"Bless This House" Gift

I completed this free hand machine quilted piece that I had hand embroidered "Bless this House" for a dear friend of mine in Tennesee.

I shadow machine quilted "Faith", "Hope", and "Love" in the stitches. It was my first time making letters or words machine free-hand. I tried to capture the word "Love" in this photograph.



I sent a snail mail card to Twila saying that she could use this as a wall hanging, table mat or even turn it into a pillow panel. No matter how she chooses, I hope she knows it was made out of love from a friend who is now far away and missing our crafting visits.

Nature Calling

, originally uploaded by BBRONYX.

I have spent most of the morning outside mowing the lawn, watering the lawn, and washing off the picnic table. Must be that I think a holiday is around the corner or maybe that company is coming into town soon.

I am on day 15 of this cold -- so over being sick I am I am. . . Grandma says I have to be over the cold before Trish comes on Friday. I find this cute as she is worrying her child will get sick around me. Feeling young and mothered Trish?

I like the detail in this photo and can't help but think it is enhanced somehow. No matter, it wins my seal of approval because it was chosen as todays blog inspiration!

American Magazine, cover, No Swimming Allowed

American Magazine, cover, No Swimming Allowed, originally uploaded by George Eastman House.

This photograph is so stage! But, you know what -- I LOVE IT!!!

The facial expression, the dress, the pose as well as the lighting is superb.

This captures a feeing of actually being there when the picture was snapped.

Accession Number: 1977:0292:0006

Maker: Victor Keppler (1904-1987)

Title: American Magazine, cover, No Swimming Allowed

Date: Aug-1946

Medium: color print, assembly (carbro) process

Dimensions:

George Eastman House Collection

General – information about the George Eastman House Photography Collection is available at http://www.eastmanhouse.org/inc/collections/photography.php.

For information on obtaining reproductions go to: http://www.eastmanhouse.org/flickr/index.php.

Uploaded by George Eastman House on 6 Mar 09, 3.25PM CDT.

MCCALL STYLE & BEAUTY

MCCALL STYLE & BEAUTY, originally uploaded by George Eastman House.

This hairstyle on this model is a work of art. Why don't ladies have curl in their hair these days?

I have been unhappy with my straight flat hair style and am seriously thinking of a "permanent" only it will last me maybe 3 months. Wish permanent in hair terms really meant forever/not changing.


MCCALL STYLE & BEAUTY

Accession Number: 1971:0050:0015

Maker: Nickolas Muray (American 1892-1965)

Title: MCCALL STYLE & BEAUTY

Date: 1939

Medium: "color print, assembly (Carbro) process"

Dimensions: Dimensions Unknown

George Eastman House Collection

General – information about the George Eastman House Photography Collection is available at http://www.eastmanhouse.org/inc/collections/photography.php.

For information on obtaining reproductions go to: http://www.eastmanhouse.org/flickr/index.php.

Uploaded by George Eastman House on 20 Dec 08, 3.45PM CDT.

Vintage Photography -- Girl with Cat

[PARENTS MAGAZINE, GIRL WITH CAT], originally uploaded by George Eastman House.

Accession Number: 1971:0145:0001

Maker: Nickolas Muray (American 1892-1965)

Title: ["PARENTS MAGAZINE, GIRL WITH CAT"]

Date: ca. 1945

Medium: "color print, assembly (Carbro) process"

Dimensions: Dimensions Unknown

George Eastman House Collection

General – information about the George Eastman House Photography Collection is available at http://www.eastmanhouse.org/inc/collections/photography.php.

For information on obtaining reproductions go to: http://www.eastmanhouse.org/flickr/index.php.


This represents Americana of bygone years. We were so innocent a nation back in 1945 when this appeared in Parent's Magazine.

This was before my time, but I enjoy looking and thinking how much people's daily lives have changed. There was no cell phone, no video games, no "business". There WAS family dinners together, pets to play with and take care of, board games to play, and regular schedules -- not so fast paced.

Just thinking about it -- they didn't have this keyboard and computer on a table in their house with each family member waiting their turn for it.

I could go on and on, but I think I will just enjoy this picture and explore more like it for a while on my computer.

The Tater Family

Well, A Girl Potato and A Boy Potato had eyes for each other, and finally they got married, and had a little sweet potato, which they called 'Yam.'




Of course, they wanted the best for Yam.

When it was time, they told her about the facts of life.

They warned her about going out and getting half-baked, so she wouldn't get accidentally mashed, and get a bad name for herself like 'Hot Potato,' and end up with a bunch of Tater Tots.

Yam said not to worry, no Spud would get her into the sack and make a rotten potato out of her!

But on the other hand she wouldn't stay home and become a Couch Potato either.

She would get plenty of exercise so as not to be skinny like her Shoestring cousins.

When she went off to Europe, Mr. and Mrs. Potato told Yam to watch out for the hard-boiled guys from Ireland . And the greasy guys from France called the French Fries.

And when she went out west in the USA , they told her to watch out for the Indians so she wouldn't get scalloped.

