Tiny Tuesday!


Eva, weighing in at under six pounds, looks so big compared to Delta in the distance, who weighs twenty pounds. Perspective…

However, this week’s theme is craftiness, not dogs. I watched something on Netflix that I won’t disclose; the very name connected to it is triggering to some people. I found it relaxing, and it made me think of this past weekend, when we gathered at Houndstooth Hall to belatedly celebrate Lindsey’s and Debby’s birthdays. For Lindsey, I usually bake a yellow cake with chocolate frosting. Debby’s favorite is coconut, so she usually gets yellow cake, white frosting, and coconut. I decided this year to bake cupcakes and put out Duncan Hines Creamy Milk Chocolate and Duncan Hines Dolly Parton Creamy Buttercream Frostings, along with a bowl of shredded coconut and spreaders so everyone could choose and use their own frosting choices. When Lindsey saw that was my plan, she said, “AND SPRINKLES?” To which I said, “Yes! I have lots of sprinkles.”


It went so well that I think this may repeat for future birthday gatherings. I also keep a large assortment of cake candles in that cabinet, so we’re covered.

Back to my Netflix viewing: One focus was on ways to make a guest/friend/visitor/relative comfortable in your home. That made me think of one of my characters who lives in France, for whom a guest’s comfort has always been important. I flipped through my French Countryside Coloring Book because I remembered something specific about it.


Here’s the page I liked. On the property in the Neverending Saga, there are no vineyards, but there is an olive grove. I imagined Madame arranging a table outside on a pleasant afternoon, setting out breads, wines, cheeses, and fruits for friends. But today is TINY Tuesday, and that’s a big coloring page.

Fortunately, this book provides an option. Mini versions of all the coloring pages.

Voila! A scene I colored that measures less than three by four inches.

Whether you call it Tiny Tuesday, Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras, Shrove Tuesday, or Shrovetide, I hope you find your place of comfort and celebration.

Sunday Sundries

The planets aligned last week (literally!). These are some of the things that happened as a result.

I went on a mending spree.

Repaired the decorative top of this soapstone box I featured last Sunday.


This ornament was already damaged when I bought it last December, but the parts were there and just needed to be glued. However, it was so fragile that even though I was able to attach the broken piece, in doing so, part of the front disintegrated in my hands and wasn’t fixable. Solution: glue a couple of gold, flowery sequins in place on the bottom right. Tom said I made a country music guitar fancy.

The first photo I posted in 2024 (i.e., last year) was of this Christmas ornament, which has always been special to me.

When I removed all the ornaments from the tree a few days after posting that photo, it was the only one I dropped. Not only was it broken in several places, so was my heart. I couldn’t throw it away. I had an idea for it and bought what I needed, but somehow it sat waiting over a year for repair and a new way to shine. Finally, last week, I put it all together.


Repaired with glue as best it could be and hanging in its own shadow box, surrounded by glistening snowflakes. Not lost; only changed; still loved.

For several years, I’ve had fifteen wooden, unpainted cigar boxes that once had a purpose they no longer served. I always wondered if I’d eventually do something crafty with them.


Yep. Paint and an old piece of my jewelry repurposed a wooden cigar box into a fairy box filled with goodies for Debby in a late celebration of her February birthday.

 

 

Paint and embellishments (including a star, the one remaining earring of a pair) repurposed a wooden cigar box into a steampunk box filled with goodies for Lindsey in a late celebration of her January birthday.

More craftiness will be shared in the coming days.

Photo Friday, No. 949, part 2

Current Photo Friday theme: Lopsided.


The metal horned lizard in Aaron’s Garden also fits this week’s theme. I spotted him at Buchanan’s Nursery in April of 2023 and hesitated about getting him until I realized he was missing a foot. After working in animal rescue, I know “tripods” make some of the best companions and teach us about stoicism, adaptability, and the refusal to let joy be taken because something’s missing. Years ago, after a drought, I put this old dog bowl in the garden so the lizards would have a place to take a bath and drink water. I don’t keep this guy in the water all the time as pictured here–he’d rust–but as we’re starting to see lizards now that the weather’s warmer, he’s nearby as a lopsided guide to refreshment.

Mindful Monday

Today is for beginnings. I have a couple of art projects I began that will become gifts.

We seem to be moving into a more moderate weather period, which means I started long overdue work on Aaron’s Garden–pruning, plant replacement (required a shopping trip), cleanup, and a few salvaged items from backyard decorations will find a new home there.


Last spring I found these rocks under leaves when I cleaned the carport. I meant to add them to the garden, but they’ve been sitting on this windowsill ever since. They’ve now been moved one step closer. =)

Succulents waiting inside for new pots, fresh soil, and the succulent food I give them.


Need to get all these leaves from the front porch and the garden bed into eco-accepted bags and on the curb.


With all the leaves, twigs, and other debris removed, tomorrow is the day I’ll get everything out, watered, and gardenish again. It was great to be outside a lot today–and also to walk through our local garden center, which was hit pretty hard by recent winter weather, but they’re restocking.

It’s clear enough to see our planetary neighbors and constellations in the night sky. Amazing!

I ran out of time today to revisit an old manuscript. I don’t have the original draft, but I’ve found some other false starts that may get my imagination taking on yesterday’s dragon. Tomorrow!