tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81200412161792440002024-03-13T15:25:22.074-07:00badcrafterbadcrafter ● a vancouver islander at homebchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06111344588017209543noreply@blogger.comBlogger195125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120041216179244000.post-85444483945324061462017-08-07T14:00:00.003-07:002017-08-07T14:00:57.205-07:00Sstuff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ffn2w7PsMVo/VKC2b3ZlVMI/AAAAAAAADJk/_U4ekXCJyKE/s1600/IMG_3858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ffn2w7PsMVo/VKC2b3ZlVMI/AAAAAAAADJk/_U4ekXCJyKE/s400/IMG_3858.JPG" width="298" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mjuGPiMgK7U/VKC2ZhsRxkI/AAAAAAAADJc/brsy6RtqYfQ/s1600/IMG_3847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mjuGPiMgK7U/VKC2ZhsRxkI/AAAAAAAADJc/brsy6RtqYfQ/s1600/IMG_3847.JPG" /></a></div>
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Tidying up loose ends—finding textiles kept, textiles tossed, blog drafts saved and then forgotten.</div>
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It's funny how Instagram has taken over so many of us. Isn't Instagram a bit <i>too</i> easy? Something to be said for having to put in a bit of effort. </div>
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Might boot this up again, we'll see. </div>
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<br />bchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06111344588017209543noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120041216179244000.post-22138019467934898912016-01-24T18:59:00.000-08:002016-01-24T18:59:18.356-08:00Good<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DtIioq31PuM/VqWN13dqhlI/AAAAAAAAD6o/s4dRCfGzeqE/s1600/guestroom%2Bview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DtIioq31PuM/VqWN13dqhlI/AAAAAAAAD6o/s4dRCfGzeqE/s640/guestroom%2Bview.jpg" width="459" /></a></div>
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…the house reno is finally underway—bit by bit instead of all at once.
This is both good and bad as it prolongs living with the disruption but
requires fewer split-second decisions to be made. (very good, I'd much
rather proceed at a leisurely pace and mull over my choices). </div>
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We're inching towards spring and that too, of course, is good.</div>
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Hope to be back here with fresh focus in a few weeks…</div>
<br />bchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06111344588017209543noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120041216179244000.post-2239682002546928992016-01-03T21:59:00.000-08:002016-01-03T22:03:14.774-08:00This and that<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_586a3GTv_E/VooCQHJllaI/AAAAAAAAD58/HwUF5xX0ATI/s1600/photo-164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_586a3GTv_E/VooCQHJllaI/AAAAAAAAD58/HwUF5xX0ATI/s1600/photo-164.jpg" /></a></div>
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Well it's coming on spring and we know what that brings. Sorting out things, cleaning, purging and the like. I tend to not join the throngs doing it at this time of year. 10 months volunteering at a thrift store teaches you a few things about how to treat your discards; and the people who have to handle them on the receiving end—with consideration and an eye to timing. Small incremental loads—bagged or boxed with like things together, and delivered at off-peak periods are SO appreciated by the staff and volunteers sorting the incoming. It's truly disheartening to work through a wall of sagging garbage bags filled with mystery detrius; some of it smelly and much of it damp.</div>
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The two little painting of posies were spotted at the home of a lady I used to meet on my way to the nursing home. She lived right across the street, in the tidiest little california cottage in what I imagined to be the <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/classic-american-style-frank-l-152338" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;">Usonian</span></a> style. Board and batten on the outside, vaulted ceiling inside… flooding the tiny 1400 square foot 2 bed 1 bath home with light. She had a front entry porch enclosed; its window choked with the palest of coral pink geraniums. </div>
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We talked briefly a few times, I liked her geraniums, her house, her tidy garden, her sweet little pictures. Turns out she was in her 90s, one of those persevering just-getting-things-done seniors we have so many of here in little old Sidney, British Columbia. Anyway, she fell, and was moved into care. The sale sign went up and the house sold 5 days later. Soon after the reno evidence piled up in the driveway. Cedar tongue and groove on the ceilings—ripped out. A mountain of smashed drywall indicates "Good-bye Rooms and Hello Open Concept". Dated fixtures trashed. Fully functioning but Not Stainless appliances turfed to the dump. Geraniums chucked into the compost heap.</div>
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I found her pictures at the thrift store recently. It may take me a while to track her down, find out which nursing home she's in; but when I do these little pictures are going back on her wall. It may take a while.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5wPPxhXOLPI/Vnzs6C6jyoI/AAAAAAAAD5c/JQ3Jwu7lNZY/s1600/politilores.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5wPPxhXOLPI/Vnzs6C6jyoI/AAAAAAAAD5c/JQ3Jwu7lNZY/s1600/politilores.png" /></a></div>
