October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Don't just wear pink and think that it is enough. Everyone be aware that this evil disease is out there and does not discriminate.
Mental Health Awareness month is also October. There are many different mental health issues out there and most likely, you know several people who deal with them on a daily basis. It is not always evident on the outside looking in.
All in all, just be aware that people the world round are dealing with things you may not know about, no matter your relationship with them. Not everyone shows their suffering on the surface. Treat everyone with respect and be nice.
OK, down off my soapbox I step.
I need to get back to work and create more things for the store and for Mistletoe Market. I want to get some pieces finished so I can send photos for promotions.
Showing posts with label Mom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mom. Show all posts
Saturday, October 12, 2019
Sunday, January 1, 2017
Out with the old and in with the new
It has been a busy year. I have been working at our store, which consumes 6 days a week, and I have been busy with house/pet-sitting as well. My one regret is that I have not had as much time to put into my clay creating as I had wanted to, for a number of reasons, including not being home in the evenings while house sitting. I also was just not in that frame of mind for a bit and it took a lot to get myself back into the groove. I hope to not have that happen this coming year. (I think I say that EVERY year!)
One thing I did do was make a family favorite treat at Christmas time: Strufoli. It is an Italian treat, from what we can tell, it probably is Sicilian. I had not made it since the 1980's! My intention was to make it last year, but the very night I was planning to make it was when I got so sick.
It started with Mom's recipe:
This is not the copy we used to use in her cookbook, but it is in her handwriting. The "original" was long ago stained with oils and probably honey as well.
Then, after mixing the dough, I rolled it into small balls:
Once I was about 2/3 of the way through rolling them, I started heating the oil in a shallow pan on the stove. I also started to heat the honey mixed with the orange rind. I added the surplus lemon rind I had grated for the dough.:
Once the dough had been fried to a light golden brown, I drained it on paper towels, along with some slivered almonds I also had lightly toasted in the oil:
Into the infused honey they went, and then they drained a bit before placing them in the serving dish:
Once in the dish, they were joined by the almonds (which had also gone into the honey bath) and sprinkled with colorful non-pariels:
It was sooooo good! Memories of Mom & Nana came flooding into my head as I taste tested the first piece. Brother Rick and his wife Alice were visiting over Christmas and he approved of the taste. We also brought it down to our niece Karen's house the day after Christmas and our Sister Sue approved. Karen and her brother Bobby and his wife Shelly also approved, although they don't recall ever having it before. I was sure to leave some with all of them. I then brought a bit into the store yesterday to share with our friend Marissa (who had made it before) and she liked it. (Her 2 year old son loved it so much he stole all of the leftovers from her!) I just wish I had known her mom Rose was going to be in the store on Christmas Eve, I would have brought some for her to try, it is one of her favorites.
If you have never had it before, it is not an overly sweet treat, the sweetness comes from the honey, but it is delectable!
My next project is to get a sample puffed heart wall hanging done out of porcelain for a class I am teaching in January. And also pull out the Teapot mold so I can make an Ebonyware teapot for a customer who received one in the 1990's and had broken it. It was such a surprise to open that email and read that she had looked to see if I was still out here and still making pottery.
May 2017 be a year of healing and of joys. I was horrified at how nasty all sides got during the US presidential election. I can only say I did not like any of the candidates from the time the first one threw their hat into the ring. But we must persevere and try again next time to find a cast of candidates better suited to the job at hand. I know some of you may disagree with me, that is fine. If we all had the same tastes and same opinions, the world would be a very boring place. It takes all to make things work. And a lot of the politicians on both sides need to learn how to work together and compromise. This all or nothing attitude has made the work of our presidents difficult for many years, through several presidencies.
Ok, my semi-rant is over.
Peace to you and yours.
One thing I did do was make a family favorite treat at Christmas time: Strufoli. It is an Italian treat, from what we can tell, it probably is Sicilian. I had not made it since the 1980's! My intention was to make it last year, but the very night I was planning to make it was when I got so sick.
