden with lots of vegetables. She decided to fix the "fried green tomatoes" for lunch that day. 
I was a little leery as I had never heard of them. 
My Mother never served them.
Don't remember what else we ate, but the "green tomatoes" 
were on the menu that day! And they were delicious! 
(Had some in Ky a couple of weeks ago!) Yum!
        Always remember your Mom when I hear ...
Fried GreenTomatoes!"





I later replied, "Wow, I didn't know that!"
I knew my Mom was a good cook, like her sisters & brothers.
I always admired how my Grandma & Grandpa raised 10 kids!
5 girls & 5 boys (later just 2 boys, as 3 died too young).
On a farm, everyone had to help & had chores.
Their difference was both genders learned both sets of chores.
They were all empowered with the necessary skills.




I remember my Mom saying a good cook can 
make a good meal out of whatever is available. 
So while cousin Katha's story was new to me,
it rang so true.











A smile for Thursday ...








Monday, May 29, 2017

Day 1768: A blessed weekend.






Rashida 2, collage & digital














Want music?

 






Click here for Chaka Khan, Ain't Nobpdy
then click back on this blog tab or here to listen as you browse, or not?










Saturday & Sunday I was on Grand-dog & house-sitting duty.



Not a bad job if you can get it!




WW, SM & the 3 Grand-hunks were off river rafting.




This pleases me, as it is the same overnight adventure WonderWoman, her Dad, my Dad (at age 80) 
and I enjoyed when she was a teen 1989.



So though not there, I remember & smile.


























Off the grid for a while, togetherness at it's best.




Nature!




Memories forever.











Meanwhile, "holding down the fort", as my Dad would have said ...
Laker and I were enjoying this rarely quiet house.



There were naps, I've had 3, Laker has had more.
I have finished my book, read the past 3 day newspapers,




& watched stuff on a tv that is easily more than double 
all three of my archaic tvs combined, at home. 




Can't help but think of the many men & women 
who have served our country over the years 
giving us the freedom we too often take for granted. 
Like you, I have relatives who have served ...

Uncle Bert, Marines, Uncle Kenneth, Air Force, Uncle Max, Army, Dad, Navy

but today my mind is on young Jordan, cousin Nancy's grandson.
Her daughter Denise & Son-in-law Keith's son, serving now.


So young, away from home, parents, fiance & his siblings.




Serving across the globe. For us. 
Thank you Jordan!















A smile for Monday ...







Sunday, May 28, 2017

Day 1767: Made in California






face, colllage & digital












Want music?

 




Click here for Pharrell Williams, Happy
then click back on this blog tab or here to listen as you browse, or not?











The beautiful Brea Gallery always features great art.
Their Made in California is one of my favorites.




As always, I curate & photographed just my favorites...
 hoping you might get to go see the entire show.



Spirit of the West, Dennis Johnson, Palm Springs, CA



Froot Loops, Hannah Reinhard, Irvine,CA


Suite 450, Naoto Ishikawa, Huntington Beach, CA


Lethe, Taylor Smalls, San Francisco, CA

A Walk in the Park, Colleen Premer, Newport Beach, CA


Flow, Debbie Carlson, Fullerton, CA

Venice in February, Carol Wanderer Towler, Fullerton,CA

Live to Inspire No.1, Chris Param, Fullerton,CA


(top) Mardi De Veuve Alexis, Indio, CA •  (bottom) 092046, Stuart Fingerhut, LA,CA



Tokyo, Naoto Ishikawa, Huntington Beach, CA


(L) We the People, Rollence Patugan, Pasadena, CA • (R) Anxiety, Susie Pak, Pasadena, CA


Rust: Wigwam Motel with Studebaker, Won-ill Chung, Long Beach, CA


Expo Line, Erin Adams, LA, CA


 (L) Ombre, Susan Kurland, Van Nuys,CA • (R) Regina's Shirt, Claire Samani, Long Beach, CA



Clearing, Cynthia Grilli, Costa Mesa, CA


(L) Airdrome, Kathleen Weil, LA, CA • (R) Elephant Gun, Michael Flechtner, Van Nuys, CA



Lots of variety from our local artists.










A smile for Sunday ...