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;"><a href="http://leopolitifamily.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;"><i>Pedro: The Angel of Olvera Street</i>,</span></a> </span>1947<br />
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Written and illustrated by Leo Politi.</div>
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bchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06111344588017209543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120041216179244000.post-74650674896772389922015-11-09T16:48:00.001-08:002015-11-11T11:49:11.938-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dvE32IXJDDE/VkE0EDdskZI/AAAAAAAAD3w/_eBTM97cGZs/s1600/IMG_5604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dvE32IXJDDE/VkE0EDdskZI/AAAAAAAAD3w/_eBTM97cGZs/s1600/IMG_5604.JPG" /></a></div>
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Flower pounding, '<a href="http://www.indiaflint.com/page7.htm" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;">hapa-zome</span></a>' made famous by India Flint's 2010 book <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Eco-Colour-India-Flint/9781741960792" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">Eco Colour</span></a>. </div>
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For a first time 5-minute project I'd give it a 10 out of 10, especially if I still had a wee one around the house to wield the hammer. </div>
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Top: false dandelion—Bottom: common tansy </div>
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And to make the pounded print colorfast, am going to brew up a tannin-rich mordant from the leaves of a native Gary Oak tree. Since my leaf pile is about the size of a Volkswagon, I'm in no danger of running out of raw material.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TpevUb7g6uA/VkE0BG9YIXI/AAAAAAAAD3o/R-BBPwAy0xg/s1600/IMG_5606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TpevUb7g6uA/VkE0BG9YIXI/AAAAAAAAD3o/R-BBPwAy0xg/s400/IMG_5606.JPG" width="400" /></a>bchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06111344588017209543noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120041216179244000.post-51678235131004529922015-11-08T18:55:00.000-08:002015-11-09T16:50:40.418-08:00Fall walk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HswLtx7DdTk/VkADFCSgYjI/AAAAAAAAD2k/lyQ2AK7TmJk/s1600/IMG_5597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HswLtx7DdTk/VkADFCSgYjI/AAAAAAAAD2k/lyQ2AK7TmJk/s400/IMG_5597.JPG" width="384" /></a></div>
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Vancouver Island fall colours, a palette heavy on the russets and cordovans, soft yellows and mosses that range from whispers to screams in their green-ness. Lovely, leathery <a href="http://thenorthwestforager.com/2015/06/29/salal-berry/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">salal</span></a> and mushrooms galore, of course… perfect hideaways for wee folk. The forest duff is dotted with stones wrapped in moss mantles. Nature getting it right, as usual.</div>
bchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06111344588017209543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120041216179244000.post-2827874515889010732015-10-26T14:00:00.001-07:002015-10-26T22:06:18.286-07:00Random rain day stuff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aA0EHOWVj5g/Vi6OrRAErpI/AAAAAAAAD0A/5cecEwvJlwQ/s1600/cijfers%2Bborduur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aA0EHOWVj5g/Vi6OrRAErpI/AAAAAAAAD0A/5cecEwvJlwQ/s1600/cijfers%2Bborduur.jpg" /></a></div>
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It started with hemming a small quilt/coverlet for a small sofa. </div>
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Rain + Mud + Small Dog = lots of laundry, so I like to have a supply of good lookin' covers for dog's favorite couch. </div>
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I was dissatisfied with my messy looking whip stitch, so went looking through my books for alternative hemming stitches… and discovered a nice, neat and strong version of backstitch. In the book they call it Pin Stitch, or Point Turc. It's a great little stitch, highly recommended.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iqWA2cte64U/Vi6crCMhDYI/AAAAAAAAD1A/GHOaf1SNOS8/s1600/pinstit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iqWA2cte64U/Vi6crCMhDYI/AAAAAAAAD1A/GHOaf1SNOS8/s1600/pinstit.jpg" /></a></div>
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Well, that led down a rabbit hole of internet searching which involved a labyrinth of heirloom sewing sites, and ending up at punched paper embroidery templates by the hundreds <i><a href="http://verob.centerblog.net/rub-cartes-brodees-.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">here</span></a></i>. So interesting, and puzzling, too, whether they are in the public domain or not. A few patterns have attribution, but many appear to be from books. There's an endearing ugly/cute quality to this kind of thread on paper stitchery. I confess that I enjoy looking at the patterns more than I have a craving to complete the projects. </div>
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Look how pretty… aren't they fun?</div>