It started with Mom's recipe:
Then, after mixing the dough, I rolled it into small balls:
Once I was about 2/3 of the way through rolling them, I started heating the oil in a shallow pan on the stove. I also started to heat the honey mixed with the orange rind. I added the surplus lemon rind I had grated for the dough.:
Once the dough had been fried to a light golden brown, I drained it on paper towels, along with some slivered almonds I also had lightly toasted in the oil:
Into the infused honey they went, and then they drained a bit before placing them in the serving dish:
Once in the dish, they were joined by the almonds (which had also gone into the honey bath) and sprinkled with colorful non-pariels:
It was sooooo good! Memories of Mom & Nana came flooding into my head as I taste tested the first piece. Brother Rick and his wife Alice were visiting over Christmas and he approved of the taste. We also brought it down to our niece Karen's house the day after Christmas and our Sister Sue approved. Karen and her brother Bobby and his wife Shelly also approved, although they don't recall ever having it before. I was sure to leave some with all of them. I then brought a bit into the store yesterday to share with our friend Marissa (who had made it before) and she liked it. (Her 2 year old son loved it so much he stole all of the leftovers from her!) I just wish I had known her mom Rose was going to be in the store on Christmas Eve, I would have brought some for her to try, it is one of her favorites.
If you have never had it before, it is not an overly sweet treat, the sweetness comes from the honey, but it is delectable!
My next project is to get a sample puffed heart wall hanging done out of porcelain for a class I am teaching in January. And also pull out the Teapot mold so I can make an Ebonyware teapot for a customer who received one in the 1990's and had broken it. It was such a surprise to open that email and read that she had looked to see if I was still out here and still making pottery.
May 2017 be a year of healing and of joys. I was horrified at how nasty all sides got during the US presidential election. I can only say I did not like any of the candidates from the time the first one threw their hat into the ring. But we must persevere and try again next time to find a cast of candidates better suited to the job at hand. I know some of you may disagree with me, that is fine. If we all had the same tastes and same opinions, the world would be a very boring place. It takes all to make things work. And a lot of the politicians on both sides need to learn how to work together and compromise. This all or nothing attitude has made the work of our presidents difficult for many years, through several presidencies.
Ok, my semi-rant is over.
Peace to you and yours.
Sunday, July 17, 2016
A breakthrough!
After having a gazillion ideas running rampant through my brain, I finally was able to create today.
First, I graphed out the patterns for my Christmas Iris Folding class that is on July 30. (I will post the samples once they are finished... waiting for some papers to arrive.)
Once I had that finished (Yes, I know the photo is upside-down, Instagram did that to me, and I just left it.), I actually was able to create 6 new clay angels! In the last several months I have only been able to manage 3 total, so 6 is a really big thing for me! I do have other ideas swimming around in that grey matter in my head, but this is the first step and the rest will come in time.
No, it's not world peace, but I myself cannot achieve that. It is a big deal to me to break through the creative block.
I had an extra day off yesterday. We were planning to close the store on Saturday for our trip to Atlanta to the wholesale buyers market. Terri was wanting to leave earlier on Friday to get to see some showrooms, yet it was not a good idea to have the store closed 2 days in a row. So, I proposed that Terri, Ben & Phyllis go and I stay home and keep the store open all day Friday while they got an early start. Our friend Marsha spent the day with me and we had a good day! It was worth me not going to Atlanta. Yes, I missed going, I haven't been since last July (I was so sick at Christmas that I stayed home to continue recuperating in January.), but it was the best decision in the long run. So, what did I do with my extra day? I spent all the money I have been saving for months from my house & pet sitting. And I got something that should last me a long time... 55,000 miles... a set of 4 new tires for the Equinox. I usually have been buying used, but the price was right for a set of new. Oh, and I also got an oil change. I know, I really know how to party, don't I?
This week has been a series of emotions.