Yam said she would stay on the straight and narrow and wouldn't associate with those high class Yukon Golds, or the ones from the other side of the tracks who advertise their trade on all the trucks that say, 'Frito Lay.'

Mr. and Mrs. Potato sent Yam to Idaho P.U. (that's
Potato University) so when she graduated she'd really be in the chips.

But in spite of all they did for her, one-day Yam came home and announced she was going to marry Tom Brokaw.

Tom Brokaw!!!

Mr. and Mrs. Potato were very upset.

They told Yam she couldn't possibly marry Tom Brokaw because he's just...

well he's just a...

Are you ready for this?

Are you sure?



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OK! Here it is!



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A COMMONTATER !!!

At the Duck Pond

The kids and I visited the duck pond at Gibson Park for the first time today with a bag of old buns. The boys had a splendid time and left saying they wanted to return really soon. I made that happen rather quickly as I loaded them and their dad up after dinner for the excursion repeated. I had found another loaf of bread in the bottom of the refrigerator under the meat crisper.







Also, I had been told that people come out on Wednesday evenings for music performances at the same park. The turn out was great and everyone enjoyed the music played.



We took Fred to see the flower garden and arch. He thought it was lovely but allergies and an asthma attack took over and coughing from Fred played along with the music. So much so that at times people were looking and staring like "what is this sick man doing out and about."







All in all it was a nice evening to be out and about. Next time, however; one will remember to check and see if the inhaler is packed along for the trip.

Talking flowers -- Alice In Wonderland

Talking flowers, originally uploaded by Love_Alice.

The first officially released images of Tim Burton's Alice.





Can you guess which character Johnny Depp is portraying?
A picture follows:





Also, the other notable actors are pictured here as well.



This might be spectacular yet ODD like a lot of Tim Burton's creations tend to be.

Still this has me curious . . . just like Alice In Wonderland perhaps.

Dorothy and Friends -- Wizard of Oz

Dorothy and Friends, originally uploaded by drurydrama.

Baum’s Strong Women

For the past 104 years, people saw what they wanted to in the Wizard of Oz. In the fifties, conservatives in the government pointed an accusing finger at L. Frank Baum, its author, insisting that Oz is a communistic society lacking money, where all comrades work for the common good. At times religious groups saw the book as demonic, pointing out that Baum pictured witches as nothing more than smart women: some good, some bad. Economists saw the story as a march to the gold standard with “oz” standing for ounces of gold, the green of Oz as the color of money, and the brick road as an “obvious” reference to the yellow metal. Others insisted that the story was a political tract with the lion representing England. In fact, the emerald green of Oz may be a reference to Baum’s ancestral home of Ireland. Yellow brick was a common building material in 1900. The name “oz,” according to one of Baum’s sons, was inspired by a filing cabinet in Baum’s office. The files were listed alphabetically with the last one labeled, “O - Z”

Frank Baum insists in the introduction to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, published in 1900, that “old time fairy tales” contain a “fearsome moral to each tale.” He would have nothing to do with placing a moral in his stories. Baum insists the story “was written solely to pleasure children of today.”

With that said, and in spite of what the author insists, there is a wealth of metaphor and meaning in his works. Perhaps the most consistent theme that runs through most of his many books is the message that girls may strive to be strong women. In ten of his fourteen books, the hero is a girl or woman. True power in Oz, both good and evil resides in woman. Dorothy, a little girl in the original story, leads (practically drags) her three adult male friends through a life’s journey, helping them find themselves. They discover that they always had the courage, kindness, and intellect that they mistakenly thought they lacked. Oz himself is a fraud.

Baum was an ardent advocate of woman’s rights. As a newspaper correspondent, he wrote numerous articles on the topic. He campaigned vigorously with his wife, mother-in-law, and Susan B. Anthony to win the vote for women in the new state of South Dakota. The vote was lost but his strong feelings for the equality of women continued to be expressed in his stories and papers.

- Dr. Len Radin
www.drurydrama.com
Drury High School
North Adams, Massachusetts

Catch that Rabbit

Rabbit, originally uploaded by hollykoffler.

Here someone has captured a wonderful photo of a rabbit in the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens.

I, myself, tried unsuccessfully to catch a picture of this faster than lightening bunny rabbit in my yard just yesterday. I have never seen an animal move as fast as him.

My daughter, Savannah Rose, got excited thinking we could catch it for a pet and even dumped a box out of her brother's closet to leave out for the rabbit to "hop right in." There was no hope of catching him nor did I want to try. He should be free to munch off my tall grass and the neighbors where ever he pleases.

I just wanted to capture his cuteness in a photograph. Maybe he will decide to visit my yard again soon and I will get a second chance. If not this Alice will just have to keep her eyes wide open for the white rabbit to come along with his pocket watch and then follow him off to Wonderland.

Enjoy the nature around you be it tame or wild. Everyday is a gift to cherish.

Marjorie Leet

Marjorie Leet, originally uploaded by glamtv.