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<br />bchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06111344588017209543noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120041216179244000.post-20212545568046615392015-10-16T15:59:00.003-07:002015-10-16T17:50:00.722-07:00Patricia Bay walk…follow me<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T7vlTgGLuog/ViF-bIcyI5I/AAAAAAAADzM/BkZCDvOGWB0/s1600/bokeh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T7vlTgGLuog/ViF-bIcyI5I/AAAAAAAADzM/BkZCDvOGWB0/s1600/bokeh.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">Today's airplane <a href="http://www.nikonusa.com/en/learn-and-explore/article/h0ndz86v/bokeh-for-beginners.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">bokeh</span></a></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0PEYh4c-HWs/ViF-dOn7daI/AAAAAAAADzQ/p_nAZIVCbqk/s1600/pat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0PEYh4c-HWs/ViF-dOn7daI/AAAAAAAADzQ/p_nAZIVCbqk/s1600/pat.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">Almost warm enough to wade... in October!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NlhY1MrlO94/ViF6iCeyT5I/AAAAAAAADzA/0hN6HuWhpQU/s1600/this%2Btruck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NlhY1MrlO94/ViF6iCeyT5I/AAAAAAAADzA/0hN6HuWhpQU/s1600/this%2Btruck.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">Yet another reason to love life next to an airport</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5_IQaulHc9w/ViF-fegV6mI/AAAAAAAADzY/kLHyD2b-3ao/s1600/walk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5_IQaulHc9w/ViF-fegV6mI/AAAAAAAADzY/kLHyD2b-3ao/s1600/walk.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">Today the path, tomorrow, the beach</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sn6bacMtPvY/ViF6cck0-gI/AAAAAAAADy4/IbnErKKaLdE/s1600/mr%2Bb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sn6bacMtPvY/ViF6cck0-gI/AAAAAAAADy4/IbnErKKaLdE/s400/mr%2Bb.jpg" width="287" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Who's a lucky dog?</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">(P.S.</span> Have joined the throngs on Instagram so if you want to <a href="https://youtu.be/Ika-l_M8sTI" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">follow me</span></a> I'm v.isle)</div>
bchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06111344588017209543noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120041216179244000.post-67426178747218880902015-09-25T20:40:00.000-07:002015-09-27T17:29:37.268-07:00Outside/Inside<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_9g_r21UKI4/VgYRPhJzrFI/AAAAAAAADxw/8QI-T9phOc8/s1600/bigass%2Brose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_9g_r21UKI4/VgYRPhJzrFI/AAAAAAAADxw/8QI-T9phOc8/s1600/bigass%2Brose.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">My bigass 'Just Joey' rose for Valerie</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GD8teatEvAs/VgYRKjVgLmI/AAAAAAAADxc/WScpFFNVQBY/s1600/grap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GD8teatEvAs/VgYRKjVgLmI/AAAAAAAADxc/WScpFFNVQBY/s1600/grap.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">A shout out to the raccoons and squirrels who left us TWO bunches of grapes</span></div>
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b-zBi2CePd4/VgYRX2KFrBI/AAAAAAAADx4/BJe0m_-1M1o/s1600/unnamed-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b-zBi2CePd4/VgYRX2KFrBI/AAAAAAAADx4/BJe0m_-1M1o/s200/unnamed-2.jpg" width="148" /></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r7ghyddhynE/VgYRFr3LzeI/AAAAAAAADxQ/Z_50JS92hRs/s1600/trree%2Bgukys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r7ghyddhynE/VgYRFr3LzeI/AAAAAAAADxQ/Z_50JS92hRs/s200/trree%2Bgukys.jpg" width="148" /></a></span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">These guys were the best tree cutters. Ever.(And neither of them had a big ass)</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EFeVBiZapRI/VgYRNWm7jaI/AAAAAAAADxo/HbaFQNUzU5c/s1600/lamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EFeVBiZapRI/VgYRNWm7jaI/AAAAAAAADxo/HbaFQNUzU5c/s1600/lamp.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">My new/old wine bottle lamp beckons me indoors...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">there's a reno going on</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-quYWobAv8qQ/VgYUmJoJtbI/AAAAAAAADyE/WulrPoA0Gkk/s1600/reno.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-quYWobAv8qQ/VgYUmJoJtbI/AAAAAAAADyE/WulrPoA0Gkk/s400/reno.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BvCW3sD7D-Y/VgYRKnpZ-XI/AAAAAAAADxY/SgaIb1IKv2k/s1600/hydrage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BvCW3sD7D-Y/VgYRKnpZ-XI/AAAAAAAADxY/SgaIb1IKv2k/s1600/hydrage.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">Dear Hydrangea: I will plant you next year, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">I promise</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
bchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06111344588017209543noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120041216179244000.post-67650268580125226872015-09-04T22:30:00.001-07:002015-09-04T22:31:02.330-07:00Flowers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mVxnLtooo7s/Vep9p1P1fBI/AAAAAAAADv0/bWQnEKJIKYs/s1600/photo-93.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mVxnLtooo7s/Vep9p1P1fBI/AAAAAAAADv0/bWQnEKJIKYs/s1600/photo-93.JPG" /></a></div>
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Just some flowers getting in their last gasp of glory before wet winter comes crashing down on us.</div>
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Neighbours-with-dahlias = a very good thing.</div>