Well, enough for today, I need to get some other things done this evening. I am grateful for the break in my creative block :~)
First, I graphed out the patterns for my Christmas Iris Folding class that is on July 30. (I will post the samples once they are finished... waiting for some papers to arrive.)
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| Christmas Iris Folding 2016 |
Once I had that finished (Yes, I know the photo is upside-down, Instagram did that to me, and I just left it.), I actually was able to create 6 new clay angels! In the last several months I have only been able to manage 3 total, so 6 is a really big thing for me! I do have other ideas swimming around in that grey matter in my head, but this is the first step and the rest will come in time.
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| Clay Angels 2016! |
No, it's not world peace, but I myself cannot achieve that. It is a big deal to me to break through the creative block.
I had an extra day off yesterday. We were planning to close the store on Saturday for our trip to Atlanta to the wholesale buyers market. Terri was wanting to leave earlier on Friday to get to see some showrooms, yet it was not a good idea to have the store closed 2 days in a row. So, I proposed that Terri, Ben & Phyllis go and I stay home and keep the store open all day Friday while they got an early start. Our friend Marsha spent the day with me and we had a good day! It was worth me not going to Atlanta. Yes, I missed going, I haven't been since last July (I was so sick at Christmas that I stayed home to continue recuperating in January.), but it was the best decision in the long run. So, what did I do with my extra day? I spent all the money I have been saving for months from my house & pet sitting. And I got something that should last me a long time... 55,000 miles... a set of 4 new tires for the Equinox. I usually have been buying used, but the price was right for a set of new. Oh, and I also got an oil change. I know, I really know how to party, don't I?
This week has been a series of emotions.
- Tuesday marked 5 years since Mom passed away. Sometimes it feels like she has been gone forever, sometimes I can hear her voice in my mind and almost feel her presence.
- On Thursday, my little sister from my college sorority sent me an email because of this blog. ((( Leslie! ))) I have not been in contact with her in about 15 years or so. I was so happy! She is a special lady and hearing from her made my day!
- Then, on Friday, one of my best friends through high school sent me a message request on facebook. Another special lady who helped me break out of my shell all those years ago. ((( Jacque! ))) I have not been in contact with her in over 20 years. Another day made!
- In among all that I sent a care package to my niece Sammy who is undergoing breast cancer treatments. In it were scarves that Verne gave to me as well as ones his mom gave to me. I also made her a pair of earrings and sent some other little somethings to let her know I am thinking of her and wish I could be closer.
Well, enough for today, I need to get some other things done this evening. I am grateful for the break in my creative block :~)
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
A Fitting Tribute
Dogwood trees and blossoms were a favorite of my mothers.
While growing up, we lived in an area that Dogwood would not grow. When my father retired, they moved South and Mom was finally able to enjoy Dogwood in her own yard. Although the photo does not show it, in addition to the large pink Dogwood in the yard, up closer to the house are several young white Dogwood that were no longer in bloom when I took this photo (a few years back).
Mom passed away nearly 4 years ago.
In our area there is the Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail. A group pf people create quilt "squares" out of wood (or now aluminum) boards & paint to copy a fabric quilt that already exists. They are then mounted on buildings and added to their web site with map coordinates so people can find them.
I noticed that there was currently only one such quilt square in our downtown area. (Since then 7 more have been added with 2 more to come, that I am aware of.) I talked to my sisters (I have 3) and we all decided that it was a great idea to commission a quilt square to mount on the side of the building that our store is located in. And we all decided it needed to be Dogwood blossoms.
I scoured images of Dogwood quilt patterns and nothing really "spoke" to me until I saw this one (design by Annette Ornelas). The fabric quilt pictured above was made by my oldest sister Sue.
We raised money through family (I also have 2 brothers), including my father, one of my mom's sisters and a close family friend. Then, I filled out the paperwork and sent them a check so they could begin the production process.
They borrowed the fabric quilt to use as a guide and they chose paints, drew templates and started taping off areas to paint.
