consider this

My new sewing machine is ready and waiting for its first project. While browsing Etsy, I came upon this little shop. I love this style. Now to find a pattern...I wonder what "high- twisted cotton" is.

Everything about this painting is appealing, especially the title... "Considering Vermeer"



Casino Royale has been showing up on the Dish lineup lately. We refused to see the original back in 1967.... How dare they spoof James Bond! We did go to the remake a few years ago and loved it. It had the usual beautiful scenery, gorgeous women and nefarious plot. I gave it a 10 and he an 8...only "Star Wars" get 10s from him. He had a general idea where Montenegro was... I had none, so I looked it up when we got home ....who knew?

corners of my mind

I'm always pleasantly surprised when a scent instantly conjures up some long forgotten memory.

For the longest time I would have a fleeting memory of our backyard in West Duluth, whenever I stepped onto our snow laden deck. I discovered that someone in town, all these years later, was still burning coal, (everyone used coal back in the day) and the sound of the snow squeaking under my boot on the wood deck brought to mind the wooden walkway we had alongside our house way back when...put the two together and I guess you have a memory! The other night I was leaving Mary's place and the musky aroma of the damp, fallen leaves brought me right back to 301 North 52nd Avenue West.

On the way home I was reflecting on how I don't always have a flashback when I smell dead leaves. You would think dead leaves are dead leaves...right?....wrong...

Mary has a big ol' Willow tree in her back yard...we had one across the alley at 301.

Speaking of leaves..

I found this while surfing the web and was instantly reminded of "Long John". He was an old ( probably the age I am now) guy that lived across the street somewhere ( I never really knew where). Micky said Long John made "dandelion wine". It took years for it to dawn on me that the reason they called him Long John was because he was tall and thin...

I was a simple child.

Maria stayed relatively happy while Mummy was peddling her wares

The trusty porch swing was just the thing to get her in the mood for a nap

The air was heady as I set out for an evening stroll . The crows seemed to have sensed my need for peace and quiet, perched silently in the treetops.

Speaking of perching... these guys were working on the roof when I woke up this morning and were still at it when I returned home tonight

WhileI was doing some research on converting the computer room into a "Morning Room", I came upon this endearing sight.

I wish there was a photo of me looking that sweet and loveable, instead of my usual pose.

Feast of Mary Magdalene

There are so many depictions of Mary Magdalene...this could be my favorite...

("The Abandoned One").

I wonder what Aimee's doing for her birthday.

The charm of paper lanterns over rules their danger...so it is with candles.

My goal is to knit 4 place mats, but this pebble stitch is pretty slow going.

The tree tops are at that feathery green stage of development that is so fleeting...it's hard to capture the true freshness of it. We spent most of Sunday afternoon searching, with no luck, for a Forsythia to plant in the back yard.

Baptism Day

After researching St Luke, I'm convinced our latest grandson has a patron saint who will welcome the task of protector.

One of my all-time favorite stories is this version of 'The Story of Noah's Ark'. I found a website that has all the pictures in the book...which are charming, but the style of the storyteller is what is so captivating.

"And then he took his wife and his sons' wives into the Ark, though Mrs, Noah was loath and rebelled: "For the domestic arrangements," she said, "are impossible." The look on her face is classic.
If you can find a copy...grab it!

Country Roads

I love how the peacefulness of summer is reflected in this scene. The monastery is the same color as the house of my childhood. The driveway is similar only winding the opposite way. Add several kids headed up the road and you have a pretty clear picture of "life as I knew it."

Mary

May is the month of Our Lady.

When I was in grade school we had a "May Crowning.

Every Spring the young girls

wore long, tiered, pastel dresses and carried bouquets,

(we were called flower girls)

in a procession to place a crown of flowers on a statue of Mary.

I don't remember ever actually having the honor of "crownée".

It's been too cold to venture into the night air so I must be satisfied viewing the moon through the window next to the computer. The weekend was consumed by daughters, a granddaughter, a great granddaughter, and every domestic activity under the sun! Mary has started a blanket for the baby boy they are expecting in March, while Barbara cut out a sundress pattern while tending to 9 month old Maria. The dress proved too much for her and she kind of gave up and picked up a knit project she had started earlier in the week...I have no doubt the dress will be done before summer. With all this going on J. decided to paint the front room...we've had the paint for several weeks, but he's been out in his den right after breakfast and by the time he gets home the last thing he wants to do is paint....and of course "I don't paint."