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<br />bchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06111344588017209543noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120041216179244000.post-45393585211467432592015-08-20T12:04:00.002-07:002015-08-21T16:46:21.515-07:00Greening<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Vi3lEGEU8s/VdYgF6VZAVI/AAAAAAAADuM/dbsaH_QbbJU/s1600/IMG_5083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Vi3lEGEU8s/VdYgF6VZAVI/AAAAAAAADuM/dbsaH_QbbJU/s1600/IMG_5083.JPG" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div>
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Well. </div>
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Hasn't that been a summer. So summery, in fact, I'm <i>almost</i> weary of it and ready to move on to rainier pastures. There were roses, and more roses. And white fly, and black spot. </div>
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Roses are funny, if you aren't confident around them this is what happens. They react as horses and dogs do—"if you are nervous we will give you a hard time. We will bite and kick… until you get your sh*t together and just calm <i>down</i>." </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tijaQ5II3mg/VdYgEnc0GCI/AAAAAAAADtw/2yup3-53qdI/s1600/IMG_5075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tijaQ5II3mg/VdYgEnc0GCI/AAAAAAAADtw/2yup3-53qdI/s1600/IMG_5075.JPG" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ASR6QFzpJNM/VdYgEyB94qI/AAAAAAAADt0/6P2zK6h59Mw/s1600/IMG_5076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ASR6QFzpJNM/VdYgEyB94qI/AAAAAAAADt0/6P2zK6h59Mw/s1600/IMG_5076.JPG" /></a></div>
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Ok. That's better.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lWS9xXRO7Y8/VdYgFMSGRAI/AAAAAAAADuI/6rK36s4Yk_s/s1600/IMG_5079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lWS9xXRO7Y8/VdYgFMSGRAI/AAAAAAAADuI/6rK36s4Yk_s/s320/IMG_5079.JPG" width="289" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Inherited a celadon grasshopper tile from the previous owner.<br />
Thank you, Beth.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bYMQwiOX0Gs/VdYgGtARxNI/AAAAAAAADuY/1NsIozwC4gA/s1600/IMG_5101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bYMQwiOX0Gs/VdYgGtARxNI/AAAAAAAADuY/1NsIozwC4gA/s400/IMG_5101.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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Beth also left blueprints for an unbuilt garden shed titled</div>
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"The Tangled Garden Utility Shed' The garden sure is tangled—a bit messy and blown. I'm working on reining in my tidy Heidi instincts and just rolling with it. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--0g9VnHST7Q/VdYgE1gjqPI/AAAAAAAADt8/Vg_lFwegdHo/s1600/IMG_4937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--0g9VnHST7Q/VdYgE1gjqPI/AAAAAAAADt8/Vg_lFwegdHo/s400/IMG_4937.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />bchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06111344588017209543noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120041216179244000.post-86924508441952872662015-05-04T22:00:00.002-07:002015-05-14T16:37:41.852-07:00Jean Glennie née Nickerson ❥ Mother<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KhdKdNObVbU/VPpPPv1toII/AAAAAAAADa0/hgmn-mIpKi4/s1600/mothersday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KhdKdNObVbU/VPpPPv1toII/AAAAAAAADa0/hgmn-mIpKi4/s1600/mothersday.jpg" /></a></div>
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❥ <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bhs3PJSUIFs/VPpT8FnNWjI/AAAAAAAADbA/HW4_TfUVK_4/s1600/mothersday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bhs3PJSUIFs/VPpT8FnNWjI/AAAAAAAADbA/HW4_TfUVK_4/s1600/mothersday.jpg" /></a></div>
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❥ </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w48ajCkDy90/VUhOY83IjTI/AAAAAAAADp0/eQacytGlfzM/s1600/mday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w48ajCkDy90/VUhOY83IjTI/AAAAAAAADp0/eQacytGlfzM/s400/mday.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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That's Jean, my mom—rarely without a child in her arms, as befits a mother of <i>seven</i>. She died when I was in my early 30s. Baby in the middle photo… me, scowling, as usual. (Or howling, and her response would be to fix yet another bottle of evaporated milk sweetened with corn syrup.) I remember being sent to the kitchen to mix up batches of the same… elixer? poison? for my younger siblings. I probably would have been 8 or 9, handmaiden to my mom. One of my favorite surprises for her was a late-night kitchen floor scrub. She'd come down in the morning and smile her thanks.</div>
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We all teased her when her sister sent her copies of the small town newspaper from her home town of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. "Oh, Mom, look—Mrs. Tisdale hosted ladies' lunch!" She'd sit there on her little kitchen stool with her instant coffee—so strong it was verging on sludge, cigarette in hand. Silent, listening, almost-smiling.</div>
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<br />bchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06111344588017209543noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120041216179244000.post-87786965976651232382015-04-28T14:05:00.000-07:002015-04-28T20:36:01.086-07:00Packing and baking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pdIi0iQGUjk/VT_0NjZsrpI/AAAAAAAADpQ/OO_leEZsgkc/s1600/photo-86.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pdIi0iQGUjk/VT_0NjZsrpI/AAAAAAAADpQ/OO_leEZsgkc/s1600/photo-86.jpg" height="400" width="380" /></a></div>
