Wind storm (and...we still have power)

Following a night of howling winds and lashing rain, we woke up to find a tree across the driveway and another tree down in the backyard. 

While this is obviously not what a homeowner wants to see, we can't help saying how lucky we are that a) nothing hit the house and we are all safe, b) the tree out back missed the new deck, and, c) we have such good great neighbors to help out.

Following a not-even 7a.m. call, Tim was over in a flash with his chainsaw to help clear the driveway. What a guy! Thank you SOOO much.

Ironically enough, this is one half of a double trunk tree that was scheduled to come down a week from today. The tree people will still have the other portion to cut down and this to clean up, but you can see that nature felled this with the least amount of damage. As you can also see, it even missed the raised garden bed (ignore the rain drops on the lens and Max skulking around). No telling if the tree folks will still make it here as scheduled because surely now there are likely to be folks in more desperate need.

Stocking up

This Saturday was a hunting and gathering day of the best kind. First it was up the coast to take advantage of the "late risers" sale at Alewives with a stop at Rock Paper Scissors on the way. Two of my favorite shops anywhere so it was a great way to start the weekend. Then later, in the afternoon, headed to Portland for a stop at Artists and Craftsman then the new Trader Joe's before dinner at the new noodle bar, Pai Men Miyaki. Yeah, it was a good day although the crowds at TJ's were CRAZY!

Paper (no rocks or scissors)

Corner of Alewives (where I cowered for a moment or two in a state of confusion).

So after recovering from the state of confusion, 

this is what I ended up with. Don't know 

why but I was drawn to greens and melony shades of orange.

Have some ideas where this may lead but nothing concrete yet. 

Currently being inspired by Elizabeth Harman's new book:

Practical Guide to Patchwork

Part of the grand plan for some handmade holiday gifts

via Artists and Craftsmen. 

And finally, 

a yummy dinner.

Election day

ote.

Altar books and the nature of letters

Yesterday was the third time I've taken a class with Sarah Shepley at Joy's studio and each class has been a unique experience. We do the same basic format but the variations are endless and the mix of people in the class is always interesting so it never feels redundant.  Every time I do this, I think how I need to do more of these on my own time at home and this time is no different but I mean it! 


Joy's space is peaceful and inspiring (just like it's owner) and such a special place filled with light, views of the trees, abundant species of birds at the feeders on the deck and, best of all, more art doodads than one could ever make use of in one day - or one week for that matter. 
This was the first time I had a vision of what I wanted to accomplish in one of these classes. 


Last weekend, while cleaning out the basement,  I came upon a stash of letters from Cathy, my best friend from med school and one of my dearest friends ever, most of them written in the summer between our freshman and sophomore years. She and I have just reconnected after a few years so it was all the more significant to find these now. They are an eloquent record of the intensity of that first year of school as well as the significance of our friendship. They pack quite an emotional impact for me. 


Letters. Epistles. Missives. Records of points in time. So marvelous now, in this age of ephemeral communication, to possess. We sent these pieces of our emotions off to the recipient and, for the most part, didn't expect to see them again. Just luck if they happened to survive moves, mold, moods.


These particular letters survived and I am so grateful. I made reduced copies of the originals and cut them up along with copies of illustrations from an anatomy text to make this book to send off to my old friend in hopes 

Sarah demonstrating

My work station

Right outside the window.

Finished :: outside

Finished :: inside

My Own Private Idaho

Forgot my thermos today which gave me a great excuse to leave the office for 15 minutes to get a cuppa joe and cruise around in the beautiful weather. Just the mini break I needed to clear my head. Hipstamatic gave the experience an artistic spin.

Later that same day...