Life in General (Specifically Mine)

Spring...

2011-04-23T16:19:00.001-04:00

The ♥ in my life ...

2011-01-05T09:49:00.003-05:00

I feed you yogurt in the morn...
and roasted chicken every night.
You are the gentlest soul I've ever known
...my chum, my day's delight.

Apple Pancakes

2010-12-14T12:32:00.000-05:00

2010-11-28T17:21:00.000-05:00

This is the house of Nikki
where moving around can be tricky
a house of cards
chairs in the yards
not room for another do-hickey

2010-11-15T21:48:00.002-05:00

I 'marbled' paper!

2010-09-16T12:09:00.003-04:00

(tilt head to the left ... it was created that way, not this)

The "Stuff Fairy" visits again...

2010-09-16T11:59:00.002-04:00

(there is much here to use in artwork...a blessed bundle, indeed!)

all ALL of this was FREE
(just lean your head to the left...you'll see;-)

My Chum ...

2010-09-16T11:55:00.003-04:00

...couldn't have bumped into a more perfect garage S A L E !

2010-09-10T15:58:00.002-04:00

The Be All ... End All

2010-09-07T09:51:00.003-04:00

The being in my life I say "I love you" to.
Nursing her through an upper respiratory infection for many days now.
No other concerns but her ... she takes top billing always ♥

Paper Parasols

2010-08-23T11:16:00.006-04:00

This month...another year older! Not everyone gets to do that...

2010-08-23T10:37:00.004-04:00

Nice to have a couple of good friends ...that's all it takes and
one as far away as Rome! I am most appreciative of
life in general and all that is
specifically mine.

The 100 Year Old Tea Box

2010-08-23T10:23:00.003-04:00

The H. C. Christy Co. (1904-1911)
616-626 Huron Road. SE
Cleveland, Ohio
Paper labels outside, paper-lined inside
an interesting yard sale find

Stuff ... of many days

2010-08-23T10:13:00.004-04:00

Tiny Shoes to kick up the flavor of a meal

Asian blue/white luncheon plates ... a farmer's journey

Yard sale tin-types

The glory of ... morning

2010-08-08T12:09:00.002-04:00

...thankful

2010-08-07T22:35:00.004-04:00

My slice of Heaven below ...

2010-07-17T10:23:00.002-04:00

My slice of Heaven above ...

2010-07-17T10:21:00.000-04:00

2010-07-17T08:29:00.000-04:00

Through my kitchen window ...

2010-07-17T08:23:00.003-04:00

waiting for his dad (that's right!) to bring more food...

2010-07-14T13:56:00.001-04:00

2010-07-14T13:50:00.002-04:00

a life ... specifically mine

2010-07-02T08:43:00.002-04:00

(digital composition of my childhood
with the someone who really cared about me)

THIS makes me very ... very happy

2010-06-30T19:04:00.000-04:00

luna moth ... rough journey

2010-06-25T11:43:00.002-04:00

Spring/Summer 2010

2010-06-09T09:18:00.004-04:00

A Comment on Comments

2010-05-29T11:05:00.001-04:00

I seem to have a couple of people wanting to post comments here.
Unless I can read them in English, they will not be posted.
They could be spam for all I know... sorry.

Sunday Breakfast

2010-03-28T12:21:00.001-04:00

Hands of Time ...

2010-03-27T10:14:00.000-04:00

can't remember the last time I was so annoyed...

2010-03-11T18:01:00.005-05:00

One day, I shall sit here and write of it all.

The Snow

2010-02-28T09:03:00.002-05:00

the chimes are still...the snow is deep

are the birds snowed in?

The STUFF of Saturday !

2010-02-27T15:52:00.005-05:00

Nikki Soppelsa

2010-02-15T09:39:00.000-05:00

Nikki Soppelsa

not exactly a billet-doux ...

2010-02-14T10:11:00.002-05:00

but so sweet in its own darkly way
of roses so red
of you so dead
of violets & sky so blue.

2010-01-11T10:32:00.004-05:00

Treasures...naturally

I've always picked 'things' up from the outdoors and have made a habit of bumping into at least one little treasure while on a walk or particularly as a memento from a good day with a friend. A few of these were given to me by a friend and one natural object represents a lunch with someone I hadn't seen for 42 years.