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If there is a honeymoon-phase with packing— I'm still in it. Assembling boxes, wrapping things in fresh crinkly paper, sticky labels… what's not to like?<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e7J_5YNB5zk/VT_0No_VytI/AAAAAAAADpM/JBgbbjwAa3A/s1600/meh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e7J_5YNB5zk/VT_0No_VytI/AAAAAAAADpM/JBgbbjwAa3A/s1600/meh.jpg" /></a></div>
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The other nice thing about moving is a bit of getting-rid-of… and I will be getting rid of all gluten-free related nonsense from my baking cupboard. Goodbye, xanthan gum, sorghum and coconut flours, I've no room in my life for cookies that taste like cardboard. I figure that if you bake only every now and then, you're allowed to use whatever damn ingredients you want. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K9sJGSBVF-0/VT_0NWZBgOI/AAAAAAAADpI/qy8T2h1RZN0/s1600/mess.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K9sJGSBVF-0/VT_0NWZBgOI/AAAAAAAADpI/qy8T2h1RZN0/s1600/mess.jpg" /></a></div>
bchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06111344588017209543noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120041216179244000.post-37266163059400952432015-04-27T21:27:00.004-07:002015-04-28T13:57:02.746-07:00Spring things…<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vhZNGc9UGrE/VT8LeGiz1xI/AAAAAAAADow/tKR2icU2VIs/s1600/ekianthus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vhZNGc9UGrE/VT8LeGiz1xI/AAAAAAAADow/tKR2icU2VIs/s1600/ekianthus.jpg" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l4nzMFEM8U0/VT8K-e7luyI/AAAAAAAADog/0CsGuTGyEAg/s1600/bells.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l4nzMFEM8U0/VT8K-e7luyI/AAAAAAAADog/0CsGuTGyEAg/s1600/bells.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j8kBCEMTq0E/VT8LC1_Oq6I/AAAAAAAADoo/qTTaaCpPIaA/s1600/lilacs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j8kBCEMTq0E/VT8LC1_Oq6I/AAAAAAAADoo/qTTaaCpPIaA/s1600/lilacs.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
…blooming in the cottage garden this week. Those sweet little bell-shaped blooms are Enkianthus, and the bottom pic needs no caption, you can almost smell them from there.<br />
And beautiful rhubarb… some people call it pie plant. ♥ I have many recipe cards printed in meticulous tiny handwriting for rhubarb/pineapple this and that… my Aunt Rita had a thing for rhubarb.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UOaU5KVo2u8/VT_zchbkO8I/AAAAAAAADpA/x97OhREVaLE/s1600/rhubar%3Db.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UOaU5KVo2u8/VT_zchbkO8I/AAAAAAAADpA/x97OhREVaLE/s1600/rhubar%3Db.jpg" height="476" width="640" /></a></div>
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bchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06111344588017209543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120041216179244000.post-3273919159349778092015-04-22T22:24:00.001-07:002015-04-23T10:23:52.273-07:00Apropos of nothing Vancouver Island style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zafJ5IhoePE/VTiAWf28RLI/AAAAAAAADno/n7hiee1zCZo/s1600/IMG_4670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zafJ5IhoePE/VTiAWf28RLI/AAAAAAAADno/n7hiee1zCZo/s1600/IMG_4670.JPG" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ScGSbM8glsg/VTiAWxBGvxI/AAAAAAAADns/y9LuvSqhKRU/s1600/IMG_4675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ScGSbM8glsg/VTiAWxBGvxI/AAAAAAAADns/y9LuvSqhKRU/s1600/IMG_4675.JPG" height="320" width="238" /></a></div>
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Just what today looked like. Bluebells in the meadow on the airport lands at Pat Bay. Dusk. Barnacles and oysters. You know, the usual.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OhWeM9h2JKk/VTiAXH8eDKI/AAAAAAAADnw/ZBxIsogdc2w/s1600/IMG_4678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OhWeM9h2JKk/VTiAXH8eDKI/AAAAAAAADnw/ZBxIsogdc2w/s1600/IMG_4678.JPG" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D1vxQDV5DzU/VTiAWRHHFxI/AAAAAAAADoE/pE6DoiJFSnA/s1600/IMG_4649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D1vxQDV5DzU/VTiAWRHHFxI/AAAAAAAADoE/pE6DoiJFSnA/s1600/IMG_4649.JPG" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3C8dcB4ci3U/VTiAWb69z4I/AAAAAAAADnk/LHcw-5saYXA/s1600/IMG_4648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3C8dcB4ci3U/VTiAWb69z4I/AAAAAAAADnk/LHcw-5saYXA/s1600/IMG_4648.JPG" /></a></div>
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And, oh internet… I remember when you were born. I remember how I recoiled at how unattractive the yahoo interface was, and how great google's was. And I remember my delight at discovering commercial-free internet radio. Introducing me to new music, music like <span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9gC7138Qrw&list=RDu9gC7138Qrw#t=42" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">this</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"> </span></div>
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bchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06111344588017209543noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120041216179244000.post-41409561569124552322015-04-20T21:53:00.000-07:002015-04-21T10:03:46.604-07:00Elizabeth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_IEY07U4c7o/VTXWRVDZCYI/AAAAAAAADmU/Vikk8HFQLeE/s1600/IMG_4615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_IEY07U4c7o/VTXWRVDZCYI/AAAAAAAADmU/Vikk8HFQLeE/s1600/IMG_4615.JPG" height="400" style="cursor: move;" width="376" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V1qvn_3Gv6E/VTXWRR0Sb5I/AAAAAAAADmQ/aCokaCmKRnE/s1600/IMG_4612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V1qvn_3Gv6E/VTXWRR0Sb5I/AAAAAAAADmQ/aCokaCmKRnE/s1600/IMG_4612.JPG" /></a></div>
