Artful Journey

. Jane Austen, one of my favorite authors, was born on December 16, which was also my mom's birthday. For some crazy reason, I derive extreme joy from this. While my mom wasn't a famous author, she could craft a great story. In a quiet, unassuming way she could suss things out with humor and unique aplomb. Mom spent almost 20 years in a wheelchair, and that made her invisible to many people, but it gave her a great vantage point to witness life's intricacies.  I learned it's amazing what you can pick up when no one is noticing you. Like Jane, Mom was a keen observer of human nature.  In remembrance of Jane on the 200 anniversary of her passing on July 18, with a special nod to mom, here are some of my favorites: It's tough to choose just one of Jane's novels as a favorite...so I will narrow it to three.  Pride and Prejudice, Emma and Mansfield Park. Well, maybe I will add, Sense and Sensibility and Persuasion for good measure! For PBS adaptations, E...

Things have been busy and a tad stressful.  While a tad isn't great, as long as there are no health issues,  no complaints. That being said, sometimes it is necessary to pull out the big guns. Changing the mood may require a change of atmosphere and environment, and someone to lift spirits out of the doldrums works wonders. Thelma and Louise-in' it This tad was building a while, so it was going to take a full day, starting at 8:30 am, and we planned our favorites with a few new things thrown in for good measure. Breakfast at one of our favorite places, The Wenham Tea House. Starters before brekkie, and of course, there's Tea After a lovely breakfast, we headed off to Cranes Beach... Lots of open space. We really do..jump for joy! What's on tap next? A winery sounds good, so off to Mill River Winery...for just a taste ..or maybe two Wine, cookies, chocolates and cheese...delicious A little wine gave quite a boost to our self-confiden...

Last week was a hectic one for me, and I am hoping to get out from under it soon. Today's rain may help with completing some of the projects on tap, with the added benefit of keeping my lawn well watered. While last week was busy, we managed to include a few good things, including breakfast at the oldest tea house in America. sign at The Wenham Tea House We made it a point to visit the Sand Sculpting Contest at Revere Beach. Absolutely amazing! Just a sampling... The professional sand sculptors travel from all over the world to compete in this weekend event. Their work is awe inspiring! Although extremely crowded, it was well worth it, especially considering today's constant rain.  I am so happy we had the opportunity to view this magnificent, temporary art. Sand Sculpture Contest Handling grains of Sand Sculptures created, magic Then, suddenly, gone. And finally delivered, PTE exchange, from Jean  More great ideas to try. H...

Thank goodness for envelope exchanges, it means something artistic and fun arrives in the mail! fun mail from Kate I really loved the stlye and colors on this, so I copied it on one of my envelopes for the exchange. Forgot to cover the address, so I will just show the return side back flap I used Kate's lettering style but did flowers instead of fruit.  In addition to the lovely letters coming through the mail slot, I love being introduced to new ideas to try. Also, on my agenda is figuring out how to blur an address for future posts. New postage stamps also trigger learning. The new solar eclipse stamp has been released to coincide with the Great American Eclipse on August 21, 2017. The band will pass trough the contiguous US in a 70 mile stretch moving from west to east. Massachusetts won't have the full total eclipse, but we will get a partial  sometime between 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. You would need a special attachment for a telescope to view a solar eclipse saf...

Happy 200th birthday to Henry David Thoreau, a native of Concord Massachusetts and a man ahead of his time. I wish more people shared his appreciation for the environment and simplicity. Thoreau was an environmentalist, abolitionist, essayist, poet and philosopher. Since reading Walden in high school, I have been an ardent fan of Thoreau's works and ideals. A quick  search of his name will lead you to some of his more famous quotes. One of my personal favorites is; "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you imagined."  As I am on a mission to declutter and organize my craft closet, I will include this..."Simplify, simplify."  And in a nod to nature and my local walking vista, my haiku, Breakheart Reservation Nestled just ahead  trees tower, sun dappled paths Our welcome respite An early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day. -Henry David Thoreau Happy walking in nature.

Since this is a T for Tuesday day on Bluebeard and Elizabeth day, I thought I would share some mugs Fi and I painted at a pottery studio that I found on Groupon.  The groupons only work for weekdays until 7, giving us less than an hour to pick our piece, choose paint and get to work.  What a rush, but still fun. We are already planning on finding a pottery studio where we won't be under such a time constraint.  Now for the mugs... Fi's watercolor dreams Elephant Mug I think my elephant mug would be a little difficult to drink out of, but it is a nice container for some art supplies. Above the head is a spot for what we think would be a teabag, but I am using it for a much needed eraser! Next time, we will go in with a plan and more time to complete our projects,. We finished up the night by grabbing a bacon, potato, scallion pizza at Otto's. The timing on our pottery painting night came on the heels of finishing a historical fiction novel, set in the nor...

Busy weekend, with not much time for mail...Just a letter or two to go out.. Blue bird of happiness for Susan and lilies for Honore.. While I need to get on my own letter writing, I just finished a great little book about a relationship that developed through letters exchanged. Charming! I am in the process of reading Writing with Quiet Hands,  so I find myself looking at books in terms of criteria that Paula recommends for writers. This book flowed so easily, and had characters that I was totally engaged in. When I finished this book, I thought, I hope she does a sequel. I read this book as I took the train in and out of Boston, and couldn't wait to finish it...so that's what I did. File it under my weekend read! Gift from Eog he knows where my heart is.. The garden is still in progress, but I love all of the color that is starting to pop... Snap dragons and vinca Hydrangea lilies  Sexy Rexy What a name, but it is beautiful! Wishing y...