September 14, 2011

An Introduction




May I introduce you to our local cardinal- Mr. Buford T. Justice.  He and his wife spend their days (and sometimes their evenings) flinging themselves into our kitchen window.   If it's not the kitchen window, they are making asses of themselves outside my office window.

This goes on for hours.  Once in awhile it becomes so annoying that we'll go outside and shoo them away, but they always return.  They don't travel far...they fly over to our neighbor's house and make a nuisance of themselves there for a bit.


This Kool Kat goes by the name of Mista Butter.  He runs the show next door, when he's not on our porch taking names and kickin' butt.  Yeah, that's right.  He's Head Of Security in the culdesac.





I'm not sure how Buford T. and his thinking impaired wife have managed to stay off of Mista Butter's dinner plate, but somehow they have.  I can only guess that Mista B. has a very particular palate and only dines on birds of a certain distinction.  It is well known in these parts that Buford and his wife are a pair of complete dimwits.







When they first arrived on our window ledge, we found them charming and entertaining.  Thus, we named them Harry and Hermione.  Our youngest son was very ill and we spent our days reading about Harry Potter and his friends.  So naturally, H and H they became.

It wasn't long before we began to notice that these two were all beauty and no brains.  As we all know, Harry and Hermione are no slouches in the IQ department.  And as we had recently watched the old Smokey and The Bandit movie, H and H became Buford T. and his wife.  Do you know the movie?  Jackie Gleason in all his glory as the idiot sheriff.  Oh, how the boys laugh.  Buford's wife shall remain nameless as a safety precaution.  It's possible that we...um...may have named her after someone we know.  ;  )







Hmmmm....you think Mista B may have gotten a taste of the dingbats?  Gag!  They weren't so tasty, I'd guess.  Not at all to his liking.

Never fear...they were outside my office window slamming their fool selves into a complete stupor just yesterday.

And the Mista was just coughing.   Hey, maybe he's allergic to me, too?  That's ok.  We love each other anyway.

Normalcy.

Priceless.  :  )




(All photos of Buford T. and his Missus were taken thru the window.  The photo above is full of reflections from inside, but I think it's weirdly beautiful.)




September 12, 2011

Waiting










Wait for rain.  Wait for the temps to drop below 100.  Wait for the fires to be extinguished.

Wait to go home.  Wait to see if you have a home.  Wait to see if your animals are alive.

Wait to find a place to rest your head.  Wait to wash the dust and soot from your eyes.

Wait to feed your children.  Wait for help.  Wait to return to ashes and ruins.

Wait for the tears to fall.  Wait for them to stop.  Wait to breathe.

My family who lost so much in the fires in Cedar Creek remain strong in their faith and show a fortitude that is remarkable.   In the simplest terms- they have grit and guts and God.

As they begin once more, their gratitude is without measure.  With the help they received from family, friends and strangers they made it out safely.  They were wrapped up in the comforting arms of family and have now been able to return home to the land they love and the home they made together.  After days of battling the flames, smoke and heat- they are safe.  The horses are safe.   They are heroes walking among heroes...a community that will never be the same.  I wish I could send them green grass and blooming trees- a clear blue sky with a brilliant rainbow after a week of pouring rain. 

I chose these photos today because I am so weary of looking at the terrible images of fire, death and destruction.  It's not my intention to diminish the tragedy, I only hope to remind us that there is hope in a new day.

The fires still burn.   Here, there...everywhere.  So we wait.

We wait for answers.  We wait for rain.  We wait to begin again...each in our own way.

"May every sunrise hold more promise and every sunset hold more peace."








September 2, 2011

Fun in the fabric store



Do you love the fabric store as much as I do?  On my last trip, I found these gorgeous embroidered fabrics and some really beautiful trim.

I love the poofy fringe...reminds me of one of those crazy creamy colored chickens!






This braided one will be a great addition to a pillow or lampshade...maybe a duvet.




These green embroidered leaves make me smile.  This will make perfect pillows that will work year round.  It's linen and would make a gorgeous curtain for my back door, as well.  So many ideas, too little time.




This fabric had mind control over me the minute I walked in.  Ladies, please clear the way!  It's mine.




Soft turquoise linen with beige crewel work.  Yummy.  Yes, I said yummy.






Front or back?  I love both sides equally.







Pleats...madly in love with this.  I just started experimenting with one of those pleating tools.  I'm getting the hang of it, but this saved me loads of time and money- since I probably would have ruined it.  Usually at the very, very end of a project that I'm crazy for- the Screw Up Fairy pays me a visit.  I've been trying to swat that little irritant down, but she keeps getting away. 




Can't wait to get to work with these...just as soon as I finish up the twenty other  projects I'm working on. 

Does it ever end?

We all know the answer is a resounding NO!  It's loads of work and we pay for it with aching backs and sore fingers, but for those who love to create- the satisfaction is enough.

And, a job well done is chocolate for the soul. 

Not chicken soup, chocolate.  :  )



Have a great weekend!

Til next time,

T.