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Happily wandering a field-tree nursery last week; and was stopped in my tracks by the vision of an allée of magnolias. The variety <a href="http://www.finegardening.com/magnolia-magnolia-elizabeth" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Elizabeth</span></a> is a particularly beautiful creamy yellow. The urge to buy one is tempered, though, by reading Fine Gardening's list of woeful pests and diseases that afflict these beautiful trees.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: HelveticaNeueLT, HelveticaNeueLTStd, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span class="field-label" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Problems: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: HelveticaNeueLT, HelveticaNeueLTStd, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: HelveticaNeueLT, HelveticaNeueLTStd, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span class="field-item even" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Bacterial leaf spot, spot anthracnose, canker, dieback, butt rot, powdery mildew, anthracnose, fungal spots, weevils, snails, scale insects, thrips, planthoppers.</span></span><br />
Yikes. </div>
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bchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06111344588017209543noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120041216179244000.post-71680699784654017372015-04-09T21:58:00.003-07:002015-04-27T21:32:46.687-07:00Firsts and last<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-poR_5AmdJ8Q/VSdV0_3ZL3I/AAAAAAAADl8/ltwJ5Ok6pvo/s1600/leonotis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-poR_5AmdJ8Q/VSdV0_3ZL3I/AAAAAAAADl8/ltwJ5Ok6pvo/s1600/leonotis.jpg" /></a></div>
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It occurs to me that even though this garden we just bought (which also came with buildings)…is a harbinger of firsts <i>and</i> lasts. </div>
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First garden with mature roses. First garden with <i>rivers</i> of anemones. Pulsatillas. Birch trees. Fritillaria.</div>
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And, after gardening at five previous homes; I <i>know,</i> that, at 60 years of age—this will probably be my <i>last</i> labour-intensive garden. It's stewardship, really. I'm taking it on and working it forward for whomever comes next. I just hope they like anemones.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GolbOoztjo0/VSdVgx4UmfI/AAAAAAAADk0/Agfw8fzQ4AI/s1600/anemone.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GolbOoztjo0/VSdVgx4UmfI/AAAAAAAADk0/Agfw8fzQ4AI/s1600/anemone.JPG" /></a></div>
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<br />bchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06111344588017209543noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120041216179244000.post-44022229211449476972015-04-01T15:34:00.003-07:002015-04-02T16:47:33.261-07:00Contrasts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been a week of strong contrasts: crazy clouds, lamp-black shadows, bright light.</div>
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The <a href="http://badcrafter.blogspot.ca/2015/03/yo.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;">new place</span></a> has an established spring garden: the likes of which I've never gardened before. As a young member at Horticultural Society meetings in Victoria, I was always a tad envious of the white haired veterans and their lush, mature gardens… so densely planted that in order to make room, they would regularly spade up chunks of plants to share. I guess that'll be me now. </div>
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<br />bchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06111344588017209543noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120041216179244000.post-9724954004256488152015-03-30T10:16:00.000-07:002015-04-01T15:47:28.200-07:00Yo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wJDECMJHgiw/VRmHlkkGnsI/AAAAAAAADiM/h6GWZwqug7c/s1600/moving%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wJDECMJHgiw/VRmHlkkGnsI/AAAAAAAADiM/h6GWZwqug7c/s1600/moving%2B.jpg" height="400" width="387" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-juq4m475_Tw/VRmCYts48pI/AAAAAAAADhc/rQpXpad71tc/s1600/chair%2Bdeck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-juq4m475_Tw/VRmCYts48pI/AAAAAAAADhc/rQpXpad71tc/s1600/chair%2Bdeck.jpg" height="400" width="375" /></a></div>
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Hey, pull up a chair. We can talk while I pack. </div>
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Bought a cottage. Selling our house. Time to sort out the crazy lady cute stuff and move it into the studio.<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1HMe3ppPlMg/VRmCg5wjpAI/AAAAAAAADhs/Xf2A6z5g2ew/s1600/packing%2Bup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1HMe3ppPlMg/VRmCg5wjpAI/AAAAAAAADhs/Xf2A6z5g2ew/s1600/packing%2Bup.jpg" height="323" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div>
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We live in a very beautiful part of the world, on the Saanich Peninsula of Vancouver Island. Beautiful but chilly… so am beyond excited about inhabiting this little gardening dream spot near <a href="http://venus.uvic.ca/feature-galleries/photo-galleries/saanich-inlet-2/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Saanich Inlet</span></a>, where temperatures soar quite a bit higher in the summer months. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5ed9-WaPPKo/VRmChD4lpyI/AAAAAAAADhw/rdDiUDVC0JI/s1600/outbuilding.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5ed9-WaPPKo/VRmChD4lpyI/AAAAAAAADhw/rdDiUDVC0JI/s1600/outbuilding.png" height="301" width="400" /></a></div>
