A Blondie Day

A List

 

 

 

 

 

(warning - the following list is written by a completely enamored

brand new chick mama)

 

1.  They already recognize my voice and chatter and run about excitedly when they hear me.

 

2.  They remind me of my girlfriends and myself the rare times we get to go out to dinner, chat and catch up on everything.

 

 

3.  The adorable way they stretch - leg pulled back and wing stretched out.

 

4.  Their "big chicken" mannerisms.

 

5.  They remind me of all the women in my family.

 

 

6.  Whatever I feed them from my hand always seems to taste better to them then what's in their feeder.

 

7.  How they try to fly up and roost on my arm.

 

8.  How my little Australorp, Elizabeth Rose (a/k/a Rosie) seems to have taken on the roll of Mother Hen, even at this early age. 

 

 

9.  How their little butts wiggle when they poop.

 

10.  How every single time I look at them, something else has changed... little feathers have sprouted, parts on their head have formed for wee baby combs to grow... they get bigger, taller and can fly higher.

 

11.  How happy I am that they're mine!

 

 

xoxoxox

 

 

 

Little Pieces of Happy

 

It is the sweet, simple things of life which are

the real ones after all.

Laura Ingalls Wilder

 

It is true, isn't it? I think most of us have heard this quote before, but it always strikes deep in me, and I keep those words in my pocket and take them out from time to time, look them over and re-examine them. 

Lots of pieces of happy have found me lately.

 

In my little garden that is healthy

and seems to reflect my general state of mind these days.

 

(Never mind that I'm going to have homemade pickles coming

out of my ears soon....

I'm thrilled.)

 

In a rustic bench we set up by the pond,

made from an old freeway tie and cement blocks.

 

In some new pretty flowers soon to be planted.

 

 

In silver sandals and silver toes.

 

 

 

In a quiet night to myself when JW is away on business,

the cats are snoozing

and My Girl is tucked in bed sweetly in dreamworld.

I am left to my own uninterrupted wide-awake dreams late at night

while the darkness wraps around my skin like a blanket.

The glow from the candle is golden and warm

and all about me are scattered my

favorite things... and a cup of tea.

 

 

Happy is in my new baby chicks.

 

And I am already completely in Love!

 

 

  

Happy is in moments of being creative.

 

And it's in finding the key to your heart.

 

Happy just is.

 

We are as happy as we make up our minds to be.
- Abraham Lincoln

 

Find your happy.

 

xoxoxox  

 

Salad in the Garden

I made the yummiest salad that I've had in a long time, and thought I would share the recipe.  It was originally published in The Farmer's Wife Magazine, July 1936.

 

 

1 qt. cold, cooked cubed potatoes (I used red potatoes)

1 tbsp. vinegar

1 tsp. salt

dash pepper and cayenne

1/4 tsp. paprika

2 tbsp. oil (I used olive oil)

1 or 2 cups chopped celery, shredded lettuce, cucumber, sliced radishes (or any other veggies you love!)

2 tbsp. chopped onion (I used red onions - I just like 'em)

4 hard-cooked eggs cut in eighths

1/2 cup chopped sweet pickle

2 cups salad dressing (this was a bit vague, so I think you should use whatever strikes your fancy… I used low fat mayo with a few tablespoons of sour cream for a little tang)

 

Marinate cubed potatoes in vinegar, seasonings, and oil about 1 hour.  Add the other ingredients.  Blend with dressing.  Salad is improved by standing, except for lettuce, which should not be added till just before serving.

 

This was so delish and refreshing, that I could definitely see myself serving this at a BBQ or bringing to a friend's house.

It's also nice to fix yourself some on a pretty little vintage plate, pour a nice glass of wine, homemade lemonade, sweet tea… or whatever pleases you.  Go sit outside in your garden, and enjoy!

 

One thing I enjoy more and more sometimes these days is a little bit of solitude. Especially out back in my yard where my garden is and my little pond is alive with fishies, turtles, frogs and dragonflies.

 

 

Just wait until my chickies are living back there.  I'll never want to leave!

 

 

Countdown to Operation Chicken: 4 days

 

xoxoxo

 

 

 

 

Soon

 

Can you tell I'm excited?

 

xoxoxox

Isabel Magnolia Sundance

Yes.. Isabel Magnolia Sundance!

 

 

 

That would be a combination of my current Absolute Favorite Way of Dressing.

 

First: Isabel Green (Maggie Gyllenhaal) in Nanny McPhee Returns.  The movie was just OK for me, but oh - the house and farm and Isabel's clothing enchanted me from the start.  About 30 seconds into the movie, I thought to myself - OK, I must buy this on DVD so I can obsessively watch this and pause it so I can look at the house and clothing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Second:  An amazing clothing line called Magnolia Pearl.  White, and lacy Victorian Farm Girl Loveliness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And Third is the Sundance Catalog.  I love everything in this catalog.  Everything. The clothing, the jewelry and the shoes. Everything.

When I am Very, Very Good, I treat myself to something from here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please share some of your favorite clothing inspirations,

styles or designers.

 

Happy Day!

 

xoxoxox

P.S.  I'm not sure why, but none of my pictures will center today!

Typepad must be feeling grumpy.

If It's June...

 

…there must be roses!

My rose bush blooms every June, in luscious deep red bouquets.  Since my Mom's birthday was in June, I like to think they bloom for her.

 

 

 

 

I love how nature grows them in ready made perfectly arranged bouquets.  Since arranging flowers has never been a strong point of mine, I appreciate that I can just clip these off and pop them in a vase.

 

 

This little vintage kangaroo, with her rose bearing pouch, was purchased with My Girl in mind, as kangaroos are a favorite of hers.

 

End of school is nearing, and with it comes some busy-ness.  That, together with yard and garden work, I have been hopping.  With my current rose inspiration, I did make a few new things for the shop.

 

 

 

The inside of this bag has a little applique of Cinderella and her Prince, from some adorable vintage fabric I've had for quite a while.  I thought it would be a nice little surprise to look inside the bag and spot this.

 

I will be back soon with a tale of a last minute Church Sale I went to, thanks to a phone call from a dear friend who insisted I must get my butt down there as fast as possible and see a particular table overflowing with vintage goodies.

 

Hoping you have a Happy Day!

 

(Countdown to Operation Chicken: 14 days)

 

xoxoxoxox