The painting was done once a week (or so) at a facility about 15 miles from us. Because of work, we were not able to make it to their painting sessions, although we (and anyone else) were welcome to help. But they were sure to send photos of the progress. (See the fabric quilt on the table in the background?)
Once they had put marine grade varnish on all surfaces to seal it, they delivered it to us and we waited a few days until the installation crew could come by.
Once the installation was complete, the 4' x 8' copy of the approximately 2' x 4' fabric quilt looked quite small...
We know Mom would have loved it.
Creatively, all I did was find a pattern I liked & asked if my family agreed. The rest was completed by others.
Here is the wooden quilt :
While growing up, we lived in an area that Dogwood would not grow. When my father retired, they moved South and Mom was finally able to enjoy Dogwood in her own yard. Although the photo does not show it, in addition to the large pink Dogwood in the yard, up closer to the house are several young white Dogwood that were no longer in bloom when I took this photo (a few years back).
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| Pink Dogwood in the side yard... Mom's favorite tree in the yard. |
Mom passed away nearly 4 years ago.
In our area there is the Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail. A group pf people create quilt "squares" out of wood (or now aluminum) boards & paint to copy a fabric quilt that already exists. They are then mounted on buildings and added to their web site with map coordinates so people can find them.
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| Fabric quilt made by Sue Congdon (my sisiter). |
I noticed that there was currently only one such quilt square in our downtown area. (Since then 7 more have been added with 2 more to come, that I am aware of.) I talked to my sisters (I have 3) and we all decided that it was a great idea to commission a quilt square to mount on the side of the building that our store is located in. And we all decided it needed to be Dogwood blossoms.
I scoured images of Dogwood quilt patterns and nothing really "spoke" to me until I saw this one (design by Annette Ornelas). The fabric quilt pictured above was made by my oldest sister Sue.
We raised money through family (I also have 2 brothers), including my father, one of my mom's sisters and a close family friend. Then, I filled out the paperwork and sent them a check so they could begin the production process.
They borrowed the fabric quilt to use as a guide and they chose paints, drew templates and started taping off areas to paint.
Once they had put marine grade varnish on all surfaces to seal it, they delivered it to us and we waited a few days until the installation crew could come by.
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| Blue Ridge Electric - you guys know your quilt installation "stuff" - Thank you! |
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| With my sister Terri Brooks on the day the square was installed. |
Once the installation was complete, the 4' x 8' copy of the approximately 2' x 4' fabric quilt looked quite small...
We know Mom would have loved it.
Creatively, all I did was find a pattern I liked & asked if my family agreed. The rest was completed by others.
Here is the wooden quilt :
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Life's surprises
Just as life seemed to begin to find some element of normalcy, something happens to cause turmoil.
As I posted before, my Mom passed away last July. I have been having troubles getting my creative muse motivated & I am missing her so much.
My sister Terri did a lot in the last 5 years of Mom's life in taking her to appointments as I had previously. Terri had a better mind for comprehending and retaining the medical information. I would understand as they told me, but then it wouldn't make sense later.
Now, Terri is facing her own diagnosis of a Cystic Tumor on the surface of her brain. And, like Mom, she is facing it head on with a great attitude and complete trust in her Neurosurgeon (one of the best in his field).
Terri is the closet to me in age of all my siblings. We shared a room growing up, and now we share the responsibilities at the store. Although our teen years we rough (whose aren't? that surge of hormones & trying to determine boundaries with the world is not easy for anyone) we are very close now (as we are with the rest of the family - we are blessed that way!). I know this is difficult for the rest of the family, especially those who are not nearby. I remember from the years I lived so far away from most of the family.
I am trying my best to be strong & to keep an even keel at the store & home. Terri's surgery is tomorrow morning at 11. We are keeping the store open. Terri's husband will be at the hospital with her. The procedure should take nearly 3 hours. Dad & I will keep ourselves busy & act as the information hub for all of our family & friends.
