Frightening Fashion Fridays: Pink on Pink
I am standing here with my younger sister L and her beau (now husband) B at the wedding of a family friend quite a few years ago. Thank goodness there was no chance of my outshining the bride on her special day.
Policy
Our house is in need of repainting, so H and I stopped by the paint store to pick up color chips. We were greeted by this sign over the checkout counter.
Dormant Beauty
Gardens often tend to look drab and uninspiring this time of year… at least, that’s what I used to think. A few years back I discovered a book called Seedheads in the Garden that really changed my perspective of the fall/winter landscape.
The book explores the beauty of a plant after its prime has passed, leaving only a shell of itself. What remains are shapes and forms that can be quite dramatic, with occasionally fantastic textures. Even the seemingly monochromatic colors vary if you look close enough. Nowadays, when H and I are walking the trails, I stop much more frequently to study what I’ve been missing.
Frightening Fashion Fridays: Living Ornaments
H commented that we look like garden gnomes in a woodland forest. I don’t think he’s too far off. I do, however, really like that little splash of matching color in my shoes.
Thick as Pea Soup
Over the weekend my mother-in-law M showed me how to make another Dutch favorite, Erwtensoep (better known as industrial-strength pea soup, hearty enough to get you through a cold Dutch winter). My job was to take notes, chop vegetables, and stir; hers was to create, and boy did she ever! It was amazing to watch her in action with not a recipe in sight.
She begins with a few pork chops on the bottom, followed by layer upon layer of vegetables until they reach the rim. Add water, sausage, cover, and simmer for several hours. When all is done, it’s not the prettiest soup, but it is out of this world in taste!
Birthday Happenings
We’ve had a weekend of merriment at our home as we celebrated H’s mom’s 92nd birthday. Family members from New Jersey, Arizona, and Holland have been visiting… her home is filled with flowers, cards, and lots of balloons… and we’ve been eating like there’s no tomorrow. It’s been a lovely and heartwarming time.
Frightening Fashion Fridays: Patchwork Pants
My mother was a great seamstress who sewed many of our clothes. I loved looking at patterns with her, selecting just the right fabric for each outfit she was about to create for me. When I chose a patchwork design for these pants I must have been thinking multipurpose, because this fashionable travel outfit also doubled as a down-home Halloween costume.
Frightening Fashion Fridays: Knee Socks
Clearly, white knee socks were my go-to accessory for that extra bit of pizazz. If you can take your eyes off the legwear, you’ll notice the careful color coordination of the matching hair ribbons.
The Allure of the West
Arid… parched… dusty… colorless… uninteresting… this is the desert that I have always held in my mind’s eye. And yet, just look at this gorgeous and captivating landscape.
Each November H and I travel west to Mesa, Arizona to celebrate an early Thanksgiving with his sister and family. Over the years I have surprised myself with how connected I feel towards that area of the country. I have become mesmerized by the subtleties of colors and the multitude of textures just calling to be explored. I’ve discovered another layer of mystery and beauty in that stark environment not evident at first glance, and I find myself daydreaming about it often.
Wood Spirits
This weekend H and I were hiking through one of the local parks and encountered old friends – these trees with their beautifully carved faces. Positioned at each end of the trail, they remind me of guardians keeping their eyes on all who pass through their woods.
Tree Fishing 