Sewing again!

Newest sewing project completed: a tote bag, made for my cousin. She supplied me with this fab fabric -- it's irridescent, sputnik-y, and altogether cool. Inside is royal purple.





We went on a 'photo shoot' together at the Evanston Art Center. Oh, what a beautiful old building. I need to go back and explore and photograph some more.

Wouldn't you love to have a greenhouse like this? Details are amazing -- the carved orb begs to be touched.

And next door is the Grosse Pointe lighthouse. A stately old beauty on the shores of Lake Michigan. I love this place.

Thrifty Seibel Plates -- Back to the 70s

These are 'Trellis' plates, designed for Mikasa 'Duplex' by Ben Seibel, recently thrifted. The line was in production from 1974-75, my first two years in Chicago. The gold and green colors are so 70s, I think -- earth-tone colors.

And maybe that's why I strangely love these dishes -- not my usual colors or style, but the graphic quality and colors of the flowers remind me so much of the mid-70s, my first years of solo independence and self-expression. Trippin' on plates.

Summer garden and Introducing Mr. Hopper

Mr. G. Hopper visited the garden today. He might be looking for Mr. Toad.

The garden will soon reach its summer glory. Coneflower are in full bloom, as are the verbena bodnariensis. Blue salvia, coral nymph and white salvia, white alyssum, hot pink impatiens . . . all are contributing to the symphony of color.

Both white and yellow buddleia are about to open; bee balm and dark phlox are already blooming, and the white phlox should be fully out by the week's end. My garden is not full sun, so many of the perennials are a bit slower to open fully.

And the monarchs have finally arrived. My husband says they are practicing for the Oshkosh air show -- they seem to be doing acrobatic tricks in the air as the dip in and around the gardens.




Not another toad -- this is a frog vase, holding a wonderful 'Annabelle' hydrangea bloom.

Summer colors to store away and remember when we are in winter's gray and white.

Another Toad in the Garden!

Just a couple of days after I last saw Mr. Toad in the garden, I spotted this little guy.

At a garage sale.

So he came home with me.




Welcome to the garden, Sir Toad.

(More garage sale finds to be posted soon.)

Toad and Me

How long has it been since my last post? I'm like the toad in the garden . . . making a sudden reappearance.

Spring has gone, we're half-way through summer. And I'm still working away in the gardens and yards of clients.




And this toad is now showing up every couple of days in my garden. Always somewhere near this very large hosta. He must be very busy, catching flies or mosquitos or whatever toads catch.




And then he takes a break and shows up to greet me. Suddenly.

So here I am -- showing up again on my own blog. I've been out there visiting all your blogs since spring and into the summer. Seeing so much wonderfulness, having a great time. Sometimes commenting, even. But not finding the time or energy to post myself.

I've resolved to do several posts each month from here on out.

And here's one of my thrifty finds: little plastic chairs -- actually for a rather large doll house, I presume, as each is 5 1/2" tall. Aren't they vintage modern, N?



I'll be back soon! Ribbit!

My favorite things: Rhubarb and tulips

Tulip 'Monte Carlo' -- double early tulip -- fragrant and wonderful.

Rhubarb crisp for breakfast. (Recipe from Martha Stewart website.)

These are but two of my favorite things!

Serviceberry and other spring wonders

In our side yard, we have this serviceberry tree (Amelanchier grandiflora).




It's so lovely -- covered now with little white flowers along the gray stems.




The berries will follow -- looking like tiny blueberries. If the robins didn't eat them all first, I could make serviceberry jam:

Serviceberry Jam
10 cups ripe serviceberries
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup sugar per cup of pulp
6 oz liquid pectin

Wash and stem the berries. Place into a saucepan and crush. Add the water and cook over medium heat for 5 to 6 minutes. Measure how much pulp you have to determine the amount of sugar you'll need. Add sugar and return to pan. Place over low heat and cook for a few minutes more or until the sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil and add pectin, then hold boil for 1 full minute. Remove from heat, skim foam, and pour into hot, sterile jelly jars and seal.

from Klehm Plants newsletter




Checkered lily (Fritillaria meleagris)




Birch catkins in the rain



Blue and white scilla . . .


snuggled against the birch's roots.

And some spring thrifted treasures -- little bone china cups, sans saucers, become storage for little white buttons.




I'm inspired!