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bchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06111344588017209543noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120041216179244000.post-64660642862843341402015-03-19T19:23:00.002-07:002015-04-01T15:48:06.571-07:00Cooking Class<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ryBNksa8weo/VPijKfLbXYI/AAAAAAAADZo/eKAjslfV3xI/s1600/IMG_4271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ryBNksa8weo/VPijKfLbXYI/AAAAAAAADZo/eKAjslfV3xI/s1600/IMG_4271.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">Your spices this evening will be…</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R7Sn9m8yg9g/VPijLULpkLI/AAAAAAAADZw/SBFtB4H0d4s/s1600/IMG_4278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R7Sn9m8yg9g/VPijLULpkLI/AAAAAAAADZw/SBFtB4H0d4s/s1600/IMG_4278.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">Kickin' up her heels; Valerie breezes thru prep </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">Simmered beans with kale and swiss chard topped with shaved parmigiano</span></td></tr>
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My friend Valerie was here for a visit and we attended a Mediterranean vegetarian cooking class with <a href="http://www.chefheidifink.com/classes.php#vegetarian" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Chef Heidi Fink</span></a>. On the menu: bruschetta, beans and greens, chickpea stew with couscous, romesco dip with crudités and anise biscotti.</div>
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We were assigned the making of the romesco, and, apart from not having a clue as to how to run the food processor; we did good. Everything was delicious; so back at the ranch I decided to have a go at beans and greens again. It took forever and a day (or two) of subsequent simmerings to get the beans to the tender stage. It was tasty but not as good as the batch served up by Heidi. </div>
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And, note to self: <i>this</i> brand of greek olive oil—avoid those bargain oils because there is a high chance of them being blended/adulterated oils, not pure olive.</div>
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bchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06111344588017209543noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120041216179244000.post-54697658715162736782015-03-18T15:26:00.000-07:002015-03-19T17:52:36.010-07:00call it clear<img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v3HwEaSSWxk/VQejfpuwUOI/AAAAAAAADeA/hl6CIouGzNM/s1600/IMG_4361.JPG" /><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;">The song </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: #999999;"><i><a href="https://vimeo.com/33082839" style="background-color: yellow;" target="_blank">Call it Clear</a></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"> </span>by Hallowe'en Alaska comes to mind while gazing at today's clear yellows. <i>Top to bottom</i>: M</span>arsh marigolds at the park, a Forsythia allée at the local plant nursery, a not-bought thrift store painting and Marsh marigolds version II, (the poster edition).</div>
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bchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06111344588017209543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120041216179244000.post-24658455014058108322015-03-18T11:45:00.004-07:002015-03-19T17:52:45.107-07:00Dished<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In a 2014 Country Living UK interview with <a href="http://www.emmabridgewater.co.uk/invt/1bwa010022" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">Emma Bridgewater</span></a>, she was quoted as saying that over her lifetime, she was quite sure that she had spent way more money on dishes than on shoes. </div>
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I smiled at this and then sauntered out into the front of the thrift shop where I had been doing my volunteer shift—sorting incoming goods, only to find yet another set of brown transferware dishes screaming to come live with me at my house.<br />
This brings the count up to<i> three full sets of brown transferware</i>. And there are others. Oh yes. White restaurant ware, a Staffordshire Ridgway 'Corona' set, and a pale pink Melmac set. I am unrepentant, however. I adore my dishes. Things you use every day should be things you love. And swapping out one set for another when I feel like a change is an activity that brings me great pleasure.<br />
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<br />bchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06111344588017209543noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120041216179244000.post-37548079058707690762015-03-16T10:13:00.004-07:002015-03-19T17:53:21.206-07:00Green with…<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A seasonal bit 'o green spotted around these parts. </div>
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<i>Top</i>, a treasured piece of shamrocky-goodness barkcloth fabric flanked by <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/claire-bojczuk" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">my new crochet book</span></a>.</div>
