I'm Still In New England, Right?

It IS January, isn't it? I'm still in New England, right? It's 57° out here in the middle of nowhere (we live in a neighborhood where most of the neighbors could be considered edible... You can relax though, because we are NOT cannibals.  You may trust me when I say homo sapiens are very safe at our dinner table... Well, ok... homo sapiens are at least safe from being the literal 'roast' of honor.  Most of our neighbors happen to be wild turkeys, wild rabbits, pheasant, deer, moose, bear... although I unequivocally DO draw the line on eating the squirrels... one must have standards...) and it's raining like Noah is coming to visit. Silver lining?  It's a great day to kick back and while listening to the rain, have a cup of hot tea, eat cookies and read, write, sew, quilt, or watch a movie. Or go out to sing in the rain and come in with pneumonia. Ah, choices, choices... :)

QOTD: "Millions long for immortality who do not know what to do with themselves on a rainy Sunday afternoon." ~ Susan Ertz

Lost: A Little Grey Matter

https://twitter.com/ritgraymatter logo

   Lost: My brain has gone missing sometime this morning. I remember having it when I woke up but it has since gone a wandering.

   It's medium sized, wrinkled and colored with more than a little bit of grey matter.

   It answers to the names Mom, wife, Lemon Stand and very occasionally 'hey you'.

   It has a great deal of compassion (when warranted), wit and snark (when pressed).

   It does tend to wander and wonder with a little more frequency than it used to but is at peace with this.

   It has, in the past, gravitated to humorous situations, chocolate, books and occasionally fabric stores (whenever it thinks it can get away with it) and has a fine tuned sense of the absurd.

  If anyone should find it, please tell it that it is missed and is wanted desperately at home.

QOTD: "Never trust anything that can think for itself if you can't tell where it keeps it's brain." Arthur Weasley, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets ~ J. K. Rolling

"Tidepools"

   As so many people before me, I have fallen in love with the work of Sayuri Sasaki Hemann, a textile artist. It started with pictures of her seascape of stitched and embroidered felted barnacles, organza anemones, organza and lace jellyfish, gauze seaweed and coral.
   I didn't know until I visited her website and looked at the video of  "Urban Aquarium" that this display of aquatic life actually gently moves as if in a current, making it look even more of a realistic dreamscape. 
   I have always loved the mesmerizing, soothing effect of aquariums. Especially salt water ones.  There's just something about how the light encounters vibrant color and movement that has always drawn me. Here Sayuri captures this magical world of indulged senses and the peacefulness it evokes causing one to become indolent just to feast the eyes. I have seriously thought of trying to recreate this perfection in my living room but alas know such talent cannot be duplicated by my hands.


 

  Time to stop and smell the roses.

QOTD: "Though the artist must remain master of his craft, the surface, at times raised to the highest pitch of loveliness, should transmit to the beholder the sensation which possessed the artist." ~ Alfred Sisley (1839-1899) - en plein air artist

Vacation Is Over

Since I am determined to make a dent in the cleaning to-do list, I'm dragging out energy fortification... The Party Pack for a cleaning party of one so I don't have to share. (One must always look for the silver lining. :)

QOTD: (A list today)

- 9 out of 10 people like chocolate, the 10th person lies
- Chocolate is the answer, who cares what the question is
- Never under-estimate the power of chocolate
- Chocolate doesn't ask silly questions, chocolate understands

Lemonade Made Daily...

It is my belief that every day is an opportunity for a new beginning but I think the vast majority of people believe it only comes at the beginning of a new year. Still, I always have felt the most important things in life are family, health, friends and humor. Other things that bring joy and color to my world are sewing, quilting, writing, art and music.

Do you know what is important to you and what brings joy and color to your life? Knowing seems to always be the first step.

I need the outlet of writing and creating so will be keeping my blog online for when I can find time but anyone wanting daily lemonade, humor or inspiration can find me on Twitter @lemon_stand

QOTD: A new year is like a 365 page book that you are adding to your library, today you get to start writing the first page, make it worth the read. ~ unknown

"Every time we start thinking we're the center of the universe, the universe turns around and says with a slightly distracted air, 'I'm sorry, what'd you say your name was again?'" ~ Margaret Maron

"When they discover the center of the universe, a lot of people will be disappointed that they are not it." ~ Bernard Bailey