The box itself is a 'found' treasure. Awakening one Sunday morning to see a big wooden crate discarded across the street, I couldn't get dressed quickly enough! It was filled with more wooden boxes of varying sizes, shapes...all quite old and wonderful. These were the last remnants of George Shane who passed away more than 30 years ago...I never met him but knew of his love for wood, re-using/re-fashioning cigar boxes, discarded wood into something functioning. This particular box was also a treasure to a mouse...perhaps home once and the segment right above the acorn 'hats' has been nicely chewed into a crescent.

The twig was my last 'find'. Over the season helping a friend to pack and she sending me off with many many wonderful old things from her life, I saw the branch in her driveway and exclaimed "perfect!" She laughed because I'm always gathering, saving. It was the last memento/texture/shape I needed for this little box which was a work in progress. I was right!

I had to give thought on how to have it all remain intact without gluing and so...the wire. Contrast to all that is natural, but also very fine and delicate in its way and my way of working with it. ...a tiny tag to commemorate, remember ... I am so fond of this.

Season's Greetings

2010-01-11T10:09:00.004-05:00

Season's Greetings

This the card I made for a very few people this season...six to be exact not including the few I kept for myself. Four of those six people received a little hand decorated sack of meaningful gifts which I thoroughly enjoyed gathering, putting together decorating. In turn, I received little treasures too which are as specific to me as what I gifted to them.

One gift a gift of a friend's art. She told me it has been some time since she gave her art away, that she's happy we are friends and thinks I am good for her. That is a gift in itself! ...and I feel quite the same about her.

This holiday season has been the best I've had thus far in my lifetime. Off work for a little more than a week, comfortable with little Mil, no demands!, rest, art, food...freedom, peace & quiet and ...peace.
...the meaning of the season finally coming to fruition and shared with just a few people who may have had a more hectic time than I (I don't have hectic ever anymore :-), but all feeling quite the same about the spirit, the holiday, the season.

...my most content and contented holiday.

Word of the Day....eldritch

2009-09-23T09:06:00.003-04:00

...Strange; unearthly; weird; eerie.

On occasion I find myself wanting to leave the house because of an errand or two and because there is not rush, no time-clock, I dilly dally...until I finally stop myself 'playing', ready myself and head on my way.

Frequently, at the precise moment I arrive at wherever, so does someone I haven't seen in sometime and/or someone I really enjoy seeing. The very second it happens, I am mystified.
Had I been on my way earlier, later...or not at all, I would have missed the person entirely!
The conversation is always energized and seems to benefit both people...so what a shame it would be to have missed that.

I do think that a guiding spirit sees to it that we don't. I had such an experience yesterday and immediately thought...it's happening again. Strange, eerie...but not frighteningly so. More of a comfort because I know someone, something is watching over at least one of us...if not both.

Enough to make an always good day...better.

...movie matinee

2009-08-17T22:32:00.002-04:00

It is now so rare that a movie comes out that I care to see.
I am a 'foodie'....hundreds of cookbooks, a collection of books about food/chefs...I love to buy food, cook it, eat it!
So...I saw Julia & Julie.

I liked it, but I think I would have enjoyed it much more had it been a biography of Julia Child's life and her cooking her way through it!

...continuing in my post Bday week, I asked the ticket attendent if the senior discount applied to matinees. She told me they apply the whole day through. Well, then...I told her I'd have a senior ticket and then asked if she'd need proof. "No" she replied and I turned to the 'elderly' woman behind me and rhetorically said..."No ????"
My very first senior discount, still the youngest senior? in line and far from looking senior ... I gave the ticket attendant 'my look' over my glasses (some of us are quite good at that look).

The discount, anticlimactic...the day just as good as always!

August 15, 2009 ... My 60th Birthday

2009-08-17T17:12:00.005-04:00

My Hands

While the LEFT is really in charge, they both have served me well and I am thankful each day to have them both.
The RIGHT is generally accommodating, but specifically uncontrollable.
However, the LEFT and the RIGHT come together in an opposite way to write simultaneously on a blackboard...the left writing BACKWARDS, the right writing FORWARDS.
(Being a leftie has its peculiarities)
They come together to make, to do, to care...and did nicely for this photo.