Performer with the Ziegfeld Follies from 1923 - 27

Okay. So I am at it again. It is 5:45 a.m. and I am miserable with a head cold now for 5 days. My lips are so chapped from breathing through my mouth.

To pass the time, I like to explore flickr.com and thought I would do a search for Ziefeld Follies. I love the pictures of the entertainers, the various sets and style of the photography.

This one is lovely. It has a victorian yet gypsy flair to me.

So, as I continue coughing and my face feels like it weighs a hundred pounds, I hope you are having a better day.

Painted Lady

Painted Lady , originally uploaded by adamantine.

Vanessa cardui on Mt. Battie in Camden, Maine.

Wish I felt as beautiful and free as this butterfly. A yucky "crud" type cold is taking over my family of 6. It is horrible as it is lasting nearly 2 weeks. My daughter is now finally over it, but the rest of us (except Grandma, age 89) are not even a full week into it.

The pressure in my ears, the soreness in my throat, the pouring of my nose, and the excessive sneezing make me want to runaway mentally. Maybe be free like this beautiful butterfly.

The photograph is lovely and exceptional. The way the light makes the wings transparent in places.

I know I will get better (another 9 days or so to go) and then I can grab my camera and go capture some beauty around me here in Montana.

Dancing Embroidery Pattern

AB 7232 g, originally uploaded by mmaammbr.

There are some new wonderful embroidery patterns on flickr.com. I just love finding this site and group.

Going to check each day if new stuff has appeared is one of the highlights of my day. It is also causing me to have to purchase a new ink cartridge for my printer. I now have a box load of patterns to keep me stitching and making things for years to come.

Hope you have things that uplift and excite you to explore each day. Life is too short not to take to enjoy the things that bring you happiness.

I love you Fred and we will get through this new medical twist together! Our past 16 years has been a dance and I look forward to more twists and turns ahead.

Alice and the Rabbit

Alice and rabbit, originally uploaded by nami*&Chitaki.

"Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be late!'

She is beautiful isn't she. I used to have a kewpie doll similar, but lost her in a house fire a few years back.

I will have to make an effort to find out what this doll type is named and see if I can find one to replace my lost treasure. I can still see her light pink with white polka-dots dress -- so delicate in nature.

This brings a tear to my eye right now just thinking of my doll. I guess "the little girl" in us never really grows up or gets too old!

Another Quilt To Make You Drool

W.I.P-ufo's, originally uploaded by bangkokmomquilts.

This is stunning! I am going to have to study it and decide on some fabrics to make my own. I am thinking purples and greens or maybe yellows and blues. The possibilities are endless and I am really getting into the triangle additions to my quilt blocks.

I can't believe how I hold back on trying new things and then end up thinking -- "Girl, what took you so long?"

Mountain Top Retreat

Savannah and I enjoyed a wonderful weekend at the Mountain Top Retreat off Cottonwood Canyon Road in Bozeman, Montana this past weekend. The scenery was lovely and the company grand!





One friend was celebrating her 70th birthday. The party planners decided on a Hawaiian theme -- grass skirt,leis, sunglasses, hula hoop,and pretty flowers. Laughs were had by everyone as Kathy is a character out of costume, but even more animated in one.



These are friends I have not seen in over 9 years. They all had not changed in appearance or personalities very much. What a joy!!!



I love this picture of Savannah blowing bubbles at the party.

Are you sure this is the way mum?

Are you sure this is the way mum?, originally uploaded by stanleymoss.

Follow the yellow brick road to Oz -- where is your Oz?

This is a wonderful photo. The colors are exceptional.

Looks like stormy skies ahead to the Emerald City, but with loved ones the journey can be made.

I am getting excited! Savannah Rose and I are headed to a Ladies' Retreat with some dear friends from Bozeman, MT. We pull out of Great Falls tomorrow headed down the Montana roadways. I hope the Big Sky is full of puffy white cottonball clouds.

Also, I hope my daughter's cold lets up a little later today or off to see the doctor we go.

Card Making Art

IMG_2614, originally uploaded by pippa67.

I like this creation someone made and posted on flickr.com. I need to settle down more and experiment with making cards. There are still tons of people I know that don't use a computer to communicate. Also, there are some of the same that I don't talk to on the phone much as they are out and about and busy and don't believe in cell phones.

Getting something special in the mail is also fun! So I think I am convincing myself to get busy here . . . a card to Linda . . . a card to Charles and Judi . . . a card to my special friend "Mama Mary".. this list is growing as I type.

Hope you take time to send a special note out to those you love and hold dear. Don't let more time slip away and wish you had . . . I have been experienceing that since last October when a dear sweet friend of mine (and penpal for years) passed away unexpectedly . . . I think of and miss you almost daily Sara Jo.

Hummingbird Sachet

Recently I commented on a blog I follow about an article titled "Get Excited, Make Something". Since I was one of the first 5 to respond, I received this beautiful hand-made hummingbird sachet made by Tommye, the author of .

It is very sweet and I have it on my craft table to admire. It is too cute to place in a drawer.



Thanks Tommye -- I have a smile on my face right now!