This is the time I really wish Mom were here to talk to & hug & cry with. I know the tears don't help Terri, but they are cleansing for me.
If anyone reads this, thank you for reading it all as it rambled on.
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| A wonderful Christmas with Mom & Terri |
My sister Terri did a lot in the last 5 years of Mom's life in taking her to appointments as I had previously. Terri had a better mind for comprehending and retaining the medical information. I would understand as they told me, but then it wouldn't make sense later.
Now, Terri is facing her own diagnosis of a Cystic Tumor on the surface of her brain. And, like Mom, she is facing it head on with a great attitude and complete trust in her Neurosurgeon (one of the best in his field).
Terri is the closet to me in age of all my siblings. We shared a room growing up, and now we share the responsibilities at the store. Although our teen years we rough (whose aren't? that surge of hormones & trying to determine boundaries with the world is not easy for anyone) we are very close now (as we are with the rest of the family - we are blessed that way!). I know this is difficult for the rest of the family, especially those who are not nearby. I remember from the years I lived so far away from most of the family.
I am trying my best to be strong & to keep an even keel at the store & home. Terri's surgery is tomorrow morning at 11. We are keeping the store open. Terri's husband will be at the hospital with her. The procedure should take nearly 3 hours. Dad & I will keep ourselves busy & act as the information hub for all of our family & friends.
This is the time I really wish Mom were here to talk to & hug & cry with. I know the tears don't help Terri, but they are cleansing for me.
If anyone reads this, thank you for reading it all as it rambled on.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
A beautiful Spring Day
Today is a gorgeous Spring day!
Did you remember to "spring forward" with your clocks & watches?
I have been absent as of late on here, I hope to be able to change that.
I am working on mugs and all for the Celebrate Clayton show the end of April, but today, I will take a break & go to Greenville for the FLW Fishing Expo for a few hours with friends. I promise - I will NOT get a treble hook embedded in my leg!
We have been busy at the store. Dad has been building new display fixtures to Terri's designs for the 'Garden Corner' and the toy department. We have been having a lot of fun with the Osher Lifelong Learning classes in Wire & Metal Jewelry. (We have some extremely talented students!) And, we have been busy planning for a guest instructor to visit in April. Nathalie Metivier from Magenta Rubber Stamps is going to be teaching a 3-hour class on April 22. And in a week and a half, we have gotten 27 spaces filled! (The limit is 30.)
I hope to be able to update things more often. I have been sidelined by a number of things adding up. And, on top of that, I got an Android phone, so the old desktop doesn't get fired up as often. I plan to change that!
Meanwhile, I hope you all enjoy this Spring day.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Happy New Year 2012
This past year has been particularly rough.
I have not posted in a while because I have just not felt like I had anything enough to say.
I still don't have a whole lot on my mind to share. But I want to let you all know that I am still here and still plugging away. I am not as creatively productive as I would like to be, but I am creating some. I have lots of ideas, but not the complete motivation to make the ideas come to fruition.
My procrastination habit has become a real problem for me. I hope in this new year that I can work to reverse that habit. I have been trying for a while, and hope it continues to improve.
I finally got rid of the car I never liked or wanted. I am now the proud owner of a, new to me, 2007 Chevy Equinox. I LOVE IT! The down side is having car payments again, but I have the comfort of knowing my car is newer and in better shape than the 1999 Mitsubishi Galant. (And - it is a really pretty blue!)
Thank you to all of my family and friends for all you have done for & with me in 2011, I appreciate & love you all.
I look forward to making 2012 and on the best I can. A lesson learned from my Mom - no matter what life hands you - do what you can to deal with it and keep your head up. Focus on the positives in life, the negatives are still there, but they won't consume your time and rob you of enjoying what time you have. Others have said basically the same things, but watching Mom practice those thoughts was an inspiration. I only hope that if I am ever faced with half of what she went through that I can handle it with as much grace & I dignity as she did. I miss her every day.
I have not posted in a while because I have just not felt like I had anything enough to say.