The Handgrown Flowers in the Handmade Basket
Found on my doorstep w/card from my dear neighbor/fellow gardener.
She claims to have no skills, talents...yet she grew the flowers
& made the basket !

Wise Women, The Button Collector Faery & The Bacon Chocolate Bar
Gifts from my longtime employee, Rose who seems to know me quite well.
The beautiful book inspired the photo of my hands.
Being a button collector, the faery appeared when Rose was on the prowl for my gift.
The bacon chocolate bar is...gone :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I'd like to start a few days before my birthday even though I make it a point these days to celebrate all year long.
My recent affiliation with FaceBook has brought me in contact with several people I know from high school. And this lot managed to narrow itself a bit until I found that three others and myself had arranged a lunch (in my BDay week). Almost the night before, I begged off and almost the night before, I reconsidered. I'm glad I did! Haven't seen these girls in 42 years! ... amazed how our lives have developed in that time, how different we are, but kindred as well...I think we were surprisingly comfortable with one another and hope to meet once a month, hereafter!

One day the weekend before was spent with my new friend/neighbor/master gardener/artist
enjoying the Cleveland Museum of Art followed by a three hour drawing class across the street at the Botanical Gardens...a nice lunch, a bit of goofing around before home.

I've taken a couple of days off giving me a stretch of time to just BE...enjoying the garden, my home, my chum, books, my art... One person said to me in a monotone voice..."at least we made it another year". Well, yes of course, but let's be a bit more joyous than that! The number isn't a sign of being old, it is an achievement! I have assessed and have concluded that I am proud of who I grew up to be

... even though that growing wasn't a possibility until I was free.

Thrift stop...

2009-08-01T21:46:00.003-04:00

the ABC&D... of smalls

The Red Geranium sale....07.31.09

2009-08-01T09:19:00.003-04:00

...more stuff

Not a great deal of stuff considering how much stuff they have in their shop! ...but I was there only a few weeks ago (when I bought all those birdcages).

The kimonos were spotted within minutes of getting there and a fabulous brilliant red one would have come home too if I were half the size I am (or it was twice the size). I stayed in the shop for hours enjoying the time and opportunity to really comb through the merchandise...this is what caught my eye. The wooden bowl caught my eye last trip and I'd already paid for everything else when I decided to get it too...afterall the BIG sale comes but once a year!

Photos of the Day...

2009-07-21T12:56:00.012-04:00

Smile...!

Hummingbird Moth
taken today 07.21.09
aka Hemaris thysbe - Hummingbird Clearwing
(thank you BugGuide.net)

Here's the HIGHLIGHT of my every day...

2009-07-12T16:13:00.002-04:00

The Be All, End All
My Chum

Flea Market /Resale Shop Finds...find a new home...highlights of the day

2009-07-11T19:57:00.008-04:00

This is THE MOST fabulous little lamp!
Itz retro, itz AQUA!
(had to have it & if you understand, you can be a friend)

Photo sans 2 wire bird cages & wooden type
(must remember to not back out over birdcages in garage)

Quite a day & rain did NOT impede treasure collecting! Small Asian figures, old calipers, child's cat plate, linens, old wooden hangers from a New York hotel (a Bing Bing hotel)...

3 birdcages (found one yesterday w/stand at a garage sale...also a 3 ft. mermaid...had to have it!) , old handmade wooden napkin holder, the smallest pair of Mexican feather birds w/May Co. labels, a huge tray of wooden type (oh what a find!) and the lamp...if I take a photo of anything it will be this lamp...funky, retro with an aqua plastic shade, glass base. Itz the bees knees!

A good day concluded with market stops (marinated eggplant slices, melons, Portuguese bread...) and a little Italian meal with the Canon Fairy.

(if something doesn't make sense itz because the pics were added the next day)

Perfect Summer Days...