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I'm invoking the faint hope clause—buoyed by the hopeful air of the title, that I will finally be able to conquer a tiny little corner of the crochet universe.</div>
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<i>Bottom</i>, a lovely Bengali kantha quilt purchased from <a href="http://katharinewatson.blogspot.ca/search/label/India" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Katharine Watson</span></a> on her return from a 2012 trip to India (a very interesting <a href="http://katharinewatson.blogspot.ca/2012/03/udaipur-vacation-city.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">series of posts</span></a> from her trip… highly recommended reading).</div>
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<br />bchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06111344588017209543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120041216179244000.post-51881970249661836742015-03-06T09:41:00.003-08:002015-03-19T17:52:56.127-07:00o Marimekko<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Using pictures to tell this story. A Marimekko exhibit at the <a href="http://aggv.ca/exhibitions" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">Art Gallery of Greater Victoria</span></a> was a real pleasure to view. As a 60 year old; my personal timeline ran parallel to that of the candy-coloured fashion phenom. My first job in publishing in early 70s Toronto was located in a downtown waterfront building which also housed the <a href="http://www.torontolife.com/informer/features/2013/04/08/marimekko-exhibition/#more-201517" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">Karelia</span></a> store. In a world before digital access to <i>everything</i>—<i>instantly</i>; it felt fresh and exciting to be exposed to design and home goods from exotic Finland. </div>
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The AGGV show delighted the print ephemera geek in me with displays of vintage promotional materials; even more exciting to me than the fashion. This speaks volumes, actually, as I spent most of my 20s wearing short skirts and dresses topped with menswear sweaters and jackets. <a href="http://tomboystyle.tumblr.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">Tomboy style</span></a>, though at the time it just felt like zone 'comfort' (and maybe a little fashion 'lazy').</div>
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bchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06111344588017209543noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120041216179244000.post-74015431569642925072015-02-18T13:51:00.001-08:002015-02-18T21:44:37.267-08:00Creatives and Casual Living<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">probably stolen from some Tumblr somewhere</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">I've always liked the word louche. A bit transgressive, bad-boy, you know… with attitude. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">It might not be the most accurate definition, or the most flattering admission; but it pretty much summed up much of my young adult life. Plenty of time now to mull </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><i>that</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> over. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Or not.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> :)</span></h4>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Casual Living I</span></div>
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<a href="http://ministryofcasualliving.ca/on_now" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">the Ministry of Casual Living</span></a></div>
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Best. Name. Ever… I think, for this collective of creatives in the"unceded Coast Salish Territories, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada"<br />
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<i>Digression:</i> my favorite line in the Mad Men series was when Peggy snarled "<i>Every</i>body hates creative" in reference to the ad agency's workplace culture. Creatives <i>are</i> often (mostly?) just a bit different. Whether it's inborn or an affectation, who knows. And her acknowledging that, with sort of a whiny, self-absorbed lens turned back on <i>herself, </i>and that this perception of hers could very well be <i>wrong. </i>Well, I thought the writers just got it dead-on.<br />
I worked in publishing and advertising…it was great fun. I liked being surrounded both by like-minded creatives, <i>and </i>those well-groomed, otherworldly creatures on the business side.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Casual Living II</span></div>
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Perhaps I'm also attached to the name because of this favorite paper ephemera scrap I've been toting around with me for years, glued to first one thing—then another.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">Being a creative, the practise of casual living, and making about $23 a week. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">Coincidence?</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Casual Living III, or, Casual Decorating</span></div>
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I own three sewing machines.<br />
Behold, my sewing room/guest bedroom curtains.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">Louche lurks here. ha ha whateva</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">Next favorite word: tatterdemalion</span></td></tr>
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bchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06111344588017209543noreply@blogger.com1