I still don't have a whole lot on my mind to share. But I want to let you all know that I am still here and still plugging away. I am not as creatively productive as I would like to be, but I am creating some. I have lots of ideas, but not the complete motivation to make the ideas come to fruition.
My procrastination habit has become a real problem for me. I hope in this new year that I can work to reverse that habit. I have been trying for a while, and hope it continues to improve.
I finally got rid of the car I never liked or wanted. I am now the proud owner of a, new to me, 2007 Chevy Equinox. I LOVE IT! The down side is having car payments again, but I have the comfort of knowing my car is newer and in better shape than the 1999 Mitsubishi Galant. (And - it is a really pretty blue!)
Thank you to all of my family and friends for all you have done for & with me in 2011, I appreciate & love you all.
I look forward to making 2012 and on the best I can. A lesson learned from my Mom - no matter what life hands you - do what you can to deal with it and keep your head up. Focus on the positives in life, the negatives are still there, but they won't consume your time and rob you of enjoying what time you have. Others have said basically the same things, but watching Mom practice those thoughts was an inspiration. I only hope that if I am ever faced with half of what she went through that I can handle it with as much grace & I dignity as she did. I miss her every day.
Friday, November 12, 2010
A little rambling goes a long way...
Mom is home now, and she is gaining strength. Today is a little slower, because of the chemo side-affects kicking in. But there is definite progress.
I have been exhausted these past couple of weeks. I wasn't always able to go to visit in the hospital, because of either preparing for the show I went to last weekend, or teaching a class.
I am extremely grateful for my 2 older sisters helping to keep Mom company, as well as taking care of Dad. I usually ended up being the one holding down the fort at the store.
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| A Wire-wrapped Pendant I made - inspired by my late friend Lucia... |
My niece and her husband came up for the weekend to visit as well, at one time we had 9 people in the hospital room visiting! I am very lucky that the large family I am a member of is very close-knit. We come together whenever we are needed. Not always physically together, but definitely we are there for one another.
While I was at the show, I met some new people and had a great time with some of my show friends. I get so much satisfaction out of doing shows. Making the pottery is my go-to activity when I need to creatively re-charge.
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| Part of my booth on Saturday morning... |
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| The stoneware display |
Tomorrow I get to spend the day teaching a Calligraphy workshop. I am trying to instill in the students the need to practice their pen-strokes, drawing the letters and not being worried about whether theirs looks like mine or the one in the book or not... consistency is the ultimate goal. And we even get to have lunch from The Village Baker! MMMMMMMM - MMMMMMM - GOOD!
I tried to call my FIL yesterday to wish him a Happy Birthday, but the line was busy... I tried several times... and again today... busy signal. I hope he knows that I love him and wish him many more birthdays to come (he just turned 85!) My great-nephew also had his birthday yesterday... I can hardly believe he is 2 years old already! And he is as adorable as his parents!
In a little over 2 weeks, I turn 50. I am more than OK with that... age has never bothered me. But, I was wondering if I should celebrate this mile-stone in some special way (other than having family here for Thanksgiving). And if so - how? Any ideas out there? I can't promise you I'll be able to celebrate in the suggested way, but I am curious to hear what you think. And please... keep it clean!
OK - enough rambling... off to take care of some pottery and other things that need attending to.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
rough week
Mom is back in the hospital. I don't have the time to go into the details right now, I need to get to work.
Here is a photo of her from 2 weeks ago with my little sister Regina
Friday, October 15, 2010
Moving right along...
I had a dry spell with creating yet again, but I am back in the groove. Having an upcoming show can do that!
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| The molds filled with porcelain slip |
I have been casting at least once a day, having to work around my work schedule at the store.
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| The Large Mug waiting for the handle |
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| Roly Sake Cups drying in the molds... |
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| All scored and ready to attach! |
I have also been taking LOTS and LOTS of pictures lately... most of the 4-500 are of jewelry class samples for work, but I have also been taking pictures of the changing season and other things that catch my eye...