2009-07-08T18:25:00.002-04:00

I had just spoken to a fellow gardener/nature lover of not seeing any hummingbirds thus far, this year. Just standing near the sink, the sound of the house wren made me turn to look out and there it was...hovering over the hanging impatiens. And THEN...zoooooom! Joined by another! NEVER ever ever in my almost 60 yrs. have I seen a pair of hummingbirds! In the last few years, I have seen a hummingbird at rest and I swear I stopped breathing both times.

Hummingbirds were followed by a pair of black-capped chickadees at the small bird bath...their mee mee meep sound unmistakable. Cat bird (there has been a pair here since Spring) arrived thereafter and the yard is a sanctuary with bunnies and birds.

I caught a good close look at the adorable house wren when I heard an unfamiliar bird sound...a constant clucking communication between two birds...almost a sound of agitation and there it was. Yes, reddish, a little speckled, a little striped and with quite a vocabulary. They also have THE most beautiful and lengthy song for such a tiny bird. I am honored to have them nesting in a gourd hanging in my ancient dwarf pear tree.

These last two days have been THE MOST purrrrfect of summer days and I made sure to pry myself away from art to sit in the summer sun reading, languishing, listening...

...life is good !

ANOTHER City Wide Sale...

2009-06-29T12:16:00.009-04:00

06.27.09

My first time at this sale & I was fearful of all I might be confronted with. Turned out just fine!
Not showing is the 1930's one-armed bisque baby & verdi gris cat windchime (which I was THRILLED to find for a mere $1 !).

This was also the Canon Fairy's B.Day, how she wanted to spend it. We made an entire day of it concluding with pizza & wine watching The Age of Innocence. Lovely day!

WHAT'Z in the B.Day BOX...

2009-06-27T08:30:00.005-04:00

WHAT'Z on the Outside of the B.Day BOX

Mid May & MORE STUFF...

2009-05-17T08:58:00.006-04:00

ANNUAL CITY SALE

Not necessarily a 'haul' and not quite as inexpensive as the 'rummage' sale, but definitely quite specific to all that I collect, is of interest and/or will become part of my art. I 'gather' now with a different focus, but WITH focus...oh it is possible to buy with gay abandon and find yourself with 'regrets' just as it is possible to pass up something and regret THAT later. So...

if it has appeal (I do have specific collections & a variety of interests), has purpose (someday) and most importantly, has a price that is a given, I buy it. There are always ways to free yourself of occasional mistakes...my preference is to donate items to another sale. And this is what I did last week...a car/trunkful to our local Animal Rescue Fund's sale. I even donated some items from my cat collection & was happy to see my donations missing from the high school cafeteria tables...where the sale was held.
Did I come away with stuff? You bet! I didn't photo it here because I bought primarily vintage picture frames including a very large gilt frame I helped my neighbor carry from her car! I was amazed to still see it there for the taking. A very interesting stripped Windsor chair which will either become an art project or will be 'planted' in the garden, an interestingly painted silverplate/flatware box w/flatware...this to be used in my windchimes, oh and the only cat item left--a wrought iron piece now on my front stoop.
How much? Well...nothing marked with prices and the animal fund just asking for a donation...amazing! And if you couldn't come up with a number, they would throw one out to you. I had no problem here as this is my soft spot, my charity, happy to give above and beyond my 'pickins'.

There was one other sale since the 'rummage' and this was another town's historical society's fund raiser...higher end than the one in my town and yielded a large pair of Mexican feather birds w/original frames/labels, 2 old house windows for a future art project, a cluster of strange little dolls and who knows what else!

As to the ANNUAL CITY SALE...this takes place primarily in the town's triangle/center of town and wraps itself up, down and around depending on how many folks decide to sell. Weather always threatens with dark clouds, drizzles, bursts of wind, but we all forge on.
A nice accumulation of items...there is a scrapbook there from the 1930s along with other vintage books including the 1950s Advertising awards, a couple of 'shoes', a wooden shoe form that I bought along with what I think are cricket paddles...the patina on these wooden items is their beauty. A stack of old beautifully addressed envelopes/stamps (1939 World's Fair) which include a couple of vintage birth announcements, pair of deco style black cats, a tipsy-stripper figurine ca. 1940s--a gift from a favorite dealer because this risque figure suffered serious cracks/repairs.

