For a variety of reasons, I need to get in the habit of posting in the morning.
Today's 15 minute project.
And, I take a lot of comfort in Wendell Berry's poetry. Today there is this:
"I have planted by the stars in defiance of experts." From "The Contrariness of the Mad Farmer."
Wendell Berry
Thinking a lot about where we get information, how we form opinions, what we consider truth.
The power of words.
Untangled a skein of yarn and divided into 6 uneven balls.
15+ minutes
By dividing the yarn into uneven amounts I will get different sized stripes for the Insomnia blanket.
There is plenty right now that could cause insomnia.
Widget is getting more comfortable.
Tuna is key.
Lola is in denial..."just keep the treats coming and I will ignore the scary little hair raising beast."
I really like to have old photos out this time of year... in albums or loose stacks.
And altered ones too...
because photos are almost always an appropriate gift and they can be mailed without going to the post office.
(Both of these are altered by using an app that does digital layering.)
Scottish Shortbread from the Kitchen of Ann G.
Knead together:
Roll out thick (about 1/4 of an inch) and cook in a moderate oven (350 F) for 15 minutes.
Best if they can age a bit before being consumed...
Excellent with tea.
Cookie exchange? Do you have a recipe or link to share?
This month I have the thought to have an "open house..." With blog posts about home projects, favorite December recipes, and winter decorations.
Of course, every party should have a playlist, so music too.
To start...
Every year I make a wreath built of branches that have fallen out of the neighbor's Doug Fir (there is always a good windstorm to help this along) and things from my garden.
Here's how I build my wreath plus a bit of bird song and a few other things I did last weekend.
1st layer: Old dusty grapevine wreath.
2nd layer: Douglas Fir
3rd: Rose hips.
4th: Hop vine
5th: Ivy trimmings
6th: Holly (volunteer in the garden, probably planted by the birds)
My goal is to post daily throughout the rest of the month, so I'll be back tomorrow.
I don't think I could have chosen a better goal than to work with images that are black and white and the shades in between for the month of November.
A few things:
As much as I love color, it can be a distraction.
I knew this at the beginning of the month and am now even more convinced; there really isn't black and white, it is so much more.
Tonight I stood outside.
There is a full moon and stars.
Maybe even a planet (I think Venus).
So much is possible.
Men have walked on that moon...
of window, curtain and lights.
(This might have become a bit busy...)
Of leaves.
Of color and time.
Of memory and attention.
(It's going to bloom!)
November sunlight has a fragile quality to it.
(Almost 17 inches, I will be starting the sleeves tomorrow.)
But it illuminates corners and crevices not seen at different times of the year.
It is strong enough.
Radicchio, a bitter green.
Interesting to look at in black and white.