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| One of the several clusters of mushrooms in the side yard |
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| A Black-eyed Susan |
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| The Red Japanese Maple |
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| Looking past the Dogwood out into the side yard at the Pink Dogwood and the Crepe Myrtles |
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| The Camellia on Wednesday morning |
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| The same Camellia blossom on Thursday morning |
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| The Camellia in the front yard |
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| They're BAAAAAAACK |
Autumn is definitely in the air, especially at night. The day-time temps of 70's and 80's doesn't really feel autumnal though...
The caterpillars are even slowing down, they aren't eating the parsley as fast this time... and there are only 2 of them.
I need to get back to trimming pottery, and helping clean to prepare for visitors. My most favorite little sister is coming with her hubby & munchkin on Sunday and my most favorite oldest sister is coming in to visit also - all 4 of us girls will be together for a few days!
My mom is undergoing chemotherapy for a metastasis of her breast cancer (first diagnosed 11 years ago). She discovered yesterday that her hair is starting to fall out. So, in true Mom fashion, she made an appointment to get her hair cut SHORT this morning!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Hungry?
While the family is off visiting other parts of the family, part of my vacation to-do list is to keep the outdoor plants from frying in the sun or wilting into oblivion with this heat (today 95 with a heat index of 102!).
On Monday, I was really actually looking at the plants as I watered them, and noticed that some of the Italian Parsley looked as if it had been picked. I figured Mom had taken some with her to my brother Rick... who doesn't LOVE to receive a fresh bouquet of parsley???
Then, on Tuesday, MORE was gone! I began to think someone was snitching our parsley! Then I looked closer...
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| These caterpillars were munching away on the parsley |
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| You can see that now (Wednesday) they have eaten quite a bit! |
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| Not just one... |
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| And not that one and this one... |
In this photo, if you look closely... there are 5... but that's not all...
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| More than this! |
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| They were EVERYWHERE! |
As I looked around the plant, there were a total of 10!
I looked them up in the Butterflies of the Carolinas book that Mom has... I wanted to be sure that they were not destructive (to anything other than the parsley, that is...)...
They are the caterpillars for the Black Swallowtail Butterfly!
WHEW!
Then, I went about my business and let them eat the rest... it was mostly defoliated already... I can always get Mom a new parsley plant... I took the photos late yesterday, and they had munched all night and there isn't much left... some of the caterpillars even left the plant to go find something else yummy. (And yes, the plants in the carrot family - of which parsley is - are a common food for this caterpillar)
I am keeping an eye on the basil now... though the book says nothing about them liking basil...
OK... so now I have gone back out in the sweltering, muggy heat and looked at the parsley again... the pretty caterpillars are all gone now...
I am keeping an eye on the basil now... though the book says nothing about them liking basil...
OK... so now I have gone back out in the sweltering, muggy heat and looked at the parsley again... the pretty caterpillars are all gone now...
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| And so are ALL the leaves! |
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| Are those little green round things on the top of the soil what I think they are??? (see the new sprout coming up on the left?) |
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| And here is one of Mom's miniature roses... just covered with blossoms! |
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Floral beauties
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| Moms collection of flowers |
Mom was recently in the hospital for about 5 days. She is home now and doing much better.
The flowers to the left are the ones she received during this most recent hospitalization. She has displayed them together on the table in the sun room. They compliment each other very well.
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| The lilies from Bobby & Shelly |
The lilies from my oldest nephew and his wife are absolutely gorgeous! The buds are opening every day. And the fragrance is heavenly.
The paper flowers were made by my nephew DragonBen and his mom (my sister) Terri. Each piece is hand made, some from punches and some cut free-hand from papers, formed and glued together. And, at my suggestion, they added glitter to some of the flowers as well!
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| The paper flowers made by Terri & DragonBen |
The pink rose in the bouquet was to remind Mom that her mother (Nana) is looking over her from heaven...
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| A close-up of one of the paper flowers |
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