When all is unpacked, cleaned up a little...I assess while dispersing and the real treasure reveals itself...this the painting. I was on my way to the car, to unload, free my arms in the drizzle and I spotted it under a table. It's crackled, the gilt frame is worn, but it shines here. It is signed/dated 1950. There is something so pleasing to me in the palette of art done in the 40s and 50s which is enhanced by the primitively done art.
This painting has a couple of old address labels stuck to the back...Los Angeles, California, bearing a different name than the artist. I am not familiar with the West coast, but I'm sure this painting depicts some traveled aspect of the coastline...an architectural 'wonder' to the front.
If someone knows...let me know.

To conclude a lengthy post...town events usually wind up bumping into people you know and maybe even hooking up with a friend which is what I did. She was traveling on foot and we walked a large solid cherry swinging crib (for her two 'boys' _^..^_ ) to my car...(she got it for $5!! from the same people who sold me most of the books, wooden items).
Then to lunch...local pub that had just opened its doors and filled up within moments. Good food, window view watching the shoppers, the rain...and feeling some mighty tired legs when we stood up!

All days are good...and some are even better!

May Day, May Day...

2009-05-01T22:31:00.007-04:00

Happy May Day...!

I was backing out of my driveway this morning headed for work and in my rearview mirror, across the street, I could see a tiny pot of purple/fuschia flowers sitting next to the newspaper on my neighbor Kathy's doorstep. Once out of the drive, I stopped to have a better look. I thought when Kathy comes to get her morning news, she will be so surprised, delighted by this 'gift of gardening' given by ???

When my workday was done and I returned home, car parked...I walked to my front porchette for the mail to find what appeared to be an identical pot of flowers! I was suprised, delighted! The same 'gardening' fairy had made a stop at my home too and I found it a tad funny that these flowers might have been there when I left in the morning.

As you can see, this is no ordinary pot...fashioned with handle, veggie tin and like a tiny paint pot...attached to the wire handle, a small tag wishing "Happy May Day". I was still wondering, pondering because there are a few of us here who are happy in the garden. Eventually and fortunately, I flipped the little tag over to reveal: Margie. Only a few doors away, Margie is a new found friend, fellow artist and Master Gardener.

Margie...You made a good day a better one and the first day of this May, one I won't forget.
Thank you!

...and what becomes of May Day in July

Baked Breaded Bread...

2009-04-07T16:46:00.008-04:00

Fresh from the oven...

Cooling on towels...Tsoureki. Greek Easter bread flavored with mastic. I set this day aside to bake this bread which is part of my personal Easter tradition.

The beauty of the bread is in its preparation--last night, putting out the yeast and sweet butter...this morning, putting out the eggs to come to room temp while I had coffee and tended to my little chum. Measuring cups, flour, spoons...careful stirring and kneading...thought and plotting all along the way.

I also had planned to clean in between 'risings' (there are three) and really found the bread, the cleanup, a bite for breakfast & lunch, general futzing left no time for serious cleaning, and you know, it didn't matter! That was also the beauty of the baking and the day.

The bread devoured almost the entire day, I had the day to give...and I just hope the bread isn't devoured as quickly.

Life is good...don't you forget it!

Small Town Rummaging

2009-04-05T13:07:00.007-04:00

Saturday's Rummage Finds

Everything from the grapevine 'thing' forward is from the day's outing and all for just a little over $10 ! There are also two large picture frames NOT showing here.
Those bottles are great...aqua color with bubbles and all from Cleveland, O. ... largest is a "Schmuck". The ca. 1940-50 Mexican painting/frame looks nicer in my home than it did thrown on a table.

No regrets in this pile of stuff!

Small Town, U.S.A.

2009-04-05T09:51:00.008-04:00

A Small Town Saturday

An unhurried start to the day ...coffee in the quiet of morning is just the best! Rummage sale at the town's Historical Society followed by a quilt show at one of the churches here, concluding with a stop at the local thrift.

Off to the Mediterranean Market for produce (they have those wonderfully crunchy tiny cukes for the best price!), garlic sauce, hummus, pita, tarama...good stuff!

A beautiful day...!

Happy First Day of April

2009-04-01T10:14:00.005-04:00

The Red Elbow Chair...Picasso

Marbles Lost...

2009-03-31T10:12:00.007-04:00

Marbles Lost...and Found

I've been sitting here looking through the images that made up this piece of art. The components as they progressed are as pleasing to my eye individually and together, in this triptych.

I had not been able find the file nor the prints of "Marbles..." for some time. I awoke this a.m. with a 'thought' of where all might be. With coffee in one hand, I set down to my studio area to put my other hand directly upon all that was thought lost.

Isn't it nice to mark the last day of a month with something special...the first too and all in between?

My Fish Fry...

2009-03-14T11:58:00.006-04:00

Fish Fry

I really should have taken a photo of this meal, however, I was so anxious to eat, I couldn't take the time. In lieu of photo is one of my watercolors. Fish! and...
another stop to the butcher for fish...lake perch. I have been craving!

A fishing friend (I don't fish, the friend does), shared a little secret with me...combine pancake mix with the flour. Well, I do that and last night's ratio was more pancake (I use Krusteaz), than flour, season salt, few dashes of Bay, lots of pepper...oil with a pat of butter and fry until really gold and crispy. Garnish with lots of lemon!

Served with 'real' french fries (did you know that one restaurant baking potato is plenty of fries for one person?!) and a salad of pretty greens with just a simple vinaigrette, this is another favorite meal of mine. The flavors combine so nicely...I savored. A meal that will be repeated without doubt.

Look what I found...

2009-03-11T22:36:00.008-04:00

Little Ms. Nikki
found something icky
while doing her weekly chores.

Once a plump spud
now a rotten old dud
that couldn't be sold in the stores.

Soft to the touch
and the 'eyes' a bit much
the Idaho simply had to go.

So out came the tater
but not that much later
she decided to let it grow.

Taste of Spring

2009-03-06T15:30:00.012-05:00

The skies have clouded over now, the predicted rain will most likely arrive soon.
However, earlier today, the sun shone and the temps in the mid 60s--from
heavy winterjacket to sweater in less than 24 hours!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One of my early morning Friday stops is to the local thrift store.
After an exchange of greetings, the morning volunteer said to me,
we dropped the sun down from the clouds just for you.

My "people fix" for the day!

I collect...

2009-03-04T11:13:00.000-05:00

...stuff !

Pork Belly, Jasmine Rice, Baby Bok Choy

2009-03-04T11:03:00.002-05:00

I was anxious to cook this. I've had pork belly before in Asian food--the fat is usually more visible, less cooked. I baked this to eliminate a great deal of the fat and with more five spice (it was cured with five spice). Other than my bok choy which was delicious (stir-fried w/black bean and garlic), but a tad over cooked...I've added a new meal to my dinner roster.

Calendar Page - March 2009

2009-03-01T17:26:00.001-05:00

Modigliani and Picasso's Women, the two calendars in my home this year. A small pleasure it is to turn the calendar page not knowing what to expect (I never peek & I don't expect).

Modigliani and Picasso's women, the selected calendars this year for my home. I share this one with you because she appears so thoughtful.

One day you realize, hopefully, that life is made up of small pleasures.

Expectation

2009-03-01T11:13:00.000-05:00

Once you set yourself up for it, you are also setting yourself up for disappointment.
Of course, this only applies to 'expecting from' people other than yourself and you should never (do we ever?) expect from yourself either. I mean, afterall, why jeopardize your only safe haven, your only assured source of kindness and support with such an unnecessary pressure?! (that safe haven being yourself)

From others...well, I have expected only what was 'supposed to' come naturally from certain people based on their relationships to me (love/support from former parents, former spouse) and have specifically been disappointed beyond repair! This is why I have learned to rely on myself and instead of expecting from others, have chosen to be pleasantly surprised by them. It happens, not that often, which makes the occurrence especially delightful!

A friend gruffly spoke (still does!)..."Nobody cares!" I understand his sentiment better now than when he first spoke it, however, I would like to modify it a bit.

"No one will care more about you than you!"